City of Randolph victim of $40k fraud

16 Friday, August 16

City of Randolph victim of $40k fraud

info2024-08-16T08:54:51-05:00August 16th, 2024|

The Riley County Police Department (RCPD) said the City of Randolph was the victim of a scam after being defrauded out of $40,000. On Tuesday, Aug. 13 RCPD was called to report fraud in the 300 block of Stockdale Drive in Randolph. The city was listed as the victim after a suspect posed as a consulting group and defrauded the city, according to a daily report from the RCPD. If you have information on the thefts you can contact Crime Stoppers. Using Crime Stoppers you can remain anonymous and qualify for a $1,000 cash reward. 27 News reached out to the [...]

16 Friday, August 16

Pittsburg pool plays host to paddling pooches

info2024-08-16T08:53:27-05:00August 16th, 2024|

Residents take one last dip in the city pool with their pooches at the Pittsburg Aquatic Center Wednesday evening. With daytime heat index in excess of 100 degrees, the water was a welcome relief to human and canine. Parents brought their fur babies — and the regular ones too — for a final dip in the ole cement pond. Divided into two one-hour segments based on size, doggies got to play from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Typically the last public event of the summer, the pool will close until next Memorial weekend. Source: Morning Sun

16 Friday, August 16

Rock River Rapids and Derby Shores — how will the Derby waterparks be different?

info2024-08-16T08:50:26-05:00August 16th, 2024|

If you’re feeling the heat in Derby this summer, the city could cool you down in more ways than one. Plans were announced in April for a summer groundbreaking for Derby Shores, a $160 million private development that would add another aquatic experience to the rapidly growing Wichita suburb. The development would add an approximately 4-acre man-made lagoon with a beach and water slides, a 300-unit apartment complex, an RV/glamping park, a 50-unit senior living facility and other developments at 63rd Street South and Rock Road. The development would be a mile from the city’s long-standing municipal waterpark, Rock River Rapids. [...]

16 Friday, August 16

Sedgwick County Commissioners set precedent for commercial solar in approved regulations

info2024-08-16T08:46:10-05:00August 16th, 2024|

Sedgwick County finally has an answer for its commercial and utility-based solar projects — one that brings a year's worth of deliberation to a temporary stop. Sedgwick County Commissioners approved 4-1 Wednesday updated regulations that prohibit solar projects within urban areas of influence in the county — defined as urban areas of land with development growth — with some additions: Increase the maximum project size from the proposed 1,280 acres to 1,500 acres. Increase maximum contiguous land sections for a commercial project location from four to six areas. Increase the distance between an unattached area of a project to the concentrated [...]

16 Friday, August 16

“Just don’t forget about us”: Mayor Kovacic pleads for commission to help city of Stark

info2024-08-16T08:41:58-05:00August 16th, 2024|

Stark Mayor Jeff Kovacic spoke at Tuesday’s Neosho County Commission meeting voicing concerns over finances for his community. Stark has a population of 67 residents. Kovacic listed the community's responsibilities to the taxpayers. Valuation in Stark is about $264,000, meaning a mill levied generates about $264. Kovacic said that 99 percent of the town’s tax money goes toward insurance. While some things in the town generate money, the tax money mostly goes to paying other bills, he said. Kovacic asked the commission for a portion of the payment in lieu of taxes from Neosho Ridge Wind. The commission has given some [...]

15 Thursday, August 15

Municipal Bond Trends for August 14, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-08-15T10:51:27-05:00August 15th, 2024|

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.

15 Thursday, August 15

Droessler fills role

info2024-08-15T10:08:23-05:00August 15th, 2024|

Robby Droessler recently assumed the role of Iola's parks and cemetery superintendent. He ascended into the position after long-time parks and cemetery boss Berkley Kerr retired this summer. Want to feel old? Robby Droessler, Iola’s newly minted parks and cemetery superintendent, was having a recent conversation with a seasonal employee of his who helped with mowing during the summer before returning to school in the fall. The chat steered to Iola’s 2007 flood, which filled Riverside Park with 10 feet of floodwater and ultimately resulted in construction of a new swimming pool and a new community building. “He didn’t remember anything [...]

15 Thursday, August 15

Crawford considers solar farm

info2024-08-15T10:05:01-05:00August 15th, 2024|

Crawford County commissioners are considering a proposed $500 million solar farm that would generate not only energy but also millions in tax revenues, according to the Pittsburg Morning Sun. John Copyak of Shasta Power, based in Bend, Ore., introduced the plan to commissioners earlier this week. The 1,500-acre site woud be between Arma and Frontenac and be centered on an existing power station, the Sun reported. Construction would require 200 workers, with a dozen permanent jobs required to maintain the site. The farm is slated to generate 200 megawatts, enough to power 50,000 homes, according to Copyak. The solar farm is [...]

15 Thursday, August 15

Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation asks federal court to resolve jurisdiction dispute with sheriff

info2024-08-15T10:03:26-05:00August 15th, 2024|

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in a federal lawsuit accuses the Jackson County sheriff of threatening to arrest tribal police over a tax dispute with a gas station on the reservation. The lawsuit against Sheriff Tim Morse signals an escalation in longstanding tensions over law enforcement jurisdiction on the nation’s land. Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation chairman, said the sheriff does not collaborate with the nation. “We have really had a checkered past with Jackson County, specifically the sheriff,” Rupnick said, noting Morse and his wife are former employees of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. In late May, the lawsuit [...]

15 Thursday, August 15

City repeals old code

info2024-08-15T10:00:00-05:00August 15th, 2024|

John Clark, chairman of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), appeared before the city commission to ask for the repeal of City Code 1975 Section 26-76 which prevents a committee member petitioning the city for funds for economic development if that member remains on the committee and up to one year after. While Clark said he understood and agreed with the original intent of the section, he said it should not apply to the EDAC given the fact that members of other committees and boards, including the city commission, often recuse themselves from voting if there is a conflict of interest. [...]