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County Manager named first-ever KACM Leadership Award recipient

info2021-12-10T07:25:58-06:00December 10th, 2021|

The Kansas Association of City-County Management recently met to recognize excellence in public service and honor members of the profession for their years of service. KACM created a new Leadership Award this year, and its first recipient was Johnson County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson. The Leadership Award is presented to a KACM member who has led an organization or community through a difficult time while upholding ICMA's Code of Ethics. "Penny is the ideal recipient of this award due to her courageous leadership during challenging times,” said KACM President Jonathan Mitchell. “Her efforts helped the residents of Johnson County, along with [...]

Kansas’ first comprehensive housing study in 3 decades reveals there are lots of problems to fix

info2021-12-10T07:25:16-06:00December 10th, 2021|

For-sale signs don't seem to last long just about anywhere in Kansas, especially in middle-class homes, Part of the problem is big gaps in the state's housing stock, but a group appointed by the governor is hoping to fix it. "We looked at both things that we should be doing maybe at the state level and things that local communities and counties could also be doing," said Amy Haase. Haase is in charge of the Kansas Housing Needs Assessment Tour, the first comprehensive study of our state's housing needs in three decades. It turns out, there's a lot. Source: KAKE - [...]

New Visit Wichita study shows need for improved convention facilities

info2021-12-10T07:24:46-06:00December 10th, 2021|

Century II and the Bob Brown expo hall attached to it are a hub of activity when conventions and events are in town, but due to the Coronavirus pandemic, these events have been few and far between the last two years. According to a new study commissioned by Visit Wichita, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, with “the industry looks for a full recovery by 2024 into 2025” according to president Susie Santo. Santo says, that a full rebound of the convention industry could bring up to 45 million dollars annually to the local economy, there is just [...]

Downtown Wichita to display ‘hometown holiday’ banners designed by 4th graders

info2021-12-10T07:24:19-06:00December 10th, 2021|

Banners designed by 4th graders will be displayed along Douglas Avenue in downtown Wichita to celebrate the holidays. Mayor Brandon Whipple said the city partnered with USD 259 and received more than 100 entries. Of those entries, 23 artworks were selected for the banners. The theme? "Hometown Holiday." Source: KAKE - News

City of Russell prepares for Bob Dole’s arrival

info2021-12-10T07:23:44-06:00December 10th, 2021|

... many people in the community who say they are planning on attending Sen. Dole's service Saturday morning and are excited for him to come home one last time. "We will all be together for Bob's final visit," said Bob Dole's nephew, Larry Nelson. Nelson says more than 40 family members will be making their way to Russell this weekend. Nelson told KSN that Sen. Dole made these plans to come home himself. "He wanted to bypass a number of places, his old haunts — high school; I think Dawson Drug, a lot of history there. He wants to come by [...]

Southeast Kansas Law Enforcement Overcomes Supply Chain Issues To Help Their Communities

info2021-12-10T07:21:30-06:00December 10th, 2021|

They say it's better to give than to receive, but recent supply chain issues across the country is making this difficult. ... This isn't stopping the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, who are literally going to extra mile, to help out their community. "It's just great to work for such a giving community," says Deputy Nate Jones, Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, "We're getting close to Christmas, it'll be nice to put a smile on somebody's face and help somebody in a place of need." There is no shortage of the giving spirit in Cherokee County, and the sheriff's office is no stranger [...]

This Shawnee Mission elementary wants Roeland Park to help pay for school crossing guard — here’s why

info2021-12-10T07:19:57-06:00December 10th, 2021|

Roesland Elementary School in Roeland Park is seeking community help to get a city-funded crossing guard. Principal Kelly Swift sent a letter to parents last week asking them to contact Roeland Park elected officials to support paying for a crossing guard outside the school. Swift wrote in the newsletter that the crosswalk on Parish Drive, directly in front of the school, is a focus area of improvement for safety for school officials. Source: Prairie Village Post

Can’t hear it at home? Here’s how Lenexa is warning motorists of approaching trains

info2021-12-10T07:17:28-06:00December 10th, 2021|

Since 2018, the city has worked with the BNSF Railway to reduce train noise in the Old Town area with the installation of wayside horns at two locations: the railroad crossings at Pflumm and Noland roads The stationary wayside horns target their warning sounds onto the roadways where motorists need to know that a train is coming. By contrast, train horns send their sound waves everywhere, even into nearby businesses and bedroom windows. Source: Kansas City Star

Central Kansas shakes during earthquake Wednesday morning

info2021-12-09T07:15:54-06:00December 9th, 2021|

People across central Kansas were awakened [Wednesday] morning after an earthquake shook the region. The quake, measured by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) as a magnitude 4.3, happened at 7:45 a.m. with an epicenter 16 miles southeast of Salina, near the intersection of South Kipp and East Lapsley Roads, just south of the city of Gypsum. Source: Salina Journal

Municipal Bond Trends for December 8, 2021

info2021-12-09T07:12:31-06:00December 9th, 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.

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