Kansas Municipal News
Wichita schools to get devices to students despite global laptop shortage
Wichita Public Schools are still waiting for a huge shipment of laptops, as the first day of school approaches. Despite delayed shipments, the district says they plan to get every student access to virtual learning by the first day of the semester. The district sent out a survey asking parents and students if they already have internet access and a device to access virtual learning. If the student does not have a device, the district plans to re-purpose laptops, iPads and Chromebooks it already has. USD 259 Chief Information Officer, Rob Dickson, said students who need to access virtual learning will be able to.
Source: KAKE – News
‘Let us take the risk’ — Some parents urge in-person learning in Shawnee Mission, while others praise district for decision to start remotely
More than 30 people took to the mic Monday afternoon in a sometimes-emotional public listening session regarding the Shawnee Mission Schools’ decision to open the 2020-21 academic year with all of the district’s roughly 27,000 students learning remotely. The district’s choice to start with remote learning — and to also suspend all sports and extracurricular activities — came after county health officials advised public school districts last week that some key COVID-19 trends are increasing and that community spread is continuing in Johnson County, making in-person learning potentially unsafe.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Mission approves new logo as part of rebranding efforts, communications plan
The Mission City Council Wednesday evening approved a rebranding design that the city will use in its signage and website as part of an ongoing communications plan. The Mission City Council approved the above logo as part of the city’s rebranding efforts. The logo will begin to be used in the city’s communications including its website. Mission city staff worked with marketing agency Crux KC to narrow down the dozen or so options to two to present to the city council and the public. The city council Wednesday was asked to choose between the two options. The public’s feedback on the two designs was nearly split, with 105 preferring option one and 107 voting for option two.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Shawnee County to let schools make own decisions regarding COVID-19
Shawnee County will let schools make their own decisions on how to safely open and conduct activities during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioners, Bill Riphahn, Kevin Cook and Aaron Mays voted 3-0 to adopt a resolution spelling out that policy and affirming a health order issued Friday by health officer Gianfranco Pezzino. Riphahn said the measure’s approval “clears the air” regarding the county’s involvement with schools. “Yes, we’ll help the schools and they can listen to us,” he said. “But we’re letting the schools make their owns decisions and set their own course as far as sports and how they conduct their classrooms and things like that, and this resolution spells that out. I want parents to be able to go to the school – not to us – to answer those questions.”
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for August 21, 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.
Bike loan program instituted by library
The Ottawa Library has five cruiser bicycles available to check out on loan. The Ottawa Bike Share is made possible by United Methodist Church. Individuals must be at least 18 to borrow a bicycle and be responsible for it. Riders must be at least 12 years old to ride, and children 12-17 must have a parent/guardian check out a bike for them.
Source: News – The Ottawa Herald
Leavenworth firefighters to distribute free masks
Members of the Leavenworth Fire Department will be distributing free face coverings this weekend. Firefighters will hand out the masks from 2-4 p.m. Saturday or until supplies run out. The distribution will take place at Haymarket Square, which is located at Seventh and Cherokee streets. A total of 7,500 adult-size masks will be available for distribution as well as 5,000 youth-size masks.
Source: Leavenworth Times
Olathe teachers, parents start working out challenges of new learning mode changes
Teachers in the metro’s largest district are now back on the job. Olathe welcomed educators back for training and planning sessions starting Thursday. Now, school staff and families are beginning to sort out the challenges they’ll face moving forward. Olathe kids are relishing the last two weeks of summer break. The Schurr family was hoping kids could go back in person, but now, their 7th grader will be doing school online.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
Kansas City’s Renaissance Festival canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
Organizers for the 2020 Kansas City Renaissance Festival cancelled the event on Friday, citing the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Organizers said they worked hard over the last five months to develop a plan to result in a safe and healthy Renaissance Festival. However, they say current state directives will not change significantly in time to allow the festival to open this fall. “We understand the impact of this decision on so many wonderful artisans, performers, participants, volunteers, and countless families seeking a place to celebrate and enjoy a touch of normalcy that our yearly festival tradition brings,” said organizers in a statement released on Friday, August 21.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
Johnson County sheriff’s deputy honored for saving man as train races toward them
A Johnson County sheriff’s deputy is being hailed a hero after he rushed into the path of an oncoming train to save a man’s life. On Nov. 11, 2019, Dep. Mark Davis was leaving work for the day when he noticed a car stalled on the train track right behind the sheriff’s office. The driver tried to get the car to start but got it stuck in a hole on the track. Davis said he approached the vehicle to let the driver know a train was coming, but the driver refused to leave the car. “I looked at the driver and told him, ‘Hey man, we got to go,’ and the driver tells me no!” Davis said. After several attempts to convince the driver to leave, Davis decided to take matters into his own hands.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
Downtown businesses welcome college students back to Emporia
Emporia Main Street combined two popular late summer events, Thursday evening, welcoming back college students to the community. Local businesses held special promotions and offers during the event and participants were encouraged to get a passport at the Emporia Main Street office on 727 Commercial St., or pick up a passport at participating businesses to be eligible to win prizes. L&L Pets “We’re going to be doing 15% off storewide and then we will be giving away a $20 certificate with Emporia Main Street,” said Jason Crumb, owner of L&L Pets.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Listening to the beauty of the Flint Hills
A few lucky people got the first chance to view a new video that emphasizes the beauty of Chase County, Wednesday evening. “Listen,” a promotional video created for the Chase County Chamber of Commerce by Hillsboro-based filmmaker Austin Calam, features the breathtaking landscapes, sunsets and sounds unique to the region. It came together with the help of a number of locals, including Warren and Susie Harshman who helped arrange for bison footage. Bruce Siebert and Colton Kenny appear in silhouette against the backdrop of a twilight sky.
