Kansas Municipal News
Municipal Bond Trends for April 13, 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, Beth Warren or Henry Schmidt.
Herington couple opens new restaurant & entertainment venue
A Herington restaurant and venue owner believes in the old adage, ‘Build it and they will come.” By the end of April, Andy Urbanek, plans to open a new restaurant, Broadway Station, on Broadway in downtown Herington, which will feature locallygrown beef – raised on ranches just outside of Herington and Hope. Herington, a little more than 30 minutes from Gypsum, boasts a population of slightly more than 2,000. … When he saw the location at 1 N. Broadway for sale, he decided to transform the building.
Source: Hutch News
Hutchinson license plates are coming soon
Hutchinson residents now have an additional opportunity to show community pride while benefitting recreation programs and facilities in Hutchinson and Reno County. Later in 2023, Hutchinson and Reno County vehicle owners will have the opportunity to purchase a HutchFlag Tag through their renewal process or new license plate purchase. Cost for the Hutch Flag Tag will bean additional $30 through the renewal/new purchase process.
Source: Hutch News
See inside the new Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum in Atchison, celebrating Kansas’ famed aviator
The glistening, brightly polished metal of the world’s last remaining Lockheed Electra 10-E, a twin engine, American-made aircraft named Muriel, is the centerpiece of the new Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum opening Friday in Atchison, Kansas. The airplane is the same make and model that Amelia Earhart, an Atchison native, was flying in 1937 when she disappeared. “The Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum was a vision, actually, of my husband,” said Karen Seaberg, the founder and president of the Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation. “He (the late Ladd Mannan Seaberg) met the restorer of the plane in the eighties, and his vision was that it would come back to Atchison,” Seaberg said. … In 2016, that vision became a reality as the aircraft was acquired for just two cents over $1.2 million by the foundation and then transported by truck from El Cajon, California, to Atchison. The foundation then began a capital campaign to raise funds to build the new 17,000 square-foot hangar museum in which to showcase the airplane…. Dignitaries, school children, politicians and aviation enthusiasts will be on hand Friday as the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum celebrates its’ grand opening. Family-friendly events will continue Saturday and Sunday at the museum, which is located at the Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport, 16701 286th Rd., in Atchison.
Source: KC Star Local News
Researchers want to know where foxes and coyotes are roaming Wichita
Have you spotted a coyote or a red fox in Wichita recently? If so, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks wants to know. The Wichita Urban Coyote and Fox project, which launched March 1 in partnership with Utah State University, has the goal of measuring coyotes and fox populations in the area. The department is asking anyone who spots one of the two species to report it so it can use the data for the survey. “We don’t really have much data and information on our coyotes and red fox populations in the city of Wichita,” said Jon Beckmann, Region 3 wildlife supervisor with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. “We know we have them here. We know that we get calls on them, but we really don’t have a lot of data, which makes it a little more difficult to manage a population.” … “Some wildlife can survive and even thrive in cities,” the project’s page reads. “Coyotes and red foxes are two such canids that are able to take advantage of the perks of the city … However, we know very little about how these canids are successful at living among humans in the Great Plains. This lack of data impedes management.”
Source: Wichita Eagle
Distinct visions unfold in Wichita’s shifting Fairmount neighborhood
Fairmount sprang up in the late 1890s, with close ties to its college neighbor, now known as Wichita State University. Over a series of transitions, which included Fairmount becoming a largely Black neighborhood, their relationship changed. Now developers who hope to serve a growing student body are remaking Fairmount’s northern edge with high-end student apartments. Is there a way to resolve stakeholders’ competing visions for the future?
Source: KLC Journal
Governor Kelly Announces Funding to Create Health Care Apprenticeship Programs in Southeast and Western Kansas
Governor Laura Kelly today announced $100,000 to support the two new health care apprenticeship programs at Pratt Regional Medical Center and Labette Health. The programs build on the Governor’s creation of the Office of Registered Apprenticeship last fall and include training opportunities for positions such as Certified Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomist, Surgical Technician, Medical Coding Specialist, and other high-demand, high-wage health care occupations. The program will be developed and administered over the next year by Hamilton Ryker, a staffing and workforce solutions agency partnering with the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship, and will be supported by the Kansas Hospital Association. Funding for the program was made available through the Patterson Family Foundation.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Special election planned for Holton city sales tax
Ten years ago, Holton residents voted to approve a half-cent addition to the city’s municipal sales tax that would be used to fund infrastructure improvements and debt reduction in the city, and the addition passed by a three-to-one margin. This June, city residents will go to the polls to decide whether that sales tax addition will remain on the books for another 10 years. During Monday’s regular Holton City Commission meeting, commissioners approved a resolution setting a special city election on Tuesday, June 6, at which time voters will consider extending the half-cent sales tax from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2033, noting that the existing sales tax has allowed the city to reduce its indebtedness and improve its water, sewer and electrical services to city utility customers.
