Kansas Municipal News
Hutchinson Zoo marks opening of new Nature Play expansion and Splash River
The Hutchinson Zoo made a big splash in late July when it officially celebrated the opening of Splash River with a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony. Splash River is part of the zoo’s new Nature Play exhibit, which is a no-cost, safe and welcome place for children and families. The zoo retrofitted the former parking lot into a natural-looking splash river, inclusive play elements and green space. The expansion is adjacent to the North American River Otter Exhibit that opened in the summer of 2020. Zoo officials said the purpose of Splash River is to give children under age 10 a chance to observe, explore and investigate a naturalistic creek bed safely.
Source: Hutch News
Kansans need safer roads. Here are some ideas for changing them.
Today’s pedestrian-unfriendly roadways consist largely of suburban streets that have been turned into straight, flat speedways where drivers race along at speeds approaching those on the freeway, often distracted by their phones. This mix of high speeds, heavier vehicles, and distracted driving terrorizes pedestrians and bicyclists. Proposed ideas include shorter blocks, pedestrian refuge areas, increased use of traffic circles, narrower roads, dedicated bicycle lanes and chicanes — those s-shaped curves also used on racetracks. Money from the bipartisan 2021 Infrastructure and Jobs Act is available to help fund these improvements.
Source: Hutch News
‘Huge scam’ in rural Kansas town fells fourth U.S. bank in 2023
Heartland Tri-State Bank of Elkhart on July 28 became the fourth U.S. bank to fail in 2023 and the second Kansas bank to fail in three years. David Herndon, Kansas banking commissioner, closed the southwest Kansas bank after it became insolvent because it was “apparently the victim of a huge scam,” he said. Herndon said he doesn’t know what the scam was, but he said other banks in the state were not affected. “Kansas banks are strong and healthy,” he said. “They are well-capitalized, have strong reserves, are profitable and maintain record levels of loan reserves.” Herndon named the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as receiver, allowing the FDIC to take control of the bank’s affairs. The FDIC then brokered a deal for Dream First Bank, National Association of Syracuse, Kansas to take over customers of Heartland Tri-State Bank. On July 31, all four branches of Heartland Tri-State Bank were reopened as branches of Dream First Bank. Herndon said the transfer didn’t result in any disruptions to customers, who were protected from risk of loss.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Overland Park firefighters save truckload of 1,300 piglets
Overland Park firefighters saved the bacon Thursday. A tractor-trailer hauling more than 1,300 piglets to Iowa stalled out with a mechanical issue on northbound U.S. 69 Highway near 151st Street Thursday morning. The driver told police he worried that without air circulation or water, the piglets could die in the heat. The Overland Park Fire Department was called to the scene and spent about 30 minutes spraying water from a fire hose through vents in the trailer, cooling the piglets off. That was enough to preserve the payload until another truck came by to pick up the pigs.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Is Oaklawn Wichita’s forgotten neighborhood?
Andree Sisco’s entry into public service came about when she couldn’t find anyone willing to mow the grass. Sisco moved to Oaklawn, an unincorporated community sandwiched between Wichita and Derby, in 1981. Nestled between the Arkansas River and K-15, Oaklawn sits on 260 acres, a neighborhood hastily built as a quick solution to a wartime housing shortage in 1952. Once “one of the largest housing construction projects in the history of Kansas,” Oaklawn is not recognized as a municipality by the state of Kansas. It has also often lacked other clear markers of community recognition. At the time of her arrival, Sisco says residents were still assigned phone numbers associated with Haysville, a Wichita suburb nearly six miles to the west.
Source: KLC Journal
KBI director on Marion County newspaper raid: Media is not ‘above the law’
The top law enforcement officer in Kansas appeared to justify a Marion County search warrant that led to an unprecedented raid on a local newspaper and potentially contributed to the death of the paper’s co-owner. Kansas Bureau of Investigation Director Tony Mattivi released a statement Sunday following widespread outrage of Friday’s raid, in which local law enforcement seized computers, cellphones and other reporting materials from the Marion County Record office and publisher Eric Meyer’s home. The raid was part of an investigation into the alleged identity theft of a restaurant owner who had clashed with the paper.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Johnson County Library’s courier trucks get refresh with vibrant new artwork
Johnson County Library’s courier trucks transport materials between the branches and travel countless miles each year, serving as billboards on wheels, with images promoting Library services. The current vinyl wraps were installed on the trucks in 2018, so it’s time for a refresh. This year, three local artists are designing the wraps, bringing their uniquely creative visions to the task and giving each truck a bold and brilliant exterior. “We are asking local artists to interpret what the Library means to them, how the Library impacts the community, and translate that into art,” said marketing specialist Ben Oglesby. “I see it as a moving art installation, where we are showcasing our local Kansas City artists. It’s like a rolling exhibition.”
Source: Prairie Village Post
Great Bend Fire Department saves pets from burning home
The Great Bend Fire Department saved pets from a house fire last weekend. Great Bend Fire made a post on Facebook Friday saying on Aug. 5, around 5:30 a.m., units responded to a report of a structure fire in the 10 block of SE 20 Rd. Once on scene, units found a 1,500-square-foot house with smoke and flames showing from the two-car attached garage. Crews made an aggressive interior attack and were met with high heat, heavy fire and smoke. While searching the residence to make sure the occupants all got out, crews were able to safely remove several family pets from inside the house.
