Kansas Municipal News
Treasury yields fall as investors weigh economic data and Israel strike against Iran
U.S. Treasury yields declined on Friday as investors considered the latest economic data and remarks from Federal Reserve officials, and considered what this could mean for monetary policy. At 4:20 a.m. ET, the yield on the 10-year Treasury was down by over five basis points to 4.5878%. The 2-year Treasury yield was last at 4.9622% after falling by more than two basis points. Yields and prices move in opposite directions. One basis point is equivalent to 0.01%. Investors digested the latest economic data and remarks from policymakers as they considered the outlook for interest rates. Fed officials have in recent days and weeks indicated that interest rates may remain elevated for longer than previously anticipated. “I definitely don’t feel urgency to cut interest rates,” New York Fed President John Williams said on Thursday, adding that this position was linked to strength in the economy. Interest rates would eventually need to be cut, but that would depend on how the economy develops, he said at Semafor’s World Economy Summit.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Quaker Park to remain as is; Emporia City Commission planning to rescind previous resolution deeming park as surplus real property and cease plans for sale or transfer of property
The next step in the Quaker Park saga was supposed to be the validation of signatures on a petition in opposition to the park’s sale or transfer, however, that will no longer be necessary. The reason is that Emporia Commissioners chose Tuesday to have city staff draft a resolution rescinding the commission’s previous action designating the park as surplus real property and initiating the sale and transfer process. Part of the reason for this decision, recommended by Emporia City Manager Trey Cocking, was the number of signatures the petition gathered, more than 800. 462 signatures from registered Emporia voters were needed to make the petition valid and thus force city leadership to either end the sale process outright or place the item on a future election ballot. The protest deadline was 5 pm Monday and the validation process was expected to take two to three days to complete, however, Cocking says there was no need for further action noting the community has made its desire clear.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Thrive Allen County unveils Naloxone vending box at ribbon cutting ceremony
Thrive Allen County conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, April 17th, at 9 a.m. to unveil the new Naloxone (Narcan) vending box installed outside their Iola, Kansas office. The Naloxone vending box, also known as Narcan, houses a medication designed to swiftly reverse opioid overdoses. “By placing items in a FREE and easy to access newspaper-style machine (box), SEK Recovery Resources and Thrive Allen County hopes to break down barriers for immediate first response to an opioid overdose and save lives in Allen County.” – Thrive Allen County. SEK Recovery Resources and Thrive Allen County collaborated to provide this life-saving medication. Data from the CDC shows there were 655 opioid overdose deaths predicted in November of 2023.
Source: KOAM News
More than $90K in damage at Windom Cemetery vandalism
Starla Andreas is heartbroken knowing that vandals defaced her mother-in-law’s grave, along with 46 others. “I think the community is just crying. Why? Why would this senseless act take place? Why would you do this to people that you don’t even know the families,” Andreas asked. Andreas has lived in the rural town of Windom for several years and said that members of the community plan to help clean up the mess left at the cemetery. “I will be out there because not only was my mother’s headstone, but we have friends here in this community and their family members,” Andreas said. “And we don’t want them to suffer no more than we are. But we all are.” McPherson County Sheriff Jerry Montagne said that more than $90,000 in damage has been done here at the cemetery. “Think of your mother, your father, or grandparents, somebody that you love to, you know, that’s the last resting place, you know, the thought of it just puts chills down my spine,” Montagne said. The McPherson County Sheriff’s office continues to investigate and still isn’t sure who may have done it.
Source: KAKE – News
Bill Warren, Century II activists celebrate completion of new $5 million roof
Century II has long been the most recognizable landmark in the Wichita skyline. City leaders have spent years debating whether to tear it down, but Thursday was a big win for people who are fighting to keep it standing. “We’re celebrating the new roof on Century II. It’s gorgeous. It’s bright, it’s blue, and we’re thrilled,” said Celeste Racette with Save Century II. Watching this timelapse from our drone, it’s obvious the $5 million project was no easy task. You can see six months of work and more than 23,000 working hours from start to finish in just a matter of seconds as the crew of about 40 workers buttoned up the last panel. “The importance of getting the roof done, it shows that the city is going to take care of this wonderful, iconic building,” said Racette. One of the people who was at the celebration knows a thing or two about theaters, and he hopes the new roof is only the beginning. “I’ve done hundreds of millions of dollars in new theaters and so forth. But this, by far, is the most iconic building in the city of Wichita. And to tear it down for financial reasons, this incredible building that was built in the 60s, would be a sin,” said movie theater mogul Bill Warren. Warren has made it his personal mission to help save Century II for free.