Source: Holton Recorder
Flowers planted in Kansas town’s potholes
Police in southeast Kansas are advising residents to not plant flowers in potholes. The Sedan Police Department said officers responded to the 700 block of North Montgomery Street for the report of mysterious growths sprouting from several potholes. “Once on scene, officers discovered a number of potholes had been filled with plants,” the department said on Facebook. “We are asking the publics assistance in the apprehension of these suspects who have been aptly dubbed, ‘The Pothole Bandits.’ These bandits are described as having a facetious look in their eye, ornery grins, green thumbs and wearing fast running shoes. Any help in this matter will be greatly appreciated.”
Source: KAKE – News
85 miles of southwest Kansas railroad to get upgrades
An 85-mile stretch of the Cimarron Valley Railroad will get about $15 million worth of improvements. The upgrades are for the rail line from Hugoton to Dodge City. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and other politicians joined CVRR officials for a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday morning. “These upgrades are not just an investment in our infrastructure, but an investment in our agriculture industry – and our economy as a whole,” Kelly said in a news release. “By rehabilitating over 85 miles of an essential rail line in southwest Kansas, this project will make it easier and more efficient for local businesses to transport biodiesel and other agricultural products.”
Source: KSN-TV
Downtown Pittsburg mural grant applications now available
The City of Pittsburg’s Downtown Advisory Board (DAB) recently announced it will continue to provide grant funding to bring more art to downtown Pittsburg. The DAB is offering to split matching funds 50/50, not to exceed one thousand dollars. This is the second year they are offering the grant. For this year DAB has devoted two thousand, and five hundred dollars to bring more art to downtown Pittsburg. Grant applications will be accepted until August, or until all of the funds run out.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Downtown clock dedicated in Parsons
Years of volunteer time will be seen for decades in a Southeast Kansas community, thanks to something that tells time. A dedication ceremony was held this afternoon for this clock tower in downtown Parsons. It honors Pete and Mary Hughes for their years of volunteer work on many community projects. … “As we look down Main Street, it’s timeless, the volunteering that they did. And we thought to tie it to this clock, put their name on it and we hope it inspires other people, young people as they come up, to do what Pete and Mary have done, our community,” said Rod Landrum, SEK Point of Pride Cmte. Member. … “I’ve had builders come here and say I want to build in your town because of what’s behind me. That’s why main streets are so important. That’s why the bookends of a beautiful clock and a pocket park at each end are so important. It’s about whole community pride that helps you sell an entire city,” said Jim Zaleski, Parsons Econ. Development.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Osawatomie to launch ‘Third Saturday’ campaign with downtown block party
Downtown Osawatomie will be a happening place to be Saturday, April 15, during the city’s first “Third Saturday” block party. Main Street will be blocked off from Fifth to Sixth streets from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. during the event, which will include early activities from 4 to 7 p.m. like pickleball and cornhole tournaments, children’s street games, children’s bicycle parade and bike course, Nine Square, board games, and the Bull Creek BBQ food truck.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
USD 232 enrollment expected to boom — Here are the schools most impacted
Starside Elementary in De Soto and Mill Creek Middle School in Lenexa are expected to both be over capacity by the 2027-2028 school year with growth booming on the western side of USD 232. That’s according to an enrollment analysis from school planning firm RSP Associates presented to the USD 232 school board earlier this month. The report outlined how new residential growth, the addition of a new Panasonic EV battery plant and other expected investments on the old Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant in De Soto could draw in more residents and lead to more growth in the district’s student population.
Source: Prairie Village Post
North Lawrence camp residents say violence and chaos is increasing, and the new fence hasn’t helped
People living at the city-run campsite in North Lawrence say they’re struggling with increased interlopers, assaults, theft and drug activity in the week since the city installed a fence intended to prevent visitors, and a woman said she was raped at the camp on Sunday. Tension, anger and fear at the campsite are increasing. At times, the feeling hanging over the camp is a foreboding one, said Jenn Adams — known as the “camp mom” — who has experienced violence while living outside before. “I felt safer out at Sandra Shaw after my throat had been cut than I do here now,” she said. “I don’t feel safe, and I’m across the street.”
