News – Page 1493 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Parsons Police Department gains K-9 officer

info2021-03-04T07:06:31-06:00March 3rd, 2021|

The Parsons Police Department is going to the dogs, but in this case - that saying is a good thing. Robert Spinks, Parsons Police Chief, said, "That's the key thing in rural Kansas, we have to work together or we just are not effective." And to do this, the Parsons Police Department has been working on a very special project for over 20 years. On Monday night, it finally came together. "This is exciting for our department, we received approval last night from our city commission to purchase our first canine." Source: KSNF/KODE

Parsons PD receives award for 5th year in a row

info2021-03-04T07:07:09-06:00March 3rd, 2021|

A Southeast Kansas Police Department has been recognized - again - for keeping its city safe. And it's more good news for the Parsons Police Department. It's earned the Platinum Award for traffic safety from AAA. This year, the award has only gone to 43 out of the 350 law enforcement agencies in the state of Kansas. The one for Parsons is thanks, in part, to the road and traffic safety programs the department runs year-round. Jordan Tomlinson, Parsons Police Department Corporal, said, "We also do programs to educate teen drivers and even adult drivers about the consequences of distracted driving [...]

Study: City, county lack cheaper family housing

info2021-03-03T08:18:12-06:00March 3rd, 2021|

The Garden City and Finney County commissions took a close look at housing needs during Monday’s joint meeting. Carol Davidson, Neighborhood Development Services director, gave an update on the Rural Housing Incentive District and the housing needs assessment study, or CHAT, that was completed. Davidson said the housing study tells where the housing needs are and how many homes are supposed to be built each year to keep up with demand. As of 2019, the total need is 1,200 homes for the next 10 years, so 120 need to be built each year. Source: Garden City Telegram

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Main Street Program Additions

info2021-03-03T08:11:52-06:00March 3rd, 2021|

Governor Laura Kelly announced the selection of Atchison, Baldwin City, and Junction City as the newest members of the Kansas Main Street program, bringing the total number of designated Main Street communities in Kansas to 28. These three communities are the first new additions to the state’s Main Street program since its reintroduction in Kansas in 2019. “To aid our economic recovery from COVID-19, we must provide every Kansas community with the resources needed to prosper now and into the future,” Governor Kelly said. “The Main Street program is a key tool for future growth and economic development, and I am glad [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for March 2, 2021

info2021-03-03T08:10:21-06:00March 3rd, 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.

Pott. County discusses St. George comprehensive plan

info2021-03-03T08:02:44-06:00March 2nd, 2021|

Leroy Bailey, Pottawatomie County resident, expressed concern to the county commission Monday over the City of Saint George’s comprehensive plan. He says he is concerned that the plan is going to change zoning designations and increase certain costs. “It looks like a fair plan,” Bailey said. “However, we worry about a thing called taxation. What’s it going to do to us? Is it going to jack our taxes up?” Stephan Metzger, county planner, explained that the plan will not change zoning or increase taxes. He also explained that the plan will not tell land owners what to do with their property. [...]

Atchison to sell Wilburn Park to potential ‘Family Fun Center’ Developer

info2021-03-03T08:03:57-06:00March 2nd, 2021|

City Commissioners, in their duties as Landbank Commissioners, unanimously approved the sale of Walt Wilburn Park to Franklin Family Enterprises, LLC for $20,000 on Monday as the potential future site of a “family fun center.” ... Derek Franklin, who applied to buy the property and was at the meeting representing Franklin Family Enterprises, told commissioners and other concerned residents in attendance that there was not a certain timeline for the potential facility, but that the purchase of the property was the first step in the process. The application said there could be about a 6,000 square-foot building constructed as part of [...]

Wichita gets outside help with new ethics policy

info2021-03-03T08:07:27-06:00March 2nd, 2021|

After a mayoral election filled with scandal and dirty politics, the City of Wichita decided it was time to put some teeth into its ethics policy. Tuesday, more than a year into the process and after some fireworks, the city council got some help with that from the National League of Cities. “I think it certainly helps when you can look at best practices done in other communities,” said councilman Bryan Frye. The league’s review suggested tweaks but no major changes to what the council members have come up with. “I liked that they were looking at really in the details [...]

Lawrence City Commission to consider repealing requirement for many top city officials to live in Lawrence

info2021-03-02T07:26:31-06:00March 2nd, 2021|

City leaders will soon decide whether to repeal residency rules that require many of the city’s top officials to live in Lawrence, potentially maintaining the requirement only for one position. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider repealing the residency requirements for all city employees except the city manager, effectively allowing employees in about a dozen high-level positions to live elsewhere. City staff are recommending the changes in part to help the city attract more qualified and diverse candidates for the upcoming recruitment for several department director positions, according to a city staff memo to the [...]

‘A deeper look’: Lawrence Police Department installs new software for tracking complaints against officers, use of force

info2021-03-02T07:25:49-06:00March 2nd, 2021|

In the near future, if a Lawrence police officer uses a taser, firearm or other form of force a during a certain period of time — such as three times in six months — the Lawrence Police Department will be able to automatically flag those incidents to be further reviewed. That would be an increase in oversight over such instances for the department and is how LPD plans to use a new software program installed earlier this month. Source: LJWorld.com.