Kansas Municipal News
Visit OP’s new boss looks to future following pandemic years — ‘We have a lot to offer’
Overland Park’s visitor and tourism department is officially under new leadership now that Visit Overland Park has brought Warren Wilkinson on as the organization’s new president. Who he is: Wilkinson and his family originally moved to the Kansas City area from Chicago in 2018, in part, to be closer to his children’s grandparents. (His wife is from here.) He had previously worked in travel and tourism for 20 years, including work as chief marketing officer for Visit Indy, the official tourism site for Indianapolis, Indiana. He officially started his new job with Overland Park in April. Why Visit OP: Wilkinson said part of what drew him to the open position at Visit Overland Park was how well it aligned with his previous work experience and the opportunity it provides to help define the Overland Park brand.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Is your tap water funky? City of Lawrence is working on it
Some Lawrence folks have found their tap water to smell and taste rather unappetizing lately. The city says its Municipal Services and Operations department is working to address it. “The Clinton Water Treatment Plant is currently treating water with elevated levels of geosmin, a byproduct of naturally occurring algae,” according to a news release from the city. “The geosmin poses no health risk to residents or their pets but may cause a noticeably earthy smell and taste in the water.” The city says some people can detect geosmin at very low levels; others may not notice it at all. “The City has increased treatment to eliminate as much of the smell and taste differences as possible,” according to the release.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Old West Lawrence neighbors win city board’s vote to delay action on traffic plan
Multi-modal Transportation Commission members listened to Old West Lawrence neighbors Monday and voted unanimously to hold off on approval of the city’s plan for permanent traffic barriers in the neighborhood. Several neighbors believe that through their group efforts, they have created a better plan to make the streets safer than what the city and consultants have proposed. The traffic devices placed throughout the neighborhood’s streets last fall sparked some disagreements among neighbors and had been a divisive issue. However, most of the vocal residents of the neighborhood — which spans approximately from Sixth Street south to Ninth Street and from the alley east of Kentucky Street west to Michigan Street — agreed that something needed to be done for safety and to reduce speeding and cut-through traffic on neighborhood streets.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Jones Development seeks to annex 150 acres in Olathe
An industrial developer may reenter Olathe by annexing about 149 acres near U.S. Highway 169. On Monday evening, Kansas City-based Jones Development will go before the Olathe Planning Commission to request the annexation of about 149 acres on the northwest corner of 167th Street and U.S. Highway 169. City documents state that the developer plans to rezone and develop the site. The developer has a 40-year history of industrial work. Olathe spokesman Cody Kennedy said there are no plans right now for the type of development on the site. Annexation is a requirement before the land can be rezoned or developed.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal – The Business Journals
Great Bend Municipal Band tradition continues
For only the second time since 2019, an audience stood to hear the Great Bend Municipal Band play “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Thursday at the band shell in the courthouse square. The band had no concerts at all in 2020 and one patriotic concert around the 4th of July in 2021. Band Director Grant Mathews said they were glad to be back after missing two summers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s a beautiful evening for a concert,” he said. The band then performed “American Patrol,” a favorite in the repertoire of marches for over 100 years, Mathews said.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
How safe are Emporia schools? USD 253 says security, prevention are prioritzed
n the wake of the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, parents of school-age children, politicians, and other community members throughout the United States are calling for better safety and prevention measures in schools. Emporia Public Schools, with nine school buildings throughout the city, implements many different security and prevention measures to ensure the district is doing everything it can to keep students safe. Todd Ayer, a security officer for USD 253 who covers the high school, said if a situation were to arise, school personnel would be able to jump on the problem quickly.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Manhattan to continue discussion of changes to meeting procedures
Manhattan city commissioners on Tuesday will have a final chance to give feedback on updates to meeting procedures. Assistant city manager Jared Wasinger said the most significant change to meeting procedures is starting all city commission meetings at 6 p.m. Meeting times would change from 5:30 p.m. for a work session and 7 p.m. for a legislative meeting to 6 p.m. for all meetings. If passed, the effective date for these changes is June 30. Wasinger said the other changes to meeting procedures include finalizing proper quorum and procedures during meetings, when people speak and when motions are called.