Source: The Lawrence Times
Giant solar power generation facility proposed just north of Lawrence
A division of oil giant Royal Dutch Shell is proposing to build a solar energy facility covering more than a square mile just north of Lawrence, near Midland Junction. The “Kansas Sky Energy Center” would supply electrical power to local utility Evergy Inc., which would ultimately own the facility. Savion LLC, based in Kansas City, said it has acquired more than 1,100 acres of land — currently used as farmland — on which to build the giant solar array. It said the solar collection equipment would cover as much as 734 acres of the land.
Source: The Lawrence Times
City manager: Aggieville requesting $25K for gift card promotion
Manhattan city manager Ron Fehr said he’s received a special funding request from the Aggieville Business Association to attract visitors back to the entertainment district. Fehr told Manhattan city commissioners Tuesday evening that he recently received a letter from the ABA board requesting $25,000 for use in a promotion that ABA officials think would bring people back to Aggieville, following months of construction projects in and out of the district. Fehr said the promotion would consist of $25,000 being spread out over 400 to 500 prepaid cards that would be available to Aggieville patrons either through direct purchase or some sort of contest.
Source: themercury.com
Municipal Bond Trends for April 12, 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, Beth Warren or Henry Schmidt.
Sedan Police Department calls out ‘Pothole Bandits’ after creative prank
A pop of color on Montgomery Street isn’t a welcome sight for city workers in Sedan. In a lighthearted post alerting residents to “be on the lookout,” the Sedan Police Department reports “mysterious growth sprouting from several potholes.” The unidentified culprits who filled potholes with plants are dubbed “The Pothole Bandits” by police. While Sedan police acknowledge the humor and creativity, they’re calling for the beautification effort to stop.
Source: KWCH
New path to teaching: KSDE to pilot educator apprenticeship program
Ten candidates will this fall pilot a potential apprenticeship program that could be one of the best solutions to a rise in Kansas’ teacher vacancies. The Kansas State Board of Education on Tuesday heard an update on a pilot for teaching registered apprenticeship program that will tentatively start this fall. Shane Carter, director of licensure at the Kansas State Department of Education, said the program, if advanced past the pilot stage, is one of the most promising avenues he’s seen to help Kansas school districts grapple with increases in educator vacancies and a trickling pipeline of new teacher candidates.
Source: CJonline
Thousands of New Yorkers tried to win free trip to Topeka
More than 2,000 residents of the Big Apple entered a contest to win a free trip for four to Topeka. The 2,024 people entered the giveaway by Visit Topeka and Kansas Tourism after New York Mayor Eric Adams made comments Feb. 27 belittling the position of Topeka’s mayor. “I’d like to express my gratitude for the thousands of New Yorkers who’ve expressed interest in Topeka and Kansas and want to learn more about our great capital city,” said Sean Dixon, president of Visit Topeka, on Wednesday. Visit Topeka has randomly chosen the winner’s name and is in the process of contacting that person, said India Yarborough, communications director for the Greater Topeka Partnership, of which Visit Topeka is a part.
Source: CJonline
Supply issues impact vehicle purchases for Saline County
The lingering effects of automobile industry shortages have left their mark in Saline County, most recently through the bid process for new vehicles in the county’s Sheriff’s Office. Low inventory has left local automobile dealers without the capability to supply entities that go out to bid with a more immediate need for a vehicle. Dealers are now saying that in order to ensure vehicle availability, they should be ordered in the last quarter of the year prior to the year a vehicle is needed. So, if the county wants new vehicles in 2024, dealers are suggesting the county gets bids to them in the last quarter of 2023.
Source: Salina Journal
Shawnee considers cracking down on AirBnBs
Shawnee appears poised to institute new restrictions on short-term rental properties, like AirBnBs, in many of its residential neighborhoods. The Shawnee City Council dove back into the issue during a council committee meeting Monday. No action was taken, but the majority of councilmembers signaled their desire to ban AirBnBs, VRBOs and other short-term rentals in single-family home neighborhoods. There was also some discussion about adding other requirements in areas where they could be allowed, like new fees or taxes. “This is getting kind of absurd,” council president Eric Jenkins said. “We don’t have neighborhoods so you can come in here and put mini-hotels in. It’s just not appropriate.”
