Kansas Municipal News
Manhattan Regional Airport awarded $5.9 million Department of Defense grant to help rebuild runway
The Manhattan Regional Airport will be receiving a nearly $6 million grant to help reconstruct the airport’s runway. According to the city, the project is expected to cost more than $47 million. The current runway is 150 feet wide and 7,000 feet long. Airport Director Jesse Romo said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will only participate in funding 100 feet of that width. That is where the DOD grant comes in to help. Romo said losing that extra 50 feet would be hugely detrimental for the region.
Source: KSNT News
City officials welcome Top City Golf to Topeka
A local business is celebrating the official opening of its new facility. GreatLIFE North’s Top City Golf will provide the ultimate golfing experience to the Capital City. The concept of Top City Golf is just like Topgolf in Kansas City. The closer you can get the ball to your target, the more points you earn. City officials welcomed the golf experience to Topeka with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. They said it should give Topeka yet another fun activity for people to enjoy in town. Top City Golf is located at 350 NE U.S. 24 HWY.
Source: KSNT News
With 60 open jobs, this Kansas jail is feeling understaffing effects
Understaffing has always been an issue for guards in detention centers, but since the pandemic, the issue has only worsened. The pandemic, the overtime, the time away from families and the mental health effects have deterred people from working at correctional facilities. At Shawnee County Jail, they have felt these effects for a while. “Everybody’s tired but on top of being exhausted from working so many hours, ” said Sgt. Caitlyn Ross, “It’s now the workload because you’re now working for other officers because we don’t have them.” The department currently has 120 officers working but is budgeted for 180 workers. This means that they have 60 vacancies, which is 50% of the workers they have on staff right now.
Source: KSNT News
Is Ark City affordable? One ranking says yes
It may not feel this way to some local residents, but Arkansas City is one of the most affordable cities in Kansas. That’s according to a research group attempting to rank cities of 5,000 people or more by affordability. SmartAsset, a New York company that offers online financial advice, said it examined closing costs, real estate taxes, homeowners’ insurance, mortgage rates, and the cost of home ownership in 64 Kansas cities each over a five-year period. That cost was then measured as a proportion of median household income to determine affordability, and indexed on a scale from 0 to a top score of 100. This year marked the seventh annual study. Ark City landed as fifth most affordable city in Kansas. It held the same ranking in 2020 but was not in the top 10 in 2019, according to the SmartAsset website. With increasing water rates, planned increases in sewer rates and rising landfill costs, some might find it hard to believe Ark City’s ranking. But city commissioners contacted Monday welcomed the information even as they said they were surprised by it.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
LaHarpe tech center keeps growing
Interest in the Regional Rural Technical Center in LaHarpe continues to grow, with a record 87 students taking part in five areas of study, and two new teachers who are familiar faces to Iola High School students. Welding continues to be the most popular program at the tech center, USD 257 Superintendent Stacey Fager said. In fact, the class has become so popular that it expanded to three sessions. Three adults also are taking classes. “I think a lot of kids just like doing it. They like welding,” Fager said. “And I think it has caught on as a financial consideration for a future career.” Welders remain in high demand. The average annual salary is about $42,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Source: The Iola Register
Audit: Inadequate IT security at Kansas schools leaves vital information exposed
A legislative audit revealing many school districts are not practicing basic security measures for information technology systems raised eyebrows Tuesday from a panel of legislators. According to the K-12 Cybersecurity Resource Center, security incidents at schools have increased by 18% since last year. The limited-scope audit focused on how schools were approaching IT security, which contains sensitive data including grades, medical records and financial information. Members of the Legislative Post Audit Committee expressed disappointment upon hearing that most respondents to a survey of all Kansas school districts do not have adequate IT security measures. “I can’t believe in this day and age that we’re this far behind. It’s gonna take two or three years just to get up to par,” said Sen. Rob Olson, an Olathe Republican. “I think the Legislature should pick this up and set some minimum standards, but it’s really up to the state school board to pick this one up.”
Source: The Lawrence Times
Hackers demanded $1 million from Pott. Co.
