News

Crews begin replacing 20 miles of water pipe line across the entire city, this coming Tuesday. This is a grant-funded project and it's goal is to take rusted and corroded steel pipes, and replace them with new PVC pipes that are supposed to last for the next hundred years. Read more: KSNF/KODE

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced $250,000 is available under the Residential Opportunities on Main Street (ROOMS) grant program to support new upper-floor housing in commercial buildings in Designated Kansas Main Street communities. “Rural downtowns are full of history and character — and many have unused upper-floor spaces that could be utilized for additional housing options,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “These funds give our community leaders the resources to turn these historic assets into vibrant, livable spaces — and increase the number of customers within a short walk of downtown restaurants and [...]

The entrepreneurial energy of Central Kansas will take center stage this Thursday at 7:00 PM as the third annual Ignite Rural Business Competition lights up the Crest Theatre in downtown Great Bend. Hosted by Great Bend Economic Development (GBED), Ignite Rural celebrates the innovation and resilience of rural entrepreneurs. This year’s competition features five local finalists vying for $95,000 in total prize funding to help launch or expand their businesses. Read more: Ad Astra Radio | Your Hometown Radio Stations & Local News Source

Buhler residents gathered Monday morning at the Buhler Adult Community Center to discuss the city’s current housing-related needs and goals for the future. The informational session and forum were hosted by Buhler Community Foundation Coordinator Lauren Meadors on behalf of the Hutchinson Community Foundation. In Hutchinson Community Foundation’s recent “Love Where You Live” survey, the top priority given by Buhler residents was attracting new businesses, and the second ranked priority was removal or renovation of housing blight. Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

When Sedgwick’s EMS director position came open last summer, Zane Hansen, the city’s fire chief since 2019, stepped up to fill the role. “Great to see somebody with hometown pride take over,” City Administrator Kyle Nordick said about Hansen’s willingness to take the position. “It seemed like he would be the right fit instead of putting the city through the process of trying to go out and find somebody. We already had somebody in-house that the team was familiar with, and so there’s that level of comfortability, as well.” Hansen, who’s lived in Sedgwick his entire life, not only brings familiarity [...]

This small town is moving forward with plans for major developments even though Panasonic may delay full production at its new electric vehicle battery plant. The newest developments include plans for hundreds of housing options with apartments, homes and a hotel, in addition to the opening of a data center and an expansion to Merck Animal Health’s facility. De Soto is a town of about 6,500 people, so the planned hiring of 4,000 people at Panasonic, in addition to new housing and other businesses coming to town, means at least an additional 60% of people spending time at local businesses and [...]

Lawrence elected officials and civic professionals speaking during a panel Monday identified trends they say disrupt the public discourse necessary to make progress. Amber Sellers, Lawrence city commissioner; Kelly Jones, Lawrence school board member as well as candidate running for reelection in November; Patrick Kelly, Douglas County Commission chair; and Rich Lockhart, chief of the Lawrence Police Department shared reflections on their roles as public officials. Kyle Velte, University of Kansas School of Law faculty member, added legal perspectives and knowledge. The League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County hosted the panel event, “Bringing Civility Back to Civic Discourse.” Co-Vice President [...]

Kansas farmers are harvesting millions of acres of corn that power the state’s economy — but as the Ogallala Aquifer shrinks, its future looks uncertain. It’s harvest time in Kansas. Across the state, combines have begun shaving down and chopping up over 6 million acres of corn. Isaac Yara is a truck driver, so he sees almost nothing but those corn fields hauling grain across the high plains. This season is a busy one for him. Why are those signature corn fields so ubiquitous in rural America, including western Kansas where the crop relies on the shrinking Ogallala Aquifer to thrive? [...]

Iola officials were notified last week that the city must conduct more tests among its residents whose homes may have lead water lines or fixtures. Iola will test its water more frequently for lead over the next year as part of an edict handed down from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Toby Ross, water plant superintendent, and Mitch Phillips, the city’s water distribution superintendent, spoke about a recent KDHE notification, directing the city to ramp up its testing after three homes tested above the EPA threshold of lead in their drinking water over the summer. The threshold, mind you, [...]