info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

New development pursued as part of Derby comprehensive plan

info2020-09-02T08:04:56-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

As City Planner Scott Knebel put it, to make sure Derby has all the tools available in its toolbox, mixed use development was an important concept to pursue in the new Vision Derby 2040 comprehensive plan (officially adopted by the city last week). “Mixed Use Development allows both commercial and residential uses to occur within the same development and, in some cases, even within the same building,” Knebel said. Knebel noted mixed use developments are becoming increasingly popular in suburban communities like Derby. With the intent of Vision Derby 2040 to grow the community, he said it made sense to pursue [...]

Saliva coronavirus tests make it possible for thousands of Kansans to get quick tests

info2020-09-02T08:04:14-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

One lab has helped seven Kansas universities test tens of thousands of students, faculty and staff for COVID-19 for the fall semester. And all anyone needed to do was spit. Saliva lab work has the potential to dramatically increase testing of asymptomatic Kansans with no known COVID-19 exposure, state health officials say. That’s a critical ingredient for stopping the pandemic. Last week, Kansas Health Secretary Lee Norman suggested the state partner with labs such as Lenexa-based Clinical Reference Laboratory and a second Lenexa company that does saliva and other COVID-19 testing for major hospitals, MAWD Pathology Group. “Anybody can spit into [...]

Kansas Department of Commerce now accepting Online Community Development Block Grant applications for Housing, Sewer and Water

info2020-09-02T08:03:20-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

The Kansas Department of Commerce is announcing today that the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program applications for Housing and Water and Sewer are now available online at kansascommerce.gov/cdbg. The move to online-only applications is intended to simplify the process for applicant communities, as well as streamline the review and approval process for added efficiency. Applications for Housing and Water and Sewer are due September 25 and Community Facilities are due October 30. Source: Kansas Department of Commerce Need assistance with grant application and administration? Contact Rose Mary Saunders or Crystal Hinnen.

Municipal Bond Trends for September 1, 2020

info2020-09-02T07:41:30-05:00September 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.

Survey finds Johnson County’s need for affordable housing is growing, but ‘NIMBY’ opposition remains

info2020-09-02T07:40:03-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

Increasing affordable housing stock, access to public transportation and access to jobs and investment opportunities are all areas of growth in Johnson County. But although the number of cost-burdened households in Johnson County is on the rise, there remains a pushback from single-family homeowners resisting denser housing solutions that would support those goals. That is one takeaway from the 2020 Human Services Summit last week, when members of United Community Services of Johnson County revealed some initial findings of a countywide study on housing. Led by UCS, Johnson County and local municipalities, the Johnson County Municipalities Housing Study is currently underway. [...]

Reno County working to enable more widespread COVID-19 testing

info2020-09-02T07:39:30-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

Reno County health officials hope by early October to have both a system and funding in place to allow testing of residents who are not showing any symptoms of COVID-19 for the novel coronavirus. The goal, interim health officer Karen Hammersmith explained, is to have at least 3.6% of the population tested monthly, which is about 500 to 600 people per week. That would provide a more accurate picture of what’s going on in the community and allow officials to use a “gating criteria” recommended by both state and federal health officials for keeping local schools open and potentially reopening nursing [...]

Drug dog makes a big difference in St. John

info2020-09-02T07:38:06-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

Just seven months on the job and the statistics for criminal activity stopped by St. John’s K-9 officer Glenn, a Belgian Malinois dog certified in narcotics, suspect apprehension, tracking, evidence recovery and patrol work, are worth noting. In the small, rural town of St. John, Glenn, assisted by his handler Police Chief Allen Adams and fellow St. John officers, conducted another car stop in August, bringing the SJPD’s total number of 2020 narcotics cases to 11, which includes three distribution cases. Source: News - Dodge City Daily Globe - Dodge City, KS

Attorney general awards local grants in Dodge City

info2020-09-02T07:37:18-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

Recently the Kansas Attorney General’s office awarded $51,000 in grants to three Dodge City organizations. Of those organizations were ones providing services for victims of crime. According to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, the following grants went to CASA – Children Worth Saving, Inc., in the amount of $8,771. The non-profit organization serves the 16th Judicial District counties of Ford, Clark, Comanche, Gray, Kiowa and Meade. Source: News - Dodge City Daily Globe - Dodge City, KS

The Life of William Inge

info2020-09-02T07:36:40-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

He was known as the “Playwright of the Midwest,” and being a Kansas native, he something to say about Dodge City. In March 1967, the “New York Times”, quoted William M. Inge; “The fact is, Dodge City and the other rip-roaring towns of the Old West were the Las Vegases of their day in employing the best talent of the East at fabulous salaries.” The “Times” article was about Inge working on his first musical screenplay, “The Lady Gay,” a fiction based on facts about Dora Hand, who was murdered while sleeping in Dodge City Mayor James Kelley’s home. Source: News [...]

Just days into semester, Silver Lake USD 372 closes after COVID-19 cases

info2020-09-02T07:30:54-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

Four school days into the fall semester, Silver Lake USD 372 is closing for in-person learning again after several classified staff tested positive for COVID-19, superintendent Tim Hallacy announced Monday evening. "This small outbreak will impact our ability to properly clean and prepare each of the buildings for students and staff," Hallacy said in a social media post. "We need some time to work with our partners at the SNCO Health Department and work with contact tracers to ensure that we have a grasp of those who may be impacted." Hallacy said the district does not know of any cases among [...]

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