News – Page 717 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Motel owners seek city help to reopen

info2023-06-26T13:30:24-05:00June 26th, 2023|

The Town House Motel in downtown Arkansas City may soon be back in business. The affordable motel which evolved into long-term, low-income housing for some residents, closed in December of 2020. Two of the building owners, Raju Sheth and Hasu Bhakta, approached city commissioners during a work session Friday to discuss reopening the motel. Sheth said that he had been working with building official Mike Bellis with plans to revamp and reopen the facility. A big holdup has been getting an electrician to come and make the necessary wiring improvements. Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Hotel Topeka not fully in city’s hands just yet

info2023-06-26T11:59:25-05:00June 26th, 2023|

The City of Topeka is in the process of finalizing its deal to take over Hotel Topeka. The city won an online auction bid earlier this month to acquire the hotel at $7.6 million. At the time, a city spokeswoman told KSNT 27 News that officials were finalizing the purchasing documents, then the sale would be final. After asking for a status update Thursday morning, the sale is not yet final. "Because Hotel Topeka at City Center is in receivership, the purchase has to be approved by the court. That is unlikely to occur until late July. We do not expect [...]

City of Readings reach continues to grow with evolution of annual Tornado Trot and Trail

info2023-06-26T11:56:35-05:00June 26th, 2023|

What originally began as a benefit for a community impacted by a natural disaster has grown into an event with an incredible reach far beyond just the local area. The 11th annual Reading Tornado Trot and Trail took place at Reading Park Saturday morning with right around 100 participants either running or riding the route. Organizer Jan Briggs says this was easily one of the largest turnouts they have had for the event in recent memory. The Trot and Trail began back in 2011 as a benefit for the community following an EF-3 tornado that damaged the town and killed one [...]

Wichita police use surveillance cameras to help find arrest shooting suspect in Oklahoma

info2023-06-26T11:55:05-05:00June 26th, 2023|

Police used the Flock Safety license plate reader surveillance system to help find a 45-year-old Wichita man in Oklahoma after he was accused of shooting someone in the middle of the street in broad daylight at 18th and Chautauqua. Jeremi Mothershed will be extradited to Wichita. He has been charged with felon in possession of a firearm and aggravated battery, police said Friday. Police took the suspect vehicle description and used Flock to find a white Audi headed south toward Oklahoma. The vehicle and license plate were then relayed to law enforcement in Oklahoma. Mothershed was arrested by Norman police and [...]

Wellington City Council approves $18,974 for the purchase of 20 point-blank ballistic vests

info2023-06-26T13:31:05-05:00June 26th, 2023|

The Wellington City Council met Tuesday to clear their desks of routine purchases and resolutions before the July holiday. The first resolution of the evening completed a request from the Wellington Police Department to purchase 20 point-blank AXBIIIA ballistic vests for $18,974.40. Ballistic vests have a shelf life of five years, and this bid came in at $4,000 under budget. Police Chief Tracy Heath also stated that he would apply for a Department of Justice grant to reimburse the City for half of the cost. After that, the council approved the resolution unanimously. Source: Sumner NewsCow

Hutchinson raises chicken count

info2023-06-26T11:46:58-05:00June 26th, 2023|

Hutchinson residents can bring more chickens home to roost. The Hutchinson City Council voted Tuesday to increase the number of chickens a resident can own, changing it from three to eight chickens on most city properties, the Hutchinson News reported. Jim Sietnater, interim planning director, told the newspaper that keeping chickens is a growing trend. If someone wants a larger flock of chickens and has the area to do that, they can add an additional chicken for every 250 square feet. That maxes out at 20 chickens. All chickens must be fenced in, with coops being kept neat in appearance. However, [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for June 23, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-06-25T21:07:26-05:00June 25th, 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.

Shawnee deputy city manager up for job in nearby Merriam

info2023-06-23T14:15:06-05:00June 23rd, 2023|

Shawnee’s Deputy City Manager and long-time city employee Caitlin Gard is the final candidate for one of the top jobs in Merriam city government. During its upcoming meeting on Monday, the Merriam City Council will vote on Gard’s appointment to serve as the assistant city administrator. Source: Prairie Village Post

Man shot with live rounds during Cowtown gunfight slated to get $500,000 from Wichita

info2023-06-23T14:12:57-05:00June 23rd, 2023|

A man who was shot with live rounds by a fellow performer during a staged gunfight at the Old Cowtown Museum in September 2020 is expected to get $500,000 from the city. The Wichita City Council will vote on the settlement Tuesday. The victim, who was 24 at the time of the incident, was struck in the head, face and upper body with the live shotgun rounds. His injuries included a punctured aorta and pellets lodged in his skull and left eye socket, and required surgery. “The claimant has offered to accept a lump sum payment of $500,000 as full settlement [...]

By a narrow margin Overland Park voters OK raising sales tax for road construction

info2023-06-23T14:11:57-05:00June 23rd, 2023|

By a relatively slim margin, Overland Park voters agreed to raise the city’s sales tax to fund road construction and repair work, extra money that officials say will help slow the use of the controversial chip seal method to resurface streets. In a mail-in election that concluded Thursday, 53.4%, or 19,157 voters, agreed to raise the tax, while 46.6%, or 16,703, voted no. The city saw nearly 25% voter turnout, with 35,897 people casting ballots. The infrastructure sales tax will jump from one-eighth of a cent to three-eighths. The tax will last for 10 years, starting next April. The lower tax [...]