Kansas Municipal News
Neodesha Fire/EMS Department awarded grant for new equipment
The Neodesha Fire/EMS Department will be using some new equipment. The department recently got their hands on a new X-series defibrillator/heart monitor. The unit cost $35,000, and half the cost was covered by a Kansas Revolving and Assistance Fund (KRAF) grant. Around two percent of money paid on a speeding ticket or fine goes into this grant fund. The department applied for the grant through their local region, and it was awarded to them by the Kansas Board of EMS. Lieutenant Paramedic Landon Woodward says the equipment was badly needed.
(Read more: KSNF/KODE)
Shawnee County taxpayers take over ownership of Great Overland Station
Shawnee County is paying $1 to take over ownership of the iconic Great Overland Station in North Topeka. At their meeting this morning, commissioners voted accept a transfer of ownership of the Great Overland Station from Railroad Heritage, Inc. The building is valued at more than $5 million and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Union Pacific Railroad Passenger Depot. Built in 1927 as the Union Pacific Railroad Station, Great Overland Station now serves as a museum, as well as a special event and meeting venue. “RHI felt that with the planned riverfront park, it was natural for Great Overland Station to be operated by Shawnee County Parks + Recreation,” said Bill Riphahn, county commissioner. “We would like to continue and enhance our business relationships with the NOTO Arts District on Kansas Ave.”
(Read more: KSNT News)
Chicago adds Kansas to emergency travel order
Kansas has been added to Chicago’s mandatory travel quarantine order. According to the city’s website, travelers from Kansas will have to quarantine for two weeks upon traveling to Chicago. It will take effect on Friday. During a press conference Tuesday Dr. Allison Award said that Wisconsin could be added to the list as soon as next week.’ There are 17 other states covered by the order…
(Read more: KAKE – News)
49th Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield is postponed until September 2021
Officials from the Walnut Valley Association have announced that the 49th Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield will be postponed until September 2021, according to a news release Thursday afternoon. WVA has been closely monitoring CDC and WHO recommendations related to mass gatherings and took this decision after communicating with local public health and city officials. For those who have purchased tickets for the 49th Walnut Valley Festival, these tickets will be valid for entry in 2021 and patrons can expect a direct mailing with details. …Plans call for a series of virtual concerts and events to take place in September 2020…
(Read more: Sumner NewsCow)
Sedgwick County health officer to issue order closing bars, limiting gatherings to 15 people
Sedgwick County’s top health official says he will issue an order to shut down bars and clubs to help control the spread of COVID-19. Dr. Garold Minns, county health officer, said during Tuesday’s county commission meeting that the order would also close eating establishments that serve alcohol at 10 p.m. each day, cancel all fairs, parades and festivals, and limit gatherings to 15 people. Businesses would also need to enforce social distancing of customers. He first spoke of these measures as recommendations, but when council member Lacey Cruse asked him whether he’d be issuing the order, Dr. Minns said, “Yes, I am.” The order would be in effect until September 9. The commission can make changes to the order or vote against it. Dr. Minns said the order would not affect schools, licensed day cares or religious institutions.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
CarMax will hire 150 more employees in Olathe, doubling 1-year-old office’s staffing
CarMax Inc. is ready to accelerate through and past its desired employee count at its Customer Experience Center in Olathe. One year ago, the Virginia-based auto retailer (NYSE: KMX) opened the company’s second stand-alone contact center in a 39,000-square-foot space at 17300 W. 119th St. At the time, it said the facility would create approximately 300 jobs. Now, as part of a drive to fill more than 750 open positions nationwide, the Olathe site is expected to grow quickly from 230 to 380 employees.
(Read more: Kansas City Business Journal)
Roeland Park enters agreement with JoCo for work release program
The Roeland Park City Council earlier this month unanimously approved an agreement into enter a work release program with Johnson County. People incarcerated in relation to municipal offenses can now participate in the work release program, which reduces city expenses, according to city documents. Police Chief John Morris said the city has very few people who are in jail for long periods of time — typically maxed out at two days — so someone in the work release program would be a more serious offender.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Gov. Kelly signs order mandating masks in schools
Gov. Laura Kelly has signed an executive order that mandates the use of masks in schools, daily temperature checks and hand sanitizer in each classroom. That order mandates that all students, faculty and staff and vendors entering a school building wear a face covering. Exceptions to wearing a mask include when consuming food, during activities where it isn’t safe to wear a face covering and persons with medical or mental health conditions and those with a disability.
