Florence, KS Municipal and More

Residents of north Wichita suburb face double-digit increases in water rates

Valley Center is getting close to finishing the water treatment facility that will allow it to reduce its dependence on Wichita water starting next year. As that time draws near, Valley Center officials are determining the rates that residents and other water users will pay in 2027 and beyond as the costs for the water treatment facility and related infrastructure come online. Earlier this month, city officials showed council members three possible options: An 11% increase for both 2027 and 2028, with Valley Center providing 75% of its own water and using Wichita for the remaining 25%. A 16% increase for each of the first two years with Valley Center providing 60% of its own water. And a 50-50 water source split accompanied by a 20.5% water bill increase for the next two years. Next year’s water bill for a homeowner using 4,500 gallons a month would range from $73.71 to $83.65, according to city data. Council members were not asked to vote on any of the options at the Nov. 3 meeting because the city is still “calculating final figures,” City Administrator Cyndra Kastens said in an email to The Eagle. Regardless of the option chosen, Valley Center water

Wichita, KS · 10h

KWCH.com

Wichita airport provides update as nationwide ground stop continues

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - The Federal Aviation Administration issued a nationwide ground stop at approximately 3:15 p.m. Friday. The ground stop affects all airports in the U.S., including Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT). The ground stop remains in effect until further notice. Aircraft currently in flight will continue...

Wichita, KS · 1d

Wichita Eagle

State sues developers of Derby Shores project because ‘it has not been built'

Journalists have asked a lot of questions about the numerous false starts and delays at Derby Shores — part of a state-financed STAR bond district — and now the Kansas Department of Commerce wants answers. “More than four years after the project was approved and bonds were sold, it has not been built,” the state said in a lawsuit filed this month in Sedgwick County District Court . “Announced opening dates have come and gone.” The suit is against Derby Destination Development , a team consisting of Dave Murfin, Rick Worner and Rodney Steven II. Security Bank of Kansas City , the trustee on the project, and the city of Derby also are named. “It is going to take action by the developer to move things forward,” said Derby city manager Kiel Mangus. None of the developers returned calls for comment on Wednesday. A Commerce spokesman said no one was available to comment Wednesday, and neither of the department’s two Morris Laing attorneys returned calls for comment. Mangus said the city is still analyzing what’s in the lawsuit. “We haven’t fully been able to evaluate all the things in the suit, so that’s what we’re going through right now,” he

Derby, KS · 3d

Wichita Eagle

What's the outlook for safety improvements at this U.S. 54 intersection outside Wichita?

At 9:19 a.m. on Oct. 27, a Goddard resident sent a text expressing concerns about the intersection of U.S. 54 and 215th Street West. Before that morning was over, 68-year-old Wichita resident Bradley Alan Voran would be pronounced dead after being involved in a two-vehicle accident at that very intersection, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol report. Residential and commercial growth have led to increased safety concerns in recent years. “The city of Goddard shares concerns regarding the safety of the 215th and U.S. 54 intersection and others such as the 199th and U.S. 54 intersection,” said Goddard City Manager Craig Crossette, in an email to The Eagle. Development of the new Trail’s End subdivision , southeast of the 215th Street West and U.S. 54 intersection, has added vehicle and school bus traffic to the area. And more homes are still being built. Additionally, PrairieLand Partners recently confirmed that it has purchased 26.2 acres near that intersection to build a John Deere dealership , where customers will go to service or purchase tractors, combines, sprayers and applicator equipment, planters, seeders, excavators, backhoes and loaders, among other things. That intersection is also home to a Dillons Distribution Center, which has hundreds

Goddard, KS · 2d

KSN News

Kansan’s secret CIA mission declassified after 61 years

For one Kansas veteran, a classified military mission kept much of his service private for more than six decades.

KSN News

New owners reopen west Wichita Japanese steakhouse seized by state

A Japanese restaurant in Wichita that was seized due to unpaid taxes is back open.

Wichita, KS · 1d

Wichita Eagle

Mold, bugs in liquor, expired medicine & more at Wichita KS restaurants, hotel

Bugs in liquor bottles, mold, flies, expired medicine for sale, leaky sinks, dirty conditions, candy that wasn’t labeled properly, food that wasn’t stored at safe temperatures and more are among violations state inspectors discovered during recent food safety and lodging inspections in the Wichita area. Each week, The Eagle adds to its searchable database of failed inspections from Sedgwick County. Seven restaurants, hotels and other businesses were non-compliant with state regulations Nov. 1-7. Inspectors found few or no violations that week at more than 70 other locations deemed compliant with food safety and lodging rules. Kansas Department of Agriculture inspections are meant to protect the public from foodborne illnesses and other health risks. Locations can fail if they have too many problems, certain types of violations or issues that can’t be fixed right away. Violations are common. Most of the time, they’re corrected in front of an inspector. Examples of things that can be addressed immediately include serving food that’s more than a week old, employees mishandling ingredients and dirty kitchens. Issues that may take longer to correct include pest infestations, power outages and plumbing problems. It’s rare, but a business may be temporarily shut down over violations. Locations that

Wichita, KS · 1d

KSN News

Meetings planned to discuss possible changes to Wichita’s Canal Route

KDOT is conducting a study that will look at existing infrastructure, traffic operations, safety and other transportation needs along the corridor.

