See a new view of Kansas in Exploration Place’s new original dome theater film

13 Tuesday, September 13

See a new view of Kansas in Exploration Place’s new original dome theater film

info2022-09-13T08:13:01-05:00September 13th, 2022|

A new film produced by Exploration Place for screening only in its digital dome theater gives new meaning to the term flyover country. While the phrase is often used to describe areas between the coasts of the United States that are not worthy as a destination, the creators of “Kansas: An Immersive Dome Experience” believe showing residents and visitors a bird’s-eye view of the state’s most beautiful sites will provide a new perspective. The 25-minute film is shot exclusively with aerial footage captured by cinematographers flying drones at more than 40 locations across Kansas. Source: Wichita Eagle

13 Tuesday, September 13

Wichita residents concerned over proposed development

info2022-09-13T08:12:27-05:00September 13th, 2022|

Many residents in the Delano District are concerned about a proposed development. The development, which requires approval from the City of Wichita, would get rid of about 40 trees and turn a green space on the south side of McLean between Fern and Vine St into apartments if the area is rezoned. The city currently owns the area. Those against it say getting rid of the trees would cause pollution and increase traffic in their neighborhood. They say adding an apartment complex would make the area too expensive. Source: KSN-TV

13 Tuesday, September 13

Fed set for another 75-basis-point rate hike

info2022-09-13T08:04:38-05:00September 13th, 2022|

The Federal Reserve will deliver another 75-basis-point interest rate hike next week and likely hold its policy rate steady for an extended period once it eventually peaks, according to a Reuters poll of economists released on Tuesday. Policymakers have done little to push back on market pricing for a third consecutive rate hike of three-quarters of a percentage point at the U.S. central bank's Sept. 20-21 meeting, with inflation, as measured by the Fed's preferred gauge, running at more than three times its 2% target. Source: Reuters

13 Tuesday, September 13

NextEra is still looking into viability of a wind farm in Douglas County; local landowners are divided

info2022-09-13T07:53:12-05:00September 13th, 2022|

A representative with NextEra Energy Resources, a Florida-based energy firm, confirmed to the Journal-World Thursday that the company is still in the initial stages of gauging whether the area is the right place for a wind energy project. NextEra spokesperson Sara Cassidy said that included assessing existing transmission infrastructure, gauging landowner and county officials’ interest and conducting environmental surveys. ... Nearly a year later, property owners in the path of the proposed project are starting to filter into camps that are open to the project or against it entirely. Source: LJWorld

13 Tuesday, September 13

Dream of new police station, court becomes reality

info2022-09-13T07:46:30-05:00September 13th, 2022|

The City of Great Bend Monday morning broke ground on the long-awaited Justice Center during a ceremony at 12th and Baker, the site of the new Police Station and Municipal Court building. Mobilization for the 20,000-square-foot nearly $9 million project will begin this week. The building should be completed in about 11 months. “This is an exciting day,” City Administrator Kendal Francis said. “Today is a culmination of essentially to two years of hard work and planning.” In October of 2020, a committee appointed by Mayor Cody Schmidt began in earnest the preparation and site selection. Source: Great Bend Tribune

13 Tuesday, September 13

Wichita high school students will have to pass through metal detectors to get to class

info2022-09-13T07:50:00-05:00September 13th, 2022|

After a spate of brawls, school security deploying pepper spray and students arrested with guns, the Wichita School Board on Monday approved spending $1.5 million for metal detectors at public high schools. “I tried to put myself in the parents’ positions last week, and I would have been scared,” board member Kathy Bond said. “I’d be scared with what has happened.” The detectors will be placed at the entrances of North, South, East, West, Northwest, Northeast, Southeast and Heights high schools. Every student who enters the building in the morning will have to pass in a single-file line through the metal [...]

13 Tuesday, September 13

Working for Lenexa: planning for the future of the City

info2022-09-13T07:11:09-05:00September 13th, 2022|

Christa McGaha, planner II with the City of Lenexa Community Development Department, grew up in a small town an hour northwest of Boston where she was close to the Atlantic Ocean, mountains, and scenic outdoor trails. She’s now 1,400 miles from her family but Kansas City has quickly become home. “Moving here by myself was definitely a huge change,” she said. “I always had roommates and I’ve never gone somewhere not knowing anyone. I’m proud of myself for doing it and for making a home here.” When people hear the job title “planner,” they often think of event planning for small or large-scale [...]

13 Tuesday, September 13

Wichita may decriminalize small-time marijuana possession under City Council proposal

info2022-09-13T07:48:37-05:00September 13th, 2022|

The Wichita City Council is poised to repeal the city’s marijuana laws, making the state’s largest city the least restrictive on marijuana possession in Kansas. On Tuesday, the City Council will vote on whether to decriminalize possession of less than 32 grams of marijuana in the city limits. If that passes, marijuana cases could no longer be filed in municipal court. The change would not affect state and federal prohibitions on marijuana. Wichita police could still arrest people for marijuana possession or use it as a reason to search their property. Source: Wichita Eagle

13 Tuesday, September 13

Paola school bond proposal narrowly fails by 77 votes

info2022-09-13T06:48:57-05:00September 13th, 2022|

Paola USD 368’s $40 million bond proposal to make improvements districtwide failed by 77 votes, according to the unofficial final results of the mail-in ballot election posted Thursday, Sept. 8, by the Miami County Clerk and Election Office. Ballots were mailed out Aug. 19 to 8,602 registered voters within the Paola USD 368 boundaries, and 3,094 were returned to the Miami County Clerk’s Office by the noon deadline Thursday, Sept. 8. That puts the voter turnout at 36 percent. There were 1,506 “Yes” votes (48.75 percent) and 1,583 “No” votes (51.25 percent), according to the posted results. Source: The Miami County [...]

12 Monday, September 12

Municipal Bond Trends for September 12, 2022

info2022-09-13T07:09:40-05:00September 12th, 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.