News – Page 497 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Lawrence’s plastic bag ban goes into effect Friday; here’s what you should know

info2024-02-28T10:05:55-06:00February 28th, 2024|

The City of Lawrence ordinance banning single-use plastic bags goes into effect Friday, March 1. Here’s what you should know. Lawrence city commissioners in August 2023 approved an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags citywide. The ban, initially prompted by a class of environmentally conscious fourth graders who are now high school sophomores, was under discussion for years before commissioners approved Ordinance 9996. The ordinance aims to reduce the use of plastics in the city, which in turn could help reduce the city’s dependence on fossil fuels and prevent some pollution from the bags, contamination through microplastics from bags degrading, and animal deaths from eating [...]

City of Emporia’s drinking water places third at international water contest

info2024-02-28T10:02:17-06:00February 28th, 2024|

The City of Emporia placed third in at the Berkeley Springs Water Tasting event, where more than 100 entries from five continents were up for consideration. The winners were announced Saturday. This is the second year in a row the city has earned a top-four finish. The competition is hosted by Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. The city took third in the Municipal Water category, behind Santa Ana, California, and the City of Montpelier, Ohio. According to a written release, the municipal water category saw a U.S. sweep, from the West Coast to the East Coast, [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for February 26, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-02-27T10:03:49-06:00February 27th, 2024|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. 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.

Halstead Planning Commission considers the risks of BESS

info2024-02-26T15:12:32-06:00February 26th, 2024|

Pat Hughes, an attorney with Adam Jones Law Firm in Wichita, said the zoning regulations were written before battery storage systems were created, and it’s not clear what’s required to build one in the heavy industrial district. It’s possible that you could read the zoning code to say that it’s allowed as a matter of right, because it’s one of these utility storage uses that’s allowed in an I-2 zone,” Hughes said. “It’s also possible to read the zoning code and say, ‘No, it would have to be a special use permit.’” Source: Harvey County Now

Wichita unveils free Narcan vending machine, already used more than 100 times

info2024-02-26T15:11:51-06:00February 26th, 2024|

Thursday a new chapter opens in the fight against the opioid crisis with the opening of a new Naloxone vending machine. “Wichita is disproportionately affected by the opioid problem and we want to get these machines into the communities where they can do the most good,” said Bryan Baier, president of Healthy Blue Kansas. Wichita received one of the first Naloxone vending machines in the state and it's incredibly easy to use. You just type in your zip code and out pops a Naloxone kit. Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. Source: KAKE - News

Prairie Village removes some pickleball courts at city park. Will that fix noise issue?

info2024-02-26T15:11:14-06:00February 26th, 2024|

Some pickleball nets are coming down at Prairie Village’s Windsor Park. At least, for now. After months of debating how to handle noise coming from six new pickleball courts at Windsor Park, the Prairie Village City Council last week voted 11 to 0 to temporarily remove nets on four of the courts. Later this year, the city plans to see how, if at all, having fewer pickleball courts impacts neighboring residents’ noise concerns — and potentially take further measures, including removing nets at the remaining two courts, if necessary. Source: Johnson County Post

White House sends $5.8 billion water infrastructure funds to states

info2024-02-26T14:56:35-06:00February 26th, 2024|

The Biden administration Tuesday announced $5.8 billion in water infrastructure funds for states, tribes and territories, the latest round of funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act record level of clean water investment. Th money includes $3.2 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for water projects and $2.6 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for storm and wastewater infrastructure. The funds include $1 billion for seven major rural water projects, $1 billion to address "forever chemical" contaminants, and $1 billion for Great Lakes drinking water projects. "Every person should have a right and the ability to have access to [...]

State funding to improve short-line railroad systems

info2024-02-26T14:55:10-06:00February 26th, 2024|

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has announced funding for 17 short-line railroad expansion and rehabilitation projects. The governor said almost $16.5 million will be made through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Rail Service Improvement Program (RSIP), and the projects will improve the state’s agriculture supply chain. RSIP recipients will use the funds for expansion and capacity improvements, major track rehabilitation, and rail replacement. These projects support rail improvements that enhance safety, expand carload capabilities, reduce truck traffic, increase operating speeds, and improve operating efficiencies.  Governor Kelly said the projects will help Kansas farmers and ranchers connect to regional, national, and international markets. The projects include [...]

Wichita announces next round of public housing sales

info2024-02-26T14:42:19-06:00February 26th, 2024|

The City of Wichita has announced the next round of sales of public housing units as the city continues to reposition its housing stock. The city is listing 12 properties for sale at fair market appraised value rather than traditional real estate prices, making them more affordable for residents. Open houses have been scheduled for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 25th, and from 3 p.m. to 5 pm on Tuesday, February 27th. The following homes are up for sale: 917 S Whittier; 1233 N Lorraine; 2229 E 53rd Street S; 2236 E 53rd Street S; 5224 S Hydraulic; 1714 E Idlewild Dr; 1325 E Selma; 1213 E Selma; 2318 [...]

No, you won’t get hepatitis A from Lawrence’s drinking water

info2024-02-26T14:38:53-06:00February 26th, 2024|

The concentration of hepatitis A in Lawrence’s wastewater has been on the rise, but the drinking water is clean and safe, according to the city. Wastewater — aka sewage — is processed through the city’s water treatment plants. Drinking water and tap water have been treated. The City of Lawrence has received a number of questions about this lately, according to a news release Thursday evening. “WastewaterSCAN, a national wastewater monitoring system based at Stanford University in partnership with Emory University, recently noted an increase in the concentration of hepatitis A virus (HAV) detected in the wastewater processed at the Lawrence Kansas River Wastewater [...]