Newton BOE splits over closing, shrinking Walton

15 Wednesday, February 15

Newton BOE splits over closing, shrinking Walton

info2023-02-15T12:54:27-06:00February 15th, 2023|

On a 4-3 vote, the Newton Board of Education voted to reduce Walton Rural Life Center and Northridge Elementary School to one-section schools, meaning one classroom per grade. The decision followed two previous board discussions, beginning on Jan. 26, about shrinking enrollment leading to a decreased need in space and staff, as well as high turnover in existing staff, blamed on low district pay. “We have to react to the loss of students in the district,” Board Member Matt Treaster said at the meeting. “The first option of doing nothing isn’t an option.” Source: Harvey County Now

15 Wednesday, February 15

Lawrence City Commission approves ordinance changes aimed at helping people find housing

info2023-02-15T12:53:52-06:00February 15th, 2023|

Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved an ordinance change that creates a protected class based on source of income, as well as status as a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking. The change also disallows discrimination based on prospective tenants’ immigration status. It means that landlords will not be able to discriminatorily deny someone housing just because their rent money will come from a housing voucher, settlement, benefit, subsidy, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing voucher and more. ... Many large, out-of-state landlords have stopped accepting vouchers in Lawrence, Commissioner Brad Finkeldei said — but he said in speaking [...]

15 Wednesday, February 15

Municipal Bond Trends for February 14, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-02-15T10:50:53-06:00February 15th, 2023|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.

15 Wednesday, February 15

Popularity growing, Great Bend Rec getting involved with eSports

info2023-02-15T10:16:46-06:00February 15th, 2023|

The gaming world of eSports has been around for some time, but the explosion in popularity over the last few years has caused many markets to get involved. The Great Bend Recreation Commission is now in the process of bringing eSports, video games turned into a spectator sport, to the community to enjoy. Getting advice from Barton Community College eSports coach Curtis Rose, Great Bend Rec Business Director Joe Henry said the Rec wants to create tournaments and leagues for gamers to compete, but also for those interested in watching. Source: GC Telegram

15 Wednesday, February 15

Inflation Brings Back the Heat

info2023-02-15T00:22:13-06:00February 15th, 2023|

The Federal Reserve can probably take last month’s bump up in inflation in stride. That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t care about it. The Labor Department on Tuesday reported that overall consumer prices rose a seasonally adjusted 0.5% in January from December and it revised December’s monthly change from down 0.1% to up 0.1%. Core prices, which exclude the often volatile food and energy categories in an attempt to better capture inflation’s trend, rose 0.4% in January, with December’s gains revised to 0.4% from 0.3%. Source: WSJ.com: Markets

15 Wednesday, February 15

U.S. inflation is likely ‘far stickier’ and could last a decade, Bill Smead says

info2023-02-15T00:21:09-06:00February 15th, 2023|

U.S. inflation is likely to be "far stickier" and could last a decade, according to Bill Smead, chief investment officer at Smead Capital Management. Wall Street is gearing up for key inflation data later Tuesday, when the Labor Department releases its January consumer price index. It is a widely followed inflation gauge that measures the cost for dozens of goods and services spanning the economy. "The enthusiasm … right now is the hope that we'll get a friendly Fed out of a soft landing, and we do not believe that is going to be the case," Smead told CNBC's "Streets Sign [...]

15 Wednesday, February 15

Kansas Tourism Announces $400,000 Available in Attraction Development Grants

info2023-02-15T00:20:04-06:00February 15th, 2023|

Kansas Tourism today announced the Attraction Development Grant program is open for applications. A total of $400,000 is available. Attraction Development Grants provide strategic economic assistance to public or private entities, or not-for-profit groups, that are developing new or enhancing existing tourism attraction in the state. The deadline for applications is March 31. “The projects that we are looking for with these grants are those that will bring new visitors to Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Each person that visits our state also supports our economy, by eating at our restaurants, staying at our hotels and [...]

15 Wednesday, February 15

City sponsoring logo design contest

info2023-02-15T00:16:23-06:00February 15th, 2023|

The City of Hiawatha has announced its first ever Logo Design contest. City officials said the current logo has served the city well, but they are looking to freshen it up with a high quality digital image. The city is looking for talented local artists who can design a logo representative of the City of Hiawatha. Examples include the Davis Memorial, Clock Tower, maple leaf and clock tower. Submissions are due by Friday, March 31 to mgreen@cityofhiawatha.org or drop off at City Hall. The winner will receive $150 in Chamber Bucks. Source: hiawathaworldonline.com

15 Wednesday, February 15

Mission Hills removes coyote traps from park after dogs injured

info2023-02-15T00:14:38-06:00February 15th, 2023|

Mission Hills officials say they plan to re-evaluate how to handle an increase in coyote activity after two dogs were injured this month after being caught in traps placed for coyotes at a city park. City officials say a city staff member is licensed to trap through a nuisance wildlife control permit, and signage and mailers went out as a warning the week before the “non-lethal” traps were set in an “unmaintained” corner of the park. Source: Prairie Village Post

15 Wednesday, February 15

Commerce Department seeks to expand mega project incentives

info2023-02-15T00:12:52-06:00February 15th, 2023|

The state Commerce Department is asking lawmakers to expand a lucrative tax incentive to land a new major economic development project on the heels of securing Panasonic and Integra. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Paul Hughes appeared before the House commerce Tuesday, asking for an extension of the incentive program though Dec. 31, 2024 as well as more incentives for training and employee relocation. Hughes said interest in Kansas from mega projects has slowed since the Legislature approved the first package of incentives that are set to lapse at the end of the 2023. Source: Sunflower State Journal