Kansas Municipal News
An appeals court has sided with Shawnee County and the city of Topeka over a false identity suit
The Kansas Court of Appeals sided Friday with Shawnee County and the city of Topeka in upholding the dismissal of a lawsuit filed against them by William Dean Blue, who was incorrectly identified in a news release as a crime suspect. Blue in August 2019 sued the city and county governments over a situation in which a man arrested after a robbery and chase falsely identified himself as Blue to police, who shared that information with news media before the suspect’s true identity came to light. Blue said he wasn’t involved with the incident and had never met the suspect. The Court of Appeals noted in Friday’s ruling that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Blue failed to respond to motions for summary judgment filed by the city and county asking that the case be dismissed without a trial.
Source: CJonline
Rush County’s only grocery store closes in La Crosse
With the closing of the only grocery store in La Crosse, all of Rush County is without a place to get fresh meat and produce. For now, locals have to find a new place to shop for food. Some Rush County residents will have to drive 30-plus minutes for groceries, depending on where they live in the county. In La Crosse, that means going to Hays or Great Bend. Elsie Harmon is a lifelong Rush County resident. She’s depended on the nearby grocery store, but now will have to set aside a day just to shop for food. “Going to have to learn how to plan a little further down the line,” Harmon said. La Crosse’s grocery sore closed earlier this week after the owner said they struggled to keep up with taxes.
Source: KWCH
USDA Seeks Applications to Spur Job Growth and Economic Development in Rural Areas
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that the Department is accepting applications for funding to help create jobs and economic growth in rural communities. USDA is making loans and grants available under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program. Through this program, USDA provides zero-interest loans and grants to current and former Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Electric Program and Telecommunications Program borrowers and utilities that are eligible to receive assistance from the RUS Electric or Telecommunication Programs. Applicants will use the funds to help local businesses finance projects that will create and retain jobs or finance community facility projects. Projects must be located in rural areas or towns with a population of 50,000 or less. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact their local USDA Rural Development State Office well in advance of the application deadline to ask questions about their project, the program or the application process.
Overland Park moves carefully on short-term rentals
In a continuing effort to evaluate short-term rentals like Airbnbs and VRBOs, the Overland Park City Council has asked the staff to draft a nuisance party ordinance, which will help authorities hold the property owners responsible if large parties or gatherings violate city code. The staff also has been asked to investigate the potential licensing of short-term rentals, to keep identifying those that are operating in the city and to make residents more aware of how to report problems associated with short-term rentals.
Source: KC Star
It’s back: Old Settlers celebration in Olathe means parade, kids’ fun, these 2 acts
If it’s early September, it’s time for the Old Settlers celebration in downtown Olathe. The festival — featuring carnival rides, a parade, entertainment and even a gab fest — starts on Sept. 8, a Thursday, and concludes on Saturday, Sept. 10. Two free concerts are scheduled: Simply Queen at 7:30 p.m Sept. 9 and Lonestar at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10. For details, visit johnsoncountyoldsettlers.com.
Source: Joco 913 News
Parsons housing effort includes 3D-printed houses
3D Printing is becoming more common across the world, but instead of using it to print toys or machines, some people are using it in other ways. “It was kind of serendipity and fell out of the sky, it’s exactly what we’ve been looking for,” said Leland Crooks, Mayor of Parsons. Thanks to the construction company Alquist, the City of Parsons could potentially see a solution to its housing issue. The catch, instead of building it the old-fashioned way, these new homes will use a giant 3D printer.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Kansas school district settles lawsuit over student pronouns
A Kansas school district will pay a former middle school teacher $95,000 to settle a lawsuit she filed after she was disciplined for refusing to use a student’s preferred pronouns, her attorneys announced Wednesday. Pamela Ricard, a former math teacher at Fort Riley Middle School, sued the Geary County School District in March after she was reprimanded and suspended for three days in the spring of 2021. She said the district’s policies on preferred pronouns violated her religious beliefs.
Source: The Iola Register
Little Balkans Days inspired by King Coal Festival
In many respects, Little Balkans Days had its origin 88 years ago when approximately 25,000 people participated in a coal celebration held in Pittsburg. Called the King Coal Festival, it was established in October of 1934 to help lift the spirits of Southeast Kansas residents suffering economically during the Depression as well as symbolize the importance of the coal mining industry to Pittsburg and Southeast Kansas. The following year, and in the years thereafter, up to 40,000 people swarmed into Pittsburg as reigning Kansas governors came to town to crown the coal queens. It was the largest regular event in the state of Kansas at that time.
Source: Morning Sun
Cowley College celebrates 100 years of operation
Cowley College began celebrating its 100th year in operation Wednesday night during a Proclamation Celebration in the Robert Brown Theatre. Cowley College began its life as Arkansas City Junior College in 1922. Classes were first held on the top floor of the high school. The college would not have its own dedicated classroom building until 1952. The school’s name was changed to Cowley County Community College and Vocational-Technical School in 1965 before finally being called Cowley College.
Source: KSN-TV
This 72-year-old lawyer thinks about retirement, but rural Kansas can’t find enough attorneys
Charles Peckham works 70 hours a week as an attorney. He’s 72. He daydreams about retirement. But if he closed up shop, clients would just show up at his home in Atwood, Kansas. “(Stopping) is not workable at this point,” he said. The next closest attorney is 30 miles away. That might not be accessible for the older population in need of legal help. Atwood boasted six attorneys, counting Peckham, when he first arrived in 1983, but that number has dwindled down to two and the other attorney farms on the side. If the town of about 1,300 people in a county with some 2,500 had enough lawyers, Peckham could cut back his workload and spend more time with his grandchildren. But with nobody around to take over his practice, he’ll keep working.
