News – Page 1501 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Johnson County Park board rejects plan to mine underneath Big Bull Creek Park

info2021-02-24T07:10:37-06:00February 24th, 2021|

A proposal to mine limestone from beneath Big Bull Creek Park, Johnson County’s biggest public park, has been turned down by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s governing board. The eight-member park commission concluded the leasing proposal by Topeka-based Mid-States Materials would likely have a negative impact on Big Bull Creek Park in Edgerton, and it unanimously rejected the plan at its meeting Wednesday, Feb. 17. But the commission went further and approved a policy prohibiting surface or subsurface mining on any county park land. Source: Prairie Village Post

Michelle Hubbard named next superintendent for the Shawnee Mission School District

info2021-02-24T06:59:17-06:00February 24th, 2021|

Michelle Hubbard will be the next superintendent of the Shawnee Mission School District. The Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Hubbard Monday night. Hubbard is currently the district’s Deputy Superintendent and will take over for outgoing Superintendent Mike Fulton, who is retiring, in July. The board unanimously approved a three-year contract for Hubbard that will last through June 2024. No other terms of the contract were immediately released. Source: Prairie Village Post

Pittsburg’s February Storm Response

info2021-02-24T07:04:51-06:00February 24th, 2021|

The City of Pittsburg employees are part of a large network of local public employees who work diligently to provide many services. At the City, the majority of our resources are focused on public safety, including police, fire, water, wastewater, stormwater and streets. Last week was an unprecedented time for so many of us. Harsh temperatures, snow and ice, coupled with a loss of power, caused a strain on our families, businesses and our community. The stories of hardship across the country served as a reminder to me how fortunate we are to have such dedicated public servants working on our [...]

Neighborhoods come together to rescue chicken on the lam

info2021-02-24T06:59:01-06:00February 24th, 2021|

It all started Feb. 12 when a Riverside friend who sometimes helps with my pet chickens alerted me to a Facebook post. Lisa Aguilera, a hospice worker whose 96-year-old client, Betty Jane Qualls, lives in the Country Overlook neighborhood near College Hill, wrote a post about a chicken on the loose. The little black chicken with iridescent green feathers had been roaming a stretch of Belmont near Betty’s house for weeks. Betty, who asked Lisa about the chicken daily, was quite concerned with frigid temperatures and snow on the way. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

State and federal government weighing options as residents brace for higher energy bills

info2021-02-23T08:27:50-06:00February 23rd, 2021|

State and federal lawmakers are weighing their options to help residents who may see their electric bills increase sharply after energy shortages slammed the region last week during a historic cold front. A dramatic uptick in demand for energy throughout the Midwest and South saw utility companies institute rolling blackouts, with thousands of Kansans affected. The problem was most acute in Texas, where millions were without power and services were disrupted due to the severe cold. Source: Topeka Capital-Journal

Municipal Bond Trends for February 22, 2021

info2021-02-23T08:10:12-06:00February 23rd, 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.

Johnson County needs more affordable housing. Is converting these hotels an answer?

info2021-02-23T08:03:27-06:00February 22nd, 2021|

Developers in Johnson County have long said the costs of land and construction are too high for them to make much of a profit off more affordable apartments — a housing market the area sorely needs. But now a Utah-based firm has a solution, using existing buildings that are very similar to apartment buildings. The developer plans to convert two Overland Park hotels into apartments — with rental prices more attainable for middle-income workers who can’t afford most Johnson County housing. It’s not a new idea, but it is one that has grown in popularity across the country in recent years, especially [...]

Lenexa works to create more walkable, bikeable connections within residential areas

info2021-02-23T08:04:33-06:00February 22nd, 2021|

After more than an hour of discussion, the Lenexa City Council last week unanimously approved city code changes that call for wider sidewalks as well as trail connections between homes every 800 feet. The changes are a prompt from city staff to improve connectivity, ease of access and safety issues for bicyclists and pedestrians, as recommended by the city’s Complete Streets plan. The plan, which the city accepted in December 2019, is intended to guide development of pedestrian and cycling transportation channels through the city. Source: Prairie Village Post

Municipal bond yields increase as correction continues

info2021-02-23T08:06:14-06:00February 22nd, 2021|

Municipal bonds sold off by as much as 10 basis points outside of five years but triple-A benchmarks were cut across the curve as customer selling pressure increased again and investors are demanding more yield as economic data shows an improving economy and federal stimulus more likely. Trading to higher yields was swift out of the gates. Large blocks of high grades, such as Maryland, Georgia and Washington, traded as much as 20 basis points higher than prints from last week and double-digit higher than benchmark yields Monday. Source: The Bond Buyer

Coronavirus positivity rate in Sedgwick County still dropping

info2021-02-23T08:06:27-06:00February 22nd, 2021|

Good news. The positivity rate for COVID-19 is still declining. The rate is now down to below five-percent. Those numbers had been in the high teens. "Our trajectory is good," said the top doctor in the state, Dr. Lee Norman. "Cautiously optimistic we are really on the right path forward." In Sedgwick County on Monday the county manager said they will consider loosening restriction. County health leaders will take a look at that possibility. "But based on these numbers and based on how fast we're beginning to roll the vaccine," said Sedgwick County Manager Tom Stolz, "I think he (Dr. Garold [...]