In an escalation of a dispute with Reno County over who should replace a deteriorating bridge on Scott Boulevard, South Hutchinson’s new city administrator announced on Friday plans to close Avenue F for 90 days. In a news release sent out late Friday afternoon, Joseph Turner said the closure, which will start Aug. 2, is to allow the replacement of a leaking water line. The street will remain open to residents and vendors providing goods and services to them, such as mail, delivery, and refuse services, the release stated, but closed to through traffic.
Source: Hutch News.

A single item is on the Aug. 3 election ballot – whether or not to continue the county-wide 1⁄ 4 cent sales tax. It is not, however, a sales tax increase. Robert Reece, Finney County administrator, said the sales tax was originally passed back in 1995 for the construction and improvement of the grandstands at the Finney County Fairgrounds. It was renewed in 1997 to fund improvements to the Law Enforcement Center and was renewed again in 2014 for the Community Service Center and the Juvenile Detention Center. The bond issue for the 2014 renewal will retire in the middle of 2022, however, the county wants to continue the sales tax to fund improvements to the Finney County Health Department building, EMS headquarters, as well as upgrading some HVAC systems at the Law Enforcement Center, Reece said.
Source: GC Telegram.

The City of Lawrence has enlisted the eager assistance of goats to help weed a city park. The Parks and Recreation Department is using about 50 goats in Prairie Park, 2730 Harper St., to assist with eradicating honeysuckle, which is an invasive plant. The program is intended to be a natural alternative to using herbicides.
Source: LJWorld.com.

Whether someone is looking for a latte or a biscuit with gravy, Jennifer and Dan Brummer want to make their new dine-in coffee shop — Jenz Java — a place where community members can gather. Dan grew up in Bennington — a small Kansas town with few choices for dining. “As kids, we always wanted someplace to go,” he said. “Our parents and grandparents never had any place to go.” So, when Dan was speaking with his neighbor in Haven and found out that the building at 202 Industrial Drive was up for sale, he knew he wanted to buy it and open a coffee shop.
Source: Hutch News.

Huber Sand was granted a conditional use permit to operate a sand and gravel quarry, next to the town of Pierceville, at the Finney County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting Wednesday. … The CUP for Huber Sand was previously discussed at the BZA’a June 16 meeting, but was tabled over concerns voiced by Pierceville residents about opening a sand mine next to the town and additional information given to the BZA by the residents. Some of the concerns raised at the last meeting were decreased property values, air quality, blowing sand due to mining operations, safety of children, light and sound pollution and road usage by the gravel trucks on Main Street in Pierceville.
Source: GC Telegram.

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.