info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Johnson County home prices approach new milestone

info2020-10-05T06:15:01-05:00October 4th, 2020|

Limited inventory and skyrocketing demand have pushed up home prices across the Kansas City metro area. But Johnson County is approaching a new milestone: In August, the average sales price of new and existing homes reached nearly $400,000, according to the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors. While the booming market is good news for sellers, it does underscore longstanding concerns that Johnson County homes are becoming increasingly out of reach for many working- and middle-class families. Source: KC Star Local News

Inspired by Topeka leaders and community members, local artist creates portrait series

info2020-10-05T06:14:00-05:00October 4th, 2020|

Like everyone else, local artist Becky Drager was handed a box of lemons when COVID-19 made its presence and caused many businesses to shut down. But instead of letting those lemons sour, Drager chose to turn them into lemonade and create a portrait series of Topeka leaders and community members that inspire her every day. Drager created 20 portraits from April 1 to Sept. 25, and the full collection will be on display from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at the NOTO Arts Center during the Decade of NOTO celebration. The people in Drager’s portraits range in age from [...]

Kansas Court of Appeals: “When you do business with a city in Kansas, you must be cautious.”

info2020-10-02T09:52:06-05:00October 2nd, 2020|

There is a lot of history and discussion about the Cash-Basis Law and the Budget Law in this opinion. The opinion begins: When you do business with a city in Kansas, you must be cautious. It differs from doing business with an ordinary person or company. There are many complex laws and rules that govern a city's actions that do not apply to others. A failure to understand this complexity can lead to losing what once was thought certain. This case is an example of that peril. Farmers Bank & Trust thought it had a loan guaranty from the City of [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for October 1, 2020

info2020-10-02T07:29:42-05:00October 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.

Rent a bicycle at parks and places across Lenexa

info2020-10-02T07:28:40-05:00October 2nd, 2020|

Lenexa’s new bike share program has arrived just in time to enjoy our parks’ stunning autumn scenery on a leisurely trail ride. The City of Lenexa has partnered with BikeWalkKC’s RideKC Bike program to offer electric-assist bikes — also known as E-bikes — and rental hubs at locations throughout the city. These hubs and bicycles were ready to use starting Oct. 1. The bikes will be available through Nov. 30 and stored indoors through the winter. Source: Lenexa

As 60% of Johnson County schools report COVID cases, guidance for returning is eased

info2020-10-02T07:27:33-05:00October 2nd, 2020|

The Johnson County health department has issued more lenient guidance on whether school districts should allow older students back into classrooms when there is high community spread of COVID-19. Unlike under the previous criteria, districts could now allow middle and high schoolers to return to in-person learning in a hybrid model — going to class part time and taking online classes for the rest of the week — as long as safety precautions are implemented. The guidance for elementary students has remained the same, as officials continue to recommend they can return to classrooms full time. Source: Joco 913 News

If the speed limit is 25 mph or less, here’s a new way to get around in Spring Hill

info2020-10-02T07:27:07-05:00October 2nd, 2020|

Spring Hill is now allowing golf carts to be driven on streets where the speed limit is 25 miles an hour or less. The ordinance, approved by the City Council on Sept. 24, took effect on Sept. 30. No permit is required to operate the carts, but the operator must have a valid, unrestricted driver’s license. Source: Joco 913 News

The historic Brookville Hotel announces closure

info2020-10-02T07:26:45-05:00October 2nd, 2020|

The Brookville Hotel, known for its family style chicken dinners, announced after generations under family ownership, it would close its doors. Owners Mark and Connie Martin announced on Facebook on Thursday that the restaurant would be closing due to COVID-19 and lack of traffic. "We hung on as long as we could , but the writing was on the wall," the Facebook post said. Source: KAKE - News

New Derby arts facility a hub of activity

info2020-10-02T07:14:45-05:00October 1st, 2020|

Nothing in 2020 has been “normal,” and the opening of the new Hubbard Arts Center certainly falls into that category. Originally scheduled to have a grand opening in April, those plans had to be put off and the center – an extension of the Derby Recreation Commission – didn’t officially open for programming until mid-June. Even with those delays, the market for the Hubbard Arts Center and the programs it offers has been clear from the start – with the center drawing a number of individuals from Derby and the surrounding area for its classes since its summer opening. Source: Derby [...]

Derby preparing for transition to city of the first class

info2020-10-02T07:15:12-05:00October 1st, 2020|

As Derby prepares to transition to a city of the first class, staff is managing the inherent changes to operations – with that process coming before the Derby City Council at its Sept. 22 meeting. With that first class status – a mandatory transition once a city’s population reaches 25,000 – comes a number of statutes that apply to cities of that size. Those statutes though, City Attorney Jacque Butler pointed out, predate the Home Rule Amendment of the Kansas Constitution, which allows cities to exempt themselves from non-uniform statutes. Charter ordinances allow for those exemptions, but Butler pointed out Derby’s [...]

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