Halstead considers updating their code enforcement process

30 Tuesday, May 30

Halstead considers updating their code enforcement process

info2023-05-31T13:12:18-05:00May 30th, 2023|

The Halstead City Council considered a proposal by City Manager Ethan Reimer at their latest meeting to change the way the city addresses code enforcement issues. The city does not have a code enforcement personnel, so for an issue to be addressed, a citizen must submit a complaint, which administrative staff or the city manager will investigate. ... Reimer said that since the police department already proactively patrols the city, has summons power to municipal court, and enforces other codes such as animal control regulations, the city staff would like to see the police department handle other code violation issues, such [...]

30 Tuesday, May 30

New additions brighten downtown Sedgwick

info2023-05-31T13:13:05-05:00May 30th, 2023|

Downtown Sedgwick recently got a little color and class with the addition of flowers and flower buckets and the Hometown Hero banners now displayed along Commercial Street. Sedgwick City Administrator Kyle Nordick said the banners will be displayed until Veterans Day, which is in November. “I want to again publicly thank the American Legion here in town for splitting the cost of our Hometown Hero banners,” Nordick said. Source: Harvey County Now

30 Tuesday, May 30

Rural Kansans wait to see how long prescriptions by telehealth last after the pandemic

info2023-05-31T13:13:47-05:00May 30th, 2023|

The pandemic allowed people to receive prescriptions for mental health and opioid addiction through telemedicine. Now Kansas clinicians want those flexibilities to be permanent. At the Citizens Health hospital in Colby, pandemic-driven rule changes let doctors prescribe chronic pain and mental health medications over virtual appointments. That gave hundreds of patients in northwest Kansas access to life-changing drugs. “Everybody struggles with access to mental health care,” Jenny Niblock, a nurse practitioner at the medical center, said. “Rural Kansas struggles even worse.” Before the pandemic, the only way to get a prescription for a federally regulated drug was through an in-person doctor’s [...]

30 Tuesday, May 30

Lenexa updates it fence code

info2023-05-31T13:11:26-05:00May 30th, 2023|

Planning to install a new fence, wall or retaining wall at home? The City of Lenexa recently updated its code related to these types of projects. Under the new code, fences along the side street on corner lots may be installed 15 feet from the property line as long as they are 4 feet tall and open-style (50% or less opaque). If a fence is taller than 4 feet or is privacy-style, it cannot be installed in front of the required setback. When a fence is located within 3 feet of or directly on top of a retaining wall, the height [...]

30 Tuesday, May 30

Debt ceiling deal spares state and local pandemic aid

info2023-05-30T12:04:54-05:00May 30th, 2023|

The White House and Republicans reached a deal over the holiday weekend that will avoid the nation's first breach of its debt limit and leave untouched leftover pandemic aid allocated to cities and states. A House vote on the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 is set for Wednesday to move the bill ahead of a U.S. default as soon as June 5. The House Rules Committee is set to take up the legislation Tuesday afternoon. "The agreement prevents the worst possible crisis: a default for the first time in our nation's history," President Joe Biden said Sunday night at a White [...]

29 Monday, May 29

Municipal Bond Trends for May 26, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-05-29T19:59:05-05:00May 29th, 2023|

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.

26 Friday, May 26

Panasonic project brings focus to Johnson County’s rural roads

info2023-05-26T12:17:06-05:00May 26th, 2023|

The massive project to build a new Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant at the former Sunflower Army Ammunition plant in De Soto has re-ignited interest in the future of western Johnson County’s rural road system as officials consider a new set of planning guidelines for the area. The county planning commission unanimously recommended changes in its comprehensive rural plan Tuesday that remove land annexed by De Soto from its planning jurisdiction. Now that it is in De Soto, the city will set its own guidelines. The remaining unincorporated land will be in a “rural policy area,” meaning it will be planned [...]

26 Friday, May 26

Michelin announces $100 million investment in Junction City

info2023-05-26T12:13:28-05:00May 26th, 2023|

Tire manufacturer Michelin announced it will be investing over $100 million into Junction City to increase production of tracks for agricultural equipment. Over the next five years, around 200 new jobs will be added to increase the output of Camso agricultural rubber tracks, according to a press release from Michelin. Camso is a brand under the Michelin Group that specializes in off-road tires, tracks and systems.... In March, Michelin announced it would invest more than $20 million to expand its facilities in Emporia, Kansas as part of its investments in North American production, according to the press release. Michelin currently employs [...]

26 Friday, May 26

Hillsboro mourns the death of former mayor

info2023-05-26T12:12:59-05:00May 26th, 2023|

The Hillsboro community recently mourned the loss of former Mayor Delores Dalke and many showed up to pay their respects at the heavily attended funeral at Ebenfeld Mennonite Church last week. Dalke died on May 12, at the age of 82, on what would have been her 61st Wedding Anniversary to her deceased husband John Foster Dalke. She served Hillsboro as the oldest and only female mayor for 27 years before leaving the position in January of 2018. Between her role as mayor and her service on many boards and commissions, Dalke contributed much to making Hillsboro what it is today. [...]

26 Friday, May 26

Effecting change at the neighborhood level in Pittsburg

info2023-05-26T12:12:31-05:00May 26th, 2023|

In my last article I talked about how the growth in Pittsburg will lead to significant changes and it is important to look for ways to participate in defining Pittsburg's future. There are many ways to engage through city advisory boards, committees, or initiatives, but one of the most direct ways to impact where you live is in your own neighborhood. I'm sure there are aspects of your block that you would like to see improved - maybe there is an empty house that is in disrepair, street signs that need replaced, or maybe you'd like to have a neighborhood cleanup [...]