On Monday, KPTS will air a documentary featuring 10 historic buildings in Kansas

Delving into “Historic Buildings of Kansas” brought a treasure trove of information to Jim Grawe. “There were a lot more interesting stories out there than I even realized,” said Grawe, executive producer at KPTS and videojournalist of the 60-minute documentary, airing at 8 p.m. Monday on the Wichita-based PBS station. “I knew there were, but in every one of these buildings, I discovered interesting people connected with them and interesting stories that took place,” he added. “The older something is, the more people have been involved through the years and the more possibility there is for interesting things to transpire.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2020-12-11T08:29:31-06:00December 11, 2020|News|

New chief of police in Lenexa will oversee nearly 150 police employees

Dawn Layman is being promoted from deputy chief to the new chief of police in Lenexa. The 27-year department employee will assume the top job on Dec. 18, replacing Thomas Hongslo who announced his retirement earlier this fall. In her new role, Layman will oversee nearly 150 police employees and serve on the city’s executive leadership team. “Our residents have great confidence in our police department, and Dawn’s strong belief in community-based policing principles will help ensure we keep that trust,” said City Manager Beccy Yocham, who made the appointment.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2020-12-11T08:29:08-06:00December 11, 2020|News|

Prairie Village, Leawood will allow JoCo to enforce COVID-19 restrictions on businesses, mass gatherings

Prairie Village and Leawood are joining Overland Park to be the first cities to enter agreements with Johnson County allowing the county to enforce its latest COVID-19 public health order regarding social distancing, mass gatherings and required closing times for businesses within the cities’ boundaries. The Prairie Village, Leawood and Overland Park city councils all approved the agreements at their meetings Monday night. Prairie Village passed the measure 8-3, Leawood 5-2 and Overland Park 9-3. The agreements stipulate that the county, not the cities, will enforce the order through its codes department. The cities’ police departments will help by responding to complaints, educating violators, reporting repeat violations to county code enforcers and testifying if asked by the county.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2020-12-11T08:26:51-06:00December 11, 2020|News|

‘A dream come true’ — Lenexa names veteran staffer as new head of growing parks and rec department

Lenexa City Manager Beccy Yocham recently named long-time staff member Logan Wagler as the city’s next parks and recreation director. Wagler, who recently served as deputy director, replaces Gary Ristow, who is retiring after 12 years working with the city. The Lenexa City Council celebrated Ristow’s contributions to the city at a recent council meeting. Wagler’s first day was Nov. 30. “From a personal standpoint, this is like a dream come true,” Wagler said. “I had a lot of experience within parks and recreation as a kid, all the way through college and around sports. I almost felt like it was a calling.”
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2020-12-11T08:26:16-06:00December 11, 2020|News|

What’s behind the earthquakes in Wichita?

All seven of the earthquakes centered in Wichita in 2020 occurred during the past two weeks, with two of them coming hours apart on Thursday. All were relatively in the same area in east Wichita, according to the Kansas Geological Survey. Is it a sign of something ominous to come? KGS Senior Scientist Rick Miller doesn’t think so.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2020-12-11T08:25:32-06:00December 11, 2020|News|

Kansas works to bridge digital divide

Kansas’ broadband czar says a new grant initiative will infuse tens of millions of dollars over the next decade into projects working to close the digital divide in underserved areas across Kansas. Stanley Adams, director of the office of broadband development at the Kansas Department of Commerce, said the Broadband Acceleration Grant Program will provide $85 million over the next decade to qualifying areas with low connectivity. Presenting Tuesday to the Special Committee on Economic Recovery, Adams told legislators the initiative is a major step toward adequate broadband services across Kansas.
Source: The Iola Register

Ranson Financial2020-12-11T08:24:51-06:00December 11, 2020|News|

Sedgwick county prepares for Pfizer Vaccine

The FDA has approved the Pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine Thursday. The next step is final approval, which is expected in the next few days That is when shipments will start going out and starts will enact their distribution plans. In Sedgwick county, hospitals and long term care facilities could be receiving the vaccine as early as next week. The county said it’s a waiting game and for now, they won’t be involved with phase one of distribution. Once the distribution of phase one of the vaccine begins they won’t be going to the County. They will be shipped directly to the hospitals. From there the frontline workers taking care of COVID patients will be some of the first to receive the vaccine.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2020-12-11T08:23:49-06:00December 11, 2020|News|

Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2020-11

Synopsis: The Kansas statutes imposing residency requirements on persons seeking a license to sell liquor as a retailer or to sell liquor by the drink, K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 41-311 and 41-2623, facially discriminate against nonresidents. It is unlikely that the State could advance a legitimate local purpose for the requirements. Thus, the residency requirements in K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 41-311 and K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 41-2623 would likely be found unconstitutional under the dormant Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution and are therefore unenforceable.
Source: Kansas Attorney General Opinions

Ranson Financial2020-12-11T08:23:26-06:00December 11, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for December 10, 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 Financial2020-12-11T08:23:03-06:00December 11, 2020|News|

Great Bend’s RV parking ordinance under revision

The parking of recreational vehicles within the City of Great Bend would be better defined by ordinance revisions, but the City Council Monday night tabled the matter so administrative staff could better hone the guidelines. At the Nov. 2 council meeting, Josh Blankenship and Danyon Holden addressed the governing body about the ordinance pertaining to parking recreational vehicles on their property. Per the ordinance, one you legally park a recreational vehicle on your property as long as the recreational vehicle is aligned with the front of your house. If it does not comply, then you one be fined. Both individuals felt this was infringing on their rights as property owners, and wanted to see this changed.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Ranson Financial2020-12-11T08:28:38-06:00December 11, 2020|News|