News

The Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO) is in the final stages of the planning process for the federally-required, long-range metropolitan transportation plan, called MTP 2050. WAMPO's goal is to set priorities for transportation improvements throughout the Wichita metro region, which includes 22 cities and three counties.

TSnews GODDARD – An apartment complex planned for the city’s STAR bond district has found new life and is coming into sharper focus. The city council at its meeting Monday approved a development agreement and a resolution authorizing up to $20 million in industrial revenue bonds to provide a sales tax exemption on construction materials for a four story, 60-unit multi-family apartment complex and ground floor commercial space that will be known as the “Reserves at Meadows.” A 2024 attempt by STAR bond developer Rodney Steven to construct a 108unit apartment complex in the STAR bond district died after Sedgwick County vetoed proposed tax abatements.

TSnews How many snow days have local schools used, and do they have any left? And what happens if schools lose more days to snow, ice, cold or spring storms? TSnews addressed those questions to all seven public school districts in its coverage area, to get an idea of how all of the numerous winter storms in 2025 have impacted districts. Several rounds of school cancellations have taken place since the new year began.

TSnews GODDARD – The city of Goddard is partnering with the Kansas Department of Transportation on yet another project. A grant from KDOT’s Economic Development Program will support construction of a roadway and other infrastructure through the Goddard Galleria development, which is within the STAR bond district south of U.S.

TSnews HAYSVILLE – The 13th annual Swim to a Wish will take place this weekend, with funds benefiting the Make A Wish Foundation. The swim starts at 4:15 p.m.

TSnews CHENEY – When Hope Cramer, PT, DPT, opened Cheney Physical Therapy in 2024 inside of the Body Forge gym, she talked about wanting her own location and what she would do with that space. That dream is currently becoming a reality, as construction crews move along at the new building on South Main Street near the Sedgwick County Fairgrounds.

Top scholars at Southwestern College in Winfield and at Southwestern College Professional Studies have been announced with the release of the dean’s honor roll for the fall 2024 semester. Full-time students who earned grade-point averages of at least 3.70 were eligible for the honor.

Argonia Monday Argonia City Council, 6 p.m., City Hall. Cheney Thursday Bingo, 1 p.m., Cheney Senior Center.

A statewide tornado drill will be held next Wednesday as part of the National Weather Association’s severe weather preparedness week, March 3-7. Kansas experiences a wide variety of summertime severe weather, including tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail and flash flooding.

Turns out, time spent outside is good not only for children’s ability to be physically active. Kansas State University child development specialist Bradford Wiles says it’s pretty valuable for their minds, as well.