Source: themercury.com
Country legend Will Nelson, 89, draws crowd of more than 50,000 to downtown Wichita
The Wichita Riverfest on Saturday night drew one of the biggest crowds it’s had in years when country legend Willie Nelson took the stage at Kennedy Plaza. Wichita Festivals Inc. president Nancy Duling said that Wichita Police estimated more than 50,000 people attended the show, which was so packed, it was hard to move through the crowd.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Kelly signs tax relief bill for small businesses
Kansas is sending $50 million in aid to small businesses in the state in an effort to help them recover from the COVID pandemic. Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday signed House Bill 2136, also called Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Act, which her office said will provide $50 million total in relief…. The bill will provide refunds “to be equal to 33% of the sum of the COVID-19 ordered shutdown days gross rebate amount and the COVID-19 ordered restricted operations days gross rebate amount,” according to the legislation’s summary.
Source: www.chanute.com
Municipal Bond Trends for June 3, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Fed’s Mester says inflation hasn’t peaked and multiple half-point rate hikes are needed
Cleveland Federal Reserve President Loretta Mester said Friday that she doesn’t see ample evidence that inflation has peaked and thus is on board with a series of aggressive interest rate increases ahead. “I think the Fed has shown that we’re in the process of recalibrating our policy to get inflation back down to our 2% goal. That’s the job before us,” Mester said in a live interview … “I don’t want to declare victory on inflation before I see really compelling evidence that our actions are beginning to do the work in bringing down demand in better balance with aggregate supply,” she added. … Recent statements from the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee indicate that 50 basis point — or half-point — rate increases are likely at the June and July meetings. Officials are likely then to evaluate the progress that the policy tightening and other factors have had on the inflation picture.
Source: CNBC
Kansas Food Bank Releases New Study on Food Insecurity in the State
Kansas Food Bank released a new hunger study this week. Food Assistance and Hunger in the Heartland 2021 – Report for the Kansas Food Bank shows 47% of food-insecure neighbors served by Kansas Food Bank’s network in 85 counties get more than half of their monthly food from a food pantry. The study, was conducted in the summer of 2021 by the University of Missouri’s Interdisciplinary Center for Food Security in conjunction with Kansas Food Bank and many of its pantries. 73,000 different people receive food assistance each month from the food pantries and mobile food distributions in Kansas Food Bank’s network. The study does not measure those served by Kansas Food Bank’s network of congregate meal sites and shelters, senior box programs or summer and weekend (Food 4 Kids) programs for children.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Columbus splash pad grand opening date set
Columbus is celebrating the completion of a community project. Today is the grand opening of the new H&H splash pad. The city has been working on it for about a year and a half. The project took off after the Houser and Hatfield families donated $150,000 to help cover the cost. Today’s celebration was the complete summer experience with food, music, and activities like cornhole and axe throwing. Not to mention actual fun in the water.
Source: KSNF/KODE
New U.S. Census data shows Lenexa grew as many neighboring cities’ populations shrank
Lenexa saw its population increase by nearly 1,000 in the year following the decennial census, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau. New data from the U.S. Census Bureau suggests Lenexa has been adding population at a much faster clip than its neighbors in Johnson County since the decennial census of 2020. In fact, as Lenexa saw its population increase by nearly 1,000 residents, a number of Johnson County cities saw their populations slightly decline.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Wet winter and spring is deteriorating roads, as Topeka tries to keep up
Topeka’s city government has repaired 17,819 potholes so far this year as of Friday, compared to 26,605 in all of last year, Tony Trower, the city’s deputy director of public works, told The Capital- Journal. “We are seeing more potholes this year,” he said. The city repaired 39,761 potholes in 2020 and 28,198 in 2019, he said. “With the freeze/thaw we had this winter, and with above-average moisture and snow events, the streets are feeling the stress of the adverse weather,” Trower said.
Source: CJonline
Lawrence leaders to review proposal to form work group to reconsider city’s process for complaints against police
City of Lawrence leaders will soon consider a proposal to form a work group to review and recommend changes to how the city handles complaints against police. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider a proposal to form a Community-Police Oversight Work Group to review and make recommendations related to the police complaint process and the city’s Community Police Review Board. Dozens of complaints have been made against police since the board was created in 2018, but the board has yet to review any because of the way it was set up, and its members have called for stronger oversight.
