Newton opts out of year-round fireworks sales

Published on June 25, 2025

Fireworks tent

At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Commission opted not to allow permanent year-round fireworks sales in Newton, despite a recent change to state law.

In April, Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill into law that allows for the year-round sale of fireworks in Kansas at permanent locations and extends seasonal sales to June 20-July 7. The law does not extend the dates that fireworks can be discharged.

However, individual cities retain the authority to further restrict sales and discharge. For 2025, the Newton City Commission set the dates of fireworks sales for 10 a.m.-10 p.m. June 27-July 5 and discharge for 10 a.m.-midnight July 2-5.

In other action, the City Commission:

  1. Approved the demolition of a house at 309 E. Fifth St., which is within the McKinley National Historic District. The home is owned by the Federal Home Loan program, and its representative said the cost of repairs to meet federal standards would exceed the cost of demolition. The property owner was not willing to take on the liability of listing the house for sale as-is. The project will now go to the State Historic Preservation Office for review.
  2. Proclaimed July 4-6 as Newton Mexican American Athletic Club Men’s Fast Pitch Softball Tournament Weekend.
  3. Tabled an agreement with BNSF Railway for demolition and cleanup of 320 N. Main until the July 8 meeting.
  4. Received the 2026 Newton Public Library budget.
  5. Reviewed updates to the Building Code.
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