Wichita likes school site for new police station, but use of track could be a hurdle

Wichita is poised to buy part of the former Southeast High School as the site for a new Patrol East police substation, but there’s a disconnect between the city and school district over potential public use of a running track at the site. The city is expected Tuesday to buy five acres of open property for $218,000, to replace the dilapidated Patrol East station at Cypress Park. Mayor Brandon Whipple said Friday morning he’s not expecting much, if any, opposition when the plan comes before the council.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2021-08-02T20:22:36-05:00August 2, 2021|News|

Formerly homeless Sedgwick County jail deputy rode his bike to work. Then this happened.

Sedgwick County jail deputy Caleb Harris no longer needs to ride his bicycle to work. Harris, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and recent transplant from California, began working at the jail earlier this year after being homeless with his wife. Their luck seemed to be turning. Then the car they used to live in broke down. It was the same vehicle their first child was born in. So Harris started riding his bike to and from work, a 22 mile round trip. Officers found out about the hardship of their colleague and decided to raise money to help his family, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office said Friday in a Facebook post.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2021-08-02T20:21:29-05:00August 2, 2021|News|

This is not your father’s inflation

Anybody who remembers the 1970s remembers the Great Inflation, when retirees on fixed incomes struggled to make ends meet. They probably also remember what happened next, when the Federal Reserve under Paul Volker tightened the money supply, driving down prices by driving down the economy, forcing two recessions that lowered consumer spending and increased unemployment. For the last four decades, inflation has been not much more than a bad memory for most people. This year, however, it has reappeared as a cause for concern. Fear of a return to 1970s-style inflation is driving calls for a retreat from the free-spending goals of the Biden administration, which some Republicans claim have overheated the economy. They are calling for Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to do what Volker did, and raise interest rates to cool demand. That would be a mistake.
Source: The Iola Register

Ranson Financial2021-08-03T07:43:03-05:00August 2, 2021|News|

Haze and Smoke From Pacific Northwest Fires Reach Kansas

Many areas of the state are experiencing hazy conditions, and some are wondering if a nearby fire is taking place. What you’re experiencing is from a fire – but not from nearby. Fires in the Pacific Northwest are sending smoke across the nation, including Kansas.
Source: WIBW News Now

Ranson Financial2021-08-02T20:18:19-05:00August 2, 2021|News|

Kelly Administration updates COVID-19 guidance for school districts

Governor Laura Kelly announced a new, updated summary document created from recommendations in KSDE’s Navigating Change: Kansas’ Guide to Learning and School Safety Operations as a reference guide and tool for schools ahead of the start of classes. The document continues the state’s practice of mirroring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition to the guidance, Governor Kelly and KSDE are encouraging school districts to submit requests for ELC Grant Funds. The state of Kansas received $87 million to fund equipment, testing, and medical staff to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools.
Source: hiawathaworldonline.com

Ranson Financial2021-08-02T20:16:25-05:00August 2, 2021|News|

LEED Platinum — Prairie Village’s new public works building on track to earn rare eco-friendly distinction

Prairie Village’s public works department is eager to move into its new $10 million facility at 3535 Somerset Drive. The new building, which replaced the decades-old facility at the same location, features a solar panel array, state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems, a washing bay for trucks, a garage with several ports and more. As final touches are being made, the new facility is on its way to achieve Leadership in Environment and Energy Design, or LEED, Platinum certification — the highest rating possible for measuring a building’s environmental impact.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2021-08-02T20:14:52-05:00August 2, 2021|News|

This Bird Has Fueled A 26-Year Political Fight Between Commerce And Conservation In Kansas

Bouncing over the sand sage-covered hills in his pickup truck, rancher Stacy Hoeme combs the shortgrass prairie of his ranch searching for leks — the mating grounds of the lesser prairie chicken. Despite being one of the bird’s biggest champions and most successful conservators, Hoeme opposes putting the bird on the federal threatened species list. “I just want them to maintain the birds,” he said. “It’s a big hassle when they get listed for the ranchers.” The small, Nerf football-sized bird has become an unlikely proxy in a 26-year tug-of-war between industry and conservationists and their competing visions for how to use the riches of America’s Great Plains.
Source: KCUR News

Ranson Financial2021-08-03T07:44:12-05:00August 2, 2021|News|

New law honoring fallen Lenexa firefighter will benefit families for years to come

The legacy of a Lenexa firefighter will live on to help others, years after his death. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed the Michael Wells Memorial Act Monday morning. The new legislation is named after Lenexa firefighter Michael Wells. It expands benefits to families of firefighters and other first responders who lose a loved one due to service-connected conditions, like cancer. Wells passed away in September 2019 from esophageal cancer. He died two days after his 39th birthday. At the time of his death, Wells’ family wasn’t eligible for the same benefits as other fallen first responders because his death wasn’t considered a line-of-duty death.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-08-02T20:13:00-05:00August 2, 2021|News|

Riley County making progress with mobile vaccine clinics, but is it enough?

Mobile vaccine clinics are helping, but Riley County is still nowhere close to its goal of a 70% vaccination. That’s according to county health department director Julie Gibbs, who spoke to county commissioners Monday via Zoom. She said 45% of all eligible people are fully vaccinated, according to Web IZ, the state’s reporting system. Commissioner Kathryn Focke asked if Gibbs had a target date for hitting 70%, which is the approximate threshold at which a community may begin to achieve herd immunity, experts say. “No target date,” said Gibbs, underscoring a problem health departments around the country are currently battling: the number of people seeking vaccines has plateaued.
Source: themercury.com

Ranson Financial2021-08-03T07:44:28-05:00August 2, 2021|News|

KDOT grants $1M for more road work

Another stretch of 16th Street will be rebuilt under a state transportation program. The Kansas Department of Transportation recently announced the approval of a city of Parsons grant under the state’s City Connecting Link Improvement Program designed for highways that run through cities. Parsons will receive $1 million for a pavement restoration project. Darrell Moyer, the city’s director of engineering and public works, said on Thursday that the work will be done on South 16th (U.S. 59) from South 21st Street to the Little Labette Creek bridge. The new work will connect with a project now underway on the highway in front of Labette Health from South 21st to Commerce Drive.
Source: Parsons Sun

Ranson Financial2021-08-02T00:08:45-05:00August 2, 2021|News|