Group’s plans would enhance access to Kansas Riverfront in Lawrence

The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday discussed the possibility of several new ways for pedestrians to experience downtown and the Kansas River. Representatives from RiverFront & CENTER, a group comprising local architects and volunteers, presented commissioners with a design plan for the Kaw River COMMONS project. The transportation project includes improvements to existing infrastructure and several additions, including a a downtown skywalk and a new pedestrian bridge over the river with viewing decks.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Ranson Financial2021-09-23T06:53:20-05:00September 23, 2021|News|

Newton schools have at least six languages

Newton schools have at least a half dozen foreign languages represented among their enrollments. The USD-373 Board of Education recently approved a three-year contract with Propio LS for translation services to meet the needs of those who might not be fluent in English. The service provides translation of more than 200 languages and the district will be billed based on monthly usage. When the need arises for a teacher or other staff member to communicate with a parent, Propio LS will translate via telephone.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2021-09-23T06:51:52-05:00September 23, 2021|News|

Eilert stresses community relations in new role as Hesston chief

New Hesston Police Chief Chris Eilert was studying business at Butler Community College when he rode along with a friend who had joined the Wichita Police Department. He said he caught the bug of public service. “Just the whole aspect of helping people,” he said. “I like to help people when I can. This job makes it very easy to do that.” Eilert changed his major to administration of justice and graduated from Wichita State University in 1995. He first got on with Hesston in March 1999. He had been working in Hoisington and wanted to be closer to home. The 1990 Remington High School graduate also wanted to work for Curt Ford, who was police chief at the time.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2021-09-23T06:50:55-05:00September 23, 2021|News|

Sedgwick historian shares about postmaster scandal, bank robberies and more

A couple dozen people joined local historian Jim Loyd for a walking tour through downtown Sedgwick last Saturday afternoon to hear tales of the city’s early days. Loyd detailed the history of many of the buildings in downtown Sedgwick, sharing some interesting anecdotes along the way. Loyd said OY Hart had a general store on the west side of the 500 block of Commercial in 1872. Hart served as the city’s second postmaster, but a few months into his appointment, he was fired. “The town was outraged,” Loyd said. “They liked OY Hart. What’s going on? Why? No reason was ever given.”
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2021-09-23T06:50:04-05:00September 23, 2021|News|

As the Fed sticks to its near-zero rate policy for now, here’s what that means for you

Even though the Federal Reserve didn’t raise its benchmark rate Wednesday, your borrowing costs may still start to head higher. Rising prices brought on by the economic recovery are paving the way for the central bank to unwind last year’s bond buying. While the central bank said that interest rates will stay near zero for now, the tapering of bond purchases is seen as the first step on the way to interest rate hikes. And that, alone, may impact the rate you pay on your mortgage, credit card and car loan. “Tapering itself is going to increase yields in the medium- and long-term horizons, which will translate into higher borrowing costs,” said Yiming Ma, an assistant finance professor at Columbia University Business School.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2021-09-23T06:46:43-05:00September 23, 2021|News|

Sedgwick County will move COVID-19 testing to larger space, citing increased demand

Sedgwick County will move its COVID-19 testing site from a park in west Wichita to a larger location on the south side as the need for testing increases and the delta variant of the coronavirus spreads in the community. “Since the week of June 28, COVID-19 testing at the (Sedgwick County Health Department) testing site has increased by 600%,” Pete Meitzner, chairman of the County Commission, said in a statement. “With things continuing to change daily, this new space will allow us to meet the needs of our community as we move to slow the spread of COVID-19.” The new county testing location will be at 4115 E. Harry, near Harry and Oliver. The clinic is in the former Wichita Mall between Big Lots and COMCARE Adult Services. It will relocate on Oct. 4.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2021-09-23T00:21:11-05:00September 23, 2021|News|

23 railroad crossing tickets issued in Wichita

Twenty-three railroad crossing violations were issued Wednesday as part of “Operation Clear Track” a law enforcement safety initiative. Local law enforcement joined Kansas Operation Lifesaver for the event in south Wichita. Officers were stationed near Seneca and Walker and McLean and Walker looking for crossing violators. Aaron Mays, with Kansas Operation Lifesaver, said they weren’t issuing citations at all the locations. Instead, law enforcement handed out safety cards to motorists and pedestrians, and warnings and tickets were handed to violators. The goal of Operation Clear Track and Rail Safety Week is to raise awareness of the importance of making safe choices near railroad tracks and trains.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-09-23T00:19:04-05:00September 23, 2021|News|

Overland Park lays out process for finding outgoing city manager Bill Ebel’s replacement

Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach set the wheels in motion this week to find a replacement for retiring City Manager Bill Ebel. Gerlach notified the council at Monday’s meeting that he will initiate a process similar to that used in previous city manager searches, with a special screening and selection committee taking the first steps to find a search firm this week. Under Gerlach’s timeline, that selection committee would find and recommend a search firm by November to the full council and then disband. Councilmembers, including the ones newly elected on Nov. 2, would begin their work with the search firm on Dec. 6, culminating in a final decision, which Gerlach projects to occur in March or April.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2021-09-23T00:16:18-05:00September 23, 2021|News|

A Free Tool to Help Cities Take Full Advantage of Federal Aid

City leaders around the U.S. have asked dozens of questions in recent months about how federal pandemic aid flowing to their jurisdictions under the American Rescue Plan Act can be used. For instance: “What are some of my city’s obligations and responsibilities to prevent fraud related to ARP funds?” “Can revenue loss from 2020 be used to pay for any budget shortfalls for 2021?” “May cities use American Rescue Plan funds to finance a previous infrastructure project?” Those questions, and hundreds of others, have been asked by local officials and answered by experts on a new website that aims to help officials “identify, obtain and retain billions in federal recovery dollars.”
Source: Route Fifty – All Content

Ranson Financial2021-09-23T00:12:57-05:00September 23, 2021|News|

‘Many of us are struggling financially’: Olathe Council rejects property tax increase

The Olathe City Council on Tuesday rejected a proposed property tax increase, which would have helped fund the new downtown library. The council voted 6-1 to reject city staff’s proposal and instead keep the property tax rate flat for 2022. Council members said they had been flooded with messages from residents urging them not to raise taxes, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Many of us are struggling financially,” Councilwoman Marge Vogt said. “While I’m not an advocate for kicking the can down the road to other councils or taxpayers, creating a burden for the future, I do believe after really looking at the budget and evaluating it, that we can hold the mill levy and fund the library without the proposed increase.”
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2021-09-23T00:09:41-05:00September 23, 2021|News|

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