News – Page 1166 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Hesston Tornado remembered 32 years later

info2022-03-14T23:50:58-05:00March 14th, 2022|

For some the Hesston/Burrton tornado seems like it wasn't 32 years ago. The memories are still fresh on their minds. "When we found damage around Burrton from first responders that's when it hit me, this could get worse," said Ron Hoffman. Hoffman, who is retired, was 9-1-1 director in Harvey county the day the F-5 tornado hit. "It brings back memories. But good memories, too," said Hoffman. "The response and professionalism of everyone involved is what I remember. The agencies that responded. The volunteers that came in after." Source: KSN-TV

Merriam hopes $500K approved by Congress will ‘kickstart’ work to solve Turkey Creek flooding issues downtown

info2022-03-15T08:48:04-05:00March 14th, 2022|

Congress has sent a $1.5 trillion omnibus appropriations package to President Joe Biden’s desk that includes $500,000 in federal funding for a design and analysis project to remove downtown Merriam from the Turkey Creek floodplain. Turkey Creek runs along downtown Merriam and frequently floods, discouraging investment in new and existing businesses, city officials have long complained. The $500,000 included in the massive omnibus spending bill will go specifically toward a design and analysis project conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Source: Prairie Village Post

Riley County expresses interest in cost-share project for paving Wildcat Creek Road

info2022-03-15T08:48:43-05:00March 14th, 2022|

Riley County commissioners on Monday indicated their interest in working with the Manhattan city government to improve Wildcat Creek Road. Brian Johnson, city engineer for the Manhattan city government, asked the county commission if it would be interested in a cost-share project to pave the road, which is currently gravel. Johnson said the intent is to pave Wildcat Creek Road from Scenic Drive to the Wildcat Creek bridge. The county government would be responsible for the portion from the city limit to the bridge. Johnson said the cost-share would be a 55/45 split, with the county responsible for 55% of the [...]

New community violence dashboard launched in WYCO

info2022-03-15T08:49:06-05:00March 14th, 2022|

A new community violence dashboard has been launched by the Unified Government Health Department. The dashboard provides statistics about patterns of ongoing community violence in Wyandotte County, along with information about resources available for victims of violence and those who want to help lower incidents of violence in the community, according to a spokesman. Source: Wyandotte Daily

One in six Kansas teachers say they may leave public education early, adding to staffing fears

info2022-03-14T15:42:15-05:00March 14th, 2022|

About one in six Kansas teachers feel they're likely to leave public education before retiring, according to a statewide survey of 20,000 teachers. The Kansas Educator Engagement and Retention Study, conducted by Emporia State University Teachers Collège professor Bret Church and independent organizational psychologist Luke Simmering, also found that one in seven teachers feel likely to retire in the next three years. The survey's report adds a layer to other Kansas data that shows the state's schools are facing a staffing crunch. Teacher vacancies, including jobs filled with teachers not fully licensed for those positions, rose 62% to 1,253 vacancies in [...]

Residential appraisal spike concerns

info2022-03-14T15:39:37-05:00March 14th, 2022|

Appraisal values rose by an average of about 13.5% per residential property in Shawnee County. That concerns Topeka City Councilman Tony Emerson. “This is something that really affects my constituents,” Emerson told The Capital-Journal this past week. “People can’t afford to pay more and more taxes year after year.” The new appraisal values — or revised versions of those values, if residents successfully appeal them — will be paired with mill levy levels local taxing entities set when they adopt 2023 budgets later this year to calculate the property tax bills for which Shawnee County residents will pay the first half [...]

Parade of Quilts returns to downtown Yoder

info2022-03-14T15:38:28-05:00March 14th, 2022|

The 22nd Annual Parade of Quilts is on display for the month of March, featuring about 90 original, hand-stitched quilts made in a variety of patterns, colors and sizes. “People enjoy looking at the quilts, (there is a) nice variety of colors and patterns,” said Linda Miller, Parade of Quilts coordinator. “We think it is a fun event for the community, and it draws people in to Yoder.” The patterns range from traditional to modern and include lone star, log cabin, starburst and bargello. There are also unique wedding ring traditional patterns, but one of the most popular ones is the [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for March 11, 2022

info2022-03-14T09:36:54-05:00March 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.

Harvey County to end recycling program May 1

info2022-03-14T09:33:13-05:00March 14th, 2022|

The Board of Harvey County Commissioners eliminated the county’s recycling program Tuesday morning on a 3-0 vote. The change will take effect May 1. County Administrator Anthony Swartzendruber presented commissioners with additional fee structures that would be more affordable for those choosing to recycle. The suggested fees cost $12 for residents to bring in 100 pounds or fewer of recyclables and $36 for up to 300 pounds. Under the first proposal presented to commissioners last week, residents would have had to pay $48 for up to 500 pounds. Commissioner Randy Hague asked if the county would hold off on purchasing any [...]

Construction superintendent dies after on-the-job injury at Wichita’s new water plant

info2022-03-14T09:33:25-05:00March 14th, 2022|

Work has been suspended at the Wichita Northwest Water Treatment Facility after a superintendent for one of the companies building the new water plant was fatally injured on the job. Family members have identified the man as 55-year-old Manuel Esparza, of Wichita, a superintendent for UCI Industrial Construction Services, a subcontractor on the Wichita Water Partners team hired by the city of Wichita. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has opened an investigation into Esparza’s death, city officials confirmed Friday. Neither the city nor Wichita Water Partners — a joint-venture headed by Missouri companies Burns & McDonnell and Alberici — [...]