Month: June 2019

Casino revenues rebound in May

Statewide casino revenues were up about 9 percent in May 2019 when compared to May 2018, said Keith Kocher, director of program assurance and integrity for the Kansas Lottery.

Hollywood Casino at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas, produced $13.5 million in gaming revenues during May 2019 as compared to $12.59 million in gaming revenues during May 2018, according to lottery figures. Kocher made his remarks during the Kansas Lottery Commission meeting on Wednesday.

The Unified Government receives 3 percent of the Hollywood Casino gaming revenues, while the state of Kansas receives 22 percent.

Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, Kansas, reported gaming revenues during May 2019 as $16.3 million compared to $14.7 million in May 2018.

Boot Hill Casino in Dodge City, Kansas, reported gaming revenues of $3.6 million in May 2019 as compared to $3.45 million in May 2018.

Kansas Crossing Casino near Pittsburg, Kansas, reported gaming revenues of just short of $3.3 million in May 2019, compared to $2.83 million in May 2018, according to the lottery figures.

Stephen Durrell, acting executive director of the Kansas Lottery, reported that lottery ticket sales were up 9 percent in fiscal year 2019 so far, compared to fiscal year 2018.

He said the lottery now is preparing to put lottery ticket vending machines in five northeast Kansas test locations next week, to prepare for a lottery ticket vending machine expansion.

Demolition

Demolition was taking place on Wednesday, June 12, at the Coronado Middle School, 1735 N. 64th Terrace, Kansas City, Kansas. A new school, Gloria Willis Middle School, has been built on the Coronado campus. Coronado and West middle schools are merging in the new school building. The new middle school is part of the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools’ $235 million, zero-tax increase, bond issue facility upgrades.

The old Coronado Middle School is at the right (south) in this photo, while the new Gloria Willis Middle School building is on the left (north) on North 64th Terrace. The Gloria Willis school is replacing Coronado and West middle schools.
A new middle school has been built on the Coronado campus to replace Coronado and West middle schools.

Applications for UG Ethics Commission being accepted until June 14

Wyandotte County residents who have an interest in serving on the Unified Government Ethics Commission may submit a written application to the legislative auditor’s office by 5 p.m. Friday, June 14.

Residents may send their written application to: Thomas L. Wiss, Legislative Auditor, Unified Government of Wyandotte County – Kansas City, Kansas 710 N. 7th St., Suite 140 Kansas City, Kansas 66101.

The Ethics Commission is made up of five members residing in Wyandotte County who are appointed by the Ad Hoc Ethics Commission Appointment Panel. Serving on that panel are Robert P. Burns, chief judge of Wyandotte County District Court; Mark A. Dupree Sr., Wyandotte County district attorney; and Thomas L. Wiss, UG legislative auditor.

Members of the Ethics Commission are unpaid and must be a Wyandotte County resident and be of good moral standing and reputation. The Ethics Commission members serve one, four-year term. Alternate cycles every two years allow for appointment of two new members in 2019.

The purpose of the Ethics Commission is to recommend ways to improve the Unified Government’s Ethics Code, to review and report on any and all violations of the code of ethics, to render advisory opinions on questions of ethics, conflicts of interest, and the applicability of the code of ethics, according to a spokesman. The Ethics Commission currently meets monthly.

All applicants are required to include a brief written statement as to why he or she desires to serve on the Ethics Commission and a brief written resume accompanied by a listing of public service work. The contents of all applications will be held in strict confidence by the Ad Hoc Panel, according to a spokesman.