2,100 students losing bus service in a JoCo school district. Another may do the same

8 Monday, May 8

2,100 students losing bus service in a JoCo school district. Another may do the same

info2023-05-08T10:19:47-05:00May 8th, 2023|

As a Band-Aid solution to address an ongoing shortage of drivers, the Olathe school district will eliminate some bus routes next school year. Just to the west, Blue Valley school officials are considering similar cuts, as other districts in the Kansas City area have already done. And Olathe district officials may eventually revisit a broader, and more controversial, fix for the shortage: changing the times schools start and end. Source: Joco 913 News

8 Monday, May 8

You can rent a kayak to use on the Arkansas River via an app now. Here’s what to know

info2023-05-08T10:14:58-05:00May 8th, 2023|

New self-service kayak stations are open in three of Wichita’s riverside parks. These stations will be operated through the Rent.Fun app, which park and recreation partnered with to complete the project. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Riverside Tennis Center on Friday, and to continue the celebration the Park and Recreation department is offering a 50% discount on all rentals May 6-12. Entering the promo code “ParkandRec” in the app will automatically add the discount. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

8 Monday, May 8

What sales taxes on food am I still paying in Johnson County?

info2023-05-08T10:13:17-05:00May 8th, 2023|

Now that the dust has settled from the 2023 session of the Kansas Legislature, it’s time to sort out what, finally, to expect when it comes to the sales tax on food. Although an early end to the state food sales tax was discussed, the idea failed after it was folded into a larger tax bill that would have, among other provisions, set a single rate for individual income tax. That measure passed both chambers of the GOP-dominated Legislature but was vetoed by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Source: Prairie Village Post

8 Monday, May 8

Humboldt tackles issues, large and small

info2023-05-08T10:09:01-05:00May 8th, 2023|

For all of its successes — and there are many — Humboldt faces challenges similar to countless other rural communities these days. Local employers are unable to keep fully staffed because of a dearth of quality and affordable housing, a lack of quality daycare centers; and an ongoing “brain drain” wave in which the best and brightest students often go elsewhere to find their niche in life. For that matter, too many youths are the unwitting victims of a digital society, in which they’ve become accustomed to spending hours of screen time instead of play time — and their mental health [...]

8 Monday, May 8

Skaters from Lawrence and beyond celebrate new vert ramp at Centennial Park

info2023-05-08T10:05:57-05:00May 8th, 2023|

Corey Lawrence would have loved the vert ramp built in his honor at Centennial Park, several attendees at the ramp’s dedication on Saturday agreed. Lawrence, from the Kansas City area, died in May 2021 after suffering injuries from a fall while skateboarding in Florida. Justin Shiney, of River Rat Print and Skate; Sean Ingram, of Merchtable; Dan Askew, of Escapist Skateboarding; and members of the Lawrence Skate Association raised funds and worked with the city to make the ramp in Lawrence’s honor a reality. The new half pipe is the only one of its kind within a 500-mile radius, project organizers [...]

8 Monday, May 8

Municipal Bond Trends for May 5, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-05-08T09:46:11-05:00May 8th, 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, Beth Warren or Henry Schmidt.

7 Sunday, May 7

Finding ways to save rural Kansas hospitals

info2023-05-07T09:02:33-05:00May 7th, 2023|

JoLynn Foster isn’t happy about it, but she’s convinced the only way to save her hometown hospital is to shut part of it down. “There’s no other alternative,” said Foster, a longtime resident of Arkansas City, a town of about 12,000 people south of Wichita. Foster and about 100 other residents of the southeast Kansas town recently attended a meeting about the fate of SCK Health, Arkansas City’s only hospital. They listened as hospital officials explained their decision to restructure SCK Health so that it can qualify for enough federal money to keep it open and delivering limited, but essential services. [...]

7 Sunday, May 7

Proposal to revamp pay structure for Lawrence teachers calls for $3M to increase salaries

info2023-05-07T09:01:41-05:00May 7th, 2023|

The Lawrence school board will soon get its first look at a proposal to revamp the pay structure for teachers and provide about $3 million in pay increases — amounting to an average raise of about $3,000. Should it move forward, the proposed new salary schedule would increase the earning potential for the district’s most experienced teachers, as well as address other problematic areas of the current salary schedule. As the Journal-World previously reported, a committee that has been studying the issue said that the district has been losing teachers at particular times in their careers due to the structure of [...]

5 Friday, May 5

Municipal Bond Trends for May 4, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-05-05T07:41:40-05:00May 5th, 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, Beth Warren or Henry Schmidt.

4 Thursday, May 4

Zoning change triggers neighbors: Proposal for more senior housing in Topeka will get a closer look

info2023-05-04T11:31:36-05:00May 4th, 2023|

Topeka's mayor and city council asked for further analysis late Tuesday when faced with a proposed North Topeka zoning change supported by the Topeka Planning Commission but opposed by residents of the area involved. The measure's passage would help clear the way for Eugene & Paramore LLC to carry out its proposed project to build affordable duplexes and fourplexes, which it intends to primarily rent out to senior citizens. The mayor and council voted to send the proposal back to the planning commission and direct that body to look at four potential concerns raised by neighbors. Source: CJonline