(Read more: State Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Flint Hills project hopes to ’reclaim’ the prairie
According to Susan Mayo of the newly formed Flint Hills Counterpoint, the tall grass prairie is "the most decimated ecosystem in North America." That’s why the rural Peabody resident has teamed up with documentary filmmaker Cyan Meeks to form Flint Hills Counterpoint. "The Flint Hills can latch onto that idea and what it means in their head," Mayo said. "It is one of the few places that has tall grass prairie. …
(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)
Historic Sperry property features wildlife in the Pittsburg
Dr. Ted Sperry married Dr. Gladys Galligar in 1935, and in 1946 took a job at Pittsburg State University in southeast Kansas. Three years later the pair of biology professors — notably memorialized today in the name of the local Sperry-Galligar Audubon Society — bought a one-acre lot on South College Street and named it "Paradocs."
(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)
Wichita warns bars to follow mask ordinance or liquor license could be in jeopardy
Bar owners should consider themselves warned. “Without complying with the mask ordinance you do put your liquor license in jeopardy,” said Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple on Monday. “So we should be seeing a tapering off of the numbers and a downward trend, but for that to happen we do need people, businesses and also individuals to take the mask ordinance seriously.”
(Read more: KSN-TV)
MHK Safe and Open brings community together in fight against coronavirus
The City of Manhattan is working to bring together the Little Apple community in the fight against coronavirus with an initiative known as MHK Safe and Open. The project targets three groups.
Businesses can take the pledge and help communicate to their customers that they’re working to make the community safer with their cleaning practices and use of masks. Community organizations can do the same…. To sign up and take the pledge, just go to MHKSafeandOpen.org.
(Read more: KSNT News)
Municipal Bond Trends for July 20, 2020
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.
Municipal Bond Trends for July 17, 2020
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.
In Johnson County 90,000 request mail ballot, more than all votes cast in 2016 primary
About 90,000 Johnson County voters have requested mail-in ballots ahead of the Aug. 4 primary election. That’s more than the total number of votes cast in the 2016 primary, officials said. And a record number of residents — more than 430,000 — have registered to vote, said county spokeswoman Lori Sand. “The response has been phenomenal. It’s more than we would have estimated, definitely. So we think our voter turnout is going to be a record-setter for this election,” said Johnson County Election Commissioner Connie Schmidt.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
Ellinwood celebrates with annual 47th After Harvest Festival
There may not have been a parade, but Ellinwood residents found ways to celebrate this past weekend with the 47th annual After Harvest Festival. There were concerts and comedy, contests and collections of memorabilia Thursday through Saturday. Events included the “Through the Years” display at the School/Community Library. The Museum of Ellinwood had a dairy exhibit, country kitchen exhibit, “Children’s Toys Through the Ages” and a Boys Scout-Girls Scout exhibit. The Historic Wolf Hotel brought in an adult comedy show and concerts. There was also a free concert at the American Legion Post 320 and the Kansas Sidewinders Motorcycle Club held an open house/beer garden. Naturally, there were multiple options to sample local food.
(Read more: Great Bend Tribune)
How will rural schools fair this upcoming school year?
COVID-19 has hit the school system hard. Remote learning, concerns about safety, and now delays. Ingalls Schools is a Pre-K through 12 school system with nearly 250 students. As the upcoming school year quickly approaches, they are preparing to have students in the classrooms come September. Extra wash stations, social distancing, and new cleaning units to fog classrooms are just a few ways the district is preparing. They also plan to disinfect rooms after every class and clean busses after every route. “We will have a plan where the kids will wash their hands every hour,” said Randy Rockhold, superintendent of Ingalls Schools. Their goal is to keep kids safely in school. But that safety does come with a price. The school could expect upwards of nearly $218,000 in expenses.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Big Brutus – the world’s largest electric coal mining shovel
A massive piece of equipment, hidden in a small southeast Kansas town, is a symbol of the area’s rich mining history. Its size and force were the talk of the town for decades. And now it’s an interactive museum that tens of thousands from across the globe visit each year. Big Brutus is the largest electric mining shovel still standing in the United States. The behemoth machine is located in West Mineral, Kansas.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Pretty Prairie brings in the best
Since before World War II, in 1936, there has been a rodeo in Pretty Prairie, Kansas. Known as Kansas Largest Night Rodeo, the rodeo in this rural Kansas town has hosted many greats. But this year, because of COVID-19, more high-profile contestants threw their hat in the ring. With an entry of more than 550 contestants, Pretty Prairie doubled their roster – and brought in world-ranked contestants.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Topeka rally seeks to ’bridge gap’ between citizens, law enforcement
Police officers currently need all the help they can get, Lisa Baker-Zirbel said Saturday. So she said she considered it important for her to take part in a rally held that day to show support for law enforcement in front of Topeka’s City Hall at 215 S.E. 7th. “We call on them in our times of need,” Baker-Zirbel said. “This is their time of need, and I believe that we need to give back. About 40 people took part in Saturday’s peaceful “#SilentNoMore!” rally.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)
Mission approves drone ordinance outlining regulations for public and private spaces
The Mission City Council on Wednesday evening approved an unmanned aircraft systems, or drone ordinance that outlines rules and regulations throughout the city’s public and private spaces. …. The ordinance makes it illegal to operate a drone on public or private property without the owner’s consent. As long as operators comply with all other provisions — as well as city, state and federal regulations and laws — drones can be operated in a city-owned park.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Winfield looks to add electric vehicle charging stations
