Kansas Klips
Augustine Bakery celebrates 20 years of delicious flavors in Hays
HAYS—From a small dream to 20 years of sweet success, Augustine’s Bakery has baked its way into the hearts and stomachs of Hays. The bakery, 1305 Main Street, celebrated its 20th anniversary on December 1st, giving gratitude to their customers and surrounding communities for their life-changing support. The local business began in 2003. Chad and Holly Augustine founded it when Holly transitioned from social work and the bakery Chad was working at closed. “We wouldn’t be here if everybody didn’t patronize us,” Holly said. “I do think we have some of the best customers.” (Hays Post)
Bridge replacement, pavement reconstruction planned on U. S. 281
KDOT—The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin work on a bridge replacement and pavement reconstruction project along U. S. 281 in Osborne County the week of December 30th The $18.9 million project will involve the removal and replacement of the bridge over the North Fork Solomon River, located south of Portis. In addition, KDOT will also reconstruct approximately 3.5 miles of U. S. 281 between the north U. . 24 junction and the south city limits of Portis. This portion will be widened into a 30-foot paved surface with three-foot turf shoulders.
Project work will initially be constrained on the shoulders, with occasional lane closures possible.
KDOT plans to close the highway in March 2025 and reopen it in late fall. A state route detour will be in effect during the closure. More information about the closure and detour will be provided at a later date. King Construction of Hesston is the primary contractor for the project, which is part of KDOT’s Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program known as IKE. For more information, please contact KDOT Area Construction Manager Dan Moore at 785-302-6200.
State sales tax on groceries drops to zero on January 1st
TOPEKA—Starting January 1st, 2025, Kansans will no longer pay state sales tax on groceries. They will still pay city- and county-imposed taxes, but the current state tax of 2% will be reduced to zero. A 2022 law set out a three-year plan to reduce the state’s sales tax on groceries, which was at 6.5% in 2022. In 2023, it was reduced to 4%, and in 2024 to 2%. When the bill was introduced, Kansas had one of the highest food sales taxes, second ot Mississippi with 7%. City and county grocery taxes will still be added. They range from 0% in 11 counties to a high of 2.25% in Sherman County. Most counties have between 0.01% to 2% grocery taxes. Twelve counties have a grocery tax higher than 2%. The 2022 law was passed with bipartisan support, unanimously in the Senate and with an overwhelming majority in the House. Governor Laura Kelly said that the tax cut is “a win for the Kansas people,” after hearing Kansans’ concerns with inflation on food. When the law was passed, food prices had increased by 9.9%. In 2023, they increased by 5.8%. (Kansas Reflector)
Graffiti painted on Potawatomi tribal display at Topeka’s Burnett’s Mound
TOPEKA—Vandals spray-painted black graffiti on a three-sign display focusing on Potawatomi tribal history at southwest Topeka’s Burnett’s Mound. The signs were created through a partnership between the Oklahoma-based Citizen Potawatomi Nation and Shawnee County Parks and Recreation, and then placed in 2021 at the entrance to the mound’s Skyline Park. Jon Boursaw, District 4 Representative for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, expressed disappointment Thursday, December 26th, about the vandalism to the signage. “I feel this clearly shows that those responsible for the damage have no respect for the history of Shawnee County and contributions made by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation in the founding and growth of the county,” Boursaw said. One of the signs tells of the Potawatomi nation’s history prior to 1838, as its members lived in the Great Lakes area and were involved in fur trading. Another describes how tribal members were forced to take the ”Trail of Death” in 1838 to the Osawatomie area, then were relocated in the 1840s to the Topeka area. The exhibit’s third sign focuses on the Potawatomi Nation’s history since the 1840s, and tells about some of its other prominent members in this community. (Topeka Capital-Journal)
