Halstead purchases new marquee with eye-catching design

1 Thursday, December 1

Halstead purchases new marquee with eye-catching design

info2022-12-01T11:18:08-06:00December 1st, 2022|

The City of Halstead will soon be getting a new marquee to replace the one that is well past its life expectancy. City Manager Ethan Reimer gave the city council four bids for new signs during their Monday night meeting. He said staff was really impressed with the quote from Miracle Signs. Their proposed marquee would incorporate a 3D cutout of the swinging bridge and the word “Halstead,” just as it appears on the sandwich board message signs used by downtown businesses. This would appear above the marquee in place of the city’s old logo, which the city has talked about [...]

1 Thursday, December 1

Municipal Bond Trends for November 30, 2022

Henry Schmidt2022-12-01T10:00:57-06:00December 1st, 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 and Beth Warren.

1 Thursday, December 1

Fed Chair Powell says smaller interest rate hikes could start in December

info2022-12-01T07:42:25-06:00December 1st, 2022|

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell confirmed Wednesday that smaller interest rate increases are likely ahead even as progress in the fight against inflation has largely been unsatisfactory. Echoing recent statements from other central bank officials and comments at the November Fed meeting, Powell said he sees the central bank in position to reduce the size of rate hikes as soon as next month. But he cautioned that monetary policy is likely to stay restrictive for some time until real signs of progress emerge on inflation. Source: CNBC - Bonds

1 Thursday, December 1

Holton approves “pickle ball” plan

info2022-12-01T11:08:12-06:00December 1st, 2022|

With fund-raising completed for the construction of a pickle ball court and ice skating rink at Holton’s Rafters Park, the Holton City Commission on Monday approved a plan as submitted by representatives of Holton Middle School’s Kansas Association for Youth (KAY) chapter to get construction started in the near future. Commissioners voted unanimously to allow the chapter to get started on plans to build the pickle ball court, which Holton City Manager Kerwin McKee said would involve Holton city employees in “pouring the concrete and preparing the site.” When completed, the pickle ball court will be the second major addition to [...]

1 Thursday, December 1

Kansas salary survey: 70% of state government jobs pay workers below-market rates

info2022-12-01T07:37:25-06:00December 1st, 2022|

Seven of 10 categories of Kansas government workers were paid below average market rates based on a new survey examining wages at comparable in-state employers and state government employers in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri and elsewhere. The Kansas Department of Administration’s report identified pay deficiencies of 32% for law clerks, 22% for social worker supervisors, 19% for driver license examiners, 13% for chemists, 9% for senior electricians, 7% for fire investigators, 3% for property appraisers and 1% for technology support consultants. Source: Kansas Reflector

1 Thursday, December 1

New federal broadband maps indicate widespread availability

info2022-12-01T07:33:52-06:00December 1st, 2022|

If you want to check new federal maps about broadband availability, you can now do that. If you want to challenge the map, you can do that as well. The new maps, using location-specific information, should be more targeted than the prior maps, which were outdated and “overly general,” according to US Senator Roger Marshall. The new maps serve another purpose — paving the way for federal funds to bolster broadband in areas where high-speed internet is limited or unavailable. Source: KVOE Emporia Radio

1 Thursday, December 1

Kansas Supreme Court to begin Rural Justice Initiative

info2022-12-01T07:32:28-06:00December 1st, 2022|

The Kansas Supreme Court is planning to launch what it calls the Rural Justice Initiative with a brief ceremony Thursday. The committee involves 35 members. Its main charge is to examine unmet legal needs in rural areas of the state as attorney numbers decline. The committee will have its first meeting Thursday after the official creation as signed by Chief Justice Marla Luckert. The ceremony starts at 10 am at the Kansas Judicial Center in Topeka. Source: KVOE Emporia Radio

1 Thursday, December 1

Valley Center’s 3D-printed home community delayed

info2022-12-01T07:31:02-06:00December 1st, 2022|

Kansas’s first-ever community of 3D-printed homes is delayed. The city of Valley Center was partnering with the Crain Company, or CC3D, to bring the development to the state. This week, the Valley Center City Council voted to withdraw its contract with the company. “We still do plan and hope to have the first 3D printed structure and the first 3D printed home here in Valley Center, Kansas,” City Administrator Brent Clark said. “That's not going away.” The City also entered another agreement with a different developer for the project, now named Sunflower Valley. CC3D was running into supply chain issues with [...]

1 Thursday, December 1

Wichita is one of the best cities for digital nomads, a new report says. Here’s why

info2022-12-01T07:29:29-06:00December 1st, 2022|

If you’re a remote worker who moves around, you may want to consider Wichita as one of your stops. A new report lists Wichita as one of the best cities for digital nomads. The report from Incfile, a online business formation and startup services company, analyzed 100 of the largest cities in the U.S. for digital nomads based on the cost of living, broadband internet strength, walkability, transit scores and average temperatures, a news release from the company said. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

1 Thursday, December 1

Louisburg extends permit waiver incentive

info2022-12-01T07:26:39-06:00December 1st, 2022|

Home buyers and builders can waive their building permit fee on the construction of a new single-family home after the Louisburg City Council continued the wavier incentive to 2023 at a recent meeting. A homebuilder on average can save between $1,200 and $1,500 on permit fees on a 2,000-square-foot home, according to a city news release. Building permit fees are based on the assessed value of the home, so savings can vary depending on the home’s value. The builder must be licensed in Miami County to take advantage of the permit fee waiver. Source: Local News | republic-online.com