Newton school board learns about Enterprise Fleet Management program

16 Monday, January 16

Newton school board learns about Enterprise Fleet Management program

info2023-01-17T07:21:40-06:00January 16th, 2023|

There’s no long-term commitment for the school district if the board of education decides to utilize Enterprise Fleet Management. That’s what Brandon Scott, Enterprise Fleet Management account executive, told the board during its regular Monday night meeting at McKinley Administration Center in Newton. “The condition of our passenger and working fleet vehicles has been an issue as we have an aging fleet that is at times unreliable and requiring more maintenance,” according to agenda information given to the board as requested by USD-373 Superintendent Fred Van Ranken, Director of Human Resources and Business Services Jane Nichols, Director of Facilities/Maintenance Chris Schaeffer [...]

16 Monday, January 16

In an ‘unexpected’ move, KCK grocery store is closing after three decades

info2023-01-17T07:25:07-06:00January 16th, 2023|

In a surprising move, Ball’s Sun Fresh Market in the Red Bridge Shopping Center will close. Officials with Balls Food Stores in Kansas City, Kansas, have not confirmed the closing, but store employees are telling customers the news. The landlord, Lane4 Property Group, said Friday that the closing was “unexpected” and that it would close by the end of the month. Lane4 purchased the south Kansas City neighborhood center in 2015 and then spent about $10 million to renovate it. ... The closing will leave surrounding residents with few grocery store options within a five mile radius. Lane4 said they are [...]

16 Monday, January 16

Derby partnering on private street upgrades

info2023-01-17T07:36:38-06:00January 16th, 2023|

Through some recent work on a joint fuel station project, the city, school district and Derby Recreation Commission began discussion of upgrades to some private streets in Derby that generate shared usage. As with the fuel station, a funding percentage split for the road maintenance was brought up, with the pavement rehabilitation project officially brought before the Derby City Council at its Jan. 10 meeting. ... City Manager Kiel Mangus noted that as part of the discussion, the city offered to handle the pavement bidding, given its familiarity with such projects. The project will be included in the city’s 2023 pavement [...]

16 Monday, January 16

Lawrence City Commission to revisit source of income discrimination following meeting for landlords

info2023-01-17T07:37:15-06:00January 16th, 2023|

City leaders are set to revisit a proposed ordinance Tuesday that advocates say could significantly help people in need of housing. Proposed city ordinance changes would prevent landlords from denying someone housing just because a prospective tenant’s rent money comes from assistance such as vouchers, settlements, benefits, subsidies, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers and more. The Lawrence City Commission on Dec. 13 voiced general approval for the ordinance, which would also create a protected class based on source of income. Mayor Lisa Larsen said she was concerned about passing it without further engagement with landlords who own Lawrence properties, and commissioners [...]

16 Monday, January 16

Garden City Police assists elementary school with Bat call

info2023-01-16T18:59:44-06:00January 16th, 2023|

It's the type of call that certainly seems fitting for Friday the 13th. Garden City Police were called to Abe Hubert Elementary School after a bat was found flying around inside. The department posted the incident to Facebook, stating that because they can bite and the chance of contracting rabies, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism was called in to assist in capturing the winged mammal. The bat was successfully captured by KDWP who will determine what to do next. Garden City Police say they are "hopeful the bat will be reunited with its kind or Batman." Source: KSN-TV

16 Monday, January 16

Emporia Water Treatment plant ozone system restored; residents may continue to notice strange odor or taste through Tuesday evening

info2023-01-17T07:39:37-06:00January 16th, 2023|

After more than 48 hours, Emporia Water Treatment Plant staff and vendors have restored the plant’s ozone system. According to City Communications Manager Christine Johnson, the system was restored Monday afternoon after crews and vendors worked over the weekend to “sync” the system. The ozone systems issues were first reported Saturday morning due to the failure of a programmable logic-controlling unit. Due to the system’s issues, the city switched to chlorine as its main disinfectant mechanism. That decision led residents to notice an odd odor or taste in their water. Johnson says the taste and odor should return to normal by [...]

16 Monday, January 16

Board learns of staff duties at Labette County Health Department

info2023-01-17T07:40:32-06:00January 16th, 2023|

Tasked with promoting and protecting the health of the communities in the county, Labette County Health Department employees’ duties are vast and varied. The Labette County Commission, meeting as the board of health, this week learned all the responsibilities of Health Department personnel. Health Department Administrator Lisa Scott said most of the department staff is cross-trained, but each has a specialty area. Source: Parsons Sun

16 Monday, January 16

Decoding your grocery bill after Kansas’ food sales tax cut

info2023-01-17T07:38:56-06:00January 16th, 2023|

Groceries are slightly cheaper in Kansas following a food sales tax cut that went into effect Jan. 1, but you may still have questions about how much you’re paying. The cut lowers the sales tax rate on many food items from 6.5% to 4%. But some Kansas consumers have complained they’re still getting charged too much or have otherwise expressed confusion about the numbers on their receipts. ... While the state sales tax on food was cut from 6.5% to 4%, that’s not the only tax you get charged at checkout. Shoppers still pay separate sales taxes on food to both the [...]

16 Monday, January 16

Municipal Bond Trends for January 13, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-01-16T11:20:59-06:00January 16th, 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.

13 Friday, January 13

Residents drive, shape Leawood’s brand of suburban luxury

info2023-01-13T09:54:49-06:00January 13th, 2023|

Suburban luxury is Leawood's brand, and it will continue to be so as long as its residents aim to keep it that way. The 75-year-old city began as a bedroom community of 1,000 residents who fled the bustle of Kansas City seeking the quiet of suburbia. As it evolved, the city has grown into the jewel of Johnson County with its multimillion-dollar neighborhoods and high-end storefronts to serve its population of roughly 34,700. Leawood's terrain changed significantly when Tomahawk Creek Parkway was put in. Making room for commercial and office uses is an important addition to the city's mix, Mayor Peggy [...]