Generational poverty hurts the health of people in southeast Kansas and Wyandotte County

2 Thursday, June 2

Generational poverty hurts the health of people in southeast Kansas and Wyandotte County

info2022-06-02T07:43:26-05:00June 2nd, 2022|

The disparities between Wyandotte and its neighbor to the south — Johnson County — remain the most dramatic contrast in the state. Residents of Wyandotte County and southeast Kansas face worse health outcomes than most of the rest of the state. A new report of annual health rankings from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute considers premature death, births of low-weight newborns, mental well-being and other factors. Southeast Kansas has struggled with poverty for generations — going back to the heyday of the region’s coal, zinc and lead mining industries. Those industries attracted immigrants willing to work dangerous jobs. The [...]

2 Thursday, June 2

Sedgwick County Emergency Mgmt. Cautioning Drivers as Flood Risk Continues Thru Thursday Afternoon

info2022-06-02T07:42:03-05:00June 2nd, 2022|

Sedgwick County Emergency Management is reminding residents of the ongoing flooding that will continue through June 2nd. Tuesday night, 911 and first responders dealt with over 60 calls for help from people who had driven into high water and became stuck. Flooding kills more people than any other severe weather-related hazard. Most deaths associated with floods occur either at night or when people become trapped in automobiles that stall while driving in areas that are flooded. Most cars will float (and be swept away) in 18-24 inches of moving water. Trucks and SUVs have only 6-12 more inches of clearance. Sedgwick [...]

2 Thursday, June 2

Emporia approves tech grant funding

info2022-06-02T08:30:22-05:00June 2nd, 2022|

The Emporia City Commission offered partial matching funds toward a request from Emporia Main Street executive director Casey Woods for a tech accelerator program, Wednesday afternoon. Woods said Main Street needs $750,000 to match a possible grant from the Economic Development Administration. He asked the Lyon County Commission for the funding last month, but the county did not want to act without a funding partner. Woods said the grand would help Emporia's effort to build and support tech jobs. He said the city and county have been known to support these types of things before. "The crux of what we’re asking [...]

2 Thursday, June 2

Parts of Tampa evacuated after gas leak

info2022-06-02T07:37:58-05:00June 2nd, 2022|

Firefighters evacuated residents of several houses for nearly two hours after a driver hit a Tampa gas meter at 12:37 a.m. Saturday in the 200 block of 5th St. The accident caused the underground gas pipe to break, so deputies and Tampa firefighters blocked off the street until Atmos Energy technicians arrived and got the leak shut off. Deputies and firefighters were able to leave the scene at 2:40 a.m. Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

2 Thursday, June 2

Florence marks 150 years

info2022-06-02T08:34:36-05:00June 2nd, 2022|

Residents and past residents of Florence gathered Saturday to mark the town’s 150th birthday, and others came from near and far in anticipation of a Sunday motorcycle race. A discussion of days gone by at the Harvey House museum drew 23 audience members to hear former resident Doug Westerhaus talk about Florence history. Westerhaus then held the microphone out to audience members who grew up in Florence, asking them to share their favorite memories. [HILLSBORO Star-Journal

1 Wednesday, June 1

Topeka’s Little Russia district copes with closing of Porubsky’s eatery

info2022-06-01T08:10:48-05:00June 1st, 2022|

The 1951 flood destroyed Topeka’s Sardou Bridge, but not the nearby Porubsky’s diner. Its owners rebuilt and reopened it. The family-owned eatery also survived a 1966 fire that forced it to temporarily close. Porubsky’s resilience inspired residents of North Topeka’s Little Russia community, for which it was the centerpiece, says Topeka City Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala. “Symbolically, that was huge for people to know that even after this horrific flooding, Porubsky’s stayed,” she told The Capital-Journal. “I think that there’s really something to be said about those markers like Porubsky’s that are able to weather the storms.” Source: CJonline

1 Wednesday, June 1

Making a change after 30 years at the Reno County Museum

info2022-06-01T08:09:07-05:00June 1st, 2022|

The wheels of change are coming to the Reno County Museum. The museum has received grants to improve the children's area and to make changes to some of the galleries. The first changes are underway in the children's area, called the Oodleplex, with a new, large, colorful train engine, tank car and caboose built with a grant from the BNSF Railway railroad company. "We wouldn't be here without the Santa Fe railroad and that's why when we did the train, we wanted to make it big and grand and right in your face because this is where it started with the [...]

1 Wednesday, June 1

Winfield Sears to close after nearly 20 years in business

info2022-06-01T08:08:00-05:00June 1st, 2022|

After nearly 20 years in business, the Sears Hometown Store at 912 Main St. in Winfield will close later this year. The store, which sells appliances, tools and other equipment, is closing due to a lack of business and the inability to get products, said manager Kellie Osen, with customers having to wait months to receive orders. “People do not want to wait for refrigerators for eight months,” Osen said. Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

1 Wednesday, June 1

Municipal Bond Trends for May 31, 2022

info2022-06-01T08:05:39-05:00June 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 Wednesday, June 1

Leawood city administrator Scott Lambers dies unexpectedly at age 66

info2022-06-01T08:01:06-05:00June 1st, 2022|

Leawood City Administrator Scott Lambers died unexpectedly at his home Tuesday morning, according to news release from the city. Lambers had worked for the city of Leawood for more than 20 years, first joining the city in 2001 after working in city management for other cities in both Kansas and California, the city’s statement said. “He was a champion of [Leawood’s] employees and a strong steward of the city’s finances,” the release said. Source: Shawnee Mission Post