Rice County town to become the UFO Capital of Kansas

1 Friday, July 1

Rice County town to become the UFO Capital of Kansas

info2022-07-01T07:46:19-05:00July 1st, 2022|

While many people will be focused on fireworks and the nation’s independence this weekend, the residents of Geneseo in rural Rice County, population 236, are thinking more otherworldly. A festival is planned on Saturday outside the Geneseo Museum to mark “World UFO Day.” All are welcome. The occasion, said Jim Gray, president of the museum at 907 Silver St., is to celebrate the unique collection of the owner of the residence-turned-museum dedicated to his belief in extra-terrestrials and their visits to Earth. Source: Salina Journal

1 Friday, July 1

Municipal Bond Trends for June 30, 2022

info2022-07-01T07:44:16-05:00July 1st, 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.

1 Friday, July 1

JoCo rideshare program expanding next week

info2022-07-01T07:43:37-05:00July 1st, 2022|

Public transit is expanding in Johnson County next week with RideKC Micro Transit. RideKC 499 Johnson County Micro Transit will expand its service area and operate seven days a week beginning July 5. They will still run from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. The RideKC Micro Transit program allows riders to hail a ride from a van that seats 12, somewhat similarly to other rideshare services like Uber or Lyft. Source: Kansas City Star

1 Friday, July 1

Some in Prairie Village irked by planned removal of massive oak for teardown-rebuild project

info2022-07-01T07:38:07-05:00July 1st, 2022|

Some Prairie Village residents are upset about the pending removal of a mature oak tree as part of a teardown-rebuild project off Nall Avenue and W. 69th Street. Residents like Barbara Dooley are concerned not only about this specific tree at 5225 W. 69th Street, but about how common shade tree removals appear to be across Prairie Village. Dooley, whose family has lived next door to the tree for 60 years, told the Post she feels like the city’s tree canopy is disappearing as a result of the teardown rebuild phenomenon. Source: Prairie Village Post

1 Friday, July 1

Sustainability Advisory Board sends plastic bag ban on to Lawrence City Commission

info2022-07-01T00:28:55-05:00July 1st, 2022|

Lawrence’s Sustainability Advisory Board voted unanimously Thursday to approve an ordinance banning establishments from using single-use plastic bags. The draft ordinance will go next to the Lawrence City Commission for consideration. If the commission approves it, the ordinance will ban establishments — including grocery stores, restaurants and others — from providing customers with plastic shopping bags. Produce bags and reusable bags are exempted from the ban, and single-use disposable paper bags would still be allowed. A few public commenters spoke in favor of the ban. Some encouraged the SAB to move faster than the draft’s timeline of one year from the [...]

1 Friday, July 1

ATF to open first-of-its-kind Center of Excellence at Wichita State’s Innovation Campus

info2022-07-01T07:39:20-05:00July 1st, 2022|

In a huge win for Wichita State University, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is preparing to open a Crime Gun Intelligence Center of Excellence on the school’s Innovation Campus. The national center, unlike anything the ATF currently has, is part of its Crime Gun Intelligence strategy. There will be several components to the center. Those include a new center for ballistics analysis; a new home for the ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence governing board; a new home for the ATF’s Intelligence Research Specialists Academy and other advanced training; and a new facility for crime gun intelligence training for law [...]

1 Friday, July 1

Wyandotte County will pay $12.5M to Lamonte McIntyre, wrongly imprisoned for 23 years

info2022-07-01T07:39:40-05:00July 1st, 2022|

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County will pay $12.5 million to settle a lawsuit brought by Lamonte McIntyre, an innocent man who spent 23 years in prison, and his mother, who alleged a Kansas City, Kansas, detective framed her son after she rejected his sexual advances. The settlement was unanimously approved by the UG’s board of commissioners Thursday night, marking an end to years of litigation. The McIntyres had initially sought a combined $123 million in damages, the majority of which was pursued for his wrongful imprisonment. Source: Kansas City Star

30 Thursday, June 30

Manhattan Cleanup Making Progress

info2022-06-30T23:56:29-05:00June 30th, 2022|

The severe weather that hit Manhattan earlier this month caused considerable damage, and it’s taking a bit longer than originally anticipated to collect all the downed tree limbs. Citywide cleanup efforts moved into Area Two late last week, after City crews finished picking up tree and limb debris in Area One on June 23rd. The amount of tree and limb debris collected has been significant, leading to multiple days of work being needed in each region. Crews will only move into Area Three once Area Two is complete. Residents of any of the later collection areas – Areas Three, Four, and [...]

30 Thursday, June 30

July summit in Wichita will explore how state will divvy $3.8B from infrastructure bill

info2022-07-01T07:42:28-05:00June 30th, 2022|

Kansas is set to receive at least $3.8 billion during the next five years from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and an instructional two-day event planned in Wichita next month will explore how cities, counties and the private sector can start tapping into the funds. The Kansas Infrastructure Summit, planned for July 13-14 at the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex at Wichita State University, will cover grant opportunities available under the BIL and review strategies for preparing grant applications. Attendees are also invited to share input on infrastructure priorities in Kansas, including transportation, water, energy and broadband. Source: Wichita Business Journal

30 Thursday, June 30

Municipal Bond Trends for June 29, 2022

info2022-06-30T08:14:14-05:00June 30th, 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.