An area fire department provides hands-on training, giving recruits a chance to prepare for what they’ll see in emergencies. Pittsburg Fire Department recruits entered a live house burn as part of the department’s new training initiative. Surrounding fire departments also came to observe and learn. The simulation included smoke, sirens, and fire, designed to reflect real-life situations. This approach helps trainees practice and learn under pressure, which in turn will help them become firefighters.
Source: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

A local renter-led advocacy group plans to present the Douglas County Commission an ordinance to guarantee tenants legal representation in eviction cases.  Lawrence Tenants hope for the ordinance to be on the commission’s agenda for consideration by August. The proposed TRTC ordinance would cover every tenant regardless of their income; cover any legal proceeding where a tenant could lose their housing or housing subsidy; provide legal representation; and require that the county contract with nonprofit legal providers for the service, according to Sprague’s presentation. 
Source: The Lawrence Times

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced that in partnership with the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Kansas Health Foundation and Sunflower Foundation, the Kansas Department of Commerce has awarded $298,825 in Towns Grant funding to support 32 small-scale projects across Kansas. The funded projects are quality-of-place investments that create quick, meaningful results in rural communities across the state.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Kansas law allows a school district board of education to expend funds to improve leased property. General obligation bonds may fund improvements to leased properties that are necessary for school district purposes. However, capital outlay funds may not be used to improve leased properties.
Source: Kansas Attorney General Opinions

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced that nearly $600,000 has been awarded in the latest round of Tourism Attraction Development Grant funding, bringing the total awarded this fiscal year to more than $1 million. The new grants will support 32 communities through 21 projects aimed at developing new or enhancing existing tourism attractions across the state.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Iola City Council members will decide soon whether to allow extended fireworks sales now that they’re allowed by the state. The Iola City Council will decide at its June 9 meeting whether to allow extended fireworks sales, although prospects look iffy. Currently, fireworks sales are allowed in Iola from outside the current eight-day window, from June 27 through July 5. State lawmakers extended the sales dates from June 20 through July 7 from temporary facilities, or year-round sales from permanent structures.
Source: The Iola Register

The City of Garden City is thrilled to announce the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Bob Halloran Community Park, a new recreational space designed to promote inclusivity and community engagement.
Source: Garden City, KS – News Flash

Recent rainy weather has led to water levels at Cheney Reservoir rising more than a foot since a low point in mid-May, but more precipitation is needed to ease drought restrictions in Wichita heading into summer. Even with the U.S. Drought Monitor removing Wichita from its drought distinction, the watering restrictions in the city will remain in place for the foreseeable future due to still-low levels at the reservoir, which is the source of Wichita’s water.
Source: Wichita Kansas Local News, Crime & More |