GO Topeka distributes $250K in public grants through the HOST Relief Program

2020-05-13T06:38:49-05:00May 12th, 2020|

Since May 1, GO Topeka has distributed $250,000 in public grants to 74 Shawnee County small businesses through the HOST Relief Program. Each grant recipient received as much as $5,000 in aid. In April, $1 million in grants were approved by the Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) to provide additional small business support through the HOST Relief Program.  “These funds were able to let us pay our rent for March and April,” said Kelly Heston, grant recipient and co-owner of Gladiator Fighting Association/Heston’s Gladiator Academy. “This was very much appreciated.”  “We encourage all of our local small businesses to apply for [...]

$9 million in federal funding now available for Kansas businesses (first-come, first-served basis)

2020-05-12T08:47:35-05:00May 12th, 2020|

Governor Laura Kelly yesterday announced that more than $9 million in federal funding will be made available to the state’s Community Development Block Grant program to support community responses to the COVID-19 crisis. ... Grants are available to communities in two categories: Economic development grants provide communities with funding to help local businesses retain jobs for low-to-moderate income people. Grant funds can be used for expenses such as working capital (e.g., wages, utilities, rent) or to purchase up to 60 days of inventory needed to reopen, once allowed to reopen. Meal program grants provide communities with funds for various programs that [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for May 11, 2020

2020-05-12T08:15:58-05:00May 12th, 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.

Shawnee considers final review of strategic visioning, parks master plans

2020-05-12T08:01:11-05:00May 11th, 2020|

Plans for expanding indoor space and programming at the Shawnee Civic Centre and review of the city’s role in sports development at the Valley of Champions were two key highlights from Shawnee’s parks and recreation master plan, which the governing body and advisory board reviewed last week. During a special joint meeting May 5, the Shawnee city council and parks and recreation advisory board reviewed final drafts of the city’s first parks and recreation master plan and Imagine Shawnee, the city’s first strategic visioning plan. The 10-year parks and recreation master plan serves as a framework for the city’s vision and direction and [...]

City, county facilities begin phased reopening as stay-at-home orders are lifted

2020-05-12T08:07:09-05:00May 11th, 2020|

City offices and facilities in Fairway and Westwood remain closed at this time, but any potential updates can be found on their respective websites as they come. To stay updated with Fairway, click here. To stay updated with Westwood, click here. While Johnson County and state stay-at-home orders have been lifted, the county itself and the cities throughout it are taking the reopening process one step at a time. While the county and some cities, such as Roeland Park and Shawnee, have announced phased reopen plans for city facilities, and noted safety measures to be taken throughout these plans, other cities have yet [...]

Updates from Johnson County Community College: Documenting the pandemic

2020-05-12T08:03:32-05:00May 11th, 2020|

JCCC’s marketing photographer, Susan McSpadden, has made it her mission to document these unprecedented times for our campus community. Each week, she provides a look into how a different area of campus is responding to the pandemic. The JCCC Open Petal Farm is considered an essential operation during the campus closure, with efforts now directed toward growing sustainable produce for local donations. Recipients include area restaurants serving as community kitchens and other local food distribution organizations. (Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Hundreds line Overland Park streets to honor fallen police officer Mike Mosher in ‘Salute to Blue’ procession

2020-05-12T08:03:45-05:00May 11th, 2020|

Hundreds of people lined the streets Overland Park Sunday night as emergency service vehicles with their lights on made their way south past the site of the death of Mike Mosher, the second police officer killed in the line of duty in the department’s history. The “Salute to Blue” procession was the first in a series of events set for this week to honor Mosher. A drive-by visitation is set for Tuesday at the Overland Park Convention Center. A private funeral will be held Wednesday. Mosher died Sunday after following a vehicle he’d observed fleeing the scene of a collision. In an [...]

Johnson County started to reopen on Monday

2020-05-12T08:55:48-05:00May 11th, 2020|

Leawood stylist Anita Graves-Barker thought she could start giving her clients ever-so coveted haircuts on May 4. But then Johnson County’s stay-at-home order was extended another week. Just as Barker began informing customers they could schedule appointments on May 11, officials announced Johnson County would follow Kansas’ plan for reopening the economy. That pushed back the start date for hair salons even further, to May 18 at the earliest. “Let’s hope this is the last time we need to change our opening date,” she wrote in a message to clients on Facebook. (Read more: Joco 913 News)

Linn County businesses challenge county order requiring records be kept on customers, clients

2020-05-12T08:05:20-05:00May 11th, 2020|

A Linn County newspaper publisher and a La Cygne restaurant owner filed a federal lawsuit Sunday challenging constitutionality of Linn County’s requirement that businesses compile information on customers that might be useful in tracing people infected with the coronavirus. Jackie Taylor, owner and publisher of Linn County News, and Linda Jo Hisel, who operates Nana Jo’s restaurant in La Cygne, are plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Jay Allen, a physician who serves as the county’s health director, and the Linn County Commission. Taylor and Hisel said they went to court to reverse the public health order mandating physicians, attorneys, pharmacists, veterinarians, [...]

StoryWalk sure to be fun for all ages in Greensburg

2020-05-12T08:05:32-05:00May 11th, 2020|

Kiowa County Library has partnered with another county organization to bring the first StoryWalk(R) to Kiowa County. The event will run from May 5 through May 31. The StoryWalk(R) is a literacy and exercise activity for children and families. Pages of a children’s book will be displayed in the windows of local businesses on Main Street. The book for May will be “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak. The route begins at Kiowa County Schools (710 S. Main, Greensburg) and continues north. Families are encouraged to read the book as they walk the route. (Read more: Pratt, KS - [...]

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