News – Page 516 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

JoCo Library’s original branch is closing. Here’s a look back at its nearly 70-year history.

info2024-01-26T13:16:46-06:00January 26th, 2024|

The original branch in the Johnson County Library system is getting set to permanently close its doors after nearly 70 years in operation. Antioch Library, 8700 Shawnee Mission Pkwy., will cease operations after Sunday, Jan. 28, in order to make way for the new Merriam Plaza Library branch nearby. The Antioch branch first opened in 1956 as Johnson County Library’s first official branch and served as the county library system’s headquarters for decades before Central Resource opened in the mid-1990s. “Everybody just loves this branch,” Assistant Branch Manager Sheida Bates is quoted in a post to the library’s website. “And the people who grew [...]

City says approach to housing needs should be ‘flexible’

info2024-01-26T13:05:03-06:00January 26th, 2024|

Manhattan city commissioners on Tuesday agreed housing incentives should be as flexible as possible. In an initial discussion about how to use sales-tax revenue to develop workforce housing, the commission acknowledged Manhattan is in a housing crisis and that it needs to take steps to address that. “We do a lot of studies at the city,” mayor Wynn Butler said. “We do a lot of talking at the city, and now it’s time to take some action on the housing. So I think that’s where we are going. I think the commission all agrees with that philosophy.” City staff asked the [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for January 25, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-01-26T10:43:03-06:00January 26th, 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.

Former Wilson Czech Opera House to become open-air theater

info2024-01-26T07:55:15-06:00January 26th, 2024|

The Wilson Czech Opera House has made strides in restoring the property after a fire that burned most of the building. Constructed in 1901, the opera house, 415 27th St. in Wilson, was initially called Turner Hall, made from quarried stone from five miles outside of Wilson.... In November 2009, a fire from a neighboring building spread to the opera house, reducing the venue to ruins despite attempts to extinguish the flames. ... Fully rebuilding the opera house proved to be an unachievable task, as Ford said the expenses could exceed well over $10 million. To preserve the remnants of the [...]

Students name new Valley Center subdivision

info2024-01-26T07:36:50-06:00January 26th, 2024|

The Valley Center City Council last week approved the final plat for Harvest Place near 93rd North and Meridian.... The subdivision and the roads in it were named by Valley Center school district students during a contest initiated by the city. The middle school contributed Spirit Court, the high school Stinger Avenue, Abilene Elementary Sunflower Drive and Sunflower Court, Wheatland Elementary Hornet Lane and Hornet Court, the intermediate school Chance Avenue and West Elementary Harvest Place. "It was fun to have the school district involved through the naming process of the subdivision and some of the streets that will lie therein," [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for January 24, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-01-25T10:35:58-06:00January 25th, 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.

Topeka’s welcoming nature drawing attention of large media outlets, mayor says

info2024-01-25T10:30:18-06:00January 25th, 2024|

A Wall Street Journal reporter was in Topeka on Tuesday working on a story expected to highlight its welcoming nature, after the city benefited from a Telemundo story that did the same thing last October, Mayor Mike Padilla said. The Wall Street Journal story is anticipated to focus on a family of Colombian immigrants who live in Topeka and hope to stay here permanently, Padilla said at his monthly news conference with interim city manager Richard U. Nienstedt. Source: CJonline

Overland Park is overhauling its long-range development plan. Where do things stand?

info2024-01-24T11:23:50-06:00January 24th, 2024|

Overland Park is getting closer to adopting its first new long-range land use plan in decades, which will serve as the roadmap for development into the future. The much-anticipated draft plan was recently handed over to city planning staff for a preliminary review, Overland Park’s Strategic Planning Division Manager Erin Ollig told the Overland Park Planning Commission earlier this month. Right now, city planners are going through some edits and revisions with the consultant. That puts the Overland Park City Council on track to finalize the plan — dubbed FrameworkOP — in the next few months, likely early in the summer. The city’s existing comprehensive plan is roughly [...]

City leaders give update on Topeka’s city manager search

info2024-01-24T11:20:32-06:00January 24th, 2024|

City leaders are getting closer to selecting Topeka's next permanent city manager. Richard Nienstedt has served in the interim position since June, 2023 when former City Manager Stephen Wade took an extended leave of absence and was ultimately fired. Alongside Mayor Mike Padilla at a city briefing Tuesday, Nienstedt said the city is working with a consultant to hire a long-term city manager. He said he anticipates the city council will have a list of candidates by mid-February or the first of March. Nienstedt said finding the right city manager for this city will take time. "This is an important city in the state. [...]

New Johnson County assistant county manager Adam Norris begins work

info2024-01-24T11:12:16-06:00January 24th, 2024|

Johnson County Government is proud to announce that Adam Norris, who has 20 years of executive leadership and management experience in government, has joined its leadership staff as assistant county manager. Norris began his duties on Jan. 22. Most recently, Norris was deputy city manager and assistant city manager in Independence, Missouri, though his career in public service had its start in Johnson County. While still in school, Norris worked for the Overland Park Public Works Department where he repaired potholes, served on chip and seal teams, and even provided traffic control. “From an early age, I knew I wanted to dedicate [...]