Bitcoin mining’s future in Harvey County still uncertain

5 Wednesday, April 5

Bitcoin mining’s future in Harvey County still uncertain

info2023-04-05T10:42:27-05:00April 5th, 2023|

Sean Reese said the future the bitcoin mining operation run by his company, Print Crypto, Inc., in the southeast part of Harvey County remained in doubt. The Board of Harvey County Commissioners unanimously upheld the Harvey County Planning Commission’s decision to deny a rezoning request for Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., last week. The decision likely means Print Crypto will have to move trailers full of computer equipment used for bitcoin mining. Source: Harvey County Now

5 Wednesday, April 5

April’s burn ban isn’t a ban on all fires

info2023-04-05T10:03:42-05:00April 5th, 2023|

For over a decade, Kansas has implemented a burn ban for the 16 counties around the Flint Hills. Still, many Kansans have a misconception of what they can and cannot burn. The ban includes all open burning of any waste, including vegetation and wood waster, structures or other material on any premises, according to a recent news release by Sedgwick County. Exceptions include pasture, crop, range, and wildlife or watershed management. Among those 16 counties are Sedgwick and Marion. Brad Crisp, Fire Marshal for Sedgwick County Fire District #1, said they get calls from people asking if they can still smoke [...]

5 Wednesday, April 5

Does your recycling really get recycled? Inside Kansas City area processing plants

info2023-04-05T10:00:51-05:00April 5th, 2023|

Reduce, reuse, recycle. We’ve all heard it before. Many of us had it drilled into our brains in school growing up, or from family members or friends. Even though we’ve been told that recycling is the right thing to do, based on what The Star has heard from readers, there are still some pretty big questions lurking in the minds of Kansas Citians. Mainly: Is recycling even real, and is it worth it? The Star asked readers about what questions or concerns you have about trash and litter in the metro to help fuel a series of stories we’re starting to [...]

5 Wednesday, April 5

Pit bulls are still banned in towns around Kansas City. These dog lovers are fighting for a repeal

info2023-04-05T10:43:54-05:00April 5th, 2023|

Around Kansas City, some municipalities had pit bull bans on the books for decades. But Independence[, Missouri] only passed its law after a handful of highly-publicized pit bull attacks in 2006. In Kansas City, Missouri, a pit bull killed a 71-year-old woman after it jumped a neighbor’s fence, and an Independence man was nearly mauled to death by three pit bulls the same year. Over the last five years, many local governments have removed breed-specific bans from their city and county charters. Wyandotte County instituted a pit bull ban in 1990 that threatened violators with jail sentences of up to 90 [...]

5 Wednesday, April 5

High costs continue to hurt Winfield hospital

info2023-04-05T09:55:35-05:00April 5th, 2023|

William Newton Hospital saw an increase in patient revenue and decreased operating expenses during the first month of the year, although high contract labor costs contributed to a financial loss of January, WNH trustees learned during their meeting on Thursday. Total patient revenue for January was $8.7 million, an increase of about $169,000 from December. Total net patient revenue was $3.8 million, an increase of about $35,000. That was primarily because of increased outpatient revenue, hospital CFO Kara Goff said. Source: The Arkansas City Traveler

5 Wednesday, April 5

Cap on short-term rental units to remain for now, Lawrence City Commission decides

info2023-04-05T09:53:28-05:00April 5th, 2023|

Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday decided to table a discussion on raising or eliminating the cap on the number of short-term rental units property owners may license in some parts of town. Following an increase in short-term rental units like Airbnbs in past years, commissioners discussed possibly changing the limitation of how many units can be licensed or owned for that purpose — currently three per person. Discussions surrounding the short-term rental industry in Lawrence have been ongoing for years. Tuesday night’s meeting agenda highlighted times when local policy was altered, including in 2020. Source: The Lawrence Times

5 Wednesday, April 5

Municipal Bond Trends for April 4, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-04-05T07:40:07-05:00April 5th, 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.

4 Tuesday, April 4

KS March Taxes Surpass Estimate

info2023-04-04T09:43:22-05:00April 4th, 2023|

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that total tax collections for March 2023 were $758.3 million. That is $64.9 million, or 9.4%, more than the monthly estimate. That is also $78.7 million, or 11.6%, more than March 2022. “Time and again, we have exceeded our estimated tax collections, providing further proof that we can responsibly axe taxes on groceries, retirement, and property for Kansans,” said Governor Laura Kelly. Individual income tax collections were $314.6 million. That is $438,000 less than the estimate but $16.4 million, or 5.5%, more than March 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $102.6 million, which is $75.6 million, [...]

4 Tuesday, April 4

City of Garden City says perimeter of historic Windsor Hotel is safe

info2023-04-04T09:42:16-05:00April 4th, 2023|

A few days after falling bricks forced the City of Garden City to block off the perimeter of the historic Windsor Hotel, the perimeter is open again. The City says the Garden City Fire Department and the contractor for Finney County Preservation Alliance, Inc. shored up the rear wall and façade of the hotel based on the recommendations of the State Fire Marshal’s Office Structural Engineer. Finney County Preservation Alliance owns the Windsor Hotel and has been restoring the historic building. Source: KSN-TV

4 Tuesday, April 4

With the Ogallala Aquifer drying up, Kansas ponders limits to irrigation

info2023-04-04T09:30:50-05:00April 4th, 2023|

The Ogallala Aquifer has a visibility problem. It’s easy to see when drought, farm irrigation and city taps drain the great reservoirs of the Southwest. Bathtub rings paint the red rock walls surrounding Lake Powell as it shrinks, sounding alarm bells loud and clear. What about a body of water that’s locked away in a subterranean labyrinth of gravel and rock reaching more than 300 feet underground? The Ogallala may hold as much water as Lake Huron, but we can’t see it. And, problematically, that means we can’t see it disappear. Source: KCUR News