Kansas Municipal News
Skunked dogs have ruff day out, rescued from Bel Aire drain pipe
Two dogs and a skunk spent part of their morning trapped in a drain pipe in Bel Aire on Monday. It happened at 9:45 a.m. The Bel Aire Police Department received a call notifying them there was a dog stuck inside of a drain pipe. “When officers and fire personnel got here they discovered that it was not only a dog, but a skunk,” said Bel Aire Police Chief, Darrell Atteberry. “We are guessing the dog chased the skunk into the drain hole and now they’re both stuck.” Chief Atteberry said the drain pipe is about 50 feet long and because of its short grate exit the Sedgwick County Fire Department was releasing water into the pipe to get the dogs and skunk to move closer to the exit so they could be rescued.
Source: KSN-TV
$330M development planned on Schlitterbahn water park site
Two former soccer club executives are hoping to help fund a planned $330 million redevelopment of the shuttered Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kansas, with sales tax funds. Robb Heineman, Sporting KC’s former CEO, and Greg Cotton, its former chief operating officer, and chief counsel, have proposed building a multisport complex on the site, which was sold in June last year. Unified Government of Wyandotte County-Kansas City officials say the redevelopment would “remove (the) blight and political stigma” that has tainted the park since 2016 when a 10-year-old boy was decapitated while on a ride billed as the world’s tallest waterslide.
Source: KSN-TV
New micro hospital looks to grow closer with Topeka community
Topeka ER and Hospital opened in July, but is looking to grow closer with the community. The hospital is fully-functional with the same abilities as any other major hospital in the country. It has an eight-bed emergency room and six-bed inpatient unit for those who may need to stay for an extended period of time. The hospital can handle anything from cuts and scrapes to heart attacks and major illnesses. “The whole idea behind it is to try and be within the community rather than being a larger that’s hard to get to or feel comfortable with,” Dr. Jared Schreiner, Topeka ER and Hospital Medical Director, said. “We want to be one that blends with the community.”
Source: KSNT News
Mayors Of College Towns Brace For The Economic Impact Of Remote Learning
Across the country, colleges and universities are struggling to decide how to teach students in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some schools have turned to remote learning; some have attempted to reopen campus with various precautions in place. Others are trying a mix of both. For the municipalities that are host to colleges and universities, these decisions can be costly. Whether it’s curtailing the spread of the virus in their communities, or losing the typical influx of student spending that arrives each fall, these cities and towns are bracing for a challenge. In South Bend, Ind. earlier this month, the University of Notre Dame paused in-person classes for undergraduate students until at least Sept. 2 after more than 100 students tested positive for the virus after just a week of classes.
Source: KMUW
Speed and accuracy driving force behind new Johnson County medical examiner’s office
Johnson County cut the ribbon on a 33,000-square-foot medical examiner’s facility in a virtual ceremony Aug. 13. The equipment at the $21 million Olathe building will allow the county to move many lab tests in-house, giving workers faster results. Before the opening, autopsies had been done at a private forensic pathology facility in Kansas City, Kansas. A 2016 vote for a public safety sales tax raised the funds for the new building, located at 11894 S. Sunset Drive.
Source: Joco 913 News
Merriam finds early 20th century time capsule during Irene B. French Community Center demolition
As Denton Excavating crews worked on demolishing Irene B. French Community Center, they stumbled upon a piece of history. A time capsule was found in the 1911 cornerstone — that crews were removing for preservation — of the former Merriam community center. The time capsule included a handwritten roster of the then-elementary school students and Merriam founding families, Hauck said. Photo courtesy of the City of Merriam. “It just kind of brought the whole project full circle,” said Meredith Hauck, assistant city administrator. “From what an important construction project this building was in 1911 and then now, how we’re moving forward to continue to honor history on that site as we move into the next evolution of 5701 Merriam Drive.”
