Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Low Rates Could Get Even Lower, Senior Central Bankers Warn

The already low level of interest rates in the U.S. and the rest of the industrial world could fall further, three senior central bankers said on Sunday.

Speaking at the American Economic Association’s annual meeting, Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams, European Central Bank chief economist Philip Lane, and Bank of England Deputy Governor Ben Broadbent all saw a possibility that so-called R star — the neutral level of interest rates that neither spurs nor restricts growth in their economies — might drop in the future.

“You could see R star go lower because of demographics,” Williams told the audience in San Diego.

(Read more: Bloomberg)

Ellis County grateful for Corridor work

Northwest Business Corridor, a $10.8 million project that became a reality in early November when Ellis County got word it had won a U.S. Department of Transportation grant, was celebrated recently and officials thanked for their efforts.

We look forward to this,” said Ellis County public works director Bill Ring last week, one of many thanking Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran for $6.5 million in federal highway money to build a Northwest Business Corridor around Hays. “We have a lot of what’s called superloads. It’s a couple-of-hundred feet long and it weighs 567,000 pounds. There’s two of those came through last week.”

Moran presented the Ellis County commissioners with an oversized cardboard check facsimile from the DOT.

Commission Chair Dean Haselhorst recalled the phone call from Moran in early November informing him Ellis County’s application had won the highly competitive BUILD grant.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Company may get office space in city building

A new engineering firm may move into a city of Parsons building.
During Monday evening’s regular meeting, the city commission will consider a one-year lease on office space in the Business Incubator Center in Industrial Park No. 1.
Jim Zaleski, economic development director, is proposing the lease for Project Automation Group. Rent would be waived for the first six months of the lease, and the fledgling company would pay $200 for the remainder of the lease, which would begin on Feb. 1. The lease could be extended for an additional year.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Far-reaching boundaries for proposed stadium CID in Wichita include sites for future development

The City Council on Tuesday will consider establishing a Community Improvement District that will help pay for the construction of the $75-million downtown baseball stadium — the future home of the minor-league Wichita Wind Surge.

The boundaries for the proposed CID, which reach far beyond the site of the under-construction stadium, reveal more about where the city hopes to create new economic growth in the area.

If approved Tuesday, there will be an extra 2-percent sales tax added to purchases made within the district.

(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)

END OF AN ERA: Mayor Longwell reflects on his service to Wichita

25 years – that’s how long Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell has served in local politics. In a few short short days, his time in office will come to an end.

He considers his biggest accomplishment during his tenure the city’s economic growth. “We had 100 of thousands of square feet of downtown buildings that were vacant. That’s not the case anymore,” he said.

In 2015, Longwell took on the role of mayor for his hometown. Over the years he has seen the city grow but he says his favorite part was downtown. He said, “It’s not just for events there are people living down here, there are people that are coming and going, and walking the streets. And seeing just a real energy that hasn’t been around for a long time.”

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Frenzy in Muni Bonds Projected to Continue in 2020

Investors are heading into this year still eager for municipal bonds after a 2019 buying binge supercharged returns.
High-income households looking for tax relief drove record inflows into muni-bond mutual funds last year, with the S&P Municipal Bond Index up 7.26% during the 12 months ended Dec. 31.
Some analysts project that muni-bond mutual funds will continue that growth in 2020.
…
In addition to investor demand, a lack of issuance from cities and states has also driven up prices. Following a decade of tight government budgets and new limitations on borrowing, tax-exempt debt outstanding fell slightly in the roughly $4 trillion bond market.
…
Expectations of continued low rates around the world have left investors willing to pay handsomely for muni bonds, including those that don’t throw off tax-exempt interest.
“The market is shrinking against really strong demand,” said David Hammer, head of municipal bond portfolio management at Pacific Investment Management Co.

Treasury bond rates decline Friday morning after deadly U.S. strike against Iran general

U.S. Treasury yields tumbled on Friday after an American drone strike on Iran general Qassem Soleimani raised worries of a U.S. conflict against the Middle East military powerhouse.