Source: Prairie Village Post
Prairie Band lauds court decision noting ‘arbitrary’ methods for issuing COVID-19 aid
The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation welcomed a U.S. Court of Appeals decision in a challenge to the U.S. Department of Treasury’s method for distributing CARES Act assistance and the tribal chairman said the outcome could have ramifications for allocation of future federal funding. A series of lawsuits, including one by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation headquartered in Mayetta, led to the Court of Appeals’ declaration the Treasury Department engaged in an arbitrary and capricious process for calculating emergency aid. The Court of Appeals ordered the U.S. treasury secretary to provide further explanation of decisions regarding Prairie Band’s aid. Prairie Band Chairman Joseph Rupnick said the Washington, D.C., appellate court’s ruling was “clear vindication” of the Prairie Band’s legal effort to compel accurate determinations of relief under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. He said the Treasury Department’s disregard of tribal enrollment data as a barometer for directing aid ignored fundamental principles of federal law and policy. “This case is yet another example of tribes having to fight for what they’re rightly eligible for and only being recognized by the government after a lengthy legal struggle, which in this case required two separate trips to the Court of Appeals,” Rupnick said.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Governor Kelly signs bill to raise the minimum smoking age to 21
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has signed a bipartisan bill from the legislature to raise the minimum smoking age from 18 to 21. House Bill 2269 makes changes in state law on the sale, purchase and possession of cigarettes and tobacco products. The Kansas Department of Revenue says raising the minimum age to 21 will bring the state into compliance with federal law, and that will allow federal funding to continue to be provided to Kansas for the enforcement of tobacco laws.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
City of Manhattan to pay close to $30K after losing appeal in case involving damaged mailbox
The Kansas Court of Appeals has affirmed that the City of Manhattan pay close to $30,000 in attorney fees to a local couple following their successful lawsuit over a damaged mailbox. The decision was published April 7 … The case stems from a December 2019 incident involving a city-owned snowplow that struck a stone mailbox, cracking its base. Marti Wickham and William Franz successfully sued the city and in November 2021 were awarded approximately $3,200 for the mailbox and roughly $10,000 for attorney fees.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Newspaper Editorial: Cities should encourage folks to mend, keep all sidewalks
Rules vary from town to town, but most cities at least used to require installation of sidewalks along with curb and gutter in new neighborhoods. Most at one time had rules about maintaining said sidewalks. We think it’s safe to say that those rules, regulations and ordinances are none too well enforced these days, and as a results, the ever-increasing number of walkers are mostly in the street. Sidewalks generally were and are installed on city property, the area along a street known as “the parking.” This is the tract between the edge of the right of way (often 60 feet) granted to a city in older subdivisions, as opposed to the width of the street itself, between the curbs, usually 30 feet.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Marijuana DUI’s no simple matter
The Kansas Department of Transportation put out a press release, warning drivers that driving high on marijuana is illegal. “April 20 each year marks the unofficial marijuana ‘holiday,’ which tends to see an increase in its use,” the release stated “But whether a person uses marijuana or another substance, they should never drive afterward, as driving under the influence penalties are not limited to defined alcohol concentrations.” Enforcing state law, however, is easier said than done, according to Deputy Police Chief Scott Powell.
Source: Harvey County Now
When a Kansas county wants people to plant milkweed but a city makes them rip it out
Oliver Hernandez’s front yard hums with plenty of bugs for the 12-year-old and his friends to find. “It’s kind of fun just knowing that there are lots of caterpillars in the yard,” he said. About a third of the yard looks like a teeny swath of prairie, with wild indigo, bee balm and, until recently, a key plant for monarch butterflies: common milkweed. Last fall, the city of Overland Park told Oliver’s mother to rip the milkweed out of her pollinator garden. That bummed Oliver because it’s a plant where brightly striped yellow, black and white caterpillars would appear each summer, grow fat on leaves and transform into the feather-light marvels of nature most famous for what they do next. … Across the U.S., milkweed bans are disappearing. But this Kansas suburb and plenty of other towns and cities across the Midwest continue to define it in their city codes as flora non-grata. Sometimes city, county and state rules conflict, leaving homeowners to navigate mixed messages from local governments that can’t see eye-to-eye on whether to promote milkweed or kill it off.
