Kelly Breckunitch

For Derby High School graduate Nathan Jolly (class of 2021), a case of perfect timing led to quite the opportunity this past year.

As of Jan. 1, a new program is in place within the city of Derby aiming to provide some more property tax relief for qualifying residents.

With the new year, new laws often go into effect at the turn of the calendar – including new tax rates.

As is annual tradition, members of the Derby City Council, Derby Recreation Commission board and USD 260 Board of Education – along with city, district and DRC staff – met with state legislators to discuss the top local priorities going into the next legislative session.

For one weekend, a slate of independent movies from Kansas filmmakers will take over the Derby Plaza Theaters as part of the Old Times Not Forgotten Film Festival – which will have its initial run on Jan. 18 and 19.

On the heels of action taken this past fall, Derby Public Schools is getting ready to dive into work putting together a new resource – a facility master plan – to help guide the district and its potential building needs over the course of the next decade.

Following extensive discussion at a meeting in November, the Derby City Council revisited the issue of additional special purpose vehicles – specifically utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) – on city streets at its Jan. 14 meeting.

Given Derby's continued growth, over the past year plans have been in the works to extend sanitary sewer services as the city takes on more capacity – particularly from planned housing developments in northeast Derby.

This past week, Derby seemingly turned into the entertainment capital of Kansas for a moment.

If the trek to Mulvane’s Kansas Star Casino is too far, don’t worry; the Derby Chamber of Commerce has you covered – for one night at least.