Source: KAKE – News
Digging deep into the history of Olathe, this documentary filmmaker discovered gems
Gregory Sheffer thought he knew Olathe history. After all, he grew up in the Olathe school system and earned a history degree from MidAmerica Narazene University in Olathe. There was, Sheffer discovered, more to know about Olathe’s history. And through a documentary film project, he’s learned a lot more — and so have the people of Olathe. The project — known as “Olathe – The City Beautiful” — is marking two milestones. The entire series of 20 completed documentaries now has its own You Tube channel, and the last of the documentaries — about Gary Burrell, the Olathe citizen who co-founded Garmin — is expected to be completed this summer. The documentary project has an unusual background. A visit Sheffer, a filmmaker and director, made in the early 2000s to the Lone Elm campground provided the initial spark.
Source: Joco 913 News
Pittsburg Community Schools is looking to help ensure bus safety
Pittsburg Community Schools is contributing to bus safety efforts in Kansas by participating in the Kansas One Day Stop Arm Violation Count for the Kansas State Department of Education. The district emphasizes the importance of safety, especially for students in the “danger zone” outside the bus. Kansas law (KSA 8-1556) requires all motorists to stop when approaching or overtaking a stopped school bus displaying its flashing red lights and stop arm. Motorists are to remain stopped until the bus is no longer displaying its flashing red lights and stop arm. Officials say violation of this Kansas law not only endangers children but is punishable by a fine and court costs in excess of $420. In 2023, Kansas reported 676 Stop Arm Violations. This survey, conducted in coordination with the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), aims to assess the prevalence of illegal passing of school buses nationwide.
Source: KOAM News
Kansas town council member resigns, keeps bigger role
A man elected to three roles in Graham County has to give up one of them. Jarrod Knoll has been serving as a Graham County commissioner, a Morland City Council member, and a Graham County USD 281 School Board member. Last November, Graham County Attorney Jill Elliott began trying to oust Knoll as a county commissioner. She said state statute does not allow anyone who holds a city office to be a county commissioner. She also said Knoll has not been living in the county commission district he was elected to represent. She says that is a violation of another state statute. Knoll was temporarily suspended from serving as a county commissioner as the case worked through the court system. On Wednesday, Elliott said that her office and Knoll have “successfully resolved the ouster case.” She said Knoll has agreed to resign from the Morland City Council immediately and will begin living in the correct distinct. She also said he can resume his duties as a county commissioner. However, Knoll is also facing charges of unlawful distribution of cannabinoids and bribery. Elliott says that if Knoll is convicted or accepts a diversion to the criminal charges, he will resign his commission seat immediately.
Source: KSN-TV
Topeka selects Interim Chief Financial Officer
The City of Topeka has appointed a new Interim Chief Financial Officer. A spokeswoman with the City of Topeka announced in a release that Ben Hart has been appointed as the City’s Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) starting Tuesday. Hart has more than 25 years of experience in the public sector, according to the release. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Charted Global Management Accountant (CGMA) for large municipalities in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. “Mr. Hart’s experience and dedication to public service will serve Topeka well as the city transitions into new leadership with the next city manager,” Interim City Manager Richard Nienstedt said. According to the release, Hart’s dedication to public service is evident through his involvement in the Kansas and Missouri’s Society of CPA’s. In that society, he contributed to the governmental accounting committee and the Government Financial Officers Association locally and nationally. Hart will be the Interim CFO until a permanent replacement is found.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Seely honored for 53-year firefighting career in Louisburg
When Brad Seely was a student at the old Louisburg High School in the mid-1970s, there was no sweeter sound than that of the whistle blowing atop the city water tower. That sound meant there was a fire in the city of Louisburg, but, more important, it also meant Brad and a couple of his classmates who also volunteered at the fire station were allowed to leave school. “We’d run out of class,” Brad said. At that time, the high school was located at the current site of the Wildcat Activities Center, and the fire station was located a couple of blocks away near the current site of Fox Hall. Brad started young, sitting in on volunteer training when he was just 13 years old. By the time he was 14, he was already going on calls.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
Museum program will highlight 19th century railroads
Community members can learn how railroads built Kansas and the crucial role Osawatomie played in the effort during a program Saturday, April 20, at the Miami County Historical Museum. Speaker Leo Oliva will lead a free presentation called “Railroads of 19th Century Kansas: Progress and Pain” that is set to begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the museum, which is located at 12 E. Peoria St. in Paola. Few industries dominated the economy of the nation in the 19th century more than the railroad, according to a museum news release about the program. “Railroads brought immigrant settlers, created jobs, and fed beef markets in the East. They enabled regular mail service and the adoption of standard time. Most Kansas towns were founded because of the railroad, and few survived without it. Yet the advancement of the railroad industry came at a significant cost to the Plains Indians who were forcibly displaced by this westward expansion,” the release states. “This presentation examines the complicated legacy of railroads and the impact on native peoples who called Kansas home.”
