Kansas Municipal News
After finding their old school for sale on eBay, a Kansas community goes to work saving its stories
If the people still living in Frankfort are successful, there will someday be a courtyard in honor of these hometown boys at the flagpole in front of the place where they went to grade school. Built in 1902-03 in the Renaissance style of architecture familiar on the prairie, Frankfort Grade School was the educational home for nearly a century of Marshall County kids. And now, it’s a literal as well as symbolic example of what small towns around Kansas do to preserve their legacies. “A lot of us have a very strong emotional connection to the building — it’s iconic for our community,” says Gayla Randel, who grew up in Frankfort and graduated from the school, as did her husband and their youngest child. Frankfort’s official population is around 750, but Randel counts another 200 from the surrounding countryside as part of the community.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Topeka houses are in high demand and low supply. More builders and home remodels could be part of the solution.
Intense bidding wars, cash offers, sight-unseen purchases, homes on the market for less than 48 hours — that’s the reality right now for homebuyers in the Topeka area. National news in recent weeks has highlighted rising home prices, strong demand for real estate and a low inventory of houses for sale, and local markets aren’t immune. In Shawnee County last month, homes sat on the market for a median of two days — down from a median of about eight days in April 2020. Such numbers are being fueled by a local shortage of homes for sale, and real estate professionals don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. “There’s a lot of demand. There’s just not a lot of inventory,” said Linda Briden, CEO of the Sunflower Association of Realtors.
Source: CJonline.com.
Municipal Bond Trends for May 14, 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.
What a survey revealed about Wichita attitudes toward a city-wide plastic bag ban
A survey conducted on behalf of a Wichita government task force found that most respondents supported either a city-wide ban of single-use plastic bags or a fee to discourage their use. The survey was conducted to help task force members gauge citizen interest in measures that would reduce or ban plastic bag use and was developed by researchers at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita. With just over 2,000 responses, the survey has limitations. However, of the Wichitans who did respond to it, 71% said they would support a complete ban on single-use plastic bags.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Local women in law enforcement celebrate growth in ranks
Sergeant Lisa Hayes has seen a lot of changes in the makeup of local law enforcement over the course of her career. Perhaps the most exciting change for the 23-year-veteran of the Emporia Police Department, Hayes said, has been bringing more women into the ranks. “I believe more women are going into the field and are empowered to go into the field and want to do this type of work,” she said. “We are definitely getting to record numbers here.” Between the Emporia Police Department, Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Emporia State University Police and Safety and Lyon County Detention Center — while detention officers aren’t commissioned to enforce laws, they are classified as law enforcement officers by the state of Kansas — there are more than 20 women working in law enforcement.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Public safety officials ask for more money to retain employees
Two county officials brought back concerns with salaries and retention of employees to the Bourbon County Commission on Tuesday. Sheriff Bill Martin and Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center Major Bobby Reed spoke to commissioners about losing employees to higher pay elsewhere, and issues with setting wages.
Source: Fort Scott Tribune
Flash flooding causing evacuations in North Central Kansas
Emergency evacuations underway in Natoma where 100 people have been displaced due to heavy flooding caused by life-threatening flash flooding. The National Weather Service in Hastings, NE reports between 3 and 6 inches of rain has fallen. Most of it has ended. However, the town is seeing runoff from Paradise Creek with boat rescues underway. The NWS reports citizens tell them the flooding is being compared to the significant floods seen in 1993. Other reports of flash flooding this morning were in Lincoln County where emergency managers say crews blocked several roads in town overnight. At least one homeowner had flooding in their basement.
Source: KAKE – News
Wichita high school student honored for service by police department
Javion Napier is a freshman at South High High School and Wichita and a local entrepreneur. “I started a program about three years ago, I started selling lemonade to help the homeless and now I’ve started to sell hotdogs and hamburgers to help the homeless,” he said. Javion started cooking when he was just seven years old. Now he uses his skills to give back to the community. “You do it in love, not just for the money, you don’t ask for nothing. If they give you something, put it back in the business and give the rest to charity like I do.” It’s been a rough road for the teenager. He lost his dad in a hit and run and recently his family moved, so he takes the city bus to school, which isn’t always on time for first period cooking class.