Hackers who gained control of Pottawatomie County computers Sept. 17 demanded a ransom of $1 million, according to County Administrator Chad Kinsley, who released the information Monday afternoon, though the county ultimately paid far less than that. “Following a successful negotiation, the ransom paid included $71,250 to the threat actor and $356.25 in exchange fees to facilitate the cyber currency payment,” he said in the prepared statement. “This was paid from the general fund, and a substantial portion will be refunded by our self-insurance pool.” The statement also noted the county spent $5,000 to purchase the enhanced decryption software needed to unlock the files the hackers had encrypted.
Source: themercury.com
Emporia Public Library receives $12,000 grant
The Emporia Public Library has received a grant from Humanities Kansas worth more than $12,000. The SHARP Recovery Grants are awarded to Kansas cultural organizations providing humanities programming that are facing financial difficulty as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Emporia Public Library was one of 121 organizations to receive a SHARP Recovery Grant. The $12,080 grant will be used for general operating support, staff retention and needed digital and/or operational transitions for cultural work in the post-pandemic era. “Humanities Kansas is honored to be able to support Kansas cultural organizations as we recover from the impact of Covid,” said Julie Mulvihill, Humanities Kansas executive director in a written release. “This past year has demonstrated that Kansans lean into the humanities during challenging times. Kansas cultural organizations that do work in the humanities provide important social connections and contribute to the economic well-being and strength of our communities.”
Source: Emporia Gazette
New data shows Kansas school districts with highest COVID-19 rates among children
Smaller, rural school districts are home to some of the highest COVID-19 infection rates in Kansas, new state health department data shows. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Friday released a new dashboard tracking vaccination rates and COVID-19 cases among children by public school district. The dashboard includes all cases among school-aged children, ages 5 to 17, over a 14-day period.
Source: Wichita Eagle
This tiny town got the first big Kansas wind farm 20 years ago. Here’s what happened
“I like them,” said Orville Williams. “They’ve been a very great economic boost for this area.” Williams has lived in Montezuma in Gray County since 1961. He was one of the first people to lease part of his land to the company now known as NextEra Energy. … Counties who let them go up get paid too. While wind farms are tax-exempt in Kansas, counties generally work out separate payment agreements with the energy companies to make up for some of the property tax losses. The Gray County Wind Farm, for instance, meant $5.3 million in payments to the county. And it’s just one of four in the county that, combined, meant $15 million since 2001 for a place that’s home to barely 6,000 people. … Meanwhile, in Montezuma, Mayor Grant Salmans said he’s heard there’s a company looking to bring more turbines to the county south of town. … “We hear somebody in a certain part of the state that doesn’t want one,” he said. “And we’re kind of like that doesn’t really make much sense to us.”
Source: KCUR News
Municipal Bond Trends for October 1, 2021
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.
To attract convention business, do you need to spend money to make money?
In recent years, even destination cities have had to offer significant incentives, discounts and free rent in order to lure convention and trade show business. … Wichita isn’t competing with Atlanta and Las Vegas for convention and trade show business, but the same story of exhibit hall expansion and waning attendance has played out closer to home, too. The Overland Park Convention Center opened in 2002 with consultants estimating the new facility and city-owned hotel would generate 60,000 overnight stays a year. Overnight stays peaked at roughly 58,000 in 2006. By 2015, that figure had dipped to 30,346 stays. In 2018, the last pre-pandemic year with available data, just 23,338 convention-goers stayed overnight in Overland Park. Despite the drop-off in attendance in the past decade, cities keep building new convention centers. The $288 million publicly funded Oklahoma City Convention Center opened in January 2021.