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
Andover hosts grand opening for new fire station
The City of Andover held a grand opening for its new fire station on Thursday. The new station is located south of U.S. Highway 400, and South Andover Road and was paid for by a sales tax initiative over the last two years. It’s the second fire station in Andover. “We broke ground on it in October 2022, so they’ve been working on this and building it for the last year,” Megan Schapaugh, public information officer for the city of Andover, said. “Firefighters started moving in a couple of months ago, but we are finally having our big grand opening.” The grand opening was open to the public. Students from Prairie Creek Elementary School were able to tour the new fire station. “They’ve been taking tours throughout the day today to see the new fire station,” Schapaugh said. Having the second fire station will be an important piece for the City of Andover as it continues to grow. “As Andover continues to grow, it’s important to just add another fire station to help the community stay safe and keep everyone safe,” Schapaugh said.
Source: KSN-TV
Norton County to vote on sales tax to support hospital and EMS
Voters in Norton County are deciding the value of health care in their community. On May 7, they will vote on whether to approve a one-percent sales tax hike to help fund Norton County Hospital and EMS. If voters approve it, the extra penny of tax on each dollar of purchases would begin on Oct. 1. Three-quarters of the money raised would go to the hospital. The other one-quarter would go to EMS. The sales tax would end after 10 years. Norton County Hospital is dealing with financial issues, including inflation and lower insurance reimbursement rates. Officials say the hospital’s average operating margin in 2021, 2022, and 2023 ranged from -15 to -20%. If voters do not approve the sales tax hike, hospital officials say they will be forced to make difficult decisions, beginning with service reductions, followed by staff reductions, and ultimately risking closure. “This is a health care initiative aimed at improving health care within the County of Norton,” Kevin Faughnder, the hospital CEO, said. “When we look at the higher costs, higher operational costs, lower reimbursement rates, and just overall increases in the cost of living today, what we realized was we couldn’t do that on just seeing patients.” The one-percent sales tax increase became the preferred option.
Source: KSN-TV
More than 1,000 false 911 calls in Ford County
Ford County dispatchers have a problem. Too many people are calling 911 accidentally. They say they have taken 1,061 accidental 911 calls since the start of the year. That is about 300 a month. Ford County Emergency Communications wants people to know how easily it happens and not hang up if it does happen. “This is a more common occurrence than you might think. Pressing buttons on the side of your phone, watch, and in some car systems – certain buttons will dial 911. Please stay on the line and let the dispatcher know that it was an accident,” officials said on social media. People who hang up will get a follow-up call from the dispatcher. The dispatcher must ensure the caller is safe and that it was an accident. Ford County also wants parents to know that some old cellphones can still dial 911. So, if you let children play with an old phone, the child could accidentally call 911. “We’ve spoken to several children/babies over the years, who are playing with the phone,” Ford County Emergency Communications said.
