News – Page 1191 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Chetopa hires extra assistance for snow removal

info2022-02-18T08:13:47-06:00February 17th, 2022|

Ahead of the winter storms that dropped inches of snow in Labette County earlier this month, the Chetopa City Council on Feb. 1 gave approval to hire extra help for snow removal. The council approved a contract with Anthony Conard on an as needed basis to remove snow for the city at a rate of $80 per hour. The city will contact Conard if it needs help with snow removal when weather warrants it. The city council also agreed to pay city employees a maximum of up to five days for work-related exposure or a positive COVID-19 test. Source: Parsons Sun

Study: America’s economy has seen talent ‘shift’ to heartland over the last decade

info2022-02-17T22:34:27-06:00February 17th, 2022|

America’s economy has seen a "shift" in workforce talent from coastal cities to the country's heartland over the last decade, according to a new study. The study, conducted by Heartland Forward, a think tank with a focus on economic renewal, analyzed more than 350 metropolitan areas across the country and measured each metro area’s workforce by two metrics: educational attainment and the number of workers in creative occupations. Heartland’s study found a marked shift in talent between 2010 and 2019 away from traditional talent hubs such as New York City and San Francisco toward states such as Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas. [...]

KwiKom wants to bring broadband to Paola

info2022-02-17T22:29:10-06:00February 17th, 2022|

Faster and more reliable internet for residents and businesses in northern Paola soon could be available if the city and KwiKom Communications are able to obtain a state grant. Paola City Council members received an update on the plan during their Feb. 8 meeting. Acting Interim City Manager Randi Shannon said KwiKom Communications has identified Paola as an ideal community for the Kansas Office of Broadband Development Acceleration Grant. The 50-50 state grant also allows for up to a 50 percent co-investment of the matching funding. Therefore, KwiKom asked the city of Paola for a co-investment commitment of $250,000, which is [...]

Merriam moves ahead with plan to redesign key downtown corridor

info2022-02-18T08:14:50-06:00February 17th, 2022|

The city of Merriam approved a nearly $450,000 design contract with BHC Engineering for work along Merriam Drive in downtown, from Johnson Drive to 55th Street. ... The design scope includes the portion of Merriam Drive from Johnson Drive to 55th Street, which runs directly through the city’s downtown area. While this is simply the design contract, the final project when completed aims to bring new curb and gutters, sidewalks, pavement and bike lanes to that stretch. Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Municipal Bond Trends for February 16, 2022

info2022-02-17T10:20:12-06:00February 17th, 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.

A few Kansas jails are finally allowing medical care for opioid addiction

info2022-02-17T00:08:10-06:00February 17th, 2022|

A recent decision to let people continue treatment for drug addiction while in the Sedgwick County Jail in Wichita reflects a significant shift in thinking at Kansas sheriffs’ offices that is gaining momentum. Sedgwick officials no longer take people off of their prescriptions for medications such as buprenorphine when booked into jail. No one keeps a tally of how many Kansas jails allow incarcerated people with opioid or alcohol addictions to receive the combination of medication and counseling that can help them. But nationally, only a fraction of jails do so, researchers say. Sedgwick’s joins at least a few other Kansas [...]

Minutes show Fed ready to raise rates, shrink balance sheet soon

info2022-02-17T00:04:40-06:00February 17th, 2022|

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday released the minutes from its Jan. 25-26 meeting. Following the meeting, the policymaking Federal Open Market Committee said it would not raise interest rates yet but strongly indicated a hike is on the way as soon as March. In addition, the committee set out procedures for how it will start unwinding its nearly $9 trillion balance sheet, which consists largely of bonds it has purchased in an effort to drive down rates and stimulate growth. Since the meeting, fresh inflation readings have shown prices rising at the fastest pace in 40 years. The Fed targets inflation [...]

City Council taking steps to address vacant properties in Topeka

info2022-02-17T00:02:46-06:00February 17th, 2022|

City officials are moving forward with taking action over those vacant properties around the city. With Tuesday's vote, the City of Topeka is adopting updated standards for building code enforcement. It is now in line with two sets of standards called the "International Energy Conservation Code" and the "International Existing Building Code". The vote comes as city officials are looking to address the number of vacant house fires in Topeka. Monday, a fire broke out at an abandoned home near 16th and Clay in Central Topeka. That fire marks 690 vacant or under renovated house fires in 20 years, according to [...]

Bill seeks to reduce excessive record fees

info2022-02-16T23:57:57-06:00February 16th, 2022|

A Kansas Senate panel considered Monday how best to proceed with amending the state’s open records act to increase transparency without triggering unintended consequences and placing an undue burden on municipalities. Senate Bill 386 would limit fees for copying and providing records, including the cost of staff time, under the Kansas Open Records Act to the lowest hourly rate of the person qualified to provide the records. The bill would also ensure no fee is charged if a search determines the record does not exist. It would also give the record custodian the discretion to waive any fee should it be [...]

Community health needs discussed

info2022-02-16T23:43:52-06:00February 16th, 2022|

A meeting was held Tuesday to discuss tactics and available resources for implementing the Community Health Improvement Plan, which is a list of the Cowley County’s most pressing needs paired with potential resources to address them. “We want to take all the insights, information and feedback and put it to use in the community,” said William Newton Hospital marketing director Sarah Johnson, who facilitated the Zoom discussion. The top community health needs, identified in earlier planning meetings, include behavioral/mental health, drug/substance abuse, suicide, poverty, affordable housing, child care, awareness of healthcare services, lack of health resources, obesity, preventative health and wellness, [...]