News – Page 280 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

40 Local Bridge Projects Receive More than $40M

info2024-09-13T09:49:43-05:00September 13th, 2024|

40 local and off-system bridge projects across the state will receive a combined total of $40.25 million as part of two local bridge improvement programs capitalizing on new revenue from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). ... Combined with matching funds from the awarded cities and counties, the total project value is over $45.2 million. By reshaping the local bridge programs to take advantage of BIL, the Kansas Department of Transportation more than doubled its annual funding as part of the existing Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE). ... For this cycle of the local bridge programs, KDOT received a combined total [...]

‘A stars-aligned moment’ — JoCo urges Lenexa to approve shelter permit ahead of key vote

info2024-09-13T08:46:38-05:00September 13th, 2024|

With praise for Lenexa’s partnership and a pledge to back the city up if problems arise, Johnson County commissioners have forwarded a letter urging Lenexa officials to approve a proposed homeless services center and shelter. Commissioners voted 4-2 Thursday to send the one-and-a-half page letter to Lenexa Mayor Julie Sayers and city councilmembers. The city’s governing body next week will consider whether to accept the recommendation of their city’s planning commission to deny a permit for the proposed shelter at a repurposed hotel near Interstate 35 and 95th Street. “We respectfully disagree with staff’s rationale for denial and with how staff [...]

Halstead to hold public hearing on energy storage facility

info2024-09-13T08:45:14-05:00September 13th, 2024|

The City of Halstead will host a public meeting on zoning regulations related to a proposed energy storage facility. In October 2023, Boston-based Concurrent LLC submitted an interconnection application to the Southwest Power Pool, which oversees power transmission in Kansas and several neighboring states. Concurrent wants to build a system that would collect and store renewable energy during times of low demand so that it can be delivered during times of high demand. The proposed Tallgrass Prairie Energy Center has a planned capacity of 200 megawatts and up to 800 megawatt-hours. The company plans to install the facility in Halstead Industrial [...]

Sedgwick County selected for emergency preparedness exercise

info2024-09-13T08:43:49-05:00September 13th, 2024|

Sedgwick County Emergency Management (SCEM) was chosen to participate in a national exercise program conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The program aids government entities in conducting emergency preparedness exercises to gauge the disaster readiness of the organization. The SCEM applied for the program and was chosen for the program over other governmental agencies in Region 7, which includes Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska. Going through the program will help Sedgwick County design and conduct a full-scale active shooter simulation to be held March 11, 2025. “These exercises are so important for us to assess our preparedness planning, resources [...]

City and firefighters union are at impasse in negotiations; Lawrence City Commission may have to resolve the conflict

info2024-09-13T08:35:06-05:00September 13th, 2024|

City of Lawrence administrators and the local firefighters union are at an impasse in their negotiations for the coming year, and if they don’t resolve it, the City Commission might have to resolve the conflict next month. The city and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1596 union, which represents firefighters and other emergency personnel employed by Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, are working to come up with a new memorandum of understanding. The current one is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2024. Source: LJWorld

Arcadia: A small town with a big history

info2024-09-13T08:28:33-05:00September 13th, 2024|

Arcadia will celebrate 162 years on Saturday with Old Settlers’ Days. Festivities begin at 9 a.m. as parade participants gather at the ballpark. ... While only a small town of 250 today, Arcadia has a very interesting history and a lot to celebrate. According to Legends of Kansas, the first to settle in the area was a blacksmith named Howell in 1844. Married to a Cherokee woman, he was given permission to live in, at that time, the Neutral Lands. Source: Morning Sun

Municipal Bond Trends for September 11, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-09-12T10:37:17-05:00September 12th, 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.

Hiawatha Maple Leaf Festival set for Sept 28

info2024-09-12T10:27:23-05:00September 12th, 2024|

The Hiawatha Maple Leaf Festival is set for Saturday, Sept. 28 and organizers with the Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau are excited about this year’s lineup of activities. This annual festival can be found in downtown Hiawatha around the courthouse square, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the fourth Saturday of each September. Maple Leaf 2024 will be bringing in some fantastic music — as the Chamber is featuring True North as the headlining band, scheduled for a noon performance on the north side of the courthouse steps. Chamber Administrator Sarah Kleopfer said there will be a couple of new [...]

If Lenexa rejects homeless shelter, Johnson County could be back at square one. Then what?

info2024-09-12T10:25:31-05:00September 12th, 2024|

If the Lenexa City Council on Tuesday denies a special use permit to operate a homeless shelter, Johnson County could be sent back to the drawing board — possibly needing to find a new location and deciding whether to commit alternate funding in the face of a fast-approaching federal deadline. The decision would be a major setback after the county has spent months evaluating the Lenexa site, following years of planning for a much-needed shelter. Late last month, the Lenexa Planning Commission voted 9-0 to deny a special use permit request to operate a year-round shelter at the La Quinta Inn [...]

Massive Johnson County sports complex to open soon in growing development. Here’s when

info2024-09-12T10:24:04-05:00September 12th, 2024|

After months of construction, an Overland Park sports facility with an ice rink, eight basketball courts and more will open to the public next month. The first phase of the AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk will celebrate its grand opening Saturday, Oct. 26, according to a media release from the company. “The wait is over!” Becky Cornell, retail marketing manager for JLL real estate, wrote in an announcement to the media. The $125 million park at 16201 Shawnee Drive (on the southwest corner of U.S. Highway 69 and 159th Street) will include a family entertainment center called Hawk’s Outpost. It will [...]