Topeka temporarily repeals residency requirement it’s had since the early 1980s

Topeka’s city government is rescinding, at least for the next five years, the residency requirement it’s had in place since the early 1980s.The Topeka City Council voted 7-2 Tuesday evening to approve an ordinance taking that step, which is aimed at increasing the city’s pool of potential workers at a time when high-quality employees have been hard to find. The ordinance OK’d Tuesday arranges for the repeal to expire on Dec. 31, 2027, unless the mayor and council vote to extend it beyond then.
Source: CJonline

Ranson Financial2022-09-08T07:25:07-05:00September 8, 2022|News|

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

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

Ranson Financial2022-09-08T07:24:09-05:00September 8, 2022|News|

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

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 June a 75 [basis point] rate hike from the Federal Reserve was seen as surprising acceleration from the 50bp and 25bp delivered at the two previous meetings. Less than three months later, 75bp has become something of a global norm with both the [European Central Bank] and Bank of Canada set to raise rates by 75bp,” Citigroup economist Andrew Hollenhorst said in a client note Wednesday.
Source: CNBC

Ranson Financial2022-09-08T07:15:15-05:00September 8, 2022|News|

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

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 community and at other schools nationwide.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-09-08T07:14:21-05:00September 8, 2022|News|

McPherson Schools to begin partnership program

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

Ranson Financial2022-09-08T07:13:56-05:00September 8, 2022|News|

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

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

Ranson Financial2022-09-08T07:13:00-05:00September 8, 2022|News|

50th annual Walnut Valley Festival coming to Winfield

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

Ranson Financial2022-09-08T07:12:24-05:00September 8, 2022|News|

Proposed zoning changes aim to ease child care shortages around county

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

Ranson Financial2022-09-08T07:11:46-05:00September 8, 2022|News|

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

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 scale for Comcare to better reflect its new classification as a certified community behavioral health clinic.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2022-09-08T03:03:07-05:00September 8, 2022|News|

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

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

Ranson Financial2022-09-09T07:12:23-05:00September 8, 2022|News|

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