Wichita schools send 13,000 elementary students to home learning until at least January

Wichita schools will send home about 13,000 elementary students as the largest public school district in Kansas transitions to a fully remote learning model. The Board of Education for Wichita Public Schools voted unanimously in a special meeting Monday evening to move all classes online until further notice. The decision will be re-evaluated Jan. 11. Students will still attend in-person classes on Tuesday, but will start online learning on Wednesday. Remote learning will be fully implemented on Friday.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2020-12-01T07:54:09-06:00December 1, 2020|News|

Construction aims to fix one of the most dangerous intersections in Johnson County

Interstate 35 commuters can expect some delays in Johnson County as construction picks up this month at one of the most dangerous intersections in the Kansas City area. Work is now underway at I-35 and West 119th Street in northeast Olathe, where the traffic volume is among the highest in the state. The $22.5 million construction project includes reconfiguring the intersection and widening 119th Street — creating three lanes in each direction from Renner Boulevard to Strang Line Road — to alleviate congestion. “Anyone who uses that interchange knows the challenge it presents,” said Olathe Mayor John Bacon. “It’s not only difficult for those crossing the highway, but the backup on I-35 creates traffic and safety issues for people using the interstate as well.”
Source: KC Star Local News

Ranson Financial2020-12-01T07:53:13-06:00December 1, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for November 30, 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 Financial2020-12-01T07:51:33-06:00December 1, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County Issues New Health Order And Sets Up Online Portal To Report Violators

A new COVID-19 health order for Sedgwick County limits public gatherings to 25 people and continues current restrictions for businesses. The mandates are in effect Friday through Jan. 9. This latest health order from Sedgwick County Health Officer Dr. Garold Minns replaces directives that were in effect since Nov. 13. One of the biggest changes: The current health order requires masks in all indoor settings and outdoor public gatherings, even when there’s space to social distance. It also rolls back gathering limits from 100 to 25 people.
Source: KMUW

Ranson Financial2020-12-01T07:47:33-06:00November 30, 2020|News|

Fenwick brings prairie history to life

Stafford County native Lynda Beck Fenwick has spent years straddling two centuries as she researched historical events for her third book to be published, Prairie Bachelor, The Story of a Kansas Homesteader and the Populist Movement, scheduled for December 2020 release by the University Press of Kansas. Fort Hays State University Forsyth Library will host Fenwick, a 1966 FHSU Tigers alumna, for a guided discussion of Prairie Bachelor–which she based on the 480-page journal of Stafford County homesteader Isaac Beckley Werner–on Tuesday, December 1, with the program also available for public viewing online via Zoom. … “Werner’s journal gave me a front-row seat to the years Stafford County farmers and ranchers struggled to survive in a world increasingly controlled by the wealthy,” said Fenwick, who for the last ten years has traveled with her husband, Larry, to places Werner had lived and frequented as she carried out her research.
Source: Leavenworth Times

Ranson Financial2020-12-01T07:48:37-06:00November 30, 2020|News|

Powell says pace of economic improvement has moderated

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell says that the pace of improvement in the economy has moderated in recent months with future prospects remaining “extraordinarily uncertain.” In remarks released by the Fed on Monday, Powell said that the increase in new COVID-19 cases both in the United States and abroad was “concerning and could prove challenging for the next few months. A full economic recovery is unlikely until people are confident that it is safe to reengage in a broad range of activities.” Powell said while progress on developing vaccines had been “very positive,” significant challenges remained regarding the timing, production and distribution of the vaccines, and it remained difficult to assess the economic implications of this process with any degree of confidence.
Source: Wichita Breaking News, Sports & Crime |

Ranson Financial2020-12-01T07:49:39-06:00November 30, 2020|News|

New JoCo courthouse set to open in 2021 — here is what could happen to old site in downtown Olathe

A green space concept is taking shape for the soon-to-be-vacant plot of land in downtown Olathe where the current Johnson County courthouse stands. County commissioners earlier this month got a first look at initial designs for what could go into the space between the new courthouse, which is going in on the northeast corner of Santa Fe Street and Kansas Avenue, and the county administration building just to the south. The plan may eventually include a tree grove, a stage and shelter for events and eating, a memorial plaza with historical markers and a play area and art garden for families. Now that the new courthouse is nearing completion, discussions are beginning in earnest about what to do with the space that will be available once the old courthouse is demolished. County commissioners got their first look recently at staff-recommended improvements that were based on input from surveys and open houses last fall.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2020-12-01T07:50:31-06:00November 30, 2020|News|

Amid difficulties of the pandemic, incoming Lawrence mayor wants the city ‘to look out for everyone in the community’

Over the past 20 years, City Commissioner Brad Finkeldei has played big roles in plenty of local organizations: social service nonprofits, the chamber of commerce, the planning commission and more. And this week, if tradition holds, he’ll add a new role to that list: mayor of Lawrence…. Finkeldei, 47, recently told the Journal-World that many of his priorities as mayor will be similar to the things that motivated him to run for City Commission in the first place — addressing issues such as equity problems, homelessness and the shortage of affordable housing. But in his first year on the commission, another priority overshadowed all of those things: the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2020-11-30T07:02:16-06:00November 30, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for November 27, 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 Financial2020-11-30T06:57:52-06:00November 30, 2020|News|

‘It’s very exciting’: New coin features Kansas tallgrass prairie preserve in Flint Hills

There’s big excitement in the Flint Hills over a new coin that pays homage to a stunning Kansas landmark. The U.S. Mint earlier this month released the 55th installment in its America the Beautiful Quarters Program — a coin representing the state’s Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. It is stamped on the tails side with a skyward view of the prairie, native Big Bluestem and Indian grasses as well as a Regal Fritillary butterfly. The inscriptions include “Tallgrass Prairie,” “Kansas” and the release year.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2020-11-30T06:57:01-06:00November 30, 2020|News|