Source: KAKE – News
Wichita toy store owner asks City to change ordinance
If you want to open a secondhand store in Wichita, some City of Wichita requirements might discourage you. For example, the City says some secondhand stores must fingerprint people who bring in used items. Derek Sorrells told the City Council that’s a problem. He owns Let’s Go Build, 2684 N. Greenwich, a store that buys, sells and trades Lego bricks. “I’m asking a mother who brings in $20 worth of Legos to submit her fingerprint,” he said. “There were many odd looks. Many odd looks. And there were frankly people who walked out the door.”
Source: KSN-TV
Andover YMCA rebuild continues following tornado
Almost a year following the Andover tornado, progress continues to rebuild the heavily damaged YMCA in the storm. The April 30, 202, the EF-3 moved through the east side of Andover, causing extensive damage to homes, an elementary school and the YMCA. Cars from the YMCA parking lot were thrown into the lobby, the roof was removed, and glass was shattered. YMCA employees that night reacted and got everyone to safety before the storm hit. Since the storm, work has been moving to rebuild the facility. The walls outside are being rebuilt with 6,375 new limestone blocks, and 22,600 square feet of glass is being installed to replace the damaged windows.
Source: KSN-TV
Property appraisal appeals increase by nearly 300 percent
Backlash from Miami County residents upset about skyrocketing property appraisals led to a spike in appeals being filed this year with the county appraiser’s office. Property owners had until the end of March to file their informal appeal, and Miami County Appraiser Justin Eimers confirmed Monday, April 10, that his office received a total of 1,205 informal appeals this year compared to 303 in 2022, an increase of nearly 300 percent. “The appeals process gives property owners a chance to address questions and concerns to the County Appraiser’s Office,” Eimers said. “I see the appeals process as an opportunity for the Appraiser’s Office to make necessary corrections to property characteristics and make any valuation changes that are warranted. Our goal is to get the value right.”
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
Inflation rises just 0.1% in March and 5% from a year ago as Fed rate hikes take hold
Inflation cooled in March as the Federal Reserve’s interest rate increases showed more impact, the Labor Department reported Wednesday. The consumer price index, a widely followed measure of the costs for goods and services in the U.S. economy, rose 0.1% for the month against a Dow Jones estimate for 0.2%, and 5% from a year ago versus the estimate of 5.1%. Excluding food and energy, core CPI increased 0.4% and 5.6% on an annual basis, both as expected.
Source: Economy
Treasury yields fall after inflation comes in cooler than forecast in March
U.S. Treasurys were little changed on Wednesday ahead of the release of key March inflation figures that could impact future Federal Reserve policy moves, including its interest rate hiking campaign. As of 5:17 a.m. ET, the 10-year Treasury was trading at 3.439% after rising by less than 1 basis point. Meanwhile, the yield on the 2-year Treasury was down marginally at 4.054%. Yields and prices have an inverted relationship. One basis point is equivalent to 0.01%.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Finney County Historical Museum exhibit celebrates first Hispanic mayor
Garden City reached a unique milestone 50 years ago, on April 11 of 1973, when the community’s first Hispanic mayor was elected, and the Finney County Historical Museum has just opened a new exhibit telling the story of Mayor D.C. Garcia. Entitled “Making a Difference,” the display is located in the museum’s Front Door Gallery, where exhibits change four to six times each year. It is comprised of nearly 10 large-format photographic images, as well as a small collection of artifacts loaned from the Garcia family and others.
Source: Greater Garden City
Overland Park councilmember floats getting rid of city food sales tax
Overland Park City Councilmember Faris Farassati is looking to reduce or potentially eliminate the city’s sales tax on food. He says doing so would provide much-needed relief to residents dealing with a rise in property taxes, with the average home appraisal value in Johnson County up by 12% from last year. But city officials say cutting the local sales tax on food would have practical ramifications on Overland Park’s budget and may not even be possible under state law. Another councilmember called the proposal patently “illegal.”
Source: Prairie Village Post
Municipal Bond Trends for April 11, 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, Beth Warren or Henry Schmidt.
