Kansas news deserts leave increasingly fewer reporters to cover the COVID-19 outbreak

2020-05-29T08:25:05-05:00May 29th, 2020|

During a pandemic, local news coverage means more than keeping tabs on the city council or high school sports. The stories published in a newspaper, broadcast on a network TV affiliate or aired on the radio bring critical information about the public health crisis to communities. People count on reporters in their town or region to let them know about the latest spread of disease, about what’s safe and what’s not — especially in small meatpacking towns that have become coronavirus hot spots. “They’re doing the best they can,” said Angela Labrier, who turns to the Fox News Channel and The [...]

Mission extends due date for business license fees to Sept. 1 amid COVID-19

2020-05-29T08:25:29-05:00May 29th, 2020|

Businesses throughout the city, like Sandhills Brewing in downtown, will have until Sept. 1 to pay business license fees. The Mission city council on Wednesday evening approved a resolution to extend the due date for business license fees from July 1 to Sept. 1, in an effort to help businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. City staff has been working on business license renewals with a focus on creating an online form and payment methods to reduce human interactions, City Administrator Laura Smith said. As staff worked on this, Smith said an extension seemed to be a reasonable way to offer businesses [...]

Many bars staying closed despite dropped restrictions, but Old Town clubs ready to party

2020-05-29T08:25:41-05:00May 29th, 2020|

Sedgwick County commissioners decided on Wednesday to allow all businesses in Wichita to reopen, meaning that Wichita bars and nightclubs — among the close-quarter businesses that had so far been ordered to stay closed amid coronavirus concerns — are no longer bound by those restrictions. In Wichita, many Old Town night clubs, which have been shut down since the start of coronavirus restrictions in March, are preparing to welcome party crowds back this weekend and are now trumpeting drink specials and cover charge lifting on social media. One even reopened for party-seekers on Wednesday, just hours the commissioners decided no restrictions on businesses [...]

Essential hearings only in the courthouse in Kiowa County

2020-05-29T08:26:33-05:00May 29th, 2020|

Even in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the the Kiowa County courthouse is a hub for county department activity and for legal cases. But the courthouse, like everything else, has had to reorganize its operations to confirm with the most current mandates from the state and judicial system. Legal cases in Kiowa County have been delayed. The Kansas Supreme Court has ordered that no jury trials take place in Kansas for now and when that will change is unknown, said Chief Judge Leigh Hood of the 16th Judicial District. Kiowa County has not had a docket day but are conducting [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for May 27, 2020

2020-05-28T09:28:51-05:00May 28th, 2020|

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.

Sedgwick County’s new coronavirus plan: advice but no rules, everything can open

2020-05-28T09:27:54-05:00May 28th, 2020|

A day after Gov. Laura Kelly shifted responsibility for coronavirus prevention to the counties, Sedgwick County shifted it to the business community and individual residents. The county commissioners opted Wednesday not to place any rules or restrictions on business or personal activity to control the spread of COVID-19. “I think it’s time to trust our citizens,” said Commissioner Jim Howell. (Read more: Local News |)

City leaders plead for COVID-19 regulation after Johnson County makes it voluntary

2020-05-28T09:27:25-05:00May 28th, 2020|

More than 20 city council members from across Johnson County have signed a letter urging county leaders to adopt coronavirus restrictions that can be enforced. After Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced she has shifted responsibility for COVID-19 prevention to counties, Johnson County health officials said they would not impose their own restrictions. Instead, the county is leaving it up to businesses and residents to follow recommendations laid out in Kelly’s phased approach to reopening the economy. (Read more: Joco 913 News)

Cowley County keeping state limits in place

2020-05-28T09:26:51-05:00May 28th, 2020|

Cowley County will follow the state’s reopening plan after Gov. Laura Kelly this week rescinded her statewide order and let local officials determine their own coronavirus restrictions. Public Health Officer Thomas Langer issued a press release late Wednesday afternoon announcing the decision. The order he issued, effective at 12 a.m. Wednesday, essentially holds in place the current limitations people were being asked follow until a special session of the Legislature starting June 3 that could provide more clarity on how things will move forward, the release states. (Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com - RSS Results)

Park City officers honored for stopping man who was going to jump off bridge

2020-05-28T09:26:25-05:00May 28th, 2020|

Two Park City officers were recognized this week for preventing a man from jumping off a bridge. Officers Gary Palmer and Jordan Whitfield received the Life Saving Medal during Tuesday’s Park City Council meeting for their efforts to save a 45-year-old man from jumping off the 61st bridge above Chisholm Creek on Jan. 25. The officers responded to a welfare check of the man at around 8:15 p.m. and found him standing on the sidewalk in the middle of the bridge. (Read more: Local News |)

KDHE anxious about ’experimentation’ as counties take charge of COVID-19 response

2020-05-28T09:26:02-05:00May 28th, 2020|

The state’s top health officer urged county officials Wednesday to follow Gov. Laura Kelly’s plan for gradual reopening of the economy — downsized from mandatory to advisory — to minimize opportunities for resurgence in spread of COVID-19. Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said placing ownership of coronavirus decisions with the state’s 105 county commissions and health officers wasn’t without risk. He predicted some counties would fare well in terms of infection management, while others would fare poorly. (Read more: Local - The Hutchinson News)

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