Lawrence City Commission approves changes to no-camping ordinance, making some exceptions for homeless people

City leaders have approved changes to the city’s no-camping rules to be more accommodating to homeless people when local shelters are full. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted 4-1, with Mayor Jennifer Ananda opposed, to add an exemption to the city ordinance that currently makes it illegal to camp on public right-of-way. The exemption, aimed at decriminalizing homelessness, would allow people to camp on any public right-of-way or public property downtown when there is no available space at the overnight homeless shelters, according to a city staff memo to the commission.
Read more: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2020-06-19T08:45:37-05:00June 18, 2020|News|

Biting dogs must get microchips in Parsons

Dog owners in Parsons will have to pay for an identifying microchip implant if their dogs bite someone. City commissioners on Monday evening approved an ordinance that will make dog owners liable for the charge of nearly $30. If the dog is later declared not vicious by a municipal court judge, the owner will be reimbursed for the fee. If, however, the judge rules the dog is vicious, the city could easily identify the dog in the future and fine the owner for keeping a vicious dog in the city if already ordered to remove the dog.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:38:54-05:00June 18, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for June 17, 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 Financial2020-06-18T08:38:45-05:00June 18, 2020|News|

Prairie Village takes steps toward allowing residents to keep hens — though home owners associations still have their own prohibitions

Prairie Village took a step this week toward allowing residents to keep chickens — though individual homes associations may have their own restrictions that would prevent people from taking advantage of the city relaxing its regulations. The City Council … voted 9 to 3 Monday night to approve amending the city’s animal control regulations to allow residents to keep hens but not roosters.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:37:04-05:00June 18, 2020|News|

Merriam sends solar installation ordinance to Planning Commission for review

The Merriam City Council last week directed the planning commission to review the current zoning ordinance related to solar installation, in an effort to ease up on resident requirements. Community Development Director Bryan Dyer said the city consistently receives resident comments that some solar installation requirements are cumbersome and can increase costs — specifically the requirement to go through the planning commission for approval if solar panels have to face the right-of-way.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:37:00-05:00June 18, 2020|News|

Parsons makes licensing easier for plumbers

The city of Parsons will make it easier for plumbers to get licensed to do local work. City commissioners on Monday approved a charter ordinance that will lower the score on standardized testing required to get a permit for plumbing work within city limits. The city, based on a state statute, now requires plumbers to score at least a 75% on the test to be licensed. The charter ordinance will lower the minimum score to 70%.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:22:16-05:00June 18, 2020|News|

Old schools find new uses – as homes

A former country school moved to Marion in the 1940s still stands on Lincoln St. where it is used as a home. The former Bixler School, originally located three and a half miles northwest of Marion, was purchased by Lonnie and Betty Tidwell in the 1940s and moved to 110 N. Lincoln St. in Marion to serve as a home, which it does to this day. The Tidwells added an attached garage, two bedrooms, and a bathroom.
(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:21:08-05:00June 18, 2020|News|

Cities willing to pony up for recycling

Both Marion and Hillsboro are likely to help fill the budget hole caused by rising costs of recycling. Although the $120-a-ton cost of taking recyclable material to a privately owned South Hutchinson recycling facility is $82 more than the $38-per-ton cost of taking it to a landfill, both cities seem willing to pay the difference. In January, the county planned to switch recyclable deliveries to Fort Riley, which accepted recyclable materials for free. Before the county delivered a load there, however, that facility stopped recycling because of COVID-19 concerns. It has not resumed operations.
(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:20:40-05:00June 18, 2020|News|

City of Burden: Thieves steal sand digger from local park

The City of Burden is asking for the public’s help to identify the people who stole a sand digger from Burden Park. The city said the theft happened on June 6 around 9 p.m. Video posted to Burden’s Facebook page shows three people – a man, a woman and a child – pull up to the park in a white truck and get out.
(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:19:33-05:00June 18, 2020|News|

Judge rules on issue in Pretty Prairie Wind lawsuit

A Reno County judge recently ruled on a key element in a lawsuit filed by NextEra Energy over the denial of a permit for its proposed wind farm in the southeast quadrant of Reno County, finding in favor of the county and wind farm opponents. It was not the only issue in the suit, however, so the lawsuit continues, though the court has not set any new hearings or filing deadlines.One of the main contentions in the suit filed last fall by Pretty Prairie Wind LLC…
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:18:35-05:00June 18, 2020|News|