One project for the Pittsburg Parks and Recreation is nearing completion, and the community is getting its first look

One project for the Pittsburg Parks and Recreation is nearing completion, and the community is getting its first look. This weekend was the soft opening for the city’s new splash pad in Schlanger Park. The $325,000 project was funded through community donors and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. The splash pad was designed to have universal access so everyone in the community could enjoy it with or without a disability. Kim Vogel, Director of Parks and Recreation, says, “Regardless of age or ability, we want to make sure that everybody has the opportunity for recreation in Pittsburg, and that’s really the mission of the ‘Everybody Plays’ committee, is to make sure we’re creating inclusive safe places.”
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-09-13T21:27:11-05:00September 13, 2021|News|

Emporia Public Schools nearing end of first wave of $78 million bond projects

Emporia Public Schools will be updating all of its schools over the next three years and the first projects are close to completion. These projects are part of a $78 million bond voters approved in 2019. Jones Early Childhood Development Center is located at 327 South Walnut Street. It will feature classes for three and four-year-olds, as well as infant and toddler services. The district said there will also be mental health and literacy experts working out of the new facility. It is the only new facility the district is building under the bond. Superintendent Dr. Allison Anderson-Harder said it was an investment the district needed to make. “Early childhood is a really important goal for Kansans Can for the state and we know how much attention we need for early childhood,” Anderson-Harder said. “Where we’re at right now is an older building and it wasn’t sufficient for what we needed, so we were able to build a much bigger building.”
Source: KSNT News

Ranson Financial2021-09-13T21:25:53-05:00September 13, 2021|News|

Downtown Overland Park group presents concept to remake area around farmers’ market — ‘We are dreaming big’

An alley that separates the Overland Park Clock Tower from the Farmer’s Market Pavilion downtown could get a new look that would make it more pedestrian-friendly on market days, once the rest of the market space is eventually updated. At a city council committee meeting earlier this month, officials with the Downtown Overland Park Partnership presented some early ideas about what could be done with Overland Park Drive. Their conceptual design includes new lighting, entrance way monuments, seating space, planters and other streetscaping intended to incorporate the service alley space into a better design for the market area.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2021-09-13T21:22:31-05:00September 13, 2021|News|

Overland Park City Council to vote on repeal of pit bull ban

Overland Park could soon drop breed restrictions preventing residents from owning pit bulls. On Thursday, the Overland Park Public Safety Committee unanimously approved staff recommendations to update city code regarding pet licensing, dog tethering and breed restrictive language.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

Ranson Financial2021-09-13T21:17:03-05:00September 13, 2021|News|

Grant Money Is Out There for Communities Who Can Write Applications

With Congress expected to finish its work on a $1 trillion infrastructure bill in the coming weeks — and potentially an even larger social spending bill — that will put a lot of money on the table for rural communities that are set up to get a share. Yet, a lot of communities struggle to go out and get those funds because they don’t have anyone who can write grant applications in a competitive environment. Those communities get left behind.
Source: Progressive Farmer

Ranson Financial2021-09-13T09:41:38-05:00September 13, 2021|News|

Historic Midland Theater in Coffeyville, Kansas, is in the midst of a $3 million renovation plan

At present, it may be just a shell of its former self, but a group of dedicated fans of Coffeyville’s historic Midland Theater are working to ensure this landmark has a secure and splendid future once it is restored to its former glory. Built in 1928, the Midland Theater originally was designed to accommodate the vaudeville acts that were a mainstay of live entertainment, as well as the newfangled motion pictures, both with and without sound. Its 10-foot-tall sign, adorned with 714 flickering yellow lights, attracted moviegoers of all ages to the Midland from the 1930s to 1990s, before time and economic downturns in the area took a toll on this town just north of the Oklahoma-Kansas state line. In recent years, however, the city of Coffeyville has been making efforts to reinvigorate itself through a number of civic initiatives, including the Midland Theater Foundation Inc., which has begun a $3 million capital campaign to renovate the theater to be the community hub it was for much of the 20th century.
Source: Tulsa World.

Ranson Financial2021-09-13T15:15:56-05:00September 13, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for September 10, 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 Financial2021-09-13T06:37:18-05:00September 13, 2021|News|

Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas extends mask requirement

The United Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas has extended its public health order requiring masks be worn in public spaces as the region continues to deal with the latest surge of COVID-19. Commissioners on Thursday evening unanimously approved the extension, which goes through Nov. 18. It mirrors the existing order that was passed in August first reinstating masks for the area. Under the health order, everyone ages 5 and up is required to wear a mask when visiting indoor public spaces regardless of vaccination status. Some exceptions are offered for people with a medical condition or a disability that would make mask-wearing difficult.
Source: KC Star Local News

Ranson Financial2021-09-12T21:17:09-05:00September 12, 2021|News|

Columbus community shows gratitude with annual “Military Veterans and First Responders Appreciation Day”

The Columbus community spent the day giving back to those who work on the front lines protecting our country and communities. Today marked the annual “Military Veterans and First Responders Appreciation Day” sponsored by Columbus area churches. Every piece of food was provided for free by local businesses and organizations, including “Hatfield Motors,” “Sonic,” and the Lions Club. The meals were prepared by Crossland Construction and handed out by students from Central Junior High School. “Anytime we have a community event, whether it’s a benefit or whatever it is, our community always comes together and the response is so overwhelming and my kids do an outstanding job at giving back,” said Michelle Mosler, Central Junior High School Teacher
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-09-12T21:13:48-05:00September 12, 2021|News|

Pittsburg’s “Paint The Town Red” annual tradition returns

The city of Pittsburg is “red” once again as an annual tradition makes its return. “Paint The Town Red” made its in-person return after going virtual last year due to COVID-19. The celebration has been a joint effort between the city, the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, and Pittsburg State University for the past 15 years. Throughout the week, area businesses got in on the fun with a building decorating contest, keeping with this year’s theme “The Great Gus Gatsby”. “To see people walking up and down the sidewalk and their businesses and posting on Facebook and other forms of social media that they’re all dressed in red, they’re really getting behind this event and we couldn’t be more prouder,” said Julie Reams, Pittsburg Chamber Special Events Director.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-09-13T06:32:42-05:00September 12, 2021|News|