State of County event offers chance to review highlights of 2022 in Johnson County
The annual Johnson County Government State of the County Luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. April 4 at the Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd., Overland Park. The speaker, County Commissioner Board Chairman Mike Kelly, will review the past year. The cost is $50 a person or $550 for a dedicated table of 10 seats. For tickets, go to shawneekschamber.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/5681.
Bilingual college information event in Olathe
A free bilingual information session about how to prepare for college will be held for Latino students and their parents or guardians from 9:30 a.m. to noon March 25 at K-State Olathe, 22201 W. Innovation Drive in Olathe. The event will include sessions in both English and Spanish on paying for and preparing for college. There also will be food and activities for younger siblings. For questions on registration contact loyocano@ksu.edu or visit k-state.edu/kscac and go to events and news.
Auditions for KC SuperStar coming up in Overland Park
High school students can now register for the KC SuperStar auditions to be held from 1 to 4 p.m. March 26, and 5 to 7 p.m. March 28 at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park.
Students should prepare one song of their choice to sing a cappella. The singing competition is in its 14th year. Those selected from the preliminary auditions will perform in semifinals on June 8, and the finals will be held Aug. 27. More than $22,000 in scholarships are presented to the Top 10 finalists. To register for an audition spot, go to thejkc.org/kcss and scroll down to sign up for auditions.
Arbor Day poster winner in Prairie Village
Makaela Lewis, a fifth grade student in April Cremer’s class at Tomahawk Elementary School, is the 2023 winner of the Arbor Day poster contest held by the Prairie Village Tree Board. The contest theme was “We All Need Kansas Trees for Thriving Forest Habitats!” The Tree Board looked at several criteria to judge entries including artistic merit, correct spelling, neatness and how well a work communicated the theme. Makaela’s poster is being entered at Northeast District of Kansas contest. District winners go on to a state contest sponsored by the Kansas Forest Service.
Discounts available on outdoor Lenexa pool memberships
Lenexa residents can save 10% and get free guest passes if they purchase outdoor pool memberships by March 31. Ad Astra pool, located at 83rd Street and Maurer Road, and Flat Rock Creek pool, 13120 W 103rd St., will be opened May 27. Indian Trails Aquatic Center is being renovated and will reopen in 2024. To learn more about those renovations, go to www.lenexa.com, things to do, and click on the pool you’re interested in.
Community meeting about early release in Gardner schools
A community meeting designed to answer questions from families and provide updated information related to next year’s early release schedule in the Gardner Edgerton School District will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. March 29 at the Gardner Edgerton High School, 425 Waverly Road, Gardner. Updates regarding the schedule will be provided, and time will be allowed to answer questions.
Lane closures ahead for U.S. 69
One lane will be closed on northbound U.S. 69 over 151st Street for bridge rehabilitation work starting March 30. The left lane will be closed first, with work switching to the right lane in the following weeks. This bridge work will continue through mid-May. Traffic delays are anticipated, and work is dependent on weather.
For information about closures, go to the project website at www.69express.org. You can also sign up for text alerts there.
Spring tree limb pickup time in Merriam
Merriam residents can dispose of their branch and brush debris during the city’s free tree limb pickup March 27-31. Tree limbs must be placed at curbside by 7 a.m. March 27. Public Works crews will collect branches throughout the week. For more information go to merriam.org/Government/Departments/Public-Works and search for tree limb collection.
