info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

JoCo EMS may change how it responds to 911 calls amid latest COVID-19 surge

info2022-01-14T07:43:35-06:00January 14th, 2022|

The recent surge in COVID-19 cases has placed added strain on local hospitals’ emergency rooms and Johnson County’s emergency medical response team. As a result, the Johnson County EMS System is considering possible changes to how it responds to 911 calls. Ryan Jacobsen, medical director for the Johnson County EMS System, said the circumstances are challenging now, particularly with the rise in 911 call volumes, coupled with a pre-pandemic shortage in emergency providers and staff. Source: Prairie Village Post

Working for Lenexa: National tragedy spurs police officer’s career path

info2022-01-14T07:43:17-06:00January 14th, 2022|

Watching the 9/11 terrorist attacks unfold on national television was the moment Hunter Tschippert decided he wanted to become a police officer. He was 5 years old. “Being in kindergarten and seeing the second plane hit was what pushed me toward the line of work to begin with,” he said. “Since then, this is the career path I knew I wanted to go into.” It wasn’t until Tschippert got older that he really understood what happened that day. But watching emergency responders moving toward the crisis is what made him feel called to the line of duty. Source: Prairie Village Post

Overland Park advances backyard chicken pilot program — Here are the details

info2022-01-14T07:42:52-06:00January 14th, 2022|

A new ordinance that would allow backyard chickens on smaller lots is headed for the Overland Park City Council now that a second council committee recommended it Wednesday night. The proposal, which revamps how the city handles applications for residential chicken keeping, is the product of months of work and negotiation among councilmembers who have previously tended to deny chicken permits in the northern part of the city, where yards are generally smaller. Source: Prairie Village Post

Parsons Police enter Covid Protocol, what this means for residents

info2022-01-14T07:41:28-06:00January 14th, 2022|

The Parsons Police Department enters COVID Protocol again, with staffing levels at a critical state. “If we can get our staff out of the red and healthy, we can return to a sense of normalcy,” According to Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks. “We want what is best for all parties involved. So if you see an officer keeping their distance or asking you to step outside or out of a vehicle please comply and know that we are just trying to stay safe but still be effective.” The Police Department had a spike and logged 6 positive COVID cases in the [...]

Ongoing Dispute Over Whether WPD’s Use of “Gang List” is Constitutional

info2022-01-14T07:40:56-06:00January 14th, 2022|

The United States District Court for the District of Kansas denied significant portions of the City of Wichita’s motion to dismiss the class-action lawsuit challenging Wichita’s “Gang List.” The ruling allows plaintiffs to proceed with their central claims that the gang database itself, as well as WPD’s use of it, is unconstitutional. The case was filed in April of 2021. The City of Wichita and the police department’s motion to dismiss was filed on July 9, 2021. ... Attorneys bringing the suit are asking for injunctive and declaratory relief, challenging Kansas law and WPD policy and asking that the City of [...]

Pittsburg USD 250 cancels school for rest of week

info2022-01-14T00:12:11-06:00January 14th, 2022|

Pittsburg USD 250 closes for the remainder of the week (Jan. 13-14). The district sites staff shortages due to Covid-19 as the cause. According to an email sent to parents, “Due to staff shortages, USD 250 will be closed on Thursday, 1/13/22 through Friday, 1/14/22. As a reminder, Monday is a scheduled day for No School. Students and staff will return on Tuesday, 1/18/22. Please see the attached letter for more information.” Monday is a holiday, so students and staff will be in school again on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. USD 250 is not requiring students to engage in school work [...]

Fed hikes are a certainty. It’s the pace and end point that can rock markets: Rates expert

info2022-01-14T00:10:51-06:00January 14th, 2022|

The Federal Reserve is going to raise rates, and based on the latest inflation reading this week, the central bank is likely to start its rate hike cycle in March. The Fed has telegraphed the rate hikes, but the market remains on edge because the hawkish turn from Fed Chair Jerome Powell has occurred quickly and goes beyond higher rates to an unwind of the Fed's massive balance sheet. It's the pace of the tightening cycle that remains an unknown, says Priya Misra, global head of rates strategy at TD Securities, and that will contribute to volatility this year. Source: CNBC [...]

Fed’s Harker calls for ‘action on inflation,’ sees 3 or 4 rate hikes this year

info2022-01-14T00:08:32-06:00January 14th, 2022|

Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Patrick Harker said Thursday he foresees three or four interest rate hikes will be appropriate this year as the central bank tackles a nagging inflation problem. His thinking, outlined in a live interview on CNBC's "Closing Bell," is consistent with estimates the policymaking Federal Open Market Committee released in December. But while officials then penciled in the likelihood of three quarter-percentage-point increases this year of the Fed's benchmark overnight borrowing rate, Harker said he may be open to even more. Source: CNBC - Bonds

Emporia discusses smaller lot sizes in potential housing development

info2022-01-14T07:35:36-06:00January 14th, 2022|

As Emporia continues to battle its housing shortage, the city commission discussed the possibility of decreasing lot sizes in a potential development area. At its study session Wednesday morning, the commission heard a proposal from planning and zoning specialist Justin Givens to create a Housing Opportunity Overlay in a 16.8-acre vacant parcel of land directly east of the intersection of Soden's Road and South Exchange Street. A Housing Opportunity Overlay would allow a developer to decrease lot sizes from the 9,000 square feet minimum requirement in city codes to 5,800 square feet, which would consequently increase the number of residential units [...]

Governor Laura Kelly Announces $1.5 Million Available in Tourism Grants

info2022-01-14T07:36:07-06:00January 14th, 2022|

Governor Laura Kelly today announced a new grant opportunity to help communities develop or enhance tourism attractions to boost their local economies. “Our tourism industry supports Kansas jobs, injects millions into our economy and preserves our state’s unique history for future generations,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “These grants will enhance local community efforts to develop quality tourism assets that will grow the economy and improve the quality of life for all Kansans.” The grant program is the Tourism Attraction Sub-grants for Kansas (TASK) program available through the Kansas Tourism Department. The program offers funding support for public and not-for-profit groups to [...]

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