Parents petition to ban cell phones in Lawrence schools

14 Wednesday, August 14

Parents petition to ban cell phones in Lawrence schools

info2024-08-14T11:17:32-05:00August 14th, 2024|

More than 100 parents of students in the Lawrence school district have signed a petition in support of a districtwide ban of cell phones in classrooms. Justin Blumenstiel, a parent of a Free State High School student, told the school board Monday that he and fellow petitioners support teachers who have called for a stricter, more cohesive cell phone policy. “I know that the school board is considering these matters very strongly, and I really recommend urgency on these matters,” Blumenstiel said. More than 80 Lawrence educators signed a petition at the end of the past school year proposing students’ phones [...]

14 Wednesday, August 14

A Sedgwick County vote on solar regulations could kill $200M project

info2024-08-14T11:15:03-05:00August 14th, 2024|

Sedgwick County Commissioners will vote Wednesday on alternative regulations proposed for commercial and utility-based solar projects. The regulations, if approved, could end a proposed Chisholm Trail Solar Energy Center, a 750-acre solar project between Colwich and Maize by Chicago-based renewable energy company Invenergy. More specifically, the proposed regulations would prohibit projects in urban areas of influence — urban land where utility-based solar projects are not permitted — and require projects to be no more than 1,280 acres. "If the county enacts this particular ban, our Chisholm Trail Solar Energy Center project will lose the opportunity to submit a Conditional Use Permit [...]

14 Wednesday, August 14

City Council to have more talks on a plan for paid parking downtown

info2024-08-14T11:11:44-05:00August 14th, 2024|

In a marathon, ten-hour meeting Tuesday, Wichita City Council members heard an update and review of a plan to convert to paid parking downtown, as they held their second hearing on the city’s budget for 2025. Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson said the plan to go to a paid system is part of a parking and multimodal plan that was adopted by the Council in 2023. He said the city’s parking fund can cover basic operations but it’s not providing enough to cover needed maintenance and repair of parking garages and facilities. A parking fee is expected to generate over $3 [...]

14 Wednesday, August 14

Municipal Bond Trends for August 13, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-08-14T09:48:05-05:00August 14th, 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.

14 Wednesday, August 14

These 14 Kansas cities lost the most people last year, state report says

info2024-08-14T08:38:10-05:00August 14th, 2024|

The report, which uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau, also shows that 14 Kansas cities lost at least 100 people last year. Most of them are in more rural areas of the state. Source: Hutch News

13 Tuesday, August 13

These 18 Kansas cities gained the most people last year, state budget office report says

info2024-08-13T12:18:28-05:00August 13th, 2024|

...population growth varied widely across the state and even within counties, according to the report, which uses U.S. Census Bureau data. There were 18 cities that gained at least 100 people, with many of the biggest winners being suburbs in the Kansas City and Wichita metro areas. Source: Salina Journal

13 Tuesday, August 13

Crisis City near Salina helps prep medical search and rescue teams for disaster

info2024-08-13T12:17:41-05:00August 13th, 2024|

Search and rescue crews from across the state and U.S. took part in training at Crisis City last week, culminating in a simulated rescue operation Friday night. Twenty-three paramedics and physicians, all of whom are part of urban search and rescue task forces in Kansas and across the country, spent three days of classes and simulations as part of the Medical Team Specialist course from Disaster Medical Solutions (DMS) at Crisis City. Source: Salina Journal

13 Tuesday, August 13

More Topekans are being cited for grass growing too high

info2024-08-13T12:13:59-05:00August 13th, 2024|

The Topeka Police Department's property maintenance unit enforces the ordinance involved, as well other property maintenance ordinances, said Rosie Nichols, public safety communications specialist for Topeka's city government. This year's rise in vegetation violations may be related to an increase in staffing, Nichols said. "In previous years, there were six inspector positions and one field supervisor, and today there are 10 inspectors with one field supervisor," she said. Source: CJonline

13 Tuesday, August 13

Municipal Bond Trends for August 12, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-08-13T09:48:38-05:00August 13th, 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.

12 Monday, August 12

Action delayed on solar regulations for Sedgwick County

info2024-08-12T11:09:23-05:00August 12th, 2024|

Sedgwick County Commissioners have delayed action on zoning regulations that would cover large-scale solar projects. Commissioners heard reports at their regular meeting Wednesday on proposed amendments to the Unified Zoning Code on definitions, standards and requirements for commercial solar systems. The county also hired the Virginia firm of The Berkley Group to look over the proposed regulations and look at best practices across the country. Michael Zehner, a representative from the Berkley Group, said the goal is to ensure that Solar Energy Conversion System developments meet community needs and are consistent with best practices. The regulations would prohibit large solar projects [...]