Wichita police say dealing with criminal kids has gotten harder since 2016 reforms

A woman and her two daughters woke up to a burglar rifling through their home. Another got doused with mace during a brazen carjacking attempt at a strip mall. A third, 82, suffered head injuries when three intruders who ransacked her home shoved her before taking her car for a joyride. In another case, an unsuspecting employee got a note from a would-be robber claiming he had a bomb on him. These attacks, all allegedly committed by 13- and 14-year-olds in Wichita over the past year, offer a glimpse into a new wave of juvenile crime local authorities say they’re having a difficult time dealing with. Frustrated with law changes it contends has made officers’ jobs harder, the Wichita Police Department has taken time lately to highlight offenses committed by kids in the hopes legislators and residents would take notice.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2021-01-25T07:00:37-06:00January 25, 2021|News|

Main Street Chanute offers loans, grants

Main Street Chanute and Main Street America have started two programs to help brick-and-mortar businesses in Chanute. The Board of Directors of Main Street Chanute approved guidelines Wednesday for its Main Street Revitalization Program, and Main Street America, in conjunction with Brother International, begins taking applications today for the At Your Side grant program. The MSRP loans are funded through $100,000 provided by the Neosho County Commission for business revitalization and safety improvements. Main Street Chanute will administer the loans at no interest, but the loans have a small origination fee that will go back into the fund.
Source: www.chanute.com

Ranson Financial2021-01-25T07:01:49-06:00January 25, 2021|News|

Pandemic drops air fares in Wichita by 36%

The huge hit in air travel demand caused last year by Covid-19 also made it cheaper for those who did fly. According to new data from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, inflation-adjusted average fares from Wichita in the third quarter were down 36% year over year to $253.86. That was slightly higher than the nationwide average of $244.36 for a ticket during the same period, which, according to data from U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, was the lowest quarterly average (also adjusted for inflation) since at least 1995.
Source: Wichita Business Journal

Ranson Financial2021-01-25T07:02:45-06:00January 25, 2021|News|

Shawnee County wants to expand glass recycling program

Shawnee County is looking to expand its new glass recycling program. The new program started in June, but county leaders tell KSNT News it’s become more popular in the last two months. Shawnee County partners with Ripple Glass in Kansas City. The county collects glass from purple drop off bins and Ripple transports and recycles the glass for free. Shawnee County Solid Waste Director Bill Sutton said this is necessary because the recycling center the county uses for other recycling does not recycle glass.
Source: KSNT News

Ranson Financial2021-01-25T07:05:25-06:00January 24, 2021|News|

Lakin and Deerfield Cities Come Together For a Common Goal

The City of Lakin and The City of Deerfield are excited to announce a new “shared service” venture they have embarked on together. When Lakin and Deerfield realized animal control was a common issue amongst their communities, they decided to come together and do something about it. The cities came up with an agreement to share a full time Animal Control Officer who would be able to enforce codes, patrol both communities, and take care of any animals in the pound. … Small communities, such as Lakin and Deerfield, operate off limited budgets. This “shared service” will help both communities keep within their operating budget and help keep city taxes down. Lakin and Deerfield are very enthusiastic about this arrangement, and cannot wait to get it underway!
Source: Lakin Independent.

Ranson Financial2021-01-23T13:19:03-06:00January 23, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for January 21, 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 Financial2021-01-22T08:10:24-06:00January 22, 2021|News|

KDHE launches new website for COVID-19 vaccine information, FAQs

With Kansas officially in Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccination plan, many people plan to get it, but there are still lots of questions. “You hear a lot of different stuff. You can’t really tell what’s true,” said Wichita resident Jace Suddeth. “A lot of people are saying, like, just silly stuff,” said Wichita resident Dakota Burns. Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday the state has a new COVID-19 vaccine website to clear up many of the rumors, and answer questions.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-01-22T08:09:31-06:00January 22, 2021|News|

Johnson County seniors to start getting COVID vaccines next week

Johnson County will begin giving COVID-19 vaccines to residents age 65 and older starting Tuesday, as part of its move into the next phase of distribution, health officials said Thursday. That phase also includes kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers and child care workers, who will get their vaccines through Children’s Mercy, said Dr. Sanmi Areola, the county’s director of health and environment. But it was unclear when those vaccinations would begin. He said the department received more than 6,800 vaccine doses on Thursday, and Areola emphasized that “the opportunity to get vaccinated next week and the week after depends on the supply,” which has been limited.
Source: KC Star Local News

Ranson Financial2021-01-22T08:07:59-06:00January 22, 2021|News|

Governor Laura Kelly, Department of Commerce Seek Public Input for Broadband Office Grant Program

Governor Laura Kelly announced that the Kansas Department of Commerce has established an opportunity for the public to learn more about the Office of Broadband Development’s Broadband Acceleration Grant program and provide input on grant requests proposed for communities across Kansas. The goal is to gather public input regarding the grant applications and associated service areas in an effort to ensure transparency in the broadband development process. The project proposals and proposed service area maps for each grant application are posted online, along with a public comment form for those wishing to express support or share concerns regarding a project. These resources will be posted online through Feb. 1.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2021-01-22T08:05:12-06:00January 22, 2021|News|

Endangered black rhino born at Garden City zoo

Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City is announcing the birth of a black rhinoceros, which is a critically endangered species. The baby boy’s mother is Johari. She gave birth at approximately 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. The zoo reports that both mother and baby are doing well. Johari is a first-time mother and this is the first black rhinoceros born at the zoo.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-01-22T08:04:30-06:00January 22, 2021|News|