The 10-year Treasury note yield slipped 7.3 basis points to 1.809%, while the 2-year note rate was down 4 basis points to 1.535%. The 30-year bond yield retreated 7.4 basis points to 2.266%. Bond prices move in the opposite direction of yields.

Geopolitical risk came to the fore again at the beginning of this year after news reports said President Donald Trump had ordered the assassination of Soleimani in Baghdad, Iraq. Soleimani was the leading commander of Iranian military operations in Syria and Iraq, and his death is expected to escalate tensions in the Middle East.

Municipal Bond Trends for January 2, 2019

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 Advisors.

Would it be worth spending public money to boost Lawrence’s live music scene? Some in the industry want to discuss it

For some of us, boosting Lawrence’s music scene — especially this time of year — involves looking for our symphonic version of “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” But these days, some local music leaders are looking to make even more noise than that.

I had a chance to sit down with two of the larger music promoters in Lawrence recently, and it became clear that they hope to start a conversation about more public funding for live music in Lawrence.

“Let’s think about what we can do if we had $100,000,” said Josh Hunt, co-owner of Lawrence-based Mammoth Live, a production company that books shows in Lawrence, Kansas City and the broader region. “We could do some real game-changing events in downtown.”

Douglas County to launch drug court program on Thursday

A new court focused on helping people overcome substance abuse is set to begin operating this week.

Douglas County will launch its drug court on Thursday by taking referrals for the program, county officials told the Journal-World on Monday. Shannon Bruegge, who will serve as the drug court’s probation officer, said she was excited to get to work to help local residents.

“It’s been the most rewarding for me to see entire families or an individual’s life change,” said Bruegge, who has worked in community corrections for about 25 years. “We hope to help a lot of folks find a different way to live life and live at their fullest potential possible.”

Horton’s medical future still murky

The people of Horton are waiting for word from Atchison Hospital on its intentions for their closed local medical center.

In March, Horton Community Hospital shut its doors after failing to meet various financial obligations, including employee payroll. Up until that time, it had served as an essential bastion of emergency medical services for southern Brown County, the only center capable of grappling with significant medical emergencies within a drive of at least 20 minutes.

Atchison Hospital purchased the land and facilities associated with the closed hospital at auction earlier this month in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ahead of Horton Community Hospital bankruptcy proceedings, which are expected to continue evolving, Atchison Hospital said it will decline for now to comment on its intentions with its $245,000 purchase. A judge is expected to rule on whether or not the acquisition can go forward on Thursday.

(Read more: Hiawatha World Online)

‘I would love to be a public servant in the future.’ These classes will help

The Johnson County Citizens Academy allows a handful of residents an up-close chance to see how county works each year.

The program is relatively new. Started in 2016 by Aaron Otto, who at the time was an assistant to the county manager, the program’s goals include making citizens better informed about county services and increasing the number of residents who want to be part of local boards and councils.

“There can be a disconnect between local government and residents. I think that this works on lessening that gap — that disconnect,” said Kiley Heine, an intern with the county manager’s office. “It’s also really important that taxpayers are understanding where their money is going and what the government is doing with their money.”

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

City administrator explains Sedgwick’s hesitation with Redbarn Farms

At the last city council meeting, a lengthy discussion between the council and Dru and Dean Held, Redbarn Farms developers, stalled when a motion by council member Randi Tolin failed for a lack of a second.

Council members stated that they weren’t comfortable with the risks and hadn’t been able to read all of the documentation ahead of time, due to e-mail issues and files that wouldn’t open.

“It’s a lot of information taken at one time and I don’t think that they were able to get a clear understanding of the risk parameters,” City Administrator Joe Turner said about the meeting. “I think that’s where some of the reservations come from. So, I just think that was a little bit overwhelming.”

To this point, the city has only had to take baby steps that required little to no risk as they’ve walked beside the Helds and their dream to build five new houses in Sedgwick.

