WPD proposing new regulations on Wichita party buses

9 Sunday, July 9

WPD proposing new regulations on Wichita party buses

info2023-07-09T22:48:35-05:00July 9th, 2023|

Rakestraw is talking about party buses, and he says they are a problem in Wichita. "Over the last several years, we've had several incidents involving party buses, mainly with the younger crowd that get on there. There's really no regulation of them. It goes out over social media that there's, you know, that they've got the party bus, and people show up there. There's no oversight over those," he said. Rakestraw says it's a problem he sees trending in a concerning direction. Source: KAKE - News

9 Sunday, July 9

Hutchinson police cracking down on unsanctioned fights

info2023-07-09T22:45:53-05:00July 9th, 2023|

The Hutchinson Police Department (HPD) is cracking down on kids and teens involved in a fight club group that police say has evolved into jumping people and capturing it on video. HPD says the fights are set up in public and private locations, and in a Facebook post, screenshotted an Instagram account that appears to be setting them up. Some fights are scheduled, but there have been some that are not. In some cases, police say kids are getting beaten, which is being recorded and then passed around. Source: KSN-TV

9 Sunday, July 9

Battling blight: Wichita plans to spend more to deal with unsightly unsafe properties

info2023-07-09T22:44:31-05:00July 9th, 2023|

Wichitans have had it with overgrown weeds, garbage-laden yards and dilapidated houses. Code enforcement scored the lowest — 24% approval — of all city services included in Wichita’s 2022 resident survey. The proposed 2024-2025 city budget aims to boost enforcement efforts, with an additional $112,000 for nuisance abatement next year and an extra $100,000 for the demolition of structures deemed dangerous and unsafe. “We are seeing an increase in nuisance conditions and blight in some areas,” said Chris Labrum, director of the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department, which is responsible for inspections, notifying property owners of violations and bidding out [...]

9 Sunday, July 9

Chanute celebrates 150th

info2023-07-09T22:42:59-05:00July 9th, 2023|

An estimated 600 people Saturday came out to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Chanute’s founding in downtown Chanute. “I think that it was a success,” said Jane Brophy, executive director of the Chanute Area Chamber of Commerce and Office of Tourism. Mayor Jacob LaRue agreed, stating he was excited about the turnout. “I think it was just a phenomenal, great day,” LaRue said. He enjoyed the community coming together to celebrate Chanute and each other. “I think it was a nice break from the mundane,” he added. Source: The Chanute Tribune

9 Sunday, July 9

Columbus hosts its annual Freedom Fest event

info2023-07-10T12:48:05-05:00July 9th, 2023|

Columbus, Kansas [hosted] its annual Freedom Fest, organized by the Columbus Fire Rescue department. The festivities are taking place at Columbus City Park and will be filled with fun activities for people of all ages to enjoy. The day kicks off with a morning 5K run/walk and a Kid's 1-mile fun run, sponsored by CUHS Softball and the Rec Commission, with all proceeds going to Titan Softball. At 5 PM, the main event, Freedom Fest, begins. The Columbus Fire Department will be serving delicious burgers and hot dogs from the Lions Shack, while the American Legion will be providing adult beverages. [...]

9 Sunday, July 9

Fredonia hosts its first-ever Independence Celebration

info2023-07-10T12:48:25-05:00July 9th, 2023|

Local residents [hosted] the first-ever Independence Celebration in Fredonia, Kansas. Organizers Shallon and Tyler Decker say their event aims to raise money for non-profit organizations and local first responders. The theme is "Honoring Our Hometown Heroes," and the main event is a BBQ cook-off between the Fredonia Police Department, Fredonia EMS, and Wilson County Sheriff's Department. Meal tickets will be sold, and the proceeds will be divided equally among the departments. The celebration will also include free bingo, kid activities, a cornhole tournament, and a firework display. Source: KOAM News

9 Sunday, July 9

Municipal Bond Trends for July 7, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-07-09T17:57:55-05:00July 9th, 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.

7 Friday, July 7

Its all about children and teens in Lenexa. Heres what to know about picnic market

info2023-07-07T14:33:49-05:00July 7th, 2023|

Lenexa Public Market and City Hall will focus on the younger crowd with the return of two popular events this month: the Kid Makers Market and the Teddy Bear Picnic. Both events will be held on Saturday. The Kid Makers Market will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lenexa City Hall, 17101 W. 87th St. Parkway. It is expected to feature more than 40 vendors selling artwork, baked goods and food, bath and body products, crochet, jewelry and accessories. “At its heart, the Lenexa Public Market is focused on creating a space where the community can gather, spend [...]

7 Friday, July 7

Derby Police Chief brings decorated career to a close

info2023-07-07T12:20:49-05:00July 7th, 2023|

During his college days, even working as a fence salesman, Derby Police Chief Robert Lee wasn’t on the fence about a career as a police officer – he wasn’t even anywhere near it. Lee admitted he wasn’t considering that type of work in any capacity until a chance sales call changed his trajectory. While Lee was selling a fence to former Wichita Police Department Lt. Charlie Franklin, he got the recruiting spiel. Then, a few months later Franklin reached about by phone to hook Lee even more and he was sold. “The more I learned about, the more I thought about [...]

7 Friday, July 7

Finney County discusses redistricting for precincts districts

info2023-07-07T14:12:20-05:00July 7th, 2023|

Finney County Commissioners discussed redistricting at its regular meeting Monday. Dori Munyan, Finney County clerk and election officer, said the Finney County Election office is going to initiate a redistricting project to “consolidate and clean up our voting districts or precincts.” The redistricting will be based on the 2020 Census data to hopefully reduce the number of precincts in the county, of which there are 71. Munyan said when she took office in 2018 Finney County had 28 precincts, but after some administrative clean up in 2018 they ended up with 41 precincts, but after the legislative redistricting it increased to [...]