News – Page 690 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

KDOT secretary looking for path out of Kansas’ transportation industry labor shortage

info2023-08-01T23:54:03-05:00August 1st, 2023|

Kansas Department of Transportation secretary Calvin Reed pointed to workforce shortages as a significant challenge to the state’s multibillion-dollar, 10-year Eisenhower transportation program. Reed, nominated by Gov. Laura Kelly and endorsed by the Republican-led Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee, said an aging workforce in core areas of the industry were fundamental problems that government and private-sector employers had to address. Reed highlighted one of those worrisome gaps, especially prominent in western Kansas, between demand and supply of professional land surveyors. Among the state’s nearly 3 million residents, only 258 are licensed land surveyors. The average age of this cadre of people responsible [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for July 31, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-08-01T08:42:20-05:00August 1st, 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.

2 huge projects could transform swaths of Johnson County with apartments, event center

info2023-08-01T00:33:45-05:00August 1st, 2023|

Two huge developments would transform swaths of south Overland Park under plans headed to the City Council next week. On Aug. 7, the council will consider the two projects with hundreds of apartments and commercial space. The first is Metcalf Village, on 40 acres of vacant land on the southeast corner of 159th Street and Metcalf Avenue, where the developer is proposing 900 residential units, including apartments and townhomes, restaurants and retail space, plus parks and pickleball courts. The other project, Schlagel Farms, is at the southeast corner of 175th Street and Pflumm Road, where developers hope to build 300 apartments, [...]

Wichita municipal court begins new policy on cell phones

info2023-08-01T00:32:33-05:00August 1st, 2023|

Wichita Municipal Court has started a new policy to deal with cell phones in the courtroom. The court will require the use of what are known as Yondr bags. People who attend court proceedings will be required to put their cell phone in the Yondr bag, which is a soft, lockable pouch. People can keep their cell phones but they will not be able to have access to the phone. When they leave the courtroom, a clerk will unlock the bag. Court administrator Nathan Emmorey said there have been issues in the past with victims being texted or harassed through their [...]

Small-town life suits John and Tammy Sturn

info2023-08-01T00:29:40-05:00August 1st, 2023|

John and Tammy Sturn live in Ellinwood but can often be found in The Slammer in Lyons. The Slammer (thericecountyslammer.com), located in the Historic Rice County Jail, offers an escape room, historic tour, cellblock venue, a murder mystery dinner and overnight accommodations. “It’s cool. It has been a retirement business that helps preserve an historic building,” John Sturn said. John noted that when the building was the county jail, the sheriff and his wife lived downstairs. Chris McCord bought the building in 2020 with the idea of turning it into an Airbnb-type venue. The escape room opened after Thanksgiving in 2021. [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for July 28, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-07-31T08:58:39-05:00July 31st, 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.

New Newton public library building scheduled to open in July of 2024

info2023-07-31T08:34:38-05:00July 31st, 2023|

At this time next year, Newton will have a brand new library up and functioning, according to an estimate by Director of Public Works and City Engineer Suzanne Loomis. “The entire project is anticipated to be complete by approximately July of 2024,” Loomis said. “Construction is coming along nicely.” She added that possible delays could occur due to supply chain shortages for equipment and building materials, but she and her team remain hopeful that the project will remain on schedule. Source: Harvey County Now

Police address concerns amid Wichita’s deadliest month in at least five years

info2023-07-31T08:33:14-05:00July 31st, 2023|

Amid the city’s deadliest month in at least five years, Wichita police and elected officials are trying to ease concerns about the rise in violent crime. Police have also provided some more details about recent homicides and provided a breakdown about what some of them involved. There have been 11 homicides in July, making it the deadliest month since at least 2018. In 2020, which set a record for the year with 59 homicides, the number each month did not exceed six. There have been 28 homicides so far this year, with 16 of those, or 57%, coming since June 10. [...]

Jail meetings with cities continue

info2023-07-31T08:31:41-05:00July 31st, 2023|

Marshall County commissioners are meeting with city councils in the county, asking them to approve interlocal agreements that would turn proceeds of up to a half cent sales tax designated for a new jail back to the county. By law, any countywide sales tax is shared with all cities in the county unless an interlocal agreement is signed that allows the county to retain the sales tax revenue. Commissioners are looking at a sales tax to fund a portion of a new jail. A proposal to enter a lease-purchase agreement not to exceed $6.5 million in principal to finance a portion [...]

Johnson County city debates McMansions vs. more affordable options

info2023-07-31T08:30:32-05:00July 31st, 2023|

Officials have debated adjusting laws to pave the way for duplexes, small apartment buildings and other cheaper options for families struggling to buy a home in the city known for Cape Cod houses torn down to make way for McMansions. But the idea has ignited fierce opposition from residents who argue the city of 23,000 people is already built out and too dense to welcome the multi-unit housing they fear would crowd the tree-lined suburb and take away its neighborhood feel. Red “Stop Rezoning” signs have been cropping up in front yards across the city, where average home prices topped $536,000 [...]