Source: Prairie Village Post
Lawrence agrees to $80,000 settlement with motorist who was shot during altercation with police officer
The City of Lawrence has reached an $80,000 settlement with a Black driver who was shot by a rookie police officer after a traffic stop turned violent. The driver, Akira Lewis, filed an excessive-force lawsuit in September 2019 against former Lawrence Police Officer Brindley Blood, who shot him, as well as additional claims against the other officer involved in the traffic stop, the City of Lawrence, its police department and the police chief. The lawsuit alleges in part that Blood used excessive force against Lewis and that the city and its police department failed to properly train and supervise officers. The city has denied those claims.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Court rules Save Century II petition is not valid, giving a win to Wichita
A Sedgwick County judge threw out a citizens petition calling for a binding vote on whether to demolish the Century II and replace it with new convention and performing arts facilities. Sedgwick County District Judge Eric Commer ruled Friday that the Save Century II initiative is void, delivering a defeat to a grassroots campaign to give voters more control of city-owned buildings such as Century II and the Central Public Library. The judge said the city needs to take no further action to respond to the petition. However, the city immediately put out a statement saying the Wichita City Council is “committed to giving citizens a voice about the future of Century II and the former Central Public Library building and has approved a policy calling for a non-binding vote that will help shape decisions going forward.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Municipal Bond Trends for August 28, 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.
Closing an opportunity gap: Community leaders stress importance of comprehensive broadband plan
At Gina Millsap’s home in Shawnee County, fast and reliable internet speed isn’t the norm. Millsap, CEO of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, said she pays about $80 a month for 5 megabits per second of download speed and 1 Mbps of upload speed — but she doesn’t usually get that. “I measure mine because I used to do IT,” Millsap said, “and I’ve never gotten more than 2.5 (Mbps). That’s enough to stream — most of the time — but there are times when I’m getting less than two, I’m getting close to one.” When her speed drops below 2.5 Mbps, she said, she isn’t able to stream videos and other media. And since she has become a “hybrid” worker — along with many people who have adjusted to at least part-time remote work during the coronavirus pandemic — that broadband speed, or lack thereof, can make her job difficult.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
More than 7,000 businesses apply for COVID grant money
Thousands of businesses across Kansas hope to dip their toe in a pool of $138 million in federal funds for COVID-19 pandemic recovery. On Wednesday, Aug. 26, the governor’s office announced more than 7,000 businesses and nonprofit organizations applied for Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Economic Development and Connectivity grants in the first week of the application process that began Aug. 19. Of the 7,000-plus grant applications submitted, more than 5,000 were for Small Business Working Capital (SBWC) grant funds, according to the governor’s office. The SBWC grants are available for Kansas businesses with fewer than 500 employees, according to the state Department of Commerce. The funds can be used to pay working capital expenses such as payroll, rent, mortgage insurance, utilities, inventory and other expenses, according to a commerce department news release.
Source: The Miami County Republic
Salina PD officer shot during pursuit; suspects in custody
A Salina police officer is in the hospital after being shot in the foot during a police pursuit early Sunday morning. Salina police said the pursuit began at 2:32 a.m. when an officer saw a silver 2006 Lincoln Town Car fail to stop at multiple stop signs in north Salina. After the officer attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, it fled. An occupant in the vehicle fired multiple gun shots at the pursuing police vehicle on N. Ninth Street near Thomas Park, with one of the rounds striking the pursuing officer in the foot. The pursuit left the Salina city limits on N. Ninth Street and W. Pleasant Hill Road, with two officers pursuing it into Saline County.
Source: El Dorado Times
Olathe community gathers to say goodbye to Mayor Michael Copeland
The Olathe community and beyond gathered Friday to say farewell to Mayor Michael Copeland, who died last week at the age of 58. A dedicated public servant, he was the city’s longest serving mayor, leading the city for nearly 20 years after several years on the city council. “Mike was a good man, built a lot of good relationships here in the town and worked tirelessly for our community,” said Vernon Avante, a supporter of Copeland’s. His visitation and funeral were held Friday at College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe where family and friends gathered to speak about his legacy. Under Copeland’s leadership, Olathe grew by nearly 50,000 people, added 18 parks and 29 miles of trails.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
County Extension offices look to combine for survival
K-State Research and Extension has been a fixture in all 105 Kansas counties since 1914. Stafford County Research and Extension office, located in St. John, like most other counties has learned how to benefit from resources offered statewide… While not a new idea to Kansas, a combined Extension district is a new idea for Stafford County. It will allow Stafford County to team up with Edwards County and enable Extension agents to work differently and more efficiently than they have in the past. To date, 57 Kansas counties have combined to form 20 Extension districts in Kansas. Extension districts offer a more sustainable, efficient way of doing business in the future, Collins said. “We know you cannot apply yesterday’s methods today and still be in business tomorrow,” said Staub, Stafford County Extension’s agriculture agent. “We know by following the data and outcomes of other districts, new districting will allow us to be forward thinking and relevant in today’s world.”
