News

Coldwater Mayor Jose "Joe" Ceballos, who was reelected on Tuesday, was charged by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach the next day. In a news conference Wednesday, Kobach said Ceballos was facing criminal charges for three counts of voting without being qualified and three counts of election perjury. Both are non-person felonies. Read more: KSN-TV

Do you live in or near Arkansas City and have leftover pumpkins? You could help feed some hungry goats. The City of Arkansas City said instead of throwing pumpkins out, they can make a tasty treat for some local goats. Read more: KSN-TV

Two northwestern Kansas counties reshaped their alcohol laws on Tuesday, with one ending the state’s tradition of dry counties. Wallace County was the last remaining dry county in the state. On Tuesday, voters made history by eliminating that rule and allowing restaurants to sell liquor by the drink. Thomas County residents voted to remove the requirement that allowed restaurants to serve alcohol only if at least 30% of their sales came from food. This change allows establishments in the county to operate like traditional bars. Read more: KSN-TV

The City of Leon is helping teen drivers learn a valuable lesson while avoiding costly fines for speeding. In the first moments of being pulled over on Oct. 1 for going 44 in a 30 mph speed zone, worries immediately rushed to high school junior Kendra Mast's mind. "I thought I was going to have to get a job," said Kendra. "Not doing school sports." "I told her she was going to have to go get a job and pay her own ticket," added Kendra's mom, Sheena Mast. Leon offered a unique alternative. She could write an essay on the importance [...]

Hundreds of students in Sedgwick County came to Wichita on Tuesday to learn more about careers in public safety and service. Representatives from the Red Cross, law enforcement, prosecutors and other professionals gave presentations to the students. Organizers said the event gives students a realistic look at jobs that will allow them to give back to their communities. Read more: KSN-TV

The CiCo Ballfields in Manhattan will be renamed following a 10-year naming rights agreement approved by city commissioners. On Tuesday, Nov. 4, Parks Director of Parks and Recreation Aaron Stewart talked to city commissioners about a naming rights resolution that was passed last December. According to Stewart, the Manhattan Parks and Recreation Foundation has formed a 10-year $500,000 partnership for the naming rights of the CiCo Ballfields. Read more: KSNT 27 News

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Peabody City Council members completed their mandated hour of training Monday on Kansas Open Meeting Laws. Council members listened intently as Nicole Proux Aiken with the Kansas League of Municipalities presented requirements through video conferencing. Peabody was ordered to undergo one hour of the training for violating the act. Read more: Marion County RECORD

Hotels and motels within Wichita city limits will have to be licensed through the city starting next year in order to operate. The ordinance also prohibits them from charging by the hour. The Wichita City Council passed the ordinance establishing the license Thursday in an effort to crack down on what it deems are nuisance properties, especially along South Broadway. Read more: Wichita Eagle

The miles of rail-to-trail paths east of Wichita are on track to grow with the unveiling of a new bridge along the Redbud Trail on Friday. It marks a decade of work turning abandoned railroad tracks into spaces for walking, biking and hiking and connects two Butler County cities. The Andover section of the Redbud Trail runs six miles from 159th Street East — about a mile west of Andover — and used to dead-end at U.S. 54/400, about four miles east of the city. The trail originates inside Wichita at the I-135 canal route. Combined, the paths stretch nearly 16 [...]