News – Page 982 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Sedgwick’s Historical Society to be a major hub for Fall Festival

info2022-09-08T07:24:09-05:00September 8th, 2022|

As could be expected, with this year’s Fall Festival (Sept. 17-18) celebrating Sedgwick’s 150th anniversary, the historical society will be even more involved than normal. From dancing showgirls to old-time photos, to horseshoe and blacksmithing demonstrations, the northeastern edge of the activity center for the Fall Festival will host a lot of events and all of them will be kid-friendly, according to historical society president Nancy Stahl. Source: Harvey County Now

Market bracing for another three-quarter point hike from the Fed this month

info2022-09-08T07:15:15-05:00September 8th, 2022|

Traders are now seeing a near-certainty that the Federal Reserve enacts its third consecutive 0.75 percentage point interest rate increase when it meets later this month. The probability of a three-quarter point hike moved to 82% Wednesday morning, according to the CME Group's FedWatch tracker of fed funds futures bets. That follows a series of positive economic data and statements from Fed officials indicating that tight policy is likely to persist well into the future. In a pivotal speech Aug. 26, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell warned that warned that increases will proceed and higher rates likely will stay in place. "In [...]

After tumultuous week of brawls and guns, Wichita schools announce new security measures

info2022-09-08T07:14:21-05:00September 8th, 2022|

Officials at Wichita Public Schools, the largest district in the state, announced new safety precautions following a tumultuous week that included multiple brawls and students being arrested for bringing a gun to school. Terri Moses, director of safety and environmental services, said Wednesday the school district will put automated screening devices — which she said are a step up from traditional metal detectors — at all of its high schools. There will be 45 to 50 devices at a cost of up to $1.5 million, she said. “This is a sign of our times,” Moses said, referring to guns in the [...]

McPherson Schools to begin partnership program

info2022-09-08T07:13:56-05:00September 8th, 2022|

The Parents in Partnership program is about to begin at McPherson Schools. Throughout the school day, parents and grandparents will lend a helping hand. By showing students that education is important enough for them to attend school as well, Parents in Partnership aims to create more positive role models for students. Adding extra eyes and ears will also help to improve school safety and minimize bullying. The ultimate goal is to foster a genuine sense of partnership between families and the schools. Source: McPherson Weekly News

Wichita, Sedgwick County trying again to get federal funding for flood project

info2022-09-08T07:13:00-05:00September 8th, 2022|

Wichita and Sedgwick County are making another try at federal grant funding for a proposed flood control project. The Wichita City Council and the Sedgwick County Commission have approved letters of intent to apply for a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and its BRIC (Building Resilience in Communities) program. The city and county applied for the grant last fall but did not get approval for funding. They are making a new application under the Fiscal Year 2022 round of grants, which will have a total of almost $2.3 billion available for projects across the U.S. Source: 101.3 KFDI

50th annual Walnut Valley Festival coming to Winfield

info2022-09-08T07:12:24-05:00September 8th, 2022|

Crowds are set to descend on the Winfield Fairgrounds from Sept. 14-18 for the 50th annual Walnut Valley Festival, featuring 30-plus musical acts ranging from bluegrass to folk and more. Other highlights of the festival include a juried arts and crafts fair and a host of national and international contests, including the National Flat Pick Championships. Festival contests over the years have attracted contestants from all 50 states as well as a host of foreign countries (Australia, Sweden, Japan, etc.). Source: Derby Informer | Area

Proposed zoning changes aim to ease child care shortages around county

info2022-09-08T07:11:46-05:00September 8th, 2022|

Home day care facilities could enroll more children under proposed changes to the Wichita-Sedgwick County zoning code. This could mitigate child care shortages that some say are reaching crisis levels. “We’re only meeting 38% of the demand [for child care] in Sedgwick County,” said Tanya Bullock, program director at local nonprofit Child Start. “That means about 17,600 children under the age of 5 are potentially needing child care.” Source: Derby Informer | Area

Sedgwick County Commission approves pay increase for Comcare to help recruit, retain staff

info2022-09-08T03:03:07-05:00September 8th, 2022|

When you ask leaders at Comcare what their biggest issues has been over the last two years, they will say it has been keeping staff. Director of Quality and CCBHC Michelle Calvert says "It's been incredibly difficult for us to retain staff, especially throughout the pandemic. At a certain time, throughout the pandemic, we were down about 42 percent of our staff.” The major reason why? "Pay is the overwhelming reason why staff have left us staff have said when they left." The Sedgwick County Commission is fixing that. Wednesday It approved by a vote of 5-0 for a new pay [...]

Wichita Public Schools seeks approval of devices to detect guns, explosives

info2022-09-09T07:12:23-05:00September 8th, 2022|

Terri Moses, the Director of Safety Services for Wichita public schools, said a new plan is being proposed to the school board on Monday, September 12. This new plan requires the purchase of automated screening devices that are, according to Moses, a step above standard metal detectors. They are designed to only detect firearms and explosives so students and staff would not have to take things out of their pockets or bags to be searched before entering the school. Source: KAKE - News

Voters approve Quinter school bond, citywide sales tax

info2022-09-08T02:56:49-05:00September 8th, 2022|

Voters in Quinter approved their school bond issue and a citywide sales tax to help pay for it. The bond issue passed 249-150, and the sales tax passed 152-88. The renovations include new HVAC systems, new lighting and a cafeteria expansion for the elementary school. The 1% sales tax increase will help pay for the $15.4 million bond to improve those facilities. Source: KAKE - News