Rice County News

Kansas Dept. of Commerce Launches Creative Placemaking Pilot Project

Friday, June 9

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Commerce and the Patterson Family Foundation are pleased to announce the Engaging Placemaking for Innovative Communities (EPIC) pilot program. With a focus on arts-driven community development projects that enhance rural communities and enable additional partnership and connection, EPIC is launching in south-central Kansas under the... Read More.

Lyons City Council Agrees to Request Traffic Audit of Main St. and West Ave. Intersection

Friday, June 9

LYONS, Kan. – The Lyons City Council has agreed to request that a new traffic audit be done on the intersection of Main St. and West Ave. Last month, members of the Planning Commission asked the Council to consider the audit be done by... Read More.

Kansas Families Can Explore the Cosmosphere, Other Kansas Landmarks for Free as Part of Sunflower Summer Program

Friday, June 9

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Kansas families can have a blast for free this summer at the Cosmosphere all thanks to the Kansas State Department of Education's Sunflower Summer program. All Kansas students, and up to two accompanying adults, can receive free admission to the... Read More.

Kansas Gets Good Rating for Public Health Emergency Preparedness

Friday, June 9

UNDATED (KNS) — Kansas is relatively well-prepared to respond to public health emergencies but still needs to improve hospital safety and flu vaccination rates. Those are some of the findings from a recent report by the nonprofit group Read More.

Kansas Lawmakers Promised State Employee Raises, but the Cost Could Shut Down Agencies

Friday, June 9

By Dylan Lysen TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) - An unexpected hike in the cost of giving Kansas state employees a raise has created a potential budget crisis next year that could cause state agencies to shut down some operations.The cost for the 5%... Read More.

Emporia State University Takes Reinstated Professors to District Court

Friday, June 9

By Sam Bailey, Kansas Reflector TOPEKA, Kan. — Emporia State University has asked a district court judge to review and reverse the reinstatement of five professors fired last year as part of a university-wide restructuring.The Office of Administrative Hearings ordered the reversal of the terminations... Read More.

Dillons Dollar Day at State Fair to Feature New Carnival Offer

Wednesday, June 7

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Dillon’s Dollar Day at the Kansas State Fair will be Monday, Sept. 11. This year on Dillons Dollar Day, there will be a special Midway Wristband that allows unlimited rides that day for $25. This wristband will replace the one-ticket-per-ride offer from previous... Read More.

RR Crossing Repairs to Close U.S. 56 on East Side of Ellinwood

Wednesday, June 7

ELLINWOOD, Kan. - Because of railroad crossing repairs, U.S. 56 will be closed on the east side of Ellinwood from Tuesday, June 13, through Saturday, June 17.Signs will direct motorists to a local detour using South Main Street and East E Street/Southeast 10 Road.See... Read More.

LaTurner Turns up Volume on Political Opposition to Elimination of AM Radio from New Vehicles

Wednesday, June 7

By Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector TOPEKA, Kan. — U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner of Kansas denounced the decision of manufacturers to stop installing AM radio systems in new vehicles, arguing millions of people rely on that format for weather, agriculture and emergency information as well as... Read More.

Politicians Say They Can Stop Rural Kansas Population Declines, but the Dropoff Continues

Wednesday, June 7

By Kansas Public Radio, Dylan Lysen HUMBOLDT, Kan. - This town is the exception that proves the rule.Its slight uptick in population in recent years driven by efforts to make this Allen County town of just under 2,000 people buzz a little... Read More.

More Kansas Families Now Eligible for Education Enrichment Funds

Wednesday, June 7

WICHITA, Kan. (KNS/KMUW) — More Kansas families are now eligible for a $1,000 payment to help fight learning loss. Governor Laura Kelly's administration started the Kansas Education Enrichment Program in January as a way to help parents pay for educational services like... Read More.

More Than $11 Million Awarded for Kansas Transportation Projects

Wednesday, June 7

GARDNER, Kan. (KPR) — Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has announced more than $11 million will be awarded to 14 transportation construction projects across the state. The state grants are made possible through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s (KDOT) Cost Share Program.Kelly stopped in Gardner... Read More.