info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

This city could become the first in Johnson County to decriminalize marijuana

info2021-01-26T08:09:33-06:00January 26th, 2021|

Following the lead of Kansas City (MO), Prairie Village is looking into decriminalizing marijuana. It would be the first Johnson County city to reduce penalties for marijuana possession. City Council members Ian Graves and Inga Selders proposed the idea earlier this month, and the City Council unanimously agreed to have staff look into the legality of it. Prairie Village officials could consider stripping the crime from the city code, as Kansas City did last summer. Another option could be issuing citations for violations in lieu of municipal court. Graves pushed for the change because Prairie Village borders Missouri, where medical marijuana [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for January 25, 2021

info2021-01-26T08:06:21-06:00January 26th, 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.

A Kansas town recorded 9 inches of snow as Wichita broke rain record with freeze coming

info2021-01-26T07:58:01-06:00January 25th, 2021|

A winter storm on Monday largely spared Wichita of snow, but another round of wintry weather could hit the city on Tuesday. Meteorologists predict the second round will hit harder in north-central Kansas, just like the stronger storm on Monday. Forecasters with National Weather Service had always predicted the worst of Monday’s “powerful winter storm” would mostly miss Wichita. The highest snowfall amounts were predicted farther north, with some counties near the Nebraska border bracing for up to a foot of snow. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Wichita hospitals remain ‘critical’ with full ICUs as Kansas COVID case counts improve

info2021-01-26T07:58:08-06:00January 25th, 2021|

Wichita hospitals continue to have no available beds in their intensive care units, despite improving COVID-19 numbers locally and statewide. The Sedgwick County Health Department on Monday reported all approximately 208 ICU beds remain full at Ascension Via Christi and Wesley Medical Center hospitals. It marks the 13th straight week of full ICUs. Both hospitals have been managing through contingency operations, the health department has said. The hospital status remains “critical,” though the term has not been defined by county officials. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Bracing for yesterday’s storm in Russell

info2021-01-26T07:59:43-06:00January 25th, 2021|

As parts of Kansas wait for the snow dump to come, drivers are doing their best to get out of the storm’s way before it has a chance to close any Kansas roads. “That’s a lot of snow,” Nathan Rowe said. The threat of as much as 14 inches of snow in Russell has long haul truck drivers like Rowe, and other travelers, scooting out of town faster than they drove in, trying to get out of the storm’s cross hairs before the snow starts coming down. Others, like Rick Eiser, aren’t as concerned, saying storms like the one bearing down [...]

Some students return to classroom as USD 259 begins blended model

info2021-01-26T07:59:54-06:00January 25th, 2021|

"There is without doubt, energy in the air. Energy from the teachers, energy from the students and excitement in the air." That was the sentiment felt by Northwest High School Principal Eric Hofer-Holdeman as students return to the halls of his school for the first time in months. Monday was the first day of the district’s new blended on site learning model for middle and high school students. Of the nearly 60% of students who opted into coming back inside, half will be at school today and tomorrow and remote the rest of the week. The other half is flipped, meaning [...]

Fort Scott names Jeremy Frazier as new City Manager

info2021-01-26T08:01:02-06:00January 25th, 2021|

A Southeast Kansas community announces a new city manager. Jeremy Frazier has been named City Manager for the city of Fort Scott. City commissioners say Frazier brings over a decade of public sector experience, most recently as Assistant City Manager of El Reno, Oklahoma. Frazier has a bachelor's degree in communication from the University of Oklahoma, and a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. He will begin his new post February 1st. Source: KSNF/KODE

Officials discuss general fund, budget at 2021 City of Manhattan retreat

info2021-01-26T08:03:38-06:00January 25th, 2021|

Jason Hilgers, City of Manhattan deputy city manager, suggested to the Manhattan City Commission at a retreat last Friday that they consider a five-year plan for the general fund. The general fund, which is around $31 million this year, has stayed about the same the past five years. Hilgers says increasing it by a few percent each year could help the city keep up with operating expenses. “Those two, three, four percent increases allow us to keep doing our jobs – what’s expected of us,” Hilgers said. “When we go zeros or we’re expected to just use what we had last [...]

Gov. Kelly signs bill extending disaster declaration

info2021-01-26T08:04:03-06:00January 25th, 2021|

Governor Laura Kelly today signed Senate Bill 14 into law, extending the State of Disaster Emergency Declaration to March 31, 2021, and allowing for the continuation of certain resources, support, and regulations critical to Kansas’ COVID-19 response efforts. “Extending the current disaster declaration is essential for our state’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, allowing us to keep Kansans safe and healthy, keep our economy open, and get our kids back in school as quickly as possible,” Governor Laura Kelly said. Among other resources and support, the disaster declaration allows Kansas to provide community-based COVID-19 testing, provide support to food banks and pantries, and [...]

Wichita City Council to discuss ethics policy

info2021-01-26T08:05:11-06:00January 25th, 2021|

Wichita city council members will talk about a proposed ethics policy during a workshop meeting Tuesday. Mayor Brandon Whipple said a policy has been one of his top goals since taking office. Mayor Whipple said the policy would set up an independent board to investigate allegations of unethical behavior against an elected official, and it would set up due process to allow an official to provide a defense. He said a chairman would be appointed by the mayor and vetted by the city council, and this person would be someone from the fields of law or academics. A six-person board would be made [...]

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