Shawnee planning to purchase new police K-9 training materials

Shawnee is seeking federal grant funding to support the purchase of K-9 training materials for the city’s police department. The Shawnee City Council on Aug. 10 voted 7-0 to enter a cooperative agreement with Overland Park and Olathe to jointly apply for federal funds through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. Councilmember Mike Kemmling was absent. Funding from the federal program supports state and local programs in law enforcement, courts, corrections and drug treatment.

Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2020-08-25T08:39:00-05:00August 25, 2020|News|

Ottawa district divides students into groups

As students in Ottawa schools go back to class for the 2020-21 school year, starting Sept. 9 through May 28, 2021, they will be divided into two groups and attend school in three-hour blocks to allow for COVID-19 precautions. A groups will meet in the morning and B groups in the afternoon. Ottawa superintendent Ryan Cobbs said the main goal is to return the students back safely into a learning environment. “I appreciate parents’ patience and support as we continue to work through these difficult times,” Cobbs said. “We look forward to getting our students back into school and back to learning.”

Source: News – Butler County Times Gazette

Ranson Financial2020-08-25T08:37:32-05:00August 25, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for August 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 Financial2020-08-25T08:09:11-05:00August 25, 2020|News|

Southwest Chief, others to see frequency cut

There is only one passenger rail train that serves the state of Kansas, a train that has seen multiple threats to its operation over the past decade — most of them funding fights over rail improvements and positive train control. It appears that in 2020, COVID-19 has done what no other threat could do in the nearly 50 years of operation of the Southwest Chief — reduce the frequency of service. According to a memo to staff from Amtrak and posted to social media, all but one long-distance train in the Amtrak network will be cut to three times a week in October.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News

Ranson Financial2020-08-25T08:08:31-05:00August 25, 2020|News|

One of the most relaxing road trips you’ll ever take is just 20 minutes from Wichita

Go through the small gate of a fence off North Line Street in Belle Plaine, Kansas, and you’ll find yourself in one of the oldest arboretums between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains. The historic nonprofit Bartlett Arboretum, founded in 1910, has already survived one pandemic, notes a two-part short film about its history that can be found on its website — and it can be a welcome respite for those looking for a socially distanced activity during the current COVID-19 pandemic. “People walk in here and their blood pressure drops, they breathe easier and they breathe better,” said Arb steward Robin Macy about the effects of wandering around the arb. She encourages picnics and leisurely exploring of the tree museum’s grounds.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2020-08-25T08:08:04-05:00August 25, 2020|News|

Shawnee Mission parents, teachers clash on district decision to start year online

Two conflicting groups appealed to the Shawnee Mission school board Monday afternoon — one celebrating the district’s decision to start the school year online, the other demanding in-person classes and fall sports. In addition, hundreds of parents and students protested outside the district administrative building before Monday evening’s board meeting, with signs that read “open schools” and “let them play.” Many parents in the group worry that students’ mental and physical health will suffer at home. The other group said the district’s decision will protect teachers and students from contracting coronavirus in the classroom and then bringing it back to their families — especially as community spread of the virus remains high. Many wore T-shirts that read “Support SMSD teachers” and held signs thanking the school board.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2020-08-25T08:07:49-05:00August 25, 2020|News|

Wichita schools to get devices to students despite global laptop shortage

Wichita Public Schools are still waiting for a huge shipment of laptops, as the first day of school approaches. Despite delayed shipments, the district says they plan to get every student access to virtual learning by the first day of the semester. The district sent out a survey asking parents and students if they already have internet access and a device to access virtual learning. If the student does not have a device, the district plans to re-purpose laptops, iPads and Chromebooks it already has. USD 259 Chief Information Officer, Rob Dickson, said students who need to access virtual learning will be able to.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2020-08-25T08:07:28-05:00August 25, 2020|News|

‘Let us take the risk’ — Some parents urge in-person learning in Shawnee Mission, while others praise district for decision to start remotely

More than 30 people took to the mic Monday afternoon in a sometimes-emotional public listening session regarding the Shawnee Mission Schools’ decision to open the 2020-21 academic year with all of the district’s roughly 27,000 students learning remotely. The district’s choice to start with remote learning — and to also suspend all sports and extracurricular activities — came after county health officials advised public school districts last week that some key COVID-19 trends are increasing and that community spread is continuing in Johnson County, making in-person learning potentially unsafe.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2020-08-25T08:06:57-05:00August 25, 2020|News|

Mission approves new logo as part of rebranding efforts, communications plan

The Mission City Council Wednesday evening approved a rebranding design that the city will use in its signage and website as part of an ongoing communications plan. The Mission City Council approved the above logo as part of the city’s rebranding efforts. The logo will begin to be used in the city’s communications including its website. Mission city staff worked with marketing agency Crux KC to narrow down the dozen or so options to two to present to the city council and the public. The city council Wednesday was asked to choose between the two options. The public’s feedback on the two designs was nearly split, with 105 preferring option one and 107 voting for option two.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2020-08-25T08:06:37-05:00August 25, 2020|News|

Shawnee County to let schools make own decisions regarding COVID-19

Shawnee County will let schools make their own decisions on how to safely open and conduct activities during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioners, Bill Riphahn, Kevin Cook and Aaron Mays voted 3-0 to adopt a resolution spelling out that policy and affirming a health order issued Friday by health officer Gianfranco Pezzino. Riphahn said the measure’s approval “clears the air” regarding the county’s involvement with schools. “Yes, we’ll help the schools and they can listen to us,” he said. “But we’re letting the schools make their owns decisions and set their own course as far as sports and how they conduct their classrooms and things like that, and this resolution spells that out. I want parents to be able to go to the school – not to us – to answer those questions.”
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Ranson Financial2020-08-25T07:59:17-05:00August 25, 2020|News|