Energy assistance program expanded

The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program is being expanded to help Kansas residents with high utility bills, according to Gov. Laura Kelly. Gov. Kelly announced Thursday that the application deadline for LIEAP assistance is being extended to May 28. Also, income requirements for the program are changing from 130 percent to 150 percent of the federal poverty level, according to the governor’s office. For example, a household of four that makes $39,300 a year or $3,275 a month would qualify for LIEAP assistance.
Source: Wyandotte Daily

Ranson Financial2021-03-12T07:10:00-06:00March 11, 2021|News|

Topeka agrees to pay $335,000 to settle lawsuit linked to 2016 police SUV crash

Topeka’s city government has agreed to pay $335,000 to settle a lawsuit over an April 2016 crash in which a vehicle driven by an undocumented immigrant was hit by a Topeka police SUV, which allegedly went through a red light while responding to a call with its lights and siren on. The city paid that amount in the suit pursued by motorist Jesus Meza and his passenger and niece, Meyra Meraz Aguirre, said Molly Hadfield, the city’s media relations director.
Source: CJonline.com.

Ranson Financial2021-03-12T07:18:49-06:00March 11, 2021|News|

Garden City applies for state loan for utility help

The Garden City Commission applied for a utility low-interest loan program through the state of Kansas for assistance in financing high utility costs incurred during the extreme winter weather in February at a special meeting Wednesday. The cold weather incurred just over $10 million in additional expenses to the city’s electric utility…. Mike Muirhead, Garden City Public Utilities director, said the loan program is available to any city in Kansas that has incurred extraordinary costs due to the weather.
Source: Garden City Telegram.

Ranson Financial2021-03-12T07:22:20-06:00March 11, 2021|News|

Sedgwick’s new flag design unveiled

Sedgwick’s very own flag is coming soon to a flagpole near you. Leigh Charles and Janise Enterkin were chosen as co-winners of the flag design contest from January, with part of each submission appearing in the final design. It primarily uses Charles’s idea, while also including the main element of Enterkin’s. “Mine started out a lot busier, with more things from the community,” Charles said. “But I thought, as a flag, it needed to be simplified and have bright colors.” She chose to incorporate red and black, based on Sedgwick’s school colors, and she made the triangles on either side yellow to match the yellow in the city seal at the center.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2021-03-12T07:12:30-06:00March 11, 2021|News|

Sedgwick police department now carrying tasers

The Sedgwick police department has a new tool to help fight crime. They received 15 tasers from one of the larger police agencies in the Kansas City metro area, according to police chief Brian Daily. Along with the used tasers, the department received additional cartridges, training cartridges, and holsters. Daily said the tasers are enough for each officer to carry one with several kept in reserve.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2021-03-12T07:11:21-06:00March 11, 2021|News|

$36 million contract to rebuild the worst part of Wichita’s worst freeway bottleneck

In a piece of good news for some long-suffering commuters, the state of Kansas has just accepted a $36.3 million bid to rebuild the worst part of Wichita’s worst freeway bottleneck — the North Junction interchange of I-135 and I-235. The bid will allow Dondlinger Construction to start work next month on a flyover bridge linking northbound 135 to westbound 235, said Tom Hein, Wichita spokesman for the Kansas Department of Transportation. “That’s really the bottleneck every night, with the loop ramp being such a tight turn and (drivers) having to weave into traffic from westbound 254,” Hein said.

Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2021-03-11T20:23:33-06:00March 11, 2021|News|

KDHE issues guidance for vaccinated Kansans

In conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance issued Monday for those who have been vaccinated, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is issuing similar guidance in Kansas. The KDHE said two weeks after Kansans receive their completed COVID-19 vaccination, residents may begin to gather in their private homes with other fully vaccinated people, in small groups, without masks or social distancing. A completed vaccination refers to two dozes of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or a single Johnson & Johnson dose. The guidance also allows for vaccinated people to gather in private homes with unvaccinated people so long as the unvaccinated people are from a single household and are at low risk for developing severe disease.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-03-11T07:10:39-06:00March 11, 2021|News|

Sedgwick County moves to phase 2A of COVID-19 vaccination plan

Sedgwick County has moved into phase 2A for COVID-19 vaccinations. This group includes people like veterinarians, employees at meat processing plants, childcare workers and more. Margo Jones is the owner of Kids World Childcare Center in east Wichita. She’ll be getting her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine this weekend. “I’m looking forward to it. I encourage all of our daycare providers and everyone who’s working with children to go ahead and get that vaccine. Just to keep yourself healthy, keep children healthy and make sure that everybody’s staying safe.” On Tuesday, Sedgwick County announced it will be moving into a new phase of the vaccination plan. The complete list of who’s eligible in the new tier can be found on the county’s website.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-03-11T07:09:56-06:00March 11, 2021|News|

KDOT worker finds alligator carcass in Sumner County

The carcass of an American Alligator was reportedly found in the Ninnescah River in Sumner County. According to a social media post from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), a KDOT worker discovered the deceased animal. A local herpetologist told KDWPT the alligator carcass is around three-years-old.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-03-11T07:09:21-06:00March 11, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for March 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 Financial2021-03-11T07:08:19-06:00March 11, 2021|News|