Ranson Financial, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Counties to receive funding for bridge replacement projects

Six additional projects that will replace rural deficient bridges in Kansas have been selected for funding through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Off-System Bridge Program. The counties receiving projects include Atchison, Wabaunsee, Phillips, Franklin, Wilson and Reno. Projects in the first round of KDOT’s off-system bridge program were selected in fall 2020. With addition federal funds recently made available to Kansas through the Highway Infrastructure Program, additional projects were chosen as part of the state program. These projects will receive $3.94 million in federal funding and will total approximately $5 million in construction costs. “Atchison County is very excited about being selected for this program for a bridge replacement over Stranger Creek,” said Joe Snyder, Atchison County Road and Bridge Superintendent. “Without these KDOT programs, it can be difficult for counties like ours to have sufficient funding for replacement of these off-system bridges.”
Source: Atchison Globe Now

Ranson Financial2021-03-23T07:02:55-05:00March 23, 2021|News|

Sedgwick County likely to drop mask mandate this week; say state’s forcing its hand

Sedgwick County will likely have to drop its COVID-19 mask mandate this week because of action in the state Legislature, county commissioners said Monday. A bill that passed in Topeka last week essentially strips the commission and the local health officer, Dr. Garold Minns, from placing any restrictions on businesses for the remainder of the coronavirus pandemic, commissioners said. Dropping the mandate is not on the county’s official agenda at this point, but could come up at the county staff meeting on Tuesday and/or the regular meeting Wednesday.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2021-03-23T07:03:44-05:00March 23, 2021|News|

Kansas forms public-private council to tackle workforce improvement

Education and business leaders across Kansas will team up in an effort to develop, retain and attract talented workers to the state. Gov. Laura Kelly signed an executive order Monday creating the Advantage Kansas Coordinating Council (AKCC) with the targeted goal of improving the state’s workforce. “As we recover from the pandemic, we must rebuild a stronger, healthier workforce that can meet the demands of our growing economy,” Kelly said in a statement. “The Advantage Kansas Coordinating Council will empower education and industry leaders to collaborate on long-term solutions, develop the most skilled workforce in the Midwestern region, and recruit new businesses to our state.”
Source: Parsons Sun

Ranson Financial2021-03-23T07:04:27-05:00March 23, 2021|News|

Legislative Post Audit: Evaluating County Government Procurement and Contracting Practices

Audit objective was to answer the following question: Do a selection of county governments have adequate procedures and controls to manage conflict of interests in the procurement and contracting processes?
Read the audit report here.

Ranson Financial2021-03-22T09:02:13-05:00March 22, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for March 19, 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.

Ranson Financial2021-03-22T07:55:56-05:00March 22, 2021|News|

40 years after its only doctor died, a tiny Kansas town refuses to do the same

In normal times, this past weekend would have been a climactic one for the tiny town of Cuba, Kansas. The third weekend of March was traditionally their annual Rock-a-Thon, which is not a week-long dance party to classic AM radio hits. It is literally people in rocking chairs 24 hours a day for seven days. This tradition started in the basement of a laundromat back in the 1970s as something fun to do while everyone waited for spring — and raise a little money in the process, maybe break some world records. “People would come over from all over Republic County and bring their frying pans and make hamburgers at 3 in the morning until the next crew came over, then go to work. It was that community spirit,” says Jim Richardson, the National Geographic photographer who lives an hour and a half south of Cuba in Lindsborg, where he operates the Small World Gallery. Richardson spent 40 years documenting the life of Cuba, a project that earned interest from places like CBS Sunday Morning.

Source: Kansas Reflector

Ranson Financial2021-03-22T07:53:29-05:00March 22, 2021|News|

Are alcohol drinks to-go here to stay? A Kansas bill is bringing a mixed reaction

A year after Kansas made a temporary memorandum to allow businesses to serve alcohol to-go, some lawmakers are wanting to keep the option on tap. The exception was created to help businesses survive the pandemic. Both restaurants and drive-thrus have taken advantage of the to-go option. There is a bill that has already passed the House that would make the alcohol to-go sales permanent. “There will always be a group of individuals that will want to take takeout, and it just makes sense that their takeout should be paired with the beverage of their choice, and I think it’s been hugely popular,” said Rep. Kristey Williams. With many of the to-go drinks sealed by a plastic bag, some people like Bob Recchio have concerns.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-03-22T07:21:39-05:00March 22, 2021|News|

Bootleggers Vs. Badges is now a new exhibit at a Crawford County Historical Museum

The Crawford County Historical Museum is running a new exhibit. The exhibit is called “Bootleggers Vs. Badges” and it tells the story of when Kansas implemented Prohibition. Kansas was the first U,S, state to adopt a constitutional amendment prohibiting the manufacturing and sale of alcohol. The exhibit takes you through when alcohol was prohibited and what law enforcement did during that time and what bootleggers and their families did to survive. Amanda Minton, Executive Director and Curator, says, “Many were too proud to ask for charity. They relied upon their own devices many women even made whiskey on their stovetops. They did what they had to do to put food on the table and put a roof over their head.”
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-03-22T07:21:09-05:00March 22, 2021|News|

Lenexa adopts new rules for homeless shelters, making way for Project 1020 to stay open

After a year of collecting public input, weighing regional needs with public safety concerns, and deliberating among city leaders, Lenexa has adopted new city codes that regulate homeless shelters. The Lenexa City Council on Tuesday briefly discussed the new regulations before unanimously agreeing to adopt them as part of the municipal code. City councilmembers said the codes strike the right balance between meeting the needs of folks without a roof over their heads and the concerns about public safety in areas around shelters.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2021-03-22T07:08:53-05:00March 21, 2021|News|

Mission launches $15,000 rent-mortgage assistance program

The Mission City Council Wednesday evening unanimously approved working with Catholic Charities to administer $15,000 to residents who need help paying rent or mortgage bills. City Administrator Laura Smith has been working on the program, and reached out to the United Community Services of Johnson County which helped the city identify Catholic Charities as a housing support provider. Councilmember Hillary Parker Thomas thanked Smith for “massaging” the rent-mortgage assistance idea into a program that she thinks “is going to make a difference for at least a few” Mission families.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2021-03-22T07:09:37-05:00March 21, 2021|News|

About Ranson Financial

Counties to receive funding for bridge replacement projects

Sedgwick County likely to drop mask mandate this week; say state’s forcing its hand

Kansas forms public-private council to tackle workforce improvement

Legislative Post Audit: Evaluating County Government Procurement and Contracting Practices

Municipal Bond Trends for March 19, 2021

40 years after its only doctor died, a tiny Kansas town refuses to do the same

Are alcohol drinks to-go here to stay? A Kansas bill is bringing a mixed reaction

Bootleggers Vs. Badges is now a new exhibit at a Crawford County Historical Museum

Lenexa adopts new rules for homeless shelters, making way for Project 1020 to stay open

Mission launches $15,000 rent-mortgage assistance program

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