(Read more: Harvey County Now)

Longtime local lawyer: Topeka experiencing ‘a renaissance’

Topeka attorney Jerry Palmer says Topeka is experiencing “a renaissance,” with things here being as upbeat today as they have been in his entire 50-plus years in practice.

“It just feels like there’s an energy in the community,” he said.

Palmer spoke with The Topeka Capital-Journal on Thursday, the 40th anniversary of the founding on Jan. 2, 1980, of Topeka’s Palmer Law Group, formerly known as Palmer, Leatherman, White, Girard and Van Dyk.

Palmer began his law career in 1966 after graduating from the University of Kansas Law School in Lawrence. He said he has seen a lot of change during his time in Topeka, with some of the high points in recent years being:

Chemical spill in Neosho River causes Humboldt to shut down water plant

The city of Humboldt in southeast Kansas asked residents in a public notice Thursday afternoon to conserve water.

“Due to a chemical spill in the Neosho River, the City of Humboldt will not be processing water until the threat has passed,” the notice said. “… Please do not fill containers. Limit water use to essential use. The water in our water towers is safe but in limited supply.”

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said in a news release that the conservation notice includes Allen County Rural Water Districts 9 and 10. The Humboldt Water Plant shut its intake down on Wednesday “as a precaution following possible contamination to the Neosho River,” KDHE officials said.

(Read more: Local News |)

Wichita City Council pay has climbed 24% in 5 years. Voters could get a say in future

Wichita’s City Council members have awarded themselves raises of 24 percent since 2015, increasing their annual salaries from $36,999 to $46,026 for what is considered a part-time job.

During that same time frame, the mayor has gotten an 18 percent raise, bumping his annual salary from $87,712 to $103,560.

The latest bump came in December, when elected officials gave themselves a 1.25-percent cost-of-living raise and a 2.5-percent raise based on merit.

(Read more: Local News |)

Lenexa OKs preliminary plans for new commercial development at K-10 and Ridgeview

Lenexa has approved preliminary plans for a new eight-building commercial development at the northeast corner of K-10 Highway and Ridgeview Road.

The 14-acre site is part of the larger Mill Creek Village South commercial development. The larger project is 170 acres and has been zoned for retail development in 2014, according to city documents.

The project includes a concept plan for several commercial buildings on the east side of Ridgeview Road and an office building on the west side. A stream tributary separates the new project from the remaining part of the larger project.

Shawnee Mission area projects abound in 2020 list of county’s road, stormwater management initiatives

Johnson County has plans to fund more than $35.3 million in improvements to local roadways and stormwater systems in 2020. More than half of roadway projects directly support improvements in the Shawnee Mission area.

County funding for the projects comes from the County Assistance Road System Program and the Stormwater Management Program.

“These two programs are strong examples of county and city collaboration, utilizing joint funding to improve the major roads in Johnson County and maximize flood control efforts, which benefits all county residents,” said Ed Eilert, chairman of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners, in a press release. “We appreciate the committees for both programs, made up of county and city representatives who together evaluate proposed projects and make recommendations to our Board for approval.”

Publication names Overland Park #2 place to live in the Midwest

The website Money Inc. has named Overland Park the second best place to live in the Midwest, rounding out a decade of accolades for Johnson County’s largest city.

Earlier this year, WalletHub named Overland Park the best place in the country to raise a family for the fifth time in a row. And Livability has consistently ranked the city as among the best places in the country to live (although it was left off this year’s list due to relatively high housing prices).

Iola blaze prompts water conservation in Humboldt

Humboldt residents are being asked to conserve water while the city supply is tested.

A water conservation notice has been issued for the City of Humboldt and Allen County RWD 9 and 10.

Public Works Director Jeremy Bulk said the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is testing the supply from the Neosho River for chemicals after a fire Wednesday in Iola.

The city is advising residents to conserve water by restricting usage to drinking and sanitary uses and limit non-essential uses such as (laundry, dishwashing, washing cars, watering plants, etc.) until the water supply can be restored. The water system is able to meet demands as they exist. However, lowering the demands will extend the municipal water entity’s ability to meet future demands without significant disruption.

