Ottawa News Archive
Browse recent updates, announcements, and local promotions from around Ottawa and Franklin County.
Ottawa Voters to Decide Data Center Limit on November 3
A yes vote on Ottawa's ballot question would hold any data center in the city to 25 megawatts of power. A no vote would allow larger ones.
Ottawa Awards Contract for Its Downtown Master Plan
The city has awarded Olsson a $250,000 contract to plan downtown Ottawa's next 15 to 20 years, with public forums planned along the way.
Richmond Museum Program Traces the Underground Railroad Near Berea
Two local historians will tell how freedom seekers from John Brown's 1858 raid were hidden in southern Franklin County. Sunday, October 25, at 2 p.m.
Comprehensive Plan Open House Set for November 11
Residents can look over Ottawa's updated comprehensive plan, the first since 2004, and share ideas at an Ottawa University open house on November 11.
Early Voting Opens in Franklin County
In-person advance voting for the November 3 general election is open at the Franklin County Clerk's office through noon on Monday, November 2.
Forest Park Community Center Pool Grows to Six Lanes
After residents asked for a bigger pool, the proposed community center now has six lanes and a higher cost estimate. A second public hearing is set for November 4.
Ottawa Keeps Its License Plate Cameras for Now
Commissioners voted 4–1 to leave the police department's Flock cameras in place and to review the contract before it comes up for renewal in 2028.
Highland Cemetery Still Repairing Tornado Damage
The April 13 tornado toppled hundreds of headstones at Highland Cemetery. Crews have set hundreds back up, and the work isn't finished yet.
City Pursues Grant for an Indoor Pool and Gym at Forest Park
Ottawa is seeking up to $4 million in block grant money toward a community center with an indoor pool. Swimmers want more lanes than the draft shows.
Ottawa Ends Proximity Park Sale to Data Center Developer
Commissioners voted unanimously to cancel the land sale to Lightfield Energy, which had not applied for incentives or submitted a development agreement.
Ottawa School Board Adopts Budget Above the Revenue Neutral Rate
USD 290 approved a budget of nearly $20 million after a hearing on exceeding the revenue neutral rate. Falling enrollment means less money for the district.
Knights Inn Site at 17th and Main Will Be Cleared
Asbestos removal is the first step in tearing down the tornado-damaged motel. Once the site is cleared, the lot will be put up for sale.
Kansas State Bank Starts Renovating a 1925 Building on Tecumseh
The bank broke ground September 4 on a downtown building behind its Main Street branch, helped by a sales tax exemption the city approved.
Data Center Ban Question Will Go on Ottawa's November Ballot
A district judge has ordered a citizen-proposed ban on large data centers in Ottawa onto the November ballot. The court still has to make a final ruling.
Ottawa Adopts 2027 Budget With a Higher Mill Rate
Commissioners approved the 2027 budget 4–1, raising the city's mill rate from 44.136 to 45.000, above the revenue neutral rate of 42.209.
Franklin County Pauses Data Center Permits Through 2028
County commissioners put a moratorium on data center permits in unincorporated Franklin County while they study the issue and write policy.
John Brown Road Bridge Replacement Delayed by Utility Work
Utility structures have to be moved before the bridge west of Princeton can be replaced with a one-piece span. Franklin County has four bridge replacements lined up.
Olsson Chosen to Lead Ottawa's Downtown Master Plan
The City Commission picked Olsson from 18 proposals to plan downtown's future. Commissioners also reviewed a first draft of the updated comprehensive plan.
Signal Work at 15th and Main Set for October
Ottawa awarded a $465,750 contract for new signals and sidewalk at 15th and Main, and won a $926,000 state grant for sidewalks along Princeton Street.
City Says Data Center Petition Can't Go to Voters
A lawyer hired by the city found the Ottawa United petition ineligible for the ballot. The group has delivered a demand letter and plans to go to court.
Proximity Park Sale to Lightfield Energy Can Close by October 30
The city attorney says the August 1 date started a new phase of the data center land deal. Any incentives would still need City Commission approval.
Franklin County Budget Stays Revenue Neutral
At its August 5 budget hearing, Franklin County set a revenue-neutral budget for next year, the second time it has done so in four years.
New Montana Road Water Tower Nears Service
Testing is underway on Ottawa's new water tower southeast of town, months after higher pressure from the switchover caused main breaks in April.
Ottawa Commissioners Lean Toward a One-Mill Increase for 2027
At a July 29 budget workshop, most city commissioners favored a general fund rate of 45.136 mills, one mill above a flat rate. Public hearings are set for September 2.
