Merriam Hobby Lobby opening in March. The new Hobby Lobby store which will be next door to IKEA off Johnson Drive in Merriam is scheduled for a March 9 opening. The opening date has been posted on flyers taped to the doors and crews are still busy putting final touches on the building and landscaping. The Merriam City Council was told this week that Hobby Lobby has called for the final city inspections. Hobby Lobby currently has stores in both Mission and Shawnee.

SM East bowlers earn trip to state. SM East’s bowling team took third place in regionals yesterday, earning a spot int he state tournament next week. Noah Modean helped propel the Lancers to a school record score by shooting an average of 222, good enough for fifth place in the individual standings.

Roeland Park candidates in primary contests share views.  Roeland Park will have primary election contests in two of its four wards next week. The three candidates in each ward – Linda Mau, Erin Thompson and David Gauwitz in Ward 3; and Marek Gliniecki, Michael Poppa and JoAnna Rush in Ward 4, list their backgrounds and talk about their views in an election preview in the Kansas City Star. [Roeland Park council candidates focus on economics, transparency – Kansas City Star]

913 editorial says Meadowbrook park must ‘serve the needs of residents and visitors’. The announcement of a major public park for part of the Meadowbrook Country Club land was fodder for an editorial in today’s 913 section: “Park amenities must serve the needs of residents and visitors. That should include already announced walking trails, small lakes and a community center. But what else do people want to see?” [Park, housing could improve Johnson County — Kansas City Star]

Bill that would allow prosecution of teachers advances in Kansas Senate. A bill that has its roots in a controversial poster that was part of a sex education class at Hocker Grove Middle School has passed a first vote in the Kansas Senate and is up for final action. SB 56 removes a protection against prosecution for lesson materials deemed harmful to minors for schools found under current law but keeps it for universities, museums and libraries. [Bill easing protection of teachers for harmful materials gets Kansas Senate’s OK – Wichita Eagle]

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