Big changes proposed for Lawrence City Commission’s public comment policy

6 Monday, May 6

Big changes proposed for Lawrence City Commission’s public comment policy

info2024-05-06T07:40:04-05:00May 6th, 2024|

Proposed changes to Lawrence City Commission procedures would move the general public comment period to the end of meetings, make it untelevised, and require signup in advance. Commissioners hear public comment on specific agenda items they’re considering, but people may also address the commission about any topics “germane” to city business that aren’t on the agenda during the general public comment period — which is currently near the beginning of meetings. Source: The Lawrence Times

6 Monday, May 6

Kansas wheat crop deteriorates due to lack of moisture

info2024-05-06T07:36:15-05:00May 6th, 2024|

The condition of the crop has been deteriorating rapidly, especially over the past few weeks, going from 57 percent good to excellent on February 25 to only 31 percent good to excellent by April 28, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. It has suffered from lack of moisture for much of the growing season, especially during the spring green-up. The Kansas wheat crop is also ahead of schedule, with one-third already headed, well ahead of 9 percent last year and 6 percent average. A March 26-27 freeze event took a toll on it, as there was not enough snow cover, [...]

5 Sunday, May 5

Experience at Camp Courage led young Topeka woman to pursue a career in firefighting

info2024-05-05T14:52:59-05:00May 5th, 2024|

BreAnna Droge — the newest Topeka Fire Department recruit — said she is thankful for the women who came before her and excited for those who will follow. Droge is the first woman to be recruited to the fire department after spending time at Camp Courage, a camp designed to encourage young women ages 16 to 20 years old to learn more about firefighting. Source: CJonline

4 Saturday, May 4

Municipal Bond Trends for May 3, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-05-04T14:04:55-05:00May 4th, 2024|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. 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.

3 Friday, May 3

Inside JCPRD – Provence Village: A short-lived Johnson County city

info2024-05-03T10:39:22-05:00May 3rd, 2024|

Pop quiz: How many cities in Johnson County begin with the letter “P”? The answer may surprise you. Of course, we all know Prairie Village, but what about Provence Village? The city, which was an independent third-class city, existed southwest of Olathe for less than a decade. In the postwar era, northeastern Johnson County was rapidly suburbanizing. As master-planned subdivisions grew into communities, many became large enough to incorporate as state-recognized cities. Third-class cities, the smallest in Kansas, had less than 2,000 residents. Between 1948 and 1951, a whopping 11 suburban developments were incorporated as new third-class cities in Johnson County. [...]

3 Friday, May 3

Douglas County Commission approves revised wind energy regulations

info2024-05-03T10:37:40-05:00May 3rd, 2024|

Douglas County commissioners voted Wednesday to approve revisions to local wind energy regulations. Alternative energy has drawn a great deal of public interest, particularly from rural residents who would be more directly impacted by large wind farms and solar farms — such as the one for which commissioners recently approved a permit. After marathon meetings in October and January, the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission voted 6-3 to advance draft wind energy regulations with one key modification: increasing required setbacks from property lines to 2,500 feet from 1,500. The three commissioners who voted against the regulations wanted to require smaller setbacks that [...]

3 Friday, May 3

Kansas to get $28 million for safe drinking water project

info2024-05-03T10:35:55-05:00May 3rd, 2024|

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that Kansas will receive $28.6 million under a federal project to identify and replace lead water service lines, preventing exposure to lead in drinking water. Health officials have said that lead can cause a range of serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. The EPA will be working to make sure that 40% of overall benefits from certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Lead exposure disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income families. The total funding announced through this program to [...]

3 Friday, May 3

Pottawatomie County no longer in need of volunteers as cleanup effort enters next phase

info2024-05-03T10:34:25-05:00May 3rd, 2024|

Pottawatomie County officials say significant progress has been made on the cleanup effort in Westmoreland following Tuesday’s devastating tornado. “There’s still a lot to do but we kind of considered we’ve made it to the next phase of operations. We were able to send volunteers home this (Thursday) afternoon and we will not need volunteers tomorrow (Friday),” said Riley County Public Information Officer Vivienne Leyva, speaking on behalf of Pottawatomie County Thursday. Because heavy equipment will be hauling debris away, she says it’s not safe for volunteers to be out and about. The county plans to put out a notice when [...]

3 Friday, May 3

City to open ‘the world’s best outdoor gym’ in north Wichita

info2024-05-03T10:31:50-05:00May 3rd, 2024|

A new fitness court will open this month in north Wichita, the city said Friday. Alongside Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, Wichita Parks and Recreation and the National Fitness Campaign, the city announced a partnership to bring an outdoor Fitness Court to Pat Garcia Veterans Memorial Park. The Fitness Court, located at 2640 N. Wellington Place, will officially open at 1 p.m. on May 10 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the city said in a news release. The Fitness Court was developed by BCBSKS, Wichita Park & Recreation and NFC to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable [...]

3 Friday, May 3

City of Wichita considering making microchipping your dog and cat mandatory

info2024-05-03T10:30:01-05:00May 3rd, 2024|

The city of Wichita is looking at a recommendation made by the Animal Services Advisory Board to make it mandatory for owners to have their dogs and cats microchipped. In 2023 the animal services advisory board made a subcommittee to discuss changes that could help out the animal shelter. One of the recommendations the board made was making it mandatory for all dogs and cats to be microchipped. It says this would help get lost animals back to their owners. Lt. Derek Purcell with the Wichita Police Department agrees. He told KAKE News this is the best thing to keep animals [...]