State tax revenue eclipses Kansas projections by $758 million

2021-07-07T16:51:06-05:00July 7th, 2021|

The state of Kansas closed out June with unexpectedly strong corporate and personal income tax as well as sales tax collections to push revenue during the past fiscal year $758 million beyond receipts anticipated by analysts, the governor said Friday. Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat seeking re-election in 2022, said the June report affirmed work to strengthen the state’s economy was paying off. “As we transition into the next fiscal year,” Kelly said, “my administration will continue moving our economy forward by prioritizing pro-growth policies that will support Kansas businesses and families.” The Kansas Department of Revenue said the state took [...]

Former hospital building officially belongs to the county

2021-07-07T16:43:46-05:00July 7th, 2021|

Bourbon County is now officially the owner of the former Mercy Hospital building. On Tuesday, Bourbon County Commissioners and Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks discussed finalization of the donation agreement between the county and Mercy Health Southwest Missouri/Kansas Communities that will transfer ownership of the former hospital building and $600,000 to the county. Source: Fort Scott Tribune

Shawnee County health officials monitoring Delta variant as cases in Kansas rise

2021-07-07T16:36:42-05:00July 7th, 2021|

Cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant are on the rise throughout the state. There are currently 358 total cases in Kansas. Twelve of those are confirmed cases within Shawnee County, but health officials said they are pretty confident there are more. The Shawnee County Health Department is monitoring outbreaks in the area, but they can't confirm them as the Delta variant just yet. Positive COVID-19 tests that check for the variant have to go through genome sequencing, which means they are tested a certain way in a lab and that takes more time. "They take that and they look at the [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for July 6, 2021

2021-07-07T07:08:48-05:00July 7th, 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.

Tourism getting better in Newton

2021-07-07T07:08:14-05:00July 7th, 2021|

Faith & Life Bookstore Manager Bethany Martin sees Newton as a meet-in-the-middle town for some customers. She said if a couple of friends want to see each other, with maybe one living in Andover and another in Lindsborg, they can meet in Newton, in the middle. When they meet in the middle, they spend money by shopping and eating in restaurants. Like recently, Martin said there was a group of women from out of town who had lunch together and shopped. Now that the pandemic is getting better, it’s helping with tourism in many towns across the nation, including Newton. ... [...]

Hillsboro officially opens new walking trail

2021-07-06T23:47:05-05:00July 6th, 2021|

Local kids walk along the new paved walking trail in Hillsboro. The trail provides a safe place for people to walk in town. Hillsboro has had plans for several years to have a paved walking path and this spring the path was completed. The new paved walking trail runs on the north end of town from Main Street between Hillsboro State Bank and Central National Bank to the front doors of Hillsboro Community Hospital. While the trail has been completed for several months now, it became officially recognized last week when the City of Hillsboro hosted a “Trail Gate Party” on [...]

Wichita Fire Department issues 88 fireworks citations over holiday weekend

2021-07-06T23:45:06-05:00July 6th, 2021|

The Fourth of July weekend was popping for many people, but it kept both the Sedgwick County Emergency Management and the Wichita Fire Department busy. "There was a lot more fireworks going on,” said Denise Bashline. "Just quite a bit of fireworks. A lot of fireworks going up in the air and a lot of individuals have a lot of fun,” Nicholas Bennington. An explosive end to a Fourth of July weekend after the COVID-19 pandemic stunted celebrations in 2020 and Wichitans noticed a boom in fireworks popping off. Source: KAKE - News

Allowing minors to attend late-night events: Wichita approves first reading of measure

2021-07-07T07:04:55-05:00July 6th, 2021|

On Tuesday, the Wichita City Council approved the first reading of a measure that allows minors to attend late-night events where alcohol is served. The measure will be placed on first reading and still needs final approval. "This creates a category that allows us to work within our business model," said Jessie Hartke, operating partner at WAVE. Qualifying venues must provide entertainment, have a capacity of at least 850 people, provide a stage, and allow minors to be on the premise until midnight. If an event goes past that time, they must ask minors to leave. Businesses must provide advance notice [...]

Local leaders, state officials connect on broadband needs

2021-07-06T23:37:37-05:00July 6th, 2021|

City, county and school district officials stressed that affordable broadband infrastructure is critical to continued growth when they met with Lt. Gov. David Toland during his recent visit to Miami County. “We’re in an extremely good pattern of growth right now in Spring Hill, and we’re very excited about it, but broadband is a critical part of that growth. It’s as important as water,” said Jim Hendershot, Spring Hill’s retiring city administrator. He was joined by other city and county officials, school superintendents, and local service provider MoKan Dial for a meeting with Toland and state broadband officials June 17 at [...]

In Wichita, more fireworks tickets & complaints but fewer ER visits this July 4

2021-07-06T23:35:29-05:00July 6th, 2021|

Emergency and medical crews in Wichita saw a mixed bag in the week leading up to and on the July 4 holiday, with fewer people reportedly visiting local emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries but more citizens receiving citations for banned items and more nuisance complaints phoned into 911 dispatchers compared to last year. It was also a better year for house fires during the nine days fireworks could be legally discharged in the city, with fewer than half the number reported in 2020. Fire crews monitoring the city for illegal fireworks over the July 4 holiday weekend wrote a total of [...]

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