Wichita officers and firefighters hand out Dillons giftcards to shoppers

The Wichita Police and Fire Foundations teamed up with and to give some help this holiday season. They handed out gift cards purchased by the Wichita Police and Fire Foundation for its “Holiday Hand-Up” program. It was like a scavenger hunt, with officers following prompts like “find someone wearing a veterans cap” and then giving them the gift. One officer says it was great to relieve some shoppers’ stress. “Seeing the reaction to a lot of these individuals we’re going out and contacting, they get to see, ‘Oh boy, all of the sudden, this police officer’s coming up to talk to me, and what’s going on?’ Then it’s like, ‘Oh wow, oh wow, this is cool,’” said Officer Tyler Kaus. Officers and firefighters had several thousand dollars in gift cards to hand out.
Source: KSN-TV

2024-11-26T09:21:50-06:00November 26, 2024|News|

KDOT to give update of Passenger Rail Development plan

The Kansas Department of Transportation will soon give an update on the development plan for restoring passenger rail service to other parts of the state.
Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer connects Ft. Worth, TX, to Oklahoma City, OK. KDOT is exploring options to extend the service from Oklahoma City to Arkansas City and Wichita to Newton, where passengers could connect to the Southwest Chief, which connects Chicago, IL, and Los Angeles, CA. A live virtual meeting will take place Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 1 to 2 p.m. CST. It will then be available 24/7 as a virtual open house until Jan. 1, 2025.
Source: KSNF/KODE

2024-11-26T09:20:06-06:00November 26, 2024|News|

JoCo commissioners consider 23% raise for themselves, first in over a decade

County commissioners are considering raising their salaries 23% next year for their first salary increase since 2011 — a move some said would make it easier for people from all financial backgrounds to serve in office. In an afternoon committee meeting Thursday, a 5-2 majority of commissioners voted to bring the proposed increase to the regular agenda, though no date was set. The increase follows a recommendation by an ad hoc advisory committee set up last summer to study the issue. The committee recommended the commission chair’s salary be increased to an annual $92,500 from its current $75,000. County commissioners’ pay would go from the current $47,349 to $58,300.
Source: Johnson County Post

2024-11-26T09:18:16-06:00November 26, 2024|News|

Olathe raises concerns about KDOT’s plan to improve K-10 — Here’s city’s main worry

Olathe city officials are concerned about some changes coming to Kansas Highway 10, especially the impacts of a potential new interchange at Lone Elm Road. City staff and Olathe city councilmembers worry a new interchange there could make school zones nearby less safe along with other potential issues, including increased stormwater runoff and traffic noise.
Source: Johnson County Post

2024-11-26T09:16:55-06:00November 26, 2024|News|

Lawrence school board gives cell phone policy initial approval after district suggests ‘guidance’ in opposition

Lawrence school board members on Monday gave initial approval to a draft cell phone policy, despite district administrators proposing guidance that directly conflicts with the draft as it’s written. Board member Anne Costello said she was “a little surprised” when reviewing a two-page document that was attached to the board’s agenda sometime after Saturday but before the meeting Monday. The document offers guidance for implementing the policy, including permitting middle schoolers access to their phones during lunchtime and high schoolers during lunchtime and passing periods. The policy draft says personal cell phones and devices must be “turned off and stored out of sight at all times during school hours.”
Source: The Lawrence Times

2024-11-26T09:16:02-06:00November 26, 2024|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for November 22, 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.

2024-11-25T08:48:22-06:00November 25, 2024|News|

How Kansas laws could change on zoning, city building codes and tax incentives

A special committee of members from the Kansas House and Senate are working to increase affordable housing options across the state. The committee on Tuesday and Wednesday discussed a myriad of ways to bring in more affordable housing. A laundry list of recommendations were accepted, including reviewing tax incentives and the way they can be stacked, local government authority on rezoning and the way city building codes are changed.
Source: Hutch News

2024-11-24T08:09:49-06:00November 24, 2024|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for November 21, 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.

2024-11-22T10:23:19-06:00November 22, 2024|News|
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