Source: Wichita Eagle
A look at Wichita’s past projects, failed sales tax vote
The city’s latest campaign for a sales tax, championed by many of the same downtown boosters behind the Legacy plan, failed in 2014. The $450 million plan would have funded drought-protection and water infrastructure, transit, and street maintenance, but was rejected largely because of an $80 million “job creation” fund aimed at giving cash incentives to companies, which was seen by many as a giveaway to businesses. How other area businesses and nonprofits might see an uplift from east bank development isn’t clear, but one example floated by stakeholders has been a benevolence fund. … City voters who were interviewed for this article cited several examples of past public subsidization of private businesses that have raised eyebrows, mostly notably in a $22 million local soccer stadium, a $10.2 million subsidy for Topgolf, and 1,000 no-bid contracts worth a half-billion dollars at the state level from 2011 to 2018. That wariness has led to the Riverfront Legacy Master Plan being viewed through the lens of other city projects plagued by accusations of cronyism and a lack of competition.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Pottawatomie County fixing systems after ransomware attack
Computer systems are being restored in Pottawatomie County are after hackers launched a ransomware attack on Sept. 17, county officials said Friday. The county resolved the attack by paying less than 10% of the hackers’ original demands, County Administrator Chad Kinsley said in a statement. The eastern Kansas county did not disclose the amount it paid, WIBW-TV reported. “We are a small county with small resources,” Kinsley said. “With the extraordinary demands that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on local governments like ours, we wanted to make sure that the hackers understood that there was no way we could even come close to meeting their demand.” Technical workers have installed more sensors on all servers to prevent further attacks. The investigation into how the hackers gained access to the system is continuing.
Source: Wichita Eagle
States and cities slow to spend federal pandemic money
As Congress considered a massive COVID-19 relief package earlier this year, hundreds of mayors from across the U.S. pleaded for “immediate action” on billions of dollars targeted to shore up their finances and revive their communities. Now that they’ve received it, local officials are taking their time before actually spending the windfall. As of this summer, a majority of large cities and states hadn’t spent a penny from the American Rescue Plan championed by Democrats and President Joe Biden, according to an Associated Press review of the first financial reports due under the law. States had spent just 2.5% of their initial allotment while large cities spent 8.5%, according to the AP analysis.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Derby holding ‘park hop’ through early November
Encouraging visitation of its more than 30 parks, the city is holding the Derby Park Hop from Oct. 5 through Nov. 5. Individuals who visit the 10 participating parks will receive a Derby Proud prize and be entered for a chance to win a free class at the Hubbard Arts Center. To participate, scan the QR code at each park with any smartphone camera and submit the requested information (name, email address, etc.) on the prompted, secure Google Form. Signs with QR codes will be posted at the parks on Oct. 5.
Source: Derby Informer
Edgerton discusses solar facility zoning
A proposed utility-scale solar facility was discussed by the Edgerton City Council at a work session Sept. 23. Johnson County is currently updating their comprehensive plan and zoning regulations to address utility-scale utility providers. NextEra Energy is considering a future solar facility in an unincorporated area. Area cities have been asked to review plans and provide comments. Following the regular meeting, council member gave feed back regarding the proposed solar regulations. They voiced concerns about the one-mile buffer area from cities which could impact future growth, buffering for neighboring properties, dangers involving battery fires and wildfires, the length of the term of the conditional use permit, environmental concerns about wildlife corridors and storm water, and keeping the solar projects contiguous. “I’d like to see the county solar projects go through the same development process that cities utilize,” said Don Roberts, mayor.
Source: Gardner News
Gardner planning commission meets discusses billboard regulations
The off site signage land development code amendment was tabled for further discussion and vote at the Sept. 27 meeting. Commission members said they needed more information and time to decide height requirements for billboards after hearing from citizens at the public hearing. David Knopick, community development director, said it would be easy to strike out the one sign per parcel requirement maximum from the code and could be flexible moving the setback distance from 50 to 15 feet. Knopick said he would suggest and look into a conditional use permit process for signs wanting to be over 30 feet. “We could look at each individual situation,” he said. “But it can never be higher than 50 feet because of the state requirement.” Knopick said he would err on the conservative side because he doesn’t know where Gardner’s future development is going to grow for residential, industrial and commercial use on the east side of I-35.
