Don Roberts, Edgerton mayor, was reintroduced to the world of amateur radio June 27 and came away from the experience all the more appreciative of the key role amateur radio operators, or “hams,” can play in providing communications over great distances during an emergency. The occasion was Field Day, the annual nationwide emergency preparedness exercise organized by the American Radio Relay League, and the place was former Gardner businessman Del Sawyer’s operating station in Edgerton. Source: Gardner News

Edgerton residents with pets need to update licenses by the end of the month. A current rabies vaccination is required. For those who can’t make their usual veterinarian appointments can be made at the low-cost animal vaccine clinic which returns to Edgerton City Hall in 2021 on March 20 from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Residents must sign up for a 15 minute timeslot to have their pets vaccinated. Reservations are accepted through petclinic.eventbrite.com or by calling city hall at 913.893.6231. Up to four pets are allowed per resident, per appointment. The clinic will offer low cost rabies and distemper vaccines, [...]

The City of Gardner has named Amy Nasta as its new deputy city administrator. Nasta joined the city in 2017 as its city clerk and was promoted to senior management analyst in 2019. ... In her new role, Nasta will assist the city administrator on high-level special projects and initiatives and oversee human resources, information technology, and building maintenance functions. She will also provide support and guidance to department directors per the direction of the city administrator. “Amy has been a tremendous asset to the organization since she began nearly four years ago,” said Jim Pruetting, city administrator. Source: Gardner News

Edgerton City Council discussed the details of writing a city ordinance for all-terrain vehicles, golf carts, low-speed vehicles, micro-utility trucks and work-site utility vehicles. The ordinance would be voted on at a future council meeting. In September 2020, the Edgerton City Council held a work session to discuss possible regulations to allow various types of vehicles on city streets. Source: Gardner News

Edgerton ranks below Gardner and Spring Hill on combined sales tax rates. Edgerton’s combined rate is 8.975, and both Gardner and Spring Hill combined rates are 9.475. Edgerton collected about $100,000 more in sales tax revenue this year. The total was $852,533 for 2020 and in 2019 it was $747,277. “Because we have so many businesses that are considered essential, the City of Edgerton did not see the sharp declines that impacted many other cities. We remain in excellent financial shape to begin 2021.” said Donald Roberts, mayor. Sales tax revenue increased in 2020 over 2019, Roberts continued. Edgerton’s sales tax [...]

The Edgerton City Council recently approved new regulations on large trucks. Now any load that has the potential to spill or fly out must be tarped. The goal of the tarp ordinance is to improve safety for motorists, especially motorcyclists, and preserve the quality of streets and the adjacent stormwater system. The regulations only apply to roads within Edgerton city limits. “We expect the sheriff’s office will take an educational stance initially with drivers, but we want everyone to make sure their loads are secure,” says Donald Roberts, mayor. “This is all about making sure our streets are safe for all [...]

The scent of smoked turkeys and sides filled the air at Edgerton City Hall just days before Christmas. With festive music playing in the background, volunteers were hard at work, packing boxes for meals and gifts that would go to help more than 30 local families and over 40 children as part of the 2020 Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund. The annual Edgerton tradition has grown over the last few years as the need continues to increase. Families are nominated through third-party organizations, such as the Edgerton Food Pantry, churches and other groups. “We’re looking for the families that aren’t getting help [...]

This is an extremely busy time of year for Edgerton’s LPKC as most companies are dealing with “peak” season. “As you can imagine most of the online e-commerce fulfillment center we have at here see a surge in activities around the holidays,” said James Oltman, president ElevateEdgerton! “Amazon, Walmart.com and UPS are three examples of companies that hire a large amount of seasonal help to assist them with the increase in business they see through the holidays. Of course that also means there is usually increased container movement through the BNSF intermodal facility as well.” “Not only would this time of [...]

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s (KDWPT) Flint Hills Trail and Prairie Spirit Trail state parks recently received America’s highest trails honor when they were designated National Recreational Trails by the National Park Service. Both state park trails are operated by KDWPT’s Parks Division. “This is significant, not only for those parks and our state parks system, but for the state of Kansas,” said Linda Lanterman, KDWPT’s Parks Division director. “This is going to draw valuable attention to two great state parks and all they have to offer. And, ultimately, help the local economies that are developing along those trails. [...]

Governor Laura Kelly today announced the introduction of the new Broadband Acceleration Grant Program to expand broadband access to rural and underserved communities across the state. This year marks the first time in Kansas history that there has been a concerted, statewide, bipartisan effort to fund increased broadband access. Over the next ten years, the program seeks to invest $85 million toward bridging the digital divide in Kansas thanks to broadband modernization funding provided through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE). Source: Gardner News