Louisburg extends housing credit and facade programs

Two Louisburg programs that offer financial assistance to homeowners are being extended into 2020, according to a city of Louisburg news release.

The new home building credit has been renewed for 2020. This credit is for new home construction in the city limits and on average saves a homeowner $1,500 on inspections and related fees, according to the release. …

The Facades of Louisburg Improvement Program (FLIP) has also been extended to 2020. This program offers a grant up to $500 for homeowners and $2,500 for business owners to make improvements to the façade of their home or business.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Clay County turns down request to grade KDWPT roads

After considerable discussion, Clay County Commissioners agreed Monday not to get involved in grading roads for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) in the Milford Lake Wildlife Area.

Interim Highway Administrator Jeff Germann reported his office received a letter from Milford Wildlife Area Manager Kristen Kloft asking if the county would be interested in preparing a cost per hour for the grading of approximately 22 miles of roads that KDWPT are responsible for, according to the minutes of Monday’s meeting. Currently the roads are being graded four times a year. Germann told commissioners that a private contractor typically does that work.

Wind farm windfall varies widely in state

Kansas counties are on their own when negotiating payment in lieu of taxes agreements with wind farm companies looking to install turbines in their counties, and payments vary widely from one wind farm to another.

The most recent figures available, from a 2017 study by Flatland, a Kansas City-based public broadcasting system, show payments to counties range from $1,000 to $6,500 per megawatt produced. Marion County’s agreements place it near the bottom for payments for wind farms in the state.

A recently-completed wind farm in the northern portion of the county, Diamond Vista, pays the county $900 per megawatt produced. Diamond Vista is owned by Enel Green Power.
Diamond Vista’s first payment in lieu of taxes to the county, made in December, was $269,325.

(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

2020 will bring a new baseball stadium and plenty of 150th birthday parties

It’ll be a year of birthday celebrations for several familiar local entities: a sesquicentennial for Wichita and Sedgwick County, a quasquicentennial for WSU, a centennial year for Mark Arts, the 85th anniversary of WAM and the 20th anniversary of Exploration Place.

Events marking the sesquicentennial of Wichita and Sedgwick County are still being planned, according to Megan Lovely, the communications and special events manager for the city. So far, only one major event has been announced for the 150th celebration: an Aug. 15 “150 for 150” gala at Koch Arena that will recognize outstanding athletes who got their start Wichita. Hoopster Lynette Woodard, the first woman member of the Harlem Globetrotters, and Olympian Jim Ryun, the first high school athlete to run a mile under four minutes, are confirmed keynote speakers, according to Bob Lutz, executive director of the nonprofit youth baseball League 42, which is helping plan the event. Keep an eye on the event’s Facebook page for more confirmed participants.

(Read more: Local News |)

New air service from Dodge to Denver takes off in February

SkyWest Airlines announced the schedule for its daily United Express jet service between Dodge City and Denver that will begin Feb. 13.

“Access to reliable local air service means more choice and more convenience for Dodge City travelers,” said Greg Atkin, SkyWest Airlines managing director for Market Development. “We’re excited to connect Dodge City travelers to Denver and beyond starting in February.”

The flight schedule, which is subject to change, includes daily departures from Dodge City at 6:45 a.m., as well as flights every day except Tuesday and Saturday departing Dodge City at 5:44 p.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

New Topeka city flag replaces old one on pole outside City Hall

“This is a great day for our city,” city manager Brent Trout said.

Participants gathered at 12:15 p.m. in a shaded area just north of the city hall building at 215 S.E. 7th, where an American flag flies from a pole just east of the entrance and the city flag flies from a pole just to its west.

During a ceremony that lasted about 14 minutes, a color guard consisting of Topeka police officers and firefighters removed the old city flag and hoisted the new one.

Those present first heard from four speakers: De La Isla, Trout, former Topeka Mayor Joan Wagnon and Angel Romero, chairman of the executive board for Forge, the city’s young professionals organization.

