Part of U.S. 69 in Johnson County named for former senator, a beloved public servant

A segment of U.S. 69 in Johnson County is now named for Dennis Wilson, a longtime public servant who died in September 2020 at age 70.

The Sen. Dennis Wilson Memorial Highway stretches from 135th Street to Interstate 435, through legislative districts that Wilson represented in both the Kansas House and Senate.

Gov. Laura Kelly signed legislation passed this year creating the memorial designation.

Wilson graduated from Southeast High School in Kansas City and moved to Kansas after serving four years in the Air Force. He bought the first of several car dealerships at the age of 29 and also was involved in banking and insurance ventures.

In addition to his legislative tenure, Wilson also served as Johnson County treasurer, Kansas Lottery director, and director of the Kansas Office of Unclaimed Properties.

Wilson was honored Dec. 15 at a highway sign installation event at the Overland Park DoubleTree Hotel.

Lenexa police formalize advisory board

As police-community relations receive more widespread attention across the country, the Lenexa Police Department is formally establishing a Community Advisory Board.

An informal board dates to the early 2000s, but the new arrangement calls for a seven-member board that will meet publicly at least four times a year.

“Due to the changing landscape of the law enforcement field,” stated a memo to the City Council, Police Chief Dawn Layman wants to formally organize the board to advise the department “on contemporary issues such as biased-based policing, use of force, mental health response and homelessness.”

The memo said the board will be diverse, “with particular inclusion of people from underrepresented groups, including women, people of color, immigrants and people with disabilities.”

Members will serve staggered three-year terms. Police spokesman Danny Chavez said information will go out early next year about applying for the open position.

4 tons of recycled glass

Since Roeland Park began experimenting with curbside glass recycling in early October, more than 4 tons of bottles and jars have been collected in the test area.

The experiment, involving pickups by Ripple Glass, affects residents whose waste pickup day is Tuesday. The program will be evaluated in March.

Meanwhile, Ripple Glass has placed large purple bins throughout the Kansas City area where people can drop off their glass for recycling. Go to rippleglass.com to find a bin near you.

Executive Airport opens new taxiway

After opening a primary runway two years ago, the Johnson County Executive Airport has now rebuilt one of its taxiways. Another taxiway network will be rebuilt in 2022.

The work is being done to replace infrastructure that has worn out.

The airport at 151st Street and Pflumm Road, originally named Morse Field, was built in the early 1940s as an auxiliary field during World War II in support of the Olathe Naval Air Station, which is now New Century AirCenter. The airport was deeded to Olathe in 1951, and then to the county in 1967.

Johnson County Executive is considered the fourth busiest towered airport in Kansas, with more than 40,000 annual operations and roughly 120 aircraft based there. New Century is the third busiest.

The runway was refurbished for $5.6 million, and the just-completed taxiway cost $4.2 million. The next project will cost $5.7 million. Federal money is covering 90%, with matching funds from the airport commission.

K-State research awards

Three Johnson County undergraduates are among 27 Kansas State University students selected to do cancer research with a faculty mentor.

The Johnson Cancer Research Center program encourages students to get involved in research early in their college journey and consider careers in cancer research and medicine. Any interested undergraduate may apply, including non-STEM majors.

Those chosen receive $1,500, and faculty mentors receive $1,000 per student for research expenses. The funding allows students to devote more time to research and less to non-academic jobs.

The local winners are Kaden Creamer from Olathe, a junior in medical biochemistry and pre-medicine; Caleb Kutz from Overland Park, a junior in biology and pre-medicine, and Ashley Panagakis from Shawnee, a junior in biology and pre-physician assistant.

Learn about policing

The Overland Park Police Department provides free opportunities for the public to meet officers and learn more about safety and how the department operates.

The next “OPPD On The Road” event is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 4 in the Crest Room at the Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, 119th Street and Lowell Avenue.

Recycle Christmas trees

For those who decorate “real” Christmas trees for the holiday, Johnson County has a number of spots for recycling them starting the day after Christmas:

▪ Johnson County Government: Recycling lasts through Jan. 31 at four locations: The Theatre in the Park at 7710 Renner Road just north of the main entrance to Shawnee Mission Park, Heritage Park at 16050 Pflumm Road in Olathe, Kill Creek Park at 11670 Homestead Lane in Olathe and Big Bull Creek Park at 20425 Sunflower Road in Edgerton. Go to the marina parking lot at Heritage, Kill Creek or Big Bull Creek. Trees are accepted during park hours.

▪ Lenexa: Drop trees, wreaths and garlands at the Little Mill Creek North Park parking lot, 79th and Cottonwood streets, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Jan. 10. The city will mulch them for use on trails and landscaping.

The city also has arranged with Boy Scout Troop 136 to pick up trees on Dec. 26, Jan. 1 and Jan. 2. Visit Troop136.org to schedule a pickup. The Scouts request a minimum $10 donation, and trees should be on the curb by 9 a.m. on pickup day.

▪ Overland Park: Four dropoff locations are open through Jan. 9: Young’s Park at 7701 Antioch Road, the Indian Creek Recreation Center at 10308 Marty St., Quivira Park at 11901 Quivira Road and the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 8909 W. 179th St. The arboretum is open from 9 to 5 p.m. daily except Tuesdays. Mulch from the trees will be used at city parks.

COVID assistance for renters

More than $18 million is available for rental and utility assistance for Johnson County residents suffering financially from the COVID pandemic.

Qualifying households may receive up to one year of rental assistance, past or future, and up to one year of late or past due utility bills.

To be eligible, households must be with particular inclusion of people from underrepresented groups, including women, people of color, immigrants, and people with disabilities They must be renting and make less than 80% of area median income (such as $61,950 yearly for a family of three). Among COVID-related hardships are job loss, medical expenses and child care costs.

Apply online at kshousingcorp.org/emergency-rental-assistance.

Any of these agencies can provide help with completing the application: Jewish Family Services (913-327-8250), Catholic Charities-Overland Park: (913-384-6608); Catholic Charities-Olathe (913-782-4077), the Salvation Army-Olathe Corp (913-782-3640) or El Centro (913-677-0100).

This story was originally published December 23, 2021 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Part of U.S. 69 in Johnson County named for former senator, a beloved public servant."