info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

‘It just takes one person’: KU student tension grows as parties continue amid COVID-19

info2020-09-10T09:04:26-05:00September 9th, 2020|

Some University of Kansas students are taking bets on how many more weeks they’ll be on campus. Junior Derek Dunn said he doubts in-person classes will make it past mid-October. But Dunn, chair of Student Rights and Responsibilities at KU, said he thinks even this is optimistic. As of Sept. 1, 546 members of the campus community had tested positive for COVID-19. The majority are students, with 332 cases coming from Greek life alone. In a video update last week, KU Chancellor Douglas Girod said the Greek community was testing positive at a rate of about 10%. Source: Local News | [...]

USDA Invests $14,000 in Community Infrastructure in Effingham, Kansas

info2020-09-09T15:23:59-05:00September 9th, 2020|

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $14,000 to replace the roof of a senior citizens center in the city of Effingham, Kan. ... The city of Effingham will use a $14,000 Community Facilities Grant to replace the roof of the senior citizens center. The Effingham senior center provides a hub for public transportation, meals on wheels service and a place for congregate meals for nearly 600 people in Effingham and surrounding townships. This project will ensure the continued viability of the senior center and its efficient service for [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for September 8, 2020

info2020-09-09T07:34:39-05:00September 9th, 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.

USDA Invests Over $41,000 in Community Infrastructure in Washington, Kansas

info2020-09-08T20:52:50-05:00September 8th, 2020|

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $41,400 to renovate the public library in the city of Washington, Kan. “Modern, safe community infrastructure is essential for rural communities to thrive,” Hinrichsen said. ... The city of Washington will use a $41,400 Community Facilities Grant to replace the roof and guttering of the public library facility and make other repairs. The Washington Public Library provides educational and public resources to nearly 1,200 people in Washington and surrounding townships. This project will ensure the continued viability of the public library and [...]

Johnson County students met with stress and technology problems on first day of school

info2020-09-09T07:31:18-05:00September 8th, 2020|

At 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, thousands of Olathe students sat at their computers, ready to start the first day of school and meet their new teachers via a Zoom video chat. But within a few minutes, many realized they had been blocked from doing so. “At first I thought that maybe the internet wasn’t working in our whole neighborhood, since everyone was trying to get online. But then we figured out that (the district system) must have crashed,” said Cassie Collar, who has a middle schooler and high schooler in the Olathe district. Source: Joco 913 News

In tough times, Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens ‘beneficial to the soul’

info2020-09-09T07:31:37-05:00September 8th, 2020|

Karen Kerkhoff’s job is situated within one of the largest plots of natural splendor in Overland Park. Yet now, working within a pandemic, it is the beauty of those who visit the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens that often catches her attention. “The most fun for me is when I see a family has come in; the kids may find a good stick walking the trail, and life is good,” says Kerkhoff, who been with the arboretum since 2004. “And when they are leaving, they are sweaty but they seem to be very happy. Source: Joco 913 News

Kansas City malls were struggling before the pandemic. Now dozens of stores are closed

info2020-09-09T07:31:51-05:00September 8th, 2020|

Just two years ago, the Country Club Plaza seemed poised for a bright future under new owners. Kansas City’s iconic outdoor shopping center enticed Nordstrom to leave rival Oak Park Mall and open a new store anchoring the Plaza’s west side in 2021. They also signed New York-based cult favorite Shake Shack for a prominent corner. But the COVID-19 crisis has upended the retail landscape. Source: KC Star Local News

New outdoor dining platforms in Downtown MHK

info2020-09-09T07:32:14-05:00September 8th, 2020|

On August 18, the City Commission authorized City Administration to move forward with the design and construction of dining platforms for seven food establishments in Downtown Manhattan: MHK Brewing Co., Tap House, Bourbon & Baker, El Patron, V, The Chef, and Finn’s Pub. The platforms will be constructed on City parking stalls along Poyntz Avenue and 4th Street. In an effort to aid businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, this project will provide food establishments an additional seating area while allowing for social distancing requirements. The City Commission awarded a maximum budget of $250,000 for design and construction. The platforms will be [...]

Manhattan City Mask Ordinance extended to December 31

info2020-09-09T07:32:29-05:00September 8th, 2020|

Manhattan City Commissioners voted 3 to 2 to extend the ordinance requiring masks or other face coverings in city limits at their meeting on Tuesday, September 2. The mask ordinance will remain in effect until December 31. Ordinance No. 7488 is posted on the City of Manhattan website at https://cityofmhk.com/DocumentCenter/View/59247/7488-Require-Face-Covering-070720 Please see the full text of the ordinance to see when masks are required and when people are exempt from mask requirements. Source: Manhattan - News Flash

Kansas schools under most stress he’s ever seen, education commissioner says

info2020-09-09T07:32:52-05:00September 8th, 2020|

It’s a school’s football coaching staff in quarantine in one Kansas school district. In another, the entire kindergarten staff is in quarantine. In other schools, it’s just one or two students or staff members who test positive for COVID-19, but suddenly, the entire school has to quarantine. Those are just some of the situations Randy Watson, state commissioner of education, saw when he toured western Kansas schools last week, and they’re the challenges that each district, big and small, will eventually face, he told the Kansas State Board of Education Wednesday. Most rural Kansas schools opened before Labor Day, Watson said, [...]

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