Wellington local news summary
Week of October 8 2025
City to fund half of demolition for new church parking lot
City addresses sanitation department restructuring, confirms no layoffs
City Hall renovations underway, earn praise from council
City partners with KPP Energy to sponsor holiday lighting contest
Mobile mammogram bus now serving local clinic
Evergy Power Plant Rezoning Approved
Broadband Provider Seeks to Use County Tower
Road Agreement with Evergy Still Under Review
City to fund half of demolition for new church parking lot
WELLINGTON, Kan. - A blighted property at 214 N. B St., next to St. Anthony Catholic Church at 210 N. B St., will be replaced by a parking lot, with the city contributing $5,000 toward the demolition costs. The council approved the funding as part of its voluntary demolition program, which offers a 50 percent match up to $5,000. The church had already demolished the house to create a larger, safer parking area for its school and congregation. Council members noted that schoolchildren enjoyed watching the demolition and that the project would alleviate parking concerns in the area.
City addresses sanitation department restructuring, confirms no layoffs
WELLINGTON, Kan. - City officials on Tuesday addressed community rumors about the sanitation department, clarifying that a recent restructuring due to a major revenue loss did not result in any layoffs. Public Works Director Jeremy Jones reported that the loss of a major hauling contract from Sedgwick County, which accounted for 53 percent of the landfill’s volume, created a revenue shortfall of over $400,000. To offset the loss, two positions were eliminated—one in collections and one at the landfill. Both affected employees voluntarily transferred to other open positions within Public Works. Mayor Joe Soria emphasized the city’s effort to avoid job losses. “We did transfer out of one each of those departments into other public works positions,” the director stated. “So nobody lost their job.”
City Hall renovations underway, earn praise from council
WELLINGTON, Kan. - Ongoing renovations at City Hall are making visible progress, drawing positive comments from council members at Tuesday’s meeting. Councilwoman Jan Grace commended the “huge improvements” to the building’s interior. “I like seeing the changes in what’s being done,” Grace said. “I think it was something that’s needed to be done, and I’m glad that it is getting done.”
City partners with KPP Energy to sponsor holiday lighting contest
WELLINGTON, Kan. - The City Council voted to continue its support for the Chamber of Commerce’s annual holiday lighting contest by providing prize money in the form of utility bill credits. This year, the city’s financial commitment will be reduced by half. KPP Energy, the city’s wholesale power provider, has agreed to sponsor 50 percent of the prize costs. The city will cover the remaining half for winners in the residential and commercial categories.
Mobile mammogram bus now serving local clinic
WELLINGTON, Kan. - A new mobile mammography unit, nicknamed the “mammo bus,” is now available to residents, Councilwoman Cindy Antonich announced Tuesday. Ascension Medical Group Via Christi in Wellington is hosting the bus, which will be on-site approximately two days per month to provide convenient breast cancer screenings. Antonich praised the initiative as a valuable resource for women in the community, particularly those who may not have a primary care physician. Residents interested in an appointment are advised to contact the clinic or their healthcare provider.
Evergy Power Plant Rezoning Approved
SUMNER COUNTY, Kan. – The Sumner County Commission unanimously approved a request by Evergy Kansas South, Inc. to rezone 156.3 acres near Conway Springs from Rural District to Light Industrial District, allowing construction/operation of a new natural-gas power plant at the 500 block of North Milan Road (near N. Milan Rd & W. 50th Ave N). The change followed a Planning Commission public hearing and recommendation.
Broadband Provider Seeks to Use County Tower
SUMNER COUNTY, Kan. – Haviland Broadband discussed mounting an antenna on the county’s Riverdale tower. The commission authorized the representative to work directly with 911 Director Marcie Bristor to proceed.
Road Agreement with Evergy Still Under Review
SUMNER COUNTY, Kan. – The commission received an update on a road agreement with Evergy related to the new plant; no final version ready. Given the plant’s approvals (KCC 7/7/25), continuing coordination is expected.
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