Source: KCUR News
Peabody to get mural celebrating its history
A new mural in Peabody will highlight the town’s history. Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission gave Sunflower Theatre a $7,500 grant to create a mural at Peabody Market. Susan Mayo, chairman of the Sunflower board, said the mural would celebrate the “rich history of Peabody and transform the south wall of the Peabody Market into a work of art.”
Source: Marion County RECORD
Johnson County Emergency Management emphasizing emergency preparedness with 30 Days, 30 Ways campaign
September is National Preparedness Month, and Johnson County Emergency Management is making sure Johnson County residents are prepared for all types of emergency situations. Emergency Management is providing education throughout September with its 30 Days, 30 Ways campaign, with daily tips to help you prep for emergencies. These tips – from creating an emergency plan to practicing emergency drills – can help you stay safe in the case of an emergency, such as a tornado, flood, power outage or fire. Emergency Management will be sharing preparedness tips daily on its social media channels. … You can find additional preparedness information from Johnson County Emergency Management at jocogov.org/em, as well as through FEMA at ready.gov
Source: Johnson County Kansas
Legalized sports betting begins in Kansas with ‘soft launch’
Legalized sports betting arrived in Kansas on Thursday, with wagers being taken at state-owned casinos and via mobile apps. The “soft launch” of sports betting in Kansas comes after Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill in May that the Republican-controlled Legislature passed with bipartisan support. The launch meets a goal set by state officials to have the operations running by Sept. 1, in time for the first NFL games. An official launch of the operations is scheduled for Sept. 8. Bettors must be in Kansas to place their wagers. Under the law, each state-owned casino may offer in-person sportsbooks and mobile sports betting on up to three platforms or applications. As of Thursday, in-person betting is available at Hollywood Casino in Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Emporia water wins state taste test again
Emporia is back on top when it comes to the tap. The city announced Wednesday that Emporia has been judged the best tasting tap water in Kansas by a section of the American Water Works Association. The decision was made Tuesday by what the city called “a panel of water experts.” It rated samples on a seven-point scale, from “best” to “far from ideal.” Emporia’s water now advances to a national Tap Water Taste Test. It will occur at the AWWA’s national conference next June in Toronto. Emporia won the world championship of tap water at an international competition in West Virginia in 2013, then placed second among municipal water supplies in 2015. It’s placed at the national level seven times.
Source: Emporia Gazette
2-year Treasury yield hits highest level since 2007 to start September as traders look ahead to jobs data
Treasury yields rose Thursday after data showed a significant slowdown in private payroll growth and U.S. equities continued a sell-off. The 10-year Treasury yield was up 6 basis points to 3.1984% at 5 a.m. ET, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond gained 5 basis points on the day to 3.3107%. The 2-year Treasury note yield was 4 basis points higher, trading at 3.4953%. The yield on the short-term note has not been this high since 2007. … Yesterday, a jobs report from payroll processing company ADP showed U.S. private payrolls grew by 132,000 in August, a deceleration from 268,000 in July.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
‘Starting over with vision’: steering committee identifies priorities for development code update
The ability to create denser neighborhoods that allow commercial and other uses are among the priorities of a steering committee working to update the city’s land development code. The Land Development Code Update Steering Committee had its first meeting Wednesday to discuss the update to the code, which determines where and how the city grows. City Commission member and Committee Chair Brad Finkeldei, who previously served six years on the Planning Commission, said he saw the update as a chance for the city to reset. “We’ve seen changes over time, and I look forward to this not just being a small change to a code, but starting over with vision and having a brand new code that we can work from,” Finkeldei said.
Source: LJWorld
Municipal Bond Trends for August 31, 2022
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.
Fed’s Mester sees benchmark rate above 4% and no cuts at least through 2023
Cleveland Federal Reserve President Loretta Mester said Wednesday she sees interest rates rising considerably higher before the central bank can ease off in its fight against inflation. Mester, a voting member this year of the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee, said she sees benchmark rates rising above 4% in the coming months. That’s well above the current target range of 2.25%-2.5% for the federal funds rate, which sets what banks charge each other for overnight borrowing but is tied to many consumer debt instruments.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Conference in Wichita this week explores affordable housing in Kansas
The Kansas Housing Conference returned this week to its first in-person gathering since before the Covid-19 pandemic — and a lot has changed in the housing market the last two years. “This is a really pivotal time for us in our industry in affordable housing, and specifically here in Kansas,” said Emily Sharp, a spokesperson with the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, which puts on the annual conference. “… I think that the pandemic really put a lot of the housing challenges that were already existing in our state, and across the nation, really under the microscope.” It’s also the conference’s largest crowd yet. The three-day event started Tuesday and runs through Thursday at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Wichita. In its 17th year, the conference has 600 registered participants.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Wichita chosen as site for national youth soccer event
The U.S. Youth Soccer organization has announced that Wichita will be the host site for the National President’s Cup competition in 2023. The event will attract over 2,000 athletes, coaches, officials and fans to Wichita. It will be held from July 7th through the 12th at the Stryker Sports Complex. The 2023 National President’s Cup will be the 15th annual edition of the event. Wichita Vice Mayor Becky Tuttle said in a press release that the city is honored to host the competition, and she said the Stryker Complex can host tournaments of all sizes.
Source: 101.3 KFDI