Source: Gardner News
Area history comes alive in Baxter Springs
Community members and history buffs alike brought the area’s past into the present. “We think history is important, we think people should know the real history of what happened here in the Civil War,” says Larry Rhodes, 22nd Arkansas Unit C Captain. That history was on display in Baxter Springs, where re-enactors from all over the Four States gathered to help bring the past back to life for a Civil War encampment. Mary Billington, Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum Director, says, “It is a fantastic tribute to the amount of work that goes into planning these things to have these people come out and enjoy it, and have a good time, for the weather to cooperate with us.” On top of displays, dances and soldier camp life, event goers were able to see the city turned into a battle ground once again.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Kansas schools settle natural gas lawsuit
Several Kansas schools have settled in a lawsuit against a natural gas company over high energy costs during the February freeze. Many schools signed onto a class action lawsuit against Symmetry Energy Solutions after the February price spike. … Last week, KASB and Symmetry announced “a mutually satisfactory resolution of issues surrounding high market prices for natural gas supplied to Kansas schools.” The joint news release said Symmetry was “a willing partner” as they worked “in concert” with KASB to find solutions, noting the “long-standing relationships” between schools and the company. … The settlement agreement discounted gas prices on the February bill from what the school energy consortium claimed were “exorbitant, excessive, and or unconscionable rates.”
Source: Hutch News
September U.S. employment report, coming Friday, is expected to show whether people who had exited the job market during the pandemic are ready to return
Many economists would welcome a small rise in the unemployment rate. They are troubled by the rate’s swift decline from its pandemic peak because it partly reflects a lack of job seekers—effectively limiting the amount of fuel in the economy’s engine. The Labor Department’s official unemployment rate—the most well-known gauge of the labor market’s health—counts as unemployed only those who aren’t working but are actively seeking a job. That leaves out millions who stopped working and looking for work since the coronavirus hit the economy in early 2020, leaving many businesses struggling to hire.
Source: WSJ
Garden City Finance Director calls it a career after 30+ years
Thursday was designated “Melinda Hitz Day” in Garden City, a tribute to the longtime Finance Director who retired after more than 30 years overseeing the City’s financial health. Hitz began working for the City on April 22, 1991. After graduating from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s degree in business and an emphasis in accounting, Hitz went to work for Lewis, Hooper and Dick in 1979. From 1981 to 1990, Hitz performed the annual municipal audit of the City of Garden City making her well familiar with the city’s finances, and things she wanted to improve, when she then started working for the City in 1991. Hitz and her husband Bob, a local general contractor who will also be retiring soon, have two adult children, Kristen Schultz and Jack Hitz, and two grandchildren, Mack and Hallie.
Source: Greater Garden City
Osawatomie Welcomes Deputy City Manager
The City of Osawatomie welcomes a new deputy city manager to its leadership team next week. Bret Glendening will take on the role of deputy city manager effective Monday, October 4th, 2021. The deputy position is part of the City’s ongoing structural reorganization meant to strengthen leadership capacity and better serve organizational and community needs. The newly created role is designed to assist the city manager with departmental oversight and to coordinate internal and external initiatives, specifically in the utilities and public works departments. In his new role, Glendening will oversee the City’s infrastructure and improvement projects, including water treatment and distribution, wastewater facility repairs, street repair, and solar array initiative. Glendening brings 10 years of large-scale project management experience, including solar projects and financial management, for Kiewet Corporation.
