News – Page 1690 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Wichita board endorses historic preservation status for Century II, former library

info2020-07-15T08:28:55-05:00July 14th, 2020|

The Wichita Historic Preservation Board on Monday nominated the Century II Performing Arts building for state and national historic status, despite separate requests to delay the decision from the city manager and from local business interests that want to tear down and replace it. The board also nominated the former Central Wichita Public Library building for historic status, which could serve as a roadblock to tearing down the buildings and allow them to receive state and federal preservation grants. The action came three days after activists seeking to save the round, blue-roofed structure from demolition presented more than 17,000 signatures on [...]

Advocates call for group that investigates racial profiling complaints in OP to raise profile, improve transparency

info2020-07-15T08:31:38-05:00July 14th, 2020|

The fact that there’s a culturally diverse citizen advisory board in Overland Park that looks into complaints of racial profiling by police came as news to Linnaia McKenzie this spring. A life-long city resident and co-founder of the Advocacy and Awareness Group of Johnson County, McKenzie, had been organizing an event in Downtown to raise awareness and support Black Lives Matter when she first heard the city had such a thing. She wouldn’t be alone. Even people heavily involved in city policing issues acknowledged that most people probably don’t know about the board. (Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Integrated Roadways begins research phase with local businesses for smart technology showcase in Lenexa City Center

info2020-07-15T08:32:27-05:00July 14th, 2020|

A project to deploy smart pavement in Lenexa City Center is moving forward as planned. Local company Integrated Roadways is working through design and research of smart infrastructure technology in and around Lenexa City Center, just west of I-435 at 87th Street Parkway and Renner Boulevard. The $8.5 million project is a public-private partnership that will result in real-time traffic monitoring of five intersections. Smart road technology includes precast concrete sections that have embedded fiber optics and digital technology. The installations allow vehicles to connect to the internet and provide real-time traffic monitoring as well as a full record of traffic [...]

Johnson County Fair canceled due to COVID-19

info2020-07-15T08:32:36-05:00July 14th, 2020|

The Johnson County Fair will have to wait until next year. The Executive Fair Board made the decision to cancel this year’s festivities, according to a post shared on the Johnson County Fair Facebook page. “After extensive planning, consultation and due to circumstances outside of our control, the Executive Fair Board regrets to report that the 2020 Johnson County Fair arena events, carnival, parade and public events are canceled,” the post reads. 4-H projects, youth livestock show and livestock auction will continue to take place with details released at a later date. (Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF)

Textron Aviation reducing workforce by 800

info2020-07-15T08:33:37-05:00July 14th, 2020|

Textron Aviation today announced its reducing its workforce by 800 employees, with the majority of the job losses happening in Wichita. A statement from Textron said the cuts include layoffs and additional periodic furloughs that will last through the remainder of 2020. Textron Aviation blames the cuts on existing market conditions and "evolving global economic uncertainty." Textron Aviation has approximately 9,000 workers in Wichita. (Read more: KAKE - News)

North Newton passes mask ordinance

info2020-07-15T08:34:01-05:00July 14th, 2020|

North Newton will become the first community in Harvey County to mandate residents wear masks in public and within businesses. The council voted 5-0 Monday night to pass a mask mandate. “It is very similar to the one that was passed by the City of Wichita,” City Attorney Greg Nye said. The ordinance is also similar to the one the Newton City Council did not pass. The ordinance requires people to wear masks in public spaces when they are unable to consistently space more than six feet from others. That ordinance would be extended to Bethel campus but not private homes, [...]

Competitive Bidding Leads to Better Pricing on Municipal Bonds

info2020-07-14T08:16:20-05:00July 14th, 2020|

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) today published research findings on the pricing benefits of increased competitive bidding activity in the municipal securities market. ... “Given the scant research on this matter to date, we aimed to explore if higher numbers of competitive bids lead to better pricing terms for issuers,” said Wu. “Our findings confirmed our expectations. We found that as competitive bidding activity increased, the primary offering spread of the winning bidder declined. In other words, the more competitive bids an issuer received during the primary offering process, the more favorable their selling price and yield cost tended to [...]

Wichita hospitals could hit capacity this month with COVID-19 patients, mayor says

info2020-07-14T07:56:24-05:00July 14th, 2020|

Wichita hospitals could hit their capacities this month as the number of COVID-19 patients surge, the mayor said Monday. Mayor Brandon Whipple’s warning comes as the Sedgwick County Health Department reports that “both hospitals,” presumably Wesley Healthcare and Ascension Via Christi, are converting rooms to intensive care units. But that action reduces the capacity for other patients. (Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)

Municipal Bond Trends for July 13, 2020

info2020-07-14T07:55:14-05:00July 14th, 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.

Kansas State Fair canceled amid virus concerns

info2020-07-14T07:52:47-05:00July 13th, 2020|

There will be no Kansas State Fair in 2020. The state fair board voted to cancel this year’s event amid concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. The reversal comes just a week after the board had initially voted to continue with the fair. However, concerns from vendors and the community led them to adjust plans, with nearly half of the vendors cancelling amid worries about delays with travel quarantines, difficulties in putting crews together and the cancellations of other fairs, including Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. The board says it is still interested in finding a way to safely hold its livestock and [...]