Ogden coffee shop sets out to support local youth

In downtown Ogden, you won’t find a major coffee chain, but rather a locally owned not-for-profit coffee shop. The House Cafe has a mission to serve its community. “A lot of times if kids aren’t shown how to be employable or have a work ethic, how can you expect them to have those things,” Christopher Jacobs said. Jacobs and his wife set out on a mission to give youth in the Ogden community the chance to not only learn the skills they would need when they leave Ogden but to also provide a space for youth in the community to gather and stay out of trouble.
Source: KSNT News

Ranson Financial2021-03-04T07:12:19-06:00March 3, 2021|News|

City of Manhattan launching online survey for “CrossroadsMHK” strategic plan

The City of Manhattan is launching an online survey for its new “CrossroadsMHK” strategic plan. Anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Manhattan can take part in the survey. This is part of an eight-month strategic planning process. Assistant to the City Manager Jared Wasinger said the survey is the first step in the public engagement process. “It’s a brief survey just to kick off the process,” Wasinger said. “We’re asking folks to talk about their vision for Manhattan over the next 10 to 20 years as well as what they see as the core services this city should offer.” This comes as the city of Manhattan is going through a budget crisis.
Source: KSNT News

Ranson Financial2021-03-04T07:12:41-06:00March 3, 2021|News|

Effort to revamp city park in Peabody raises $110,500

An effort to revamp Peabody’s City Park has raised $110,500, placing it within $69,500 of its $180,000 fund-raising goal. The deadline for the second phase of the project is April 30, less than two months away. The new playground equipment will meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Volunteers will help install the new equipment when it is delivered.
Source: Marion County RECORD

Ranson Financial2021-03-04T07:14:11-06:00March 3, 2021|News|

Overland Park task force will consider alternatives to controversial chip seal road resurfacing

Chip seal on Overland Park roads is going ahead for this year, but city councilmembers plan to take a hard look at whether they’ll continue the controversial resurfacing method in the future. The city council voted Monday to move ahead with resurfacing projects for this year that were previously bid for chip seal, but a consensus also agreed to set up a task force to take a look at future infrastructure issues, with an eye to finding a viable chip seal alternative. The task force would look at how the city could pay the increased cost of using another type of resurfacing, as well as poll residents on how they feel about possibly paying more in taxes for a different type of road surface.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2021-03-04T07:17:40-06:00March 3, 2021|News|

Parsons Police Department gains K-9 officer

The Parsons Police Department is going to the dogs, but in this case – that saying is a good thing. Robert Spinks, Parsons Police Chief, said, “That’s the key thing in rural Kansas, we have to work together or we just are not effective.” And to do this, the Parsons Police Department has been working on a very special project for over 20 years. On Monday night, it finally came together. “This is exciting for our department, we received approval last night from our city commission to purchase our first canine.”
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-03-04T07:06:31-06:00March 3, 2021|News|

Parsons PD receives award for 5th year in a row

A Southeast Kansas Police Department has been recognized – again – for keeping its city safe. And it’s more good news for the Parsons Police Department. It’s earned the Platinum Award for traffic safety from AAA. This year, the award has only gone to 43 out of the 350 law enforcement agencies in the state of Kansas. The one for Parsons is thanks, in part, to the road and traffic safety programs the department runs year-round. Jordan Tomlinson, Parsons Police Department Corporal, said, “We also do programs to educate teen drivers and even adult drivers about the consequences of distracted driving such as trying to operate your cellphone while driving.” This is the 5th year in a row the department has received the award.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-03-04T07:07:09-06:00March 3, 2021|News|

Study: City, county lack cheaper family housing

The Garden City and Finney County commissions took a close look at housing needs during Monday’s joint meeting. Carol Davidson, Neighborhood Development Services director, gave an update on the Rural Housing Incentive District and the housing needs assessment study, or CHAT, that was completed. Davidson said the housing study tells where the housing needs are and how many homes are supposed to be built each year to keep up with demand. As of 2019, the total need is 1,200 homes for the next 10 years, so 120 need to be built each year.
Source: Garden City Telegram

Ranson Financial2021-03-03T08:18:12-06:00March 3, 2021|News|

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Main Street Program Additions

Governor Laura Kelly announced the selection of Atchison, Baldwin City, and Junction City as the newest members of the Kansas Main Street program, bringing the total number of designated Main Street communities in Kansas to 28. These three communities are the first new additions to the state’s Main Street program since its reintroduction in Kansas in 2019. “To aid our economic recovery from COVID-19, we must provide every Kansas community with the resources needed to prosper now and into the future,” Governor Kelly said. “The Main Street program is a key tool for future growth and economic development, and I am glad to see the addition of Atchison, Baldwin City, and Junction City.” Kansas Main Street is a self-help technical assistance program administered by the Community Development Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce. The program targets preservation and revitalization of downtown districts through the development of a comprehensive strategy based on the four points of Organization, Design, Promotion and Economic Restructuring.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2021-03-03T08:11:52-06:00March 3, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for March 2, 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 Financial2021-03-03T08:10:21-06:00March 3, 2021|News|

Pott. County discusses St. George comprehensive plan

Leroy Bailey, Pottawatomie County resident, expressed concern to the county commission Monday over the City of Saint George’s comprehensive plan. He says he is concerned that the plan is going to change zoning designations and increase certain costs. “It looks like a fair plan,” Bailey said. “However, we worry about a thing called taxation. What’s it going to do to us? Is it going to jack our taxes up?” Stephan Metzger, county planner, explained that the plan will not change zoning or increase taxes. He also explained that the plan will not tell land owners what to do with their property.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Ranson Financial2021-03-03T08:02:44-06:00March 2, 2021|News|

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