News – Page 1027 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Around 100 cats taken from Mulvane hoarding situation, fosters needed

info2022-07-20T21:40:28-05:00July 20th, 2022|

On Thursday, July 19, Sedgwick County Animal Control (SCAC) became aware of a potential hoarding situation in Mulvane. Since then, they have taken around 100 cats, an unknown number of dogs, and a pig, from the property. According to Sedgwick County, "They were living in unsanitary conditions that posed a clear and demonstrative threat to their health." All animals are being seen, evaluated and treated by veterinary partners for a variety of illnesses related to living in what Sedgwick County is calling "squalid conditions." Source: KSN-TV

Sedgwick County sheriff says more pay needed to help with staffing issues

info2022-07-20T21:40:51-05:00July 20th, 2022|

Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter talked to county commissioners Tuesday about staffing issues with his commissioned deputies and detention deputies, and he says pay needs to be competitive to keep from losing staff to other law enforcement agencies. Easter told the commission during their weekly staff meeting that he is budgeted for 228 employees in the jail, and there are 110 vacancies, so the vacancy rate is 49 percent. He said recruiting efforts have produced few candidates and he is starting to lose commissioned deputies to communities like Maize and Derby. Source: 101.3 KFDI

County Commissioners meet to address child care needs in Crawford County

info2022-07-20T21:42:46-05:00July 20th, 2022|

Crawford County today held its commission work meeting to discuss the county’s lack of available child care. Child care is one of the county’s top problems to address, according to some county commissioners. Childcare in Crawford County is scarce. Commissioners say there are more than 10 children needing care but only one spot remains in the county. Officials say Crawford Co. has put aside $2 million to address and add adequate child care, whether they expand current services or add entirely new ones. Source: KOAMKOAM

Johnson County Micro Transit and RideKC earn national transit system of the year award

info2022-07-20T21:43:13-05:00July 20th, 2022|

Johnson County’s Micro Transit and RideKC were just awarded one of the highest awards a transit agency can receive. Friday, July 15, the American Public Transportation Association announced RideKC won the outstanding public transportation system achievement award for more than four million, but fewer than 20 million trips. RideKC was one of nine organizations and leaders awarded for its vision, leadership and commitment to public transportation. “Johnson County Transit is pleased to accept this recognition in concert with our regional RideKC partners,” said Josh Powers, director of the county’s transit division. “Our micro transit service has been an important part of [...]

Wichita board to hear debate on breeder ban for pet stores selling cats and dogs

info2022-07-20T07:52:51-05:00July 19th, 2022|

Wichita’s Animal Control Advisory Board will resume community debate Wednesday on whether to recommend a city-wide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats from breeders. At stake is whether Wichita’s two Petland stores should be allowed to keep their current business model of selling from breeders, which Petland east owner Brad Bockus says accounts for 70% of store sales. The proposal to reevaluate pet store practices was brought by a community member to the board’s May meeting, where it sparked passionate debate. The Kansas Humane Society and Wichita Animal Shelter remain at maximum capacity, and some say a city-wide ban [...]

South Hutch opens hurdles for IdeaTek expansion

info2022-07-20T07:51:34-05:00July 19th, 2022|

Some “creative financing” on the part of the city of South Hutchinson will assist internet provider IdeaTek in bringing its highspeed fiber-optic service to the community of 2,500. The South Hutchinson City Council approved a couple of actions on Monday night to set the plan in motion. That included creating a “Community Improvement District (CID)” that encompasses a small parcel of ground in South Hutchinson the Buhler-based provider will build its service hub on. ... Creating the CID will allow the company to pay off the pass-through bonds using a portion of customer service fees, explained South Hutchinson City Administrator Joseph [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for July 19, 2022

info2022-07-20T07:45:57-05:00July 19th, 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.

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Funding for Murals in 14 Rural Communities

info2022-07-20T07:55:19-05:00July 19th, 2022|

Governor Laura Kelly today announced 14 communities will receive funding through the Office of Rural Prosperity’s Rural Mural and Public Art grant program. The $90,000 in grants enables communities with fewer than 10,000 residents to create new murals and public art projects that will beautify community gathering spaces and serve as new tourist attractions. “By funding the creation of murals and public art in communities across Kansas, we want to celebrate the beauty of our state and highlight everything our small towns have to offer,” said Governor Laura Kelly. Each of the projects requires a 1:1 match from the community. Seventy-five [...]

Localities aim to turn federal money into major road investments

info2022-07-20T07:46:20-05:00July 19th, 2022|

Local governments plan to spend the majority of their Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds on roads, with water and broadband projects also getting high priority. That’s according to a joint survey by the National League of Cities and Polco, in which 82% of respondents said they intended to spend federal dollars on roads, bridges and major projects. Of those surveyed, 60% plan spending on water, 56% on road safety, 36% on broadband, and 27% on resilience. Another 27% said clean energy and power, 26% public transportation, 26% on electric vehicles, buses and ferries, 24% on environmental remediation, 13% on airports, [...]

Kendal Francis earns international credentials

info2022-07-20T07:46:28-05:00July 19th, 2022|

Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis recently received the Credentialed Manager designation from ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. Francis is one of over 1,300 local government management professionals, worldwide, currently holding credentials through the ICMA Credentialing Program. ... To receive the prestigious ICMA credential, a member must have significant experience as a senior management executive in local government; earned an advanced degree, preferably in public administration; and demonstrated a commitment to high standards of integrity and to lifelong learning and professional development. Francis is qualified by 27 years of professional local government experience, 10 of which were at the executive [...]