News – Page 17 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

While enrollment drops, Newton District projects more funding

info2024-10-30T10:01:37-05:00October 30th, 2024|

Enrollment dropped for the Newton School District but funding levels are projected to increase for the next year. The Board of Education reviewed a presentation at its Monday night meeting. The district saw a decrease of 99 full-time equivalent students for this school year. Overall enrollment dropped from 3,130 to 3,030 or 3.2 percent. Budget-wise, the general fund is expected to increase from $21.3 to $22.5 million according to information in district documents presented at the Oct. 28 meeting. Source: Harvey County Now

Municipal Bond Trends for October 29, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-10-30T09:59:25-05:00October 30th, 2024|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

5 key points from Olathe Mayor John Bacon’s State of the City

info2024-10-30T09:57:34-05:00October 30th, 2024|

There are big things happening in Olathe this year, and Mayor John Bacon sees more big things to come. That was the central theme of his annual State of the City address, delivered last Friday during a luncheon hosted by the Olathe Chamber of Commerce at the Olathe Conference Center. Source: Johnson County Post

Survey: Kansans favor housing choices to deal with rising costs

info2024-10-30T09:56:21-05:00October 30th, 2024|

Close to half of Kansans support building wider varieties of housing to help address a statewide affordability crisis according to the annual Kansas Speaks survey released Monday. Yet few residents thought their communities are doing enough to adequately address housing issues. Plans to build apartments near single-family neighborhoods run up against not-in-my-backyard opposition in urban locales such as Wichita and Johnson County. But statewide, most respondents, 62%, said they were comfortable living in a neighborhood with rental properties. Changes that would encourage such arrangements also found support. About 48% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that local governments should ease up [...]

Wichita’s new push to educate on homelessness: a Tallgrass premiere

info2024-10-30T09:55:08-05:00October 30th, 2024|

‘Hope in the Heartland,’ a city-produced documentary examining the challenges and triumphs of navigating homelessness in Wichita, premiered Thursday night to a crowd of at least 250 people during the Tallgrass Film Festival. Audience members were clapping, gasping and sniffling throughout the 110-minute film, which interviewed elected officials, service providers, people who were formerly homeless and people currently experiencing homelessness. The film also featured two city housing case managers working to secure housing for 22-year-old Caitlin, who had been homeless for four years at the start of filming. Source: KLC Journal

Rose Hill voters to decide on $20M for school upgrades

info2024-10-30T09:53:51-05:00October 30th, 2024|

A nearly $20 million bond issue is up for a vote in Rose Hill. USD 394 Superintendent Chuck Lambert says the district desperately needs upgrades. Voters rejected a bond issue two years ago, and Lambert says that put Rose Hill students at a disadvantage. He said a yes vote this time would give the district’s youth better opportunities to succeed. Lambert thinks adding storm shelters and secure entryways to this new bond issue will help it pass this time. He said the current entryways need to be safer. If the bond passes, it would also mean new culinary arts and science [...]

Wichita air quality unsafe for some

info2024-10-30T09:52:10-05:00October 30th, 2024|

If you are outside in Wichita, it is pretty easy to see all the dirt in the air. On Tuesday, the City of Wichita advised people that the current Air Quality Index is 154, which is considered unsafe for people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens. Those groups of people should take these steps to reduce their exposure: Avoid strenuous outdoor activities. Keep outdoor activities short. Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them. Source: KSN-TV

EPA gives update on Cherokee County Superfund Site

info2024-10-30T09:50:46-05:00October 30th, 2024|

Folks in Cherokee County get an update on the cleanup and remediation efforts taking place in the historic Tri-State Mining District. Representatives from the EPA continue to inform the public on the status of area superfund sites. “One of our biggest points we want to get across is trying to protect families from the historic contamination from lead within the site and give information on how they can help prevent ingestion or any kind of exposure to the contamination that was caused previously during previous mining activities within the site,” said EPA Remedial Project Manager, Thomas Kaley. This open house in [...]

Virtual meeting option available for residents concerned about Kansas water issues

info2024-10-30T09:49:24-05:00October 30th, 2024|

If you have concerns about water issues in Kansas, you have a special option to provide feedback. The state has developed a virtual on-demand meeting that connects with content developed from a series of in-person meetings held across Kansas last month. This will also build on local consult meetings held earlier this summer along with meetings involving the state’s Regional Advisory Councils. During the virtual meeting, residents can learn about updates to state investments in the water system. They can also learn about the criteria involved as the state works on aquifers, reservoirs and the overall water supply. There will also [...]

Wichita unveils more options for paid parking downtown. Here are the details

info2024-10-30T09:48:19-05:00October 30th, 2024|

Visitors to downtown Wichita could soon pay 75 cents an hour for parking during certain hours, with some free parking time up front. Or they might continue to pay nothing for most public parking spaces, depending on how the City Council votes on several new options. The city unveiled four options for the future of parking in the downtown area, Old Town and Delano this week. Three options implement paid parking with different variations, while the fourth leaves parking as it is now. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle