info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Olathe community gathers to say goodbye to Mayor Michael Copeland

info2020-08-31T07:31:40-05:00August 30th, 2020|

The Olathe community and beyond gathered Friday to say farewell to Mayor Michael Copeland, who died last week at the age of 58. A dedicated public servant, he was the city’s longest serving mayor, leading the city for nearly 20 years after several years on the city council. “Mike was a good man, built a lot of good relationships here in the town and worked tirelessly for our community,” said Vernon Avante, a supporter of Copeland’s. His visitation and funeral were held Friday at College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe where family and friends gathered to speak about his legacy. [...]

County Extension offices look to combine for survival

info2020-08-28T08:44:17-05:00August 28th, 2020|

K-State Research and Extension has been a fixture in all 105 Kansas counties since 1914. Stafford County Research and Extension office, located in St. John, like most other counties has learned how to benefit from resources offered statewide... While not a new idea to Kansas, a combined Extension district is a new idea for Stafford County. It will allow Stafford County to team up with Edwards County and enable Extension agents to work differently and more efficiently than they have in the past. To date, 57 Kansas counties have combined to form 20 Extension districts in Kansas. Extension districts offer a [...]

New ambulance provider for Osborne County

info2020-08-28T08:42:18-05:00August 28th, 2020|

American Medical Response (AMR), the nation’s leading provider of medical transportation services, will begin operations in Osborne County on Sept. 1. AMR is making significant investments to build upon the strong legacy of care cultivated by Osborne County Emergency Medical Services. AMR’s Osborne County staffing will initially include one advanced life support ambulance staffed 24 hours a day in Osborne, part-time staffing to cover peak hours in Downs... Source: News - The Hays Daily News

Construction workers discovered this gem while demolishing Merriam’s Irene B. French center

info2020-08-28T08:38:32-05:00August 28th, 2020|

Construction workers found an unexpected treasure while knocking down the Irene B. French Community Center in Merriam. The oldest part of the building was a school dating to 1911, and workers found a time capsule inside the cornerstone placed that year. The contents included a “Laws Relating to the Common Schools of Kansas” pamphlet from 1909, a list of those present when the cornerstone was set, and the signatures of students and other Merriam residents, including descendants of the city’s founder, David Gee Campbell, who settled the area in 1864. (Merriam was originally called Campbellton but later renamed for a railroad [...]

Destination Kansas: Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum

info2020-08-28T08:37:55-05:00August 28th, 2020|

She was a pioneer of the sky, but her roots are firmly planted in Kansas. Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas. Amelia’s family lived in her grandfather’s home. Alfred Otis was a well-known judge and spent 12 years building the magnificent white house that still stands in Atchison. It is now the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, 223 N. Terrace. Even at a young age, Amelia was a thrill-seeker, doing whatever she could for a rush of adrenaline, even building a roller coaster in the backyard with her sister. “She just flew through the air and was [...]

Attorney General says pandemic is highlighting legal issues with emergency powers law

info2020-08-28T08:37:08-05:00August 28th, 2020|

Attorney General Derek Schmidt said there are many legal problems with how Kansas is operating during a state of emergency. So, he wants to prevent problems in future emergencies. Schmidt and Governor Laura Kelly have clashed multiple times during the coronavirus outbreak. He said that local officials can opt-out of the governor’s executive order on wearing masks and keeping distance in schools. In another instance, he differed with the governor on the ways executive orders could be enforced. He wants lawmakers to fix the wording in the law or the state could be hit with lawsuits. Source: KSN-TV

‘This garden takes us to another level’: $6.6 million Kay’s Japanese Garden now open at Topeka Zoo

info2020-08-28T08:36:44-05:00August 28th, 2020|

It was always a dream of former Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Kay McFarland to have a Japanese garden in Topeka. After Thursday’s opening ceremony at the Topeka Zoo, that’s now how her legacy lives on in the capital city. “Chief McFarland was truly a pioneer. She trail blazed for so many people and that story is told in this garden,” Brendan Wiley, Director of The Topeka Zoo, said. The $6.6 million Japanese garden is an oasis for peace and tranquility, which is one of a kind in the United States according to the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago, Consul General [...]

Backyard of Kansas: Chalk formations of Logan and Gove counties

info2020-08-28T08:32:33-05:00August 28th, 2020|

FOX 43 Explorer, Tianna Witmer, and FOX 43 anchor, Erin La Row, recently hit the road on separate trips to southwest Kansas to explore amazing chalk formations. They shared their adventures in this beautiful part of our state in this segment of Backyard of Kansas. Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is a relatively new state park opening in 2019. Located in a valley between Scott City and Oakley, it offers breathtaking views of ancient Niobrara Chalk Formations. Just a short drive from there, in Gove County, is Monument Rocks — another Niobrara Chalk natural landmark. Source: KSNT News

‘Troubling times for all of us’ — Student mental health concerns weigh on Johnson County schools heading into semester altered by COVID-19

info2020-08-28T08:30:18-05:00August 28th, 2020|

Mental health professionals at Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley and Olathe school districts have been putting together a wide and varied range of resources to address the mental health of students, their families, teachers and employees, as they begin their new year under a cloud of uncertainty. But district staff members emphasized Thursday night at the monthly meeting of the Overland Park Mental Health Task Force that parents especially have an important role to play by trying to stay positive amid unprecedented upheaval in their children’s lives. “Our parents and our community really set the tone for this school year,” said Angie [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for August 27, 2020

info2020-08-28T08:02:17-05:00August 28th, 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.

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