City of Independence Kansas

09/06/2026

City offices will be closed Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day. Sanitation services will shift one day. We will reopen Tuesday, September 8th at 8:00 AM.

09/04/2026

First Friday 9-4-2026

09/03/2026

💧 WATER SERVICE RESTORED 💧

The 16-inch water main break has been repaired, and water service has been restored.

City crews worked through the night to complete the repairs and return the water system to normal operation.

We appreciate our crews for their hard work and thank our residents for their patience and understanding during the repair.

City of Independence, Kansas

09/03/2026

🚨 WATER LINE BREAK – SERVICE IMPACT 🚨

City of Independence Kansas crews are currently working to repair a 16-inch water main break.

💧 Residents may experience low water pressure or a temporary loss of water service while crews make the necessary repairs.

⏱️ Repairs are currently estimated to take approximately 4–6 hours, with water service restored as soon as the work is completed.

Our crews are actively working to make the repair as quickly and safely as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding while this work is underway.

City of Independence, Kansas

08/28/2026

HEADS UP, MOTORISTS!

Crews will begin pavement marking around mid-morning Monday, August 31. The starting point will be North Penn, south of Taylor Road. If any night work (6 p.m.-Midnight) is necessary, it will be concentrated in non-residential areas.

Please be alert and drive cautiously in work zones.

08/18/2026

08/17/2026

⚠️𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐄

Public and parochial students start their new school year this week.

Please drive cautiously in school zones and near bus stops, and be on the lookout for students walking, biking and scootering to school.

It takes a minute to get back in the routine. Help keep our kiddos safe!

08/17/2026

Thanks, Independence, for turning out for our Fire/EMS "Push-In Ceremony" with our new pumper, Engine #3.

We're so pleased to have this vital new piece of life-saving equipment as part of our fire department fleet, and we very much appreciate our community's support of our department and our first responders.

𝑨𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒖𝒔𝒉-𝒊𝒏 𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒚:
The push-in ceremony involves firefighters physically pushing a firetruck into the station, a tradition that dates back to the 1800s, before motorized fire engines, when fire crews relied on horse-drawn steam pumpers and equipment carts. Because horses cannot easily back up a heavy wagon, firefighters would detach the horses upon returning from a call and manually push the equipment back into the station.

Not only is the ceremony a nod to traditions of the past, but it is also symbolic of departmental unity – pushing a massive truck as a team represents the cooperation and unity that is required in fire service.

08/14/2026

This is going to be a great event celebrating this equipment so vital for our community's safety... Come join us tomorrow!

𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞/𝐄𝐌𝐒 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐤

The community is invited to join Independence Fire/EMS for a traditional “Push-In Ceremony” for its newest addition to the fire truck fleet. The ceremony and open house are set for Saturday, August 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the West Myrtle fire station. Refreshments will be served, and staff will offer tours of the Fire/EMS facility.

The department recently received its brand-new pumper engine, Engine 3, which will replace a nearly 40-year-old truck that had significantly exceeded its expected service life. Fire/EMS Chief Aaron Cook explained the truck was originally ordered by another city’s fire department and was near completion when that city withdrew from the purchase, giving Independence the opportunity to acquire the truck on a much shorter timeline than is usually required for a custom order.

“While the older engine served the community well for many years, it had become increasingly costly to maintain and was no longer as reliable as a modern apparatus,” Cook said. “Our new Engine 3 is designed to serve as a frontline response vehicle for all residential structure fires and motor vehicle accidents within the city limits. The truck is outfitted with modern firefighting equipment and updated safety features and will play a critical role in protecting our community and supporting emergency response operations.”

The push-in ceremony involves firefighters physically pushing a firetruck into the station, a tradition that dates back to the 1800s, before motorized fire engines, when fire crews relied on horse-drawn steam pumpers and equipment carts. Because horses cannot easily back up a heavy wagon, firefighters would detach the horses upon returning from a call and manually push the equipment back into the station.

Not only is the ceremony a nod to traditions of the past, Cook said, but it is also symbolic of departmental unity – pushing a massive truck as a team represents the cooperation and unity that is required in fire service.

It’s also an opportunity to connect with the community.

“This will be a chance for our neighbors and city officials to see the new apparatus and celebrate the responsible use of taxpayer dollars to keep our community safe,” Cook said.

08/14/2026

Welcome to the force, Joseph Mueller, who was sworn in at last night's Independence City Commission meeting as Independence Kansas Police Department's newest patrol officer. Thank you for your service.