Source: LJWorld
Hutchinson Mayor takes post overseeing state’s broadband expansion
Hutchinson Mayor Jade Piros de Carvalho said she won’t be moving or having to give up her seat on the Hutchinson City Council after being hired to a new position at the Kansas Department of Commerce. Hutchinson Mayor Jade Piros de Carvalho said she won’t be moving or having to give up her seat on the Hutchinson City Council after being hired to a new position at the Kansas Department of Commerce.
Source: Hutch News
Fed Vice Chair Lael Brainard says it’s ‘very hard to see the case’ for the Fed pausing rate hikes
Federal Reserve Vice Chair Lael Brainard said Thursday that it’s unlikely the central bank will be taking a break from its current rate-hiking cycle anytime soon. Though she stressed that Fed policymakers will remain data-dependent, Brainard said the most likely path will be that the increases will continue until inflation is tamed. “Right now, it’s very hard to see the case for a pause,” she told CNBC’s Sara Eisen during a live “Squawk on the Street” interview that was her first since being confirmed to the vice chair position. “We’ve still got a lot of work to do to get inflation down to our 2% target.”
Source: CNBC
Wichita explains why West Street flooded Tuesday after so much time, money to fix it
With Tuesday’s torrential downpours, many areas of Wichita looked like a lake. At least a dozen cars at once were stuck on a flooded stretch of West Street near Central. One of them was the guy driving Austin Gillihan’s van. “I’m hoping I can get it out of here today, hopefully get it started up. Hopefully it’s just a battery. Maybe I just need to dry the air filter out,” said Gillihan. Gillihan says this isn’t just any ordinary van. His organization, Firm Foundation Ministries, provides a safe environment for people transitioning out of prison, and it uses the van every single day.
Source: KAKE – News
Garden City Fire Department gets pet oxygen mask kits
The Garden City Fire Department (GCFD) has recently received pet oxygen mask kits through the Project Breathe Program, a pet oxygen mask donation program, created by Invisible Fence. According to a Facebook post from the Garden City Fire Department — KS, a few months ago, crews had to use an animal oxygen mask to help a dog that they rescued from a house fire to breathe. Due to the incident, the GCFD quickly realized they needed animal oxygen masks on all of their “first-out” trucks. That is when they reached out to Invisible Fence to become a part of the Project Breathe Program.
Source: KSN-TV
Help the City of Wichita decide the budget
You can help the City of Wichita design the budget. The City is once again offering public feedback through the budget simulator tool. The exercise will help the Wichita City Council understand community priorities. The City says the data will be carefully reviewed, but it won’t be the only factor.
Source: KSN-TV
4,000 cyclists expected in Emporia this weekend, representing every state, 48 countries
More than 4,000 bicyclists will flood into Emporia this weekend for one of the largest bike races in the U.S. The UNBOUND Gravel race in Emporia will feature riders from 50 states and 48 countries, ranging in age from 10 to 89 years old, according to Jordan Titus of the UNBOUND Gravel Group. The race, which predominately runs over gravel and dirt roads, will take off in front of the historic Granada Theatre and return to the same spot. The loop distances include 25, 50, 100, 200 and 350 miles. The event will feature weekend events including All Things Gravel, which will stretch over two blocks in downtown Emporia. More than 300 vendor booths, including an outdoor beer garden, will be set up.
