News – Page 1211 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Despite missing councilman, Johnson County mayor appoints new leader amid controversy

info2022-01-31T01:00:31-06:00January 31st, 2022|

The beleaguered Spring Hill City Council appointed a new member Thursday night over the objections of a councilman who has vanished from the public eye in a failed bid to thwart the move. New Councilman Chad Young was appointed after the council discovered a technicality allowing them to fill the seat, regardless of Councilman Steve Owen’s ongoing protest, as fallout from the mayoral election last fall continues to dog the small town. Source: KC Star Local News

Manhattan Levee upgrades to cost nearly $30 million

info2022-01-31T00:58:41-06:00January 31st, 2022|

The City of Manhattan and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are getting ready to start a nearly $30 million construction project to upgrade the Manhattan Levee. The levee system is 6.2 miles long and protects around 7,600 people and $1.2 billion worth of economic development. The project will raise around half of the levee up to three feet in some locations. However, Stormwater Compliance Engineer Bill Heatherman said some of the most important upgrades have nothing to do with height. "Many of the gate wells, which are the big concrete structures that allow us to control water in and out, [...]

Shortages in qualified police officers impact local departments

info2022-01-31T00:54:11-06:00January 31st, 2022|

Rural police departments in Kansas are feeling the pinch of staffing shortages. Many rural communities have found it difficult to find enough officers to keep a full roster of employees. According to the National Police Foundation, which conducted a national survey of police departments, the problem stretches across the country. Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers » Feed

Over 1,000 Wichita school workers out because of COVID-19

info2022-01-31T00:51:49-06:00January 31st, 2022|

More than 1,000 staff members in the state's largest school district are in quarantine because of COVID-19, but currently all Wichita schools are open. The Wichita Eagle reports that district records show that nearly 14% of the school district's staff — some 1,033 people — were off because of COVID-19 illnesses or exposure as of Friday. That is up from 912 and 646 in the previous two weeks. Earlier this month, the district had to temporarily close several schools, including one of its high schools, because of staff shortages as the highly contagious omicron variant of the virus spread, but at [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for January 28, 2022

info2022-01-30T20:46:28-06:00January 28th, 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.

Johnson County Charter Commission recommends no changes after fielding some hot-button proposals

info2022-01-28T08:27:34-06:00January 28th, 2022|

The Johnson County Charter Commission decided in a meeting Wednesday to wrap up its work next month leaving the county’s governing document pretty much as is. With their last votes on substantive issues, commissioners confirmed that no changes will be put on the ballot for voter approval, and there will not be any recommendations for the county commission to consider. The charter commission meets once a decade to decide whether the county’s foundational operating rules need fixing. Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Garden Plain hires first city administrator

info2022-01-28T08:26:46-06:00January 28th, 2022|

Brian Gartland has been selected as the City Administrator of City of Garden, Plain Kansas. Brian will serve as the City's inaugural administrator to lead the community through strategic growth. About his new role, Brian says, “Together we will continue to serve Garden Plain by increasing economic development and innovative efforts; and by transforming public services for all who live, work and play in our City.” Source: WSU Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs

These five large Johnson County projects could take center stage in 2022

info2022-01-28T08:21:29-06:00January 28th, 2022|

Although several coming downtown Kansas City developments might garner brighter spotlights, few can compare to the sheer magnitude of some coming down the pike across the state border — at least, if they deliver on the full mixes of uses touted at their inception. In 2022, builders are poised to kick off or advance construction on multiple expansive projects throughout Johnson County, some spanning hundreds of acres. Others could return to the negotiating table in their respective cities over substantive plan updates or new incentive requests. Source: Kansas City Business Journal

Efforts move to establish art district in Downtown Pittsburg

info2022-01-28T08:21:10-06:00January 28th, 2022|

The art scene has always been strong in the City of Pittsburg, exploding in recent years. Now a new movement is underway to use that art to develop the community. "Here recently we've had a wonderful movement of artists in the area. Really the groundwork has already been laid," said Christa Cunningham, Pittsburg Artwalk President. So at Monday's Downtown Advisory Board Meeting, Cunningham presented the idea to establish an arts district in Pittsburg. "The idea is to encompass our downtown area. That would be pretty much from the Farmer's Market Pavillion, and then south to Jolly Fox, west to the library, [...]

Oswego BOE selects new superintendent

info2022-01-28T08:19:34-06:00January 28th, 2022|

The USD 504 Oswego Board of Education announced this week the selection of Mitchell Shaw as the new superintendent. Shaw will begin as superintendent July 1 after the retirement of current Superintendent Douglas Beisel. Beisel’s retirement is effective June 30. Shaw holds three degrees from Pittsburg State University with a bachelor’s in political science, a master’s in leadership and an educational specialist degree to better qualify for district level management. Source: Parsons Sun