‘We want development.’ KCK approves new downtown project with hopes of revitalization

17 Monday, April 17

‘We want development.’ KCK approves new downtown project with hopes of revitalization

info2023-04-17T11:40:34-05:00April 17th, 2023|

A long-delayed plan to redevelop a key property in downtown Kansas City, Kansas, has been given another opportunity — though it might be the last. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, on Thursday unanimously approved a development agreement with Willie Lanier Jr., who plans to demolish the now-closed Jack Reardon Convention Center. In its place, he aims at building a new apartment complex with ground-floor retail space and a small meeting space. Source: Kansas City Star

17 Monday, April 17

LaHarpe talks strengths, struggles

info2023-04-17T11:47:57-05:00April 17th, 2023|

For all of the good in town — neighbors helping neighbors, infrastructure upgrades, etc. — LaHarpe still has plenty of issues that, if not addressed, will eventually threaten the community’s future. So said a small group of residents who gathered this week for a community conversation, hosted by Thrive Allen County. The hour-plus powwow tackled the town’s strengths and struggles, with plenty to boast about, but often with a blunt assessment on what needs help. First the good news. A small but ambitious set of volunteers has helped with several improvements in recent years, from LaHarpe PRIDE handling annual clean-up day [...]

17 Monday, April 17

Tech center in LaHarpe offers open house

info2023-04-17T11:41:00-05:00April 17th, 2023|

Anyone who’s curious about the Regional Rural Technical Center in LaHarpe will have a chance to see the facility and equipment at an open house on Tuesday. The tech center will be open from 1 to 3 p.m. for prospective students, and from 3 to 6:30 p.m. for the community. Representatives from participating colleges will be available to explain programs and answer enrollment questions. High school juniors and seniors, and adults can take courses at RRTC earning certificates in a variety of areas. Next year, the center will offer CNA, phlebotomy, wind, automotive, welding, and construction programs. Source: The Iola Register

17 Monday, April 17

Learn about Lawrence’s new housing discrimination protections at upcoming meetings

info2023-04-17T10:17:57-05:00April 17th, 2023|

Landlords, tenants and anyone who’s interested can learn more about the City of Lawrence’s new protections for people using housing vouchers during three upcoming meetings. The Lawrence City Commission on Feb. 14 voted to approve an ordinance change that bars landlords from discriminating against prospective tenants and denying them housing based solely on their source of income. Landlords will also be prohibited from discriminating based on people’s immigration status, and against people who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and/or stalking. Source: The Lawrence Times

17 Monday, April 17

Derby looks at new policy on pet ownership

info2023-04-17T11:42:14-05:00April 17th, 2023|

Based on recent updates to its priority list, the City Council reviewed some new options for policy on pet ownership in Derby during its April 11 meeting. Currently, per city policy, a maximum of four dogs and four cats (6 months or older) are allowed in residential homes in Derby. Hannah Chegwidden, assistant to the city manager, researched the policies and processes of other communities to bring back to the council for feedback during its most recent meeting. Reviewing the policies of other first class cities, staff reported that all have some sort of limitation on pet ownership – with Derby [...]

17 Monday, April 17

Amelia Earhart museum looks to make dreams take flight

info2023-04-17T10:12:56-05:00April 17th, 2023|

Hundreds visited the new Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum in Atchison, Kansas, on its opening day to learn about her life in a creative way. The $17 million project allows patrons to have an interactive experience with various parts of Earhart’s life through state-of-the-art technology. Many companies assisted in making this project a reality, including Dimensional Innovations, which helps make the museum experience hands-on. It also allows patrons to participate in a virtual reality flight. Source: www.atchisonglobenow.com

17 Monday, April 17

Altamont to try new water meters as part of a pilot study

info2023-04-17T11:43:32-05:00April 17th, 2023|

The Altamont City Council on Thursday heard that the city is going to try to pilot a new water meter program. When the city completed a water line replacement project in 2015, the water meters did not get changed out, Altamont City Administrator LeaAnn Myers said. The water meters in place now have moving parts. “Now they have ultrasonic water meters. They don’t have any moving parts, stuff doesn’t slow down. They are supposed to catch low-flow water usage through there. Along with that they offer an AMI, an automated reading system that we could pull the readings into the city [...]

17 Monday, April 17

Wichita asking for help conserving water as drought continues affecting Cheney Lake

info2023-04-17T11:44:17-05:00April 17th, 2023|

"We need rain! Up north needs rain, and it needs to come down the Ninnescah into Cheney. Desperately," said campers Don & Lynn Weilert. The Weilerts have been coming to Cheney Lake for nearly forty years. Their favorite thing to do is take the boat out and spend hours on the water. But this year, there's a problem. "We've already ran over some stuff and tore up our pontoon," said the Weilerts. "I don't think I've ever seen it this bad." Megan Lovely with the City of Wichita says the good news is it's not actually as bad as it looks. [...]

17 Monday, April 17

‘Hiding in plain sight’: The endearing, endangered tiny jails scattered across Kansas

info2023-04-17T10:07:24-05:00April 17th, 2023|

About 20 years ago, Gerald Swart spotted his town jail sitting in a neighbor’s iron pile. It was just a big cage, really: a square box with iron lattice and a couple of chains hanging off a side door. A black sign with amateurish lettering said “GOFF CITY JAIL.” “It used to be right north of the bank in Goff when I was growing up,” Swart, 82, said of the jail. “They’d lock up drunks and keep ‘em in there overnight. But that ended sometime around the ‘50s.” Swart bought the jail from the neighbor for $11 and hauled it over [...]

16 Sunday, April 16

Municipal Bond Trends for April 14, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-04-16T19:26:07-05:00April 16th, 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.