Scott County GMD is finally nearing LEMA adoption to take effect in ‘23

A LEMA that will reduce the amount of water used for irrigation by an estimated 10.5% is close to being adopted by Groundwater Management District No. 1. A general outline of the proposal was presented during the GMD’s annual meeting in Scott City on Wednesday. Since Wichita County has already established its own LEMA, the latest proposal will target the four other counties within the district – Scott, Lane, Greeley and Wallace. The last time the GMD proposed a district-wide LEMA in 2014 it was narrowly defeated. That plan would have implemented a 20% reduction in irrigation pumping.
Source: Scott County Record

2022-02-24T18:19:27-06:00February 24, 2022|News|

Scott City considers ‘minimum housing’ guidelines

Tenants of rental housing who feel that basic health or safety conditions aren’t being met by their landlord may eventually be able to seek assistance from City Hall. The Scott City Council is weighing the prospect of establishing minimum housing standards which would primarily target rental property, though the guidelines would apply to all housing, according to City Administrator Brad Pendergast. We’re not looking at anything that should be considered out of the ordinary for a home anyone would consider liveable,” says Pendergast. This would include basic needs such as a working toilet, the absence of mold from water leaks and having a home that can maintain a reasonable temperature during “average cold weather.”
Source: Scott County Record

2022-02-24T18:17:35-06:00February 24, 2022|News|

Nickerson Mayor Peggy Ruebke begins her next term with downtown development in mind

After handling COVID-19 responses and action in her first term, Nickerson Mayor Peggy Ruebke plans to begin revitalizing and putting into motion new ideas for business developments on Nickerson Street downtown for her second term. The city council recently began meeting about new ideas to revitalize downtown. They asked the community to approach the city government with suggestions. Ruebke said she and the council enjoy it when residents visit city council meetings and encourage questions to help better put plans in motion or create new projects. “I don’t think I’m the typical mayor. I like more of a hands-on approach, and I like to know what’s going on,” Reubke said.
Source: Hutch News

2022-02-24T08:33:34-06:00February 24, 2022|News|

South Hutchinson City Council discusses development efforts, need for changes

The South Hutchinson City Council’s commitment Monday of $500,000 to the chamber for a grant application is just the first step of a new economic development effort by the city, according to the city administrator. Joseph Turner advised the council he also submitted applications for state SPARK funds to use toward housing development incentives and broadband expansion in the city…. “I want to get some traction in Prairie Ridge,” Turner said, referring to a housing development on the city’s west side that has stalled for several years.
Source: Hutch News

2022-02-24T08:33:55-06:00February 24, 2022|News|

Interest rates fall as investors run for safety during Russia-Ukraine invasion

U.S. Treasury yields saw steeper falls on Thursday morning, after Russia invaded Ukraine. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note dropped more than 12 basis points to 1.855% at around 7:45 a.m. ET. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond fell 11 basis points to 2.166%. … Treasury yields dropped as investors flocked to the safe haven asset of government bonds, while gold jumped to its highest level in more than a year. Global markets fell sharply following the news of Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

2022-02-24T07:57:34-06:00February 24, 2022|News|

The market has adjusted its views of how the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates

The Federal Reserve is expected to start raising interest rates next month and not slow down until well into 2023, though the slope of the increases might be a bit gentler. Events over the past week, including statements from multiple Fed officials and, to a lesser extent, geopolitical turmoil, have convinced markets that the first rate move will be just a quarter percentage point. That change came after traders had been pricing a move double that size at the March 15-16 Federal Open Market Committee meeting. Central bankers have been dousing the idea of needing to go up 50 basis points at the meeting, with New York Fed President John Williams saying last week that there is “no compelling argument” for the move.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

2022-02-24T07:55:11-06:00February 24, 2022|News|

Has the Prairie Village YMCA outlived its usefulness? The debate is on for JoCo spot

After shelving the matter during the COVID-19 pandemic, Prairie Village officials are again discussing a new community center. But the deliberations are wrapped up with other pending decisions about the city’s government/pool complex, as well as troubles facing the nearby Paul Henson YMCA at 79th and Delmar streets. John Mikos, president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, told the City Council in mid-February that the Paul Henson Y — built more than 55 years ago — “has gone way beyond its useful life,” and is increasingly difficult to maintain. It’s been operating in the red for 18 months.
Source: Joco 913 News

2022-02-24T07:54:18-06:00February 24, 2022|News|

Douglas County voters will decide in November whether to expand 3-member commission to 5

Three affirmative votes Wednesday evening meant that thousands of Douglas County voters will soon decide whether the county commission should expand to five members. If all goes as planned, the commission will consider ballot language to put the question before voters for the Tuesday, Nov. 8 general election. The timeline is not terribly tight for the language of the question to be decided — commissioners must vote on the question before Sept. 1. After the election, however, if voters do determine that there should be two additional seats on the dais, the commission must adopt maps of new districts by Jan. 1, 2023.
Source: The Lawrence Times

2022-02-24T07:53:51-06:00February 24, 2022|News|

Newton holds first party, approves second bigger one

A large crowd of people gathered Tuesday evening to celebrate the city’s long-awaited Sesquicentennial. “May we never lose sight of what comes ahead,” Mayor Clint McBroom told the crowd as he addressed the city’s history. “Let’s remember to keep looking to what’s ahead.” Newton formed as a rail stop and cow town 11 years after Kansas became a state, only to grow into a location with a wild and rowdy reputation complete with saloons, bars, salacious entertainment establishments, and even a shoot-out that prompted the short-lived sobriquet of Bloody Newton. The city over the years has civilized but city leaders passed a proclamation at a city commission meeting held Tuesday to make 2022 a year to celebrate the city’s heritage. “Everyone is free to party and celebrate this entire year,” McBroom joked. The evening event had dancers, a symphony performance and other entertainment, which was the first course in planned celebrations.
Source: Harvey County Now

2022-02-24T01:46:19-06:00February 24, 2022|News|
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