News – Page 1419 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Lawrence City Commission expresses interest in making outdoor dining setup a permanent option downtown

info2021-06-02T08:20:37-05:00June 2nd, 2021|

The patio and outdoor dining areas constructed in parking stalls downtown during the coronavirus pandemic could be allowed to stay. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted unanimously to direct city staff to develop a proposal for a long-term version of the now temporary right-of-way or “parklet” program. The program has allowed downtown businesses to repurpose sidewalks and parking stalls directly in front of their storefronts for outdoor dining or other uses. Source: LJWorld.com.

Municipal Bond Trends for June 1, 2021

info2021-06-02T08:18:25-05:00June 2nd, 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.

Parsons downtown pocket park dedicated

info2021-06-02T08:14:30-05:00June 2nd, 2021|

Dozens of people gathered at noon Friday for the dedication of the new downtown pocket park, an example of what can be done when “cooperation supersedes everything else.” The pocket park, called The Gathering Place, is a result of fundraiser efforts led by Rod and Karen Landrum through the Southeast Kansas Point of Pride, a civic group dedicated to the beautification of the Parsons area. Landrum received permission from the Parsons City Commission to build the park on the vacant lot on the south side of the 1800 block of Main Street. The lot is the former location of the Parsons [...]

Lenexa will start reimbursing homeowners up to 50% for exterior improvements

info2021-06-02T08:14:55-05:00June 2nd, 2021|

Lenexa has expanded its home revitalization grant program to include more aging neighborhoods citywide. The revamped program, recently renamed the Exterior Grant Program, now allows homeowners to apply for up to 50% reimbursement on exterior improvements, so long as their homes were built in or before 1987, and appraised by the county at $315,000 or less. The program is designed to help owners of older homes to reinvest in their properties. Angel Whitaker, community standards supervisor for the city of Lenexa, said the city’s neighborhood revitalization grant program was established about 15 years ago and has been underutilized. Source: Shawnee Mission [...]

Lenexa tests the waters for future aquatics investments

info2021-06-02T08:15:31-05:00June 2nd, 2021|

After several years of professional evaluation and public engagement, Lenexa’s Parks & Recreation Department is wrapping up a study about the future of the City’s aging outdoor public pools. Aquatics Study findings will guide City leadership on how to invest in a sustainable aquatics system that best serves our growing community. Phase 1 of the study, completed in 2019, looked at population and market analyses, existing facility conditions and possible modernization strategies. Phase 2, which is coming to a close, engaged the public in learning about the City of Lenexa’s outdoor pool challenges. It also explored community preferences and priorities for aquatic [...]

Your local swimming pool could cut its hours because kids aren’t taking lifeguard jobs

info2021-06-02T08:16:31-05:00June 2nd, 2021|

During a normal year, Brian Hill doesn’t have much trouble hiring enough lifeguards to staff Wichita’s six public swimming pools. Not in this pandemic year. “Usually I’m about 80% staffed by February,” said Hill, Wichita’s aquatics director. “This year, I was about 10% staffed.” Lifeguarding took a hit last summer, when the COVID-19 pandemic closed most gyms, water parks and community pools. High school and college students who would normally work as guards took the summer off or found other jobs. Training classes were cancelled. So were junior lifeguard programs for 11- to 14-year-olds. “That’s our pipeline,” Hill said. “In a [...]

Wichita approves outdoor dining, sidewalk sales on public property another 5 years

info2021-06-02T08:16:53-05:00June 2nd, 2021|

Pandemic restrictions are gone, but businesses will still be allowed to use city property rent-free for outdoor dining and sidewalk sales for another five years. The Wichita City Council on Tuesday unanimously granted the extension for the plan known as Open Air ICT. It started as an emergency measure during the COVID-19 pandemic and allows businesses to use public sidewalks, on-street parking and other controlled areas for outdoor food service or merchandise sales on a daily basis, as long as they don’t block traffic too much. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Kansas’ new prize raffle to incentivize COVID-19 tests and vaccines

info2021-06-02T08:17:22-05:00June 1st, 2021|

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced Tuesday that Kansans could get prizes for getting their COVID-19 vaccines. The incentive called "Race to End COVID-19" offers a raffle drawing for prizes and a two-lap trip around the Kansas Speedway track. Anyone interested in entering can do so "by getting a free COVID-19 saliva test and/or vaccine administered by the University of Kansas Health System and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment." Source: KSN-TV

Douglas County Sheriff’s office provides details on drone program; drone has been deployed 46 times so far

info2021-06-01T10:01:01-05:00June 1st, 2021|

Sheriff Jay Armbrister says he realizes the idea of a law enforcement agency operating a drone over the skies of Douglas County could make people uncomfortable, and he says that’s why the sheriff’s office is trying to be upfront about its drone program and how it’s being used. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office began the program in December and has since used the drone 46 times, including to help catch a fleeing suspect, document the scenes of traffic accidents and aid in fire-fighting strategy, Armbrister said. He told the Journal-World that his office knows the public can view a drone as [...]

Lawrence City Commission to discuss making outdoor dining setup a permanent option downtown

info2021-06-01T10:00:24-05:00June 1st, 2021|

City leaders will soon discuss whether to eventually end a program created at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic that has allowed restaurants to expand their outdoor dining into parking stalls or to consider making the program permanent. In June 2020, the city created a temporary right-of-way or “parklet” program that has allowed downtown businesses to repurpose sidewalks and parking stalls directly in front of their storefronts for outdoor dining and other uses. The program was initially set to expire after four months, but as the pandemic persisted the commission later extended the program through the end of this year. Source: [...]