News – Page 1586 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Convention centers, museums become classrooms amid pandemic

info2020-11-10T07:53:55-06:00November 9th, 2020|

In ordinary times, the airy convention center on a 61-acre site in Hesston, Kansas, hosts weddings, corporate retreats and church events. During the pandemic, it has become a schoolhouse for the district’s seventh- and eighth-graders. Megan Kohlman teaches literature and writing inside one of the rooms, separated from a math teacher’s space by only a plastic sheet. It’s hardly ideal, but for her it’s an upgrade from distance learning in the spring, when she juggled instruction with care of her own young children. “Everyone just really believes in the power of having kids with us as much as we can,” Kohlman [...]

Overland Park committee tables discussion on backyard hens

info2020-11-10T07:54:16-06:00November 9th, 2020|

Dreams of backyard hens in northern Overland Park didn’t completely die at last week’s Community Development Committee meeting. But changes that would open up the possibility of keeping chickens for people living on less than a three-acre lot may be a longer time coming, if at all. The city council committee members became deadlocked on whether to move forward with legal changes that could allow more chickens in the northern part of the city, where properties are smaller and interest is higher. The issue was lot size. The city currently regulates hens through its planning department. As it now stands, people [...]

Sabetha sees increased sales tax distributions

info2020-11-10T07:54:57-06:00November 9th, 2020|

Sabetha’s sales tax distributions are above last year’s distributions for October. This is according to the October County/City Local Sales Tax Distribution Report released by the Kansas Department of Revenue. The state issues these distributions two months after collection, so the October distribution is a reflection of August sales. Sabetha saw increased sales tax distributions in the month of October alone — with distributions of $46,321.74, a 12.2 percent increase from the $41,297.87 distributed in October 2019. Sabetha’s local sales tax rate is 1 percent. Source: Sabetha Herald

Independence announces Park and Zoo leadership changes

info2020-11-10T07:52:51-06:00November 9th, 2020|

Independence City Manager Kelly Passauer has announced staffing changes in the City’s Park, Zoo and Cemetery Department, in light of the pending retirement of Director Barb Beurskens. Angela Anthony has been named Park and Zoo Director and will join the City staff on November 16. Katie Southworth has been promoted to the role of Assistant Park and Zoo Director, under the City’s new reorganization plan. Anthony is currently employed as a high school science teacher in Copan, Oklahoma, but brings previous experience working as a park ranger and manager of visitor and volunteer services with the United States Fish & Wildlife [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for November 6, 2020

info2020-11-09T07:06:57-06:00November 9th, 2020|

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.

Smoky Valley Distillery hidden gem of small-town pride

info2020-11-09T07:05:30-06:00November 9th, 2020|

Decades ago, Bud Von Strohe and his good friend, Dewey Grooms, would drive in a Cadillac down Washington Street in Marquette, drinking whiskey and smoking cigars. Half a century later, Bud’s grandson, Stan Von Stohe, in remembrance of his grandfather, is cooking up a batch of Bud & Dewey’s Premium Straight Whiskey in his new business, Smoky Valley Distillery in Marquette. Although Stan grew up in Denver, he spent his summers helping out on his great aunt’s farm in Marquette. It was then he vowed someday he would return to this central Kansas town and buy the century-old grocery store on [...]

More teachers are coming to Kansas than leaving it, data shows

info2020-11-09T07:04:16-06:00November 9th, 2020|

Despite a common belief that Kansas loses more of its teachers every year, the state actually imports more teachers than it loses to other states. According to a report from the Kansas Department of Education’s Teacher Vacancy and Supply Committee, licensure data from last school year shows that with 562 new educators coming from out of state compared to 313 teachers who reported leaving the state to find work, Kansas imported 249 teachers. Source: Leavenworth Times

Humboldt PD hit by COVID

info2020-11-09T07:04:04-06:00November 9th, 2020|

Three of the five-member police force have tested positive or are awaiting results. Other departments are being asked to help cover the city. “We’re falling like flies,” said Shannon Moore, police chief of Humboldt. Of Humboldt’s five-member police force, two have tested positive for COVID-19 and Chief Moore, who is displaying symptoms, was awaiting her test results Friday afternoon. Moore said she has contacted the Allen County Sheriff’s Department as well as the Kansas Highway Patrol requesting backup. Cole Herder, city administrator, assured residents “We’ll have someone on staff 24 hours a day.” Source: The Iola Register

Size of internet providers factors into Kansas’ rural broadband divide

info2020-11-09T07:03:25-06:00November 9th, 2020|

Lauren Clary gets a sinking feeling when someone asks her if she’s watched a popular show on Netflix. “I tell them, ‘Nope, I don’t have the internet at home,’” said Clary, who lives on a rural property near Lake Afton with her husband and young child. “It’s amazing how many people are shocked when you tell them that.” But the Clarys are far from alone in having no or minimal internet access at home. About 95,000 Kansas households have no access to the internet or lack what has been defined as the bare minimum of internet access, said state Rep. Mark [...]

City, zoo inching closer to governance decision as city council resumes discussion

info2020-11-09T07:00:37-06:00November 9th, 2020|

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recommended the Topeka Zoo consider a different governing structure in 2011, and nine years later, the Topeka City Council is approaching a decision on whether to allow nonprofit group Friends of the Topeka Zoo to take over daily operations. "I love the freedom for them, I love the concept and the potential, and everyone loves the zoo," city council member Karen Hiller said. "I will have some questions, but I think this is about ready to go." City council has discussed a governance transition before, but Fred Patton, vice president and incoming president of FOTZ, [...]