Work Begins on K-33 and Its I-35 Interchange at Wellsville
KDOT is resurfacing parts of K-33 ahead of building a new bridge over I-35. The Wellsville-area project is expected to take about two years.
City Hires Engineers to Design a Longer Runway at Ottawa's Airport
A $603,000 state grant will help pay for design work on extending the runway at Ottawa Municipal Airport.
Data Center Opponents Collect Signatures for a Public Vote
Ottawa United is circulating a petition that could send the Proximity Park data center question to Ottawa voters in November.
City Condemns Fire-Damaged Apartments on South Ash Street
Commissioners condemned two unsafe apartment buildings at 1017 S. Ash St. The owner has 30 days to show progress on repairs.
City Condemns Tornado-Damaged Knights Inn
Commissioners condemned the motel at 17th and Main on July 22. The insurer has settled, and demolition is to start after an asbestos test.
Ottawa Sets a 2027 Tax Ceiling Above the Revenue-Neutral Rate
Commissioners capped next year's city levy at 46.136 mills, above the 42.209-mill revenue-neutral rate. Budget hearings are set for September 2.
Franklin County Fair Runs July 15 to 19
The county fair opens today with open class judging and livestock shows. The carnival and ranch rodeo follow on Thursday.
City Lays Out Guidelines for a Possible Data Center at Proximity Park
With 28 people speaking against a proposed data center, the city manager outlined eight guidelines for any project at Proximity Park.
Old Depot Museum Exhibit Marks the Declaration's 250th Anniversary
A new exhibit on the Declaration of Independence is open through July 30. Letters from the courthouse time capsule will be read at a Chamber coffee June 30.
Data Center Opponents Plan Rally at the Franklin County Courthouse
Residents opposed to the proposed Proximity Park data center will rally Saturday morning after speaking at every regular commission meeting in June.
Ottawa Reviews 2027 Utility Budgets and a Sales Tax Spending Plan
Commissioners went over next year's utility budgets and a proposal to put most of the new quality of life sales tax toward streets. No votes were taken.
Franklin County Gets $1.8 Million to Replace Indiana Road Bridge
A KDOT bridge grant will pay to replace the 1939 bridge over Appanoose Creek northeast of Pomona. The county is also working on the John Brown Road bridge.
City Sets Hearings on Ash Street Apartments and a Downtown Building
Commissioners will consider ordering repair or demolition of fire-damaged apartments on South Ash on July 22 and a downtown building on August 5.
Ottawa Native Vic Finch Named Community Development Director
Finch, who now supervises building safety for Overland Park, will lead Ottawa's community development office and serve as chief building official.
Windstorm Brings Down Trees in West Ottawa
Monday night's storm left heavy tree damage west of Main between 2nd and 10th streets. The city will pick up limbs citywide starting June 15.
Ottawa Sets July 22 Hearing on Tornado-Damaged Knights Inn
A July hearing will take up whether the motel at 17th and Main must be repaired or torn down. The owner plans demolition but is waiting on insurance.
Ottawa Replaces Its Pit Bull Ban With Behavior-Based Dog Rules
The City Commission voted 4–1 to drop breed-specific rules and judge dogs by behavior, with added requirements for owners of dogs found dangerous.
Ottawa City Band Opens Its Summer Concerts May 26
The band's Tuesday evening concerts start next week at the Ottawa Memorial Auditorium and run through July 7, with a July 4 show at Forest Park.
Residents Press Ottawa Commission on Proximity Park Data Center
More residents have spoken against a proposed Lightfield Energy data center at each May meeting. City leaders say nothing has been approved.
City Backs Bonds for Sunflower Plaza Tower Renovation
Industrial revenue bonds will bring tax breaks for the first renovation of the 60-unit senior apartment building since 1978.
Ottawa Memorial Auditorium Gets $50,000 for a Community Kitchen
A Blue Cross and Blue Shield grant will help turn the auditorium's Exhibition Hall kitchen into a shared, commercial-style kitchen for the community.
Ottawa Turns Its Tornado Limb Pile Into Free Mulch
Storm debris piled at Orlis Cox Field is being ground into mulch, and residents can pick it up free at the Second Street brush site.
County Weighs How to Replace the John Brown Road Bridge
A new bridge from Husker Steel would cost about $300,000. Waiting on state historic officials could push the cost to nearly $1.5 million.
Historic John Brown Road Bridge Collapses After Heavy Rain
A 96-year-old bridge west of Princeton gave way on April 24, and a pickup drove into the hole. The road is closed and the rest of the bridge will come down.
