News – Page 894 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Fears Grow Over Plan to Distribute Billions in Broadband Dollars

info2022-12-09T12:39:33-06:00December 9th, 2022|

In several states around the country, officials say they are finding major problems with a crucial, new federal map meant to show the adequacy of internet service at the household level. The Federal Communications Commission map, released last month, is critical in determining how the Biden administration will distribute billions of dollars in federal broadband funding from last year’s infrastructure law around the country. But state and local officials say they’re seeing discrepancies that have them concerned the money will not go to the places where it’s most needed to give Americans improved access to high-speed internet. With a deadline looming [...]

Pittsburg city employees showcase works at Root Coffeehouse

info2022-12-09T12:40:31-06:00December 9th, 2022|

The city of Pittsburg will celebrate the creativity of its employees this month with the "City Photogs" exhibit. Two dozen city staff members have submitted images that will be displayed through December at Root Coffeehouse, 402 N. Broadway. The photos are all original works that aim to capture the four seasons.... An artist reception is planned for 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at Root Coffeehouse. Source: www.joplinglobe.com

Kansas grant program to invest $1.5 million into aging downtown areas

info2022-12-09T12:41:55-06:00December 9th, 2022|

According to an official from the Kansas Department of Commerce (KDC), the agency has allotted $1.5 million in 2023 to help communities around the state restore aging downtown areas. Linda Hunsicker, a specialist with the Department of Commerce’s Community Development Block Grants program, says that the funds will "take aim at blight in Kansas' communities." “The goal is to strategically invest grant funds to prevent the spread of blighted conditions to structures,” Hunsicker said. “We want communities to improve downtown buildings so that those buildings will continue to thrive in the communities and (residents) will have a nice, beautiful downtown.” These [...]

Around 200 sick in USD 504 Oswego; cleaning scheduled

info2022-12-09T12:42:47-06:00December 9th, 2022|

According to Superintendent Mitchell Shaw, USD 504 in Oswego, Kansas, has around 200 students and staff sick. Besides general sickness, some are ill with RSV and Influenza A. One school has 44 percent of students out. School officials met with the board and health officials to organize a deep clean in all buildings ahead of Monday. The district has canceled school and all school activities for Thursday and Friday (Dec. 8-9). At this time, classes and activities are planned to resume on Monday, December 12. Source: KOAMKOAM

Municipal Bond Trends for December 8, 2022

Henry Schmidt2022-12-09T09:46:06-06:00December 9th, 2022|

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.

KU launches new program to evaluate police, sheriff’s departments across the state

info2022-12-09T08:18:45-06:00December 9th, 2022|

A branch of the University of Kansas has gotten into the business of evaluating the operations of law enforcement agencies across the state and offering accreditation to police and sheriff’s departments. The Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, which is based in Hutchinson but run by KU, has recently launched the Kansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. The program reviews police and sheriff’s departments that sign up for the program, and ultimately certifies whether the agencies are meeting a set of best practices for law enforcement. Source: LJWorld

As city stops taking new residents at North Lawrence homeless camp, concerns grow about life and safety issues at East Lawrence camp

info2022-12-09T08:17:53-06:00December 9th, 2022|

The city of Lawrence is no longer allowing new residents in its sanctioned camp for the homeless, but now there is concern that an unsanctioned camp along the railroad tracks in East Lawrence is growing. At the unofficial camp behind the Amtrak depot near Seventh and New Jersey streets, there are now tents for the homeless about 25 paces from the active Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad line. A business neighbor, Tony Krsnich of Kennedy Glass, said that’s closer than he’s seen at any point in the last two years, and he estimated the footprint of the overall campground has approximately [...]

Amid assessment of Lawrence development code, consultant lays out some anticipated changes

info2022-12-09T08:17:21-06:00December 9th, 2022|

After assessing Lawrence’s development code for the past few months, city-hired consultants have laid out some changes for an update that will affect where and how the city grows. Those include changes to the setup of both residential and commercial districts and what types of developments and uses are allowed where. ... The development code update will implement the community’s comprehensive plan, Plan 2040, and the development-related aspects of the Downtown Lawrence Plan. It also seeks to establish simpler and more consistent development procedures, according to a project overview. The purpose of the code assessment is to establish a framework for [...]

Miniature golf park in the works for Pittsburg

info2022-12-09T12:43:13-06:00December 8th, 2022|

A new miniature golf park is one step closer for Pittsburg’s Lincoln Park... Riggs Chiropractic recently donated $10,000 to the city’s parks and recreation department, which is overseeing the project. Expected cost for the new course is $350,000. Other funding streams include a hoped-for $175,000 federal grant through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, that Toby Book, Parks and Rec director, wrote. Also, Joe Leek, former president of Community National Bank, has so far raised $50,000 for the effort. Book hopes the necessary funding will be in place by spring with dirt work beginning in the summer. “And we could have [...]

Hiawatha asks for community input on stoplight issue

info2022-12-09T12:43:50-06:00December 8th, 2022|

Hiawatha city officials are asking for the community's input on the First and Oregon Street intersection stoplight issue. For the past few weeks, the stoplights have been in blinking mode since a possible wiring short occurred from excess rain. The city has determined the price tag to fix the stop lights range from $15,000 for a potential temporary fix up to $250,000 to replace the entire intersection’s once overhanging lights. The state Department of Transportation has determined the intersection does not get enough east-west traffic to warrant a stoplight and therefore won’t chip in any funding for the project. Source: hiawathaworldonline.com