Source: KSNT 27 News
What did Johnson County look like 15 years ago? Google Street View now shows you
To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the introduction of Google Maps’ Street View feature, the Internet search giant has launched a new function that allows users to “go back” to 2007 to see what things once looked like. How does it work? Go onto Google Maps and place the little yellow person — which can be found in the bottom-right corner of your screen — on the map where you’d like to see a street-level view. Once you’re in Street View, at the top left-hand corner of the screen, you should see a clock icon. Click on the clock and should open a pop-up where you can move a slider through different years back to 2007, showing that view over time.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Last year was busiest for new home-building in Overland Park since 2004
Overland Park saw a resurgence of single-family home building last year, with permits for single-family homes greatly outnumbering multi-family homes for the first time since 2017, according to data presented to a council committee Wednesday by the planning staff. The details: Community Development Committee members heard a generally upbeat annual report that described 2021 as a year of recovery from the pandemic challenges of 2020. Last year was a digression from an ongoing trend toward multi-family building that has been booming for at least the past five years. The year 2018, in particular, stood out as a huge year for apartment building, where 1,731 units of multi-family housing were built to 370 for single-family homes.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Rural Water District approved for ARPA funding
With significant funding already in place for projects, Rural Water District No. 4 was recently approved for $350,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding by the Neosho County Commission for water main upgrades. Covering roughly a third of the county, RWD No. 4 also expands into Labette County. Representing the district at the May 10 and May 19 county commission meetings, Troy Smith and Ron Giefer made their case to commissioners. Commissioners were informed that much of the pipe was outdated, having been placed there in the 1960s and ‘70s.
Source: The Chanute Tribune
Opportunity mindset keeps Wichita’s small businesses, attractions going
Participants in a panel discussion during the Wichita Business Journal’s ICT Summit agreed: Wichita’s unique small businesses and attractions are critical to building up the quality of life necessary to attract and retain talent. “Attracting and retaining, especially young talent, is really about vibrancy of the city, right? It’s the nightlife and the arts and culture, what makes the city really pop,” said, a partner in The Wave and The Cotillion, two local music venues. “I think we’re doing a good job, but I think we’ve got work to do.”
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for June 2, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Survey seeks input about Lawrence residents’ transportation priorities, experiences for new transportation plan
Local planners are looking for input from residents as they work to update the area’s long-range transportation plan, which will address all modes of transportation in the Lawrence area. Transportation 2050 will be “a blueprint for the future transportation system” of Lawrence, Eudora, Baldwin City, Lecompton and unincorporated areas of Douglas County, according to the project website. The plan will set regional goals and improvement recommendations to meet the region’s future transportation needs through 2050 for automobile, public transit, bicycle, pedestrian and other forms of transportation. Financial resources to implement the plan will also be identified.
Source: LJWorld
Douglas County leaders authorize 3-year extension for industrial development incentive program
Douglas County leaders authorized extending an industrial development incentive program for another three years at Wednesday’s County Commission meeting. With Commissioner Shannon Reid absent, fellow commissioners Shannon Portillo and Patrick Kelly voted to extend the Catalyst Incentive Program until April 1, 2025. The program was first adopted by the City of Lawrence in April 2017 and has since provided an assistance package offering expedited approval for new projects meeting certain criteria at Lawrence VenturePark and East Hills Business Park. Later, the program extended eligibility to any new building project of 25,000 square feet or larger on industrially zoned property within city limits.
Source: LJWorld
Municipal Bond Trends for June 1, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Investors revisit muni bonds amid higher yields and strong credit
It’s been a tough year for municipal bonds, with investors cashing out amid rising interest rates. However, higher yields and strong credit may be sparking a shift, experts say. While investors piled a record-breaking $96.8 billion of net money into U.S. muni mutual and exchange-traded funds in 2021, weekly inflows have been negative for most of 2022, according to Refinitiv Lipper data. Last week’s numbers were still negative, but outflows slowed significantly, signaling more interest, according to Tom Kozlik, head of municipal research and analytics at HilltopSecurities.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
The Fed’s Mary Daly says rate hikes should continue until inflation is tamed
San Francisco Federal Reserve President Mary Daly said Wednesday she backs raising interest rates aggressively until inflation comes down to a reasonable level. Those moves likely would entail multiple 50 basis point hikes at coming meetings, then a possible rest to see how the central bank policy tightening is combining with other factors to impact the massive surge in consumer prices. “We need to that expeditiously, and I see a couple of 50 basis point hikes immediately in the next coupe of meetings to get there,” she told CNBC’s Steve Liesman during an interview on “TechCheck.” “Then we need to look around and see what else is going on.” Daly said she sees some initial signs of a slowing economy and reduced inflation, but will need to see much more progress before the Fed can slow its efforts.
