Moving Wall coming to Valley Center

A Vietnam War memorial is coming to Valley Center, as The Moving Wall will be set up at Lions Park (316 S. Abilene Ave.) from Oct. 21-25. The display will be open to the public 24/7 during those days and admission is free. The Moving Wall is a half-size replica of the Washington, D.C., Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has toured the U.S. for more than 30 years. The wall contains the names of over 58,000 people who lost their lives in the Vietnam War.
Source: Derby Informer | Area

Ranson Financial2021-10-20T21:50:04-05:00October 20, 2021|News|

Derby City Council hears varying opinions on new property codes

Updates to Derby’s property maintenance standards drew a wide range of reactions from council members and citizens on hand at the Oct. 12 city council meeting. As part of a first reading of proposed amendments to Title 8 of the Derby Municipal Code, Director of Public Works Robert Mendoza discussed the changes to property maintenance standards with the Derby City Council. While the previous standards focused on appearance only, the changes would take health and safety into account as well. The amendments would also still focus increased enforcement solely on the exterior of both residential and commercial buildings. Previously, the property code focused on preventing animal infestations, overgrown weeds/grass and bulky waste piling up on residences. The amendments would also address mold/mildew, brick and mortar damage, peeling paint, deteriorated shingles, corroded metal surfaces and a few other items.
Source: Derby Informer | News

Ranson Financial2021-10-21T06:41:32-05:00October 20, 2021|News|

KMU’s Colin Hansen leaves to head KPP

Last week, Kansas Municipal Utilities Executive Director Colin Hansen submitted his resignation to the KMU Executive Committee at its regularly scheduled meeting in McPherson. He will be leaving KMU after 22 years of service to accept the position of CEO/General Manager for the Kansas Power Pool (KPP).
Source: KMU

Ranson Financial2021-10-20T07:12:46-05:00October 20, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for October 19, 2021

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 Financial2021-10-20T07:06:49-05:00October 20, 2021|News|

Wichita City Council could approve Clapp Golf Course master plan

The future of Clapp Golf Course is up for a vote today in the Wichita City Council. The course is located at 4611 E. Harry was closed in 2019 because it wasn’t making any money. Leaders decided to turn it into a multi-purpose park. … Phase I improvements will consist of partial demolition, grading and utility extension to accommodate the new entry drive and parking lot. It will also construct a year-round pavilion, restrooms, a playground and a splash pad as funding allows.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-10-20T07:01:17-05:00October 19, 2021|News|

Prairie Village to let citywide mask mandate expire on Oct. 31

The Prairie Village City Council on Monday evening elected to not take any action on its citywide mask mandate, allowing the current order to expire on Oct. 31. Prairie Village’s mask order — which was the first for a Johnson County city amid this summer’s spike in cases — went into effect on Aug. 24. The city council then extended the mandate through the end of October, largely based on the CDC’s classification of Johnson County as an area of “high” transmission of COVID-19 at that time.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2021-10-20T07:01:47-05:00October 19, 2021|News|

KS law enforcement agencies to collect unused medications this weekend

Law enforcement officers at locations across the state will be collecting unused medications for safe disposal on Saturday, October 23, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said today. The collection events are part of a nationwide effort to safely dispose of leftover medications to prevent accidental or intentional misuse. Since the Drug Take-Back Day program began in 2010, more than 110 tons of unwanted medications have been collected and destroyed in Kansas alone. “Unused medications are dangerous for kids, pets and the environment,” Schmidt said. “Diversion of opioid painkillers, in particular, can contribute to the misuse of these drugs that has become a serious nationwide problem. Getting leftover medicines out of the medicine cabinets and safely destroyed keeps them from falling into the wrong hands and makes our communities safer.”
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-10-20T07:02:01-05:00October 19, 2021|News|

In rural Kansas and Missouri, unhoused people often go unseen and unhelped

On any given night, an estimated 943 people in rural Kansas and 1,569 people in rural Missouri are homeless. But the actual numbers are likely far greater. … In cities and urban areas, unhoused people will often be on the streets, in public encampments, or in shelters. In more rural areas, people will seek shelter in the woods, abandoned farm buildings or couch surf. Shanae Eggert with Kansas Homeless Coalition said the “hidden homeless population” of rural areas perpetuates a cycle of scarcity. “We don’t identify as many people who are actually experiencing homelessness (as) we would in an urban area, and it’s unfortunately a cycle,” Eggert said. “Because this population is more hidden in those areas, you can’t show an accurate need like you could in the city.”
Source: KCUR News

Ranson Financial2021-10-20T07:03:35-05:00October 19, 2021|News|

Johnson County district makes masks optional for older students as COVID cases fall

The De Soto school board on Monday unanimously agreed to make COVID-19 masks optional for high school students, effective Wednesday. The school district, like most others in Johnson County, has had a universal mask mandate since the school year began. But board members decided it was time to remove the mandate for high schoolers as COVID-19 cases decline. Masks will remain optional for high schoolers as long as the percentage of students needing to quarantine or isolate after being exposed to the virus remains below 4%. Otherwise, the mandate will be reinstated. Masks would then become optional again if that number drops below 2% for two consecutive weeks.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2021-10-20T07:03:49-05:00October 19, 2021|News|

Hobby shooters peppering neighborhood with bullets; Sedgwick County seeks to stop it

Residents of a Derby housing development say they are sick and tired of dodging bullets fired by neighbors in unincorporated Sedgwick County. They may get some relief Thursday at a special meeting where county commissioners are scheduled to consider a resolution that would make it a violation, with a $500 fine for shooting a bullet that strays outside the shooter’s property. Residents of the Northbrook Addition say they live in fear, in the line of fire behind where their neighbors on larger county lots adjacent to the development shoot targets with makeshift berms for backstops.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2021-10-19T23:39:18-05:00October 19, 2021|News|