Hutchinson School Board votes to close Lincoln Elementary School

17 Wednesday, May 17

Hutchinson School Board votes to close Lincoln Elementary School

info2023-05-17T07:26:47-05:00May 17th, 2023|

After more than an hour of speeches, discussion and pointed questions, the Hutchinson School Board voted 5 to 1 to close Lincoln Elementary School during a special board meeting on Monday, May 15. The staff would move along with the students and the class size would be 20. The district's superintendent, Dawn Johnson, Ed.D., presented the options to the school board and more than 100 community members. This discussion came about because of the lack of teachers applying for jobs in the district. At present, the district is 14 teachers short. In addition, the district is down $1.1 million. Source: Hutch [...]

16 Tuesday, May 16

Natives of a small Kansas town transform rundown burger joint into regional destination

info2023-05-17T07:21:05-05:00May 16th, 2023|

The restaurant scene in Douglass, Kansas, — a town of around 1,500 that sits 30 miles southeast of Wichita — has been a tad depressing over the past decade. Around 2014, the town’s favorite burger joint — Craig’s Drive-Inn, at 833 E. First St. — closed after more than 30 years in business. Then, in November of 2021, the Triangle Restaurant — a cafe that also served Mexican fare — also closed, leaving the town with nearly no dining options at all. A couple of months ago, the town’s Pizza Hut closed, and that was a real blow. In a small [...]

16 Tuesday, May 16

Governor Kelly signs bipartisan omnibus budget bill

info2023-05-17T07:21:34-05:00May 16th, 2023|

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has signed an omnibus budget bill that was approved with bipartisan support. The bill signed on Monday will increase funding for higher education, expand mental health resources for students, and it provides a pay raise for state workers. The governor said the budget is fiscally responsible and will improve the state’s workforce, improve roads and expand high-speed internet. The bill increases pay rates for state employees who are earning below the market rate for similar jobs in the private sector. The bill also includes the Build Kansas Matching Grant Fund which will provide state matching dollars to communities for [...]

16 Tuesday, May 16

Great Bend residents support backyard chickens

info2023-05-17T07:22:37-05:00May 16th, 2023|

A large number of Great Bend residents flocked to the City Council meeting Monday night, supporting the idea of raising chickens within the city limits, as well as voicing their frustration with what they called a vague ordinance governing backyard fowl. However, not all on the council were keen to the idea that arose during the public comment section of the City Hall meeting. No action could be taken, but it will be on the agenda June 5. Source: Great Bend Tribune

16 Tuesday, May 16

Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office buys new $2.5M airplane you’ll probably never want to ride in

info2023-05-16T10:29:56-05:00May 16th, 2023|

As the sheriff of the Air Capital of the World, one of the most important and little-known tools for Jeff Easter's department is its own private airplane, and it's time to make a big upgrade. "The Sheriff's Office here has had an airplane since the late 70s," said Easter. In 1987, the department flew a Cessna T210, but its needs quickly outgrew what the small plane could do. So, in 1991, it upgraded to a Cessna C340A. Just six years later, the department traded up again for the airplane it still flies today – the Commander 690-A. Source: KAKE - News

16 Tuesday, May 16

Rural electric co-ops to get $10.7B in USDA funds for clean energy grants, loans

info2023-05-16T10:28:41-05:00May 16th, 2023|

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin to administer two loan and grant programs worth nearly $11 billion to boost clean energy systems in rural areas, administration officials said Tuesday. Congress approved the federal spending — $9.7 billion for a grant and loan program the department is calling the New Empowering Rural America program, or New ERA, and $1 billion for a Powering Affordable Clean Energy program that will provide partly forgivable loans — in the energy, health and taxes law Democrats passed last summer. Source: Kansas Reflector

16 Tuesday, May 16

Pittsburg gives housing vouchers to those facing homelessness

info2023-05-16T10:24:16-05:00May 16th, 2023|

The Pittsburg Housing Authority was chosen to receive some additional funds to provide support for those facing homelessness. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded $43 million to 62 agencies throughout the country, for "stability vouchers" to address unsheltered and rural homelessness. The Pittsburg Housing Authority received five Stability Vouchers to help those individuals and families obtain permanent housing. The total amount of the vouchers depends on the number of people living in the household. Source: KSNF/KODE

16 Tuesday, May 16

Officials predict record wheat shortage for Kansas

info2023-05-16T10:23:24-05:00May 16th, 2023|

There has been an abundance of rain in this past week, but has it been enough to save the state's wheat after last month's drought? The Kansas Wheat Commission is starting it's Wheat Tour across the state Tuesday, May 16 and top leaders tell KSNT 27 News that they expect the smallest crop in 60 years. The commission will embark on a two day tour across the state, making over 500 different stops at different wheat fields across Kansas, to determine what this year's crop may look like. Due to the drought, they expect to find a small crop, and even [...]

16 Tuesday, May 16

Johnson County chair wants citizen panels on diversity, sustainability

info2023-05-16T10:22:28-05:00May 16th, 2023|

A proposal to create new citizen advisory groups on diversity and sustainability are moving forward after county commissioners last week discussed – sometimes testily – how they should be set up. The groups, which will be called coalitions rather than committees, were requested by Chairman Mike Kelly and are intended to bring in opinions and expertise from the community. Each group would have up to 15 members, appointed by Kelly pending approval from the rest of the commission. Source: Shawnee Mission Post

16 Tuesday, May 16

Municipal Bond Trends for May 15, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-05-16T08:11:40-05:00May 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.