info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Hillsboro begins land bank

info2020-09-03T07:26:27-05:00September 3rd, 2020|

Hillsboro on Tuesday established a land bank for properties that have been abandoned, foreclosed, or are otherwise distressed. Its purpose is to eliminate blight, enhance neighborhood stability, create opportunity for affordable home ownership and rentals, and maintain property values. City council members Tuesday voted unanimously to establish the bank. Properties can be purchased or given to the land bank. The land bank can refuse to accept property. [FULL STORY at http://starj.com] Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Derby discusses potential property maintenance code

info2020-09-03T07:32:56-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

A property maintenance code would prevent one poorly maintained property from negatively affecting a neighborhood. Currently, it was reported, city codes include very little in this regard, though the city has encountered only a few issues over the years where such a code would have been beneficial. Source: Derby Informer | News

Hays police now enforcing mask law

info2020-09-03T07:33:26-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

Having tried more than a month of education, the Hays Police Department will now give tickets to violators of the city’s mask ordinance. “For the most part we’ve gotten great feedback and cooperation, but there are some who just refuse to comply,” said Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler. “I’m not sure it’s fair for this business to lower the number of people they can have inside their business, while this business just packs them in.” The ordinance originally went into effect for people 8 and older on July 27 and expired Aug. 31. The city commissioners last week voted to extend [...]

With one month left to participate in 2020 U.S. Census, Johnson County boasts highest self-response rate in Kansas

info2020-09-03T07:33:46-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

With 30 days left to be counted in the U.S. census, Representatives of Johnson County and local municipalities are encouraging their residents to participate, particularly because an accurate census would ensure accurate representation. Local communities would also receive state and federal funding proportionate to their populations. Jody Hanson, director of public affairs and communications with the County Manager’s Office in Johnson County, said the county has been pushing residents to participate in the census through a nearly two-year-old initiative and the Johnson County Complete Count Committee, a collaborative with cities, school districts, chambers of commerce, nonprofits and faith-based organizations. “Johnson County [...]

Wichita BOE votes to allow fall activities, with restrictions

info2020-09-03T07:33:54-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

With a vote 6-1 the Wichita Public Schools board of education voted to allow fall sports and activities, with restrictions. The restrictions include that students participating in "restricted" activities would be enrolled in MySchool Remote for the duration of their season, and two weeks following. Other restrictions include achieving all grading and attendance expectations, students would participate in academic tutoring or other intervention strategies that may be recommended to support academic success and students and coaches would commit to upholding personal hygiene strategies. Source: KAKE - News

UG reviews STAR bond structure for Homefield’s $350M Schlitterbahn makeover

info2020-09-03T07:34:37-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

City officials are bullish on Homefield LLC's proposal to tear down the blighted former Schlitterbahn structures and erect a $350 million mixed-use development with sporting and entertainment uses. The project seeks $130 million in STAR bonds. Sporting Kansas City co-owner Robb Heineman shared more details Monday evening about his company's plans for approximately 265 acres including and around the former water park at a Unified Government of Wyandotte County/ Kansas City, Kan., committee meeting. Source: Kansas City Business Journal - The Business Journals

Saline County to offer administrator new contract

info2020-09-03T07:35:45-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

Saline County administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes will be continuing in his position after the county commission voted to offer him a contract extension. After an executive session at the commission’s Tuesday meeting, the commissioners voted 5-0 to offer Smith-Hanes an extension to his contract for one year. Smith-Hanes was hired in 2019 and began in December. He said his initial contract was for 13 months, going through December 2020, with an option to extend an additional five one-year terms, which is what the commission voted to do Tuesday. Bob Vidricksen, chairman of the commission, voiced his support for Smith-Hanes and this decision [...]

Hutchinson’s Siemens Gamesa lands orders for two Texas wind farms

info2020-09-03T07:36:32-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy has been awarded two new wind projects in Texas that will include, in part, turbines manufactured in Hutchinson. The projects, at yet-undisclosed locations, will have a total installed capacity of 325 MW. The projects will involve 65 of the manufacturer’s SG 5.0-145 wind turbines and a multi-year service agreement. To meet delivery timelines, the turbine nacelles will be assembled both in Hutchinson and the corporation’s Agreda, Spain, facility, according to a company spokesperson. Source: Local - The Hutchinson News

Moody’s downgrades Wichita’s debt credit rating as city faces coronavirus fallout

info2020-09-02T08:06:21-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

On Monday, Moody's Investors Service released a new credit rating for the city of Wichita that reflects the far-reaching impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak on the local economy. The national credit ratings agency downgraded the city's general obligation bond debt by one notch, from Aa1 to Aa2. In its report, Moody's says the pandemic is a key driver for the new rating, particularly its impact on Wichita's aerospace industry. "We currently anticipate that it will take a number of years for the industry to reach pre-pandemic levels," the report says. Source: Wichita Business Journal

Cancellation of Greater Andover Days not “an easy decision”

info2020-09-02T08:05:20-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

Greater Andover Days, an annual festival held in Andover, has been cancelled. In a statement, the Greater Andover Days Committee said that cancelling the event “was not an easy decision to make” but that the safety of guests and staff was more important. “[The] health and safety of our citizens, staff, volunteers and vendors is our top priority,” the committee said. Additionally, Ottaway Amusement, which puts on the carnival, as well as a number of vendors had already pulled out of the festival. Losing Ottaway and the vendors would have had a huge financial impact on the festival, the committee said. [...]

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