info2021-03-18T07:41:33-05:00March 18th, 2021|
The Garden City Commission voted to not extend the citywide, face-covering ordinance at its regular meeting Tuesday. The commission voted 4-1 to end the ordinance, with Commissioner Deb Oyler dissenting. The ordinance was put into effect to help combat the spread of COVID-19 in the community and has been in effect since the Nov. 17 regular Commission meeting. Source: Garden City Telegram.
info2021-03-18T07:38:12-05:00March 18th, 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.
info2021-03-18T07:13:00-05:00March 17th, 2021|
Board of County Commissioners Chairman Ed Eilert remembered the 638 Johnson Countians who have died from COVID-19 since March 2020. On Tuesday, Eilert joined three other metro leaders — Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Quinton Lucas, Jackson County Executive Frank White and United Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kan., Mayor David Alvey — at Union Station to mark the one-year anniversary since the four jurisdictions implemented a region-wide shutdown to control the spread of COVID-19. The four leaders were the first to write notes on a commemorative flower wall that will remain at Union Station for the public to interact [...]
info2021-03-18T07:16:14-05:00March 17th, 2021|
Tuesday, Governor Laura Kelly announced expanded visitation for nursing homes and long-term care facilities, which would allow outdoor and more indoor options for families to see their loved ones. “I feel very blessed that I can be here,” said Larksfield Place resident Mary D. Lounsbury. Lounsbury said in the past year she has felt lucky to be where she is and taken care of. “Sometimes older people don't like to think going to a place like this. I’d go to it again at the drop of a hat. It's just, they're all just nice,” said Lounsbury. But when the shutdown happened, [...]
info2021-03-18T07:23:56-05:00March 17th, 2021|
After the pandemic hit, the largest school district in Kansas set to calculating how much outdoor air it should pull into its buildings. Wichita Public Schools turned to the nation’s top sources for expertise, then boosted ventilation and filtration in ways that scientists say dramatically cut the risk of inhaling COVID-19. Evidence that schools — as well as operators of other buildings that bring people together — should take those steps has solidified, buoyed by scientific findings that the virus spreads primarily through particles in the air, not by lurking on doorknobs and table tops. Yet scientists say most American schools probably don’t [...]
info2021-03-18T07:25:22-05:00March 17th, 2021|
Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas secretary of health, said on Tuesday that the state will come out with more guidance by Monday on Phases 3 and 4 of the state vaccine plan. Gov. Laura Kelly and Dr. Norman announced Monday that Phases 3 and 4 of the vaccine plan would start Monday, March 22. One of the questions raised about the new phases is how will vaccination sites know if a person has a chronic disease and is in one of the phases. The topic was discussed at the Tuesday morning media update at the University of Kansas Health System. Dr. Norman [...]
info2021-03-18T07:28:11-05:00March 17th, 2021|
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday sharply ramped up its expectations for economic growth but indicated that there are no expected interest rate hikes through 2023 despite an improving outlook and a turn this year to higher inflation. As widely expected, the policymaking Federal Open Market Committee also voted to keep short-term borrowing rates steady near zero, while continuing an asset purchase program in which the central bank buys at least $120 billion of bonds a month. The key changes came in how central bankers view the economic road ahead and what impact that could have on policy. "Following a moderation in [...]
info2021-03-18T07:29:34-05:00March 17th, 2021|
A bill before Kansas legislators Wednesday would extend and revamp a state program providing financial incentives to those moving to rural areas struggling with workforce retention. The Rural Opportunity Zones program provides designated counties an opportunity to offer income tax credits and student loan repayments in an effort to reverse population decline. Previously, these zones were decided by population loss, but under House Bill 2341 any county with a population of less than 35,000 would qualify. This would expand the program by 16 counties, bringing the total qualifying counties to 93. ... a 2020 study indicated 30 counties did not commit any resources [...]
info2021-03-18T07:30:14-05:00March 17th, 2021|
A city board is considering a leash law for Wichita cats to reduce the number of felines running wild. Wichita Animal Control Advisory Board member Richard Ruth has proposed a city ordinance change that would make it illegal to let a cat roam the neighborhood, with penalties including a fine and sterilizing and microchipping the cat. The proposal would also limit the number of cats a person can own at four and require owners to annually license their cats and vaccinate against rabies. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
info2021-03-18T07:14:15-05:00March 17th, 2021|
The state of Kansas has launched a new program designed to help individuals and families financially impacted by COVID-19 pay rent, utility and internet bills. The Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA) program is being run by the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC). “Keeping Kansans in their homes and businesses – and ensuring they have access to the high-speed internet needed for telehealth, telework, and virtual school – has been a top priority for my administration since day one.” Gov. Laura Kelly said in a news release. “This program will be critical in ensuring Kansans can stay secure in their homes, stay [...]
