info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Old Olathe elm was taken down and new sculpture emerged as symbol of Kansas

info2022-10-14T08:11:44-05:00October 14th, 2022|

A peaceful place is easy to find on a bench close to a sculpture in one Johnson County city. The Olathe Cemetery Memorial Tree, carved from a dormant elm, is a symbol of life past and present. The sculpture, which stands along a path in the cemetery, is a gift from the city’s public art program. Once among the most popular of American shade trees, the cemetery’s tree was killed by the spread of elm disease in 1960s and beyond. Thought to be 100 years old, it is no longer a tree of branches and green leaves. It now represents history [...]

Mournful and hopeful, an emerging photo project portrays rural Kansas newspapers

info2022-10-14T08:09:29-05:00October 14th, 2022|

Jeremiah Ariaz has traveled Kansas to visit and then photograph the offices of small-town newspapers: The Russell County News, Downs News & Times, The Winfield Daily Courier. A photography professor at Louisiana State University and a Kansas native, Ariaz brings a mixture of reverence and urgency to the project. His collection — still in progress — mixes portraits of the small-town journalists and print shop laborers with dusty still-life images of newspaper artifacts. Ariaz’s images situate the industry facing great challenges while hoping that the papers receive a vital lifeline. On Oct. 6, Ariaz visited the University of Kansas to show [...]

Prairie Village City Council votes down strategy for affordable housing

info2022-10-14T08:07:42-05:00October 14th, 2022|

After a public outcry, the Prairie Village City Council has gone on record against putting duplexes, apartments and other multi-family developments in single-family residential areas as part of an affordable housing strategy. Signs had gone up around the city protesting recommendations from an ad hoc committee tasked with finding ways to diversify Prairie Village’s housing stock so more people can afford to live there. Council member Piper Reimer said residents are concerned that regulations might be changed “in a way that would allow the developer or builder to come in and potentially take down the house next door to you and [...]

Labette County to lose vital staffer

info2022-10-14T08:06:53-05:00October 14th, 2022|

A longtime county employee is leaving for a new job in a neighboring county, 911 Director Brandy Scott reported to Labette County commissioners Wednesday. One of Scott’s supervisors — who has worked for 17 years for the county — gave her two weeks notice to Scott. This is a blow to the department, Scott indicated. The person, who was not named, got a job in Montgomery County. The job, Scott said, has better benefits and less responsibilities for the person. Source: Parsons Sun

Olathe Fire Department adds extra staffers because of red flag warning

info2022-10-14T08:05:57-05:00October 14th, 2022|

The Olathe Fire Department has increased their staffing because of a red flag warning thanks to the windy conditions in our area. A red flag warning means the weather conditions increase the risk of fire danger. "There’s plenty of stuff out there that can burn. A lot of people think we're in the suburbs. we're in these little cities, but these cities, butt up to undeveloped land that is full of things that can burn," said Capt. Mike Hall, of Olathe Fire Department. Source: KMBC.com

Municipal Bond Trends for October 13, 2022

info2022-10-14T07:34:04-05:00October 14th, 2022|

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.

Most of Marion County blacked out for an hour

info2022-10-14T07:31:55-05:00October 13th, 2022|

A massive power failure affecting thousands of businesses and residences blacked out most of Marion County for almost exactly an hour early Thursday. Customers receiving power from Evergy or city utilities using Evergy in Florence, Peabody, Marion, Hillsboro, Lehigh, and Tampa were without power from 1:52 a.m. until 2:51 a.m. At least one Marion resident had to call for an ambulance after a vital oxygen supply failed during the blackout. Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

‘Incredibly sad’ situation leads to removal of more than 80 cats, 2 dogs from Emporia home

info2022-10-13T20:26:00-05:00October 13th, 2022|

Animal cruelty charges are pending after Emporia police and volunteers removed 83 cats and two dogs from a house in Emporia Wednesday morning, after initial reports stated around 50 cats were inside of the home. Humane Society of the Flint Hills director Stephanie Achille told The Gazette that conditions at the home were worse than expected, with feces, urine and maggots covering almost every surface. The house is also infested with fleas. Source: Emporia Gazette

Overland Park neighbors push back against rumblings of new Deer Creek apartment plan

info2022-10-13T20:24:38-05:00October 13th, 2022|

Residents in one Overland Park community have long fought against an apartment complex going in their neighborhood. Now, there's been recent chatter that the idea has resurfaced, and neighbors in Deer Creek are not happy. Overgrown and untouched for about six years, the Deer Creek golf course doesn't make a great back drop for a back porch. Jorge Cadenas said the vast majority of neighbors want the greens and golf course revived, but building an apartment complex on the property would be a swing and a miss. Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF

Developer looks to bring indoor go-kart course to Overland Park’s Aspiria campus

info2022-10-13T20:22:41-05:00October 13th, 2022|

A national go-kart chain is racing to open its first location in the Kansas City metro. Monday, the Overland Park Planning Commission unanimously approved a final development plan for Andretti Indoor Karting & Games. The Florida-based company, named for championship race car driver Mario Andretti, plans to create a new entertainment hub within the Aspiria campus in south Overland Park. Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF

About info