Pittsburg housing projects get boost
PITTSBURG — Two housing projects in Pittsburg will benefit from a federal grant and state tax credits, according to The Morning Sun. The Smithsonian Apartments project at 9th and Broadway will get $840,000 in grant funds and $420,000 in tax credits. The project will add 14 new rental units. Another project, Sunflower Estates, will get $360,000 in tax credits to build 12 new single-family homes.
Train cars derail near U.S. 169
GREELEY — Of the 27 Union Pacific train cars that derailed Friday evening near U.S. 169 south of Greeley, only two flipped over the rail bed, according to The Anderson County Review. UPAC crews cleaned the area and rail service reopened about 4 a.m. Sunday. No injuries were reported and no oil was spilled. The cause is under investigation.
Burlington raises water rates
BURLINGTON — Water customers will see a significant rate increase after the Burlington City Council agreed with a recommendation to cover increasing costs for chemicals, equipment, manpower and related water expenses, The Coffey County Republican reported.
Wholesale water rates will rise by $1.85 per 1,000 gallons, up to $6.54 from $4.69.
Residential customers will see an increase of $1.91 per 1,000 gallons, up to $6.75 from $4.84. It affects Burlington city customers as well as rural water districts and the cities of Gridley, New Strawn and Le Roy.
Chanute students grow hydroponics
CHANUTE — Chanute High School unveiled a new agriculture classroom, as reported by The Chanute Tribune. The classroom is a 40-foot shipping container designed to grow vegetables and leafy greens with room for 356 vertical, hydroponic grow towers and a space for seeding those towers. It can grow up to 500 heads of lettuce per week every week of the year.
Illegal animal rescue shuttered
PARSONS — An illegal animal rescue was shut down in Parsons, according to The Parsons Sun. The police department and the city’s code enforcement officer were investigating the wellbeing and treatment of dogs in the area and contacted a Parsons homeowner who claimed to be running a nonprofit animal rescue.
Officials determined the operation was illegal because it did not follow zoning issues and had not been filed with the city. No paperwork could be found to show it was registered as a nonprofit. Also, the facility had no running water or a working sewer system.
The owners moved the animals outside of the city limits.
Microchip facility breaks ground
