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City of Manhattan to pay close to $30K after losing appeal in case involving damaged mailbox

info2023-04-12T11:08:37-05:00April 12th, 2023|

The Kansas Court of Appeals has affirmed that the City of Manhattan pay close to $30,000 in attorney fees to a local couple following their successful lawsuit over a damaged mailbox. The decision was published April 7 ... The case stems from a December 2019 incident involving a city-owned snowplow that struck a stone mailbox, cracking its base. Marti Wickham and William Franz successfully sued the city and in November 2021 were awarded approximately $3,200 for the mailbox and roughly $10,000 for attorney fees. Source: 1350 KMAN

Newspaper Editorial: Cities should encourage folks to mend, keep all sidewalks

info2023-04-12T11:12:50-05:00April 12th, 2023|

Rules vary from town to town, but most cities at least used to require installation of sidewalks along with curb and gutter in new neighborhoods. Most at one time had rules about maintaining said sidewalks. We think it's safe to say that those rules, regulations and ordinances are none too well enforced these days, and as a results, the ever-increasing number of walkers are mostly in the street. Sidewalks generally were and are installed on city property, the area along a street known as "the parking." This is the tract between the edge of the right of way (often 60 feet) [...]

Marijuana DUI’s no simple matter

info2023-04-12T09:24:47-05:00April 12th, 2023|

The Kansas Department of Transportation put out a press release, warning drivers that driving high on marijuana is illegal. “April 20 each year marks the unofficial marijuana ‘holiday,’ which tends to see an increase in its use,” the release stated “But whether a person uses marijuana or another substance, they should never drive afterward, as driving under the influence penalties are not limited to defined alcohol concentrations.” Enforcing state law, however, is easier said than done, according to Deputy Police Chief Scott Powell. Source: Harvey County Now

When a Kansas county wants people to plant milkweed but a city makes them rip it out

info2023-04-12T11:15:18-05:00April 12th, 2023|

Oliver Hernandez’s front yard hums with plenty of bugs for the 12-year-old and his friends to find. “It’s kind of fun just knowing that there are lots of caterpillars in the yard,” he said. About a third of the yard looks like a teeny swath of prairie, with wild indigo, bee balm and, until recently, a key plant for monarch butterflies: common milkweed. Last fall, the city of Overland Park told Oliver’s mother to rip the milkweed out of her pollinator garden. That bummed Oliver because it’s a plant where brightly striped yellow, black and white caterpillars would appear each summer, [...]

Wichita toy store owner asks City to change ordinance

info2023-04-12T09:18:40-05:00April 12th, 2023|

If you want to open a secondhand store in Wichita, some City of Wichita requirements might discourage you. For example, the City says some secondhand stores must fingerprint people who bring in used items. Derek Sorrells told the City Council that's a problem. He owns Let's Go Build, 2684 N. Greenwich, a store that buys, sells and trades Lego bricks. "I'm asking a mother who brings in $20 worth of Legos to submit her fingerprint," he said. "There were many odd looks. Many odd looks. And there were frankly people who walked out the door." Source: KSN-TV

Andover YMCA rebuild continues following tornado

info2023-04-12T09:16:13-05:00April 12th, 2023|

Almost a year following the Andover tornado, progress continues to rebuild the heavily damaged YMCA in the storm. The April 30, 202, the EF-3 moved through the east side of Andover, causing extensive damage to homes, an elementary school and the YMCA. Cars from the YMCA parking lot were thrown into the lobby, the roof was removed, and glass was shattered. YMCA employees that night reacted and got everyone to safety before the storm hit. Since the storm, work has been moving to rebuild the facility. The walls outside are being rebuilt with 6,375 new limestone blocks, and 22,600 square feet [...]

Property appraisal appeals increase by nearly 300 percent

info2023-04-12T09:13:47-05:00April 12th, 2023|

Backlash from Miami County residents upset about skyrocketing property appraisals led to a spike in appeals being filed this year with the county appraiser’s office. Property owners had until the end of March to file their informal appeal, and Miami County Appraiser Justin Eimers confirmed Monday, April 10, that his office received a total of 1,205 informal appeals this year compared to 303 in 2022, an increase of nearly 300 percent. “The appeals process gives property owners a chance to address questions and concerns to the County Appraiser’s Office,” Eimers said. “I see the appeals process as an opportunity for the [...]

Inflation rises just 0.1% in March and 5% from a year ago as Fed rate hikes take hold

info2023-04-12T09:04:04-05:00April 12th, 2023|

Inflation cooled in March as the Federal Reserve’s interest rate increases showed more impact, the Labor Department reported Wednesday. The consumer price index, a widely followed measure of the costs for goods and services in the U.S. economy, rose 0.1% for the month against a Dow Jones estimate for 0.2%, and 5% from a year ago versus the estimate of 5.1%. Excluding food and energy, core CPI increased 0.4% and 5.6% on an annual basis, both as expected. Source: Economy

Treasury yields fall after inflation comes in cooler than forecast in March

info2023-04-12T09:01:25-05:00April 12th, 2023|

U.S. Treasurys were little changed on Wednesday ahead of the release of key March inflation figures that could impact future Federal Reserve policy moves, including its interest rate hiking campaign. As of 5:17 a.m. ET, the 10-year Treasury was trading at 3.439% after rising by less than 1 basis point. Meanwhile, the yield on the 2-year Treasury was down marginally at 4.054%. Yields and prices have an inverted relationship. One basis point is equivalent to 0.01%. Source: CNBC - Bonds

Finney County Historical Museum exhibit celebrates first Hispanic mayor

info2023-04-12T11:17:06-05:00April 12th, 2023|

Garden City reached a unique milestone 50 years ago, on April 11 of 1973, when the community’s first Hispanic mayor was elected, and the Finney County Historical Museum has just opened a new exhibit telling the story of Mayor D.C. Garcia. Entitled “Making a Difference,” the display is located in the museum’s Front Door Gallery, where exhibits change four to six times each year. It is comprised of nearly 10 large-format photographic images, as well as a small collection of artifacts loaned from the Garcia family and others. Source: Greater Garden City

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