Chase County discusses worker shortage during meeting Wednesday

5 Monday, June 5

Chase County discusses worker shortage during meeting Wednesday

info2023-06-05T08:01:00-05:00June 5th, 2023|

Short-staffing was the headline of the Chase County Commission meeting Wednesday morning at the Courthouse. EMS director Scott Harris presented commissioners with a budget request, telling commissioners that this year, his crew’s requests were very specific. Harris said each year before he brings his budget to the commission, he asks his staff what changes they would like to see. While previous years elicited the response of more money, Harris said this year, his staff was focused on increasing staffing. Source: Emporia Gazette

5 Monday, June 5

UNBOUND Gravel brings unprecedented impact to Emporia community

info2023-06-05T00:07:34-05:00June 5th, 2023|

As more than 4,000 gravel enthusiasts and their support crews descend upon Emporia for the 17th annual UNBOUND Gravel weekend, local economic development and tourism experts say the continued impact on the area is undeniable. The value of that impact was upwards of $6 million in 2018. Visit Emporia director LeLan Dains said while he doesn’t have firm numbers to cite just yet, the financial impact has only increased five years later. Source: Emporia Gazette

5 Monday, June 5

City of Russell Fire Chief hospitalized after explosion

info2023-06-05T00:05:59-05:00June 5th, 2023|

Russel City Manager Jon Quinday said that shortly after 9 p.m. on Friday the fire department was called to 1706 N. Main Street for a structure fire. After Fire Chief Dylan Riedel arrived on scene the fire caused an explosion. Riedel was taken to Russell Regional Hospital then later transported to Via Christi in Wichita. The Kansas State Fire Marshall was asked to help in the investigation. Source: KAKE - News

5 Monday, June 5

Johnson County is recruiting gardeners to help prevent flooding in Kansas City

info2023-06-05T00:04:34-05:00June 5th, 2023|

Kansas City sits at the intersection of many rivers — the Missouri River separating downtown from the Northland, the Kansas River in Wyandotte and Johnson counties, and Turkey Creek, the Blue River, Mill Creek and Brush Creek forming a spider web across the bistate area. And this is no accident, said Heather Schmidt, the stormwater program manager in Johnson County. “Whenever anybody develops or settles anywhere, they want to be by the stream,” Schmidt said. “It’s their water source, and it’s their source to get things away. And that’s always been problematic, because they also get flooded out.” Source: KCUR News

5 Monday, June 5

El Dorado PD seek community heroes!

info2023-06-05T08:02:24-05:00June 5th, 2023|

For many law enforcement departments, bullet resistant vests for K-9s are not in the budget. Instead, departments rely on nonprofit assistance to acquire the protective gear. Nonprofit Keeping K-9s in Kevlar accepted the responsibility to bring the community together and help fund El Dorado Police Department’s newest officer, K9 Rico, for a (bullet resistant) Kevlar vest involving community assistance with their donations. The non-profit seeks community heroes to assist in funding K9 Rico’s vest. Vests costs $2,784. Nonprofits are the way most departments receive K-9 Kevlar vests. Source: Andover American

4 Sunday, June 4

Historic Mural Coming to Downtown Fort Scott

info2023-06-04T23:59:10-05:00June 4th, 2023|

The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce is preparing to bring a historic mural to downtown. "The first Kansas colored infantry was sworn in on the parade grounds here at Fort Scott, shortly after the Emancipation Proclamation, and so this is a story that has always been in Fort Scott's legacy," said Rachel French. The mural will honor this infantry, who were the first African American soldiers who fought in the Civil War. According to the Fort Scott National Historic Site, Kansas was the first northern state to recruit, train, and send African American soldiers into combat during the Civil War. Source: [...]

4 Sunday, June 4

Baxter Springs approves UTVs, golf carts on city roads

info2023-06-04T23:55:05-05:00June 4th, 2023|

The Baxter Springs City Council passes an ordinance permitting UTVs and golf carts to be driven on the city streets. Drivers must have a valid driver's license and get their UTV or golf cart insured. The vehicles must also pass an inspection, and the Baxter Springs Police Department will conduct those Wednesday through Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., or on Saturdays by appointment. Once that is complete, drivers will be required to pay a license fee of $25. The vehicle must also have a seat and seat belt, head and tail lights, turn signals, rearview mirrors, [...]

4 Sunday, June 4

Municipal Bond Trends for June 2, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-06-04T15:34:43-05:00June 4th, 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.

4 Sunday, June 4

What’s next for downtown Topeka? Here’s what developers say about buildings still vacant

info2023-06-05T08:11:54-05:00June 4th, 2023|

Downtown Topeka has seen progress over the years, but there's still more room for growth. In the past five years, major projects include The Pennant opening in March 2018, The Cyrus Hotel opening in 2019, Evergy Plaza opening in March 2020, new pocket parks and more. Highly anticipated projects still to come include the two-story restaurant lounge Ta.Co at 735 S. Kansas Ave., a revived restoration project for Jayhawk Theatre and a new Polk-Quincy Viaduct. Ashley Gilfillan, president of Downtown Topeka Inc., said downtown is getting back to a sense of community and walkability. "Yes, it's the economic development of it [...]

4 Sunday, June 4

Lakin To Open a New Daycare

info2023-06-04T20:22:36-05:00June 4th, 2023|

The city of Lakin is excited to announce their newest project - City Builders Daycare. … childcare is an issue here in our community and across the nation… The City Council voted to take a city owned building that is underused and created a space that will have a lasting impact on our children and our families… We are fortunate enough to have several quality daycares here in town that we are collaborating with, and not competing with. We are planning for a middle of June opening date. Source: Lakin Independent