Kansas Municipal News
As Wichita pools open, officials count cost of vandalism: ‘It affects everybody’
As Wichita pools prepare to open for summer, city officials are counting the cost of vandalism during the off-season. Since November, windows have been broken, bathrooms destroyed and graffiti painted on signs at city parks and recreation centers. “It’s been really really frustrating,” said Director of Parks and Recreation Troy Houtman. “It’s been really upsetting that we spent so much time and effort trying to make these pools really nice for the community and it’s just a handful of some really bad actors and you can’t just blame everybody but just a few of them are just making life miserable.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
How local elections work: Local newspaper dives into McPherson County voting
McPherson County Clerk Hollie Melroy invited the McPherson News-Ledger to view how the election process works. First, we attended Election School, which is training all poll workers must take before the election. At this training, poll workers learn how to set up for the day, what steps to take when a person comes in to vote, what to do in case of a provisional voter, and how to handle the end of the day. The supervising judge is normally a person with more experience than the others. This person oversees the polling place and is responsible its operation.
Source: McPherson Weekly News
KDHE: There could be something nasty in the water
All the rain in some areas of Kansas could have a nasty side effect for people trying to enjoy the water this holiday weekend. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) said prolonged rains have contributed to an increased risk of bacteria in lakes, streams and rivers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the germs found in the water and sand often come from human or animal feces. Water from heavy rain picks up anything it comes in contact with, including feces from where animals live and can drain into swim areas.
Source: KSN-TV
McPherson city commissioners hear about fentanyl
Police Captain Kevin McKean presented information about fentanyl on Tuesday to McPherson City Commissioners. Fentanyl is nationally the most dangerous street drug. McPherson Police have used Narcan numerous times to save people in this community from overdoses. Fentanyl is being mixed with heroin and methamphetamine, causing the unaware to go into cardiac arrest. McPherson Police also have been told by Sedgwick County that fentanyl is being mixed with marijuana, causing people to overdose, including high school and college students. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine; it only takes two milligrams to overdose.
Source: McPherson Weekly News » Feed
Topeka 501 trains for school shooting scenarios with TPD
School faculty in Topeka learned how to combat school shootings on Friday. Active shooter situations can be some of the worst nightmares for teachers across the country. USD 501 school officials spent their afternoon on May 27 looking for the signs and potential ways to stop these shootings from happening in the future. The Topeka Police Department helped train school leaders on recognizing the warning signs of a potential shooter and the protocol they need to follow during an active shooter situation.
Source: KSNT 27 News
City of Topeka works to stop inflation, supply chain issues with community garden
A garden located in Oakland is receiving recognition from the City of Topeka for the benefits it has provided to the local area. The Oakland Community Garden, located at the now-closed Lundgren Middle School, is home to 17 raised garden beds with vegetables, fruits and herbs. According to the city, the garden donated over 1500 pounds of fresh produce to the community and other organizations last year alone. … Community gardens like the one in Oakland are a good way to counter inflation and supply chain issues, according to the city.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Why downtown Wichita doesn’t have a grocery store and what it would take it get one
Ask just about any Wichita resident what they feel the city is missing, and a downtown grocery store is likely high on their most-wanted list. New development activity in recent years has brought thousands of new apartment residents and office workers to Wichita’s core, leaving many wondering when and where a grocery store might follow; the closest supermarket with fresh produce is about two miles from the city center.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Upcoming historic tours of La Yarda to highlight ‘incredible story’ of the Lawrence neighborhood
The Lawrence Preservation Alliance’s upcoming “After La Yarda” historic walking tours will take tourgoers through the La Yarda neighborhood to learn about the past and present of its people. La Yarda was a tight-knit community of Mexican American railroad workers and their families living in housing owned by the Santa Fe Railroad from 1920-1951. Located near the Kaw River, the La Yarda neighborhood was destroyed by a major flood in 1951. But residents did not leave Lawrence after the flood. They worked together to find new living arrangements, and many former residents and descendants of La Yarda are still living in Lawrence today. The tours will be offered from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on three upcoming Saturdays: May 28, June 4 and June 18. They will begin at Lawrence Amtrak Santa Fe Depot and then travel through New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania streets in Lawrence.
Source: The Lawrence Times
There’s light at the end of the tunnel in Johnson County’s quest to set rules for utility-scale solar
Johnson County commissioners are on the verge of finalizing new regulations for large-scale solar farms. With the commission set to consider revised regulations at its June 6 meeting, a huge renewable energy project dawns. The hotly contested debate began in 2020 after Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources LLC proposed a $450 million project west of Gardner. … With the recent vote, the regulations stand at: Conditional-use permits run for 25 years, with a one-time automatic five-year extension; A maximum project area of 2,000 acres; A 1.5-mile minimum distance between projects and city limits
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
An artful tie between man, nature: Here’s where to find ‘Symbiosis’ in Johnson County
Shawnee artist Matthew Dehaemers has been chosen to create a temporary art installation at Shawnee Mission Park, which will be on display this summer. The public can see “Symbiosis,” which will be fully installed by June 3, at the entrance to Theatre in the Park, 7710 Renner Road in Shawnee. It will be on display through at least early August. The piece speaks not only to the symbiotic relationship between humankind and the natural environment, but also the connections it takes to produce a stage performance at the park.