With stable occupied downtown Newton, energy turns toward making it stronger

Newton’s downtown has a 92 percent occupancy rate.

That’s the result of an unscientific walking survey conducted by Newton Now, looking at some 185 locations in the city’s central businesses district, consisting of Main Street from First to Eighth Street and including the side intersecting streets from Fourth to Seventh Street.

The number represents a small uptick from the 90 percent occupancy found by Newton Now in 2017.

Scott Sewell, director of the state’s Main Street program said a strong downtown represents an important asset for Newton.
“If you look at sales tax, property tax, the number of jobs downtown, I couldn’t guess how many jobs are in downtown Newton, but if you looked at it as a whole, it’s probably as big an employer as any in your community,” he said. “It’s really important as city leaders or community to look at it collectively, then you can start realizing that it’s important for us to support this.”

(Read more: Harvey County Now)

Hesston committee exploring all ideas to rejuvenate downtown

Hesston faces some unique challenges compared to similar like-sized cities when trying to come up with ways to attract people downtown.

“We essentially have a one-block downtown, or that’s how it appears to people who visit or come to shop,” City Administrator Gary Emry said.

Emry is among about a dozen residents on a downtown revitalization committee who are tasked with formulating ways to attract people to Hesston’s downtown. The group has been meeting since May to figure out how to make downtown vital.

(Read more: Harvey County Now)

Halstead Main Street sees growth in 2019

There are fewer vacant buildings downtown on Halstead’s Main Street than there were this time a year ago. The city saw a burst of business growth in 2019 with half a dozen new businesses starting up.

Local businessman Cory Harrington was a big part encouraging that growth by working with building owners to negotiate affordable lease rates. Thanks to Harrington’s efforts, Fiesta Mexico Grill came to 221 Main, Henry’s Chase came to 261 Main, and The Twisted Cow and A Marie Studios came to share 230 Main. These represent three buildings that were vacant at the start of the year that now are filled.

Harrington also kept spaces filled at the shared 309 Main building. When the Tortoise Gallery relocated from 309 to 224 in January, Mom Cave Designs quickly filled its old spot. An office at the rear of 309 was filled by SJ Beauty Bar in October after the previous tenant left.

(Read more: Harvey County Now)

Ewert looks back on decade as Halstead mayor

There are two simple attributes that Bill Ewert has tried to embody throughout his life.

“My motto was for commitment and service,” he said. “That will be my life sketch at my funeral.”

One of the ways he’s exemplified those traits was during his 10-and-a-half year career as Halstead’s mayor. His final city council meeting as mayor was Monday.

The end of his time as mayor is bittersweet for him, he said. The people he’s worked alongside at the city have made it an enjoyable experience for him.

(Read more: Harvey County Now)

Cherokee County gets new Clerk

The Cherokee County Clerk’s Office has a new man in charge.

The Cherokee County Clerk’s Office confirms Rodney Edmonson retired from his position as Cherokee County Clerk.

Staff at the office says his official last day was December 27th.

Alcove Spring Historical Trust member voices objection to wind farm’s name

A member of the Alcove Spring Historical Trust has written a letter asking a Florida wind energy company to not use Alcove Spring in the name of its wind farm planned for Marshall County.

NextEra Resources LLC of Juno Beach, Fla., has plans to build a 108-turbine wind farm in southeast Marshall County in the next few years.

The project has been named Alcove Springs Wind LLC. Current plans are to locate it generally about 25 miles southeast of Alcove Spring Historic Park, which sits along East River Road between Marysville and Blue Rapids.

The wind project’s manager, Daniel Scheffler, said the name seemed a good idea because of its local resonance.

(Read more: The Marysville Advocate)

Baxter Springs police chief returns to the post nearly 20 years later

Baxter Springs’ newest police chief says, it’s good to be back.

He’s returning to a post he held about 20 years ago.

Chief Russ Harper, Baxter Springs Police Department, said, “This is my dream job. I love the community, it’s where I’m from. I never dreamed I would have an opportunity to be back at this position.”

This isn’t his first rodeo.