The City of Winfield, in partnership with the Kansas Power Pool, plans to install at least two public-use electric vehicle charging stations, Winfield City Manager Taggart Wall said Tuesday. The Level 2 charging stations will cost around $3,000 each. The city will pay for half the cost with electric utility funds, and the KPP will cover the other half, Wall said. The station locations are still being discussed, but will be placed in areas where they will most likely be used by travelers to Winfield.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)
Small Kansas town hit hard by COVID-19 pandemic
Logan, population about 540, and Phillips County are an illustration of rural America during the global coronavirus pandemic. For months, the county had managed to dodge the wrath of COVID-19, with only a handful of confirmed cases cropping up even as the large metropolitan counties saw them explode. County officials, believing the threat was minimal, lifted all restrictions at the end of May.
(Read more: Kansas City News)
Police chief talks about use of force
Use of force will never be eliminated from law enforcement because there will always be people who do not cooperate when being placed under arrest, but Leavenworth Police Chief Pat Kitchens said discussion about change is necessary and changes must come in a thoughtful and methodical manner. “We can change things. We can try to make it better,” Kitchens said, in a forum last week that focused on the Leavenworth Police Department’s use of force. The chief spent time during the forum reviewing the law and court decisions that guide use of force by law enforcement officers. He also reviewed the Leavenworth Police Department’s policy on use of force. He also answered questions from the audience.
(Read more: Dodge City Daily Globe)
Rural Economic Index Inches Upward
The rural economy in the middle of the country is not booming – but it’s moving upward. The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index, or RMI, increased in July. According to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy, July’s overall index climbed to 44.1, well below growth neutral, but up from June’s 37.9, and April’s record low 12.1. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with a reading of 50 representing growth neutral.
(Read more: WIBW News Now)
USDA Invests in Community Infrastructure in Independence, Kansas
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $7,200 for community infrastructure in the city of Independence. … The Independence Area Library District will use a $7,200 Community Facilities Grant to purchase new mobile book shelves, storage and extra seating for the Independence Public Library. The library was built in 1907 and expanded in 2007. Existing furniture is deteriorating and unsafe. The improvements announced today will help modernize the older portion of the facility, enhancing the children and teen areas, and allow more space for classes and large events.
Read more: USDA.
‘I’m scared to death’: KC area teachers worry if schools can be safe during COVID-19
Olathe teacher Amy Hillman said she was “given a gift” when Gov. Laura Kelly announced Kansas schools would stay closed until after Labor Day due to skyrocketing coronavirus cases. “These three weeks are giving us a leg up. It doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a lifetime for teachers,” said Hillman, a science teacher at Santa Fe Trail Middle School. Like other teachers, she has spent the summer taking online courses, learning how to use new technology and researching the virus — preparing to drastically transform her classroom for students returning during the worsening pandemic.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
Facebook deletes Butler County Health Department’s page
With everything going on during the coronavirus pandemic, the importance of fast and easy communication with the public is at an all-time high. For this, most turn platforms like Facebook, but for now, that’s no longer an option for the Butler County Health Department. “We’re just stunned and with what’s going on right now that is, you know, Facebook is our main means of communicating with our citizens,” said Jamie Downs, Administrator of the Butler County Health Department. Downs was shocked Wednesday when she saw a notification from Facebook saying it unpublished the county’s official health department page because it violated the company’s community standards policy.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Looming election challenge: Pandemic leads to influx of mail-in ballot requests
Widespread concern over catching coronavirus at polling places is setting the stage for a record-breaking election for votes by mail. To date, 272,794 advance ballots have been sent by mail compared to 3,046 in 2018. In Sedgwick County alone, the election office has received close to 50,000 requests for a ballot by mail for the primary compared to a total of 8,100 for the 2016 primary. With thousands more choosing to send in votes, Kansas counties are scrambling to bring in enough election workers to count the ballots by hand.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Pandemic increasing substitute shortage in Kansas schools
School superintendents say substitute teachers are always hard to come by, but this year some districts say that problem is getting worse thanks to the pandemic. Retired teacher Brenda Groat enjoyed seeing the kids at school, especially during passing period at the middle school where she taught. “Generally, that’s a really good time and fun to watch,” Groat said. That’s why she became a substitute teacher, but she says with the pandemic, not this year.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Send in the clowns
Along with exceptional athleticism, rodeos bring joy to onlookers. This year’s Kansas Largest Night Rodeo in Pretty Prairie is no exception. National rodeo stars John Harrison and Wacey Munsell, along with newcomer Jacob Welker of Pretty Prairie, helped bring joy and suspense to rodeo onlookers. Harrison, this year’s barrelman, taunted the bulls from his barrel, which was positioned close to the chutes. “He’s gone. You can stop now,” Harrison said as a bull took off past him, causing the pickup men — mounted cowboys — to spend several minutes trying to get the bull back to the pen. On his way, the bull, Rock ’em Sock ’em, gave Harrison’s barrel a little nudge.
