Yearly Archives: 2021

Wichita gets outside help with new ethics policy

2021-03-03T08:07:27-06:00March 2nd, 2021|

After a mayoral election filled with scandal and dirty politics, the City of Wichita decided it was time to put some teeth into its ethics policy. Tuesday, more than a year into the process and after some fireworks, the city council got some help with that from the National League of Cities. “I think it certainly helps when you can look at best practices done in other communities,” said councilman Bryan Frye. The league’s review suggested tweaks but no major changes to what the council members have come up with. “I liked that they were looking at really in the details [...]

Lawrence City Commission to consider repealing requirement for many top city officials to live in Lawrence

2021-03-02T07:26:31-06:00March 2nd, 2021|

City leaders will soon decide whether to repeal residency rules that require many of the city’s top officials to live in Lawrence, potentially maintaining the requirement only for one position. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider repealing the residency requirements for all city employees except the city manager, effectively allowing employees in about a dozen high-level positions to live elsewhere. City staff are recommending the changes in part to help the city attract more qualified and diverse candidates for the upcoming recruitment for several department director positions, according to a city staff memo to the [...]

‘A deeper look’: Lawrence Police Department installs new software for tracking complaints against officers, use of force

2021-03-02T07:25:49-06:00March 2nd, 2021|

In the near future, if a Lawrence police officer uses a taser, firearm or other form of force a during a certain period of time — such as three times in six months — the Lawrence Police Department will be able to automatically flag those incidents to be further reviewed. That would be an increase in oversight over such instances for the department and is how LPD plans to use a new software program installed earlier this month. Source: LJWorld.com.

Municipal Bond Trends for March 1, 2021

2021-03-02T07:18:41-06:00March 2nd, 2021|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.

Historically Speaking: How Life Changed in Dodge City Overnight: The Quarantine

2021-03-02T07:07:35-06:00March 2nd, 2021|

One hundred and thirty-six years ago on March 8, 1885, life changed drastically in Dodge City. On that date, Dodge City's biggest economic boon abruptly ended with the enactment of a quarantine law prohibiting the introduction of Texas long horn cattle into Kansas and, most importantly, Dodge City. City fathers and business owners knew there would be no more seasonal visits by the Texas cowboys and their long horns. For the past 10 or 11 summers, these cattle drives had been the economic mainstay for Dodge City. Source: Dodge City Daily Globe.

Leading judges, legal experts push specialty courts as key justice tool in reducing recidivism

2021-03-02T07:09:32-06:00March 1st, 2021|

Specialty courts across the state are receiving high praise from criminal justice advocates and experts for their effectiveness in reducing recidivism rates for those who embark on the “therapeutic” process. These courts are an attempt to address the systemic causes within the criminal justice, whether it be an addiction, mental health disorders, or aiding veterans with demons they carry from their service. Defendants enter into agreements with the court and proceed through a vigorous program, generally 18 months long, with intense supervision from the judge and other professionals. Upon completion of the vigorous program, typically 18 months long, the judge may [...]

Kansas House signals support for bill requiring construction notice of ‘abominable’ utility poles

2021-03-02T07:10:04-06:00March 1st, 2021|

Kansas House legislators cast support Monday behind a bill increasing community regulatory oversight for construction of urban electric transmission mega poles. The legislation was sparked by a 2018 Westar Energy — now Evergy — project, in which the utility company installed dozens of 105-foot transmission lines in a low-income neighborhood of northeast Wichita. Residents criticized the project for damaging property values and argued these poles would not have been installed in wealthier neighborhoods. A measure in response to the construction project would require an electric utility company to provide at least a six-month notice before beginning construction of these behemoth transmission [...]

New Riley County health order starts Monday, lifting most restrictions on bars and restaurants

2021-03-02T07:10:10-06:00March 1st, 2021|

A new Riley County health order goes in to effect Monday giving bars and restaurants more freedom. Aside from the mask requirement, bars and restaurants are now back to pre-pandemic rules. Bars and restaurants in Riley County can now operate at full capacity and stay open until 2:00 a.m. Bartenders can now take orders from customers at the bar, which was not allowed under the previous order. Scott Sieben is the owner of Kite's Bar & Grill, Rocking K's, and Mr. K's Cafe and Bar in Manhattan. He said this is a big step towards putting the past year behind them. [...]

Wichita police: Squatters’ shotgun went off as cops moved furniture in vacant house

2021-03-02T07:10:33-06:00March 1st, 2021|

Police say two squatters, a 46-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman, have been jailed in connection with a case where three Wichita officers were wounded by a shotgun blast at a south-side home that was supposed to be vacant. James Alden Hathorn and Tiffany Lynn Vulgamore were arrested Sunday morning at the home in the 1400 block of South St. Francis where the officers were injured the previous afternoon. Wichita police detectives checking the home caught the pair as they were trying to enter it, the police said in a Monday afternoon news release. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Study: Wichita falls behind Topeka, Lawrence on share of Gen-Z renters in state

2021-03-02T07:10:56-06:00March 1st, 2021|

Wichita ranked third on a recent list of the top-five cities in Kansas with the largest number of Gen-Z renters, according to a report published last week by RENTCafé, an online listing website for rental properties. Wichita fell behind Topeka and Lawrence on the list, which is based on rental application data from RentGrow Inc. That means the youngest Kansans — renters 24 and younger — are so far more likely to rent elsewhere, despite all of Wichita's efforts to attract and retain young talent. Source: Wichita Business Journal

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