News – Page 840 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Shawnee Co. population growth highest in 10 years

info2023-02-07T00:45:03-06:00February 7th, 2023|

In 2022, Shawnee County recorded its largest single-year increase in population in 10 years. This is according to the latest Kansas Division of the Budget report. Shawnee County's population grew by 2,265 people in 2022. It's the highest single-year percentage growth among the top-five largest counties by population in Kansas. The Greater Topeka Partnership attributes this population growth to successful strategies like Momentum 22 boosting the morale of people living in Topeka. Pivarnik says Momentum 27 offers new incentives the city hopes will continue to make Topeka a sought-after destination for newcomers. Source: KSNT 27 News

Prairie Village to consider amending affordable housing recommendations

info2023-02-07T00:43:08-06:00February 7th, 2023|

The Prairie Village City Council on Monday night will consider amending proposed affordable housing recommendations, potentially removing two aspects of the plan that have garnered the most criticism. The recommendations, initially put forward by a special task force last summer, have sparked months of intense public debate in Prairie Village, with a group of opponents frequently packing city council meetings, arguing that the recommendations — if implemented — would take away homeowners’ rights. Source: Prairie Village Post

Municipal Bond Trends for February 3, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-02-06T08:43:43-06:00February 6th, 2023|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.

Wichita City Council to vote on downtown street plan that calls for some major changes

info2023-02-06T12:31:37-06:00February 6th, 2023|

The Wichita City Council will vote Tuesday on a concept plan for redesigning downtown streets that calls for converting several one-way roads to two-way and reducing the number of lanes on other two-way streets. The proposal, born out of Wichita’s Project Downtown master plan, aims to serve as a blueprint for improving safety and mobility in the city core. Wichita’s Capital Improvement Plan allocates $17.4 million for upgrades to downtown streets over the next 10 years. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ignite Emporia, community stakeholders brainstorm solutions to local childcare crisis

info2023-02-06T08:29:29-06:00February 6th, 2023|

In the continued struggle to bring affordable and accessible childcare to Emporia, community members are leaving no stone unturned. Ignite Emporia and the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a Childcare Workshop on Wednesday, in partnership with ChildCare Aware of Eastern Kansas, bringing together community members with a stake in childcare. From business owners to educators to childcare providers, stakeholders from across the county met at the Trusler Business Center Wednesday to brainstorm a solution to the community’s severe lack of childcare options. To begin the meeting, participants heard from Hillsboro Community Child Care board chairman Tristen Cope about the successes [...]

Kansas Supreme Court examines clash over expanding hog facilities, shielding water supply

info2023-02-06T08:28:24-06:00February 6th, 2023|

The Kansas Supreme Court must arbitrate conflict sparked by a cunning Kansas regulatory maneuver to expand concentrated swine feeding operations and the response of an environmental organization claiming state regulators embraced legal fiction to weaken surface water protections. The Sierra Club won a lawsuit four years ago in Shawnee County District Court challenging farmer Terry Nelson and his partners for sidestepping maximum limits on the number of hogs packed into a single location near a creek. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment had collaborated with the Nelson family to add about 2,400 hog units at a farm in Phillips County. [...]

Derby’s computer network restored to full service

info2023-02-06T12:28:14-06:00February 6th, 2023|

While an investigation into the cause of a disruption to the city of Derby’s computer network is still ongoing, service has officially been restored as of Feb. 1. Since mid-January, the city has been dealing with the network disruption – with administrative and IT staff immediately beginning work with third-party computer specialists to investigate the incident. Currently, the investigation (involving federal law enforcement) is seeking to determine what impact, if any, the incident had on information stored on the city’s network systems. City staff reported Derby constantly monitors network security, carries cybersecurity insurance and works with the appropriate agencies when or [...]

$40 million announced for housing, tourism grants

info2023-02-06T08:24:18-06:00February 6th, 2023|

Closing out the month of January, the Kansas Department of Commerce announced $40 million in funding will be made available under the ARPA Building Opportunities for the Disabled and Elderly (ABODE) and State Park Revitalization and Investment in Notable Tourism (SPRINT) grant programs. The ABODE program will provide $10 million in funding for new construction projects and renovation of affordable multi-dwelling housing units for persons with disabilities and the elderly. The SPRINT program will distribute $30 million for investments in regional tourism assets and state parks. Funds were designated by the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee and approved [...]

9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Has Helped Nearly 27% More Callers in First 6 Months

info2023-02-06T08:22:43-06:00February 6th, 2023|

New Data shows that the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has handled a nearly 27% increase in call volume compared to the six months before its launch. Based on national projections, Kansas is estimated to reach 120,000 Kansans in the hotline’s first full year of operation. The 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis line first launched in July, 2022. In June 2022, Governor Kelly signed Senate Bill 19, bipartisan legislation that created the state’s three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). Now, calls, texts, or chats to 9-8-8 involving thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crises, or other [...]

Long-neglected site a diamond in the rough

info2023-02-06T12:28:53-06:00February 6th, 2023|

A pristine lake and the advent of rail trails to Allen County helped turn a woolly wilderness into a wonderland. Today, the Lehigh Portland site could be our gateway to a state park. For the first 40 years that Iola Industries owned the land surrounding the old Lehigh quarry, “we wondered what could possibly happen here that would be good,” John McRae, president of Iola Industries, is quoted in a Register story from 2016. The land was overgrown with vines as big as your arm, the underbrush crawled with poison ivy and oak, and all kinds of trash from the abandoned [...]