Source: KAKE – News
Last 2 Kansas counties with mask rules ponder new guidelines
The last two Kansas counties that require residents to wear masks to slow the spread of COVID-19 will keep the mandates in place for now to discuss new federal guidelines that loosened mask requirements. Health officials in Douglas and Wyandotte counties are reviewing guidelines announced Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that said people who are fully vaccinated do not have to wear masks outdoors and in most indoor settings. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said the state would immediately begin following those guidelines. Dr. Thomas Marcellino, Douglas County health officer, said in a statement that health officials will discuss the new guidelines with county leaders during the county commission meeting on Wednesday. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, said Mayor David Alvey will convene the county commission on Thursday to discuss possible changes to the county’s mask mandate, which requires masks indoors unless everyone is vaccinated.
Source: KAKE – News
Businesses ease restrictions, but some counties, cities, still have mask orders
Kansas is starting to see some changes with the lifting of mask orders, after new CDC guidance for people that are fully vaccinated. The governor’s office confirmed with Kansas Capitol Bureau on Friday that counties and cities still have local control over mask orders, after the state adopted the CDC’s recommendation. However, the majority of Kansas cities and counties don’t have mask orders in place. All but four have gotten rid of them. According to county officials, Wyandotte County and Douglas County are the only two counties that currently have mask orders in place. “Counties are actually starting to see, in some cases, no new cases in their county, so things are definitely looking up in Kansas,” said Kimberly Qualls, Communications director of the state’s association of counties.
Source: KSN-TV
How Sedgwick County teamed with the Black community to fight the pandemic
The news of her brother’s death wasn’t unexpected. But mid-March 2020 would prove to be an extremely unusual time for Margaret, an African American woman in her 70s living in Wichita, and for her family to bury a loved one. The novel coronavirus was beginning to reach Kansas. Just hours after Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly issued an emergency declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kansas recorded its first death linked to the disease. In about a week, Margaret would learn just how close to home the pandemic would hit, when she became Sedgwick County’s first confirmed case of COVID-19. The Journal is withholding her real name at her request to protect her privacy but has verified details of her account through hospital discharge papers and interviews with friends and family members.
Source: KSN-TV
West Mineral became the site of one of the biggest events of the year
West Mineral became the site of one of the biggest events of the year. It’s called the “Big Iron Overland Rally” which took place at the fairgrounds of Big Brutus. This was inspired after the success of the adventure enthusiast Moore Expo earlier this year. Guests got to camp at the base of Big Brutus, enjoy live music, equipment vendors and food. Chris Holloway, Show Promoter, says, “The biggest reason that we’re all here and our favorite thing to do is get out and support places like Big Brutus because that machine doesn’t maintain itself and these guys work really hard to keep this property beautiful and keep that piece of history alive.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Parsons Oak Grove School Restoration
An old community staple is preparing to re-open it’s doors after being built almost 150 years ago. The “Oak Grove School House” in Parsons will start hosting it’s restoration tour this weekend. After the school closed in 1960, talks to begin restoration began in 1966 at a class reunion. Since then over $100,000 have been poured into restoring Oak Grove. It even got the attention from both the “United States and Kansas Historical Societies,” as a historic site. Roger Pruitt, Oak Grove School Historical Society Treasurer: “It was used by military during the Civil War for transport wagons, going down to Indian territory from Fort Scott to Fort Gibson, it was used by stage coaches after the Civil War before railroads got established.”
Source: KSNF/KODE
As Topeka struggles to fill city positions, some ask if residency requirements or salaries are to blame
The city of Topeka sought a stormwater engineer II for three years. Six candidates were interviewed. The position was eventually filled after an employee got the proper license and work in the field for two years to meet the minimum requirements. City staff members told the Policy and Finance committee on May 7 other stories of job openings with zero applications and struggling to find qualified people. The committee is reviewing Topeka’s hiring woes to see what can be done to spur interest in the position. One potential solution? Loosening the guidelines for the city’s residency requirements.
Source: CJonline.com.
Dillons Food Stores plans to mark its centennial year with service to Kansas communities
Dillon Food Stores announced celebratory plans to mark its centennial year with service to Kansas communities. Throughout 2021, Dillons plans to recognize its principles and values along with customers, associates and communities that have made the past 100 years successful. “The 100th anniversary of Dillons is a monumental milestone,” said Steve Dreher, president of Dillon Food Stores. “In reflecting back, I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard our customers refer to one of our locations as ‘my Dillons’ and it always brings an overwhelming sense of pride.” After his initial venture in selling groceries at his general store in Sterling in the early 1900s, John S. Dillon was considered a visionary when he opened the area’s first Cash Food Market in Hutchinson in 1913. Although the store was slow to catch on, the savings offered for paying cash soon attracted enough customers to make it a viable business.
