Daily
Olathe
Thursday, February 19th, 2026
Good morning, Olathe. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 19th of February.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Trader Joe’s is coming to Merriam on Shawnee Mission Parkway, with plans to open in fall 2026. The new store will be the second in Johnson County and bring its popular, trendy snacks to local shoppers. KMBC
- ➤ Johnson County small business owners, including Sweet Tee’s Coffee Shop in Olathe, said tariff hikes pushed supply costs higher — forcing tough decisions on prices and wages. They raised their concerns with Rep. Sharice Davids Wednesday afternoon and hope Congress will help ease these pressures. KSHB
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Olathe officials plan to add seven new sculptures for the annual Outdoor Sculpture Series, selected from 125 entries by 70 artists (the project has refreshed public art since 2004 with a budget of about $15,000) to brighten local spaces. Olathe Reporter
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Olathe school board addressed community questions on Tuesday night about the district’s role in federal immigration operations, confirming longstanding procedures to protect student data and guide staff response if agencies arrive at schools. KSHB
- ➤ At KSHB 41's Let's Talk session today in Olathe, community members raised questions on the $389 million bond referendum (which funds school consolidations and technology upgrades) ahead of a March 3 vote, with Deputy Superintendent Jim McMullen saying the levy will remain unchanged despite a potential rise in property valuations. KSHB
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ KC Metro Fire Departments helped fight wildfires sweeping western Kansas on Feb. 18 by sending chiefs and a Wildland Task Force from Johnson County that included Olathe fire personnel, while officials lifted evacuation orders for Englewood and Ashland and treated injured firefighters & those with smoke inhalation. KCTV 5
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The City of Olathe announced the Northgate & Nelson intersection will close on Monday, March 2 as part of the 119th Street extension project; work will include installing a new roundabout and reconstructing Northgate until October. KCTV 5
- ➤ Michael Colman will assume the role as Chief of Emergency Medical Services for Johnson County MED-ACT effective Sunday, Mar. 1. He brings over 33 years of EMS experience in both public and private sectors. Johnson County
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Introduce a Girl To Engineering Day 2026
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Bartle Hall — Free entry — Explore engineering through hands-on activities and engaging discussions with women engineers.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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