News

TOPEKA — Some of Kansas’ largest cities are struggling to gain full returns on tax increment financing districts meant to help bolster development activity and property values, a recent state audit found.TIF districts, as they are called, are intended to fund real estate projects that otherwise wouldn’t exist.

For Medicare recipients an important time of year is coming up — the Medicare Open Enrollment period.Each year from October 15 to December 7, Medicare beneficiaries may compare plans and make changes in their drug plan (Part D) or Medicare Advantage plan during this time.Abby Vaughn, Harvey County Extension Agent, Foods, Nutrition and Health, there is help available for those needing assistance picking their next plan.“There are several trained senior health insurance counselors at the K-State Research & Extension Office in Newton and around Harvey County who are ready to help you free of charge and provide unbiased information,” Vaugn said.In addition to the extension office, the county department on aging, area senior centers and some retirment facilities will have advisors on hand this fall.A list of those locations appears at the end of this article.“Please contact one of the offices [listed] schedule an appointment to review your Medicare Part D drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan,” Vaugn said.

When Kimberly Kleoppel envisioned the birth of her fourth baby, she pictured warm lighting and a birthing tub.She wanted it to go a lot like the birth of her third baby.

Hesston — Hesston College will host a visiting theatrical production, “Bonhoeffer: Cell 92,” a portrayal of the life and moral struggles of theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

History is about to repeat itself in downtown Newton, specifically at one of the oldest parks in the city of Newton.Themian park, established by a women’s club and donated to the city, is about to see renovations be privately funded and turned over to the public building commission.“It is always great to see these private-public partnerships,” said Richard Stinnett, a city commissioner who has been part of the planning committee for Themian Park.The proposed project will cost an esitmated at about $1.76 million.“The expectations is, at this point, that the improvements would be paid for that are donated,” Loomis said.After several meetings of a board made up of members of the Railer Foundation, city commission, Newton Recreation Commission and the school district a plan for the park has been created and finalized.With that in hand, along with a cost estimate the Railer Foundation is starting fund-raising for the project.Public-private partnership led to the construction of the R.