Source: Hutch News.
Derby advancing program to improve business facades
The Derby Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB) voted 6-0 to advance a commercial facade improvement program at its meeting on Wednesday, May 5. As it’s currently proposed, the program would function as a matching grant program – offering up to $12,500 to businesses along K-15 in the West End Business District, K-15 Area, and Buckner Business District for facade improvements aimed at removing and replacing “non-conforming” signs, improving landscaping and property values, and strengthening ADA compliance. “The proposed commercial improvement program is intended to promote the revitalization and development of businesses along the K-15 corridor,” said Development Manager Marcia Hartman.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Businesses in Kansas competing to recruit workers
Bogey’s, a restaurant in Hutchinson, has been trying to hire new staff for three months. Many other local businesses are in a similar position. Tyler Davis, the owner of Bogey’s, says it’s making it tough to fill vacant positions, “The competition has become really, really hard.” As Kansans return to their favorite spots, many businesses like Bogey’s are realizing they are short-staffed. “We can’t hire anybody, and businesses as busy as it’s been in over, well over a year — so it’s a stressful time for everybody,” Davis said. The demand, making owners put their money where their mouth is. “Starting pay is starting to go up. People are trying to hire as much as they can — they’re doing signing-on bonuses, anything that they can do,” Davis added.
Source: KSN-TV
Help for Wichita renters hits $1.4 million so far; city works to dig out of backlog
More than two months into its new emergency rental aid program, the city of Wichita has approved more than $1 million in funds for almost 9% of applicants but expects to pick up the pace in the coming weeks. The Wichita Emergency Rental Assistance program opened the online-only applications on Feb. 22, funded by federal money from the economic stimulus bill passed in December. When the legislation set aside dollars specifically for rental assistance, the city created its program, dubbed WERAP.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Municipal Bond Trends for May 13, 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.
Governor Laura Kelly Announces 132 new Jobs in Neodesha
Governor Laura Kelly today announced that London-based Sicut Enterprises has selected Neodesha as the site of their new North American manufacturing hub, projected to create 132 new full-time jobs over the next five years. “Sicut’s new manufacturing hub will create over 130 good-paying manufacturing jobs and generate significant investment for Neodesha and the entire Southeast region,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Our ability to recruit companies like Sicut to put down roots, proves that with our central location and world-class workforce, Kansas can compete for jobs and businesses around the globe.” Sicut Enterprises Limited is the European market leader for the manufacture and supply of recycled plastic composite railroad ties. After having successfully completed a range of demanding tests with U.S. Class 1 Railroads, the company now is expanding into North America for the first time. The company evaluated sites in multiple states before selecting Kansas, purchasing an existing building in Neodesha.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Sedgwick County offering COVID vaccine to ages 12 to 15
Sean Wentling patted his little brother on the back Thursday as he walked toward a station at the former downtown library to receive his first COVID-19 vaccine. The Food and Drug Administration expanded the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to the 12 to 15 age group earlier this week. Kansas officials signed off on its use for that age group Wednesday night, making roughly 160,000 children eligible to receive the shot starting Thursday, according to Kansas Department of Health and Environment officials. “This is an incredible step forward in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman said in a news release. “We are now able to protect our younger populations against this deadly disease.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Rep. Davids asks for $617 million in federal dollars for major highway work in Lenexa, Overland Park
Rep. Sharice Davids has requested up to $617 million in federal transportation funds to help pay for a few major highway projects in Johnson County, the lion’s share of which are aimed at funding long-hoped-for work in Lenexa. The projects are designed to improve traffic flow as Johnson County highways become more congested, particularly a stretch of U.S. 69 through southern Overland Park as well as the interchange of I-35, I-435 and K-19 highways, often referred to as the Johnson County Gateway, in Lenexa. “Each of these projects would help keep us safe and reduce the congestion that has plagued our roadways — including U.S. 69, which has been an important priority for the district since before I took office,” Davids said in a statement. “They would also bring good paying jobs and economic development to the area, giving our small businesses a much needed boost.”