Reno County administrator Gary Meagher leaves on high note

When he took the job as Reno County’s administrator, a post that had been vacant for several years and while the country was in the midst of a recession, Gary Meagher was forced to retrench, cutting jobs and deferring maintenance and purchases.

As he leaves the job after 10 years, the county has a stable and satisfied workforce and boasts an AA bond rating. A new jail has been built and paid for, most county offices modernized and relocated, the county is now routinely replacing aging bridges and some 75% of county blacktop has been repaved.

Meagher, 68, deflects the credit, noting he’s surrounded by competent people at every level who are, for the most part, easy to work with.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Atlanta mayor loses battle with cancer

Atlanta, Kansas, lost one of its most dedicated residents this month when Mayor Carolyn Wilson died after a year-long battle with cancer.

Wilson moved to Atlanta in 1979 when she married Jerry Wilson, a lifelong resident of the city. She had formerly lived in Topeka and Wichita.

Wilson quickly became active in community affairs such as the annual Labor Day celebration, for which she served as chairwoman for a number of years, and the Atlanta Christmas Party.

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

$40M travel plaza project planned

Exit 157 on Interstate 70 at the northwest edge of Hays is set to transform beginning in spring 2020 from bare ground and narrow, hilly chalk roads to a $40 million travel plaza development.

The project calls for a fully outfitted travel plaza, along with restaurants, a hotel, an upscale RV park, retail shops and a two-lane concrete highway bypass.

The development by D&J Development LLC is a partnership of Hays businessman Dan Hess and Topeka commercial real estate developer John E. Brown.

The 40-acre project sits at the crossroads of two major traffic corridors, namely east-west I-70 and the planned $10.8 million Northwest Business Corridor. The Business Corridor, which was recently awarded $6.5 million in federal construction money, is being designed as a 55-mph bypass around Hays for trucks and superloads on heavily trafficked north-south US-183 highway.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Dodge City commissioners approve housing contract, budget tweaks

At a special meeting Monday, Dodge City commissioners voted unanimously to approve a $137,335 contract with SMH Consultants for improvements to Iron Road and the platting of the future Candletree No. 6 subdivision north of town.

They also voted unanimously to approve minor amendments to the city’s 2019 budget in time to comply with state budget requirements for Kansas municipalities.

Because of phone difficulties, Commissioner Jan Scoggins was absent and didn’t vote.

The Iron Road and Candletree #6 subdivision are installments that are part of the Rural Housing Incentive District program meant to meet the housing needs of a growing workforce in Dodge City.

Osage City designated as opportunity zone; opens tax incentives for investors

Osage City, Kan., has been designated as an opportunity zone after being one of 74 census tracts across Kansas nominated for the designation in April 2018. The opportunity zone designation by the U.S. Department of Treasury allows communities to be eligible to receive investments through Qualified Opportunity Funds to spur local economic growth.

Opportunity zones are an economic development tool enacted by the Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and offers investors preferential tax treatment for capital gains invested in designated low income communities. The program is designed to encourage long term investment in economically distressed areas and promote economic growth. The investments are to provide support to projects focused on a wide array of issues including downtown revitalizations, improvements to workforce housing, and expansions of industrial parks and innovation districts.

(Read more: Osage County News)

Council approves 1% CID sales tax for redevelopment of Lenexa Point Shopping Center

The city of Lenexa on Dec. 17 agreed to establish a community improvement district that adds a 1% sales tax on all retail in the Lenexa Point Shopping Center.

The funds from the sales tax, which kicks in April 1, 2020 and will be in place for 22 years, are to be used for renovations and improvements to the aging shopping center on about 14 acres at the northwest corner of 87th Street Parkway and Maurer Road.

The property owners — HB Building LLC, Penn Properties Holdings LLC and Knewtson Properties LLC — applied for the CID.

County commission approves communications tower permits

Lyon County Commissioners unanimously approved a pair of conditional use permits allowing for the construction of two new communications towers during an action session Thursday morning.

