Michael Utz, Chief of Police Announces Retirement

After a 36-year career, Garden City Police Chief Mike Utz has announced his retirement effective March 2021. “I have been truly blessed to be a part of the Garden City Police Department (GCPD) family, working for the City of Garden City, and engaging in our community. I grew from a young patrol officer to have the blessing and support of the City Manager to serve as your Chief of Police for the past five years,” remarked Utz.
(Read more: Greater Garden City » Feed)

Ranson Financial2020-08-10T07:34:06-05:00August 9, 2020|News|

Winfield employees are back at work

The two City of Winfield employees who tested positive for coronavirus on July 23 are back at work, while a third employee has tested positive in the past week, Winfield City Manager Taggart Wall said Friday. Wall said city officials work with the City-Cowley County Health Department to determine if an employee needs to be tested or not.
(Read more: Cowley CourierTraveler)

Ranson Financial2020-08-10T07:30:16-05:00August 9, 2020|News|

Baxter Springs has more than 150 Hot Rods visit

More than 150 Hot Rods and refurbished vehicles are set to make their way to Baxter Springs on Saturday. The fourth annual Rat-Town Days Ratrod and Kustom Car Show and Cruise took place at the Baxter Springs campgrounds Saturday. Old and new cars filled the lot, joined by plenty of vendors selling souvenirs, food and drinks. A portion of entry fees for vehicles will be donated to a charitable cause, and organizers say with the days turnout, it looks like it will be a good sized donation.
(Read more: KSNF/KODE)

Ranson Financial2020-08-10T07:31:46-05:00August 9, 2020|News|

City of Manhattan allows for businesses to use sidewalks for more space

To help local businesses that are hurting because of the coronavirus, the city of Manhattan passed an ordinance that allows stores to expand to the sidewalk. They are able to sell items in the space in front of their store to help with social distancing. This is just a temporary change and stores must apply for a permit before they can do this. … Right now the ordinance is limited to just food and retail, so stores can’t sell alcohol outside but the city commission is considering meeting to discuss the possibility of allowing that as well.
(Read more: KSNT News)

Ranson Financial2020-08-10T07:32:28-05:00August 9, 2020|News|

Dodge City artist paints Boot Hill Museum murals

Included with the several additions coming to Boot Hill Museum thanks to the STAR Bonds expansion project, guests will notice the murals covering the walls, painted by local and veteran artist Dave Wetmore. Wetmore was approached by Boot Hill Museum in November 2019, during the early stages of the expansion project. “They said they were doing something and asked if I was interested in working on it and at that point they didn’t have all the walls up yet, so at that point I wasn’t sure what I was saying yes to,” Wetmore said. “But I told them I’d be happy to work on it.” Once the walls to the new exhibits were built, Wetmore began painting the murals in the middle of January.
(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Ranson Financial2020-08-10T07:32:42-05:00August 9, 2020|News|

Overland Park councilmembers consider changing approval policy for chickens

Getting permission to keep chickens has for years been a tough sell to the Overland Park City Council. For people with fewer than three acres, it involved a presentation to the planning commission and then to the full council. Most of the time, the council shot the applications down. But councilmembers are beginning to rethink the process, which has favored homeowners in the southern part of the city who typically have larger lots. On Wednesday the council’s Community Development Committee asked staff to look at alternatives to the way chicken permits are handled.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-08-10T07:33:12-05:00August 9, 2020|News|

Sabetha sees increased sales tax distributions

Sabetha’s sales tax distributions are above last year’s distributions for July. This is according to the July County/City Local Sales Tax Distribution Report released by the Kansas Department of Revenue. The state issues these distributions two months after collection, so the July distribution is a reflection of May sales. Sabetha saw increased sales tax distributions in the month of July alone — with distributions of $39,598.14, a 4.7 percent increase from the $37,836.05 distributed in July 2019. Sabetha’s local sales tax rate is 1 percent.
(Read more: Sabetha Herald)

Ranson Financial2020-08-10T07:33:32-05:00August 9, 2020|News|

Overland Park delays decision on contentious Westlinks golf course fence after neighbors reject one option

There was disappointment all around earlier this week as a decision was once again delayed on how to resolve a six-year impasse between Overland Park and neighbors abutting the Westlinks golf course who want a new fence. This time the issue was the wording of a neighborhood association opinion poll. A deteriorating iron fence originally installed in 1991 on the city-owned course has pitted the Nottingham by the Green neighborhood against the city since 2013.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Ranson Financial2020-08-10T07:34:01-05:00August 9, 2020|News|

Bank of America Sees Dwindling Muni Yields Nearing Major Test

The largest underwriter in the $3.9 trillion municipal-bond market says the rally is about to face a crucial hurdle. Bank of America Corp. analysts Yingchen Li and Ian Rogow said they’re watching to see what happens if 10-year benchmark yields hit 0.5% — a threshold that may mark a test of whether investors continue stampeding into the market. Such pricing milestones are often watched in other markets, from stocks to mortgages, as a sort of psychological test of whether investors will shift gear if prices seem to heady or payouts too low.
Read more: Yahoo Finance.

Ranson Financial2020-08-09T09:32:51-05:00August 9, 2020|News|

Baldwin City recognizes female 19th-century political leader with park bench mural

A recently opened park named in honor of 19th-century Baldwin City mayor Lucy Sullivan now has a new piece of public art to pay tribute to her life and legacy. About 30 people gathered Saturday morning for the unveiling of a bench with a mural depicting Sullivan and scenes associated with her term as mayor and life in Baldwin City. … “Lucy Sullivan was the third woman elected mayor in this county,” said Jeannette Blackmar, executive director of the Lumberyard Arts Center in Baldwin City. “She was elected with an all-women city council.” Sullivan and the four-woman city council were elected in 1889, two years after Kansas first allowed women to vote in municipal elections and stand for city offices. One of the women’s campaign promises was to build a bridge over Tauy Creek, which separates the city’s railroad depot from its downtown. Crossing the creek muddied the long dresses and coats women of the day wore.
Read more: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2020-08-09T09:10:53-05:00August 9, 2020|News|