City council members host bike ride to look at trail conditions

28 Wednesday, February 28

City council members host bike ride to look at trail conditions

info2024-02-28T10:49:34-06:00February 28th, 2024|

Vice Mayor Maggie Ballard invited city council members and the public to join her for a ride on the bike paths. She said she received multiple complaints about the unrideable trails due to things like glass and encampments. The group took off from Delano and headed toward Chapin Park. Ballard said she was surprised to find just a few homeless encampments and expected there to be more. She said the larger issue is how much glass the group came across. "The glass was really concerning. One of the main concerns is that people don't take the bike path that way, because of [...]

28 Wednesday, February 28

New version of community group talks Neighborhood Revitalization

info2024-02-28T10:48:04-06:00February 28th, 2024|

The revitalized Cultivators Cabinet, now called Community Connections, gathered for its inaugural meeting Thursday at the Wall Family Center to discuss Neighbor Revitalization. Sontana Johnson, Amanda Head and Lauren Shepard are leading the new group. The cabinet was set up as part of the city’s comprehensive planning process. It was to be run by residents to give citizens a forum to voice their thoughts on a variety of topics. This is a goal of the revitalized group as well. The original group lost momentum, so Johnson, Head and Shepard hope to keep the conversation fresh and bring in more voices from [...]

28 Wednesday, February 28

Gearhead Curios: time travel haven on Route 66 celebrates Retro Day “every day”

info2024-02-28T10:46:15-06:00February 28th, 2024|

Today marks National Retro Day, a time for nostalgia enthusiasts to celebrate the charm of the past. However, for one establishment nestled in the Galena part of Route 66, every day is a celebration of retro flair. Nestled along America's historic highway, Gearhead Curios stands as a beacon of vintage treasures, many of which have been gifted to the store owner, Aaron Perry. "I get to offer an escape from reality to the people who are traveling back to nostalgic America," said Perry. Five days a week, he welcomes visitors from across the globe to his store -- people enjoying Route [...]

28 Wednesday, February 28

More Kansas schools embrace four-day weeks

info2024-02-28T10:42:04-06:00February 28th, 2024|

Seventy-seven school buildings in approximately 29 districts across the state have implemented a four-day week this year, up from 60 in 2023. As more Kansas public schools adapt to a shorter academic week, rural communities may see benefits. Rural school districts already contain the majority of the state’s four-day scheduled schools. “It’s been a hot topic,” said Randy Watson, KBOE Commissioner of education, in a Feb. 14 Kansas State Board of Education meeting. Watson said most districts were having discussions about the possibility of implementing four-day weeks, especially in smaller, more rural areas. Since 2011, 93 Kansas school buildings have tested [...]

28 Wednesday, February 28

Chetopa Residents face grocery shopping challenges as local store closes

info2024-02-28T10:37:31-06:00February 28th, 2024|

The only grocery store in Chetopa, Kansas is closing. Chetopa Foods and Deli, a key grocery store in Chetopa, Kansas, is set to close its doors before the end of 2024, leaving residents concerned about the impact on their community. Kevin Vaughan, an employee for three years, shared that the decision to close was made by the store's owner, who has been preoccupied with other responsibilities. "It's been a long time coming," Vaughan said, noting that all employees have secured other jobs in anticipation of the closure. The owner, a New York resident and truck driver, has yet to set a [...]

28 Wednesday, February 28

County considers changing dog registration requirement, policy on ‘at-large’ animals

info2024-02-28T10:17:16-06:00February 28th, 2024|

Riley County officials on Monday discussed potential pitfalls of proposed changes to animal control regulations. County commissioners heard from Shelley Woodard, deputy Riley County counselor, regarding changes to the regulations. The current animal control resolution was enacted in 1988, and various stakeholders are drafting policies that more closely align with those of Manhattan. Woodward said she has sought input from city and county officials. The proposed updates include removing the requirement for individual dog registration and licensing in unincorporated areas while maintaining the requirement for rabies vaccinations. She said very few people have come forward and actually registered their dogs in [...]

28 Wednesday, February 28

Municipal Bond Trends for February 27, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-02-28T10:07:29-06:00February 28th, 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.

28 Wednesday, February 28

Lawrence’s plastic bag ban goes into effect Friday; here’s what you should know

info2024-02-28T10:05:55-06:00February 28th, 2024|

The City of Lawrence ordinance banning single-use plastic bags goes into effect Friday, March 1. Here’s what you should know. Lawrence city commissioners in August 2023 approved an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags citywide. The ban, initially prompted by a class of environmentally conscious fourth graders who are now high school sophomores, was under discussion for years before commissioners approved Ordinance 9996. The ordinance aims to reduce the use of plastics in the city, which in turn could help reduce the city’s dependence on fossil fuels and prevent some pollution from the bags, contamination through microplastics from bags degrading, and animal deaths from eating [...]

28 Wednesday, February 28

City of Emporia’s drinking water places third at international water contest

info2024-02-28T10:02:17-06:00February 28th, 2024|

The City of Emporia placed third in at the Berkeley Springs Water Tasting event, where more than 100 entries from five continents were up for consideration. The winners were announced Saturday. This is the second year in a row the city has earned a top-four finish. The competition is hosted by Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. The city took third in the Municipal Water category, behind Santa Ana, California, and the City of Montpelier, Ohio. According to a written release, the municipal water category saw a U.S. sweep, from the West Coast to the East Coast, [...]

27 Tuesday, February 27

Municipal Bond Trends for February 26, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-02-27T10:03:49-06:00February 27th, 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.