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1 week ago | 
emporiagazette.com | Amanda Davis
The Emporia City Commission approved the final plat for the Stormont Vail facility, located at Road G, during its Wednesday morning meeting. The final plat addresses issues with the western access road on the Debauge Family Sports Complex, outlines the creation of a right-of-way for future road projects, and details the construction of two easements for drainage and sewerline issues.
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1 week ago | 
emporiagazette.com | Amanda Davis
Editor’s Note: This is the sixth installment of a ten part series where Amanda Davis, a Gazette reporter, will attend the Civic Institute. Each week, she will write about what the class learns, offering a glimpse into the inner workings of city management. We journeyed to the David Traylor Zoo Education Center on Tuesday to visit with Emporia’s four-legged, scaly, and furry residents.
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1 week ago | 
emporiagazette.com | Amanda Davis
On June 4, Emporia City Commissioners approved the creation of a new stormwater utility fund. Created for the sole purpose of financing future stormwater improvement projects, the stormwater utility fee has been discussed by previous City Engineers since 2017, according to Jim Ubert, current Emporia City Engineer. The stormwater utility fee charge rate is based on Equivalent Residential Units (ERU), a system currently utilized by 23 of 26 Cities of the First Class in Kansas.
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1 week ago | 
emporiagazette.com | Amanda Davis
The Emporia Public Library held its annual Worm Races Tuesday morning. A large crowd of children and their trusty worm companions congregated at the library, eager to see their worms off and racing for first place. During each race, four worms were placed in a green start circle, and each worm raced to the edge to qualify for the next round. Alexander and his worm Jim took the first place prize. Mateo and his worm Sonic came in second.
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1 week ago | 
emporiagazette.com | Amanda Davis
When Michael Torres, Intercultural Director at Emporia State University, was growing up in Emporia, he remembers the impact of Hispanics of Today and Tomorrow (HOTT) - attending fiestas, events, and even receiving the HOTT College Scholarship fund. Now, Torres has the responsibility of shaping the organization’s future as its newest President. The conversation around stepping up the leadership role came about a month and a half ago with Sally Sanchez, former longtime HOTT President.
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1 week ago | 
emporiagazette.com | Amanda Davis
The Emporia Recreation Commission (ERC) discussed the future of after-school programming for USD 253, and possibly restarting the Recreation Commission’s previous program, during its monthly Monday meeting. Last Wednesday, the Boys and Girls Club of South Central Kansas (BGCSCK) gave a 60 day notice to USD 253 that it would be eliminating all Emporia after-school programs for elementary school students.
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1 week ago | 
emporiagazette.com | Amanda Davis
Middle Ground Books and Gifts, as a way to recognize a year of operation, is throwing a one year anniversary celebration on Saturday, filled with discounts, new merchandise, giveaways, and refreshments. Middle Ground Books Co-owners Debra and Lance Rundus and Megan Love opened their brick-and-mortar location last June. The Saturday celebration is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the bookstore’s Commercial location.
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1 week ago | 
emporiagazette.com | Amanda Davis
The Emporia Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals will discuss recommending a zoning change of Industrial Park IV, located at 600 and 626 West Highway 50, from a Lyon County parcel type to a City of Emporia parcel type, during its Tuesday evening meeting. Industrial Park IV was annexed into city limits in 2024. Once a property is annexed into city limits, it maintains its county zoning designation until changed by the City Commission.
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1 week ago | 
kansas.com | Amanda Davis
Project Playscape, an Americus community initiative, cut the ribbon on its third project Saturday morning - a new Splash Pad in Americus Jones Park. The Splash Pad, a $250,000 project financed through a blend of sponsorships, Emporia Community Foundation Match Day dollars, and donations, began construction in late April. Britney Hinrichs, Chair of the Project Playscape Board, said that the Splash Pad replaced the former Americus Swimming Pool, which was demolished.
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2 weeks ago | 
emporiagazette.com | Amanda Davis
Project Playscape, an Americus community initiative, cut the ribbon on its third project Saturday morning - a new Splash Pad in Americus Jones Park. The Splash Pad, a $250,000 project financed through a blend of sponsorships, Emporia Community Foundation Match Day dollars, and donations, began construction in late April. Britney Hinrichs, Chair of the Project Playscape Board, said that the Splash Pad replaced the former Americus Swimming Pool, which was demolished.
