News – Page 408 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Overland Park closer to ‘permit-ready’ housing pilot. What would it do?

info2024-07-19T10:38:23-05:00July 19th, 2024|

Overland Park is one step closer to fully implementing a “permit-ready” housing pilot program, a pillar in the city’s effort to encourage more diverse housing options in the future. Earlier this month, the Overland Park City Council Community Development Committee voted 6-0 to recommend amending the city’s building codes with that effort in mind. These changes would remove some steps in the approval process for single- and two-family homes smaller than 3,500 square feet. Overland Park would still require other administrative steps before such a housing project could be constructed. “Housing, I think, is our number one community issue right now,” [...]

North Newton holding a city flag design contest

info2024-07-19T10:36:26-05:00July 19th, 2024|

The City of North Newton is searching for a new flag to represent their city, and they’re looking for a local artist to create the design. Anyone who lives or works in North Newton is encouraged to submit a design that best represents the city and the community. The winner will receive a $500 cash prize courtesy of Conrade Insurance Group. Artists have until Aug. 2 to submit a design. Source: KSN-TV

Harper Police Department mourns death of K9 Bruce

info2024-07-19T10:35:16-05:00July 19th, 2024|

The Harper Police Department is mourning the loss of their K9 officer. The department says K9 Bruce died suddenly Tuesday during a medical emergency. Police say Bruce and partner Sergeant Scott McCann were responsible for multiple felony arrests and investigated numerous narcotics cases. According to the department, they were frequently called to assist neighboring counties and served on the Pratt County SWAT team together. The Barber County Sheriff’s Office says Sgt. McCann and K9 Bruce frequently assisted their department, including recently apprehending a suspect who fled from a traffic stop and was hiding in a field. “Bruce was a great dog. [...]

Breed-specific ban putting a strain on Salina animal shelter

info2024-07-19T10:33:35-05:00July 19th, 2024|

A decades-long breed-specific ban targeting pit bulls and similar dogs in Salina could be putting a strain on the city’s animal shelter. City leaders say Salina Animal Services is housing 64 dogs as of the latest update. Nearly half of those dogs are subject to the city’s breed-specific ban, which includes pit bulls and many dog breeds with pit bull characteristics. Salina Mayor Bill Longbine tells KSN News that the breed ban in effect since 2004, when a pit bull attacked a child, is not sustainable. With the ban, the shelter can’t adopt the banned dogs. Instead, it has to transfer [...]

Parsons residents asked to voice opinions in police survey, link here

info2024-07-19T10:31:10-05:00July 19th, 2024|

A federal grant is helping police officers in Parsons become better partners with the community. Police Chief Robert Spinks says a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice is helping to pay for additional training for officers, as well as a community survey. That survey, which Spinks says will take about three minutes to complete, covers things like personal experiences, department visibility, and how comfortable the community is working with police officers. The data is tabulated by Police2Peace, a national nonprofit dedicated to enhancing community policing and engagement. Chief Spinks says the survey and training sessions are part of an ongoing [...]

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office receives grant towards new 4K body cameras

info2024-07-19T10:29:25-05:00July 19th, 2024|

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a nice grant of $90,000. Money that will provide 22 new body cameras for patrol deputies, including SROs, court security, and community outreach deputies. Cherokee County is one of 40 departments across the country to receive this grant through Justice and Security Strategies and the U.S. Department of Justice. Meanwhile, the body cameras currently in service will soon be used on the corrections side of the sheriff’s office. Chief Deputy Nate Jones says the new cameras are branded top quality and will produce 4K clear imagery. They’ll also provide a chance to get video evidence [...]

Coffeyville firefighters seek help restoring classic fire engine

info2024-07-19T10:28:03-05:00July 19th, 2024|

Firefighters in Coffeyville hope to restore of piece of the department’s history. International Association of Firefighters Local 265 in Coffeyville is raising money to restore a fire engine the department first used nearly 75 years ago. The truck is a 1953 Peter Pirsch 75’ Ladder truck that was once owned by the department. Peter Pirsch and Sons was based in Kenosha, Wisconsin and was the first modern, motorized fire truck with its own ladder system. It operated from 1900 to 1986 before dissolving. Source: KSNF/KODE

Lawrence city commissioners approve 20-year, $103M plan to make sidewalks accessible

info2024-07-19T10:26:22-05:00July 19th, 2024|

Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved a plan to bring city sidewalks and curb ramps up to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The plan is estimated to cost the city and residents about $103.5 million over the next 20 years. Evan Korynta, ADA compliance manager for the city, gave the commission a presentation on the ADA Right-of-Way Transition Plan in May and returned to speak to the commission Tuesday. Federal law requires cities and states to have ADA transition plans to ensure that all people can access travel paths. Some of the issues the city currently has with sidewalks [...]

Lawrence city commissioners have mixed feelings about on-the-go drinking downtown

info2024-07-19T10:24:13-05:00July 19th, 2024|

Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday showed a range of interest in creating a “common consumption area,” which would allow folks to drink alcoholic beverages as they move through downtown. City staff members researched other communities in Kansas that have enacted CCA districts and shared their findings in a memo to the commission ahead of the meeting. Key concerns commissioners discussed during the presentation Tuesday were the costs of enforcement if additional downtown security would be needed and cleanup. Porter Arneill, assistant director of arts and culture for Lawrence Parks and Recreation, told the commission that the concept and feedback thus far [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for July 18, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-07-19T10:05:34-05:00July 19th, 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.