Two Wyandotte County students initiated into Phi Kappa Phi at KU

Two Wyandotte County students have been initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at the University of Kansas.


The students are Christa Bella Bizimana of Kansas City, Kansas, and Brook Rentz of Bonner Springs.


They are among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Bonner Springs to receive grant to revitalize downtown

Bonner Springs will receive a $75,000 grant to revitalize old downtown buildings, according to a news release from Gov. Laura Kelly.

It was one of 15 projects approved across Kansas communities to receive the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline grant.

HEAL was created in 2021 as a partnership between the Patterson Family Foundation and the Department of Commerce. The first round of HEAL grants resulted in 32 commercial buildings being rehabilitated.

“I have long believed that when you make downtowns attractive, safe places to be, more businesses, better jobs, and greater community follow,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “That’s why my administration has worked to bring life back into our town squares by resurrecting the Kansas Main Street program and by pursuing this partnership with the Patterson Family Foundation.”

Interest in the program remains strong. A total of 30 applications were received during the latest HEAL grant round.


“Active downtown areas give a sense of place to small communities,” said Lindsey Patterson Smith, president of the Patterson Family Foundation. “We were happy to join the Department of Commerce and its partners in helping create new opportunities through revitalization.”


The spring 2023 HEAL round will open Feb. 15 and close March 31. An informational webinar will be offered via Zoom at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2. Register for the webinar and find more information about the spring 2023 HEAL program at kansascommerce.gov/heal.

Highway patrol reports four fatal crashes over Christmas holiday

The Kansas Highway Patrol has reported four non-DUI related fatal crashes over the Christmas holiday period.

The Christmas weekend reporting period went from 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, through 11:59 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26.

In that time, the highway patrol assisted 512 motorists, according to a spokesman.

According to KHP data, there were 16 DUI arrests in 2022; 416 speed citations; 388 speed warnings; 32 safety belt citations; 2 safety belt warnings; 3 safety belt teen citations; 1 safety belt teen warning; 6 child restraint citations; and 512 motorist assists.

There were 0 DUI related fatalities this year.