Wichita firefighter Ty Voth lived and died as a hero, WFD chief says

5 Monday, August 5

Wichita firefighter Ty Voth lived and died as a hero, WFD chief says

info2024-08-05T10:41:59-05:00August 5th, 2024|

The city of Wichita is taking steps to honor a 27-year-old firefighter who died in the line of duty on Thursday, and the firefighters union president is calling for a full investigation into what happened. Wichita firefighter Ty Voth, a 5-year veteran of the Wichita Fire Department, responded with a crew on Engine 19 to “a heavy fire at a modular home down in Haysville” on Thursday afternoon, Chief Tammy Snow said at a Friday morning news conference. His crew was assigned to attack the fire. “He was extremely dedicated and a brave firefighter who served our community,” Snow said. “Ty [...]

5 Monday, August 5

K-State community health worker project helps rural Kansas and agricultural workforce

info2024-08-05T10:36:52-05:00August 5th, 2024|

A large collaborative K-State 105 project is bringing together 12 partners — including Kansas State University units, other higher education institutions and health organizations — to help improve rural and agriculture-connected health across the state. The Rural Ag Health Community Health Worker project focuses on sustaining the health and safety of rural Kansans and the agricultural workforce. The project is establishing resource and service hubs staffed by community health workers who are co-supervised by local K-State Research and Extension units and health care partners. The project has received funding and support through the K-State 105 initiative. “Local extension units participating in [...]

4 Sunday, August 4

Municipal Bond Trends for August 2, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-08-04T19:50:26-05:00August 4th, 2024|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

2 Friday, August 2

This JoCo suburb is celebrating its 75th anniversary with several upcoming events

info2024-08-02T12:42:18-05:00August 2nd, 2024|

Like one of its northeast Johnson County neighbors, the city of Fairway is turning 75 years old this year. To celebrate, the city is hosting several free events in the coming months at Neale Peterson Park — including a citywide party and a free concert. Source: Johnson County Post

2 Friday, August 2

Fed holds rates steady and notes progress on inflation

info2024-08-02T12:41:49-05:00August 2nd, 2024|

Federal Reserve officials on Wednesday held short-term interest rates steady but indicated that inflation is getting closer to target, which could open the door for future interest rate cuts. Central bankers made no obvious indications, though, that a reduction is imminent, choosing to maintain language that indicates ongoing concerns about economic conditions, albeit with progress. They also preserved a declaration that more progress is needed before rate reductions can happen. Source: CNBC - Bonds

2 Friday, August 2

Overland Park will soon break ground on its newest park, which will have a touch of Germany

info2024-08-02T12:41:08-05:00August 2nd, 2024|

Overland Park announced the name of the park as part of the city’s festivities celebrating the 20th anniversary of the sister city relationship with Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany, back in 2019. With that connection in mind, Overland Park has drawn “architectural and cultural inspirations” from the German city and incorporated that into the park’s design, according to the city. Source: Johnson County Post

2 Friday, August 2

Lenexa could get parkland out of rare land swap with developer

info2024-08-02T12:40:36-05:00August 2nd, 2024|

The city of Lenexa is exploring a trade with developers that would net the city about 12 acres of parkland in the vicinity of Prairie Star Parkway & Mize Road. It’s a rare move and a precursor to an as-yet undefined residential project that could eventually be proposed in the city’s far western reaches. Source: Johnson County Post

2 Friday, August 2

Johnson County school districts see small number of transfers

info2024-08-02T11:43:33-05:00August 2nd, 2024|

In Kansas, it’s the first year of open enrollment, where parents can apply to send their kids to any public school district they want, no matter where live. One of the stipulations though is that the desired building in that other school district has to have room or capacity for that student. Early estimates from two of Johnson County’s largest public school districts show that a small amount of parents took advantage of this new law this year. Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) Chief Communications Officer David Smith says 38 students are transferring into the school district from outside of its [...]

2 Friday, August 2

Governor Kelly Announces Summit Truck Bodies Investing $50M, Creating 80 New Jobs in Wathena

info2024-08-02T11:40:03-05:00August 2nd, 2024|

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that Summit Truck Bodies (STB), a leader in service and lube truck body manufacturing, will invest $50 million to construct a new state-of-the-art facility in Wathena. The strategic expansion, which will double the company’s production output and create 80 new jobs, aims to meet the rising demand for high-quality service trucks. The new plant is being built next to its existing facility, and construction is expected to be completed in 20 months. “Summit Truck Bodies’ expansion is proof that our dedicated workforce, quality of life, and central location draw businesses across various industries,” Governor Laura Kelly [...]

2 Friday, August 2

Fed holds rates steady and notes progress on inflation

info2024-08-02T11:38:19-05:00August 2nd, 2024|

Federal Reserve officials on Wednesday held short-term interest rates steady but indicated that inflation is getting closer to its target, which could open the door for future interest rate cuts. Central bankers made no obvious indications, though, that a reduction is imminent, choosing to maintain language that indicates ongoing concerns about economic conditions, albeit with progress. They also preserved a declaration that more progress is needed before rate reductions can happen. “The Committee judges that the risks to achieving its employment and inflation goals continue to move into better balance,” the Federal Open Market Committee’s post-meeting statement said, a slight upgrade [...]