News

Emporia one step closer to allowing drinking on downtown streets

2025-02-14T09:30:22-06:00February 14th, 2025|

Revelers in Emporia may soon be able to barhop on Commercial Street with beers in their hands. The Emporia City Commission has approved an ordinance to establish a Common Consumption Area, allowing people to drink alcohol outdoors within a designated area of the downtown district of this college town, so long as the beverages are purchased from participating vendors. Source: KSN-TV

Reno County receives $6.13 million KDHE grant for Yoder sewer project

2025-02-14T09:29:21-06:00February 14th, 2025|

Reno County has been awarded a grant to cover the full cost of combining Yoder and HABIT sewer treatment systems, a project with a hefty price tag. Reno County Public Works Director Don Brittain announced Wednesday that the county has been awarded a Small Town Water and Sewer Infrastructure Assistance Grant of $6,133,100 from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Source: KSN-TV

Pittsburg balances business losses with promising growth

2025-02-14T09:28:23-06:00February 14th, 2025|

Some Pittsburg businesses have closed in the past few months, but community leaders still have high hopes for the area’s growth. “Any time you have a business that closes in your community, that’s not a good thing,” said Blake Benson, Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce President. For example, the 87-year-old diner Harry’s Cafe announced a temporary closure, while Bling Pittsburg in the Meadowbrook Mall permanently closed last month. But despite those vacancies, Benson says the community continues to show business growth. Source: KSNF/KODE

City eyes structural rehab program to bolster housing stock

2025-02-14T09:26:43-06:00February 14th, 2025|

Manhattan homeowners may soon have the opportunity to receive financial assistance to fix up their houses. City commissioners on Tuesday supported a housing rehabilitation program that would reimburse local nonprofits for performing structural repairs on qualifying homes to build up and maintain Manhattan’s workforce housing stock. Source: themercury.com

Pott County mulls changes to dust control program

2025-02-14T09:25:53-06:00February 14th, 2025|

Dust from gravel roads can not only be a nuisance for those living along them, but can also be a safety concern for those traveling on them. Pottawatomie County started the Dust Control Program in the early 90s to make county roads safer, and over the years it has evolved. Each year the county commission reviews the program, and this year county staff is recommending eliminating the option. Source: themercury.com

Lawrence school board president foreshadows potential public comment pause

2025-02-14T09:24:51-06:00February 14th, 2025|

Lawrence school board President Kelly Jones floated the idea of pausing public comment after a confrontational exchange between the board and a frequent Lawrence public commenter on Monday. Board members told the commenter he was violating their public comment policy’s decorum rule, which he protested. The situation Monday lasted around 25 minutes, during which the board took two recesses. Source: The Lawrence Times

Municipal Bond Trends for February 13, 2025

2025-02-14T08:43:31-06:00February 14th, 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.

Municipal Bond Trends for February 12, 2025

2025-02-13T10:16:59-06:00February 13th, 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.

City leaders to look at ways to make back money spent on Hotel Topeka

2025-02-12T10:18:12-06:00February 12th, 2025|

City leaders are looking at ways to make back all the money that they’ve put into Hotel Topeka. While nothing has been brought to the governing body yet, it was talked about Tuesday night at a board of directors meeting. Topeka leaders are discussing implementing a community improvement district for the hotel. If it’s approved by the city council down the road, a small amount of every dollar spent at the hotel will go back in the city’s pocket, even after a buyer is found for the hotel. This would include purchases of food, beverages and hotel rooms. Source: KSNT 27 [...]

After city ignored petition about property taxes, Topekan makes his case in court

2025-02-12T09:49:51-06:00February 12th, 2025|

McIntosh argues the city should have taken some kind of action. Since Topeka didn't, McIntosh is asking the court to intervene and force Topeka to either adopt the city ordinance requiring public vote for tax raises above revenue neutral or the court can require the city to have a public vote about the ordinance. Source: CJonline

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