Butler launching new Fire Academy in fall 2022

Zachary Lindsey knows firsthand what Butler Community College’s Fire Science program teaches. He started his Fire Science education at Butler and spent 17 years in the fire service in North Carolina. Lindsey, originally from Eureka and a Bluestem High School graduate, returned to Kansas in early 2020 and is now head of Butler’s Fire Science program. Since taking over the program, he’s been innovating to give Butler Fire Science students greater leverage in the marketplace. His most recent innovation is the creation of the Butler Fire Academy – designed to train students to be firefighters in 16 weeks. It’s a heavy lift but needed, according to Lindsey.
Source: Derby Informer | Area

Ranson Financial2022-08-02T05:45:00-05:00August 2, 2022|News|

Great Bend council drops idea of stipends

After much discussion Monday night, some heated, it was clear the many on the governing body, including four council members and the mayor, opposed the of offering stipends to entice more people to run for the city offices. Although divisions amongst the council members remained, it was the consensus following a work session that the matter be laid to rest. The idea of the city offering some sort of benefit as an enticement first arose at the June 20 meeting, raised by Ward 1 City Councilwoman Lindsey Krom-Craven. It surfaced again at the next meeting July 5. City Administrator Kendal Francis said Monday he had polled other cities, asking what they did. Most that responded offered some form of pay, ranging from a few dollars to over $900 per month with benefits.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Ranson Financial2022-08-02T05:45:53-05:00August 2, 2022|News|

JoCo approves $4.6M for retention bonuses for sheriff’s office and corrections workers

The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners last week unanimously approved the use up to $4.6 million in county reserve funds to pay for retention bonuses for sheriff”s office and corrections department employees. The move aims to address ongoing challenges these departments have faced and attracting and retaining workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will go toward the sheriff’s office and corrections department — both of which, county staff said, don’t have the means in their existing budgets to pay for retention incentives.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2022-08-02T05:46:30-05:00August 2, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for July 29, 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 and Beth Warren.

Ranson Financial2022-08-01T08:08:23-05:00August 1, 2022|News|

The Kansas Supreme Court rules that police can be liable when their actions injure a bystander

The Kansas Supreme Court has reversed a lower court decision that shielded a Wichita police officer from criminal charges when he shot at a dog and a young girl was injured. Former Wichita police officer Dexter Betts was responding to a domestic disturbance call when a dog lunged at him, his attorneys say. Betts shot at the dog, but missed. Bullet fragments hit someone behind the animal. Betts was charged with reckless aggravated battery in 2018, but prosecution was blocked because a court ruled he qualified for statutory immunity — a provision in state law that protects officers from prosecution for doing their jobs. The Kansas Supreme Court disagreed, and in an opinion by Justice Dan Biles sent the case back to a trial court.
Source: KCUR News

Ranson Financial2022-08-01T08:00:36-05:00August 1, 2022|News|

Lawrence to swap all 15-minute parking stalls for 2-hour stalls

The City of Lawrence will soon convert all 19 of its short-term parking stalls to two-hour spots. The city’s 15-minute stalls have been underutilized compared to the two-hour ones, according to a city news release Friday. “When introduced, the 15-minute time frame was intended to encourage high frequency turnover rates for visitors when picking up or dropping off items at Downtown Lawrence storefronts,” according to the release. “… Because the two-hour parking stalls can also be used for short-term parking needs, the City made the decision to convert all 19 of the current 15-minute parking stalls to two-hour parking stalls.”
Source: The Lawrence Times

Ranson Financial2022-08-01T08:01:08-05:00August 1, 2022|News|

Johnson County commissioners approve spending over $4.6 million for retention bonuses

Johnson County commissioners on Thursday approved funding for up to $3,000 in retention bonuses to combat staff vacancies in the sheriff and corrections departments due to a labor shortage. In an unanimous vote, commissioners agreed to spend more than $4.6 million over the next two years to help those agencies retain staff. The money is coming from the Countywide Support Funds reserves. “We are struggling, at least in some areas of the organization, to be able to recruit and retain,” said Maury Thompson, interim director of the human resources department.
Source: KC Star Local News

Ranson Financial2022-08-01T00:17:47-05:00August 1, 2022|News|

Osawatomie Completes Levee Certification

The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was pleased to announce they have accepted the accreditation materials for the City of Osawatomie levee system! Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. submitted the materials on behalf of the City of Osawatomie and was a tremendous partner in completing the accreditation. Now that the accreditation has completed, FEMA will produce a new countywide Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Miami County, Kansas. The levee will be shown as fully accredited on this future FIRM.
Source: City of Osawatomie

Ranson Financial2022-08-01T00:14:40-05:00August 1, 2022|News|

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Cybersecurity Company to Move Headquarters to Kansas

Governor Laura Kelly today announced cybersecurity company Novacoast is relocating its corporate headquarters to Wichita from Santa Barbara, California. The company plans to bring 100 new high-tech jobs to the state and help make Wichita a center for cybersecurity training. The announcement comes as Governor Kelly embarks on her “Prosperity on the Plains” economic tour talking with business leaders across Kansas about how to continue her administration’s record-breaking economic success. “I’m thrilled Novacoast is moving its headquarters to Wichita and creating 100 high-tech jobs for Kansans,” Governor Kelly said. “More and more companies are choosing to come to our state because they’ve seen that our talented workforce, strong infrastructure, and pro-business climate will help them grow and succeed.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce » Press Releases Category Feed

Ranson Financial2022-08-01T00:12:53-05:00August 1, 2022|News|

McPherson approves further restrictions on water park

The McPherson City Commission set new hours for the McPherson Water Park for the remainder of the season during their meeting on Tuesday. Staffing issues have persisted at the facility, a joint venture between the city and the McPherson Recreation Commission, notably with regard to lifeguards. It’s a component of an issue that affects aquatic centers all around the country. The water park’s new hours for Tuesday through Friday will be 1 to 5 p.m. The water park will continue to be closed on Mondays to wrap up the season. The park will be open on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m.
Source: McPherson Weekly News » Feed

Ranson Financial2022-08-01T08:02:22-05:00August 1, 2022|News|

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