Changing Our Culture initiative gets lawn mowed in Topeka

21 Friday, October 21

Changing Our Culture initiative gets lawn mowed in Topeka

info2022-10-21T00:10:47-05:00October 21st, 2022|

A new initiative in Topeka, called "Changing our Culture' is designed to improve the quality of structures and premises in Topeka, so that structures and premises violations are the exception rather than the rule. Owners are motivated to take care of properties before city departments are even called. "We got involved because the city of Topeka gets complaints about overgrown lawns of substandard property and the issue is what do we do about it. We decided about a year and a half ago to take on the whole thing. We came up with a five year goal to only have 500 [...]

21 Friday, October 21

Topeka mall demolition leads to new opportunities

info2022-10-21T07:43:30-05:00October 21st, 2022|

The construction fence is coming down as demolition at the former White Lakes Mall comes to a close. District 5 Council Member Brett Kell says there is already interest in this area by three businesses. With talk of business moving into south Topeka, businesses that are already here are eager to see what's to come. Jay Ives, president of the Blind Tiger, says that this will be a good thing to Topeka. "It's about time that something is done with the White Lakes mall," said Ives. "So, now that the building is down and the developer, we hear is ready to [...]

21 Friday, October 21

Mission weighs new regulations for e-cigarette retailers

info2022-10-21T07:44:11-05:00October 21st, 2022|

The city of Mission is weighing new regulations on shops that sell e-cigarettes and other vaping products. ... The regulations would impose a limit on vape shops from opening up within a certain distance from schools, daycare centers, churches or colleges. The idea is modeled off similar limits already in place in Shawnee, Mission City Administrator Laura Smith told the finance committee on Oct. 12. Shawnee currently does not allow e-cigarette and tobacco retailers within 200 feet of schools. Source: Prairie Village Post

21 Friday, October 21

Medical marijuana advocates press legislators to change law over objections by Kansas police

info2022-10-21T07:45:36-05:00October 21st, 2022|

Medical marijuana has long been a controversial topic in Kansas, with many advocating for the drug as a pain relief substitute that is less addictive than opioids. Ahead of the 2023 legislative session, the committee is trying to address areas of concern about legislation to legalize medical marijuana. Kansas sheriffs and police officers have objected to legalizing medical marijuana, writing that they would never be “supportive or even neutral” about legalization in Oct. 12 testimony submitted to the committee. The testimony was submitted by the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, Kansas Sheriffs Association and Kansas Peace Officers Association. Source: The [...]

20 Thursday, October 20

Making a difference keeps deputy going

info2022-10-20T16:04:31-05:00October 20th, 2022|

A deep-seated desire to help people who needed it led deputy Joel Womochil to his 16 years in law enforcement. “I wanted to be a cop since I was 6 years old,” Womochil said. Growing up in Abilene, he liked to tag along with his grandfather who cleaned the police station. Womochil liked the atmosphere of the police department. ... Womochil has been with Marion County sheriff’s office since 2020 and became Burns police chief in February. He also has been a part-time Peabody officer. Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

20 Thursday, October 20

What’s in a name? A free trip to Florida for 100 lucky Tampa, KS residents

info2022-10-20T16:03:05-05:00October 20th, 2022|

An all-expense paid trip to Tampa, Florida, is up for grabs for 100 Tampa residents. “Visit Tampa Bay,” a tourism promotion group is offering the trips, complete with bus transportation from Tampa, Kansas, to Kansas City International Airport; a charter flight to Florida; rooms in a downtown Tampa, Florida hotel; and a welcome reception with dignitaries, including the mayor. Tickets to area attractions will be provided, but transportation to the events will not. Meals will be at travelers’ expense. Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

20 Thursday, October 20

Hiawatha mural is talk of the town

info2022-10-20T16:06:17-05:00October 20th, 2022|

Quite simply, it states “Welcome to Hiawatha, Kansas.” But the meaning behind these simple words is expressed in each letter. This is exactly what the owners of the old Maple Lanes Bowling Alley building wanted with the new mural that was finished this week by 5 artists that hail from as far away as Los Angeles and Arkansas, but have settled in the Kansas City area. Wendy and Andy Pederson purchased the building earlier this year and have been working on renovating it. Andy Pederson said that while the purpose of the building for his family — or company Pederson Seed [...]

20 Thursday, October 20

Lawrence & Douglas County eco devo leaders create position to capitalize on Panasonic; new hire says addressing housing woes is critical

info2022-10-20T07:40:06-05:00October 20th, 2022|

Rob Richardson knows a thing or two about speed, given that a good part of his professional career has involved overseeing new development around the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. Richardson, who for 17 years was the director of planning for Kansas City, Kansas, and Wyandotte County, has been hired by local economic development leaders to fill the new position of “Panasonic Opportunities Manager.” That title, of course, refers to the pending $4 billion, 4,000-job Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant in nearby De Soto that is expected to create both challenges and opportunities for Lawrence and Douglas County. Source: LJWorld

20 Thursday, October 20

As Kansas winds down COVID-era housing aid, advocates worry about impact

info2022-10-20T07:20:41-05:00October 20th, 2022|

Kansas will begin winding down a COVID-19-era rental assistance program, a move that was expected but still has housing advocates worried about whether renters and the nonprofits that help support them will be prepared. The Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance program was created in March 2021 as the latest iteration in a series of efforts to provide aid to renters affected by the adverse economic conditions created by the pandemic. Backed by $200 million in federal funds and run by the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, the program's launch was rocky at first due to limited staffing and high demand, though things eventually [...]

20 Thursday, October 20

Municipal Bond Trends for October 19, 2022

info2022-10-20T07:19:36-05:00October 20th, 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.