Source: Prairie Village Post
CDC: You can ditch the mask in most places, indoors and out, if fully vaccinated
Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to wear a mask in most situations, indoors and outdoors, federal health officials said in an updated set of recommendations Thursday that marks a major turning point in the pandemic. The announcement is a shift from earlier federal guidance, which had urged people who are vaccinated to continue wearing a face mask when indoors with anyone not vaccinated or when in large-group settings. With a larger share of Americans vaccinated and a growing stack of studies confirming the vaccines’ effectiveness, Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the science is clear on taking additional steps toward life before the pandemic.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Governor Laura Kelly Announces 450 New Jobs in Overland Park
Governor Laura Kelly today applauded the announcement that TTEC Holdings, Inc., a world leader in global digital customer experience technology and services, will create 450 new jobs in Overland Park. The company is initially creating work-from-home positions to ultimately be housed within a new office location being built in Overland Park. These positions will be a hybrid of on-site and remote work. “TTEC Holdings will bring 450 new, high-paying jobs to Overland Park and will enhance our ability to attract new, cutting-edge businesses and talent to our state,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “We’ll continue making strategic investments in our foundation and business recruitment tools to ensure Kansas becomes the tech-hub of the Midwest. I look forward to TTEC’s partnership as our economy continues to recover from COVID-19.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Sedgwick County looking at budget challenges for 2022
Sedgwick County commissioners have been involved in a series of meetings during the past week with department leaders, hearing about their funding needs for 2022. After the past year of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, County Manager Tom Stolz says the county will face challenges next year with employee compensation, workforce and staffing challenges, and stressed operations in criminal justice, first responders and the mental health system. Stolz said the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney and District Court are having workforce challenges and operational challenges with backlogs that the pandemic has made worse.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Osage County deputies recognized as life savers for heroic efforts
Monday, May 10, 2021, during the Osage County Commission meeting, Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells presented commendation bars and Life Saving Awards to sheriff’s deputies Cory Hamilton, Christian Moran, and Clayton Hartpence. Wells described the incident that occurred Feb. 25, 2021, in which Hamilton and Moran responded to a report of a non-responsive person at a residence in Scranton, Kan. Deputies, Osage County EMS, and Scranton first responders were dispatched to the scene, but Hamilton and Moran were the first to arrive. … “The quick response and immediate actions by deputies Hamilton and Moran resulted in this selfless act of saving of a human life,” Wells said as he presented the awards to the deputies. “A failure to act or action after delay could have led to a tragic outcome.”
Source: Osage County Online
Lawrence and Topeka mayors are hitting the road – to learn from Arkansas
Topeka and Lawrence have been flirting with each other for decades. “Lawrence put a ring on it,” said Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla after singing her version of “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé. De La Isla’s version of the song was encouraging all the “single cities” in northeast Kansas to get together, which is happening as De La Isla and Lawrence Mayor Brad Finkeldei prepare for a road trip. The two mayors were joined by members of the Lawrence Chamber and the Greater Topeka Partnership to announce a joint trip to learn from the Arkansas cities of Bentonville, Fayetteville and Rogers. Those three cities could be an educational guide for how Lawrence and Topeka can grow together like the northwest Arkansas region has, multiple speakers said at Thursday’s joint news conference.
Source: CJonline.com.
Scott County ranks No. 3 in median income
Johnson County and the urban northeast corner of Kansas have built a reputation for being one of the wealthiest zip codes in the nation. While there’s money in technology and the related industry, Kansas is still an agricultural state, so it should be no surprise that one can also find high-income counties much farther to the west. Scott County is in the No. 3 spot in Kansas when it comes to median income, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Median income – which is the mid-point and not average – for Scott County is $80,900 per household. That compares with $86,600 in the Kansas City metro area and No. 2 Douglas County (Lawrence) at $84,500. “Because we’re the No. 2 ag producing county in the state, we’ve consistently ranked very high when it comes to household income,” says Katie Eisenhour, director of the Scott County Development Committee.
Source: Scott County Record.
Topeka & Lawrence teaming up with ‘Stronger Together’ prosperity partnership
The City of Topeka and the City of Lawrence will team up under a new effort called “Stronger Together” which will explore ways the cities can prosper together, the Greater Topeka Partnership announced Thursday. The announcement came at a 1:30 p.m. press event at the GTP’s downtown Topeka offices. The two cities will look into more collaboration and opportunities to benefit the public in both areas. As the first step in this partnership, GTP said Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla, Lawrence Mayor Brad Finkeldei, Greater Topeka Partnership CEO Matt Pivarnik and Lawrence Chamber of Commerce CEO Bonnie Lowe will all travel together to Arkansas to learn about how the three cities of Bentonville, Fayetteville and Rogers work together there.
