Cowley College trustees approve purchase of 3.5 acres of land to build dorms on Sumner Campus

College dorms are a go at the Cowley College Sumner Campus in Wellington. The Cowley College Board of Trustees unanimously approved the purchase of 3.5 acres of land for the building of a 17-unit dormitory south of the current campus. The dormitory project will be financed through the sales tax funds designated for the Sumner campus and operations of the college. There will be no property tax increase in Sumner County for the project. The last hurdle will be negotiations with the City of Wellington concerning utilities, rezoning, and other developmental details.
Source: Sumner NewsCow

Ranson Financial2021-09-22T07:00:51-05:00September 22, 2021|News|

New history guide dives deeper into Ark City building lore

After many hours of searching through old newspapers and other publications, members of the Arkansas City Historic Preservation Board have published a new edition of the historical district walking tour guide. Board President Foss Farrar said that the updated version took a new slant from the previous edition by giving the history of the buildings and stories about the people who built them. “We decided we would want to tell the story of the people behind the buildings, the ones who kept the stores,” he said. “I kind of look at them as the heroes of Ark City during all of those years.”
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler

Ranson Financial2021-09-22T07:02:33-05:00September 22, 2021|News|

Wichita City Council votes for private company to manage Century II

The Wichita City Council on Tuesday voted to have a private company manage Century II. The council voted 5-to-2 to allow ASM Global to manage Century II. Mayor Brandon Whipple and council member Jeff Blubaugh voted against the contract. ASM Global already manages INTRUST Bank Arena and the Orpheum Theatre. Under the contract, the city will continue to own the building and ASM Global will maintain accounting records and meet with the city regularly. ASM will continue to operate the building in accordance with the city’s operating standards. Councilman Brandon Johnson voted in favor of the new contract. He says under ASM, that Century II will operate more efficiently and be able to book more acts since they operate both the Orpheum and InTrust bank arena and know the market. “All wanted to see activation out of that space and this contract is going to make that happen.”
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-09-22T00:50:45-05:00September 22, 2021|News|

Emporia to discuss rental property concerns

The Emporia City Commission will take a look at its rental property maintenance codes during its study session Wednesday morning. Chief building inspector Kory Krause has reported an increasing number of complaints in regard to poor living conditions in rental properties and has asked the commission to consider adopting the International Property Maintenance Code. The IPMC is intended to provide safe and sanitary conditions for those living in Emporia rental units. Emporia is the only Kansas city that hosts a state university and has not adopted the IPMC. Additionally, it is one of only three of the state’s 20 First Class cities with more than 19,000 people that do not use the IPMC.
Source: Emporia Gazette

Ranson Financial2021-09-21T07:00:20-05:00September 21, 2021|News|

Johnson County school district with weak COVID rules is warned it has worst case rate

The Spring Hill school district, which has the most lenient COVID-19 rules of any public district in Johnson County, has seen far higher infection rates among students than neighboring districts, health officials report. Now, health officials are warning the district they are concerned by the trend. Every other district in the county requires everyone to wear masks at all grade levels. But in Spring Hill, in southern Johnson County, masks are only required for younger students, and were made optional for high schoolers. In addition, the school board agreed to allow parents to sign mask exemption forms — which previously required a doctor’s signature — essentially making masks optional for students districtwide.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2021-09-21T06:59:46-05:00September 21, 2021|News|

High grad rates, flat test scores: Is an ambitious overhaul of Kansas schools working?

Santa Fe Trail Middle School in Olathe was among the first to undergo an overhaul of Kansas’ public school system, creating seismic shifts in how students are taught and prepared for life after graduation. Now, a few years later, students are job shadowing and taking courses where they solve real-world engineering and environmental problems. They have more access to counselors and lessons on social-emotional skills. On “Exploration Days,” they are immersed in experiences and classes outside of the regular curriculum. And they are required to spend time volunteering or serving the community.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2021-09-21T06:59:15-05:00September 21, 2021|News|

How Johnson County Hospitals Are Trying To Cope With Staffing Shortages, Nurse Burnout

As COVID-19 transmission in Johnson County continues to remain high, area hospitals and their staffs are still working around the clock to treat and discharge patients, roughly a year-and-a-half into the pandemic. The struggle to endure long shifts and multiple days working can be physically taxing and mentally draining, health officials say. “There are some weeks where I’m here at the hospital more than I’m at home,” Julie Rojas, a respiratory therapist with KU Health, said last week during one of the hospital’s daily COVID-19 briefings. “Your coworkers become like your family, and they understand the things you see and deal with.”
Source: KCUR News

Ranson Financial2021-09-21T06:58:12-05:00September 21, 2021|News|

Could Century II be private Tuesday?

Tuesday may be the day the city stops managing Century II after more than 50 years. “What’s in the contract?” asked Celeste Racette, founder of Save Century II. “The City manager office scheduled them (city council) to approve a deal Tuesday?” Racette is talking about details on a deal between the city and ASM Global Management to operate Century II. … “I definitely think privatization is the right way to go,” said [City council member] Cerullo. “I would be in agreement to possibly doing a one-year at a time deal. Five years is a long time.”
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-09-21T06:57:27-05:00September 21, 2021|News|

City of Green celebrates 140th Anniversary

Several dozen people gathered outside of the brand-new Green City Hall and Museum at 11 a.m. on Saturday to commemorate the 140th Anniversary of the founding of the town. Local historian Bev Caley thanked everyone in attendance and gave particulars for several of the items on display in the new museum. She said the museum had been a labor of love for both herself and the community, with ample opportunity to continue growing in the future.
Source: www.ccenterdispatch.com

Ranson Financial2021-09-21T06:55:45-05:00September 21, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for September 20, 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 Financial2021-09-21T06:48:01-05:00September 21, 2021|News|