(Read more: Kansas Agland – The Hutchinson News)
12 ways to celebrate Wichita’s 150th birthday
It’s not the sesquicentennial celebration many people and organizations envisioned, but even a global pandemic can’t stop the city of Wichita and Sedgwick County from turning 150 years old. Tuesday, July 21 is the city’s official birthday while the county first elected officials earlier in 1870. There is one toned-down event that survived restrictions on gatherings intended to slow the spread of COVID-19 along with several date-specific activities still on the calendar to celebrate the 150th. There also are other ways to commemorate the milestone when and how you’re comfortable.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)
Parsons seeks more businesses to apply for COVID-19 grants
City officials hope that a deadline extension will spur more businesses to apply for COVID-19 relief grants. Labette County and the city of Parsons received $132,000 each in a special disbursement of Community Development Block Grant funding. The county also has about $67,000 left from a 1999 business loan program that will be added to the grants. The money is allocated for reimbursement of expenses to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 50 businesses expressed interest in receiving grant money, but only 18 qualified businesses had applied before the July 8 deadline, Laura Moore, community development director, said. Eleven others applied but either weren’t eligible to receive funding or decided against it. Fifty-one businesses that expressed interest hadn’t responded to inquiries from the city as of Tuesday morning.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
Erie moves to buy the town’s only grocery store
The city of Erie is moving forward with the purchase of the town’s only grocery store. … The city has been considering the possible acquisition of the store since last summer after the Mahurins introduced the proposal. The Mahurins haven’t been able to find a buyer for the store, and the council wants to prevent the store from closing. An economic development committee negotiated a deal with the Mahurins to pay the couple $300,000 for the building and fixtures, plus inventory value at the time of the sale and 0.5% of gross sales for 10 years.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
Local Leaders Racing Against the Economic Impact of COVID
Like Mayor Panto’s municipality, 74% of municipalities in the United States have already been forced to make unavoidable cuts and adjustments. It has been more than six months since the COVID-19 pandemic hit our country. With the economy at risk, the National League of Cities (NLC) reached out to its members with an opportunity to share how the pandemic impacted the fiscal budgets of cities, towns, and villages. Many cities, towns, and villages’ fiscal budgets rely on tax revenues. But with closing businesses and social life adjusting to a new reality, local leaders face unprecedented challenges to protect the future of their local economies.
