News – Page 1524 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Sedgwick County relaxing COVID-19 rules on restaurants, bars, stores and sports events

info2021-02-03T08:02:58-06:00February 2nd, 2021|

In a sign that things are getting better on the COVID front, Sedgwick County’s health officer is relaxing restrictions on bars and restaurants, stores, mass gatherings and sports. Dr. Garold Minns and County Counselor Mike Pepoon announced several changes to the county’s anti-COVID orders Tuesday, including: Relaxing the curfew on bars and restaurants from the current 11 p.m. closing time to midnight. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Sedgwick County Zoo completes its largest capital fundraising campaign

info2021-02-03T08:03:19-06:00February 2nd, 2021|

Sedgwick County Zoo officials said Tuesday it had completed its $15.1 million capital campaign that will pay for a new entryway and a new leopard exhibit. "All sectors of our community really came through for this effort," said Sheryl Wohlford, chairperson of the Zoological Society board. "Trying to raise funds during a global pandemic was certainly a daunting challenge. But this community loves the zoo and values the impact it has on our region and the mission it upholds. We are most grateful." It was the largest capital campaign in the zoo's 50-year history. Source: Wichita Business Journal

Pottawatomie County continues to see housing boom, rise in non-subdivision construction

info2021-02-03T08:03:41-06:00February 2nd, 2021|

It’s no secret that housing continues to boom in Pottawatomie County. New home builds in 2020 were relatively on pace with previous years, according to Planning and Zoning Administrator Stephan Metzger, with an uptick particularly in non-subdivision home construction. In 2020, 46 houses were built outside of subdivisions in the county, the highest total since at least 2000. Metzger says as urban sprawl continues, it’s important the county keep an eye out if it’s something they want to control. Source: 1350 KMAN

New city manager Jeremy Frazier sees opportunities for Fort Scott

info2021-02-03T08:13:43-06:00February 2nd, 2021|

Jeremy Frazier moved into city hall Monday as Fort Scott’s new city manager. Frazier makes his way to Fort Scott from Oklahoma, where he has lived most of his life, except for a few “short stints” in Maryland. ... He graduated from high school in a town similar to Fort Scott. "Fort Scott actually has more going for it,'' Frazier said. "In fact, a lot more going for it." ... "I think Fort Scott residents probably underestimate the amount of chances they have in their community," Frazier said. "I say that from my personal experience. I'm excited to see all the [...]

Shawnee considers creating citizen board to review bias complaints against police

info2021-02-03T08:13:58-06:00February 2nd, 2021|

The Shawnee Police Department is proposing to launch a new advisory board that would, among other things, look into complaints of officer bias. The proposed Community Advisory Board for Racial Profiling Review and Policy Development would focus on the following objectives for the Shawnee Police Department: advise and assist in policy development, education and community outreach, and communications related to the preemption and prohibition of racial and biased-based policing “In an effort to provide another means of transparency related to Police Department operations, the Board would be used to review and advise the Chief of Police regarding the investigation process and [...]

Johnson County residents looking for vaccine doses can check out Kansas’ Find My Vaccine Map

info2021-02-03T08:14:04-06:00February 2nd, 2021|

Johnson County residents looking for a way to get vaccinated now have another tool at their disposal: Kansas’ new Find My Vaccine Map. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s interactive map shows a list of COVID-19 vaccine providers who may be able to administer doses to eligible people in the first two phases of the statewide vaccination response. The new online tool from KDHE includes information on providers who are administering vaccines, broken into three categories: providers that have recently received a batch of vaccines, providers who have not received recent shipments and providers who are not publicly sharing their vaccine dose [...]

Sublette bond refinancing saves city money after receiving 5 very competitive bids

info2021-02-02T08:26:34-06:00February 2nd, 2021|

Yesterday, Sublette received competitive bond bids from 5 underwriters. The best bid nearly tripled the savings the city had been anticipating. Bid 1 Bid 2 Bid 3 Bid 4 Bid 5 1.0893% 0.8268% 1.0371% 0.8063% 0.8025% Contact the Municipal Bond Advisors at Ranson Financial Group to seek competitive bids on your next bond issue.

‘We need more nice stuff down south.’ Wichita to build $1.4 million park event center

info2021-02-02T08:17:07-06:00February 2nd, 2021|

South Wichita will soon have a new place for weddings, family parties and other gatherings. The City Council is poised to give final approval Tuesday to funding for a $1.4 million, four-season facility at O.J. Watson Park that will hold parties of about 100-120. “We need more nice stuff down south,” said Mayor Brandon Whipple, who lives in the area. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Some question Kansas’ system to appoint election officials

info2021-02-02T08:17:19-06:00February 2nd, 2021|

Some people are questioning a Kansas law that allows the secretary of state to appoint election commissioners in the state’s most-populated counties. The questions come after Secretary of State Scott Schwab fired Sedgwick County's election commissioner for accessing a voter database when working from home while undergoing treatment for cancer. Critics question why voters can’t choose the person who oversees elections in Sedgwick, Shawnee, Johnson and Wyandotte counties just as they do in 101 other counties in the state. Schwab’s spokeswoman Katie Koupal said the current system “maintains the delicate balance of protecting local election officials from potential conflicts of interest [...]

How this artistic pole at Lenexa City Hall could ‘inspire peace’ in 2021

info2021-02-02T08:17:27-06:00February 2nd, 2021|

After a tumultuous year marked by a global pandemic, civil unrest and social upheaval, artists are crafting messages of peace through a new community art project in Lenexa. The city is launching the Peace Pole Community Art Project Exhibit this month and is calling on artists to design a “peace pole” to inspire hope this year. The city has partnered with local rotary clubs and the Lenexa Arts Council to launch the project. Susanne Neely, recreation supervisor, said the project first came about when the Lenexa Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Western Johnson County approached the city with interest [...]