News – Page 1395 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Commission approves pay raises for Shawnee County leaders

info2021-07-02T00:13:20-05:00July 2nd, 2021|

Shawnee County leaders are getting pay raises. The Board of County Commissioners voted to approve the increases at their meeting Thursday morning. Nine elected officials received a pay increase. That includes: district attorney, sheriff, election commissioner, county clerk, register of deeds, county treasurer, county commission chair, and two county commissioners. Commissioners said they use standards to determine raises. They look at other county salaries, performance, and payment over the next person in charge in the office. "We're trying to stay within market, we're trying to make sure that we're able to attract and keep the key members of our team," Commission [...]

Live music has been absent from Eskridge’s bandstand for years. That will change July 10 with a celebration.

info2021-07-01T08:14:06-05:00July 1st, 2021|

Eskridge Park's bandstand in its prime was a place for the community to gather and listen to live music. When the bandstand was constructed in the early 1900s, it was the park's prominent feature. But for many years, the bandstand was in disrepair. Until now. The Eskridge Park Foundation recently finished refurbishing the bandstand, and the structure will be rededicated later this month. The free event will feature musicians after several years of no live music in the bandstand. Source: CJonline.com.

Municipal Bond Trends for June 30, 2021

info2021-07-01T08:07:35-05:00July 1st, 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.

Area’s housing costs remain less than other states

info2021-06-30T23:44:54-05:00June 30th, 2021|

There’s a growing gap here and nationwide between income levels and the median house price but, despite that, the region and state remain an affordable place to buy a house, say local housing professionals. A recent study by QuoteWizard, a division of the Lending Tree LLC mortgage company, found that in Kansas the median income increased by 24.17 percent since 2012, but that the median home price increased by 44.58 percent during that same time. That led to a difference between wage increases and housing costs of $109,966. Not good – but the good news is that it’s not as bad [...]

Broadband internet is the new electricity: The expansion of broadband to U.S. homes in focus

info2021-06-30T23:39:27-05:00June 30th, 2021|

“Generations ago, the federal government recognized that without affordable access to electricity, Americans couldn’t fully participate in modern society and the modern economy. Broadband internet is the new electricity," said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "It is necessary for Americans to do their jobs, to participate equally in school learning, health care, and to stay connected,” Vilsack said last week during a group announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Telecommunications, and Information Administration. The three groups have entered an interagency agreement to coordinate the distribution of broadband deployment federal funds. In accordance with [...]

Mission dog park plan at Broadmoor Park prompts tense debate among residents

info2021-07-01T08:05:36-05:00June 30th, 2021|

The city of Mission is in the midst of a conceptual redesign for Broadmoor Park — and a one-acre dog park included in the plans is sparking debate. At a public meeting Tuesday night about the park’s future, residents got into a tense back and forth about the proposed dog park, which is something the city and some residents have been working to bring to Mission for nearly seven years. ... some residents expressed concern about the proximity of a dog park near a playground with children, as well as worries about the need for maintenance, the potential for noise with increased [...]

Kansas City’s housing crisis forced this couple into Overland Park hotel — and it’s only getting worse

info2021-07-01T08:05:59-05:00June 30th, 2021|

Night after night, Stephanie Murray sits up late in a recliner, searching the internet for help. It’s not her recliner; just one in an Extended Stay America hotel in Overland Park, Kansas. Murray, her husband and two dogs have lived there for 17 months. At $56.72 a day, she needs charitable assistance to pay the room bill. She also needs help finding an apartment that will accept the federal housing voucher she recently received after a five-year wait. “I’m 56 years old, and I feel like I’m 106,” Murray says. The pandemic didn’t introduce housing insecurity into Murray’s life. She’s struggled [...]

Scatter cemetery planned at edge of city limits

info2021-06-30T23:32:38-05:00June 30th, 2021|

Reviewing a conditional use permit for a scatter cemetery near the 79th Street South/127th Street East intersection (east of Derby), the Derby Planning Commission took action to allow the special use at its June meeting. The cemetery would be located at the northwest corner of the intersection, along the northern and western edges of a 40-acre tract land. The cemetery itself would take up roughly five acres of the tract owned by the Sunflower Land Trust. While the land in question is part of Sedgwick County, it falls in Derby’s area of influence, triggering the review by the planning commission. Source: [...]

RCPD, county and city commissioners cut ribbon on new firing range

info2021-07-01T08:06:24-05:00June 30th, 2021|

The director of the Riley County Police Department said he has never fired his weapon in the line of duty in more than 40 years on the job. “For most police officers, that’s the norm,” RCPD director Dennis Butler said, adding knowing when not to shoot is one of the points of the department’s new gun range. Butler made the remark while standing in the new RCPD firing range Wednesday. The police department, along with Riley County and Manhattan city commissioners, held an open house to welcome people to view the new range and take tours of the facility. About 30 [...]

New opportunities for the aerospace industry are taking flight in Wichita

info2021-06-30T23:28:14-05:00June 30th, 2021|

New opportunities for the aerospace industry are taking flight in Wichita. On Wednesday, Kansas Senator Jerry Moran toured several facilities with a company that could make a big impact on the economy. Owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the company Blue Origin is an innovative aerospace manufacturer that builds reusable launch vehicles, rocket engines, and is a significant partner with the United States in its efforts to remain a leader in the space domain. The company manufactures New Shepard, a rocket you’ll see take off and go to space on July 20. Blue Origin CEO, Dr. Bob Smith, toured several Wichita [...]