News

Log jam forms in Ottawa County, commissioners seek solutions

2025-09-11T09:09:13-05:00September 11th, 2025|

Two log jams are clogging rivers in north central Kansas, one just south of Tescott in Ottawa County and another still in Salina in Saline County. James Peterson, Tescott’s head of maintenance, says the log jam formed during Monday’s rain and contributed to widespread flooding. But for residents, it’s not the top concern. "Everything I've been dealing with and hearing is people taking care of their own house and own property, and their neighbors and anybody else that needs something. Most of them don't care about a log jam in the river," he said. Peterson says similar log jams have formed [...]

Wichita asks residents for input on next city manager

2025-09-11T09:07:50-05:00September 11th, 2025|

Wichita residents are being asked to share their priorities for the city’s next manager as the search to replace longtime City Manager Robert Layton continues. The City Manager Selection Advisory Committee, working with CPS HR Consulting, has launched a community survey to gather feedback on what qualities and goals residents want in the city’s next chief executive. Layton announced earlier this year that he plans to retire on Dec. 31 after serving as city manager since 2009. Read more: KSN-TV

Wichita expands Old Town crime penalties, prostitution restrictions

2025-09-11T09:07:05-05:00September 11th, 2025|

The Wichita City Council approved two ordinances Tuesday aimed at addressing crime in Old Town and prostitution activity along Broadway. One ordinance sets a $500 mandatory fine for crimes in Old Town, including assault, drug offenses, trespassing and public nuisance violations. Judges can also bar offenders from the district during probation or diversion, with violations carrying up to $1,000 in fines or a year in jail. The second ordinance updates prostitution-mapping rules first created in 1995 for the Broadway corridor, identified decades ago as a hotspot for prostitution. Courts can now ban offenders from the area not only after convictions but [...]

County to regulate wakeboard boats, blasting, but won’t privatize docks

2025-09-11T09:05:29-05:00September 11th, 2025|

County commissioners decided Monday to restrict wakeboarding boats on the county lake and to draft a policy on blasting after Orsted blasted a blade off a wind turbine a week and a half ago. Lake residents often complain about the potential for damage to docks and tied boats because of the large waves wakeboarding boats produce. “Nobody likes them unless they have one,” lake superintendent Isaac Hett said. Read more: Marion County RECORD

Robert Reece resigns after short stint in role

2025-09-11T09:03:16-05:00September 11th, 2025|

After almost six months on the job, Robert Reece has resigned from his position as Nemaha County Administrator effective Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. This announcement was made during the Monday, Aug. 25, Nemaha County Commissioners meeting. Reece was hired during the Jan. 7, 2025, Nemaha County Commissioners meeting by the former board of commissioners, which included Ben Glace, Dylan Keim and Jason Koch. Reece was hired on a 2-1 vote, with Koch voting nay. Read more: The Sabetha Herald

Hutch Planning Commission approves zoning change for goats

2025-09-11T08:59:30-05:00September 11th, 2025|

The Hutchinson Planning Commission voted unanimously to rezone the property at 714 Cloverdale Drive to allow for goats on the property. The 9.26-acre property was rezoned from R-4 Residential Neighborhood Conservation District to R-1 Suburban Residential District. The property owner, Tammy Depperschmidt, was issued a zoning violation on July 24, 2025, as a result of having goats on the property. Under new R-1 zoning, she could theoretically host a total of 45 goats; however, a protective overlay was put in place to limit that number to ten. “By all means, I do not want 45 goats,” Depperschmidt said. Read more: The [...]

Ordinance to reduce South Hutch Council size fails

2025-09-11T08:57:59-05:00September 11th, 2025|

With two absences Monday night and a supermajority required to pass a charter ordinance, South Hutchinson City Council needed a 4-0 vote to reduce the size of the council from six to five members. Instead, the measure failed, 3-1, with Kyle Cokely voting against it and Matt Nisly, Valerie Griffin, and Matthew Elliott voting for it, City Administrator Jeff Schenk said Tuesday. Schenk said the change in council structure would have made the mayor a voting member. Currently, the council elects one of its members to serve as a non-voting mayor, he said. Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

New life comes to Camptown

2025-09-11T08:55:42-05:00September 11th, 2025|

The sun-faded sign with missing letters of Camptown will soon have a flashy new look, much like the building’s interior. After decades of sitting empty and unused, the former dog track at 313 U.S. 69 Highway is being revitalized as Camptown Event Center. Read more: - Latest Stories

Municipal Bond Trends for September 09, 2025

2025-09-10T09:12:13-05:00September 10th, 2025|

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.

Newton Airport is a frequent stop for companies nationwide

2025-09-09T10:54:01-05:00September 9th, 2025|

Three miles outside of Newton sits the third busiest airport in Kansas, according to the number of operations, according to airport director Brian Palmer. Palmer and the other seven airport employees work for the city of Newton, but the city and county co-own the airport, each contributing $90,000, which makes up eight to nine percent of the airport’s annual revenue. Palmer said that according to the Kansas Department of Transportation, the airport provides about $187 million in economic impact to the city and the county on an annual basis. The airport doesn’t have any commercial traffic, but has 90 T-hangars and [...]

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