News – Page 1863 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Mayor explains advisory board’s role in selecting Hutchinson city manager

info2020-02-13T08:29:28-06:00February 13th, 2020|

The role of a “community advisory committee” in helping the Hutchinson City Council select a new city manager will occur both before and after Thursday’s special meeting of the council. Members of the seven-person committee were independently reviewing questionnaires and videos this week submitted by the six finalists, and they were to forward their thoughts in writing for the City Council to consider when it meets Thursday, explained Hutchinson Mayor Jade Piros de Carvallo. (Read more: Local - The Hutchinson News)

Wichita police on ‘COPS’: Driver turns seat belt violation into arrest at gunpoint

info2020-02-13T08:24:02-06:00February 13th, 2020|

A Missouri man who was driving in Kansas without wearing his seat belt turned a minor traffic stop into an arrest at gunpoint that was aired on national television. The “COPS” episode features Officer Kaleb Brewer of the Wichita Police Department. The scene is part of “COPS” episode 22 of season 32, titled “Too Little, Too Late,” which first aired Monday on the Paramount Network. Spoiler: The TV show posted video of the scene on Facebook. (Read more: Local News |)

County compromises on ambulance station

info2020-02-13T08:21:29-06:00February 12th, 2020|

County commissioners compromised with Hillsboro Monday by agreeing to build a new ambulance station in return for land and water and sewer services from the city. Emergency Medical Service director Travis Parmley suggested a month ago that the county purchase a former gun shop in north Hillsboro and build a two-bay garage for the ambulances. The following week, Hillsboro city administrator Larry Paine spoke to commissioners about the city’s plan to build a public safety center at the north end of the city to house police, fire, and emergency medical services. (Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Kansas bill creates civics testing mandate to graduate high school

info2020-02-13T08:21:47-06:00February 12th, 2020|

Attorney General Derek Schmidt endorsed a proposal Tuesday to create a state law requiring that Kansas students pass an examination based on the U.S. citizenship test to graduate from high school. He said the idea of establishing a test was unassailable because evidence of the nation’s shortcomings in basic civics knowledge was pervasive. A survey released last year showed a mere 39% of Americans were able to name the three branches of government, he said. An appalling 22% could identify no more than one branch. Only 53% of those surveyed knew a two-thirds vote of Congress was required to override a [...]

Lawrence city leaders express interest in changing illegal camping ordinance

info2020-02-12T20:43:05-06:00February 12th, 2020|

City leaders said they are interested in changing or possibly repealing ordinances that make it illegal to camp or sleep on public land, in city parks and in downtown Lawrence. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission discussed ordinances regarding illegal camping and park hours that some say negatively affect homeless people. Several residents spoke out against the ordinances, saying that they gave the city cause to police, ticket and clear the campsites of homeless people who have no other choice but to sleep outside. Read more: LJWorld.com.

Parsons to get $916K for Tri-City taxiway

info2020-02-12T07:03:48-06:00February 12th, 2020|

Only a few days after the announcement of a $225,000 grant for new fuel tanks, the city received notice of nearly a million dollars of new funding for the Tri-City Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration will give the city $916,259 for a new parallel taxiway that will connect the existing taxiway with the airport’s runway. “Everybody’s excited about it. It’s just a big improvement,” David Christy, airport manager, said. (Read more: Parsons Sun)

Consultants suggest new Topeka housing strategies

info2020-02-12T07:03:25-06:00February 12th, 2020|

A substantial need for affordable housing exists in Topeka, despite this city’s having what would seem to be a modest median home value of about $110,000, two consultants from a company conducting a housing study for Topeka’s city government said Tuesday. They shared six strategies they recommend the city consider implementing to deal with the housing challenges it faces. (Read more: Local Government - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Bill responds to Salina LLC’s tax puzzle

info2020-02-12T07:04:06-06:00February 12th, 2020|

A pair of elected officials from Saline County joined forces Tuesday to lend a hand to the Salina-based nonprofit humanitarian organization caught up in an unusual decision to block a property tax exemption. Saline County Appraiser Sean Robertson said the Occupational Center of Central Kansas, which provides employment and independent living support for people with disabilities, learned in October the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals denied OCCK an exemption from property taxes because it was a limited liability company and not a corporation. The board’s decision conflicts with past rulings, he said. (Read more: Local Government - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Kansas communities work to educate people about 2020 Census

info2020-02-12T06:51:24-06:00February 12th, 2020|

We are just over a month away from the start of the 2020 Census, and the push is on to get everyone to respond. Officials in Dodge City say people don't realize filling out the census has a direct impact on them and the resources their community receives. Infrastructure, education and public resources for places like libraries are all partially funded based on information obtained from the U.S. Census. (Read more: KWCH News)

Municipal Bond Trends for February 11, 2020

info2020-04-16T08:06:39-05:00February 12th, 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.