News Blog

With summer winding down, parents and kids have entered the ‘back to school’ mode. On top of buying school related items like notebooks, pens, pencils, and erasers and compass…wait do they use…

The City of Garnett looking to fund some big projects with a one cent sale tax, if voters approve it in November. City Manager Travis Wilson included a summary of the proposal…

Law enforcement agencies around the state are warning drivers they will crack down on DUI’s during a Sober Driving Campaign that started this past weekend and will run through Labor Day. The…

Sometimes, being on a city government board can be frustrating and thankless. Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce Director, Ryland Miller, came before the Franklin County Commission Wednesday, August 20th. He had requested…

The Ottawa Police Department will join other police agencies across Kansas in a crackdown aimed at removing impaired drivers from the roadways during ‘You Drink, You Drive, You Lose’, now through Labor…

For the sixth time in 2025, the overall rural mainstreet index sank below growth neutral 50.0, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region, dependent…

If you are looking forward to the City of Ottawa doing a chip and seal project, you are in luck! The city has announced that they will begin a chip and seal…

Franklin County is part of KCAMP. What’s that, you ask? It’s the Kansas County Association Multiline Pool. It’s an insurance pool made up of Kansas counties, that covers property, casualty and liability….

If you are a big fan of Whataburger and you drive out of your way to find a location, they are inching closer and closer to the Ottawa area. Recently a Whataburger…

A program to help those that are incarcerated get jobs once they are released, received praise at the Ottawa City Commission meeting. The project was launched by Franklin County Sheriff Sergeant Tanner…

Franklin County has an extreme shortage of child care openings. There are 40 kids needing care for every open spot. With the recent closing of the Emerald Center, that need has increased….

School boards in Miami County indicate they are surpassing the revenue neutral rate in their budgets for next year. Paola USD 368’s 2025-2026 budget includes a reduction in the tax rate beyond…

Recently, the Garnett Community Foundation hosted its Generations of Giving Celebration, honoring the generosity that shapes the Garnett Community, while inspiring investments for its future strength. The event was full of energy,…

The Franklin County Health Department knows that not everyone is going to be able to pay for their services. Even people with insurance sometimes have co-pays that they can’t take care of….

Franklin County Emergency Communications Director, Sarah Peffley, went before the Ottawa City Commission to discuss how the emergency calls were handled this year. She says call volume was up quite a bit:…

With the City of Ottawa making it easier and less expensive for housing developers to apply for Rural housing Incentive District status, the question was asked if and when the changes would…

Last week, the National Institute of Jail Operations had their Central Region Conference in Overland Park. Four members of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department received recognition at the conference. Sheriff Jeff Richards…

The Franklin County Commission approved the purchase of a new ambulance for the county EMS fleet. EMS Director Christie Hilliker says she sent out bids and received two back; however, only one…

The City of Ottawa is trying to make it easier for developers to file for Rural Incentive Housing District status. At Wednesday’s meeting, August 20th, Finance Director, Melanie Landis went through the…

Monday, August 18th, U. S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, announced the USDA will no longer fund taxpayer dollars for solar panels on productive farmland, or allow solar panels manufactured by foreign…