Source: KSN-TV
New Topeka flag license plates available to public
The City of Topeka alongside the Greater Topeka Partnership (GTP) revealed the new Topeka license plate that’s now available to the public. Executive Director for Young Talent Rhett Flood spoke on his efforts to make the new license plate a reality. Mayor Mike Padilla was also in attendance to share a few words. Last year the GTP and Forge Young Talent collaborated to design a Topeka flag license plate. “We are so proud to see this new license plate become available,” said Rhett Flood, Forge executive director. “Forge Young Talent worked hard with community leaders to bring the new city flag to life five years ago. Today, we’re unveiling another way to proudly display that design. This new plate allows people to show their pride in Topeka, while supporting efforts to make Topeka a better community for young professionals.” The license plates will be available to purchase for $50 with proceeds going to supporting young professional and talent initiatives, according to the GTP.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Emporia Main Street already noting interest in downtown investment before second-place finish in USA TODAY 10Best Main Street contest
Emporia may have come up just short of the top slot in a national contest, but Main Street Director Casey Woods still anticipates a range of benefits to come for the city. This is Emporia Main Street’s second time as a finalist in this contest. Emporia finished first in its other time in 2016, and Woods says there was a notable increase in investment interest. Emporia was among the 20 finalists for the USA TODAY 10 Best Main Streets in America and finished second to the Detroit suburb of Howell, Michigan. Woods thanked residents for voting. USA TODAY highlighted Commercial Street’s events like the Glass Blown Open disc golf block party and the Great American Market, as well as the presence of the Emporia Granada Theatre. From his viewpoint, Woods says the contest focused attention on Emporia Main Street’s economic development through ventures like the Fab Lab and incubation address along with a range of business loan options.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Planning Commission discusses possible zoning tweaks, potential return of metropolitan area planning concept
Zoning tweaks and a possible revival of a longstanding planning area were part of the Emporia-Lyon County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission’s monthly meeting Tuesday. Board members discussed the potential revival of metropolitan area zoning, or a zone outside the Emporia city limits where the city has some say in zoning matters. The metropolitan area disappeared when the city and Lyon County separately changed their zoning procedures several years ago, and Planning Commission Board Chair Ray Rogers says that model should be at least revisited. Also, board members looked at possibly adding conditional use permit options in several different residential zoning categories as well as potential adjustments to flex use zoning. Rogers says the current zoning regulations were approved with the understanding some adjustments would be needed to “make them more useful to the community.” No action was taken. Separately, board members had a brief overview of Kansas Open Meetings Act and Kansas Open Records Act highlights.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Wichita KS city worker finds loaded gun while doing maintenance in storm drain
A Wichita city worker found a loaded handgun while doing maintenance on a storm water drain in west Wichita, according to a report and police. The black, Taurus Spectrum .380 was found in the drain in front of a home in the 3300 block of West St. Louis, which is close to Sheridan and Central. The gun was found around 9:41 a.m. Wednesday. “The gun will be processed as evidence to determine if it has been involved in any crimes,” Wichita police Lt. Aaron Moses said, adding he didn’t know how long that would take. The gun has not been reported stolen, according to a police report. When asked how many rounds were in the gun, Moses said multiple.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
‘A huge year’: Sedgwick County Zoo could welcome a U.S. record number of baby elephants
The Sedgwick County Zoo now expects to welcome five baby African elephants in 2025. “You may be aware that our elephant herd at the zoo has four pregnancies right now. And we are so excited to tell you today that our fifth and final female is also pregnant, which means our entire breeding herd is now expecting,” zoo CEO Scott Newland told the County Commission on Wednesday morning. If all five pregnancies are a success, Sedgwick County would become the first accredited zoo in the U.S. to have five elephant births in a year,” Newland said. Elephant pregnancies last 22 to 24 months. “They’re essentially pregnant for two years. We will start having potential births at the end of next spring all through next summer,” Newland said. “That’s going to be a huge year for our team, for our zoo, for our community.” The five pregnant females are Simunye, Talia, Xolani, Arusi, and Zuberi. Only Simunye has given birth before, according to a zoo release.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Symphony to perform in Peabody
“Peter and the Wolf” and “Appalachian Spring” will be performed Sunday in the final installment of Sunflower Theatre’s 2023-2024 concert series. The Wichita Symphony performance will be 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 213 E Division Ave., Peabody.
“Peter and the Wolf” is a musical story for orchestra and narrator that introduces individual instruments in the orchestra while the narrator tells the story. The symphony also will perform “Appalachian Spring,” an American ballet by choreographer Martha Graham and composer Aaron Copland. Collaborating for the concert are Sunflower Theatre, Wichita State University, and Barlett Arboretum. Light refreshments will be served after the concert. Admission is free, but donations to help pay for Sunflower Theatre programming and renovation will be accepted.
Source: Marion County RECORD