Source: KSNT News
Wind Surge, city leaders call home opener success
The City of Wichita and the Wichita Wind Surge said the team’s Tuesday home opener at Riverfront Stadium was a big success, despite the team’s loss. The Wind Surge lost Tuesday to Amarillo’s Sod Poodles in the first game of a six game series. Organizers said Wednesday that the ballgame saw nearly 8,000 people in attendance and nearly sold out the stadium. “We’re just so excited to get to do it again tonight and tomorrow,” said Katie Woods, the marketing director for the Wind Surge. Woods said the team had spent months of planning, and brought more than 400 workers in on the day of the game to ensure opening night was a success. The team tackled the coronavirus pandemic with new guidelines like masks, social distancing recommendations and even a cashless system for purchases. “That’s a big balance,” said Woods. “We really want to make sure people have a good time, but we want to keep all of our fans safe and healthy.”
Source: KAKE – News
Legislature may not have the right to tell Sedgwick County how to spend its COVID aid
The state Legislature wants Sedgwick County to turn over about $35 million to compensate businesses for restrictions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the county may not have to, officials say. Senate Bill 273, passed early Saturday morning in the final hours of the legislative session, would require the county to set aside 35% of its funding from the American Rescue Plan Act for a state-run business compensation program. The county will receive about $100 million through ARPA, meaning it would need to set aside about $35 million of that, said county Chief Financial Officer Lindsay Poe Rousseau. But new federal regulations governing the spending of ARPA funds conflict with the state’s plan, said Justin Waggoner, the assistant county counselor who’s handled most of the issues involving the pandemic. “The federal guidance came out earlier this week,” Waggoner said. “I think the Reader’s Digest version is . . . the regulations and guidance says that states cannot dictate to municipalities how they can spend ARPA funding.”
Source: Wichita Eagle.
Municipal Bond Trends for May 12, 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.
Burrton third graders bring local history to life
A group of third graders at Burrton Elementary School are turning into quite the young history buffs. They can spout off names, dates and other facts about their town history that they’ve been learning, recently. The students just finished building a model representing downtown Burrton in the late 1800s and early 1900s. “We tried to make buildings about where they were, but we learned that there were fires, so some of these buildings maybe weren’t in a certain spot after the fire happened, but it’s pretty true to it,” teacher Michelle Armendariz said.
Source: Harvey County Now
Topeka’s JEDO approves more than $5.8 million dollars for Downtown Topeka Innovation campus
Topeka’s Joint Economic Development Organization board approved a project that is estimated to produce 20-40 full-time jobs to the capital city. The board approved up to $5.871 million to develop and build an innovation campus in downtown Topeka. JEDO will partner with BioRealty, Inc. According to Katrin Bridges, SVP of innovation at GO Toepka, the campus will have world-class facilities which will include wet labs, co-working and meeting spaces, office space for launching business research and innovation and even a rooftop space for events. It will be a 60,000-70,000 square foot facility. The total estimated cost of the campus is around $13 million.
Source: KSNT News
Manhattan talks changes to sidewalk, easement regulations
The construction of encroachments into public easements will no longer be permitted, according to the newly created Manhattan Development Code. The topic came up during the Manhattan City Commission meeting Tuesday, during which officials discussed proposed changes to subdivision standards. “When we have utility failures or need maintenance for a utility line and there are fences in the way or all sorts of other things in the way of our utility easements, it becomes a costly and cumbersome process for both the city and those homeowners and business owners,” Chad Bunger, assistant director of community development for the City of Manhattan, said. He says the policy likely will not apply to currently existing structures, at least for now.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Land use law expert affirms City of Golden petition is valid
A petition to establish the city of “Golden” in Miami County has gained another level of validation as the county moves closer to the June 23 public hearing on the matter. The Miami County Clerk’s Office verified that the petition, filed April 9, had enough valid signatures to meet the state statutory requirement. County commissioners wanted to ensure the document also met all other statutory requirements before going through a hearing process — to avoid the potential for a legal challenge to the petition’s validity in the future. The County Commission sought the legal services of a Topeka attorney who specializes in land use law and has more than 25 years of experience working with cities and counties in Kansas on a range of topics such as annexation, planning and zoning issues and others.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
City of Topeka dropping mask requirement on May 17
The City of Topeka is dropping its mask requirement in city buildings, a spokeswoman said Monday. The new rule allowing people to go into city buildings without a mask takes effect May 17. The new rule excludes the municipal court, which will still require masks, according to the City of Topeka. The new rule takes effect the same day that Kansas State University is also loosening its mask rules. K-State will require masks inside campus buildings, but anyone who is fully vaccinated can drop their mask while outside.
