info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Anson Burlingame, 19th century statesman, brought Kansas ‘noble kindliness’ for today

info2020-12-03T06:58:05-06:00December 2nd, 2020|

It’s likely few Kansas residents could find the city of Burlingame (population 968) without a GPS. Even fewer, one suspects, know much about the city’s namesake. This year, the 200th anniversary of Anson Burlingame’s birth, provides an opportunity to make his acquaintance. As a Massachusetts congressman, outspoken abolitionist, and pioneering diplomat, Burlingame devoted his life to causes as relevant today as two centuries ago — racial equality, social protest and international diplomacy. Just as citizens today march for racial justice, Burlingame took a principled stand against slavery during the run-up to the Civil War. He barnstormed the country giving stirring abolitionist [...]

Kansas City, Kansas, school board votes to return to in-person classes in April

info2020-12-03T06:58:36-06:00December 2nd, 2020|

Students in the Kansas City, Kansas, school district won’t head back to the classroom until April, the board decided Tuesday night. The Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools board voted Tuesday to move the start of in-person classes to April. Instead of returning in January, as the board previously decided on doing in October, students will return to in-person classes on April 5. Source: Wichita Breaking News, Sports & Crime |

Sedgwick County may buy old hospital, make it into a new government center

info2020-12-03T06:58:46-06:00December 2nd, 2020|

The Sedgwick County Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a purchase contract to buy the former Riverside Hospital for $4.1 million for a new government center. The sale is contingent on the county inspecting the facility over the next 90 days and determining that it can cost-effectively be converted to government office space. The county put a $25,000 earnest-money deposit on the building, which is refundable if the county decides not to proceed, County Counselor Mike Pepoon said. Source: Wichita Breaking News, Sports & Crime |

911 emergency system at ‘breaking point’ as coronavirus surges, advocacy group warns

info2020-12-03T06:58:52-06:00December 2nd, 2020|

Ambulance services in the U.S. have been pushed to a “breaking point” as the country stares down another surge in coronavirus cases, advocates warn. Without additional funding, they fear the industry is on the brink of collapse. “The 911 emergency medical system throughout the United States is at a breaking point,” Aarron Reinert, president of the American Ambulance Association, said in letter to federal authorities. “Without additional relief, it seems likely to break, even as we enter the third surge of the virus in the Mid-West and West.” Source: Wichita Breaking News, Sports & Crime |

Derby approves county enforcement measures on health orders

info2020-12-03T06:59:16-06:00December 2nd, 2020|

Following a resolution passed by the Sedgwick County Commission on Nov. 10, the option was made available for area municipalities to join the county’s enforcement efforts regarding emergency public health orders – an item addressed by the Derby City Council at its most recent meeting Nov. 24. Through the resolution, area cities would be able to enter into an agreement with Sedgwick County to mirror its enforcement efforts (tied to COVID-19 orders), which treats infractions as a code violation that carry a potential penalty of a $250 to $500 fine. Violations would be processed by the County Court. Derby actually took [...]

Pittsburg finance director retires after 38 years of service

info2020-12-03T06:56:49-06:00December 2nd, 2020|

City of Pittsburg Finance Director Jaime Clarkson is retiring this week after serving nearly 40 years with the city. “The impact Jamie has had on our organization is immeasurable,” said City Manager Daron Hall “I am happy for him as he begins the next chapter in his life and thank him for his professionalism and dedication to Pittsburg. His work ethic is tremendous and we will miss him.” Clarkson began his career with the city in 1982, working in several different positions within the finance department before being promoted to finance director in 2012. Source: KSNF/KODE

Municipal Bond Trends for December 1, 2020

info2020-12-02T07:59:35-06:00December 2nd, 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.

Merriam to install license plate cameras at two busy intersections to aid criminal investigations

info2020-12-02T07:44:13-06:00December 1st, 2020|

The Merriam City Council last week approved the purchase of five license plate camera readers to be placed at the intersections of 75th Street and Kings Cove Drive and 67th and Carter Avenue. Recently taken off the city council’s consent agenda for discussion by Councilmember David Neal, the approved purchase comes as an investment “in tools that help us be both proactive in preventing crime and also provide evidentiary information to solve crimes,” according to city documents. Neal raised privacy concerns and told the council about the National League of Cities’ push to shield the personal data of residents from third [...]

Increases approved for water, sewer rates in Wichita

info2020-12-02T07:52:53-06:00December 1st, 2020|

Wichita city council members have approved increases for water and sewer rates for 2021. Public Works Director Alan King said the increases are needed for improvements in equipment and facilities, along with operating costs. King said the water and sewer system has some big challenges ahead and 80 percent of the revenue from the rate increases will go toward capital needs, with 20 percent for operating costs. King said a federal loan for a new water treatment plant in northwest Wichita will combine with engineering and savings programs to keep rate increases stable over the next ten years. Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Rose Hill airport receives funding for improvements

info2020-12-02T07:54:05-06:00December 1st, 2020|

The Kansas Department of Transportation recently announced that 32 projects have been selected as part of the Kansas Airport Improvement Program this year for planning, constructing or rehabilitating public use general aviation airports. A total of 93 project applications were received in 2020 for a combined total project value of $27 million. Rose Hill’s Cook Airfield was among those selected to receive funding, getting $51,000 to add security gates and $13,500 to crack seal taxiways and runways. Source: Derby Informer | Area

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