info2022-03-15T08:49:06-05:00March 14th, 2022|
A new community violence dashboard has been launched by the Unified Government Health Department. The dashboard provides statistics about patterns of ongoing community violence in Wyandotte County, along with information about resources available for victims of violence and those who want to help lower incidents of violence in the community, according to a spokesman. Source: Wyandotte Daily
info2022-03-14T15:42:15-05:00March 14th, 2022|
About one in six Kansas teachers feel they're likely to leave public education before retiring, according to a statewide survey of 20,000 teachers. The Kansas Educator Engagement and Retention Study, conducted by Emporia State University Teachers Collège professor Bret Church and independent organizational psychologist Luke Simmering, also found that one in seven teachers feel likely to retire in the next three years. The survey's report adds a layer to other Kansas data that shows the state's schools are facing a staffing crunch. Teacher vacancies, including jobs filled with teachers not fully licensed for those positions, rose 62% to 1,253 vacancies in [...]
info2022-03-14T15:39:37-05:00March 14th, 2022|
Appraisal values rose by an average of about 13.5% per residential property in Shawnee County. That concerns Topeka City Councilman Tony Emerson. “This is something that really affects my constituents,” Emerson told The Capital-Journal this past week. “People can’t afford to pay more and more taxes year after year.” The new appraisal values — or revised versions of those values, if residents successfully appeal them — will be paired with mill levy levels local taxing entities set when they adopt 2023 budgets later this year to calculate the property tax bills for which Shawnee County residents will pay the first half [...]
info2022-03-14T15:38:28-05:00March 14th, 2022|
The 22nd Annual Parade of Quilts is on display for the month of March, featuring about 90 original, hand-stitched quilts made in a variety of patterns, colors and sizes. “People enjoy looking at the quilts, (there is a) nice variety of colors and patterns,” said Linda Miller, Parade of Quilts coordinator. “We think it is a fun event for the community, and it draws people in to Yoder.” The patterns range from traditional to modern and include lone star, log cabin, starburst and bargello. There are also unique wedding ring traditional patterns, but one of the most popular ones is the [...]
info2022-03-14T09:36:54-05:00March 14th, 2022|
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.
info2022-03-14T09:33:13-05:00March 14th, 2022|
The Board of Harvey County Commissioners eliminated the county’s recycling program Tuesday morning on a 3-0 vote. The change will take effect May 1. County Administrator Anthony Swartzendruber presented commissioners with additional fee structures that would be more affordable for those choosing to recycle. The suggested fees cost $12 for residents to bring in 100 pounds or fewer of recyclables and $36 for up to 300 pounds. Under the first proposal presented to commissioners last week, residents would have had to pay $48 for up to 500 pounds. Commissioner Randy Hague asked if the county would hold off on purchasing any [...]
info2022-03-14T09:33:25-05:00March 14th, 2022|
Work has been suspended at the Wichita Northwest Water Treatment Facility after a superintendent for one of the companies building the new water plant was fatally injured on the job. Family members have identified the man as 55-year-old Manuel Esparza, of Wichita, a superintendent for UCI Industrial Construction Services, a subcontractor on the Wichita Water Partners team hired by the city of Wichita. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has opened an investigation into Esparza’s death, city officials confirmed Friday. Neither the city nor Wichita Water Partners — a joint-venture headed by Missouri companies Burns & McDonnell and Alberici — [...]
info2022-03-14T00:50:52-05:00March 14th, 2022|
The world changed two years ago when the pandemic first began. Health departments plan for events like this -- but the newness of COVID-19 forced many to adjust on the spot. Now with cases going down, many departments are hoping to use the lessons learned during this time in the event something like this happens again. "A lot of what's been going on with this pandemic will prepare us for, God forbid if we have another one," said Teddi Van Kam, Crawford County Health Officer. The coronavirus first hit Cherokee County on March 19th, 2020. Constant updates to the science and [...]
info2022-03-14T09:33:51-05:00March 14th, 2022|
Investors may take the Federal Reserve's first post-pandemic interest rate hike in stride, while uncertainty over the Ukraine crisis continues to hang over markets. The Fed has clearly broadcast that it intends to raise its target fed funds rate by a quarter percentage point from zero, and it is expected to announce that move at the end of its two-day meeting Wednesday. The central bank should also reveal new forecasts for interest rates, inflation and the economy. There are a few economic reports of note in the week ahead, including the producer price index Tuesday, retail sales Wednesday and existing home [...]
info2022-03-14T09:34:16-05:00March 14th, 2022|
Gardner sworn officers and city staff will be receiving a two percent increase cost of living compensation bonus and benefit package. Todd Winters, mayor, approved the updated salary structure and compensation plan at the March 7 city council meeting. The COLA would be in addition to Gardner’s annual merit pay increase which was budgeted at $286,500. The starting salary for a police officer is currently $21.646 per hour; Gardner has 32 sworn officers currently on staff (includes all ranks) and six vacant sworn officer positions. Matt Wolff, finance director, said the plan is to help ease the burden of the current [...]