Wichita, KS · 2d

travelmag.com

The Small Kansas Town Where Locals Actually Do Their Holiday Shopping

A holiday parade here openly welcomes goats. Yes, goats, marching right down Main Street alongside everyone else in a wacky winter tradition. That same town sells hand-painted wooden horses, straw Yule goats, and lingonberry preserves on red brick streets. Shops stay open late, kids grab free ornaments to make, and...

Lindsborg, KS · 1d

KSN News

Chaparral Schools superintendent to resign

A superintendent in south-central Kansas announced his resignation Wednesday after "thoughtful conversations about the future of the district."

Wichita Eagle

ICYMI: Lange clears hurdle to bring hundreds of new homes to this Wichita suburb

Lange Real Estate is moving ahead with a large multifamily development west of 167th Street West between Maple and Central in Goddard that could add 550 to 600 residences. The Goddard City Council will consider final approval Nov. 16 of a zoning change and development plan necessary for the project to go forward.

Goddard, KS · 2d

kmuw.org

Divided Wichita City Council says it won’t take official stance against agreements with ICE

Some Wichita city leaders are worried an effort to oppose deals between local governments and Immigration and Customs Enforcement could lead to retribution from the federal government and could trigger additional immigration arrests. Mayor Lily Wu and council members Becky Tuttle and J.V. Johnston said that’s why they declined Tuesday...

partner publisher · 16.7K followers

The Topeka Capital-Journal

Former Kansas Rep. Carl Maughan loses law license for 1 year for DUIs

The Kansas Supreme Court ordered former Rep. Carl Maughan to serve a one-year suspension from practicing law in the state after two 2024 DUIs, including one in Topeka . The court’s Nov. 6 order said the suspension is effective from the date of the opinion. Maughan also will be required to undergo a reinstatement hearing. In 2024, the Wichita-area Republican had two DUI convictions after getting pulled over in March in Topeka and crashing his vehicle into a pole in May in Sedgwick County. In both cases, police-conducted alcohol testing revealed blood alcohol concentration levels that exceeded the legal limit of 0.08: 0.22 in Shawnee County and 0.365 in Sedgwick County. In the Topeka case, court records said Maughan began drinking alcoholic beverages at his home in Colwich and drank some more with friends in El Dorado prior to driving to Topeka for the legislative week. Police said they found an empty 100 mL bottle of Fireball, a 12-pack of beer with seven missing cans and a loaded handgun. In the Sedgwick County crash, Maughan suffered a fractured sternum, broken ribs that extended to the spine attachment points, a concussion, and multiple bruises and cuts on his body, according to

Kansas · 1d

KSN News

Goodwill celebrates opening of downtown Wichita location

The new store near Douglas and St. Francis offers a variety of items, including clothing, accessories, household goods and furniture.

Wichita, KS · 2d

KWCH.com

partner publisher · 15.8K followers

Wichita-area data center rules remain under review after a committee takes no action

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) — A committee considering proposed data center regulations for Wichita and Sedgwick County took no action Thursday, postponing the matter until its next meeting in December. The Advance Plans Committee discussed a proposal that includes multiple annual air quality reports, plans to minimize noise, and water...

Wichita, KS · 2d

Lovely Garden Roots

Blowing Leaves Into the Street Can Cost Wichita Homeowners $371.50, Because the City Treats It as Illegal Dumping

Wichita bans raking or blowing leaves into streets and storm drains, and repeat offenders can face a $371.50 illegal dumping penalty, the city says.

KWCH.com

publisher · 33.2K followers

West Sedgwick County group raises concerns about data center size, location

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - The group ‘Renwick Area Against Data Centers in West Sedgwick County’ says its name is not the full story. “We are not anti-technology,” said Kaitlyn Gruenbacher, a member of the group. “We are not anti-data center. However, we do have some issues with these hyper-scale sites that they think are appropriate to put anywhere in the county.”

Sedgwick County, KS · 3d

JC Post

Junction City Families Invited to Meet New Pediatricians at Walk With a Doc

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. (Nov. 13, 2026) – Meeting a new pediatrician doesn’t have to start in the doctor’s office. Junction City families a chance to meet Rajan Lamichhane, M.D., and Shailendra Pandey, M.D., two new pediatricians at Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus, during this month’s Walk With a Doc.

Junction City, KS · 1d

KVOE

Veterans Legacy Fund finalizes contract to bring mobile 9/11 exhibit to Emporia next September

Last month, it was announced that a contract was in hand and ready to be finalized to bring a major memorial to Emporia next year. That announcement was made by the Emporia Veterans Legacy Fund and the memorial was the Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Never Forget mobile exhibit, an 83-foot-high tractor-trailer that transforms into a 1,100-square-foot traveling museum that honors the victims of September 11 and the brave men and women who gave their lives both during and after the events of 9/11. Thursday morning, representatives of the Veterans Legacy Fund, Clay Childs and Richelle Birk, joined KVOE’s Newsmaker segment to announce that the deal is now finalized and the exhibit will be arriving in Emporia the week of 9/11 next year.

Emporia, KS · 2d

KWCH.com