Doggone project soon gone: Pet owners in Overland Park will receive permanent tags

If you own a pet, you know the drill. You properly license the dog or cat before receiving a tag that’s good for one year.

That’s the easy part. Then comes the epic struggle to replace the old tag with the new one on the animal’s collar. It may take pliers or fingernails of steel, if you can get the dang things to move at all.

But with a new licensing procedure that will take effect in January, Overland Park hopes fewer people will be growling in frustration. And the city will save some money, too.

Pet owners will now receive a permanent tag, instead of one that must be replaced each year. The licenses still must be renewed annually, but the original tag remains valid as long as the license is renewed.

“The change makes the pet licensing program more convenient for residents and provides a quicker turnaround in the licensing process,” the city said in a news release. “It will also save the city the cost of purchasing, processing and mailing new pet tags every year.”

All dogs and cats in Overland Park must be licensed by the time they are 6 months old, or within 30 days of being brought into the city.

Blue Valley sets bond election

Residents in the Blue Valley School District will be asked early next year to approve a $251 million bond issue that would, among other things, pay for a new middle school to relieve crowding at Aubry Bend Middle and get rid of mobile classrooms at all district elementary schools.

The plan also calls for expanding both early childhood education and career/technology education in the high school, as well as upgrading digital technology and school safety systems.

The district’s property tax rate would not change if voters approve the plan.

Jan. 1 is the voter registration deadline for residents to automatically receive a mail ballot. Those who register between Jan. 2 and Jan. 11 must request a ballot. Ballots will be mailed on or around Jan. 11 and must be returned by noon on Jan. 31.

District officials scheduled two presentations about the proposal: at 6 p.m. Nov. 1 at Blue Valley North High School and at 6 p.m. Jan. 17 at Blue Valley Southwest High School.

Mohawk Park getting a makeover

A number of upgrades are being made to Mohawk Park at 67th Street and Lamar Avenue in Mission.

The city began construction in September and expects to finish the first phase next spring. Those improvements, including some to improve access for people with disabilities, include:

▪ New bathrooms and a centrally located pavilion.

▪ Tiered concrete seating.

▪ Plaza tie-ins to the trail system.

▪ Demolition of the west parking lot and construction of a new one to the south.

▪ Improved sidewalks and crosswalk access.

▪ Landscaping, benches and trash receptacles.

Funding for the $1.3 million project was in place before Mission voters agreed in September to renew the city’s sales tax for parks and recreation.

“The passage of the renewal allows the city to seamlessly move into capital projects at our other parks, and to Phase II of Mohawk Park,” Assistant City Administrator Emily Randel said by email.

What’s new for time capsule?

After discovering a 71-year-old time capsule while demolishing the old Johnson County courthouse in Olathe, the county is preparing to place a new time capsule in the green space that is being enhanced at the site of the old courthouse.

Officials want suggestions from the public on what the capsule should contain. Residents can find an online suggestion form at jocogov.org by clicking on the Oct. 21 news announcement about the capsule. Each form should contain no more than three suggestions, along with the rationale for choosing the item.

Suggestions also can be mailed to: The Best Times, Attention: Time Capsule, 111 S. Cherry St., Olathe, KS 66061.

“Plans for the time capsule and when it’s opened are still in the works,” the county said in a news release. “The size of the container is yet to be determined, but it’s likely to be displayed publicly rather than be buried.”

Honoring our veterans

After taking place virtually the last two years, Johnson County’s annual Veterans Day observance is returning in person this fall.

It’s scheduled for 11 a.m. on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at the Lenexa National Guard Armory, 18200 W. 87th Street Parkway. The event — including patriotic music, the playing of “Taps,” a rifle salute and the placement of memorial wreaths — also will be livestreamed on the county’s Facebook page and at jocogov.org/JoCoHonorsVets.

The featured speaker will be retired Kansas Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Lloyd Krase, who lives in Lenexa.

Among other Johnson County events open to the public:

Overland Park: The city is co-sponsoring an observance from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Aspiria campus on Sprint Parkway. Guests can learn about and tour helicopters and military equipment, and see a flyover of A-10 military planes. The American Legion Band will perform, and veteran-friendly support organizations will share information. Also sponsoring the free event are T-Mobile and Black & Veatch.

Shawnee: “In Their Footsteps: A Lantern Walking Tour” will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 12 at Shawnee Town 1929, where visitors can step back into 1927 when ex-servicemen of World War I are in town lobbying for veteran’s rights. Timed tickets are $10 but free to active and retired military members. Details at www.shawneetown.org.