Speed and accuracy driving force behind new Johnson County medical examiner’s office

Johnson County cut the ribbon on a 33,000-square-foot medical examiner’s facility in a virtual ceremony Aug. 13. The equipment at the $21 million Olathe building will allow the county to move many lab tests in-house, giving workers faster results. Before the opening, autopsies had been done at a private forensic pathology facility in Kansas City, Kansas. A 2016 vote for a public safety sales tax raised the funds for the new building, located at 11894 S. Sunset Drive.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2020-09-01T08:26:09-05:00September 1, 2020|News|

Merriam finds early 20th century time capsule during Irene B. French Community Center demolition

As Denton Excavating crews worked on demolishing Irene B. French Community Center, they stumbled upon a piece of history. A time capsule was found in the 1911 cornerstone — that crews were removing for preservation — of the former Merriam community center. The time capsule included a handwritten roster of the then-elementary school students and Merriam founding families, Hauck said. Photo courtesy of the City of Merriam. “It just kind of brought the whole project full circle,” said Meredith Hauck, assistant city administrator. “From what an important construction project this building was in 1911 and then now, how we’re moving forward to continue to honor history on that site as we move into the next evolution of 5701 Merriam Drive.”
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2020-09-01T08:12:03-05:00September 1, 2020|News|

Lawrence agrees to $80,000 settlement with motorist who was shot during altercation with police officer

The City of Lawrence has reached an $80,000 settlement with a Black driver who was shot by a rookie police officer after a traffic stop turned violent. The driver, Akira Lewis, filed an excessive-force lawsuit in September 2019 against former Lawrence Police Officer Brindley Blood, who shot him, as well as additional claims against the other officer involved in the traffic stop, the City of Lawrence, its police department and the police chief. The lawsuit alleges in part that Blood used excessive force against Lewis and that the city and its police department failed to properly train and supervise officers. The city has denied those claims.
Source: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2020-08-31T07:40:00-05:00August 31, 2020|News|

Court rules Save Century II petition is not valid, giving a win to Wichita

A Sedgwick County judge threw out a citizens petition calling for a binding vote on whether to demolish the Century II and replace it with new convention and performing arts facilities. Sedgwick County District Judge Eric Commer ruled Friday that the Save Century II initiative is void, delivering a defeat to a grassroots campaign to give voters more control of city-owned buildings such as Century II and the Central Public Library. The judge said the city needs to take no further action to respond to the petition. However, the city immediately put out a statement saying the Wichita City Council is “committed to giving citizens a voice about the future of Century II and the former Central Public Library building and has approved a policy calling for a non-binding vote that will help shape decisions going forward.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2020-08-31T07:34:33-05:00August 31, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for August 28, 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 Financial2020-08-31T07:33:42-05:00August 31, 2020|News|

Closing an opportunity gap: Community leaders stress importance of comprehensive broadband plan

At Gina Millsap’s home in Shawnee County, fast and reliable internet speed isn’t the norm. Millsap, CEO of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, said she pays about $80 a month for 5 megabits per second of download speed and 1 Mbps of upload speed — but she doesn’t usually get that. “I measure mine because I used to do IT,” Millsap said, “and I’ve never gotten more than 2.5 (Mbps). That’s enough to stream — most of the time — but there are times when I’m getting less than two, I’m getting close to one.” When her speed drops below 2.5 Mbps, she said, she isn’t able to stream videos and other media. And since she has become a “hybrid” worker — along with many people who have adjusted to at least part-time remote work during the coronavirus pandemic — that broadband speed, or lack thereof, can make her job difficult.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Ranson Financial2020-08-31T07:29:37-05:00August 30, 2020|News|

More than 7,000 businesses apply for COVID grant money

Thousands of businesses across Kansas hope to dip their toe in a pool of $138 million in federal funds for COVID-19 pandemic recovery. On Wednesday, Aug. 26, the governor’s office announced more than 7,000 businesses and nonprofit organizations applied for Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Economic Development and Connectivity grants in the first week of the application process that began Aug. 19. Of the 7,000-plus grant applications submitted, more than 5,000 were for Small Business Working Capital (SBWC) grant funds, according to the governor’s office. The SBWC grants are available for Kansas businesses with fewer than 500 employees, according to the state Department of Commerce. The funds can be used to pay working capital expenses such as payroll, rent, mortgage insurance, utilities, inventory and other expenses, according to a commerce department news release.
Source: The Miami County Republic

Ranson Financial2020-08-31T07:30:39-05:00August 30, 2020|News|

Salina PD officer shot during pursuit; suspects in custody

A Salina police officer is in the hospital after being shot in the foot during a police pursuit early Sunday morning. Salina police said the pursuit began at 2:32 a.m. when an officer saw a silver 2006 Lincoln Town Car fail to stop at multiple stop signs in north Salina. After the officer attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, it fled. An occupant in the vehicle fired multiple gun shots at the pursuing police vehicle on N. Ninth Street near Thomas Park, with one of the rounds striking the pursuing officer in the foot. The pursuit left the Salina city limits on N. Ninth Street and W. Pleasant Hill Road, with two officers pursuing it into Saline County.
Source: El Dorado Times

Ranson Financial2020-08-31T07:31:18-05:00August 30, 2020|News|

Olathe community gathers to say goodbye to Mayor Michael Copeland

The Olathe community and beyond gathered Friday to say farewell to Mayor Michael Copeland, who died last week at the age of 58. A dedicated public servant, he was the city’s longest serving mayor, leading the city for nearly 20 years after several years on the city council. “Mike was a good man, built a lot of good relationships here in the town and worked tirelessly for our community,” said Vernon Avante, a supporter of Copeland’s. His visitation and funeral were held Friday at College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe where family and friends gathered to speak about his legacy. Under Copeland’s leadership, Olathe grew by nearly 50,000 people, added 18 parks and 29 miles of trails.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

Ranson Financial2020-08-31T07:31:40-05:00August 30, 2020|News|

County Extension offices look to combine for survival

K-State Research and Extension has been a fixture in all 105 Kansas counties since 1914. Stafford County Research and Extension office, located in St. John, like most other counties has learned how to benefit from resources offered statewide… While not a new idea to Kansas, a combined Extension district is a new idea for Stafford County. It will allow Stafford County to team up with Edwards County and enable Extension agents to work differently and more efficiently than they have in the past. To date, 57 Kansas counties have combined to form 20 Extension districts in Kansas. Extension districts offer a more sustainable, efficient way of doing business in the future, Collins said. “We know you cannot apply yesterday’s methods today and still be in business tomorrow,” said Staub, Stafford County Extension’s agriculture agent. “We know by following the data and outcomes of other districts, new districting will allow us to be forward thinking and relevant in today’s world.”
Source: News – The Hays Daily News

Ranson Financial2020-08-28T08:44:17-05:00August 28, 2020|News|