Month: September 2019

Public hearing tonight on proposed Atmos Energy rate increase

The Kansas Corporation Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 17, to receive input from Atmos Energy customers on the company’s rate increase request.

The public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at the BEST Conference Center on the KU Edwards Campus, located at 12604 Quivira Road in Overland Park.

Atmos filed an application with the KCC on June 28 requesting an overall net revenue increase of $7.1 million. If approved, the average monthly bill for residential customers will increase by approximately $3.83 per month or 13.4 percent.

In addition to the rate increase, Atmos is seeking approval to incorporate into its rate structure a pilot System Integrity Program (“SIP”) Mechanism that would allow the utility to accelerate its progress in the replacement of obsolete materials in its Kansas system and provide for quarterly updates to rates for approved completed projects.

At the hearing, Atmos customers will have the opportunity to learn more about the company’s request and make comments to KCC commissioners. For those unable to attend, a recording of the hearing will be available on the commission’s website (www.kcc.ks.gov) beginning Sept. 19.

The commission will accept public comments through 5 p.m. on Dec. 13, 2019. In addition to attending the public hearing, there are three ways to submit a comment:
1) Go to the KCC website (www.kcc.ks.gov) and click on the “Your Opinion Matters” link to submit a comment.
2) Send a written letter to the Kansas Corporation Commission, Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, 1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604-4027. Be sure to reference Docket No. 19-ATMG-525-RTS.
3) Call the commission’s Public Affairs office at 1-800-662-0027 or 785-271-3140.


A decision on the rate increase request will be issued on or before Feb. 24, 2020.


Atmos provides natural gas service in approximately 135,000 customers in Kansas, including some in Kansas City, Kansas.

Area students helped through Harvesters food distribution

Food was distributed from Harvesters food bank on Sept. 17 to high school students. The distribution was at 59th and State in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by William Crum)
A Harvesters mobile food distribution was held on Sept. 17 in the parking lot of a former restaurant at 59th and State. (Photo by William Crum)

by William Crum

Over a hundred students received a Harvesters food bank distribution on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the parking lot of the former Fasone’s restaurant at 59th and State Avenue.

Usually, from 100 to 120 students from Schlagle and Washington high schools receive the Harvesters food distributions every two weeks, said Officer Elaine Moore of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department. She started the food distribution program for students eight years ago.

The drive-up food distribution is regularly held in the Schlagle parking lot, but because of construction, it was moved to 59th and State on Tuesday.

“This is our way to give back to the community, to people who are less fortunate than us,” Officer Moore said. She has been with the Police Department 23 years and has been involved in efforts to help others for many years.

Police notes

Aggravated robbery reported
 A victim reported that a male approached him with a gun about 8:58 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, in the 2800 block of State Avenue, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department. The man threatened to shoot the victim and demanded money, then fled on foot.

Aggravated battery reported

A victim stated that he was walking in the 6300 block of Tauromee Avenue about 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, when an unknown suspect shot at him, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department. The victim was struck in the hand and was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.