News – Page 1247 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Supreme Court urged to sidestep ‘dark store’ debate

info2021-12-22T07:58:57-06:00December 22nd, 2021|

The Kansas Supreme Court is being asked not to take to take up the “dark store” debate and review whether Johnson County overvalued 11 big-box retail stores. Retailers Walmart and Sam’s Clubs say the county hasn’t advanced any credible argument for why the court should review a Court of Appeals decision that found the county incorrectly appraised the properties. “Appellants petition for review is the final effort in a years-long attempt to cause the judiciary to overturn longstanding Kansas law,” the retailers argue in their brief to the Kansas Supreme Court. The Kansas Court of Appeals recently upheld a decision by [...]

Junction City residents without water for days because of water plant mishap

info2021-12-22T07:59:33-06:00December 22nd, 2021|

Residents across Junction City didn’t have water for days after the storm Wednesday because an employee at the city’s water plant forgot to turn off the values, flooding the basement with 600,000 gallons of water, Junction City’s city manager said. Allen Dinkel, city manager, said the city government contracts with Veolia Water, a corporate firm that has worked with the city for 30 or more years. The city government owns the plant, and Veolia Water operates the plant. Dinkel said the water plant on North Jackson Street lost power Wednesday night, and the generator at the plant was operating well. Around [...]

Cities get in line for opioid funds

info2021-12-21T07:38:51-06:00December 21st, 2021|

Kansas is one of at least 40 states that will be eligible to receive money from a settlement targeting the producers and distributors of prescription drugs as early as 2022. The idea behind the settlement is that government entities have been forced to spend money dealing with the opioid crisis. Many of those costs have been incurred by local EMS police and fire departments responding to overdoses or opioid-related situations. This settlement will provide some reimbursement for such costs. Bel Aire, Park City and Kechi have signed up to receive a portion of the settlement. Source: Ark Valley News

Parsons pit bull ban to expire Jan. 20

info2021-12-21T07:36:33-06:00December 21st, 2021|

Parsons will do away with its pit bull ban on Jan. 20. City commissioners Monday voted 3-1 to approve nixing the ordinance that bans pit bulls in the city limits of Parsons. ... In November, the commission unanimously approved removing the section of the city’s animal ordinance that states pit bull dogs are prohibited. Under the current ordinance, Staffordshire bull terriers, American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers or a combination of these breeds are considered pit bulls. The city banned pit bulls in 1997. Source: Parsons Sun

Cities eye downtown housing

info2021-12-21T04:22:40-06:00December 21st, 2021|

A tax incentive meant to encourage downtown housing is before Arkansas City commissioners today and is also on the minds of city officials in Winfield. Principal Planner Josh White said the city is looking into Rural Housing Incentive District, which would assist developers with the cost of making building renovations to creating upper floor housing. A RHID is a special taxing district that allows tax revenue generated inside that district to be earmarked for improvements. Building owners could apply for those funds to help bankroll renovations toward housing. Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Wichitans react to USPS telling them to install mailboxes

info2021-12-21T04:21:39-06:00December 21st, 2021|

Some Wichitans have recently received white flags in their yard and letters from the U.S. Postal Service. The letters say they need to install a mailbox or sign up for a P.O. Box in order to keep receiving their mail. USPS says the reason is that loose dogs put USPS employees in danger. Source: KSN-TV

Municipal Bond Trends for December 20, 2021

info2021-12-21T04:15:07-06:00December 21st, 2021|

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.

Derby receives safety award from KDOL

info2021-12-21T04:14:14-06:00December 21st, 2021|

The city of Derby recently received the SHAPE (Safety and Health Award for Public Employees) award from the Kansas Department of Labor, which recognizes public entities with outstanding safety records and cultures. “We are proud of our organization for its dedication to the safety and health of our employees,” said Mayor Randy White. “Not many entities have received this award, and we are happy to see Derby’s name on the list.” Source: Derby Informer | News

SPARK executive board earmarks $154 million for Kansas economic development, education

info2021-12-21T04:13:04-06:00December 21st, 2021|

The SPARK executive board of state officials and business advisers agreed to move ahead Monday with allocation of federal funding for $100 million in commercial building infrastructure projects and $50 million in direct aid to children enduring educational setbacks in the COVID-19 pandemic. The idea proposed by Lt. Gov. David Toland to the seven-member executive board featured development of grants to businesses and communities for expansion of building infrastructure capable of attracting or retaining jobs in Kansas. In addition, Toland said the goal would be to provide a $1,000 voucher to low-income, high-need students particularly affected by loss of educational opportunities [...]

Iola Public Library’s new program inspires learning

info2021-12-21T04:11:55-06:00December 21st, 2021|

Then Iola Public Library’s new initiative aims to help toddlers grow into well-rounded individuals and prevent child abuse and neglect. Playing with a child is an involved process — you just don’t realize it. But peel back the layers and you see the building blocks for emotional stability being laid and verbal and motor skills being expanded. Add reading into the mix and the learning opportunities grow. Put this all together into a safe place like a public library, and the potential for it becoming a movement starts to happen. All this is behind Iola Public Library’s new initiative, “Early Literacy [...]