info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

COVID-19 economic woes ‘crushing’ OP Convention Center, which projects $2.8 million loss in 2020

info2020-12-18T08:32:54-06:00December 18th, 2020|

The coronavirus pandemic has crushed revenues at the Overland Park Convention Center this year, with officials now expecting to end the year with only about a third of the revenue and less than half the staff they had in 2019. “This pandemic has moved us back 20 years,” said Brett Mitchell, the center’s general manager. The numbers now more closely resemble how the center was doing its first year of operation, he told the city council’s Finance, Administration and Economic Development committee this week. Source: Prairie Village Post

Supersonic planes to fly over Kansas on invisible racetrack seven miles high

info2020-12-18T08:32:27-06:00December 18th, 2020|

Supersonic test flights are coming to Kansas with a deal signed between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). The test flights will be on the new Kansas Supersonic Transporation Corridor (SSTC), an 886-mile invisible racetrack. The planes will fly at or above 39,000 feet, which is 7.3 miles above ground, in federal airspace. The SSTC is for non-military aircraft that fly faster than the speed of sound. ... The deal is a collaborative effort involving U.S. Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas, the FAA, NASA, the Air Route Traffic Control Center and the National Institute of [...]

Dodge City police determine messages to former mayor weren’t direct threats, sent from out of state

info2020-12-18T08:31:35-06:00December 18th, 2020|

The Dodge City Police Department completed an investigation into the alleged threats over a mask mandate received by former Mayor Joyce Warshaw. The investigation determined that the emails were sent by an out of state resident in response to an article he had read in an expression of displeasure because the city did not adopt a mask protocol sooner. The investigation of findings, which was reviewed by two prosecutors, showed that the messages received by Warshaw did not meet the elements required by Kansas Criminal Statutes regarding threats. Source: KSN-TV

Parsons pocket park opens to the public

info2020-12-18T08:30:50-06:00December 18th, 2020|

A local pocket park has opened for one Southeast Kansas town. A tiny park located between two buildings called The Gathering Place, has opened in Parsons on Main Street. This was a joint effort between the city and Southeast Kansas Point of ride. The project was funded locally and several businesses in town contributed to its construction. Jim Zaleski, Director of Economic Development and Tourism, said, "It's great that we were able to have local contractors, the assistance of the college, the fund was all local, the city stepped up with the land and some of the assistance, the bank, we [...]

GoFundMe launched to replace police chief’s favorite khakis damaged during Kellogg tackle

info2020-12-18T08:12:49-06:00December 18th, 2020|

A GoFundMe has been set up to replace the Wichita police chief’s khakis, which were ruined after he tackled a suspect that appeared to be trying to commandeer moving vehicles Thursday morning along Kellogg. Chris Underwood of Brookville was a passenger in a vehicle going east on Kellogg and captured the incident on video. Traffic had come to a halt as a man ran around trying to get into vehicles, Underwood said. The man hopped the barrier, bringing the westbound traffic to a halt. He attempted to get into one vehicle without success, and then he tried the same with a [...]

KDOT wants to hear from people on how to improve biking, walking options

info2020-12-18T08:06:56-06:00December 18th, 2020|

The state is preparing for the future as the way people are choosing to travel is changing. Walking, biking, skating, or riding a scooter are some of the forms of travel that more people are choosing to use to get where they need to go. "Couple reasons, one for sport and one for exercise," said Topekan Jim Edwards about why he likes to ride his bike....The Kansas Department of Transportation wants to hear from him, and others with an interest in more than just driving. ... KDOT is asking people to fill out a survey that asks questions about safety and [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for December 17, 2020

info2020-12-18T08:04:40-06:00December 18th, 2020|

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.

After 7 decades, should Lawrence change its style of government? Commissioners say it’s worth considering

info2020-12-18T08:40:52-06:00December 18th, 2020|

It has been 70 years since the city decided on its current government structure, and Lawrence city leaders say it’s time to reconsider whether it’s still the best fit. Commissioner Jennifer Ananda, who just finished a yearlong term as mayor, recently suggested that Lawrence consider whether it would benefit the city to have a directly elected full-time mayor. Her fellow city commissioners agreed that the topic was due for reconsideration, and the city now plans to study the issue. Ananda told the Journal-World that the topic was often raised and discussed casually, and now she thinks it’s time for a serious [...]

Lawrence’s annual statement to legislators calls for support of local control in pandemic response

info2020-12-18T08:41:01-06:00December 18th, 2020|

Lawrence city leaders have approved their annual list of legislative priorities, including several additions regarding state support for local government responses to the coronavirus pandemic. The Lawrence City Commission provides the priority statement annually to the local state legislative delegation ahead of its session, and city staff uses the statement to guide input on legislation. Issues related to the pandemic in the statement include support for enforcement of local health department orders, local control regarding any changes to the Kansas Emergency Management Act, and assurances related to the availability of state and federal funding and supplies. Source: LJWorld.com.

First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine arrive in Emporia

info2020-12-18T08:00:12-06:00December 17th, 2020|

Larry Finley is the first person in Emporia to receive the COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, after Newman Regional Health received 160 doses in its first allocation Wednesday afternoon. The vaccine arrived five days after the Food and Drug Administration approved Emergency Use Authorization of the vaccine. Finley, a certified registered nurse anesthetist and director of anesthesiology at Newman Regional Health, was one of five health care providers to receive the vaccine in the hospital’s walkthrough for Thursday’s mass vaccination. Source: Emporia Gazette

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