Saline County celebrates completion of new jail facility after decades of ongoing needs

As construction workers shook hands and exchanged greetings with government officials, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan stepped out into the cold October morning to welcome more visitors. People pulling into the public parking lot of the new Saline County jail were greeted with his smile and directions on where to park. His breath created a fog as he spoke through the 28-degree breeze. About 100 people gathered Tuesday at 800 Pacific Ave. in Salina to celebrate the opening of Saline County’s state-of-the-art jail facility. Remarks were made by nearly everyone who helped turn an idea into reality, and the ceremony was capped off by a thanks for the public’s $89 million investment and a ribbon cutting complete with giant scissors. “I’m more excited about people getting an actual tour, than I am of the ribbon cutting,” Soldan said. The Saline County community celebrated on Halloween what began two years ago, when on Oct. 21, 2021, the Turner Construction crew broke ground on some old farmland in north Salina. Since that time, the project kept within its voter-approved budget and finished within the original timeline for completion — a feat several public officials spoke about Tuesday.
Source: News – Salina Journal

Ranson Financial2023-11-06T11:28:16-06:00November 6, 2023|News|

Overland Park to turn old Marty Pool site into a new park

The site of the former Marty Pool in northern Overland Park is set to get a new life as a neighborhood park in the next couple of years. On Wednesday, the Overland Park City Council Community Development Committee voted 5-0 to recommend approval of a contract with landscape architecture firm Confluence to design the new park. Councilmember Sam Passer, who serves as the committee’s vice chair, was absent from the meeting. Overland Park decommissioned the pool near West 75th and Conser streets in 2022 after decades of offering neighborhood families a place to cool off in the summer. Mary Pool’s closure was part of a long-term plan laid out in the city’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan to decommission some of the city’s pools over the next couple of decades, (Pg. 36). Overland Park previously closed Roe Pool and converted it into a community park.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2023-11-06T11:25:43-06:00November 6, 2023|News|

Affordable housing, size of city council on the line in heated Johnson County election

A chaotic past year in Prairie Village, first sparked by the city discussing affordable housing initiatives, is culminating in one of Johnson County’s most contentious elections this fall. The Nov. 7 election comes as the city considers ways the pricey suburb could allow more affordable housing, a conversation that has sharply divided the community. The debate has transformed into a deeper political battle, leading to two clear factions of candidates running for half of the City Council seats on Tuesday. The city remains tied up in a legal battle with a group of residents who call themselves PV United — first formed to oppose any zoning changes aimed at allowing more affordable housing — that filed petitions this fall pushing to let residents vote on limiting mayoral powers and cutting the council in half. The idea was especially controversial because it would have resulted in ejecting six council members from their seats mid-term.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2023-11-06T11:23:59-06:00November 6, 2023|News|

Pittsburg restores services following cyber attack

The City of Pittsburg is restoring some essential services following the cyber incident that occurred September 16, which caused an IT outage affecting online systems and phones. Utility payment systems, billing systems, and Municipal Court proceedings are now able to resume. City emails and phone systems are still affected, but should be fully functioning soon. The city’s utility payment and billing system is now back online after being unavailable for several weeks. City of Pittsburg Customer Service Department will be issuing bills for the September and October billing cycle. The city is suspending late fees and disconnections during this time. Customers can pay in person, via drop box, mail, or online. Municipal Court will also resume operations on Wednesday, November 8 at 1:15 pm (afternoon court only) at the Pittsburg Law Enforcement Center. Municipal Court was previously postponed and court-related fees were temporarily being processed at City Hall. The Municipal Court is now able to receive payments again via cash or money order at the Law Enforcement Center.
Source: City of Pittsburg

Ranson Financial2023-11-06T12:15:45-06:00November 6, 2023|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for November 3, 2023

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. 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.

Henry Schmidt2023-11-06T09:02:10-06:00November 6, 2023|News|

Rural renewal: KU alumna restores buildings, bustle in Wilson, Kansas

The Midland Railroad Hotel welcomes visitors to Wilson today in much the same way it did over a century ago, when the town was a midway stop between Kansas City and Denver on the Union Pacific Railroad. Inside the stately, three-story limestone building with the red roof, guests still enjoy cozy accommodations surrounded by refurbished original woodwork and other trappings of a bygone era. But unlike long-ago railroad travelers, many of the Midland’s modern-day patrons consider the hotel itself the destination. “Coming to the Midland is like stepping back in time,” says Melinda Merrill, g’03, who has owned and operated the hotel since 2014 and turned the once-shuttered landmark into a renowned regional hub. “It’s a place where people can relax and get away from their day-to-day grind, and a place where people can just enjoy being in a small town.” The hotel is one of a handful of revival projects Merrill has been involved with in the rural community of Wilson, population 859, about 180 miles west of Lawrence via I-70. The structures under her stewardship, which also include a repurposed grade school and a rescued tin barn, take on new lives and, in turn, provide new opportunities for hospitality and connection in a place once short on such amenities.
Source: KU Alumni Magazine

Ranson Financial2023-11-04T13:43:29-05:00November 3, 2023|News|

Proposed sales tax could improve the city of Olpe

Olpe residents will soon be voting on a retailers’ sales tax in the city. On this year’s ballots, residents in Olpe will be voting to approve or deny a sales tax in the city. According to the Lyon County election office, 1/2 of 1% is the amount of sales tax that will be levied in the city of Olpe if this ballot question gets approved. The sales tax will go towards capital improvements to improve the city. Olpe City Clerk Joyce Wilson told 27 News there’s a few key projects the money from this sales tax would go to if it gets approved. If approved, the city of Olpe would add a fitness park with sidewalks, create wider sidewalks throughout the town and add parking near the football field.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2023-11-03T13:18:16-05:00November 3, 2023|News|

Local mural artist turns a new leaf at the Hiawatha Chamber and Wenger wall

The wall facing the Arrow Twin movie theater features paintings of orange, red, and yellow-colored leaves that appear to be floating on the white wall on the metal building owned by Tim and Arthur Wenger close to Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau building across the street. Viewers taking in the sight will notice the words in the middle of the wall, which beckon them to “Fall in love with Hiawatha,” which is also the theme the Chamber used to help promote the project and Hiawatha to surrounding areas and even the nation and world at large.
Source: hiawathaworldonline.com

Ranson Financial2023-11-03T13:19:02-05:00November 3, 2023|News|

Topeka leaders address camping ordinance status

In less than three weeks, a new camping ordinance will go into effect in Topeka. The ordinance is the City of Topeka’s effort to address the city’s homeless population, specifically, homeless camping. The ordinance goes into effect on Nov. 17, according to the city, but there is still uncertainty on exactly what it will look like. It outlines where homeless individuals can’t go, but not where they can go after it passes. “There are a lot of suggestions, put them here, put them there,” Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla said.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2023-11-03T13:19:45-05:00November 3, 2023|News|

Fed holds rates steady, upgrades assessment of economic growth

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday again held benchmark interest rates steady amid a backdrop of a growing economy and labor market and inflation that is still well above the central bank’s target. In a widely expected move, the Fed’s rate-setting group unanimously agreed to hold the key federal funds rate in a target range between 5.25%-5.5%, where it has been since July. This was the second consecutive meeting that the Federal Open Market Committee chose to hold, following a string of 11 rate hikes, including four in 2023. The decision included an upgrade to the committee’s general assessment of the economy.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2023-11-03T13:20:35-05:00November 3, 2023|News|