Is Oaklawn Wichita’s forgotten neighborhood?

13 Sunday, August 13

Is Oaklawn Wichita’s forgotten neighborhood?

info2023-08-14T09:09:16-05:00August 13th, 2023|

Andree Sisco’s entry into public service came about when she couldn’t find anyone willing to mow the grass. Sisco moved to Oaklawn, an unincorporated community sandwiched between Wichita and Derby, in 1981. Nestled between the Arkansas River and K-15, Oaklawn sits on 260 acres, a neighborhood hastily built as a quick solution to a wartime housing shortage in 1952. Once “one of the largest housing construction projects in the history of Kansas,” Oaklawn is not recognized as a municipality by the state of Kansas. It has also often lacked other clear markers of community recognition. At the time of her arrival, [...]

13 Sunday, August 13

KBI director on Marion County newspaper raid: Media is not ‘above the law’

info2023-08-13T23:48:43-05:00August 13th, 2023|

The top law enforcement officer in Kansas appeared to justify a Marion County search warrant that led to an unprecedented raid on a local newspaper and potentially contributed to the death of the paper’s co-owner. Kansas Bureau of Investigation Director Tony Mattivi released a statement Sunday following widespread outrage of Friday’s raid, in which local law enforcement seized computers, cellphones and other reporting materials from the Marion County Record office and publisher Eric Meyer’s home. The raid was part of an investigation into the alleged identity theft of a restaurant owner who had clashed with the paper. Source: The Lawrence Times

13 Sunday, August 13

Johnson County Library’s courier trucks get refresh with vibrant new artwork

info2023-08-14T09:11:09-05:00August 13th, 2023|

Johnson County Library’s courier trucks transport materials between the branches and travel countless miles each year, serving as billboards on wheels, with images promoting Library services. The current vinyl wraps were installed on the trucks in 2018, so it’s time for a refresh. This year, three local artists are designing the wraps, bringing their uniquely creative visions to the task and giving each truck a bold and brilliant exterior. “We are asking local artists to interpret what the Library means to them, how the Library impacts the community, and translate that into art,” said marketing specialist Ben Oglesby. “I see it [...]

13 Sunday, August 13

Great Bend Fire Department saves pets from burning home

info2023-08-13T23:35:58-05:00August 13th, 2023|

The Great Bend Fire Department saved pets from a house fire last weekend. Great Bend Fire made a post on Facebook Friday saying on Aug. 5, around 5:30 a.m., units responded to a report of a structure fire in the 10 block of SE 20 Rd. Once on scene, units found a 1,500-square-foot house with smoke and flames showing from the two-car attached garage. Crews made an aggressive interior attack and were met with high heat, heavy fire and smoke. While searching the residence to make sure the occupants all got out, crews were able to safely remove several family pets [...]

13 Sunday, August 13

Dodge City Regional Airport Set for Major Expansion and Remodel

info2023-08-14T09:13:57-05:00August 13th, 2023|

The City of Dodge City is thrilled to announce that the bid for the expansion and remodel of the Dodge City Regional Airport Terminal has been awarded to Icon Structures of Wichita. This expansion is a testament to the efforts and vision of our Commissioner’s leadership, coupled with significant federal support. In March of 2023, the Dodge City Regional Airport was awarded $7.3 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to go towards remodeling and expanding the existing terminal. This funding stems from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Airport Terminal Program (ATP) Grant. Source: Western Kansas News

12 Saturday, August 12

Municipal Bond Trends for August 11, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-08-12T10:28:26-05:00August 12th, 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, or Henry Schmidt.

11 Friday, August 11

Lawrence offers Meeting in a Box for Land Development Code

info2023-08-13T18:24:52-05:00August 11th, 2023|

The City of Lawrence is now offering a Meeting in a Box tool as part of the community engagement process for the Land Development Code. The Meeting in a Box encourages individuals and community groups to share their thoughts on community character. The Land Development Code team is working to create the design standards that future development in Lawrence will follow, which includes elements such as landscaping, local architecture, infrastructure, historic context and more. These elements all help define our community character. The Meeting in a Box is a self-paced workshop that community members can complete by themselves or with the group [...]

11 Friday, August 11

Topeka has many who want to buy homes but too few houses on the market to choose from

info2023-08-13T16:52:36-05:00August 11th, 2023|

The housing market in Topeka closely mirrored national real estate trends during the first half of 2023, with both plagued by low inventory, high home prices and rising interest rates. ... Developers have been cautious since the housing crash of 2008, a problem that has contributed to the inventory issues plaguing the country today. Meanwhile, homeowners who bought before interest rates rose are staying put, making the shortage worse. Topeka Area Building Association CEO Katy Nelson said she’s seeing higher demand for new construction in Shawnee County and the surrounding areas. ... Would-be homebuilders still face some challenges, including financing difficulties. [...]

11 Friday, August 11

Municipal Bond Trends for August 10, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-08-11T08:47:57-05:00August 11th, 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, or Henry Schmidt.

10 Thursday, August 10

New Round of Funding Announced for Revitalization of Downtown Buildings

info2023-08-10T23:22:56-05:00August 10th, 2023|

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today $1.5 million will be available for a fourth round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants to revitalize dilapidated and underutilized downtown buildings in small communities across the state. HEAL grants help close financial gaps for communities striving to make their downtown districts more economically vibrant. Since the HEAL grant program was launched in 2021, more than $3.5 million has been awarded to fund 63 projects in 48 counties throughout Kansas. Source: Kansas Department of Commerce