The towers — which will be located in the 2300 Block of Road G near Americus and the 700 Block of Road M near Olpe — will be operated by US Cellular with the goal of providing a signal boost to customers in more rural areas. The towers are expected to be approximately 150 feet tall and could eventually be used by other cell service providers pending future leasing agreements.

“These towers are stand-alone towers, so they don’t need any of the extra wiring or lighting,” Commissioner Scott Briggs said. “Hopefully they’ll be able to get people in Olpe and Americus some better service in the area … If these towers ever end up falling due to weather or things like that, they’re built to collapse on themselves so there should be no extra danger there, too. Both of them were approved by the [Zoning and Planning] Board beforehand, so our approval went through pretty easy.”

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Kansas police officer fabricated McDonald’s coffee cup story ‘as a joke,’ chief says

The Herington police chief said a former police officer fabricated an incident with a McDonald’s coffee cup involving an expletive and a pejorative “as a joke.”

Herington Police Chief Brian Hornaday said in a news conference that a police officer at the center of the case is no longer with the department. Hornaday had originally claimed in a Facebook post that a McDonald’s employee wrote “(expletive) pig” on a coffee cup given to one of his officers, and that it was “a black eye” on Junction City.

“This is now, absolutely, a black eye on law enforcement,” Hornaday said in the news conference.

Stafford County makes plan for joint extension district with Edwards County

Combined resources is a necessary change for rural Kansas counties, according to leadership in Stafford County.

Declining budgets and difficulty hiring agents has led to many counties in Kansas consolidating into larger Extension districts under the umbrella of K-State Research and Extension services. Stafford County and Edwards County agents see advantages to a combination between the two counties that would enable them to provide better services to their constituents.

“It’s true, as they say, that most of us are better together or two of something is better than one,” said K-State Research and Extension Agent Stafford County Amy Collins. “The same holds true for rural areas trying to stay relevant, progressive and be resilient in an ever changing world.“

(Read more: Kiowa County Signal)

Liberal’s DMV office completes renovations to enhance services

The DMV office in Liberal has already undergone some changes in recent times, with the biggest change being a change in operating hours and recently, the office saw some renovations done.

The renovation work started at the beginning of December, and according to David Harper, Director of Motor Vehicles, the work in the Liberal office was part of a statewide project that had been discussed last year.

“It had started about a year ago, we’d been talking about our driver’s license refresh project and started working with our regional managers so we could put together a list of offices that would need to be relocated or remodeled/rehabbed,” Harper said. “We’ve been working on a lot of offices throughout the state, so this has been on our radar since roughly last year and we got the Liberal office done recently. Statewide, as we got out and visited the offices across the state, it was very apparent there were several that weren’t performing fully to the standards we wanted, so that prompted the start of discussing the project. Then we started talking to our regional managers and some other employees and they let us know some of the things they thought should be done in order to improve not only the appearance but overall function. Then we took those ideas and drew up some plans and those things and we got to work.”

(Read more: Liberal First)

Diamond Vista pays Marion County $269,325

Marion County received its first payment in lieu of taxes check for $269,325 from Diamond Vista wind farm Dec. 16, county clerk Tina Spencer said.
It appears that no money was withheld from the county for consulting fees of more than $686,000 despite a clause in the agreement with Enel Green Power that would have allowed it to deduct from its payments any amount that exceeded $250,000.
“It appears to be the full PILOT payment, but I would have to verify by looking back at our agreement,” Spencer said.

(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Kansas Election Officials Say They’re On Guard For Hackers Messing With Your 2020 Vote

Kansas and federal election officials say they know the 2020 election could come under attack from foreign governments or rogue hackers. They also insist they’re braced to guard against efforts to tamper with voting.

In recent elections, Russian hackers tried to breach election systems in more than 20 states and successfully accessed voter registration data in Illinois. The top election official in Kansas assumes the state’s voting system could be next.

“We got a U.S. Senate seat up for election, so that even makes it more of a target,” Republican Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab said. “We’re not going to assume we’re safe, even though we are right now.”

(Read more: Rural Messenger)