News – Page 1149 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

McPherson approves sending aid to Ukraine

info2022-03-31T08:45:24-05:00March 31st, 2022|

This week, the city commission approved the donation of a considerable amount of old or expired police equipment to Ukraine to help the country as it continues to fight for its sovereignty. The McPherson City Commission approved the request from Police Chief Mikel Golden to provide the equipment to the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, which will then be distributed to the Kansas National Guard Adjunct General’s office. The adjunct general is collecting expired police equipment from police departments across the state to send to Ukraine. Source: McPherson Weekly News

An out-of-this-world exhibit lands in a small Kansas museum

info2022-03-31T08:43:59-05:00March 31st, 2022|

In the Rice County town of Geneseo, population 200, there is a sign at the entrance of the city museum beckoning visitors. All kinds of visitors. “Space Ships Welcome.” Welcome to Geneseo, where a movement is underway to name the town the UFO Capital of Kansas and perhaps even host a special global event on July 2 — World UFO day. Evidence of otherworldly visitors is in a new permanent exhibit at the Geneseo City Museum. When it comes to viewing the exhibit, think of a mix of Orson Welles’ “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast of 1938, and episodes of [...]

KC Chiefs president says team is exploring possible sites for stadium in Kansas: report

info2022-03-30T07:14:04-05:00March 30th, 2022|

Could the Chiefs set up shop in Kansas? A tweet Tuesday morning from Kevin Clark, who covers the NFL for The Ringer, seemed to indicate the Chiefs are exploring the idea of building a new stadium in the Sunflower State. The idea came from Chiefs president Mark Donovan. The NFL is holding owners meetings this week in Palm Beach, Florida, and Donovan made the comment there. Source: Wichita Eagle

Municipal Bond Trends for March 29, 2022

info2022-03-30T07:03:31-05:00March 30th, 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.

Downing’s public service touch enhances community life in Atchison

info2022-03-30T06:57:49-05:00March 29th, 2022|

The role of lifesaver is the newest achievement that Lt. David Downing Jr., Atchison Fire Department, has recently added to his list of public service work in the community. Downing singlehandedly rescued his colleague as they battled flames and black smoke that engulfed the inside of a residence about an hour past midnight at 927 Mound Street. Downing was presented a letter of commendation for his heroic act on Wednesday, March 23 at the Atchison Fire Station. Source: Atchison Globe Now

Extra crews help Sedgwick County fire contain grass fire in NE part of county

info2022-03-29T23:48:35-05:00March 29th, 2022|

Around noon, Sedgwick County fire crews responded to a grass fire near 45th and Greenwich, in the Northeast part of the county. Deputy Chief Carl Cox says, crews were able to get the flames under control quickly, thanks in part to the extra hands they had on staff. He says on high fire risk days, they will have more trucks than usual prepped. "That pre-planning definitely helped out today with extra brush trucks and extra units on in service to help us fight the fire.” Cox adds that having tilled fields on either side of the fire area, helps contain it [...]

As fertilizer pollutes tap water in small towns, rural Kansans pay the price

info2022-03-29T23:46:39-05:00March 29th, 2022|

Fifteen years ago, Robert Ellis got a letter he never wanted. Haviland’s drinking water had failed a state safety test. It had more nitrate than federal limits allow. And as mayor of this small town east of Dodge City, it was his job to help the town figure out what to do. Building a new water treatment plant would cost millions, so the town started installing water filters one home at a time. That penciled out far cheaper than one central plant. But state regulators told them no. Those in-home filters wouldn’t cut it. The town pleaded its case in a [...]

City of Lawrence selects Melissa Sieben as the new director of Municipal Services and Operations

info2022-03-30T07:01:35-05:00March 29th, 2022|

Following a national search, the city has selected Melissa Sieben as the new director of Municipal Services and Operations, according to a news release Tuesday. Sieben, who recently served as assistant county administrator at the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas for seven years, has 23 years of local government experience serving communities in Illinois, Iowa and Kansas, according to the release. “I am looking forward to working with Municipal Services and Operations staff and City leadership to implement the goals of the strategic plan and continue to enhance service delivery,” Sieben said in the release. “Lawrence is [...]

New manager of human services continues efforts toward safe, accessible housing for all in Douglas County

info2022-03-29T23:36:32-05:00March 29th, 2022|

Gabi Sprague is the new human services program manager for Douglas County. She’ll focus on preventing homelessness and helping unify the work of local social service agencies. Though the title is new for Sprague, the work isn’t. Sprague previously was the Housing Stabilization Collaborative (HSC) program manager with the United Way of Douglas County. HSC represents a joint effort of multiple community organizations that began as a grant-funded program through Family Promise of Lawrence after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The mission: preventing homelessness, eviction and loss of utilities while helping navigate community resources. That process can feel overwhelming to [...]

New Lawrence Police Chief Making Policy Changes

info2022-03-29T23:33:25-05:00March 29th, 2022|

The Police Chief in Lawrence since January, Rich Lockhart, has made a couple of policy changes for the department. Lockhart says that he met with several community members and groups with concerns related to the police department. He says that national news coverage brought many questions and comments surrounding the department’s approach to chokeholds and no-knock warrants. Lockhart says no-knock search warrants do not place the value of human life as a priority, and are dangerous to all involved. Even though chokeholds and no-knock warrants were not a practice of the Lawrence Police Department, these tactics are now banned. Source: WIBW [...]