Public works director made interim city administrator of Hiawatha

Public Works Director Brad Scott was made Interim City Administrator based on approval by all city commissioners at the end of Monday’s City Commission meeting. In the meanwhile as Scott serves in the interim position, he will also advertise the city administrator position. Mayor Becky Shamburg congratulated Scott for accepting the position.
Source: City Government | hiawathaworldonline.com

2024-04-11T07:28:19-05:00April 11, 2024|News|

North Newton changes marijuana possession from misdemeanor to infraction

People caught with a small amount of marijuana in their vehicles in North Newton will be issued a traffic infraction ticket if this is their first offense. North Newton City Council members unanimously passed 4-0 an ordinance amending the uniform public offense code for possession of marijuana on Monday night. Councilman Dennis Campbell was not at the meeting.
Source: Harvey County Now

2024-04-11T07:25:14-05:00April 11, 2024|News|

Merriam latest JoCo city poised to tighten rules on AirBnbs

The Merriam City Council on Monday mostly expressed interest in stricter regulations for short-term rentals — such as AirBnbs or Vrbos — within the city. This comes about a month after the city of Fairway approved stricter regulations for short-term rentals. Currently, Merriam treats short-term rentals the same as regular rental units, subjecting short-term rentals to landlord licensing and rental inspection requirements.
Source: Johnson County Post

2024-04-11T07:24:51-05:00April 11, 2024|News|

Shawnee agrees to loan money to 2 new downtown businesses

Shawnee City Council approved two forgivable loans for new businesses coming to the area…. Both loans come from the Shawnee Entrepreneurial and Economic Development grant program (SEED, which is a city-run program that provides one-time payments in the form of forgivable loans to businesses as part of the city’s efforts to encourage expansion of existing businesses and attraction of new employers, according to city documents.
Source: Johnson County Post

2024-04-11T07:24:30-05:00April 11, 2024|News|

Bonner Springs creates STAR bond district for 180-acre Mattel theme park

The Bonner Springs City Council laid the groundwork for tax incentives to support the development of a $490 million Mattel-themed entertainment hub near the Kansas Speedway. On Monday, the City Council unanimously approved the creation of a new sales tax revenue (STAR) bond district to support the potential creation of a Mattel-themed amusement park, three new hotels, a Christmas village and various other entertainment spaces.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal

2024-04-11T07:23:45-05:00April 11, 2024|News|

Kearny County students learn about fentanyl prevention

Students in Kearny County learned about fentanyl prevention April 3 in two presentations, one at Lakin High School and the other at Deerfield High School. The 45-minute assemblies featured a new DARE fentanyl curriculum designed to teach students good decision-making skills that will help them lead healthy lives and cope with high-risk circumstances including drugs like fentanyl. The Kearny County assemblies were two of the first presented in the state of Kansas using the new fentanyl prevention curriculum. Presenters included Randy Combs, Kansas Attorney General’s office Statewide DARE Program coordinator; DARE officers, Deputy Kyle Carlisle and Detective Garnett Hartman; and Kearny County Emergency Management Director Jared Webb.
Source: Garden City Telegram

2024-04-10T10:54:27-05:00April 10, 2024|News|

10-year Treasury yield jumps back above 4.5% after March inflation tops estimates

U.S. Treasury yields were little changed Wednesday, as investors looked out for the release of U.S. consumer inflation data later in the day, which could signal the outlook for interest rates. At 7:05 a.m. ET, the yield on the 10-year Treasury was almost flat at 4.358%. The yield on the 2-year Treasury was last at 4.739% after dipping by less than one basis point. Yields and prices move in opposite directions, and one basis point is equivalent to 0.01%. Investors awaited fresh inflation figures, as uncertainty about the path ahead for Federal Reserve monetary policy, specifically for interest rates, has grown in recent weeks. The consumer price index for March is due out on Wednesday, ahead of the producer price index that will be released on Thursday. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones are expecting the CPI to have risen by 0.3% from the previous month and by 3.4% from the previous year. This would be a 0.2 percentage point increase, compared to the February reading of 3.2%. Core CPI, which strips out more volatile food and energy costs, is expected to have hiked by 0.3% on a monthly basis and by 3.7% on the year. Investors are closely watching the data for hints about if and when the Fed will cut interest rates this year, after recent economic reports and comments from policymakers cast doubt over expectations that multiple rate trims will take place in 2024.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

2024-04-10T10:53:36-05:00April 10, 2024|News|

Mulvane relaunching farmers market in April

The Mulvane community will once again have a farmers market, with the Market on Main set to start for the season on April 14. It will be set up on Prather Street in downtown Mulvane, adjacent to Nessly Auto Park. Farmers, crafters, makers, home-based merchants and more will be taking part. Market dates are set for the second Sunday of each month, from 1-4 p.m., through October. Vendors are still sought, and those looking to sign up or for more information can visit mulvanechamber.com.
Source: Derby Informer | Area

2024-04-10T10:52:34-05:00April 10, 2024|News|

City of Wichita settles lawsuit for police department targeting people of color on gang list

Tuesday morning, the Wichita City Council approved a settlement in a lawsuit its facing for the police department targeting people of color on its gang list.  The federal lawsuit was filed in 2021 by Progeny, a local juvenile justice group. According to the lawsuit, WPD’s gang list includes 5,200 people, 1,700 active members, 3,000 inactive, and 221 gang associates. The suit claims police target people on the list with frequent stops and searches over minor traffic violations. It also says there’s a minimum bail of $50,000 if charged with a violent crime. It states black people make up 60% of Wichita’s gang list, Latinx make up 25%, and white people make up 6%. “This was something that I cared about before I was on council and it’s an opportunity to reform it,” said Wichita city council member Brandon Johnson when talking about why he was glad the city reached this settlement Tuesday. He says the current state statute makes it too easy for someone to be listed as a gang member, and he thinks this is a step in the right direction. “We had some business leaders who were on there and were concerned about their records and being labeled gang members there. They haven’t had that type of gang activity for decades,” said Johnson when talking about how someone could be on the list even if they were no longer active, simply because they had a past or they knew people involved. Under the settlement, the city will pay $550,000, as well as make some changes to its system.
Source: KAKE – News

2024-04-10T10:51:39-05:00April 10, 2024|News|

Wichita school board moving ahead with long-range building plan

Wichita school board members had discussions Monday night on the next steps for a long-range master plan for the buildings in the school district. The board is looking at next steps after the planned closings of two middle schools and four elementary schools. The plan is looking at a mix of actions including rebuilding, renovation, consolidation and maintenance. A recent community survey identified the top priorities as optimizing and upgrading school buildings to address building needs and enhance the learning experience. The board will have public comment sessions on April 22nd and 23rd to get input on the building plan. There will be two meetings each day. On April 22nd, there will be a meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the administrative center, and at 7:30 p.m. at Brooks Middle Magnet School. On the 23rd, there will be a session at 5:30 p.m. at West High School, and at 7:30 p.m. at North High School. Parents have been circulating petitions to urge the board to reverse its decision to close the Hadley and Jardine middle schools, and the Clark, Cleaveland, Park and Payne elementary schools.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

2024-04-10T10:50:18-05:00April 10, 2024|News|
Go to Top