With encyclopedias from the 1960s and other literature students have not checked out in decades, the Nickerson High School Library aims to renovate the space into a student-focused location, including a coffee shop and a new “student union” feel. This summer, Nickerson High School staff plan to take the first step toward a new renovation of the library by removing old books and reorganizing shelves to create more space. From Thursday, June 23 to Saturday, June 25, Nikki Barton, a paraeducator at Nickerson High School, said she plans to give away about 5,000 old books from the library. “There are still [...]

Local residents hoping to paint the sky this Independence Day have an increased number of places at which to buy fireworks. Licenses to peddle pyrotechnics have been issued for 50 sites in Topeka and Shawnee County, up from 47 last year. Twenty-eight are in Topeka and 22 are outside the city limits ... People outside Topeka city limits face a mish-mash of differing rules on when fireworks may be sold or discharged, depending on where they’re located. Source: CJonline

Just three months after the city updated its regulations on keeping animals on residential property, Hutchinson City Councilwoman Sarah Bagwell suggested Tuesday significantly loosening rules for backyard poultry. “I want an agenda item to have an ordinance change to let people have 12 chickens,” Bagwell said. “If they have more than 2 acres, up to 50 with a permit.” She also suggested allowing both layers and meat hens. The average lot size in the city is 6,000 square feet, Bagwell said, which limits flocks to three chickens. The code also prohibits the slaughtering or processing of chickens. Source: Hutch News

The Hutchinson City Council Tuesday approved amendments to a few contracts it has with Reno County on shared costs of operating the Law Enforcement Center and E-911 Emergency Communications in response to disputes that surfaced last year. ... The primary change in the Law Enforcement Center agreement is that the city’s share of the cost of operating the Reno County Correctional Facility will drop from 14% to 12%. That's because the Reno County Sheriff’s Office is no longer transporting prisoners for municipal court or driving individuals to Larned State Hospital in city-related cases. Source: Hutch News

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.