News – Page 622 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Olathe parents say district failing kids with autism, causing ‘mental health crisis’

info2023-10-11T09:38:57-05:00October 11th, 2023|

Ty VanBuskirk had never publicly talked about being on the autism spectrum before. Instead, he spent his time in the Olathe school district masking it. But that changed in July, when the recent Olathe South graduate stood in front of the school board to share how he felt the district had failed him. A lack of support and understanding of his disability, he said, led to ongoing trauma, bullying, isolation, even suicidal thoughts. “My general education teachers didn’t even know I had an IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) or autism,” the 19-year-old told The Star. “When not even your case manager or [...]

Herington Hospital closing after 104 years

info2023-10-11T09:37:16-05:00October 11th, 2023|

The only hospital in the city of Herington will be closing after 104 years in operation. Hospital officials said Monday that lengthy financial issues and low patient volumes led to the decision, and the hospital will close as soon as Wednesday. The hospital will continue to keep medical records. The closing will leave Herington residents with a choice of traveling to Junction City, Marion or Council Grove for hospital care. Source: 101.3 KFDI

Greensburg leaders vote to keep police department

info2023-10-11T09:35:40-05:00October 11th, 2023|

The city council in Greensburg has voted to keep the police department and move ahead with the hiring of a new police chief. A committee will be created to conduct a search for a new chief. The police department has had two full-time and three part-time officers. Greensburg has seen a dramatic drop in population over the past few decades, going from 1,7906 in 1990 to 714 in 2021. Budget concerns have raised questions about the future of the police department. The city council had considered disbanding the department and going to the Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office to handle calls, but residents said [...]

Wamego seeks bids to move historic house

info2023-10-11T09:34:55-05:00October 11th, 2023|

The City of Wamego is looking to move the misnamed Chrysler House. Walter Chrysler, automotive industry executive, was born in Wamego, and lived there before his family moved to Ellis, Kansas. City Manager Stacie Eichem gave some background on the house in question. While the house was not the birthplace of Chrysler, the community still celebrates the house. The City of Wamego recently decided to take action on the house and will take sealed bids to move the house from the property at the southeast corner of US 24 and Highway 99. Eichem says the city is looking at options for the future of [...]

El Dorado school district gets logo refresh, and the community is not thrilled

info2023-10-11T09:31:12-05:00October 11th, 2023|

Wilbur, the famous wildcat mascot for El Dorado High School has had many faces throughout his time. “There are 25 different faces for Wilbur the wildcat [throughout history],” said Kimberly Koop, the USD 490 director of community engagement and recruitment. But the inconsistencies with his figure will discontinue after this week, because last week District 490 announced a logo refresh. Many from the community are unhappy with the recent change. “It’s cold, stale, not something you want to fight for,” said Linette Liby, an El Dorado HS alumni. “I don’t understand why we have to change it for one thing. I’m [...]

Rural Kansas hospitals use strategies to stay open

info2023-10-11T09:29:29-05:00October 11th, 2023|

On the heels of Herington Hospital announcing its closure, other rural hospitals are speaking out about the challenges they face to remain open. This summer, Kiowa County Memorial Hospital was listed in a study that suggests it is at risk of closure. The CEO of the hospital, Morgan Allison, said she was shocked to learn the hospital is at risk because the staff had been working to avoid the same problems that have closed other rural hospitals. Rural hospitals are challenged by a lack of patients. "In the past, we had a lot of issues with patient volumes, but we have seen quite a [...]

City of Wichita votes to amend residency requirement, allowing remote and hybrid workers to live across the state

info2023-10-11T09:27:42-05:00October 11th, 2023|

The Residency Requirement for the City of Wichita has been the same since 1994. On Tuesday, the City of Wichita City Council voted to amend it. The old residency requirement states the following: "The Wichita City Council passed a resolution that requires all City employees hired on and after April 12, 1994, shall either live within the corporate limits of Wichita, or within 30 minutes lawful driving time of the corporate limits of the City, by the most direct route. Such employees are to maintain their residence according to the requirements of the ordinance as long as the City of Wichita [...]

Gardens across Lawrence school district allow students to learn by growing

info2023-10-11T09:25:29-05:00October 11th, 2023|

There’s now a blooming garden at every school site in the Lawrence school district. One school garden, cared for by the Billy Mills Middle School Garden Club, grows tomatoes, purple peppers, radishes, garlic and an abundance of other vegetables. Club members plant flowers and tend to natural species of plants while engaging with the insects fluttering, crawling or wriggling within the ecosystem. Billy Mills sixth grader Delyla Kring-Hicknan said she feels fully connected to nature when gardening, especially since club members don’t spray herbicides or pesticides on the garden. And they get to enjoy the food they grow. “I just love [...]

Audit questions spending by school districts

info2023-10-10T20:29:12-05:00October 9th, 2023|

Republican lawmakers are eying punitive measures for Kansas school districts, including potentially having them repay state aid meant to target students who are the highest risk of not graduating, after a state audit found that administrators haven’t followed strict guidelines for those funds. Among several other education issues, the Kansas Legislature’s Special Committee on Education honed in on the results of a report this summer from the Kansas Legislative Post Audit that examined how schools used more than $400 million in at-risk funding during the 2021-22 school year. ... The audit, released over the summer as a follow-up to a 2019 [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for October 6, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-10-09T09:57:27-05:00October 9th, 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.