Source: KSNT News
Kansas School Districts Find Ditching Offensive Mascots Costs Money
What does it cost a school district to change an offensive mascot? Some Kansas schools are starting to find out. Wichita school board members voted in February to get rid of the controversial Redskins mascot at North High School. They learned recently that replacing athletic uniforms, painting over a gym floor and retrofitting the marching band could cost upward of $400,000.
Source: KCUR News
The pros and cons of county-wide zoning
County officials continue to debate the pros and cons of county-wide zoning. On May 4, Bourbon County Commissioners and County Counselor Justin Meeks discussed flood plains, free will, and the differences between zoning and codes enforcement. … Citizen Michael Hoyt said there are remedies for building in a flood plain. “I ‘m very opinionated when it comes to codes in rural America,” Meeks said. “There is a very fine line between growth and wanting growth to happen and limiting it … We don’t want anyone to die in a fire or have a structural problem with a new build. Sometimes sprinkler systems in a 200-year-old building are very expensive.”
Source: Fort Scott Tribune
Municipal Bond Trends for May 11, 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.
Teen COVID rate doubles rest of Kansas as FDA approves Pfizer vaccine for ages 12-15
Kansas teenagers, who have the highest COVID-19 case and test positivity rates in the state, may now get vaccinated. The Food and Drug Administration on Monday amended the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to allow children ages 12 to 15 years old to get vaccinated. The two-shot mRNA vaccine already had emergency approval for people 16 and older. “Today’s action allows for a younger population to be protected from COVID-19, bringing us closer to returning to a sense of normalcy and to ending the pandemic,” Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock said in a statement. “Parents and guardians can rest assured that the agency undertook a rigorous and thorough review of all available data, as we have with all of our COVID-19 vaccine emergency use authorizations.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
State Announces Rural Highway Funding
The state has announced 16 counties have received approximately $8.5 million through the Kansas High Risk Rural Roads, or HRRR Program. The HRRR program is a state/local partnership designed to improve safety on off-system rural roads. This year’s HRRR selections include 16 counties with total projects costs of $11 million. When Coronavirus Relief Funds and Highway Infrastructure Program funds became available earlier this year, the Kansas Department of Transportation was able to distribute twice the funds typically available for HRRR annually. Kansas HRRR funds cover 90-100 percent of total project cost, with the counties making up the difference if required.
Source: WIBW News Now
Wind Surge to begin play at Wichita’s new stadium
After a delay of just over a year caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wichita Wind Surge baseball team will finally play its first game in the new Riverfront Stadium. The Wind Surge will begin a series with Amarillo at 7:05 p.m. There will be some special activities for the home opener, including a tribute to the team’s late owner, Lou Schwechheimer. A portrait of Schwechheimer was unveiled at the stadium on Monday, and it was commissioned by Emprise Bank and painted by local artist John Oehm. The team’s senior vice president and general manager, Jared Forma, told KFDI News that the team is excited to begin play in Wichita. The team opened its season with a series at Springfield, Missouri, winning five out of six games.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Kansas has administered more than 2 million COVID-19 shots
Kansas reports that more than 2 million coronavirus vaccine shots have been administered in the state, as the federal government detailed plans to distribute nearly $1 billion in aid to Kansas cities and counties. The state health department said Monday that nearly 1.15 million people or 39.5% of the state’s population had received at least one vaccine shot. Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Department spelled out for the first time how it would distribute a majority of aid Kansas expects to receive from a federal coronavirus relief measure that became law in March. The aid includes $566 million to counties and $427 million for cities. Health officials reported 345 new cases of COVID-19 in Kansas, for a total of 310,927 for the pandemic. No new deaths were reported, and the state’s death count remains at 5,016. Sedgwick County reported 36 new cases since Sunday, with no new deaths. The county has a positive testing rate of 4.6 percent.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Kansas lawmakers approve bill to allow to-go sales of beer and cocktails
The state that made saloon smasher Carrie Nation famous is moving to allow people to get beer and cocktails to go after the coronavirus pandemic. Kansas lawmakers last week approved a bill to allow to-go beer and alcoholic drinks from clubs, bars and restaurants until 11 p.m., as long as the drinks are in sealed containers and clear bags that discourage tampering. The measure is headed to Gov. Laura Kelly after both chambers approved it Friday. It continues a policy Kelly set by executive order in April 2020 when Kansas was under a statewide stay-at-home order and that remained in effect through March.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI