Commission tables fireworks ordinance to allow for full board review

Senior Center nutrition program stabilizes after provider transition

Senior Center faces potential $100,000 repair bill for asbestos flooring

Chamber reports sharp increase in gap financing for local businesses

Chamber foundation contributes funds for downtown wireless system

Taste of Newton draws record crowds, sets 2026 date

Commissioners table tax exemption reviews to discuss accountability

Register of deeds raises alarm on state biometric bill

Data center informational meeting announced

Health department releases housing assessment

Extension office plans livestock emergency training

Early voting begins for USD 373 bond election

Commission tables fireworks ordinance to allow for full board review

NEWTON, Kan. — The Newton City Commission voted to table a proposed fireworks ordinance for two weeks following a 4-1 vote, delaying the decision until Mayor Rich Stinnett returns to the board. A commissioner said the body lacked consistent data regarding sales traffic and revenue and noted confusion surrounding media reports of a previous vote on the matter. The ordinance, which aims to establish specific dates and times for fireworks sales and discharge, will be reconsidered when all five commissioners are present to ensure a consensus based on the same information.

Senior Center nutrition program stabilizes after provider transition

NEWTON, Kan. — Newton Senior Center Director Lynne Beth announced the facility's nutrition program has stabilized following a difficult transition in January, with hot meals resuming last Monday. The Central Plains Area Agency on Aging assumed administration of the program after the previous food provider's contract ended Dec. 31, 2025, resulting in a temporary shift to frozen meals that limited socialization for participants. Beth said the center is now processing a waiting list of residents wishing to rejoin the lunch program as operations return to normal.

Senior Center faces potential $100,000 repair bill for asbestos flooring

NEWTON, Kan. — Director Beth also informed the commission that the Senior Center requires approximately $80,000 to $100,000 to replace original 1964 flooring that contains asbestos. The tiles have begun to lift, creating a safety risk that could necessitate intervention by the Environmental Protection Agency if left unaddressed. The center plans to renovate the facility in sections, prioritizing critical areas, and will launch fundraising campaigns in June and September to cover the costs.

Chamber reports sharp increase in gap financing for local businesses

NEWTON, Kan. — Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Pam Stevens reported a 53 percent increase in gap financing loans provided to area businesses through NetWork Kansas. Stevens said the chamber has facilitated $432,150 in loans to date, including three recent loans totaling more than $360,000. The program offers low-interest loans, averaging 3.64 percent, to assist entrepreneurs who are unable to secure full funding from traditional banks for opening or expanding operations.

Chamber foundation contributes funds for downtown wireless system

NEWTON, Kan. — The Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation donated an additional $5,000 to the Downtown Beautification Campaign to support the purchase of a new downtown wireless system. The contribution brings the chamber's total project support to $10,000 over the past two years, with the funds matched by the Patterson Foundation. Installation of the new system is expected to be completed and operational this spring.

Taste of Newton draws record crowds, sets 2026 date

NEWTON, Kan. — Organizers announced that the 2026 Taste of Newton will take place Oct. 15, a date selected to avoid conflicts with Bethel College home football games. Data indicated more than 7,400 people attended the Oct. 2, 2025, event, which featured 69 vendors and expanded to four city blocks to reduce crowding. The annual festival continues to see attendance growth, prompting the logistical adjustments for future gatherings.

Commissioners table tax exemption reviews to discuss accountability

HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Harvey County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to table two agenda items regarding the annual review of tax exemptions for local businesses until the March 3 meeting. The board consensus was to revisit a previous directive requiring businesses that receive economic development incentives to present their progress reports in person rather than solely submitting paperwork. The delay will allow the commission to hold a work session on Feb. 25 to clarify the policy and ensure that entities receiving tax breaks are meeting employment and investment goals before exemptions are renewed.

Register of deeds raises alarm on state biometric bill

HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Harvey County Register of Deeds Raquel Langley informed commissioners Tuesday about House Bill 2696, currently introduced in the Kansas Legislature, which would require biometric screening and cloud-based facial recognition for landowners selling property. Langley, who testified against the bill in Topeka, warned that the legislation could violate privacy rights, hinder the sale of agricultural land and oil rights by nonresident owners and cost Kansas counties between $5 million and $10 million to implement. The commission approved travel for the register of deeds to attend a conference in Virginia Beach to research alternative fraud prevention methods.

Data center informational meeting announced

HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Amidst growing regional discussions regarding data center developments, commissioners announced an informational meeting organized by the Regional Economic Area Partnership (REAP) scheduled for March 13 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Kansas Leadership Center in Wichita. Officials emphasized that the meeting is intended to gather data and provide information on the impact of data centers rather than to advocate for or against specific projects.

Health department releases housing assessment

HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — Harvey County Health Department Director Lynette Redington presented the findings of a newly published housing assessment, which identifies housing availability as a key factor in local food insecurity. The assessment, conducted in partnership with the Food and Farm Council, will be used by the Harvey County Housing Alliance to create short- and long-term action plans. Redington also urged residents to participate in the ongoing community health assessment survey, which is available online through the end of the month to help identify core health priorities for the next three years.

Extension office plans livestock emergency training

HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Harvey County K-State Research and Extension office announced plans to introduce a Livestock Emergency Response Plan (LERP) program to train 25 to 50 local emergency responders on how to safely extract cattle and other livestock from overturned trailers and transport vehicles. Extension Director Anne Pitts noted that the program addresses specific needs identified by county emergency management and will help improve safety during roadside accidents involving agricultural transport.

Early voting begins for USD 373 bond election

HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. — County Clerk Rick Piepho reported that early voting began Tuesday for the USD 373 special bond election and will continue weekdays at the courthouse until noon on Monday, March 2. Voting will also be available on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The special election is limited to registered voters residing within the USD 373 school district boundaries, including a small number of voters in Marion County who will cast ballots in Harvey County.

Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:

Contact Us