Source: KSN-TV
Dodge City Regional Airport Set for Major Expansion and Remodel
The City of Dodge City is thrilled to announce that the bid for the expansion and remodel of the Dodge City Regional Airport Terminal has been awarded to Icon Structures of Wichita. This expansion is a testament to the efforts and vision of our Commissioner’s leadership, coupled with significant federal support. In March of 2023, the Dodge City Regional Airport was awarded $7.3 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to go towards remodeling and expanding the existing terminal. This funding stems from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Airport Terminal Program (ATP) Grant.
Source: Western Kansas News
Municipal Bond Trends for August 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, or Henry Schmidt.
Lawrence offers Meeting in a Box for Land Development Code
The City of Lawrence is now offering a Meeting in a Box tool as part of the community engagement process for the Land Development Code. The Meeting in a Box encourages individuals and community groups to share their thoughts on community character. The Land Development Code team is working to create the design standards that future development in Lawrence will follow, which includes elements such as landscaping, local architecture, infrastructure, historic context and more. These elements all help define our community character. The Meeting in a Box is a self-paced workshop that community members can complete by themselves or with the group of their choosing: community organizations, neighborhood groups, school classes, etc. … An online version is available at lawrenceks.org/ldc (under the documents tab). The Meeting in a Box tool will be available until Friday, Sept. 15.
Topeka has many who want to buy homes but too few houses on the market to choose from
The housing market in Topeka closely mirrored national real estate trends during the first half of 2023, with both plagued by low inventory, high home prices and rising interest rates. … Developers have been cautious since the housing crash of 2008, a problem that has contributed to the inventory issues plaguing the country today. Meanwhile, homeowners who bought before interest rates rose are staying put, making the shortage worse. Topeka Area Building Association CEO Katy Nelson said she’s seeing higher demand for new construction in Shawnee County and the surrounding areas. … Would-be homebuilders still face some challenges, including financing difficulties. “When COVID hit, we lost a lot of smaller companies and the sub-producers that came with that, or they raised their prices a lot,” said Nelson. “Clients are needing to get requalified through their banks more often than before, and this seems to be a challenge for some people that are on the edge of moving forward or holding off.” A lack of available lots in Topeka and Shawnee County has also deterred some people, who wouldn’t hesitate otherwise. “In Topeka city limits, lots are limited. There is more availability in the county for the desirable lots,” said Nelson. “There are many people that feel this plays a big part in all building decisions.”
Source: CJonline
Municipal Bond Trends for August 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, or Henry Schmidt.
New Round of Funding Announced for Revitalization of Downtown Buildings
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today $1.5 million will be available for a fourth round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants to revitalize dilapidated and underutilized downtown buildings in small communities across the state. HEAL grants help close financial gaps for communities striving to make their downtown districts more economically vibrant. Since the HEAL grant program was launched in 2021, more than $3.5 million has been awarded to fund 63 projects in 48 counties throughout Kansas.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Groundwater salt levels are high in Andover, Experts say this could be a big problem
Throughout the summer, people in Andover have been raising questions on Facebook wondering why they can’t use their well water. Some of them posted that after testing the level of salt in the water exceeded 400 parts per million. K-State Extension Agent Matthew McKernan said that this can be damaging to plants. “Sodium is going to be very detrimental to our soils, it’s going to break down our soil quality and actually take the place of organic matter and clay particles in the soil,” McKernan said. “And so as that, when high sodium water is applied to the soil, the sodium is actually going to bind to the soil particles and destroy the soil structure.”
Source: KAKE – News
How Johnson County will spend $1.6M in COVID relief funds
Johnson County is spending roughly $1.6 million in COVID-19 relief funds on several initiatives, including one to help pay rent and utilities as well as providing for the housing needs of people with certain disabilities. Johnson County Commissioners on Aug. 3 convened to consider how the county will spend remaining federal COVID-19 relief funds. The county agreed to pay for accessibility upgrades at the Theatre in the Park, an outdoor theater at Shawnee Mission Park.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Garden City wins award from ‘The Great Race’ organization
The group that organizes the annual “Great Race” has named Garden City the 2023 Best Overnight City. Garden City was the Day 8 stop from the race that also made a stop in Wichita. Participants raced from St. Augustine, Florida, to Colorado Springs, Colorado, over nine days from June 24 to July 2. The race stopped in Garden City on June 30, its first stop there since 2006. Race participants voted the stop as the best overnight stop along the race route.
Source: KSN-TV
Topeka could lose Country Stampede
The Country Stampede, a longtime staple of summer celebration in the Capital City, could find a new home in the near future. The Country Stampede announced via social media Thursday that due to rising property taxes, it may have to find a new location. The country music festival attributes this to its landlord and property owner, Shelby Development, which claims that taxes on the stampede’s facility have risen almost $1,500 per day.
Source: KSN-TV
City of Topeka provides update on Hotel Topeka purchase
All parties involved have agreed to a tentative closing date on the city’s purchase of Hotel Topeka. The hotel is in receivership because the purchase needs to be approved by the court, according to a press release from the City of Topeka. After a hearing on July 25, the court is reviewing the sale and order and is expected to approve the sale soon. Once the court’s order is entered, all parties can proceed with closing. A tentative closing date is scheduled for Oct. 31, according to the press release.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Fallen Fairway officer remembered for dedication to job, family
People who knew fallen Fairway Office Jonah Oswald are mourning and remembering the man, husband and father he was. The 29-year-old died Monday after he was injured in a shootout Sunday with two suspects at a Mission QuikTrip. “He was the epitome of what a true law enforcement officer would be – devoted, a devoted father and husband willing to help his community,” said Robert Paul, a friend of Oswald’s. “(He) stepped into church, willing to be there on Sundays just to lend a hand. I think he was bigger than life itself.” This is now the Fairway Police Department’s first line-of-duty death in its more than 70-year history.
Source: KSNT 27 News