Source: CNBC
WSU to help Kansas communities prep, recover from natural disasters
An interdisciplinary team from Wichita State University will participate in a $24 million state initiative to help rural and urban communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters. Wichita State is one of 17 Kansas universities and colleges participating in the Adaptive and Resilient Infrastructures driven by Social Equity (ARISE) project, funded by the National Science Foundation and the state of Kansas. The Wichita State team will lead power-system work and capital-asset management to address resilience and infrastructure responses to disaster and extreme weather events.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Grant bring new tech to Barton County
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant has allowed Barton County to upgrade antiquated connectivity technology and bring more business to the area, said Information Technology Director Dereck Hollingshead, giving an update on the program to the County Commission Wednesday morning.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
KDWP stocks pond ahead of Sedgwick’s inaugeral fishing derby
Sedgwick’s pond is stocked and ready to be fished. That’s the message from Sedgwick Police Chief Brian Daily and David Breth, Sportfishing Education Coordinator for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). And just in time for the 2022 Kids Fishing Derby on Sunday, June 5 from 10 a.m. To 2 p.m. Several months ago when the pond was being dredged, Daily noticed that the pond would reach around ten-foot deep. He thought it would make a perfect fishing pond so he contacted Breth who instructed them where to lay gravel beds for fish to spawn. “We’re really proud of how this is turning out because it started off just as a luck thing,” Daily said. “We’ve just done everything to the tee the way that department wildlife and parks said.”
Source: Harvey County Now
Riverfest preparations underway as festival comes back for first full schedule since Covid
The stage is getting set up, banners of all the previous posters have been hung on the outside of Century II, and food vendors have started to set up their tents for the next week and a half. All of this is just some of the prep work for this year’s Riverfest. The festival kicks off Friday and for Gary Morris, it’ll be his first time back as a food vendor since 2019. “We love it because we was out with COVID and it’s just awesome to be back. See all the people and have a good time, sell some food.” The 2022 edition of Riverfest is a special one for a few reasons. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the event and it marks the return of the full nine day schedule of the festival after the last two were either canceled due to Covid or split in half. Wichita Festivals director of marketing, Jenny Venn, says, “The excitement is just booming. Its booming down here on the grounds. It’s booming, and the office, everyone’s thrilled and excited to be back to the nine day festival and to be back in full force from where we’ve been for the last couple years.”
Source: KAKE – News
Overland Park will offer the city’s small business owners Covid-19 relief grants
Small business owners in Overland Park now are eligible to apply for grants providing Covid-19 relief. The program is funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The city and Kansas City-based Community Capital Fund have paired to create three new grant programs offering a total of $3 million and tailored to businesses owned and operated in Overland Park: The Impacted Industries Fund offers $50,000 grants to offset pandemic-induced staff loss for businesses with fewer than 250 full-time employees and making less than $2 million in revenue. Eligible industries include utilities, management of companies, information, education services, mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction, accommodation and food services, and creative businesses. The Small Business Rescue Fund awards as much as $50,000 to for-profits, nonprofits, and home-based and digital-based businesses with fewer than 250 full-time employees and making less than $2 million in revenue. The fund can be used for payroll, offsetting economic losses, child care support for employees, business improvement needs, and training and hiring needs. The Hotel Fund will offer $50,000 grants for locally owned hotels operating in Overland Park to offset economic hardship.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
City of Topeka program aims to make mowing accessible for low-income neighborhoods
A new program by the City of Topeka’s Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance Initiative is aiming to make affordable mowing accessible for Topeka’s low and moderate-income neighborhoods, as well as those living in Neighborhood Improvement Association areas. … The city is currently seeking proposals from businesses, organizations or people interested in developing and running the mowing service pilot program. The city said it will provide up to $25,000 to get the program started.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Experienced administrator to take helm of Osawatomie USD 367
An experienced administrator has been hired to be the new Osawatomie USD 367 superintendent. During a special meeting Tuesday, May 31, the school board voted to hire Greg Clark to take the helm as the district’s top administrator. Clark will assume his new duties at the beginning of the new 2022-23 school year on July 1. Clark is currently serving his eighth year as superintendent of Central Plains USD 112 in Holyrood, Kan., which is located in Barton County. Previously, Clark served as the PK-5 elementary principal at Ewalt Elementary in Augusta, Kan., for eight years. He began his career in education as an elementary teacher in the Derby, Kan., school district.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
