If the speed limit is 25 mph or less, here’s a new way to get around in Spring Hill

Spring Hill is now allowing golf carts to be driven on streets where the speed limit is 25 miles an hour or less.

The ordinance, approved by the City Council on Sept. 24, took effect on Sept. 30. No permit is required to operate the carts, but the operator must have a valid, unrestricted driver’s license. Other rules:

▪ The golf cart must be insured in the same amounts set forth for motor vehicles.

▪ Carts can be driven on streets between sunrise and sunset unless they’re equipped with lights as required for motorcycles.

▪ Carts cannot be driven on sidewalks, jogging trails or across U.S. 169.

▪ The golf carts must have four wheels, weigh no more than 1,800 pounds, be designed to operate at no more than 25 mph and designed carry no more than six people including the driver.

▪ The number of occupants is limited to the number of factory-installed seats.

The city, which straddles the Johnson/Miami county line, conducted an informal poll on the matter in July through its website and social media accounts. Among 774 responders, 74% favored golf carts being permitted on certain streets. The most important factors to them were to require insurance on the carts and limit their use to licensed drivers.

Lenexa police chief to retire

Lenexa Police Chief Thomas Hongslo says he will retire in December when he will have been chief for eight years.

Hongslo joined the Lenexa force as a patrol officer in 1995, became a K-9 handler and worked his way up the ranks. Earlier in his career, he worked two years with the Mission Police Department and four years as a Platte County sheriff’s deputy.

This fall, he received the Clarence M. Kelley Award from the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission for excellence as a law enforcement executive in the Kansas City area.

The city said Hongslo played an integral role in a study that laid the groundwork for the eventual construction of a new public safety facility at Prairie Star Parkway and Britton Street. The City Council accepted the study in August but has not funded the project yet.

Cities pause Halloween traditions

Traditionally, the small city of Westwood Hills has been a destination for costumed children on Halloween night because it closes streets and deploys extra police officers who give candy to the kids.

The Overland Park Police Department typically hosts a trunk-or-treat event.

But not this year. Not during the coronavirus pandemic.

“It would be unwise to encourage a large gathering of our typical crowd of about 300 people, because the City cannot guarantee social distancing, the wearing of masks or assure the health and safety of Trick-or-Treaters or participating homeowners,” stated an email sent to Westwood Hills residents.

Instead, the city and homeowners association will partly barricade streets with signs saying the event isn’t happening this year.

The email provided images of signs that residents can download and place on their doors if they won’t be handing out candy this year. Those who do welcome children are encouraged to follow state safety guidelines.

In Overland Park, the police are going virtual with trunk-or-treat, so families decorate their trunks, hatchbacks or tailgates and submit photos for judging. The registration deadline is Oct. 16. Get more details at opkansas.org.

Shawnee, meanwhile, says it’s going ahead with a modified, social-distanced Spookfest from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 28 at Pflumm-Bichelmeyer Park, where children 5 and under can wear costumes and trick-or-treat along the trail. The park is at Johnson Drive and Pflumm Road.

Families must register their children for a time slot by calling 913-631-5200.

Voter registration deadline is Oct. 13

To have a say in the Nov. 3 general election, Johnson County residents must be registered by Oct. 13.

In addition to electing a president, voters will cast ballots for positions like the U.S. Congress, the Kansas Legislature and county commission seats, as well as for some ballot issues. Go to jocoelection.org for details on how to register.

County adds 7 boxes for ballot dropoff

The Johnson County Election office is installing seven more ballot boxes where voters can turn in their mail ballots without using the U.S. Postal Service. These new walk-up locations will be available around the clock:

▪ Blue Valley Library, 9000 W. 151st St. in Overland Park.

▪ Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th St. in Overland Park.

▪ De Soto Library, 33145 W. 83rd St.

▪ Gardner Library, 137 E. Shawnee St.

▪ Shawnee Library, 13811 Johnson Drive.

▪ Spring Hill Library, 109 South, Webster St.

▪ Northeast county offices, 6000 Lamar Ave. in Mission.

The 24-hour, drive-thru ballot boxes will continue to be available at the Election Office, 2101 E. Kansas City Road in Olathe.

Voters also can take ballots to advance voting locations that are open and to any polling place on Election Day, Nov. 3.

“We encourage voters who are concerned about returning their ballots by mail to use these ballot boxes,” Johnson County Election Commissioner Connie Schmidt said in a news release. “Voters should also return their ballots as soon as they’re received.”

The county will begin sending out the mail ballots on Oct. 14. Those returned to ballot boxes must be there by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3.

Another mental health co-responder for OP

The Overland Park Police Department is getting a third co-responder to assist officers on calls where mental-health expertise is needed.

“Our co-responders …. respond to crisis situations and connect residents and their families with the resources they need to prevent further incidents requiring law enforcement presence,” said Johnson County Commission Chairman Ed Eilert.

The commission approved the new position on Sept. 17. After a pilot program that began in 2011, the Johnson County Mental Health Center now has 12 co-responder positions serving 12 law enforcement agencies and the Gardner Edgerton School District.

Kansas River bridge project delayed again

The closure of the Wyandotte Street bridge has been postponed again in De Soto until at least next spring. The bridge spans the Kansas River between Johnson and Leavenworth counties.

Months-long COVID-19 supply chain issues had delayed the project, which will replace a deck expansion joint, improve drainage and patch the deck to prevent potholes. Most recently, the projected start date was in late September or early October.

But with winter approaching, the city said, Johnson County has postponed all bridge construction until the spring of 2021. The De Soto bridge closure will force motorists to cross the river miles away in Eudora or Shawnee — a potentially dangerous undertaking on ice and snow.

“While the county was reluctant to delay the important repairs, we commend them for keeping our bridge-using citizens in mind and safe during their winter travels,” the city said on its website.

Olathe Preschool Playground coming back

The Preschool Playground is opening again on Wednesdays starting Oct. 7 at the Olathe Community Center. However, sessions are limited to 10 children at a time.

Between 9 and 11:45 a.m., the center at 1205 E. Kansas City Road provides space for gross motor activity such as tumbling and jumping, as well as sensory experiences.

Registration is required to help manage attendance and to allow time to clean the area between the three 45-minute sessions. Call 913-971-8563 or click on “Olathe Active Registration” on the parks and recreation page at olatheks.org.

This story was originally published October 2, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "If the speed limit is 25 mph or less, here’s a new way to get around in Spring Hill."