News – Page 1254 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

26 Johnson County elected officials sign letter urging county to ‘end the mask mandate for all children’

info2021-12-14T06:54:06-06:00December 13th, 2021|

A letter signed by 26 elected leaders in Johnson County urges the Board of County Commissioners to end the county’s current public health order requiring masks in schools serving younger students. The letter, which bears the title “Locally Elected Working Together Advocating for Johnson County Children and Families,” was sent to commissioners last week. Its signatories include several Republican state lawmakers, including Sen. Mike Thompson of Shawnee and Sen. Kellie Warren of Leawood, along with Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden. Source: KCUR News

Abandoned building fires causing concern for Topeka Fire Department

info2021-12-14T06:54:27-06:00December 13th, 2021|

Early Monday morning the Topeka Fire Department responded to a building fire believed to have been set intentionally. The estimated damage? $0. That’s because this isn’t the first, second, or third time this building has caught fire this year. According to the TFD, the abandoned house at 1600 SW Clay Street has caught fire four times since July. This time of year is already rough for fire departments. “I don’t want to say when winter hits we get more arsons involving vacant structures, but we do get more fires involving structures in general house fires, commercial fires, everything,” Topeka Fire Public [...]

Masks required for visitors at City of Topeka buildings effective Dec. 14

info2021-12-13T23:11:03-06:00December 13th, 2021|

If you are going to visit a city of Topeka building beginning Tuesday, Dec. 14 you will be required to wear a mask. According to a city official, "this decision was made as a result of the increased community spread of COVID-19 in Shawnee County." The mask requirement will include those visiting Municipal Court. The Shawnee County Health Department reported, as of Friday, Dec. 9, there are 986 people in isolation and 70 Shawnee County residents currently hospitalized. There is currently only one cluster in Shawnee County: Rossville School district 321 is reporting 17 cases in the last 14 days. The [...]

As Johnson County solar farm plan faces opposition, proposed regulations get more restrictive

info2021-12-14T06:55:38-06:00December 13th, 2021|

Because solar utilities are new to the area, Johnson County currently has no regulations on the books governing solar farms. That includes rules for things like setbacks, landscaping, size and decommissioning of the panels once their useful life is over. After the West Gardner Solar Project emerged, what followed were weeks of meetings with a consultant poring over how other counties have done it, plus more time hearing from landowners, officials of nearby cities and the developer. Source: Prairie Village Post

City manager wants to privatize Wichita’s golf courses with Illinois management company, parks board puts it on hold

info2021-12-14T06:56:06-06:00December 13th, 2021|

It's no secret that Wichita is a big golfing community. "I play 200 rounds of golf a year in the public courses," said Dale Goter. But now, the future of our public courses is now hanging in the balance. "The bottom line is we want to improve the golf experience for our golfers. And so we want to do, we want to have the best courses that we can have," said City Manager Robert Layton. Source: KAKE - News

Wyandotte County launches program to reduce strain on emergency services

info2021-12-14T06:59:06-06:00December 13th, 2021|

A new program in Wyandotte County, Kansas, is working to reduce the strain on the health care system. ... WYCO Care Connection is bringing non-emergency care right to people’s homes. “When we talk about people who frequently use 911 calls or emergency rooms, we're talking about hundreds of times a year,” said Patrick Sallee, President and CEO of Vibrant Health in Kansas City, Kansas. Those patients are the reason behind the new WYCO Care Connection program, to help people who frequently rely on emergency services because they don't know where else to turn. “Some of it is other social services and [...]

‘A good heart for everything’: Colleagues celebrates longtime Emporia city manager’s retirement

info2021-12-13T19:56:48-06:00December 13th, 2021|

One thing is certain. Mark McAnarney will never break his arm because he was patting himself on the back. Instead he gives praise to the people around him who had the city’s best interests at heart. McAnarney retired this month as Emporia city manager, after almost nine years on the job. He and his wife, Amy, had moved in July 1989 from Great Bend to Emporia, where they planted their family’s roots. Son Matt, was born in November, about four months after the couple arrived here, and a second son, Josh, was born about eight years later. “It was important to [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for December 10, 2021

info2021-12-13T07:02:29-06:00December 13th, 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.

Property nuisance questions rise again

info2021-12-13T01:08:51-06:00December 13th, 2021|

A recent request of the Cowley County Commission by a landowner has brought to light the ongoing issue of nuisance properties and what the county can and can’t do about them. Brett and Lisa Gottlob, of Georgetown, Texas, formerly of Arkansas City, purchased 10 acres in the county next to a two-and-a-half acre lot owned by Mitchell and Kristen Barton. Gottlob approached the Cowley County Board of Health and complained about the adjoining property as a nuisance with all kinds of unsightly messes on it. He included photos of his findings, which showed a discarded blue school bus, metal pieces strewn [...]

Ark City campaigns against stormwater pollution

info2021-12-13T06:59:30-06:00December 13th, 2021|

The City of Arkansas City is renewing an effort this autumn to raise citizen awareness of the dangers of stormwater pollution and help to prevent it entirely. As part of this campaign, citizens are reminded that loose leaves, brush, and tree trimmings are best disposed of at the F Street Limb Disposal and Compost Site. They should never be placed in the trash. ... Alternatively, residents can hire one of several local contractors to perform this disposal service for them. This stormwater pollution prevention campaign is being directed by the Public Services Department. Source: Cowley CourierTraveler