More construction is coming to the Johnson County Central Resource Library in early 2021. The branch, at 9875 W. 87th St. in Overland Park, serves the public but also houses departments that support all 14 branches, such as IT support, materials handling, communications and programming. “Many staff spaces have not been updated since Central first opened in 1995 and no longer meet the needs of a modern library system of our size,” the library said in an online posting. Source: KC Star Local News

When Kansas City lost its bid to land a massive Urban Outfitters distribution center this summer, Mayor Quinton Lucas wrote to city staff, congratulating the negotiating team for holding the line when negotiating incentives with the company. The mayor said the Port Authority of Kansas City, which led those talks, was determined to “not give away the farm,” even with competition from other cities. What was not publicly known at that time were details of the various incentive packages offered on opposite sides of the state line. In Kansas City, Port KC offered about $125 million in total incentives to lure [...]

Shawnee Mission Superintendent Mike Fulton plans to retire from his position in July, he told the school board Monday night. Fulton said in a statement that announcing his decision now will allow the district enough time to find his replacement. He has led the Johnson County school district, which is one of the largest in the state with more than 27,000 students, since 2018. “My plan beyond the superintendency is to stay engaged with the educational community in ways that support leadership development and promote equity and excellence in public education,” Fulton wrote. “To serve as superintendent in SMSD has been [...]

The number of suspected overdoses in Kansas City, Kansas, have more than doubled since last year, police said, warning of the potentially fatal effects of fentanyl. In 2019 in Kansas City, Kansas, the city saw 23 overdoses, according to the police department. So far this year, there have been 41 suspected overdoses and nine deaths, Capt. Richard Harris said in a department news release Monday. Source: KC Star Local News

Interstate 35 commuters can expect some delays in Johnson County as construction picks up this month at one of the most dangerous intersections in the Kansas City area. Work is now underway at I-35 and West 119th Street in northeast Olathe, where the traffic volume is among the highest in the state. The $22.5 million construction project includes reconfiguring the intersection and widening 119th Street — creating three lanes in each direction from Renner Boulevard to Strang Line Road — to alleviate congestion. “Anyone who uses that interchange knows the challenge it presents,” said Olathe Mayor John Bacon. “It’s not only [...]

Like just about every healthcare facility in the nation, Holton Community Hospital spent the early months of the year making big plans as leaders there awaited the arrival of the coronavirus. There were disaster planning sessions, preparations to move around staff and plans to add temporary hospital beds. “Then it didn’t happen,” said Krista Eylar, nursing director at the hospital about 30 miles north of Topeka. Source: KC Star Local News

Sixty-two Kansas counties now have mask orders in place, with many coming as Gov. Laura Kelly’s new statewide mask order went into effect, according to a list compiled by the Kansas Association of Counties. That’s up from the 50 reported counties, out of 105, with mask mandates as of Tuesday. The remaining 43 of the counties have opted out, but most are encouraging or recommending people wear masks. It’s a stark contrast to the response Kelly received to her first mask order in July, when the majority of counties opted out. But as cases of COVID-19 soar and hospitals struggle with the number of [...]

After drawing national criticism, Overland Park will no longer use $350,000 of federal COVID-19 relief money to install video cameras at Scheels Soccer Complex, officials announced Monday. Sean Reilly, city spokesman, said that officials decided to pull the funding due to a timing issue. Last week, the Overland Park City Council voted 10-2 to purchase the video equipment with federal money provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES Act. The city also agreed to grant Musco Sports Lighting the license to stream games on its platform, and the city would receive 70% of all revenue made from people paying [...]

After 22 months away, Merriam Police Cpl. Phil Lewis has returned to work following treatment for colon cancer. It was a long road back, because Lewis suffered a series of medical setbacks after being diagnosed in January 2019. “Unfortunately, nothing went as planned, and I experienced a lot of complications from the numerous surgeries and treatments I had,” the 17-year police veteran said in a news release. “Although my recovery was anything but routine, it was successful, and I am now cancer-free.” Source: KC Star Local News

Wyatt Johnson and his girlfriend were driving around Lyons on Friday while she reminisced about her hometown. They were wasting time before a wedding rehearsal. In southeast Lyons, near the home of one of her childhood friends, the couple saw an officer at a door and then heard shots ring out. Sgt. Cory Ryan was responding to a call from a man who was mowing the lawn when he was threatened by a neighboring man with a gun at around 3:40 p.m. The officer arrived at the home of the alleged shooter, 40-year-old Adam Hrabik. Source: KC Star Local News