Small-town renaissance: Rising leaders help two Kansas communities defy expectations

19 Tuesday, March 19

Small-town renaissance: Rising leaders help two Kansas communities defy expectations

info2024-03-19T12:49:41-05:00March 19th, 2024|

There’s a commonly held belief that small, rural Kansas communities are evaporating from the windswept plains, plagued by a dwindling, aging population, and haunted by pressures of a modern world. Don’t tell that to the residents of Chase, population 390 in Rice County, and Pawnee Rock, population 190 in Barton County. Long dismissed, even mocked, as wide spots along U.S. Highway 56, folks there are making their stand, spurred by an influx of new families. “We’re proud of where we are from,” said Chase Mayor Tom Kizzar. “There’s not much left, but we are going to go down swinging. We’re doing [...]

19 Tuesday, March 19

Groundwater measurement results mixed in western Kansas

info2024-03-19T12:49:06-05:00March 19th, 2024|

Preliminary groundwater level measurements compiled by the Kansas Geological Survey show mixed results for western and south-central Kansas in 2023, with some areas in the northwest and west-central part of the state experiencing increases for the first time in three or more years. “In the Ogallala portion of the High Plains aquifer, the aquifer had a chance to ‘reset’ in 2023, given some timely rains in the summer months,” Brownie Wilson, KGS water-data manager, said. Measurements in those areas reflect a rebound from lower-than-normal groundwater levels caused by the extreme drought conditions seen in 2022. Source: Garden City Telegram

19 Tuesday, March 19

Leawood moves ahead with renovations at 2 major city parks

info2024-03-19T12:48:13-05:00March 19th, 2024|

New shelters at Leawood City Park and playgrounds at Tomahawk Park got unanimous approval Monday from the Leawood City Council. The new fixtures will update structures that are decades old, said Chris Claxton, director of city parks, recreation and cultural arts. Source: Johnson County Post

19 Tuesday, March 19

Prairie Village City Council gets first look at new city hall design

info2024-03-19T12:47:53-05:00March 19th, 2024|

Prairie Village residents will soon be able to provide input on a new $30 million city hall project. The Prairie Village City Council on Monday got a first look at renderings for the new city hall, a project officials have been working on since 2022. Source: Johnson County Post

19 Tuesday, March 19

New communication coming to all Ellsworth County first responders

info2024-03-19T12:46:59-05:00March 19th, 2024|

Communication is improving for first responders in a central Kansas county. It's all thanks to a $670,000 federal grant from Senator Jerry Moran's office. Ellsworth County is using the money to buy 162 vehicle and handheld radios. The ones they have right now are close to 30 years old, and finding the parts to repair them is difficult. Source: KSN-TV

19 Tuesday, March 19

Overland Park adopts its first official electric vehicle plan

info2024-03-19T12:46:18-05:00March 19th, 2024|

Overland Park has started to solidify its electric vehicle plans, taking steps to possibly add more electrified vehicles to its own fleet and expand its public charging infrastructure. ... The vote this week on the new plan falls short of formalizing any policy decisions — like whether or how much to charge drivers to use any public charging stations. Those discussions are expected to happen later. Instead, the 95-page plan is meant to help the city make plans “to implement a thoughtful strategy identifying needs and best practices” for EVs. Read the full adopted EV readiness plan here. Source: Shawnee Mission [...]

19 Tuesday, March 19

Municipal Bond Trends for March 18, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-03-19T09:52:49-05:00March 19th, 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.

18 Monday, March 18

Yates Center Police Department help raise money for autism awareness

info2024-03-18T14:07:45-05:00March 18th, 2024|

Yates Center Chief of Police, Michael Strode is at the forefront of a new initiative to raise money for autism awareness. After discussions with his officers Chief Strode says they decided they wanted to find a way to help students in their school district. "The couple of teachers that I've talked with are ecstatic. They love the fact that we are willing to get involved and help. Of course, we have a very wonderful working relationship with our school anyway. [] being a small town of a little less than 1300 people, we all already know each other and work well [...]

18 Monday, March 18

Marysville City Council Selects New City Manager

info2024-03-18T13:50:22-05:00March 18th, 2024|

Marysville city council met in special session last Thursday, and following executive session unanimously approved a motion to extend an offer to Joshua Haverkamp for the post of City Administrator, with a contract to be negotiated. Mayor Todd Frye indicated no update at the regular meeting Monday evening. Haverkamp was among three finalists interviewed for the position, and is currently with the Kansas City, Missouri city manager’s office. He is a graduate of Kansas State, with a major in political science and a master’s in public administration. Source: Sunflower State Radio Network

18 Monday, March 18

Groundwater levels dropping in Kansas

info2024-03-18T13:47:58-05:00March 18th, 2024|

The Kansas Geological Survey is reporting lower groundwater levels across the state. The Survey, based at the University of Kansas, said while small increases were reported last year in western and northwest parts of the state, most other areas are tracking declines in water levels. There is an ongoing drop in levels of the southwest portion of the mighty Ogallala aquifer, which continues to shrink following back to back declines totaling almost five feet in 2022 and 2021. Authorities are also tracking ongoing declines of the Equus Beds, which serves Wichita and Hutchinson; and the Great Bend Prairie aquifer, which provides [...]