Historically Speaking: How Dodge City got its name, maybe

2021-11-23T07:12:46-06:00November 23rd, 2021|

There is a controversy about how Dodge City was named. Three people with the surname "Dodge" have been part of this argument. The debate about the name "Fort Dodge" involves two men. The third person only figures into the name of our town. Source: Dodge Globe

Municipal Bond Trends for November 22, 2021

2021-11-23T07:11:21-06:00November 23rd, 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.

Officials feel vaccine mandate effect on rural healthcare potentially disastrous

2021-11-23T01:30:51-06:00November 23rd, 2021|

The December 5th deadline for compliance with President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate for healthcare facilities receiving federal funds is fast approaching, leaving some healthcare officials worried about the local impact on an already stressed workforce. In September, President Biden announced that, in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, his administration would make vaccination against the virus a requirement for facilities who are receiving funds from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Employees of any facility receiving those funds would have until December 5th to receive their first dose of the vaccination, with full vaccination required by January 5, [...]

Four States fire service gather to honor the life of Lt. Malachi Brown

2021-11-23T01:26:59-06:00November 23rd, 2021|

On October 15th the Baxter Springs fire department responded to a fire. Lieutenant Malachi Brown was injured and was transferred to a burn unit in Springfield where he later passed away. His actions to put himself before others touched many lives across the four states. The community rallied around him and his family when they needed it most, and this was on full display at Lieutenant Brown's funeral. "We would really like to say thank you to all the community that's came through to help our department out, help the family out," says Gunnar Wixon, Baxter Springs Fire Chief. Source: KSNF/KODE

Lawrence Transit riders can now purchase bus passes through an app

2021-11-23T01:25:31-06:00November 23rd, 2021|

Riders of Lawrence Transit can now use an app to purchase bus passes, the City of Lawrence announced Monday. The free app, Token Transit, is available on the App Store and Google Play. Here’s how it works: “You can select different types of bus passes such as full fare, reduced fare or T Lift monthly passes, 10-ride punch cards, day passes, single ride tickets, Night Line and K-12 semester passes,” according to the city’s news release. “Once the selection is made and the purchase confirmed, it will be saved in your stored passes. Bus riders then activate the pass and show [...]

Riley County considering appeal of BOTA Home Depot decision

2021-11-23T01:23:37-06:00November 23rd, 2021|

The Kansas Board of Tax Appeals in November rejected a Riley County request for reconsideration of a ruling that would refund more than $88,000 to Home Depot. County Counselor Clancy Holeman says Riley County is evaluating its next steps regarding a possible new appeal in court, but if things remain as is then the sum will be deducted from future tax distributions to area taxing entities. Riley County had submitted a petition for reconsideration of the BOTA’s March 2021 ruling, in which Home Depot was awarded a refund of $87,849 and 8 percent annually in interest on its $239,000 2018 tax [...]

Kansas lawmakers pass a bill to allow exemptions to vaccine mandates, and the governor will sign it

2021-11-23T01:22:25-06:00November 23rd, 2021|

Republicans in the Kansas Legislature used a one-day special session to pass legislation aimed at circumventing Democratic President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The bill approved late Monday is now headed to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who promised to sign it in a one-sentence statement. The bill makes it easier for Kansans who object to getting the vaccine to claim exemptions from employers covered by the mandates as well as those that implemented their own requirements. The measure also establishes a process for imposing large fines against Kansas employers who deny exemptions. In addition, it makes people who are fired or [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for November 19, 2021

2021-11-22T07:03:17-06:00November 22nd, 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.

Lyon County prepares for possible opioid settlement

2021-11-22T06:56:32-06:00November 21st, 2021|

Is a big settlement coming with drug companies, the way there once was with tobacco companies? If there is, Lyon County Commissioners want to be part of it. They voted Thursday to sign a Settlement Participation Form, in a class-action lawsuit involving what some consider the national opioid epidemic. “We don’t really have any cases in Lyon County,” Commissioner Scott Briggs said after the meeting. “It left us available for money... The money would go for addiction centers within the county.” That assumes a settlement with “Big Pharma” occurs. Kansas was part of a 21-state agreement on a proposed settlement in [...]

Gardner city council continues downtown snow removal debate

2021-11-21T23:37:48-06:00November 21st, 2021|

A survey on downtown snow shoveling garnered a low response, Amy Nasta, deputy city manager, said the city had only received eight responses from the November 3 snow removal survey, and 50 percent wanted to keep the 48 hour time frame in place because of the timing of storms happening outside business hours throughout the winter season. 75 percent had not made snow removal arrangements, she said. Traditionally Gardner has kept downtown walkways clear to facilitate pedestrian traffic, but in 2016 a sidewalk ordinance was passed requiring all properties keep walkways clear. However, the city has continued to clear snow until [...]

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