Supreme Court sets rules on when public officials can block social media users

2024-03-18T13:41:04-05:00March 18th, 2024|

The Supreme Court on Friday laid out a new test for determining when actions taken by government employees on social media -- such as posting messages, deleting comments or blocking users -- constitute official business verses personal conduct. The distinction has become critical as millions of local, state and federal government workers increasingly use social media to communicate with the public, often on "mixed use" accounts that also include purely private, non-official content. "When a government official posts about job-related topics on social media, it can be difficult to tell whether the speech is official or private," wrote Justice Amy Coney [...]

Pitt Plastics breaks ground on new facility expansion

2024-03-18T13:39:17-05:00March 18th, 2024|

Pitt Plastics, known as one of Pittsburg's most iconic businesses for over 50 years, has broke ground on a new expansion building that is planned to be completed in 2025. The expansion is planning to add 200,000 square feet to the Pitt Plastics facility. The construction is being undertaken by Koehn Construction Services. Source: KOAM News

Altamont, Kansas prepares for new pocket park

2024-03-18T13:29:33-05:00March 18th, 2024|

A pocket park is coming to the city of Altamont, Kansas. City officials are working to convert Lansdowne Garden into the unique space. The small area at the corner of US-160 and Huston Avenue has been unoccupied for quite some time. The vision consists of two patios with a space for food trucks to set up, a farmers market, a veterans memorial, and a community garden. A $10,000 grant from Network Kansas has already helped install the first patio. "I think it's important that we are proactive in our positions and listening to the wants and the needs of our community and [...]

Kansas towns compete for ‘best small town’ title

2024-03-18T13:28:48-05:00March 18th, 2024|

Two Kansas towns are neck-and-neck in a nationwide contest set to determine the best small town in the Midwest. Voting is currently open for a contest hosted by USA Today to find out which small town people think is the best of the best in the Midwest. The leaderboard has 20 towns listed in its ranks this week, with Marysville and Council Grove both near the top. (...) Council Grove has access to a wealth of history thanks to its numerous historic sites, according to the town's website. The National Park Service (NPS) lists the Santa Fe National Historic Trail, Kaw Mission [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for March 15, 2024

2024-03-18T08:53:25-05:00March 18th, 2024|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. 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.

(Some) exotic pets allowed

2024-03-18T07:16:25-05:00March 18th, 2024|

Exotic pet ownership can be found in most cities, including Topeka. Before giving exotic pets a try, owners need to consider how the city regulates said ownership and what is permitted. Topeka senior animal control officer Jessica Bowers said the city ordinances give a broad definition of exotic pets, so it can incorporate animals not yet considered when the code was written. Source: CJonline Exotic pet provisions are typically found in Section 2-300s of many Kansas city codes.

Legislators plan to end program for local property tax cuts, cut state tax instead

2024-03-18T07:06:30-05:00March 18th, 2024|

Kansas Republicans are advancing plans to abolish an unfunded program intended to help local governments provide property tax relief. Instead of putting money into the local ad valorem tax reduction fund for the first time in two decades, Republican lawmakers would formally end the program and put money toward cutting state property taxes.... Republicans say the logic behind their bills are that the LAVTRF, if it were funded, would be roughly the same amount of tax relief as cutting the state mill levies. Source: CJonline

Businesses’ lawsuit against City of Lawrence to close homeless camps will go to jury trial in early 2025

2024-03-16T09:55:27-05:00March 16th, 2024|

A group of Lawrence businesses’ lawsuit against the City of Lawrence, which asks a Douglas County court to close a pair of homeless camps, is scheduled to go to trial at the beginning of 2025. According to updated Douglas County case filings, the case will go to a jury trial in late January 2025. The first day will be Jan. 20, 2025, and the trial will resume from Jan. 28 to Jan. 31 of that month. As the Journal-World has reported, the lawsuit is asking a judge to declare a city-sanctioned camp — Camp New Beginnings — located behind Johnny’s Tavern [...]

Trial for lawsuit between church and City of Lawrence begins

2024-03-15T14:10:28-05:00March 15th, 2024|

The question of just how many duplexes are allowed on one lot under Lawrence’s city code was front and center as the two-day bench trial for a church’s lawsuit against the City of Lawrence began Wednesday morning.... First Presbyterian Church is suing the city and Dallas-based Fountain Residential Partners to halt a project that would combine two lots at 2300 Crestline Drive into an approximately 9-acre site and build a more than 300-bedroom apartment complex. Rather than one large building, the project plans filed in 2020 instead call for those units to be spread across 57 duplexes and six detached dwelling [...]

Newton loves a parade: crowd turns out to watch house moving

2024-03-15T13:47:12-05:00March 15th, 2024|

People lined the north end of North Main in Newton and the south end of North Main in North Newton during the move as if there was a parade going by. People watched while others took photos or videos. The transport was slow moving since power lines going across the street had to be lowered to make way for the house. Local law enforcement helped out by blocking traffic control so the white house could pass. Source: Harvey County Now

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