Source: City of Osawatomie
Canton Township Carnegie Library to celebrate 100 years
The Canton Township Carnegie Library is turning 100 in October. To celebrate, they will be holding an event from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2 at the library. In addition to serving homemade ice cream from old-fashioned crank operators, the staff and board members will have games that were popular in the 1920s available to play and they will have a silent movie playing during the event to feature additional 1920s technology. “We are going to go with the 1920’s theme,” said Kim Witt, library board president. “People can dress in 20s costume if they would like and we’ll have a photo opportunity for that.” The library has three stenograph viewers, a turn of the century technology that displays 3D images when looking through a set of lens that will be set up in stations for guests to use. The viewers were purchased by the library when it opened.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press
Wichita heads back to the future as riverfront possibilities abound
After more than a year of disruption and delay because of the pandemic, new questions are being asked about the future of Wichita’s riverfront. Public projects on the riverfront have had some success over the years, such as Exploration Place and the Keeper of the Plains. But the centerpiece of Wichita’s riverfront, the area that stretches from Douglas to Kellogg along the east bank of the Arkansas River, has been the subject of redevelopment plans for decades that have had mixed results. Pieces of some of those plans — such as the Hyatt Regency, the Boathouse, WaterWalk Place and the Fairfield Inn — were successes. Some died on the City Hall drawing board while others were implemented and failed.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Paola PD to host Children’s Fall Festival
The Paola Police Department will host a Children’s Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 2. The festival will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Paola Justice Center, located at 805 N. Pearl St. The event will feature a free lunch, children’s face painting, fingerprint ID cards, games and more. Children will also be able to check out emergency vehicles from the Paola Police Department, Miami County Sheriff’s Office, Paola Fire Department and Kansas National Guard. Bicycles will be raffled for multiple age groups. Winners must be present for the drawing at 2:30 p.m., according to a news release.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
Atchison sees rise in tourism for haunted attractions
On a late September weekend, the city of Atchison was bustling with tourists looking for a good scare. With fall beginning and the return of Halloween season, the city of about 11,000 people becomes a hot spot for out-of-town tourists and national publications like BuzzFeed. Kaycee Slough, director of marketing at the Atchison Chamber of Commerce, said it’s one of the most thrilling times of the year for the city. “We know that people are so excited about everything that Atchison has to offer, specifically the haunted aspect, and so really delivering on all of those things is something that’s really important to us,” she said. Haunted attractions like the Sallie House, a turn-of-the-century home that’s drawn paranormal investigators to it, and the 1889 McInteer Villa, which brings in visitors on self-guided tours and overnight stays looking for evidence of the paranormal. Each year, Slough said, it seems like their popularity grows.
Source: News | atchisonglobenow.com
Shawnee Tribe and City of Fairway will investigate the Shawnee Indian Mission boarding school
At a press conference Thursday to mark Orange Shirt Day — a memorial to the thousands of lives lost at Indian residential schools — the chief of the Shawnee Tribe announce a partnership with the city of Fairway to investigate the history of the Shawnee Indian Mission, while calling on the federal government to research U.S. Indian boarding schools nationwide. Earlier this year, the Department of Interior announced an initiative to find out the inner workings of federally-operated Indian boarding schools. Places like Shawnee Indian Mission, which was an Indian boarding school from the 1830s to 1860s on 2,000 acres of Shawnee Tribe land, isn’t included in the initiative since it was operated by Methodist missionaries. Now, the Shawnee Tribe is partnering with the city of Fairway to begin looking into the operational details of the Shawnee Indian Mission. But Shawnee Tribe Chief Ben Barnes said the federal government “needs to step up” as well.
Source: KCUR News
Kansas county fixing systems after ransomware attack
Computer systems are being restored in an eastern Kansas county after hackers launched a ransomware attack on Sept. 17, county officials said Friday. Pottawatomie County resolved the attack by paying less than 10% of the hackers’ original demands, County Administrator Chad Kinsley said in a statement. The eastern Kansas county did not disclose the amount it paid, WIBW-TV reported. “We are a small county with small resources,” Kinsley said. “With the extraordinary demands that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on local governments like ours, we wanted to make sure that the hackers understood that there was no way we could even come close to meeting their demand.” Technical workers have installed more sensors on all servers to prevent further attacks. The investigation into how the hackers gained access to the system is continuing.