Medicine Lodge is purchasing and re-opening local drive-in theater
Source: William Daily, City Administrator
Garden City’s Downtown Plan receives update at meeting
The Garden City Commission approved an update for the Garden City Downtown Plan at its regular meeting on April 4. The plan presented was an update on the 2013 Downtown Plan, which goes along with the city’s Comprehensive Plan and focuses on development and improvements in the Center Business District. It also establishes goals for the downtown for the next 10-20 years. Britt Palmberg, director of planning with RICK Engineering Company, presented the updated plan. … One conclusion from the meetings and engagements is that people saw the downtown as the heart of the community, Palmberg said. “They want to bring it to life, they still see it as the heart of the city and really there is a need for assorted amenities and programs to help retailers and those visiting businesses downtown,” he said. “Also, people see the need for vitality and character both inward and outward, which again, speaks to redevelopment of the downtown and to stimulate areas that lead to the downtown.” The point of the plan is not to just look at creating new, shiny objects and events in the downtown, Palmberg said, it’s also about stimulating and helping the existing retailers to “get over the hump and get to the next level.”
Source: GC Telegram
Taking a closer look at a bitcoin mining operation in Harvey County
Print Crypto, Inc., has more than 900 computers mining bitcoin at the Butler Rural Electric Cooperatvie substation at 8399 S.E. 84th St., at least for now. Sean Reese said his company, of which he is part owner, had taken every one of its units out of the storage trailers and replaced it with those belonging to customers who rent space from Print Crypto. He said his customers paid $2,000-$6,000 per month to rent the space, and Print Crypto covers the cost of electricity, storage and maintenance. He said his company kept adding customers, but it hadn’t added any machines to the site since Print Crypto and Butler Rural Electric became embroiled in a zoning dispute with the county. Print Crypto’s mining operation has been the source of noise complaints by neighbors due to the constant sound of whirring fans that cool the computer equipment. The Board of Harvey County Commissioners denied Butler Rural Electric’s rezoning request on March 28. Commissioners will decide what the county’s next step is at its meeting this Tuesday.
Source: Harvey County Now
Municipal Bond Trends for April 10, 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, Beth Warren or Henry Schmidt.
Wichita to host U.S. Figure Skating event for the third time
Wichita will again be a host city for the Synchronized Sectional Championships for U.S. Figure Skating. The event is scheduled at Intrust Bank Arena from January 24th through the 28th, with practices taking place at the Wichita Ice Center. Wichita previously hosted the Midwest Sectional Championships in 2018 and 2020. Visit Wichita and the Wichita Figure Skating Club will provide local support to host the competition. The competition will attract more than 127 teams, 1,800 athletes and over 350 coaches and team personnel.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Riley County legal team combing through logistics of proposed changes to animal control
Legal questions are swirling as the City of Manhattan continues toward a plan of privatizing its animal shelter and shifting animal control to the Riley County Police Department. Deputy Riley County Counselor Craig Cox clarified Thursday why the City of Manhattan has stopped enforcing animal control services in Riley County, which the county noted earlier in the week it had been paying for under a resolution. Cox says the City of Manhattan intends to maintain control of the T. Russell Reitz Animal Shelter. But legally it’s unclear how that impacts the RCPD consolidation. By statute, under the 80/20 split, Riley County is in charge of maintaining facilities for RCPD.
Source: 1350 KMAN
City of Horton recognized as ‘Most Improved Wastewater System of the Year’
When Horton City Administrator John Calhoon registered to attend the 54th Annual Conference of the Kansas Rural Water Association held this last week in Wichita, he had no idea he would be on stage and on camera in front of hundreds of people accepting an award. But he was – as the City of Horton received the award for “Most Improved Wastewater System of the Year” in ceremonies last Wednesday evening in the Century II Convention Center. The City of Horton’s original wastewater treatment plant was constructed in 1956 and, although there had been many improvements since, the 65-year-old plant was having trouble meeting the modern, much stricter permit limits. In October of 2021, construction began on a 6.3-million-dollar facility upgrade.
Source: hiawathaworldonline.com
Johnson County revokes COVID-19 resolutions to align with national end to emergency declaration
Two Johnson County COVID-19 resolutions will come to an end soon. The local resolutions will end with the national emergency declaration, which is set to end on May 11, 2023, but may end earlier. The Board of County Commissioners revoked both resolutions during its business session on Thursday, March 30. On March 13, 2020, then Chairman Ed Eilert issued a declaration of state of local disaster emergency for Johnson County, Kansas because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The declaration was extended for 60 days, then extended indefinitely.
Source: Johnson County Kansas |