Source: Emporia Gazette
From past to present
Kaman Simmons has an affinity for history, to say the least. The Emporia native and Lyon County History Center intern recently had the opportunity to take on a project that reshapes and tells a part of Lyon County history that was missing some pieces. It began with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office contacted the history center about collecting the history of the sheriff’s office. While the bones of the sheriff’s office history existed, much of the substance was still missing. History Center Deputy Director Lisa Soller called upon Simmons to take on the project.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Landowners raise objections to closing Mohawk Road
Four farmers who own land along Mohawk Road south of Fourth Avenue showed up for a public road viewing in front of the county landfill entrance Tuesday morning to voice objections to closing the road. Reno County Landfill officials are proposing to close the road from the landfill entrance south for a half-mile as part of the landfill improvements. The viewing was a legal step required before Reno County Commission can vacate the road. It must also hold a public hearing on the petition, which is set for the commission’s regular 9 a.m. meeting next week.
Source: News – The Hutchinson News
USDA approves Spearville Senior Living funding
A local group of senior adults recently received some good news in hard times. According to a news release, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development approved an application from Spearville Senior Living Inc. and awarded the organization $4 million in funding for a local senior living project — a campus to be named Sunrise at Spearville. “This is a loan at a very favorable interest rate,” Ron Temaat, Spearville Senior Living board of directors chairman, said in the release. “This project could not happen without USDA funding. We are very grateful.”
Source: News – The Hays Daily News
Roeland Park breaks ground on Aquatic Center improvements, on track for completion before 2021 pool season
The city of Roeland Park last week celebrated the groundbreaking of improvements to the Roeland Park Aquatic Center, 4843 Rosewood Drive. The city council last month awarded a $1.6 million aquatic center improvement contract to Royal Construction. Mayor Mike Kelly said the aquatic center groundbreaking is a bit of good news for the city amid COVID-19, especially considering the lack of a 2020 pool season. “One of the silver linings and one of the hopeful things that we have is this aquatic center revitalization,” Kelly said. “Being able to break ground on that was very encouraging.”
Source: Prairie Village Post
Topekans look to regain momentum
After a pause in momentum during the coronavirus pandemic, Topeka’s five-year community development plan is getting back on track. According to Michelle Cuevas-Stubblefield, senior vice president of strategy for the Greater Topeka Partnership, Momentum 2022 is still very much alive, and the handful of workgroups tasked with pursuing different initiatives to push that plan forward are re-engaging this month. “We’re still going to monitor COVID, and we’re going to address that,” she said, “but at the same time, it’s time to get our momentum back.” Cuevas-Stubblefield said Momentum 2022 had been put on hold in March when COVID-19 cases and effects of the pandemic began to reach Topeka and Shawnee County.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
Johnson County COVID-19 stories from public will help government decide on funding
So it can better distribute federal relief money, Johnson County government wants to know more about the impact of COVID-19 on those who live and work in the county. By an extended deadline of Aug. 24, officials will accept stories about the how the illness, and efforts to limit its spread, have affected households, businesses and organizations. The county has received about $30 million in Phase II funding under the federal CARES Act. Officials have identified six areas for investment of the money: mental health, aging, housing, small business assistance, workforce development and digital access.
Source: Joco 913 News
Edgerton’s new trail under construction
Construction on Edgerton’s new pedestrian trail along 56 Highway began the last week of July. The new asphalt trail will run from 1st Street to 7th Street when fully complete, but work will be broken up into two phases. The first phase will connect 1st Street to Edgerton Elementary. The second phase runs from the school to 7th Street. The new trail will drastically improve safety for pedestrians and provide important connections to the businesses along 56 Highway. This spring, Edgerton City Council members approved a cooperative purchasing agreement with Johnson County from Max Rieke Bros. and Updike Paving Corp for the project. The agreement with Johnson County Parks and Recreation helped defray some of the costs.
Source: Gardner News
Municipal Bond Trends for August 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.