October 2023

Kansas organizations lobby to restrain use of eminent domain on solar, wind projects

TOPEKA — Renewable energy pessimist Virginia Crossland-Macha urged a special legislative committee to build support for changing Kansas law to tip the scale in favor of property owners opposed to development of wind and solar generation projects and electricity transmission lines.Crossland-Macha, who leads Stand For The Land Kansas, focused much of her ire on NextEra Energy and NextEra Energy Transmission, which in May received a siting permit from the Kansas Corporation Commission to establish an 83-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission line in eastern Kansas.

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Future state highway plans could involve passing lanes on U.S. Hwy 59

Franklin County commissioners received an update on future state transportation plans, including a project that could add passing lanes to a local highway, during Wednesday’s commission meeting.David Lee, Franklin County public works director, said he recently attended a local consult meeting as part of the Kansas Department of Transportation’s public engagement process for its IKE program.

Read MoreFuture state highway plans could involve passing lanes on U.S. Hwy 59

Deputy loses cancer battle

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office announced the passing of one of its own Saturday morning.On the agency’s Facebook page, officials announced Deputy Troy Sprinkle died of cancer Friday night.According to the post, Sprinkle served the sheriff’s office for nearly 18 years.

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