Johnson County’s newest park sure to delight hikers, bikers

Johnson County opened its newest park in early January, capitalizing on the natural beauty of an area west of Kansas 7 highway. Cedar Niles Park encompasses about 1,000 acres roughly between 119th and 135th streets. It has streams, dramatic topography, 4 miles of paved trail, plus single-track trails for hiking and mountain biking. The unpaved trail network, called the Columbine Loop, is in the northern area of the park and named for the wildflower that grows abundantly there.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2022-01-21T08:52:18-06:00January 21, 2022|News|

Garden Plain city clerk receives new title

City clerk Kimberly McCormick has earned the designation of Master Municipal Clerk, which is awarded by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), Inc. IIMC grants the MMC designation only to those municipal clerks who complete demanding education requirements; and who have a record of significant contributions to their local government, their community and state. “It’s a lot, but it’s worth it,” said McCormick. … “Learning never ends,” said McCormick. “Regulations and society changes so quickly, I will always need to take classes. My education is never complete.”
Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers

Ranson Financial2022-01-21T08:50:49-06:00January 21, 2022|News|

Spring Hill councilman’s refusal to attend meetings leaves city at standstill

City business in Spring Hill, Kansas is at a standstill. A political stalemate has ensued as the councilman who lost his election bid to become mayor is refusing to come to meetings. The man who voters elected mayor in November isn’t there either, he now lives in Florida. Steve Owen may not have showed up for a third straight meeting after storming off January 10, but many of his supporters in the odd political battle did. Thursday night’s meeting started like any other with an invocation and reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. But you could tell by all the empty council seats no city business would get done in Spring Hill Kansas once again.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

Ranson Financial2022-01-21T08:49:11-06:00January 21, 2022|News|

Advantages of Lawrence’s parking payment apps outweighed by dissatisfaction for some downtown users

Mobile payment options added to metered parking in downtown Lawrence have provided a new level of convenience for many shoppers and diners, but the change has left others fighting tickets and feeling frustrated. The City of Lawrence launched the new payment options last spring as part of a larger parking management system that added mobile apps and kiosks to metered parking areas. The system was intended to improve downtown parking through added convenience, but also by enabling the city to collect data and adapt to accommodate needs. Some app users, however, say the new system is generating unwarranted parking tickets that are difficult to appeal.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Ranson Financial2022-01-21T08:47:30-06:00January 21, 2022|News|

De Soto primes for massive (but not explosive) growth

Sunflower Ordnance Works sprang up after the attack on Pearl Harbor pushed the United States into World War II. Almost overnight, it grew to become the world’s largest powder and propellant plant, bringing as many as 12,000 employees at a time to the small town of De Soto. Workers bused in from virtually every town within an hour’s drive, and Sunflower Village was built to house others. Sunflower Village, now known as Clearview City, became part of De Soto. And although there have been plans through the years to turn the shuttered ammunition plant into everything from a research park to a Wizard of Oz theme park, the only activity has been a long-running environmental cleanup.
Source: Kansas City Business News

Ranson Financial2022-01-21T08:41:03-06:00January 21, 2022|News|

Riley County discuss details of proposed rural economic advisory board

Riley County commissioners on Thursday discussed term details for a proposed rural economic development board. The proposed rural economic development board would consist of six members of the public, plus the county extension director (Gary Fike), a county extension staff member (John Jobe), and a staff member of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce (Daryn Soldan). So far, the county has received applications from Gordon Hibbard, Kent Glasscock, Brenda Jordan, Ron Wilson and Jada Sharp. The commission hasn’t voted to accept these applications. The county government wants to create the board to develop more ways for rural residents to continue economic development outside of the city and find more ways to attract business and opportunity for the rural part of Riley County.
Source: themercury.com

Ranson Financial2022-01-21T08:40:22-06:00January 21, 2022|News|

New broadband program available to help with internet costs

The Emergency Broadband Benefit, a federal program that helped almost 9 million low income Americans afford internet service in 2021, ended on December 31. The Kansas Corporation Commission wants Kansans to know that a new $14.2 billion federal program, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), is available to fill the gap. With higher income maximums, the ACP could help even more families afford internet access for work, school, and health care. Current Emergency Broadband Benefit participants have until March 1 to contact their internet provider and switch over to the new plan with no interruption of service.
Source: Local News | hiawathaworldonline.com

Ranson Financial2022-01-21T08:39:48-06:00January 21, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for January 20, 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 Financial2022-01-21T08:17:31-06:00January 21, 2022|News|

Pandemic has taken a serious toll on mental health

Community Mental Health Centers across Kansas are looking to ease pandemic anxiety. The Crawford County Mental Health Center is offering more options than ever to help. In fact, it’s now offering zoom therapy and telephone visits. “Services are easier than ever to get into. We are still offering in-person services so if that’s important to you it’s still an option,” said Amy Goines, Clinical Director of Crawford County Mental Health Center. During the pandemic the CCMHC is seeing more teachers and school district employees coming in for therapy.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2022-01-20T07:55:42-06:00January 20, 2022|News|

Legislators push back on proposed incentives for ‘megaprojects’

A parade of state and local economic development leaders, however, painted the legislation as a key way of modernizing how the state attracts and retains large companies. Officials argued that mega-projects, or deals totaling more than $1 billion in investment, are now the norm and Kansas must keep up with the Jones — or, in this case, states like Texas and Arizona. … In this case, the legislation is largely targeted at the mystery company, who has agreed to create 4,000 permanent direct jobs, with an average income of $50,000. Paul Hughes, deputy secretary of commerce, told the Senate Commerce Committee Wednesday that thousands more jobs will be created indirectly, either in construction or further down the supply chain.
Source: CJonline

Ranson Financial2022-01-20T07:09:29-06:00January 20, 2022|News|

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