Stray bullets fly in rural Johnson County. Now reckless shooters face $1,000 fines

In an effort to protect rural residents plagued by stray bullets, the Johnson County Commission decided Thursday to levy fines of up to $1,000 against reckless shooters. Many families in unincorporated areas of the county have reported bullets hitting their vehicles and homes and, in one case, even landing in a children’s play room. Last year, several residents joined together to demand the county stop the gun use that they say is putting their families in danger. Johnson County officials took up the issue, but Sheriff Calvin Hayden warned that county action was restricted because there is little state law regulating the use of firearms on private property in areas outside city limits.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2021-08-27T07:05:14-05:00August 27, 2021|News|

It’s designed to help firefighters. New station to open early September in Olathe

AA new fire station, expected to open the week of Sept. 6 to serve growing southwest Olathe, was built with firefighters, equipment and the surrounding neighborhood in mind, according to the Olathe Fire Department…. Fire department spokesman Mike Hall said the station is designed for firefighter convenience so crew members can work more easily. For instance, interior glass will allow employees to quickly locate materials and co-workers. In addition, the alert system features different volumes and light colors to reduce physiological stress on the firefighters. In their bunkrooms, firefighters can customize the alerts to what best suits them when awakened to answer a call.
Source: KC Star Local News

Ranson Financial2021-08-27T07:04:35-05:00August 27, 2021|News|

Baxter Springs police go high-tech to fight car break-ins

Chief Harper says the crooks are using a smart phone app to listen in on police scanners and determine what part of town the cops can be found…. But criminals aren’t the only ones using technology to get ahead in Baxter Springs. In addition to utilizing more plainclothes officers in unmarked vehicles, the Baxter Springs Police Department is also upgrading their vehicles. “We’re now purchasing a new system that goes on our vehicles. It’s like a flare that you see on the helicopter systems that will pick up heat sensations at night. So anybody that’s out hiding from a mile away in the middle of the dark, in the middle of the night, we’ll be able to see them,” said Chief Harper.
Source: KOAMKOAM

Ranson Financial2021-08-27T07:03:21-05:00August 27, 2021|News|

Wellington School District closing all school buildings, school-related events until Sept. 7 due to COVID

Starting Friday, the Wellington School District will close all of its buildings, suspend sports practices and all other school related events until Sept. 7 due to COVID-19. The moves comes after the school district and the Sumner County Health Department determined three of the district’s six buildings had COVID outbreaks. “We will continue to monitor this evolving situation and provide regular updates via the USD 353 website, email, and text alerts,” the district said in a letter to families.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-08-27T07:00:57-05:00August 27, 2021|News|

City of Golden could prevent warehouses

Petitioners for the proposed city of Golden have sought to create a city to keep intermodal warehouses from being built on land used primarily for rural residential living and agriculture in northern Miami County. Planning Director Teresa Reeves told county commissioners Aug. 18 petitioners could use that strategy if the County Commission votes in favor of incorporation. The vote would have to be unanimous. The approximately 9-square-mile proposed city would be located north of Hillsdale Lake. Reeves told commissioners in her testimony during their Aug. 18 study session — as well as in her written responses to commissioners’ questions — that formal approval by the Miami County Board of County Commissioners is not required if the city of Edgerton, or any other city, annexes land in Miami County by consent.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com

Ranson Financial2021-08-27T06:40:44-05:00August 27, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for August 26, 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 Financial2021-08-27T06:40:29-05:00August 27, 2021|News|

Leadership Kansas tours in Pittsburg to improve communities

Community leaders from across Kansas are in Pittsburg this week. They’re hoping to take what they learn in Pittsburg to change their communities for the better. And this could even have an impact in places like Leawood and Wichita. For more than seven months, these leaders travel to regions across the state to see how the communities operate, and speak with local leaders about what makes the area tick. This week, the Kansas Chamber brought 40 community leaders to Pittsburg as part of its annual Leadership Kansas program. Over the next few days, participants will be exploring local attractions, restaurants and industries. They’ll also be speaking with city leaders to discuss local initiatives — including Pittsburg’s efforts to increase housing.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-08-27T06:37:44-05:00August 27, 2021|News|

Emporia sets aside $750,000 for staff raises in 2022

Emporia city staff will receive salary increases in 2022, but how much those raises will be and how they will be allocated remain undecided. The topic of city staff wages again came up during the city commission’s Wednesday morning study session as it discussed its 2022 budget. Increasing salaries has been a pressing issue as the commission has worked on its 2022 budget, with commissioners and city staff acknowledging that in the past several years wage adjustments haven’t occurred as often as necessary to keep pay rates competitive with those offered by other communities. In previous sessions, the commission had discussed bumping up the wage scale 12% — with no one’s actual salary being raised except for those on the low end of the old wage scale to bring their salaries within the new wage scale — as well as providing a $1 per hour raise across the board.
Source: Emporia Gazette

Ranson Financial2021-08-27T06:39:29-05:00August 26, 2021|News|

Kansas schools prioritize mental health for pandemic aid

Education officials overseeing more than $1.1 billion in federal pandemic aid for Kansas schools say districts are spending much of the money to meet the mental health needs of students and staff. Some Kansas districts are hiring additional counselors and social workers, while others are working with community mental health centers to provide services during school hours so students and staff don’t have to leave the campus, said Tate Toedman, assistant director of special education at the Kansas Department of Education who works with districts on relief fund expenditures. Another widespread practice is hiring “intervention specialists” who can work one-on-one or in small groups to fill in learning gaps that have become apparent following months of remote learning, he said. It reduces stress on the teacher by getting those students ready for the core curriculum.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-08-26T17:39:24-05:00August 26, 2021|News|

Kansas ranking counties on COVID status

Kansas public health officials are issuing county COVID-19 rankings intended to help local leaders stop the spread of the coronavirus in their communities. Marci Nielsen, the governor’s chief adviser for COVID-19 coordination, told The Topeka Capital-Journal that local officials should use the ranking to work together in response to the pandemic. “You would want to take this information about your county and figure out who do I need to partner with, because … this isn’t the responsibility solely of local public health, or solely of doctors in in the community or solely of the county commissioners,” Nielsen said.
Source: Salina Journal.

Ranson Financial2021-08-26T07:03:59-05:00August 26, 2021|News|