info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

UG Commission approves temporary cold weather shelter at Reardon Center

info2021-12-31T01:08:30-06:00December 31st, 2021|

The Unified Government Commission on Thursday night voted unanimously to approve a temporary cold weather shelter at the Reardon Center. Several community members and social service workers spoke in favor of the shelter, warning that people left outside during the coming cold weather this weekend could lose limbs or their lives. Mayor Tyrone Garner told the group he was in favor of helping the homeless. However, he had unanswered questions about the plans to place the shelter at the Reardon Center, and that is why he had delayed the shelter’s opening. Source: Wyandotte Daily

Bulky trash day no longer inspires folks to ‘swap’ in Overland Park. Here’s what’s replacing it

info2021-12-30T08:14:07-06:00December 30th, 2021|

They often became unlikely community gatherings. We’re talking about those “bulky trash pickup” days organized and financed by the city of Overland Park. Every other year, depending on which side of Antioch Road they lived on, people placed unwanted furniture, appliances and other large items at curbside for pickup. Neighbors would come by, see something they liked and haul it off before the city did. Scrappers did the same. Conversations happened. Now those days are history. The Overland Park City Council recently approved a new trash collection ordinance, mandating that haulers provide a curbside bulky item pickup at least once a [...]

Lawrence Public Library leaders say eliminating late fines has improved access, not resulted in more late books

info2021-12-30T08:09:27-06:00December 30th, 2021|

Two years after the Lawrence Public Library decided to eliminate fines for overdue books, library leaders say the change has not adversely affected the turnaround of materials and has improved overall access to the library. The library Board of Trustees voted unanimously to eliminate late fines for overdue books and other media beginning in January 2020. LPL Executive Director Brad Allen said that eliminating fines has not affected the timeliness of book returns, the waiting period for holds or the percentage of lost items, but has improved access to the library for people with low incomes. Source: LJWorld.com.

Active COVID cases top 1,200 mark in Douglas County; community now in code red phase

info2021-12-30T08:08:16-06:00December 30th, 2021|

Active COVID cases in Douglas County soared past the 1,000 mark, health leaders announced on Wednesday, but the spate of new cases did not produce an increase in hospitalizations. As of Wednesday, Douglas County had 1,216 active COVID cases, which was up from 987 active cases on Monday. However, inpatients being treated for COVID at LMH Health remain virtually steady at 15 patients, down one from Monday’s figures. The new numbers, though, put Douglas County firmly in the code red transmission category, which is triggered anytime active case numbers top 1,000. The code red designation — the highest of three alert [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for December 29, 2021

info2021-12-30T07:44:47-06:00December 30th, 2021|

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.

Kansans getting scam texts tied to COVID

info2021-12-30T01:16:39-06:00December 30th, 2021|

Kansans are getting scam text messages that appear to be coming from the Kansas Health Department and Department of Revenue. The texts may mention something like “Kansas Covid-19 Vaccine Driver License Waiver Validation,” and include a link. The link appears to be a KDHE website, though it ends with .com, while real state pages end in .gov. The website you are taken to resembles a state website, and you are asked to put in personal information like your date of birth and social security number. If you get a message like this you are urged to report it as spam and [...]

County group working hard to help those impacted by fires in western Kansas

info2021-12-30T01:14:20-06:00December 30th, 2021|

While many in Marion County and surrounding areas experienced some damage on Dec. 15 from the extreme winds, the damages paled in comparison to what western Kansas faced when the storm caused fires to spread throughout the central and western part of the state. According to the Kansas Forest Service, 400,000 acres burned in 11 counties in western Kansas with smaller fires in other counties. Many in Marion County are doing something about it. Jonas Frantz and Kelly Novak of Tampa, KS have gotten together and organized efforts to get supplies and money to those who need help in western Kansas, [...]

Morrill resident discusses concerns over law enforcement

info2021-12-30T01:11:29-06:00December 30th, 2021|

The Brown County Commission met for regular session Tuesday morning and heard concerns from a Morrill resident. Lee Wymer expressed his concerns about a specific person who continues to violate the law by speeding around town, spinning and screeching tires during the middle of the night. He said law enforcement has been contacted several times and a county deputy has responded, however the individual has not been able to be caught. Wymer said the individual spots the officers and ceases his activity once law enforcement presence is there, however when the officers leave town the person starts back up. “He knows [...]

Ark City joins Winfield, county in pursuit of opioid compensation

info2021-12-30T01:09:55-06:00December 30th, 2021|

Arkansas City commissioners will participate in a nationwide class action lawsuit to recover resources lost due to opioid abuse and addiction. The decision, made last week during a commission meeting, makes Ark City the latest local government to join a major lawsuit in hopes of getting monetary compensation for costs associated with the proliferation of opioids. Opioids are commonly used to treat moderate to severe pain, but they have been found to be highly addictive. City Attorney Larry Schwartz told commissioners that the Kansas Attorney General has put a team together to help communities and county governments litigate the lawsuit. Source: [...]

Sedgwick County backs off mask mandate, emergency orders

info2021-12-30T01:07:24-06:00December 30th, 2021|

Action taken by the Kansas Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly in mid-March led the Sedgwick County Commission to reassess its emergency public health orders tied to the coronavirus pandemic. With the stipulations of Senate Bill 40 presenting a number of obstacles to keeping the county’s health orders in place, the commission ultimately moved to rescind them immediately and approve a resolution recommending – but not enforcing – many of the same health and safety guidelines. That included wearing of masks and social distancing – with business organizations encouraged to keep such requirements in place – as well as individuals becoming vaccinated [...]

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