Source: KAKE – News
City of Lawrence bans airsoft, BB and paintball guns in parks after hearing community concerns
As a parent who visits the playground at Brook Creek Park regularly with her child, Jamie Benvenutti felt surprised last week to learn that BB and compressed air guns were permitted in city parks near areas where children and families congregate. “Shouldn’t there be a sign posted at each public park so parents can decide if they feel safe enough to bring their children to a place where it’s OK to shoot BB guns? I know I certainly don’t feel OK taking my child to a park where shooting guns is allowed,” Benvenutti said in an email late last week. Benvenutti’s concerns cropped up after reading a neighborhood post on a social media platform about squirrel hunting with BB guns at Brook Creek Park, 1200 Brook St.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Local governments struggle to hire public sector workers
Some local Kansas governments are operating with 10% of their positions unfilled, making it hard to deliver the services that citizens expect. Across the state, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that Kansas has seen a 4.7% drop in the number of public sector workers, which translates into about 12,000 vacant jobs, but some towns are being hit harder. The pandemic has made the situation worse because the competitive labor market makes it hard to replace older employees who decided to retire.
Source: KSN-TV
Local governments struggle to hire workers; some are operating with 10% of positions unfilled
In Concordia, City Manager Amy Lange has gotten a lot of mileage out of the “Kansas strong, Kansas nice” mindset. The north-central Kansas city is down six workers. While that may not seem like a lot, it accounts for about 10% of the city government’s workforce. Residents might not notice the impact unless they’re paying attention. Potholes don’t get fixed quite as quickly, and it might take a bit longer for questions about taxes to be answered. But Lange said this obscures the real impact, noting her staff is having to cover for vacant positions — even though they are already down to the bare minimum of workers that are needed to perform the city’s functions. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated hiring issues that already existed pushing older employees into retirement. The competitive labor market has made it hard to replace them.
Source: Salina Journal
Can you pronounce these 10 city names correctly? If so, there’s a good chance you’re from Kansas.
“The one thing I really love about language is how language can point to our history of human contact, relationship and movement,” said Mary Kohn, an associate professor at Kansas State University, who holds a doctorate degree in linguistics. “That’s very true for Kansas, as well. “Whenever we look at place names or pronunciation, what we’re getting is a cultural representation that reflects our history, and I think that’s really beautiful.” When it comes to pronouncing the names of places in Kansas — cities, counties, and even local and regional landmarks — native residents of the state may have a leg up.
Source: CJonline
Kansas tax collections beat estimate by $162.2 million, indicate growing economy and business profits
Kansas state officials reported more tax revenue was collected than expected over the past month, indicating a growing economy and improved profit margins for businesses. September total tax receipts were $876.5 million, beating the estimate by $162.2 million, or 22.7%. The revenues also beat September 2020 collections by $147.6 million, or 20.2%. “Our tax collection numbers continue to show promising growth,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in a Friday news release. “In the months ahead, we must maintain fiscally-responsible policies to strengthen our growing economy.” The additional revenue was primarily due to individual and corporate income tax collections, as well as retail sales taxes.
Source: Dodge Globe
JFK’s hearse brings visitors to Hill City museum
There is just one week left to view the 1964 Cadillac Hearse that transported President John F. Kennedy’s body from Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas to Air Force One on that fateful day in 1963. The infamous automobile arrived in Hill City in April. It was part of the opening of the Graham County Auto and Art Museum, a new tourist attraction that is bringing visitors to the city. … By bringing a destination museum into this town of less than 2,000, Hill City is giving its downtown a small boost.
Source: Hutch News
Derby’s housing needs continue to grow
Like many growing cities of its size, there are a variety of housing options in Derby. A city website lists 14 new housing developments in town, along with five apartment complexes, six assisted living and retirement living centers, and several property management firms. And, of course, there are existing homes for sale or rent, too. Like any market, if money is no object, what a buyer wants can usually be easily obtained. Several of the developments on the housing website indicate prices of $300,000, or $400,000 and up. For others, the need is high, but the price point lower, especially for rentals, entry-level housing and affordable senior-oriented units.
Source: Derby Informer
The most iconic films from the Sunflower State
There’s no place like home, and if you’re looking for the most iconic movies from Kansas, we have the list for you. From Westerns to fantasy to a nuclear apocalypse, the Sunflower State has been the setting for many iconic films. Eight such movies are listed below. If you want further readings, the Center for Kansas Studies at Washburn University has compiled lists of movies with Kansas connections. The school’s listings are available online.
