News – Page 614 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Kansas faces shortfall of 34,000 college-educated workers through 2030

info2023-09-26T11:24:39-05:00September 26th, 2023|

A new labor report revealed the current annual rate of degree and certificate completion at Kansas colleges and universities would be insufficient to meet anticipated growth in demand for young, educated workers and could leave the state’s economy with an estimated 34,000 shortfall by end of this decade. Analysis by the Institute for Policy and Social Research at the University of Kansas delved into challenges of surging higher education attainment in Kansas despite a declining percentage of high school graduates interested in college, the out-migration of Kansas college graduates to Missouri, Colorado and Texas, and the lack of competitiveness of salaries [...]

City leaders host meeting for those interested in running Wichita Animal Shelter

info2023-09-26T11:00:27-05:00September 26th, 2023|

The process of finding new management for the Wichita Animal Shelter is underway. On Monday, the City of Wichita hosted an informational session for people interested in taking on the role. The Wichita Police Department has been managing the shelter, but the City wants this to change so police can focus on picking up strays, sick and injured animals, and dead animals. Police would still handle animal bites, animal cruelty, and neglect investigations. The City hopes the new operator improves communication with rescue partners to find homes for abandoned pets and provide vet care. The Kansas Humane Society, which has been a partner with [...]

Complex problem: The tug-of-war between neighbors, city government and an idle developer

info2023-09-26T10:57:47-05:00September 26th, 2023|

Surrounding homeowners have grown increasingly frustrated that an unfinished construction site in northeast Wichita has continued to sit mostly untouched for almost another full year. Calamar, a New York-based development company, started work in June 2020 near the northeast corner of 21st and 127th Street East on a 134-unit apartment complex called Connect 55+ that's geared toward residents 55 and older. It's had several fits and starts since then, but there's been few signs of substantial progress for the past two years. Now, city officials say the builder has until Oct. 29 to make "significant progress" on a list of about 500 repairs and [...]

WPD seeks accreditation through Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center

info2023-09-26T10:50:05-05:00September 26th, 2023|

The booklet on LT Aaron Moses’s desk is a guide for the Wichita Police Department to do something it’s never done before. “The Wichita Police Department has never been an accredited agency," explains Moses. WPD is in the process of applying for accreditation through the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, or KLETC. Its been a part of Chief Joe Sullivan's efforts since taking over the department in late 2022. "His previous law enforcement agency was an accredited agency and so accreditation was something that was top of mind for him.” What does accreditation mean for the WPD? In the most basic [...]

Burrton police find 49 pounds of meth during traffic stop

info2023-09-26T10:47:08-05:00September 26th, 2023|

Burrton Police Department, with assistance from the Halstead Police Department, the Harvey County Sheriff's Office, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, have found 49 pounds of methamphetamine. It happened back on Aug. 31 when Burrton Police officers spotted a semi-truck with a vehicle trailer hauling several vehicles along U.S. Highway 50. Chief David Odle says officers saw "suspicious plastic wrapping" coming from the bumper of one of the vehicles the truck was hauling. Chief Odle says as officers looked closer, they believed they saw narcotics in the bumper. A K-9 officer from Halstead was called in to check the vehicle. Chief Odle says [...]

McCune hosts 77th annual fall festival

info2023-09-26T10:44:06-05:00September 26th, 2023|

There were vendors, rides, animals, and fun this past weekend at the 77th annual McCune Fall Festival. The festival was held from Friday through Sunday and was located primarily in downtown McCune on Main Street. In addition, the event was hosted by the McCune Lions Club. Lions Club member Cherie Schenker noted that attendees come from across the Four State area to attend the event. “I enjoy people coming together in an old-fashioned festival,” she said. “People get together, they can sell stuff they made, they get to see old friends they went to school with. We draw people from all over [...]

Kansas losing many of its graduates

info2023-09-26T09:32:34-05:00September 26th, 2023|

Kansas will add 54,000 jobs that require some level of college education this decade, but the state is poised to fall well short of that demand, one of the state's top labor economists told the Kansas Board of Regents. To meet the demand, Kansas would need to produce an additional 34,000 degrees by 2030 — a tall order as Kansas continues to see many of its young college graduates move out-of-state for higher paying jobs. ... “Given the increase in technology, artificial intelligence and robots, most jobs are going to require some credential,” the distinguished economics professor told the Regents. “The [...]

Topeka buildings still making history

info2023-09-26T09:31:35-05:00September 26th, 2023|

Topeka is full of historical treasures dating back to the founding of the state, but many of the city’s most iconic buildings have faced uncertain futures. Advanced decay and disrepair, a lack of funding and the absence of interested buyers are roadblocks to preservation efforts. Private citizens purchased and funded the rehabilitation of properties with significant historical ties to Kansas, including the Charles Curtis House, the Thacher Building and the Jayhawk Theatre. Source: CJonline

SW Kansas treasurers to meet in Liberal

info2023-09-26T09:30:15-05:00September 26th, 2023|

Next Wednesday, county treasurers and their staff from across Southwest Kansas will converge in Liberal for a conference. The Southwest Kansas County Treasurers Association will host its annual conference at the Activity Center, and Seward County Treasurer Mary Rose said the association is made up of offices from 17 counties. “The Kansas County Treasurers Association is all 105 counties, and they’ve divided it up into districts,” she said. “Southwest Kansas is one. They go down the list starting in alphabetical order of who gets to host the county treasurers event for Southwest Kansas. This year, we were asked to host it, [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for September 25, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-09-26T08:10:56-05:00September 26th, 2023|

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.