Deafening train horns were driving a Kansas town to the edge. Then David took on Goliath.

The wail of a train horn echoing in the distance is a sort of romantic, peaceful sound and one that’s been referenced in countless songs, poems and books. But in Belle Plaine — a small Kansas town of 1,500 that sits 25 miles south of Wichita — train horns have over the years become a screaming, sleep-depriving, sanity-threatening source of constant disruption that some say has diminished the quality of life for residents there. Now, one of Belle Plaine’s most well-known residents — musician and Bartlett Arboretum owner Robin Macy — has done something that many people said was impossible. With the help of a now-retired civil engineer who shares her passion for ridding Belle Plaine of those incessant train horns, she’s raised enough money and cut though enough red tape to finally win what she calls a “David vs. Goliath” battle.
Source: Wichita Breaking News, Sports & Crime |

Ranson Financial2020-12-29T08:16:02-06:00December 28, 2020|News|

Kansas governor to receive COVID-19 vaccine shot Wednesday

Gov. Laura Kelly plans to get a COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday as part of a larger plan to give shots to selected Kansas officials so that state government can continue to operate during the pandemic. The Democratic governor confirmed her plans Monday during an impromptu interview at the Statehouse following a ceremony marking the weeklong Kwanzaa celebration of African-American heritage. She told The Associated Press last week that the state was looking at giving shots to people in state agencies, the Republican-controlled Legislature and the state court system. The state so far has concentrated on vaccinating health care workers. Kelly’s staff has repeatedly said that she will get vaccinated when it was “her turn.”
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2020-12-29T08:16:05-06:00December 28, 2020|News|

Kansas county prepares for jury trials at the fairgrounds

One northeast Kansas county is moving jury trials to a building on its fairgrounds to allow for better social distancing amid the pandemic. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the plan is for jury trials in Douglas County to resume Jan. 11 at the Flory Meeting Hall. Chief Judge James McCabria said the jury selection room can safely seat up to 30 people at a time in addition to the judge, parties and court staff. Trials that need bigger jury pools will bring in panels at staged intervals. Because court proceedings will be livestreamed on YouTube for public access for the time being, prospective jurors will not be addressed by name, but by number.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2020-12-29T08:16:28-06:00December 28, 2020|News|

Kansas working through details of who gets vaccinated when

Kansas is working through the details of exactly who will be eligible for coronavirus vaccines in exactly what order as it concentrates on giving shots mostly to health care workers this month. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly told leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature this week that the vaccines have gone mostly to health care workers, though that group also includes employees in state prisons. She said vaccines could go “almost exclusively” to health care workers into mid-January but also suggested some doses already have reached nursing homes. Kelly told The Topeka Capital-Journal in an interview that prison inmates are to get vaccinated before the general public because they’re in “congregate” housing, but the state doesn’t expect vaccines to be available for some adults for at least several months.

Source: The Arkansas City Traveler

Ranson Financial2020-12-28T16:32:40-06:00December 28, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for December 24, 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 Financial2020-12-28T11:33:06-06:00December 28, 2020|News|

Wichita will apply for grant to make broadband more available to residents

The city of Wichita is poised to embark on a significant expansion of broadband availability to close what officials call a “digital divide” that currently exists within the city limits. While internet service providers such as Cox and Comcast offer broadband to most of the city, officials say, there are still many people who can’t afford the service. “Being on the internet today has moved from a state of a privilege to a state of basic human right,” said Michael J. Barnett, Smart Cities coordinator for Wichita. “In today’s era, internet access is now required.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2020-12-28T11:31:04-06:00December 27, 2020|News|

‘A sense of urgency’ on Allen County airport

There’s “a sense of urgency” to building up the Allen County Regional Airport. That’s according to Jonathon Goering, Thrive Allen County economic development director, who discussed the possibility with commissioners. He said although the county had pursued the possibility of such projects in the past, the moment to strike might be now. Goering noted that, for one, federal stimulus dollars may soon become available such that the developments can be made with little to no cost to taxpayers. And he added that the Kansas Department of Commerce is currently sending out site-selectors to help identify potential building places.
Source: The Iola Register

Ranson Financial2020-12-28T11:31:27-06:00December 27, 2020|News|

Newton takes over Meridian Center operations

The city will now manage the Meridian Center. The city commission signed off on a termination agreement with long-time management company, Kemper Sports Management, which has overseen the city-owned event center. “With the additional negative financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city had to find ways to reduce the costs of operating the center and cancellation of the management agreement became a necessity,” the staff memo presented to the Newton City Commission at its Dec. 22 meeting stated. The severance agreement between the city and Kemper Sports has the city paying all wages, health insurance and employee benefits for coverage of staff at the facility up until the termination date, as well as other anticipated expenses up until that date.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2020-12-28T11:31:41-06:00December 27, 2020|News|

“It’s figuring out who needs it the most”: Reno County community teams up to help distribute COVID-19 vaccine

Kansas is preparing for the next step in the vaccination effort. Hutchinson Regional Health Care leaders are getting ready for their next shipment of vaccines. Vice president for Hutchinson Regional Health Care, Chuck Welch says they have already vaccinated all 256 frontline workers in their facility. Their next step is looking at those who will need the vaccine first. At this point Hutchinson health has received doses of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine. Last week they received a dose of 850 Moderna vaccine. Welch says he hopes by the end of the month they will be able to start vaccinating people 65 and older. “So now we will move to the 65 and older and the folks who are the most vulnerable if they are exposed and their life expectancies are not necessarily great with them,” said Welch.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2020-12-28T11:31:55-06:00December 27, 2020|News|

Expert says Kansas’ economic outlook is ‘not good,’ fears worst is yet to come

As some Kansans continue to face financial hurdles, Dr. Donna Ginther, an economic and social policy researcher at the University of Kansas, said she fears the worst is yet to come. “January is going to be bleak in a number of ways,” Ginther said in an interview Thursday. The unemployment rate in Kansas is back on the rise at 5.6%, leading to many frustrated claimants. This has led to more food and housing insecurity, with more than one-third of Kansas households with children not being able to make rent, Ginther said. Without some forbearance on foreclosures and evictions, the state may see a homeless crisis, according to Ginther. She noted that part of that is linked to the end of the economic stimulus programs. A new stimulus bill is needed to get people the help they need, she said.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2020-12-28T11:32:01-06:00December 27, 2020|News|