Source: Hutch News
Hackers hit Pottawatomie County: Cyberattack on community underscores security risks for governments
A Kansas county is still recovering from a cyberattack almost two weeks ago, underscoring the internet security risks local governments in the state face amid a national wave of attacks from hackers. Pottawatomie County was hit with the attack on Sept. 17, officials say, with some of the county’s computer system encrypted by the hackers, making them inaccessible and shutting off some services. “We are very limited,” County Treasurer Lisa Taylor told county commissioners Monday, the Wamego Times reported. “The driver’s license (system) is completely down, we can’t do taxes.” The county said such services as EMS, police and fire haven’t been impacted. Most other services are accessible in-person if residents drive to the county courthouse in Westmoreland, officials said. Federal and state law enforcement have been investigating the attack, the county said in a statement.
Source: Hutch News
Wamego gears up for OZtoberFest this weekend
Wamego celebrates … a lot. Coming up this weekend, Wamego will celebrate fall and the Wonderful Wizard of Oz with the annual OZtoberFest. This year’s theme is the Emerald City, so expect to see a lot of green — from costumes to auction items. The festival is a collaborative effort between the OZ Museum, Columbian Theatre and the Wamego Area Chamber of Commerce. “Even though many are in love with the Wizard of Oz, you don’t have to be a fan to enjoy OZtoberFest,” said Kara Holle, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce. “This family friendly, fun-filled festival offers something for everyone. Also, come and enjoy shopping and local restaurants.”
Source: themercury.com
One of the finest in the state: Newton City Auditorium built in 1915, torn down in 1966
The Newton City Auditorium served an important function in the community when it stood at 130 W. Sixth St. decades ago. “It’s a community center,” said Kris Schmucker, curator at the Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives in Newton. “It’s important. It served a function.” Schmucker said that going through old newspapers, she came across advertisements for shows and meetings in the auditorium. “It was used as a meeting place for WCTU,” she said, adding that stands for Women’s Christian Temperance Union. That group was focused on no drinking, getting the women’s right to vote and morals of the state.
Source: Harvey County Now
City of Pittsburg receives grant for interactive historical walking tour
The city of Pittsburg is taking a modern approach to remembering its past. The city recently received the “2020 Historic Preservation Fund Grant” from the Kansas Historical Society. The grant will go towards creating an interactive walking tour for the downtown area. While still in the developmental stages, the city hopes to have the new tour involve a mobile app and QR codes to help make its history more accessible.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Rural Opportunity Zone loan assistance program expands to Crawford County
It’s the first chance many are getting to take advantage of the Kansas “Rural Opportunity Zone” program in Crawford County. The ROZ program expanded its coverage back in may to 95 counties in Kansas. Crawford County was later adopted in June. The program offers Kansas residents up to 15 thousand dollars in loan forgiveness over five years or an income tax abatement for new county residents.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Municipal Bond Trends for September 30, 2021
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.
City updates public on natural gas cost spike
Winfield City Manager Taggart Wall said that the city tried to keep customers informed about what was happening from the beginning regarding natural gas costs, while some larger utility companies are just now starting to announce rate increases related to the storm. Kansas Gas Service, which serves Arkansas City, has presented plans showing how it plans to recover its $452 million in gas purchases over the next five, seven and 10 years. Black Hills Energy has proposed a five-year plan to recover its $88 million in gas costs. All together, natural gas customers in Kansas spent around $1 billion to meet needs during the cold spell.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Newton considering land bank
The Newton City Commission will vote to establish a land bank at a coming meeting. A land bank functions as a land holding organization aimed at helping deal with blighted and problem properties in the city. Properties can be donated to the bank. The bank has the power to forgive back taxes on the properties as part of the donation process. The bank can then turn around and sell the properties to be redeveloped or reused. “You guys have seen here lately with condemned and blighted properties it’s an issue in Newton we’d like to get addressed,” City Manager Kelly McElroy told the commission.
Source: Harvey County Now