Andover is planning its next 10 years and wants to hear the community’s thoughts
The city of Andover is getting ready to plan its next 10 years and would like the community to weigh in. The planning process ahead of the 10-year plan allows Andover residents to discuss ideas for new development and services. Opportunities for new development could include new parks and more shopping choices and restaurant and dining options. “Community members will play an integral role in defining the characteristics that make our city unique,” said Assistant Director of Community Development Justin Constantino.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Prairie Village designates area near City Hall as ‘safe exchange zone’ to do Internet deals
Prairie Village recently designated two parking spaces near the City Hall as a “safe exchange zone” where residents can go to complete Internet deals. What is it? The newly dubbed “safe exchange zone” is where members of the public can now agree to meet people from whom they’ve agreed to buy or sell something on the Internet, police Capt. Eric McCullough told the city council on May 16. For example, someone who buys an item from Facebook Marketplace can meet the buyer at the designated spots to ensure their safety. The two, well-lit parking spots are painted bright green and are under 24-hour surveillance, police say. The city of Merriam features similar safe exchange zones near its police department, too.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Winfield Sears to close after nearly 20 years in business
After nearly 20 years in business, the Sears Hometown Store at 912 Main St. in Winfield will close later this year. The store, which sells appliances, tools and other equipment, is closing due to a lack of business and the inability to get products, said manager Kelli Osen, with customers having to wait months to receive orders. “People do not want to wait for refrigerators for eight months,” Osen said. The last day in business is scheduled for July 14, although the store could close earlier if the remaining inventory sells out before then. Osen said the Winfield Sears decided not to renew its franchise contract with the Sears corporate office once their current three-year term is up. Sears could have stepped in to keep the Winfield location open as a corporate-owned store, but declined to do that as well, said Osen. The Winfield Sears currently has three employees, but has had some trouble keeping a third employee, Osen said.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
K-State doctor gives eye exams to Wichita police K-9s
The animals that serve Wichita got a free eye exam on Wednesday, courtesy of a doctor from the Kansas State University (K-State) Veterinary Health Center. Dr. Jessica Meekins, associate professor of ophthalmology at K-State, stopped at McConnell Air Force Base in the morning and checked the service animals there. In the afternoon, she provided eye exams for the Wichita Police Department K-9s. She said she was looking for any eye problems that could potentially impact their ability to perform their jobs. “The major difference between a dog eye exam and a person eye exam is the ability of people to read the letters on a chart and actually describe what they’re seeing,” Meekins said. “So it’s a little bit more detailed and intricate for us to evaluate the acuity of vision in dogs.”
Source: KSN-TV
Generational poverty hurts the health of people in southeast Kansas and Wyandotte County
The disparities between Wyandotte and its neighbor to the south — Johnson County — remain the most dramatic contrast in the state. Residents of Wyandotte County and southeast Kansas face worse health outcomes than most of the rest of the state. A new report of annual health rankings from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute considers premature death, births of low-weight newborns, mental well-being and other factors. Southeast Kansas has struggled with poverty for generations — going back to the heyday of the region’s coal, zinc and lead mining industries. Those industries attracted immigrants willing to work dangerous jobs. The Kansas City, Kansas, area faces the cumulative effects of redlining and racism that have hindered financial investment in neighborhoods populated by people of color for decades.
Source: Wyandotte Daily
Sedgwick County Emergency Mgmt. Cautioning Drivers as Flood Risk Continues Thru Thursday Afternoon
Sedgwick County Emergency Management is reminding residents of the ongoing flooding that will continue through June 2nd. Tuesday night, 911 and first responders dealt with over 60 calls for help from people who had driven into high water and became stuck. Flooding kills more people than any other severe weather-related hazard. Most deaths associated with floods occur either at night or when people become trapped in automobiles that stall while driving in areas that are flooded. Most cars will float (and be swept away) in 18-24 inches of moving water. Trucks and SUVs have only 6-12 more inches of clearance. Sedgwick County Emergency Management strongly discourages motorists from driving into flooded roadways. Whether a water-covered road is closed with barricades or not, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!”
Source: 101.3 KFDI