Source: News – The Hays Daily News
New ambulance provider for Osborne County
American Medical Response (AMR), the nation’s leading provider of medical transportation services, will begin operations in Osborne County on Sept. 1. AMR is making significant investments to build upon the strong legacy of care cultivated by Osborne County Emergency Medical Services. AMR’s Osborne County staffing will initially include one advanced life support ambulance staffed 24 hours a day in Osborne, part-time staffing to cover peak hours in Downs…
Source: News – The Hays Daily News
Construction workers discovered this gem while demolishing Merriam’s Irene B. French center
Construction workers found an unexpected treasure while knocking down the Irene B. French Community Center in Merriam. The oldest part of the building was a school dating to 1911, and workers found a time capsule inside the cornerstone placed that year. The contents included a “Laws Relating to the Common Schools of Kansas” pamphlet from 1909, a list of those present when the cornerstone was set, and the signatures of students and other Merriam residents, including descendants of the city’s founder, David Gee Campbell, who settled the area in 1864. (Merriam was originally called Campbellton but later renamed for a railroad official.)
Source: Joco 913 News
Destination Kansas: Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum
She was a pioneer of the sky, but her roots are firmly planted in Kansas. Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas. Amelia’s family lived in her grandfather’s home. Alfred Otis was a well-known judge and spent 12 years building the magnificent white house that still stands in Atchison. It is now the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, 223 N. Terrace. Even at a young age, Amelia was a thrill-seeker, doing whatever she could for a rush of adrenaline, even building a roller coaster in the backyard with her sister. “She just flew through the air and was telling her sister, ‘It felt like I was flying,’” said Heather Roesch, Manager of the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum. From then on, Amelia was hooked and she went on to become one of the best-known pilots in the world.
Source: KSN-TV
Attorney General says pandemic is highlighting legal issues with emergency powers law
Attorney General Derek Schmidt said there are many legal problems with how Kansas is operating during a state of emergency. So, he wants to prevent problems in future emergencies. Schmidt and Governor Laura Kelly have clashed multiple times during the coronavirus outbreak. He said that local officials can opt-out of the governor’s executive order on wearing masks and keeping distance in schools. In another instance, he differed with the governor on the ways executive orders could be enforced. He wants lawmakers to fix the wording in the law or the state could be hit with lawsuits.
Source: KSN-TV
‘This garden takes us to another level’: $6.6 million Kay’s Japanese Garden now open at Topeka Zoo
It was always a dream of former Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Kay McFarland to have a Japanese garden in Topeka. After Thursday’s opening ceremony at the Topeka Zoo, that’s now how her legacy lives on in the capital city. “Chief McFarland was truly a pioneer. She trail blazed for so many people and that story is told in this garden,” Brendan Wiley, Director of The Topeka Zoo, said. The $6.6 million Japanese garden is an oasis for peace and tranquility, which is one of a kind in the United States according to the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago, Consul General Okada. “In such a huge country like the United States, we only have a handful of Japanese gardens like this,” Consul General Okada said.
Source: KSNT News
Backyard of Kansas: Chalk formations of Logan and Gove counties
FOX 43 Explorer, Tianna Witmer, and FOX 43 anchor, Erin La Row, recently hit the road on separate trips to southwest Kansas to explore amazing chalk formations. They shared their adventures in this beautiful part of our state in this segment of Backyard of Kansas. Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is a relatively new state park opening in 2019. Located in a valley between Scott City and Oakley, it offers breathtaking views of ancient Niobrara Chalk Formations. Just a short drive from there, in Gove County, is Monument Rocks — another Niobrara Chalk natural landmark.
Source: KSNT News