14 Sunday, August 14

As Wichita embraces efforts to reduce homelessness, profound challenges remain

2022-08-14T20:35:04-05:00August 14th, 2022|

Staci Ellis left a verbally abusive relationship and ended up homeless in Wichita for nine months before settling into an apartment about four weeks ago. Ellis, who describes herself as a huge advocate for the homeless population, has been homeless four times. She said everyone in Wichita’s homeless community knows her because she previously worked at a shelter where she collected and handed out donations. The way Ellis sees it, one of the biggest challenges for Wichita’s homeless population is knowing where to get help. Source: Kansas Reflector

14 Sunday, August 14

Kansas homes selling for over list price, study says

2022-08-14T20:33:48-05:00August 14th, 2022|

A new study that showed states where homes are selling for less than list price shows Kansas homes are selling above list price. The study is done by RubyHome, and analyzed historical Zillow data from the previous 12 months that sold at a different amount than the list price. Kansas came in 38th in the nation, with homes selling for 100.99% of the list price. The study found that West Virginia is the state with the lowest sales-to-list ratio, where homes were selling for on average 97.28% of their list price. Number three on the list was Oklahoma, where homes were [...]

14 Sunday, August 14

Municipal Bond Trends for August 12, 2022

2022-08-14T20:27:01-05:00August 14th, 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.

12 Friday, August 12

Kansas Supreme Court finds Wichita ordinance unconstitutionally overbroad

2022-08-14T14:50:50-05:00August 12th, 2022|

The Kansas Supreme Court has sided with a Wichita man and found that a city ordinance is unconstitutionally overbroad thereby vacating his convictions. The Kansas Supreme Court says in the matter of Appeal No. 122,007: City of Wichita v. Arlando Trotter, it affirmed part and reversed part of the Court of Appeals decision to reverse the Sedgwick Co. District Court’s dismissal of two criminal charges against Trotter. The Wichita Municipal Court convicted Trotter of failing to file a license application after-hours and teen club or entertainment, which the Supreme Court said it knew nearly nothing about.... The Supreme Court said it unanimously reversed the Court of Appeals on [...]

12 Friday, August 12

City’s Past Building Its Future: Historic commercial structures helped shape Hutchinson’s business, housing and transit

2022-08-14T13:00:00-05:00August 12th, 2022|

Since the turn of the century, Hutchinson began to grow through three key factors: salt, railroads and grain production. Reno County Museum chief curator David Reed said those three factors caused Hutchinson’s success in the early 1900s, with dozens of residents building large commercial spaces. “There’s a reason why things are here in Reno County,” Reed said. “There’s a reason why Hutchinson had three railroad lines at one time — I want people to have that sense of community, and that we’re all here because these guys were doing something 100 years ago.” Source: Hutch News

12 Friday, August 12

Lawrence leaders to discuss policy that requires most homeowners to pay for sidewalk repairs

2022-08-14T12:59:07-05:00August 12th, 2022|

City leaders will soon continue their discussion about a policy that generally requires property owners to pay for repairs to sidewalks bordering their homes and businesses unless their income qualifies them for city assistance. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will receive information about how other municipalities handle sidewalk repair, expansion of the city’s repair assistance program, and a plan for asking residents for input. The city’s sidewalk repair program has been controversial with some homeowners, and the information is being provided to the commission for discussion after some commissioners said they were open to reconsidering the [...]

12 Friday, August 12

Wet dogs are happy dogs. Pools in Johnson County end their season with canine swims

2022-08-12T07:34:55-05:00August 12th, 2022|

Lifeguard Morgan Chiarello warmly thanked each of the swimmers for coming as they exited the Ad Astra pool area. Between greetings, she reflected: “This has been the best day ever.” From the dampness and delight on their faces, Eddie, Chief, Seeley, Biscuit and Hazel agreed. Those five four-legged swimmers enjoyed aquatic abandonment at the City of Lenexa’s annual Paws in the Pool at Ad Astra Pool. These traditional end-of-season dips for dogs only are offered at several area public pools after they close for humans. Source: Joco 913 News

12 Friday, August 12

Multipurpose stage, play area and additional features coming to Johnson County Square

2022-08-12T07:34:14-05:00August 12th, 2022|

Johnson County and Olathe are taking steps to enhance the Johnson County Square, a public open space between the Johnson County Administration Building and the new Johnson County Courthouse in downtown Olathe. The second phase of improvements includes: A multipurpose stage, possibly with solar lighting, on the north end of the property near the square entrance at Santa Fe and Cherry streets. The stage will overlook a large community green space. Source: Joco 913 News

12 Friday, August 12

USDA Rural Development Invests more than $155,000 to Improve Health Care in Two Rural Kansas Communities

2022-08-12T07:28:37-05:00August 12th, 2022|

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Kansas State Director Christy Davis today announced that USDA is awarding $155,100 in grants to improve rural health care facilities in Hodgeman and Sumner counties. The details of the Kansas grants are: • A $130,100 grant will help purchase equipment and recover lost revenues for Hodgeman County Health Center. The Center experienced a loss of revenue in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the project is completed, the facility will be able to provide new and improved health care services to the community. • A $25,000 grant will help to recover lost revenues, [...]

12 Friday, August 12

Fed expected to stick with hawkish rate hikes until data show further slowing in inflation

2022-08-12T07:25:12-05:00August 12th, 2022|

The Federal Reserve is unlikely to pivot from its hawkish interest rate hikes despite positive signs this week that inflation in the U.S. could be easing, according to market strategists. On Thursday, the producer price index surprisingly fell 0.5% in July from the prior month, compared with an estimate of a 0.2% gain, according to a Dow Jones survey. On an annual basis, the index rose 9.8%, the lowest rate since October 2021. That followed encouraging data that showed consumer prices rose 8.5% in July. The rate was slightly cooler than the 8.7% expected by analysts surveyed by Dow Jones and a slowing [...]

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