Flights to Denver and Chicago continue as SkyWest withdraws termination notice for Salina

29 Wednesday, June 29

Flights to Denver and Chicago continue as SkyWest withdraws termination notice for Salina

info2022-06-29T07:45:53-05:00June 29th, 2022|

After a few months of uncertainty about passenger air service to and from the community, Salina Regional Airport announced that flights will continue uninterrupted. On March 10 of this year, the air service, which operates United Express flights at Salina, which travel to and from Chicago and Denver, announced it would terminate the service, due to a pilot shortage impacting the regional airline industry. That notice to terminate was withdrawn by SkyWest on Friday, June 24, meaning United Express flights will continue as part of the Essential Air Service, a program from the United States Department of Transportation. The Salina Airport [...]

29 Wednesday, June 29

Rural Counties Are Booming, but Can It Last?

info2022-06-29T07:44:28-05:00June 29th, 2022|

Even in the face of inflation and the risk of recession, the broad economic prospects for rural America may be looking up for the first time in years. Small communities have long lagged far behind big cities in job creation and income growth. But since the pandemic, many are seeing an infusion of remote workers drawn by lower costs, laid-back lifestyles and natural beauty—and worn down by crime and other urban challenges. Their presence has helped spur hiring, income gains and home-price growth in rural towns. The question now is whether these transplants are there to stay. Source: Wall Street Journal

29 Wednesday, June 29

Wichita firefighters, supporters protest at City Hall over wages

info2022-06-29T07:42:29-05:00June 29th, 2022|

Wichita firefighters, their families and supporters cheered outside of Wichita City Hall on Tuesday after union officials told them that during contract negotiations they immediately rejected the city’s offer for raises. International Association of Fire Fighters Local 135 president Ted Bush said the city’s offer wasn’t even close to bringing firefighter wages up to a rate comparable with other large cities in the region. Union officials said firefighters have started to leave the department in large numbers and pay is a major reason why. The department being short-staffed, they said, is putting additional stress on the remaining firefighters. Source: Local News [...]

29 Wednesday, June 29

Grow Labette reviews projects to benefit communities

info2022-06-29T07:42:09-05:00June 29th, 2022|

The Grow Labette Coalition met last week to discuss projects in process and plans for the future to achieve healthier communities as a whole and affect people’s well-being. Grow Labette Coalition seeks to strengthen alliances with health care providers, the government, business and educational institutions to create healthy choices, while building a culture that celebrates the changes made available by these healthier opportunities. It operates as a part of the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Initiative, which provides community coalitions with the tools and resources needed to remove barriers and engage their communities in ways that support healthy eating, active living [...]

29 Wednesday, June 29

Municipal Bond Trends for June 28, 2022

info2022-06-29T07:40:55-05:00June 29th, 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.

29 Wednesday, June 29

Fed’s Williams sees 50 or 75 basis-point rate hike debated in July

info2022-06-29T07:39:16-05:00June 29th, 2022|

Federal Reserve officials will discuss whether to raise rates by 50 basis points or 75 basis points when they meet next month, with the decision being determined by economic data, New York Fed President John Williams said on Tuesday. “In terms of our next meeting, I think 50 to 75 is clearly going to be the debate,” Williams said during an interview with CNBC. “My view is we’ve got to get interest rates higher, and we have to do that expeditiously.” The policy maker said he supports raising the Fed’s benchmark interest rate to a range of 3% to 3.5% by [...]

29 Wednesday, June 29

Louisburg makes changes to vicious dog codes, lifts breed ban

info2022-06-29T07:36:25-05:00June 29th, 2022|

The pit bull breed ban in the city of Louisburg has been lifted with action taken by the Louisburg City Council at its June 6 meeting. At the same meeting, the council passed two new ordinances that strengthen the dangerous and vicious animal laws inside the city limits. Both ordinances were unanimously approved by the five-member council and went into effect June 15 after publication in the official city newspaper. Under the new ordinance a dangerous animal is one that is defined that either attacks or bites any person or domestic animal or has attacked or bitten a person or domestic [...]

29 Wednesday, June 29

Governor approves drought declarations for Kansas counties

info2022-06-29T07:33:57-05:00June 29th, 2022|

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has approved an update to drought declarations for all 105 counties in the state. The new declaration places all of the counties in a watch, warning or emergency status. The declaration places 34 western Kansas counties into an emergency status, while 8 counties have been placed in a warning, including Stafford, Pawnee, Pratt and Barber counties in southern Kansas. Sedgwick County and the surrounding counties in south central and central Kansas are among 63 counties that are under a watch. Source: 101.3 KFDI

29 Wednesday, June 29

Unincorporated Johnson County speed limit increases

info2022-06-29T07:33:12-05:00June 29th, 2022|

On June 23, 2022, the Board of County Commissioners voted to increase speed limits on 13 segments of roads in unincorporated Johnson County, upon the recommendation of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Public Works Department. An engineering study was conducted to determine the 85th percentile speeds as well as a review of safety and sight distance issues at intersections and entrances. The 85th percentile is simply the speed that 85% of the drivers will operate and is an important component considered when posting speed limits. The 13 segments that met the criteria for safe increases in speed limits to either 40 [...]

29 Wednesday, June 29

McPherson looks to add improvements with renewing second half-cent sales tax

info2022-06-29T07:32:04-05:00June 29th, 2022|

The second half-cent sales tax is expected to end next year in McPherson, and after finishing many projects these past 10 years, the City wants to keep moving forward. If approved, this would keep the 9% sales tax in the city. The half-cent sales tax generates about $1.6 million each year over the course of 10 years. It has funded the renovation of the community building and the reconstruction of 1st Street. If approved for the next 10 years, 70% will go to street projects, and 20% will be for public lands like the golf course and parks. Source: KSN-TV