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27 Tuesday, December 27

Sirens have long and storied history

2022-12-27T14:21:04-06:00December 27th, 2022|

The ubiquitous sound of tornado sirens on a clear Monday has been around for generations, but when the warning devices were first installed in the early 1950s, inclement weather was an afterthought. Harvey County Communications Director Don Gruver said when the sirens were first installed, their purpose was to warn residents of a nuclear attack from America’s old nemesis, the Soviet Union. Wichita became the first city to use the civil defense sirens to warn of an approaching tornado in June 1958. He said cities used also them for other purposes – a lunch whistle at noon and to alert volunteer [...]

27 Tuesday, December 27

Lawrence assistant city manager Diane Stoddard stepping down next month, accepts position as Leawood city administrator

2022-12-27T14:21:54-06:00December 27th, 2022|

Assistant Lawrence City Manager Diane Stoddard is leaving her position effective Jan. 13, according to a city news release Wednesday afternoon. She has accepted a position as city administrator in Leawood, according to the release. Stoddard’s role with the city manager’s office began in October 2007, according to the release. She also served as the interim city manager from June 2015 to March 2016. “It has been an honor to serve as both Assistant City Manager and, on one occasion, Interim City Manager for Lawrence over the last 15 years,” Stoddard said in the release. “As my hometown, Lawrence will always [...]

27 Tuesday, December 27

Edgerton mulls possible own police department

2022-12-27T14:35:29-06:00December 27th, 2022|

Law enforcement services with Johnson County were renewed for the next year. However, at the Thursday, Dec. 15 Edgerton city council meeting, Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden said because of Edgerton’s continuing growth the city might want to consider expanding its services and needing their own police department might be in their future. “Edgerton is growing like crazy,” he said. Hayden said they should “explore some stuff” and consider assigning a lieutenant or a consistent group of officers to assist current Sheriff’s Department officer Brad Johnson for consistency with local citizens. He said knowing everyone in town helps officers serve a [...]

27 Tuesday, December 27

Russell PRIDE receives $52K grant

2022-12-27T09:54:41-06:00December 27th, 2022|

Russell PRIDE Inc. in Russell County has received a $52,000 grant to revitalize a dilapidated downtown building, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Friday. Gov. Kelly announced the recipients of the fall 2022 Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants to revitalize under-used and dilapidated downtown buildings and turn them into economic drivers in Kansas communities. A total of 15 projects from across the state are receiving almost $773,000 in matching fund grants. HEAL was created in 2021 as a partnership between the Patterson Family Foundation and the Department of Commerce. The first round of HEAL grants resulted in 32 commercial buildings being rehabilitated. [...]

27 Tuesday, December 27

Abilene unveils world’s largest belt buckle

2022-12-27T09:50:14-06:00December 27th, 2022|

Designed by local artist, Jason Lahr, Fluter’s Creek Metal Works, the buckle features Dwight D. Eisenhower, Wild Bill Hickok, Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, Historic Seelye Mansion, C.W. Parker carousel horse, C.L. Brown telephone, a racing Greyhound and Chisholm Trail longhorn inlaid with blue quartz. “Whether you enjoy Cowboy history, art, fun photo opportunities, or the world’s largest things, make sure to add the World’s Largest Belt Buckle to your Kansas I-70 road trip,” said Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Julie Roller Weeks. The project is funded by a Kansas Tourism Attraction Development Grant and from donations from 100 businesses [...]

27 Tuesday, December 27

Fort Scott interim City Manager named

2022-12-27T14:37:31-06:00December 27th, 2022|

The Fort Scott City Commission announced their pick for the City Manager position. The commission's choice of Brad Matkin to take over the role was confirmed Tuesday in a unanimous vote. He will replace current City Manager, Jeff Hancock. Hancock will stay on for three months to help make it a smooth transition. Previously, Matkin worked for the city's public works department from 1989-1990. He returned to the city as the Human Resources Director in August of 2021 and has served as Assistant City Manager since September. “I’ve been a lifelong resident of Fort Scott and I’m passionate about making our [...]

27 Tuesday, December 27

Ghost town post office gutted, for sale as residence

2022-12-27T14:38:10-06:00December 27th, 2022|

The last remaining building in a Chase County town once called Crawfordsville and later Clements is up for sale as a house. Wichita real estate agent Ashley Sears, who listed the home for sale Dec. 11, said the owner, who doesn’t want to be identified, worked on the former Clements post office for three or four months before putting it on the market. The once-ramshackle 1907 building, 60 yards off US-50, still has its original pressed-tin ceilings and wide board floors. Source: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

27 Tuesday, December 27

Paola students enjoy shopping with cops

2022-12-27T14:38:39-06:00December 27th, 2022|

Ten lucky students in Paola recently got the opportunity to go Christmas shopping for their family members with a little help from the Paola Police Department and the Paola Walmart. The Shop With a Cop program has become an annual tradition for the Paola Police Department. Police Chief Eric Jenkins said the program is made possible thanks to a $1,500 grant from Walmart’s community grant program. The police department works with social workers at Cottonwood and Sunflower elementary schools to identify 10 students who would most benefit from the experience, Jenkins said. Paola police officers picked up the students Monday, Dec. [...]

26 Monday, December 26

Municipal Bond Trends for December 23, 2022

2022-12-27T10:19:25-06:00December 26th, 2022|

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.

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