Ottawa and Franklin County Declare Disasters After Tornado
Disaster declarations open the way to state and federal recovery money. The city is collecting storm debris at the curb, and county dump fees are waived through April 25.
City Moves Ahead on a Water Line to the Ottawa Airport
Commissioners approved seeking easements for about 11,000 feet of water line and seven hydrants, giving the airport water for fire protection.
EF2 Tornado Damages South Ottawa
The National Weather Service rated Monday night's tornado an EF2 with peak winds near 125 mph. Buildings along 15th and 17th streets were hit, and no one was killed.
Water Main Breaks Slow the Switch to Ottawa's New Water Towers
Higher pressure from the city's new water towers broke several water mains in early April. The city has paused the switchover and will raise pressure gradually.
Ottawa Drops Flood Insurance on All but Two City Buildings
The City Commission kept flood coverage on the police station and the wastewater plant's main building, cutting the yearly premium by $30,159.
New City Manager Thatcher Moddie Starts in Ottawa
Ottawa's new city manager, chosen from more than 40 candidates, says the commission wants him focused on housing, economic development and growth.
Safe-Roads Grant Brings $825K for Local Safety Upgrades
Franklin County says a new safety grant will support flood-risk planning, school-area crossing upgrades, and pedestrian improvements in Ottawa and Wellsville.
County Opens 2026 Dust-Control Applications
Franklin County is accepting 2026 dust-control applications for gravel roads, with treatment requests and payment due by March 30.
Single-Vehicle Crash on I-35 Hospitalizes Wellsville Man
A one-vehicle crash near Wellsville sent a local driver to the hospital and prompted another reminder about spring travel safety on I-35.
Kansas Farmers Brace for High Costs and Unpredictable Spring
Area producers are heading into planting season with pressure from input costs, lower commodity prices, and uncertain weather.
Community Rummage Sale Funds Cheer Scholarship
A rummage sale at Ottawa High School raised more than $5,000 for the Rachel Morsett Memorial Cheer Scholarship.
City to Study Aging River Levee System
Ottawa officials are reviewing the condition of the city's levee system and considering a broader study of future flood-control needs.
Officials Warn Residents About Door-to-Door Solar Sales Scam
Ottawa officials warned residents about a solicitor claiming a false city affiliation while pitching residential solar systems.
Chamber Alerts Members to Scam Emails, Hosts Fraud Seminar
The Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce warned members about scam emails and promoted a local fraud-prevention seminar.
Natural Gas Leak Triggers Emergency Alert in Ottawa
A gas leak near Second and Willow prompted evacuations and an emergency alert before crews secured the area.
Old Depot Program Highlights Tattoo Pioneer Maud Wagner
An Old Depot Museum program explored the life of Kansas native Maud Wagner, widely recognized as the first documented female tattoo artist in the United States.
Program Explores Kansas Courthouses and Civic Architecture
A Franklin County Historical Society talk examined how Kansas courthouses and city halls reflect civic ideals, local history, and public identity.
Traveling Exhibit Examines Indigenous Sovereignty in Kansas
A traveling exhibit at the Old Depot Museum focused on Native self-government, treaties, and tribal history tied to Kansas and Franklin County.
Old Depot Program Looks at Historic Prairie Gas Stations
A Franklin County Historical Society program used historic photographs and local examples to examine the architecture and culture of early Kansas filling stations.
Annual Meeting Program Focuses on Santa Fe Depot Architecture
The Franklin County Historical Society annual meeting featured a presentation on how Santa Fe depots evolved from simple rail buildings into civic landmarks.
Historical Society Program Revisits the Orphan Train Movement
A virtual program looked at the orphan train era and the experiences of children placed with families in Franklin County communities.
Old Depot Exhibit Traces the Shift from Buggies to Automobiles
A Franklin County Historical Society exhibit explored how early automobiles changed daily life, roads, and commerce in Ottawa and the surrounding county.
Old Depot Exhibit Showcases Historic Sanborn Maps of Ottawa
Historic Sanborn fire insurance maps were featured in an exhibit that traced Ottawa's growth, buildings, and streetscape changes from the late 1800s into the early 1900s.
Program Revisits Great Depression Survival in Rural Kansas
A historical society presentation used stories, photographs, and oral history to look at how Kansas families endured the Great Depression and Dust Bowl years.
Historical Society Program Explores Kansas Trails Past and Present
A Franklin County Historical Society talk connected historic migration trails with modern recreational trail systems, including routes tied to Ottawa.