News – Page 1855 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Proposed law would increase the penalty for assaulting sports referees in Kansas

info2020-02-21T07:12:17-06:00February 20th, 2020|

A new proposed bill would put sports officials under similar protections that police officers and judges have against assault and battery in Kansas. Teon Wilson has been reffing for years, and Wednesday was the Holy War between Kapaun and Bishop Carroll. He said sometimes the games can be a lose-lose. "No matter what we do, we always get attacked,” said Wilson. “People in the stands feel like it's just okay to attack refs and say whatever they want, when it shouldn't be like that." (Read more: KAKE - News)

Olathe tops in keeping waste out of landfalls

info2020-02-20T16:25:01-06:00February 20th, 2020|

Olathe says its residents raised their recycling rate last year, diverting 42.41% of waste from landfills. That figure was up from 40.03% in 2018. By comparison, the city said, the waste diversion rate was 38% for Johnson County as a whole, 27% in Kansas City and 34% nationally. The diversion rate is based on residential recycled material and yard waste kept out of the landfill. “The focus of our recycling this year has been to cut down on contamination,” Public Works Director Mary Jaeger said in a news release. “Our residents have responded by ensuring the correct waste items are in [...]

Lawrence City Commission rejects new rules for Airbnbs and other short-term rentals, asks for more limitations

info2020-02-20T07:02:56-06:00February 20th, 2020|

The debate at City Hall about how to regulate short-term rentals where the property owner lives elsewhere will continue. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted unanimously to reject a set of new rules for whole-home short-term rentals. The commission then asked staff to craft a different proposal with stricter limitations. The ordinance the commission rejected would have been more permissive than the current regulations, which require a special-use permit for whole-home rentals. It would have instead permitted such rentals as a use by right citywide, but with certain restrictions. Read more: LJWorld.com.

Municipal Bond Trends for February 19, 2020

info2020-04-16T08:06:37-05:00February 20th, 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 Advisors.

Manhattan takes step toward housing study, approves bike/ped plan

info2020-02-20T06:45:39-06:00February 19th, 2020|

Manhattan Tuesday took the first step toward conducting a housing market analysis, approved funds for increased costs related to the planned middle school recreation centers and residents showed up in numbers to support the updated bicycle and pedestrian systems plan. Community members filled the Manhattan City Commission chamber not only to support an updated bicycle and pedestrian systems plan, but to urge commissioners to follow through with it. The plan updates a circa-1998 predecessor, laying out potential future projects to improve biking and walking around Manhattan. The plan prioritizes projects to be initiated over a 20 year period including installing wayfinding [...]

Mercy donates hospital building, $1 million to Bourbon County

info2020-02-20T06:48:35-06:00February 19th, 2020|

Bourbon County Economic Development Director Jody Hoener announced Tuesday the county will take the lead in creating a health care mall at what once was the Mercy Hospital Fort Scott building. Hoener said on Monday, the county received a donation agreement from Mercy, which includes the building and $1 million. (Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Are Opportunity Zones providing the opportunities Wichita needs?

info2020-02-20T06:46:20-06:00February 19th, 2020|

"We're only as strong as our weakest link," said Brandon Johnson, Wichita City Councilman. He's talking about Wichita's weakest neighborhoods and the plan to get them growing again. But, the help isn't coming as fast as hoped. Rundown neighborhoods, food deserts, a lack of jobs are all problems that define some parts of Wichita. Fixing those problems is no easy task. The city has a plan in the works, but is it working? The goal is to help the entire city do better by growing businesses in the poorest parts of town by using something called Opportunity Zones. (Read more: KAKE [...]

Most Sedgwick County homeowners to see higher values this year

info2020-02-20T06:46:59-06:00February 19th, 2020|

The Sedgwick County appraiser’s office will be mailing out the annual property value notices on March 1st, and most homeowners will see a higher number. Appraiser Mark Clark told county commissioners Wednesday that 81 percent of residential properties will be higher this year, with the average increase around six percent. Three percent of residential properties in the county will have a decrease averaging five percent, and 16 percent of residential properties will see no change. Clark said 53 percent of commercial properties will see an increase with a typical change of seven percent. He said 19 percent will see a decrease [...]

City commission lifts pit bull ban in Junction City

info2020-02-19T18:38:24-06:00February 19th, 2020|

The Junction City city commission voted to lift a more than 20-year-old pit bull ban Tuesday night. Three commissioners voted for the lift and two voted against. There are still parameters for pit bull owners in the city. The dogs must be micro-chipped. One person or one dwelling can only own a maximum of two pit bulls. Plus, you can’t be convicted of a drug felony to own a ‘bully breed’. The dogs must also be spayed or neutered. Emily Fawcett began pushing for the ban to be lifted about two years ago and was overcome with emotion when the ban [...]

More than $20 million awarded to improve safety, infrastructure at 27 KS airports

info2020-02-20T06:48:48-06:00February 19th, 2020|

The U.S. Secretary of Transportation announced Wednesday its commitment to award $20.5 million in airport safety and infrastructure grants to 27 airports in Kansas. The benefit to Kansas airports is part of a $520.5 million in federal support to airports across the U.S. The goal is to keep our nation's airports in good shape and make air travel a better experience for passengers." (Read more: KWCH News)