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Small town Kansas takes on big problem of deafening railroad engine horns

2021-02-19T09:27:55-06:00February 19th, 2021|

Bartlett Arboretum owner Robin Macy is moving closer to a peaceful solution to BNSF Railway’s track expansion at Belle Plaine that increased the frequency of train engines blasting horns near intersections at levels comparable to a Boeing 737 on approach for landing. “This was a tranquil place. Concerts, weddings happened routinely. People came here from all points, many different states,” Macy said of the era before doubling of BNSF track in the southcentral Kansas community a decade ago. “We used to have about 20 trains a day and now we can have a train through here every five minutes.” Macy and [...]

Gas costs soar due to arctic blast in Winfield

2021-02-19T09:25:01-06:00February 19th, 2021|

The City of Winfield has incurred $10 million in natural gas costs through the previous six days as sub-zero temperatures gripped the area, leading the city to look for ways to mitigate the financial fallout. “The cost of this event to our community has been one that we have had very little control over. We are seeking every avenue of relief as this is an insurmountable cost for us that, without relief, will be felt for years to come,” Winfield city manager Taggart Wall said in a letter to the community, which was posted on the city’s Facebook page and emailed [...]

Altamont energy emergency nears its end

2021-02-19T09:22:30-06:00February 19th, 2021|

Altamont city officials announced Wednesday night that it appears the city is coming out of the woods with its energy emergency as far as rolling blackouts and the potential discontinuance of natural gas supplies that would require resident evacuations. Mike Shields, Altamont police chief and public information officer, said it appears the need for evacuation is becoming less likely, though the city remains prepared and asked residents to remain prepared. While loss of natural gas supply is a diminishing concern, the extreme financial impacts the energy emergency has created remain a concern. Source: Atchison Globe Now

Municipal Bond Trends for February 18, 2021

2021-02-19T09:01:41-06:00February 19th, 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.

Airfest coming to Great Bend skies

2021-02-19T09:00:30-06:00February 19th, 2021|

The Great Bend Airfest will once again land at the Great Bend Municipal Airport. The event, held every three years because of the cost, takes flight Sept. 17-18. “I don’t believe there were more than three air shows in the whole world last year because of COVID,” airport Manager Martin Miller said, addressing the City Council Tuesday night. “And we figured 2021 was going to be in high demand so we got busy.” They started in November booking acts, he said. They were successful and have a full schedule of aerial and static displays planned. Source: Great Bend Tribune

As natural gas prices surge, Winfield pleads for relief

2021-02-19T09:00:40-06:00February 18th, 2021|

In a normal year, Winfield will spend $1.6 million on natural gas. During the recent arctic blast, the bill grew well over $10 million in a span of six days. "How does the community the size of Winfield pay for that gas supply?" Taggart Wall, Winfield City manager asked. Taggart says he has never seen a surge like this. He explained the cost of natural gas is 150 times more than normal. The city has been working to conserve energy by closing schools and factories but the cost still racked up. "It's not like the city makes money off of this. [...]

Johnson County COVID rate at lowest in months: ‘We need to continue what we’re doing’

2021-02-19T09:00:56-06:00February 18th, 2021|

With the number of COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths dropping in Johnson County, public health director Sanmi Areola said the county is “inching toward” a date when restrictions could be rolled back. Areola delivered some positive news to the Johnson County Board of Commissioners on Thursday, saying that COVID-19 metrics have been “looking really, really good the past few weeks.” The county’s incidence rate — or the number of new cases per 100,000 people — was 167, down from more than 800 last fall. Source: Joco 913 News

Sedgwick County relocates vaccine clinic to former Downtown Wichita Library

2021-02-19T08:56:41-06:00February 18th, 2021|

Starting Monday, Feb. 22, Sedgwick County will relocate its COVID-19 vaccine clinic from INTRUST Bank Arena to the former Downtown Wichita Library. The former library is located at 223 S. Main, just a few blocks away from INTRUST Bank Arena. Sedgwick County residents with appointments will have two locations to receive their vaccine Monday through Saturday. The former library will serve as a clinic for residents ages 70 and older and health care associated workers. This clinic is for people who are active and can stand for periods of time. Source: KAKE - News

Pawnee County remains at Level Yellow on COVID matrix

2021-02-19T08:57:26-06:00February 18th, 2021|

For the second straight week, Pawnee County has remained at Level Yellow on the county-adopted COVID-19 risk matrix. Level Yellow indicates a minimal to moderate risk of the spread of COVID-19. At their regular meeting last Monday, Pawnee County Commissioners discussed whether the risk matrix should be adjusted. According to current data in the assessment, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red level thresholds for two-week cumulative new cases are 0-10, 11-20, 21-29 and 30+ respectively.  Commissioner Robert Rein suggested amending the thresholds to 0-15, 16-29, 30-44 and 45+. “Now that we have six months of data, it might be a good time [...]

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