info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Topeka City Council to consider adding additional sales tax to Downtown Ramada

info2020-12-09T07:58:44-06:00December 8th, 2020|

The Topeka City Council will hear a proposal Tuesday night to turn the Downtown Ramada Hotel into a Community Improvement District. This would add an additional two percent sales tax to the hotel. According to city documents, the hotel is looking at starting $4 million worth of improvements. These include things like replacing windows, improving parking lots, replacing sprinkler systems and upgrading elevator controls. The plans also include converting 50 hotel rooms into apartments. City Manager Brent Trout said the hotel's owners will having their own financing for the project. The sales tax funds would help offset that cost as the [...]

Oxford community excited for new family-owned grocery store

info2020-12-08T07:52:57-06:00December 8th, 2020|

The Oxford community will be welcoming a new grocery store in the coming days. The store is located at 417 West main street in Oxford, Kan. "We want to help the community and have our services available to where they can at least not have to drive so far or go out to larger communities," said Stacie Gilliland, co-owner at Hometown Market. "It kind of boils down to the opportunity to serve the community," said Beau Gilliland, co-owner at Hometown Market. The store's soft start date is Wednesday, December 16. Stacie Gilliland said they will offer fresh food items such as produce, [...]

Some of the biggest names in Wichita bar scene press lawsuit challenging COVID-19 rules

info2020-12-08T07:52:07-06:00December 8th, 2020|

A lawsuit in federal court challenging Sedgwick County’s rules to slow the spreading of COVID-19 lists some of the biggest names in Wichita’s bar and nightlife scene, suing most of the city and county’s top elected and appointed officials. If it succeeds, the suit will essentially take Sedgwick County back to business as it was pre-pandemic, negating county health orders mandating the use of protective face masks in public places, an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on bars and restaurants, and any limitations on the size of public gatherings. The suit is partially crowd-funded by “Unmask the Truths,” a Facebook [...]

As virus spreads, Kansas hospital runs out of staff

info2020-12-08T07:51:43-06:00December 8th, 2020|

The radiology technician slept in an RV in the parking lot of his rural Kansas hospital for more than a week because his co-workers were out sick with COVID-19 and no one else was available to take X-rays. A doctor and physician assistant tested positive on the same day in November, briefly leaving the hospital without anyone who could write prescriptions or oversee patient care. The hospital is full, but diverting patients isn’t an option because surrounding medical centers are overwhelmed. The situation at Rush County Memorial Hospital in La Crosse illustrates the depths of the COVID-19 crisis in rural America [...]

Wichita firefighters hose off cancerous chemicals

info2020-12-08T07:51:14-06:00December 8th, 2020|

Imagine getting doused in water in the winter! Wichita firefighters have been hosing off policy meant to save lives. While firefighters risk their lives everyday to stop fires in our community, it's cancer that is a big risk. Studies show they have a 9% higher chance of getting cancer. "All of our members are well aware of the dangerous things that we are exposed to and accept that risk, but with that being said there are things that we can do to help try to alleviate some of those things and this is certainly one of them," said Battalion Chief Kelly [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for December 7, 2020

info2020-12-08T07:50:10-06:00December 8th, 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.

Lawrence library now offering laptop and hot spot lending program, as well as expanded internet access

info2020-12-08T07:45:37-06:00December 8th, 2020|

The Lawrence Public Library is now offering laptop and hot spot lending, free internet service for qualifying low-income households and permanent outdoor wireless internet service around the building’s perimeter. A news press release from the library, 707 Vermont St., said the library received the funding for its Digital Equity Project though a federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grant. Source: LJWorld.com.

Kansas City, Kansas, police warn against fentanyl use as overdoses double since 2019

info2020-12-08T07:41:41-06:00December 8th, 2020|

The number of suspected overdoses in Kansas City, Kansas, have more than doubled since last year, police said, warning of the potentially fatal effects of fentanyl. In 2019 in Kansas City, Kansas, the city saw 23 overdoses, according to the police department. So far this year, there have been 41 suspected overdoses and nine deaths, Capt. Richard Harris said in a department news release Monday. Source: KC Star Local News

Remote learning sends kids to alternative classrooms, like the Sedgwick County Zoo

info2020-12-08T07:41:12-06:00December 8th, 2020|

What does a fuzzy cow have to do with successful remote learning? And, how is she helping keep essential workers on the job? The Sedgwick County Zoo knows the answers to those questions. The classrooms at the zoo’s Cargill Learning Center were put to a new use Monday, helping kids log onto their remote learning classes, in an effort to help their parents keep working. Mid-morning, the sounds of children’s laughter and the mooing of a Highland Cow could be heard floating out of the barn at the zoo’s farm. The children were visiting during a scheduled break from their remote [...]

Wichita teachers ratify new union contract after district adds one-time bonus

info2020-12-08T07:39:46-06:00December 8th, 2020|

Wichita Public Schools teachers voted to accept a new union contract proposal from USD 259 after the district offered a one-time bonus to those who weren’t otherwise going to receive a raise during the pandemic. In all, 64.5% of district teachers voted. Of those voting, 67.3% chose to approve the new collective bargaining agreement. All teachers are eligible to vote on the union contract, regardless of whether or not they are union members. Last month, teachers voted overwhelmingly to reject the tentative agreement between the United Teachers of Wichita and the district over concerns about lack of salary increases, teacher workload [...]

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