Edgerton News

Metcalf Bank wants to extend its reach into southwest Johnson County by merging with First Kansas Bank & Trust Co.

“Rep. Kiegerl has proven himself in a short time here”

Rep. Mike Kiegerl, a Republican, recently announced his intention to seek re-election. Elected in 2004, Kiegerl will pursue his third term representing the 43rd District, which comprises southwest Olathe, ... via The Olathe News

“You've got to plan your time to get things done.”

A retired fire captain, former minister and current Sprint campus employee is now the pastor of Edgerton Baptist Church. via The Olathe News

“We have a duty and obligation to do everything in our power to capture those with warrants and this is one more innovative and automated tool to assist us in fulfilling our duty”

People with outstanding arrest warrants in Johnson County may find it tougher to hide, now that the sheriff’s office warrant information is online for everyone to see.However a computer server problem ... via KansasCity.com

Johnson County Commissioner John Toplikar announced Wednesday he will seek re-election in November. via The Olathe News

“I guess the positive side about being unnoticed is that people have become so confident that it's going to be there when they need it that they expect it”

Dave Bries doesn't mind going unnoticed. In fact, he prefers it that way. As Olathe's utilities maintenance division superintendent, Bries is one of several city employees whose job is to make sure water shows ... via The Olathe News

A 55-year-old man was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for a bank robbery in which he threatened a pregnant teller.

Dale Allen Robertson pleaded guilty last year in federal court for robbing the First Kansas Bank and Trust in Edgerton, Kan., a news release from U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren said today. According to his plea, Robertson demanded money from a teller while pointing a revolver at her 'visibly pregnant' abdomen. He left on foot and escaped in a van parked nearby. Read more

A man who pleaded guilty to robbing a bank last summer will spend 17-and-a-half years behind bars. via WIBW-TV Topeka

“The hub will have as much of an impact on Johnson County and the state of Kansas as the Kansas Speedway if you look at jobs and economic effects”

Kansas City Business Journal - by Ellen Jensen Contributing Writer The 20-year buildout of a freight hub BNSF Railway Co. via Bizjournals

The history of The Olathe News is understandably filled with moments mundane and spectacular. via The Olathe News

“For heaven's sakes, what if we didn't have to talk about any line at all”

Maybe they could call it Gardgerton.

The cities of Gardner and Edgerton in southwest Johnson County are mulling an unusual move -- a consolidation into one city. City leaders in both communities say the discussions are still preliminary, and further talks that would outline the advantages and disadvantages of such a move likely won't occur until at least late spring or early summer.

The topic first was discussed in a recent meeting of the mayors, city administrators and some city council members of the two cities in which they discussed future annexation boundaries for the cities. Read more

Valentine's Day cards have been exchanged for hundreds of years, although fewer these days are actually handmade.

That's not exactly a new thing: Even a century ago, mass-produced valentines were common, which makes the very personal card-making at today's '1904 Valentine Celebration' at the Lanesfield School Historic Site a kind of romantic nostalgia for romantic nostalgia.

However you look at it, kids and adults are invited to create old-fashioned Valentine's Day cards from 1 to 5 p.m. today and Sunday at the decorated one-room schoolhouse at 18745 S. Dillie in Edgerton in Johnson County. Read more

“He would turn the other cheek and turn the other cheek”

The family of a Gardner teenager who died in a fight with a classmate say the victim was bullied for years but had started to stand up for himself. via The Topeka Capital-Journal

“Two years! Two years your son has been bullying my son.”

A Gardner teenager was charged with involuntary manslaughter Wednesday in the death of a 16-year-old schoolmate who collapsed after a fight. via Newton Kansan

An 18-year-old Kansas City, Kan., man who crashed a vehicle on Interstate 35 during a Johnson County police chase has been charged with trying to run over a sheriff's deputy.

Erwin Glenn McFarland appeared in Johnson County District Court today on one count of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. He is being held on $100,000 bond. McFarland is accused of trying to hit a Johnson County Sheriff's deputy who was investigating a stolen car.

Authorities said the incident started about 4:30 p.m. Friday in the 200 block of Martin Street in Edgerton when a deputy saw a man get inside a Chevrolet Tahoe sport utility vehicle that was reported stolen in Shawnee. Read more

" A suspect in a stolen Chevy Tahoe suffered non-life threatening injuries when he ran stop sticks on Interstate 35 and flipped the vehicle. via NBC Action News

Today's problem

Jim Kinerk in Baldwin City -- who offered to send the dog steak bones with lots of meat attached for his help -- doesn't think so highly of the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Kinerk says it's taking too long to replace a bridge on U.S. 56 west of Edgerton in Johnson County. He drives that route to work and sometimes sees no construction workers there, even between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

'Will I EVER be able to cross this bridge when I come to it?' he asks.

The answer Read more

A Fall Fest is being held today to showcase the Johnson County Park and Recreation District's Mildale Farm property.

A number of free fall-related activities are planned for the event on the 158-acre Mildale site near Edgerton in southwest Johnson County. Hours for the festival are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A large pumpkin patch will be situated in front of the main barn. Children 12 and under can pick out a pumpkin and decorate it inside the barn with the help of staff from the Children's Services Department. Cider and hot cocoa also will be provided in the barn, as will information on other district programs and activities. Read more

“A fire can double in size and intensity every minute”

SHAWNEE | For the third time this month, officials have found a threatening message at a Shawnee Mission high school. School officials do not think they are linked.

The most recent threat was discovered at 8:40 a.m. Monday on a piece of paper in a hallway at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, 12701 W. 67th St. District spokeswoman Leigh Ann Neal said no notices were sent to parents because police did not deem the threat credible.

Officials did notify parents about the earlier messages, which threatened violence on specific dates. One was for Oct. 4 at Shawnee Mission West High School. In response to the second threat, extra officers will be on duty Thursday at Shawnee Mission South High School. Read more

Johnson County authorities have arrested a man after a train demolished a car that officials said was intentionally left on railroad tracks. via TheHawaiiChannel