info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Johnson County considers bolstering security at admin building in Olathe

info2022-03-29T06:59:44-05:00March 29th, 2022|

The Johnson County administration building in downtown Olathe, where the county commission meets, has serious security deficiencies that need to be addressed by scanning people as they come and go, according to Sheriff Calvin Hayden. In light of sometimes “highly volatile” meetings in the building, Hayden has proposed adding six staffers for building security, plus improvements in certain lobby areas. The county already has working scanning equipment left over from the old courthouse, he said. Source: Prairie Village Post

Local Governments Attractive Targets for Hackers and Are Ill-prepared

info2022-03-29T01:11:39-05:00March 29th, 2022|

President Joe Biden on March 21 warned that Russian cyberattacks on U.S. targets are likely, though the government has not identified a specific threat. Biden urged the private sector: “Harden your cyber defenses immediately.” It is a costly fact of modern life that organizations from pipelines and shipping companies to hospitals and any number of private companies are vulnerable to cyberattacks, and the threat of cyberattacks from Russia and other nations makes a bad situation worse. Individuals, too, are at risk from the current threat. Local governments, like schools and hospitals, are particularly enticing “soft targets” – organizations that lack the [...]

Residents review Paola’s comprehensive plan draft

info2022-03-29T07:00:29-05:00March 29th, 2022|

The potential future of Paola was on display Thursday, March 24, during a public open house that unveiled a draft of the city’s new comprehensive plan. Maps, charts and statistical information were displayed throughout the gymnasium at the Paola Fire Station for the event, and members of the public were encouraged to walk through, ask questions and provide feedback. The displays covered topics like existing and future land use maps, parks and recreation, natural resources and conservation, housing and neighborhoods, economic development, infrastructure and transportation. There also was a print version of the lengthy draft residents could flip through. Source: Local [...]

A legend is lost in Clearwater: Former city council member, city administrator Yvonne Coon dies March 12

info2022-03-29T07:03:05-05:00March 29th, 2022|

Community legend Yvonne Coon died on March 12 at the age of 87.“Mom was a great mother of three, David, Donald and Belinda,” said Yvonne’s son, David. “She loved family, friends, singing in the choir and her favorite city – Clearwater, Kansas.” Yvonne served the City of Clearwater for 49 years before retiring in 2020. She began working for the city in 1971 as a part-time employee, eventually becoming the first female city administrator in the state... Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers

‘It takes a village’: Community walk in Kansas City, Kansas, draws police and residents

info2022-03-27T22:43:22-05:00March 27th, 2022|

Karl Oakman looked out at a crowd of about 200 people gathered Saturday morning at Mt. Zion Church in Kansas City, Kansas, and felt proud that a “peace walk” hosted by the police department had drawn such a large gathering. The event was organized to bring residents of Wyandotte County together with members of the police department. Police Chief Oakman hoped the walk would inspire more collaboration and positive engagement. “I really wanted to let the community see that the police is here to work with them,” said Oakman, who was sworn in as the new leader in June. “Rather than [...]

Geneseo says ‘space ships welcome’ with hopes of becoming the UFO capital of Kansas

info2022-03-28T07:11:38-05:00March 27th, 2022|

In the Rice County town of Geneseo, population 200, there is a sign at the entrance of the city museum beckoning visitors. All kinds of visitors. "Space Ships Welcome." Welcome to Geneseo, where a movement is underway to name the town the UFO Capital of Kansas and perhaps even host a special global event on July 2 — World UFO day. Evidence of otherworldly visitors is in a new permanent exhibit at the Geneseo City Museum. When it comes to viewing the exhibit, think of a mix of Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast of 1938, and episodes of [...]

Munis end rough week with yields rising double digits on short end

info2022-03-28T07:00:08-05:00March 27th, 2022|

Municipal yields rose Friday to close out a rough week, with the short end of the curve again seeing the brunt of the damage, with double-digit cuts to triple-A scales. U.S. Treasuries yields rose another 14-15 basis points on the short end, while equities ended mixed. Munis saw up to 12 basis point cuts on the short end, while USTs saw cuts up to 15 basis points inside the 10-year. Source: The Bond Buyer

Western Kansas’ lack of arts opportunities deters young people from living on the plains

info2022-03-27T22:24:55-05:00March 27th, 2022|

Garden City saw a weekend packed with theater performances from the local high school and community college in late February. Audiences were treated to productions of “Godspell” and “Crimes of the Heart”, but they had to choose between the two: Each scheduled Friday and Saturday evening performances and a Sunday matinee. Overlapping show weeks isn’t a new trend with theater in Western Kansas. Smaller districts’ annual plays have been historically slapped into “Buffer Week,” the break between fall and winter sports, as a student’s one chance to perform with friends as a cast. This trend of “feast or famine” when it [...]

Overland Park clears way for $440K in federal funds to improve 4 city parks

info2022-03-28T07:04:03-05:00March 27th, 2022|

Overland Park’s long-term plan will soon include improvements to more than $400,000 worth of improvements to four public parks in the north of the city. At its Monday meeting, the Overland Park City Council approved an amendment to the city’s Community Development Block Grant program, which uses federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on projects targeted toward low to moderate-income areas of the city. The amendment makes way for improvements on four city parks to be included in the CDBG Consolidated Plan for 2020-2024. Source: Prairie Village Post

Wichita Monitoring Multiple Water Leaks, But Says Service is Not Threatened

info2022-03-28T07:04:15-05:00March 27th, 2022|

The City of Wichita said Thursday that it is repairing two leaks near the water treatment plant. The city said there are two leaks in a 42″ water main pipe between the Hess pump station at 1601 Museum Blvd and the current water treatment facility. Public Works and Utilities officials said they have been working around the clock to monitor the leak and water pressure since becoming aware of the issue on March 23rd. The city assured residents that the issue was no cause for alarm, and that they should not experience any service impacts from the leaks at this time. [...]

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