Charred fence posts, oxidized barbed wire and blackened trees lined the Arkansas River in west-central Kansas in the wake of a 1,500 acre fire that scorched the dry riverbed and surrounding property. Below average rainfall in the region and a bone-dry riverbed filled with dead brush fueled the fire. The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office deemed the cause “undetermined,” even though the fire sparked one day after a controlled burn was performed on an adjacent ranch owned by the city of Hays. The fire marshal’s office did not draw a connection between the two fires. But others didn’t find it difficult to see a link.
Read more: Kansas Reflector

The Mission Gateway site at the intersection of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Johnson Drive has sat largely vacant for two decades. While it’s unclear how long it might take for the private property get redeveloped, Mission Mayor Sollie Flora says the city’s government is making “making it a focus.”
Read more: KCUR

It’s getting more difficult to find an attorney in rural Kansas as people retire, so the state is offering incentives to attract a new generation of lawyers. Still, filling the civic leadership roles left by veteran lawyers will not be easy. The shortage of attorneys in many rural areas has left people without the legal help they need. But a new Kansas law will give incentives to lawyers who practice or plan to practice in rural areas of the state. As Kansas News Service reporter Zach Boblitt explains, they have big shoes to fill.
Read more: KCUR News

As public pools prepare to open for the summer, a familiar problem is forcing them to make changes. Augusta announced Thursday that due to a shortage of lifeguards, the pool will have reduced hours. The city said it is short 12 lifeguards. It is going to continue recruitment efforts in hopes that more people will join the team before the pool opens on May 23, because it could return to the full schedule if there are more lifeguards. Another city scrambling to get more people is Oakley. The city put out a call earlier this week saying that if it doesn’t hire more lifeguards, the pool will not open at all this summer.
Read more: KSN-TV

Jump Start cut the ribbon Thursday on a new blending facility in Butler County. The biofuel facility in Potwin converts soybean oil into biodiesel and biogas. The group behind the facility said it will serve as the region’s fuel distribution terminal, filling anywhere from 25 to 100 loads daily. Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas said it will create yet another market for Kansas farmers.
Read more: KSN-TV

Plans for a downtown pavilion are a step closer to reality for the community of Russell. Russell Development Inc. announced Thursday that it is moving forward with plans for the Russell Market Square. It will serve as a covered, open-air pavilion in the heart of Russell’s downtown at West Seventh and North Maple Streets. The pavilion will be used to host farmers markets, food truck nights, live music, festivals, holiday events, private rentals and other events throughout the year.
Read more: KSN-TV

Starting Friday, you will want to make sure you leave the toilet seat down, and no, it’s not because your wife asked you to. The City of Hays said a contractor will begin sewer line cleaning and inspections in the northeast area of the city. The project will begin at the north, with crews working their way south over the next two months. Door hangers providing information will be placed on homes and businesses prior to cleaning. During cleaning, you may hear a rumbling sound, and water may bubble up from sinks, bathtub drains and toilets.
Read more: KSN-TV

Parts of the state are expecting cold temperatures Wednesday night, with western Kansas dipping into a freeze warning. It could be the final nail in the coffin for some already struggling wheat crops. With wheat crops nearly two weeks ahead of schedule, Ron Suppes with the Kansas Wheat Commission said a freeze now, after months of drought, could be devastating.
Read more: KSN-TV