Source: Joco 913 News
Quality and growth continue: Community theater renamed to Theatre Salina
As people drive down Iron Avenue in Salina, they may notice a new sign and name at a familiar and popular destination in the downtown area, Theatre Salina. h Earlier this year what, was once Salina Community Theatre, made the change in its name after a couple of years of discussion about what the theater means to people inside and outside the community of Salina. “We are much more regional than we’ve ever been,” said Michael Spicer, executive director for Theatre Salina. According to Spicer, about 40% of the ticket sales for the various theatrical productions at Theatre Salina come from people outside of Saline County.
Source: Salina Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for May 26, 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.
Munis on a tear, yields plummet almost half a percent in a week
Municipals continued their rally Thursday with yields falling by another 12 to 15 basis points while U.S. Treasuries were little changed and equities rallied. Secondary trading pushed yields lower again. Certain prints showed bonds trading up by more than 65 basis points from Friday’s levels.
Source: The Bond Buyer
Public input sought on Garden City comprehensive planning
The City of Garden City is holding public meetings on May 23 and June 3 to allow residents to share opinions prioritize a draft Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Recommendations. Garden City is home to people from all over the world and we can grow our community together. For over a year, our diverse community has been helping create the new Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Plan. During the process, community members have said more housing, safety improvements for walking and bicycling, a continued emphasis on entertainment, recreational amenities along the Arkansas River, and much more are important. They also said Downtown should be a vibrant, culturally diverse, and multi-generational hub.
Source: Greater Garden City
Johnson County board approves $1 million loan for affordable housing apartments in Shawnee
Commissioners in Johnson County approved a $1 million loan Thursday to aid in the construction of an affordable housing development in Shawnee. The measure passed 5-2 with Commissioners Charlotte O’Hara and Michael Ashcraft voting against the funding. At last week’s meeting, the Board of County Commissioners was asked to give $1 million in community support funds to help construct the Hedge Lane Apartments in Shawnee. The project is a joint venture between Sunflower Development Group and Consolidated Housing Solutions.
Source: KC Star Local News
City: Train track has arrived in Parsons
The track for the Parsons Kiwanis Club’s Pancake Special train arrived in the city last week from Kansas City. City Manager Debbie Lamb told the Sun the track arrived last Wednesday. At this time, city officials aren’t sure when the track will be installed. Parsons city officials announced in February they were hoping to get the track installed this month so the train could run during Katy Days. However, shipping delays occurred, which resulted in the track not getting to Parsons on time. The track was in California during the first part of May and then delivered to Kansas City before coming to Parsons. The track for the train needed to be replaced because it was over 70 years old and the rails deteriorated over the decades, according to city officials.
Source: Parsons Sun
‘A hole in the ground’ and other quirky curiosities mean money and pride for small Kansas towns
One day in 1973, The Wall Street Journal published a review of Kansas tourist attractions. It was not kind. “Kansas is trying to promote tourism,” the Journal noted, “but it really doesn’t have a heck of a lot to promote.” The column singled out the godfathers of Kansas roadside tourism — the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Cawker City, the World’s Largest Hand-Dug Well in Greensburg and the folk art town of Lucas — for particular ridicule, with pause breaks in the spots where the Journal expected its audience to chuckle at Kansas’ expense.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Guide to Lawrence Loop aims to help people with mobility limitations navigate city’s nature trails
A group of local people and organizations have collaborated to create a guide to the most accessible routes along the Lawrence Loop. People living with mobility limitations may view nature trails as resources they cannot use as they could be difficult to navigate, said disability activist Dot Nary. “Equal access to recreation is an ongoing issue,” Nary said. “There are already so many barriers to getting physical activity if you have difficulty walking or if you use a wheelchair or walker, so knowing where you can go to enjoy nature, to get some exercise, and not encounter barriers is a huge benefit. The [Lawrence] Loop is a wonderful resource.”
Source: The Lawrence Times
Gov. Laura Kelly announces projects improving Kansas transportation
More than $7,000,000 in grant money is going towards improving transportation in Kansas. Governor Laura Kelly announced 11 projects benefitting from the cost-share program. In Fort Scott, $949,000 will go towards the installation of sidewalks from 6th Street to Main and down Horton Street towards Fort Scott Community College. It will also help with a road widening and resurfacing project on Horton Street.
Source: KSNF/KODE
“Sunflower Summer” returns, free student access to venues
This summer, “exploration” is the name of the game in Kansas. The “Sunflower Summer” program will make a return. It was started last year by the Kansas State Department of Education, funded by Federal COVID-19 Aid. It’s designed to provide students from pre-K to the 12th grade free access to Kansas museums, landmarks, and events across the state. The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott was part of the inaugural program last summer, and will be again this summer.
Source: KSNF/KODE