Pittsburg celebrates annual 620 Day

2023-06-09T08:44:50-05:00June 9th, 2023|

The City of Pittsburg’s Downtown Advisory Board (DAB) is inviting the community to celebrate 620 Day with an All-Day City-wide Celebration and a Downtown Block Party. The idea of 620 Day (or June 20) comes from Pittsburg’s area code. The purpose of this annual event is to cultivate pride and celebrate the Pittsburg community. Source: City of Pittsburg

City of Great Bend and Barton County agree to share projects

2023-06-09T08:43:48-05:00June 9th, 2023|

Members of the Great Bend City Council and the Barton County Commission crowded in the cramped first floor Barton County Courthouse conference room for their third joint session Thursday evening. During what has become an annual event, the elected representatives and other city and county officials shared thoughts and concerns, and brainstormed ideas. They also teased one another while noting the value of this new-found spirit of cooperation between the two entities. Source: Great Bend Tribune

Debate over stone bridges continues

2023-06-09T08:39:46-05:00June 9th, 2023|

Discussion continues on whether two stone bridges in Cowley County should be preserved or replaced, with a local resident who works near one of the bridges saying there might be more support for replacement. At their May 16 meeting, county commissioners approved applications for two grants through the State of Kansas that, if awarded, would be used to replace the Esch Spur/Pudden Bridge on 232nd Road over Grouse Creek, which was closed in 2016 due to structural failure, and the bridge over Rock Creek, one half-mile north and 1.6 miles east of Rock. If awarded, the grants would be used to [...]

More voters send in ballots than go to polls in Winfield to approve USD 465 construction bond projects

2023-06-09T08:35:55-05:00June 9th, 2023|

A vote to use property taxes to bankroll a $15 million bond project for Winfield schools passed with 59.5% of the vote. The bond will provide revenue for upgrades to safety and security, air quality and HVAC systems, along with deferred maintenance. USD 465 Board of Education president Ed Trimmer said he was “pleased we have the number of votes to pass the bond. It will help us keep our buildings in shape.” County clerk Karen Madison said she’d prepared for 3,000 voters on Election Day and got 392. In fact, 590 people took part in early voting. The bond issue [...]

‘It sticks with you,’: WFD Battalion Chief recalls DeBruce Grain elevator explosion

2023-06-09T08:27:05-05:00June 9th, 2023|

Thursday marked 25 years since the deadly DeBruce Grain elevator, the largest in the world at the time, exploded. For Wichita Fire Department Battalion Chief Chad Winton, a veteran with 27 years of experience, he remembers responding to the scene as if it were yesterday. Just before the accident, Winton was two years into his career. He had just tried out for the rescue team and was one of three candidates who were accepted. Little did the then-rookie know just days later, everything he had learned up to that point would be put to the ultimate test. “[I] started getting buckets [...]

Johnson County commission OKs several housing affordability measures

2023-06-09T08:22:22-05:00June 9th, 2023|

County commissioners on Thursday okayed a proposal to spend $950,000 in federal pandemic relief money toward a unique Habitat for Humanity development of 20 yet-to-be-built homes in Olathe that will be available to low-income buyers for 99 years and beyond. It’s one of a slate of new measures the county is trying to enact to chip away at persistent housing affordability concerns. The Habitat Olathe Pathway project at 159th Street and Blackbob Road will allow eligible applicants to own and collect partial equity on their home structures, while the land remains in a trust so that the homes can continue to [...]

Overland Park says backyard chicken pilot has been success so far

2023-06-09T08:13:10-05:00June 9th, 2023|

A two-year test program that allows Overland Park residents with at least a quarter acre of land to keep chickens has so far been a success, according to the city department that oversees it. As the program approaches its ending date December 31, the city animal control department noted there have been no documented complaints on properties with chicken permits since the pilot began in March 2022. City councilmembers now will begin to consider whether to make the chicken rules permanent, as some members of the council’s Community Development Committee proposed at a meeting Wednesday. Source: Prairie Village Post

Municipal Bond Trends for June 8, 2023

2023-06-09T07:22:10-05:00June 9th, 2023|

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.

USD 383 board holds discussion with RCPD leadership regarding future use of SROs

2023-06-08T11:16:32-05:00June 8th, 2023|

The Manhattan-Ogden School Board held a conversation Wednesday about the role of school resource officers (SRO’s) and the potential for adding officers at each of the two middle schools. Riley County Police Department officials including Director Brian Peete, Captain Greg Steere and resource officer Sonia Gregoire, joined in the conversation. Director Peete noted one of the most important jobs SROs have is building relationships in the schools. RCPD currently employs two resource officers, both at Manhattan High School. Board members have expressed interest in two more officers to be placed at Anthony and Eisenhower Middle Schools. Source: 1350 KMAN

City Commission sends rezoning request back to Urban Area Planning Board

2023-06-08T11:15:03-05:00June 8th, 2023|

During their Tuesday meeting, Manhattan City Commissioners voted to return a rezoning request for 407 Pottawatomie Avenue back to the Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board for further consideration. The request from Midwest Concrete Materials failed to earn approval from the Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board in a three to three vote during their May 25th meeting. MCM Owner Chris Eichman told commissioners the company hopes to rezone the approximately 1.22 acre tract of land for business commercial use and construct a training center. Source: 1350 KMAN

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