Johnson County now sports a new fire station, thanks to this school district
Overland Park has opened a new fire station that resulted from the city’s partnership with the Blue Valley School District.
The station, at 12301 W. 175th St. near Blue Valley Southwest High School, sits on land that was donated by the school district. In return, the district is able to offer a district-wide fire science program using Overland Park training facilities and instructors from the fire department.
City and school officials gathered Nov. 29 to dedicate the new Station 48.
Green space has replaced old courthouse
The new Johnson County Square, an outdoor gathering spot on property where the old county courthouse once stood in downtown Olathe, will be dedicated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. Dec. 9.
In addition, members of the Rotary will present a plaque to dedicate the Rotary Tree Grove of the County Square.
Johnson County Commission Chairman Ed Eilert will emcee the event, which will focus on the history of the square and how the community helped shape the design.
Seating at the event will be limited, so the public can watch remotely. To find links to the live streaming, go to the news announcement of the ceremony at jocogov.org.
The old courthouse was razed once a new county courthouse opened across Santa Fe Street. The new green space is east of Kansas Avenue and south of Santa Fe.
Snow plow offers life lesson
After Ellory Mansour was designated a winner of Olathe’s contest to design an artistic snow plow, the concept was brought to life by her third-grade class at Clearwater Creek Elementary School.
City employees deposited the plow at Clearwater Creek, and the students went to work applying colorful paints.
“I am constantly telling them that they matter, and they have great things to offer the world,” third-grade teacher Courtney Saale said in a news release. “For a group of students to know that their art will be seen by their community only reinforces that important message.”
The other winner was 12-year-old Eli Orrison, a home-schooled student from Olathe. Eli and his two younger siblings painted the plow, which now features a snowman scooping up the white stuff as it is plowed.
No name change for Mohawk Park
Last spring, the city of Mission asked the public for suggestions on a new name for Mohawk Park at 67th Street and Lamar Avenue. But when the city installed a new monument sign there, the old name was inscribed on it.
City spokeswoman Emily Randel said a committee reviewed public input, deliberated and “decided to maintain the park name as Mohawk Park for now.”
The park was established after Mission purchased the former Mohawk Elementary School from the Shawnee Mission School District in 2003. The building was razed to make way for green space.
The name change was contemplated as the city planned future upgrades to the park.
Olathe East musicians earn national honors
Two Olathe High School students will perform virtually in January as nationally recognized musicians.
Senior Billy Sharp will be a trombonist in the National Association for the Music Education All-National Concert Band. Junior Macy Garey will play viola in the All-National Symphony Orchestra.
To be considered for a national ensemble, students must participate in their respective all-district and all-state ensembles. Each level is required to submit a prepared audition for a panel of experts.
