FAA says new rules will speed commercialization of drones

The Federal Aviation Administration has announced new rules for drones and drone operators that it says will help speed the growth of commercial uses of unmanned aerial vehicles. The FAA on Monday announced rules that would relax restrictions on flying above people and at night for many smaller drones, as well as requite any drone that has to be registered with the agency to now be equipped with remote identification capability.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal – The Business Journals

Ranson Financial2020-12-30T08:46:36-06:00December 30, 2020|News|

Ark City, Winfield to compete in ‘Resolve to Give’ blood drive

Residents of Arkansas City and Winfield can help meet the ongoing need for blood this new year and show some civic pride. Each city will hold a Resolve to Give Blood Drive to see which city can start off 2021 with the most blood donations. Leading the way in this friendly rivalry between the two cities, are the Arkansas City fire and police departments and the Winfield fire and police departments who host the Battle of the Badges each summer.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Ranson Financial2020-12-30T08:45:28-06:00December 30, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for December 29, 2020

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 Financial2020-12-30T08:30:44-06:00December 30, 2020|News|

Shawnee boosts hotel tax to support sports complexes

To support needed upgrades at area sports complexes, the city of Shawnee is increasing its transient hotel guest tax rate. The new tax rate will be 8%, up from 6%. It takes effect April 1, the Shawnee Mission Post reports. The additional revenue will be used to enhance both the Mid-America Sports Complex and Mid-America West Sports Complex as part of a six-year project.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal – The Business Journals

Ranson Financial2020-12-30T08:46:06-06:00December 30, 2020|News|

City of Topeka tells what we know about White Lakes mall condemnation and fire

The City of Topeka says it recently condemned the White Lakes mall building before Tuesday morning’s fire, after past citations went unfixed. City spokeswoman Molly Hadfield said Topeka firefighters haven’t determined the cause of the mall fire yet, but crews are investigating at this time. She also said the mall’s structure was in good condition, “with no threat of collapse or even serious deterioration” before the fire. However, KSNT’s drone video of the fire shows a portion of the roof collapsed in. The city’s Code Compliance division issued citations in the past before the city condemned the White Lakes Center on Aug. 24, according to Hadfield. A condemnation order does not require the demolition of the building but does require certain corrections to the property before anyone can go inside or home businesses there.
Source: KSNT News

Ranson Financial2020-12-30T08:27:09-06:00December 30, 2020|News|

Wolf Creek power plant, where our electricity comes from

Wolf Creek Generating Station, near Burlington, Kan., is a Westinghouse nuclear water reactor producing more than 1,200,000 kilowatts of electricity. The plant cost $3 billion to build and employs 900 people. Wolf Creek went online on Sept. 3, 1985 with an operating license of 40 years, through 2025. In 2008, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a license renewal that allows 20 additional years of operation, through 2045. The plant serves the Western half of Missouri and eastern half of Kansas with approximately 1.6 million customers.
Source: KSNT News

Ranson Financial2020-12-30T08:27:47-06:00December 30, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County paramedics rescue Sugar the dog, who was hit by vehicle on busy street

A pair of paramedics rescued a dog that was hit by a vehicle on a busy Wichita street last week. Paramedics Levi Davidson and Jennifer Erskin were returning to their station the morning of Dec. 23 when they saw the dog get struck by a vehicle, Sedgwick County officials said Tuesday in a Twitter thread. The dog was hit on Central Avenue in front of Sedgwick County EMS Post 3, which is just west of the busy intersection with Hillside Street.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2020-12-30T08:27:57-06:00December 30, 2020|News|

Lenexa gallery makes local art accessible

Visitors to Lenexa City Hall enter an expansive, light-filled lobby that also contains an art gallery spreading across three rooms and two floors. You are immediately greeted by art exhibits adorning the walls and display cases, with benches for comfortable viewing. It’s not what you’d expect to see in a typical city hall building. The Lenexa Arts Council curates rotating 2D and 3D art shows at the Lenexa City Hall gallery — roughly a dozen each year. This appointed board stimulates awareness and interest in the arts through developing accessible art programs and events throughout the city. Lenexa has hosted a gallery space within its city hall facilities for roughly two decades. Incorporating the arts was central to the design and function of Lenexa’s current bustling, mixed-use civic complex, which opened in 2017.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2020-12-30T08:28:11-06:00December 30, 2020|News|

Mulvane businesses benefit from CARES funding

Thanks to a program through the Kansas Department of Commerce, funded by federal allocations from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the city of Mulvane was able to help out a number of local small businesses in November. Part of the first wave of state municipalities to receive the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response (CDBG-CV) funds, Mulvane was awarded a total of $132,000 in June (with a total of $120,000 after the city hired a grant administrator). Distribution of those CDBG-CV grants was approved at the start of November, with 10 businesses being selected to receive funds including: Jane’s Landing, Empire Tacos, The Mulvane News, Set Free Dance Studio, Sip Brands (Lacie Leatherman), Lil’ Deuce Scoop, Main Street Nutrition, Merle’s Barber Shop, Heather Lane and Royal Enterprises (Kona Ice).
Source: Derby Informer | News

Ranson Financial2020-12-30T08:29:14-06:00December 30, 2020|News|

Derby adapts in the face of pandemic challenges

Back in February, city staff in Derby started taking notice of the COVID-19 outbreak happening globally so that when it hit home in March they had a jumpstart preparing to overcome the obstacles presented in 2020. While Derby has not been alone in facing those obstacles, City Manager Kathy Sexton noted there have been elements of the pandemic the city has had to approach in a different way. “Just the sheer volume of information I think is something probably everybody is dealing with, but in government I think we probably see it with different eyes,” Sexton said. ‘We see not only what’s our effect on our families and our own personal behaviors, but also how does it affect the way we deliver services and deliver democracy.”
Source: Derby Informer | News

Ranson Financial2020-12-30T08:29:44-06:00December 30, 2020|News|