(Read more: CitiesSpeak)
Shawnee County sees uptick in advance ballots, hopes to recruit more election workers
With less than three weeks until the Aug. 4 primary election in Kansas, Shawnee County is seeing an uptick in the number of advanced ballots being requested locally. According to Shawnee County election commissioner Andrew Howell, his office had received more than 11,000 advance ballot requests as of Wednesday. He said that number is close to exceeding the volume of requests fielded by his office during the entire election season of 2018. “It’s early in the process, but it’s definitely up,” Howell said. He hasn’t yet heard many county residents voice concerns about in-person voting this year but said a few people have told him they requested advance ballots because they preferred not to go to the polls with COVID-19 cases on the rise.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)
Storm cleanup in Oswego could take a month
Oswego city crews and others continued the cleanup Monday in Oswego from Saturday’s storm that brought large hail and high, sustained winds that toppled trees and snapped others 20 feet in the air. No injuries were reported, but four to 10 homes may have been destroyed. That assessment is still in progress, according to Oswego Mayor Daniel Chapman. The high wind, estimated between 70 mph and 100 mph, came from a possible microburst, which is a large column of sinking air (a downdraft) from a thunderstorm.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
County officials want better information on hospital capacity as part of COVID-19 reporting
As Johnson County’s cases of COVID-19 continue to increase, county commissioners expressed alarm that information on hospital bed capacity is inaccurate. Commissioners have been asking about a change in hospital data reporting procedures for weeks, but that took on a new urgency Thursday as Public Health Director Sanmi Areola, PhD, reported the positive test results have been increasing exponentially. The county had 920 new cases in the first ten days of July, compared with 848 for the entire month of June, Areola said. That increase cannot be attributed to more tests conducted, he said, noting that the percentage of tests that were positive is now 5.9%, compared with 2% during the shelter-in-place.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Following council’s review of Lenexa police use-of-force policy, city staff to draft joint statement on racial justice
Following a review of the Lenexa Police Department’s use of force policy, the Lenexa City Council expressed interest in a city staff-drafted racial justice statement. As Johnson County cities have begun conversations about racism, City Manager Beccy Yocham asked the city council if it was interested in a joint statement on racial justice. Cities in northeast Johnson County — such as Fairway, Prairie Village, Mission and Roeland Park — have either passed or are in the middle of conversations about similar statements and actions. Councilmember Courtney Eiterich said as a mother to a black son, she wanted to discuss a potential statement and how the city council can include equity in all of its policy considerations. She asked the city council to commit to conversations about race, to stand up for injustices and to listen to people of color without making judgements.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
County ups ante in wind farm road dispute
Who’s responsible for the weather is a key element of what’s likely to be a major lawsuit between the county and its northern wind farm. County commissioners contend Diamond Vista is obligated to make $473,020 worth of road repairs. The wind farm contends some of the damage was caused by weather and not their responsibility. Commissioners consider storm damage to be an expected part of Kansas weather and the wind farm’s responsibility. After nearly an hour in executive session with lawyers, commissioners voted unanimously Monday to have staff prepare documents seeking to collect road repair money from Diamond Vista wind farm.
(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)
Municipal Bond Trends for July 16, 2020
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.
Sheriff Brian Hill receives Administrator of the Year award
Sheriff Brian Hill walked into the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office lobby Thursday morning surprised to see the room filled with friends and family who were all there to celebrate him becoming Administrator of the Year. Hill was chosen by the Kansas State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police as the recipient of this year’s award, and to say he was surprised would be an understatement. “I’m really at a loss for words,” Hill said. “I wasn’t expecting this.” Even as Hill received his award, he gave credit to the members of his staff, both civilian and law enforcement.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)
Governor Kelly Announces More Than $6 Million in Federal Funding to Respond to Coronavirus
Governor Laura Kelly has announced $6,202,603 in grant awards to state and local jurisdictions in preventing, preparing for and responding to the coronavirus, as well as funds to support families impacted by domestic violence. “My administration continues to work to ensure Kansans and the communities impacted by COVID-19 have the resources they need to fight the spread of the virus,” Governor Kelly said. “These grants are thorough and purposeful examples of how we can direct funds across the state, especially to some of our possibly overlooked areas in need. We know domestic violence is an issue that has been amplified by the pandemic, and this funding will provide support services to those who need them the most.”
(Read more: KRSL Russell Radio)
Three possible learning options for Wichita students come Fall
The Wichita School Board said today nothing is final, but revealed more about their current learning opportunities available for students and parents. Each family will get to decide what works best for them. There are three options. On-site learning: this is in-person classes, but with a few changes…like social distancing, and mask-wearing. My SCHOOL remote: students will take the same hour to hour classes but online. Board officials said some classes may require in-person attendance. Education Imagine Academy: a fully virtual school that provides flexibility in school hours. Depending on what you choose, you likely won’t get the chance to switch until the semester ends. After speaking with parents, they said they are concerned about the teachers who will be in the front lines
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Layoffs confirmed at Kansas Star Casino
The Kansas Star Casino confirmed Tuesday it is moving forward with permanent layoffs. Boyd gaming would not say how many employees are affected, but in May it issued a Warn Act saying it could range from 25-percent to 60-percent of staff. Kansas Star Casino files plans for possible layoffs The company said the layoffs are at the lower end of the range they announced in May. In an email Tuesday, Boyd Gaming stated, “Given these ongoing challenges and continued uncertainty, we are moving forward with permanent layoffs of team members who were still on furlough and had not been recalled to work. These layoffs are at the lower end of the range outlined in the WARN Act letters issued in May. We are notifying affected team members as expeditiously as we can.”
(Read more: KSN-TV)