Pittsburg Mayor upbeat about State of the City

For the first time since 2019, the Mayor of Pittsburg delivered the State of the City in person to a packed house at Memorial Auditorium with a complimentary breakfast provided by the Blue Spoon. Mayor Ron Seglie spoke briefly about the city’s accomplishments and the challenges that lie ahead and what the near future looks like. Seglie highlighted a number of recent civic initiatives such as his Spruce Up Pittsburg campaign. As part of that effort, the city has been divided into specific neighborhoods and a council appointed to oversee clean-up. Over the past few years, nearly 60 dilapidated buildings have been razed. Seglie said if he were around long enough, he would love to clean up and restore the city’s brick sidewalks. “The full effort is to empower citizens to get out there and do something for the city and for themselves,” Seglie said, “to take pride in their neighborhoods.”
Source: Morning Sun

Ranson Financial2023-10-13T13:50:41-05:00October 13, 2023|News|

Water contamination invades Augusta community

An old issue continues to spread in a Southwest Augusta community. Water contamination is not something anyone wants to imagine dealing with, yet these residents have been dealing with it for years. High levels of hard water minerals, salt and now oil are plaguing the community’s water system, with no relief. After purchasing her home in 2019, Jenna Krob, her husband and children of three were like any other family, until last month. That’s when the family began to smell an awful odor emitting from their toilet bowl and running water. “When you entered the home, it would burn your nostrils,” said Krob. “That’s how strong it was.” What started as a strong odor soon turned into black water. That black colored water turned out to feel like an oily substance, leading the family to believe the substance to be petroleum-based oil contaminating their privately owned water well. Soon, the toilet was coated in oil and even their sink as they tried to wash dishes or take a shower.
Source: Andover American

Ranson Financial2023-10-13T10:57:32-05:00October 13, 2023|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for October 12, 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 Schmidt2023-10-13T10:25:09-05:00October 13, 2023|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for October 11, 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 Schmidt2023-10-12T09:10:28-05:00October 12, 2023|News|

Lawrence school district’s initial headcount shows dramatic decline of about 300 students in one year

The Lawrence school district’s recently completed annual enrollment count shows a dramatic decline of hundreds of students compared with last year’s count, and the amount of decline in just one year is what a consultant recently had predicted for an entire five-year period…. The whole picture of why there has once again been a large enrollment decline likely won’t be clear until the district team has a chance to look at this year’s enrollment data more closely, Superintendent Anthony Lewis told the Journal-World Thursday afternoon. But for now, Lewis said one potential cause could be the impact of low birth rates, which he said are affecting not just Lawrence but the whole country. “We had 945 seniors last year, and then this year we had 674 kindergartners come in,” Lewis said. “That’s a huge variation there, in terms of our seniors that have left us versus the kindergartners that are coming in.”
Source: LJWorld

Ranson Financial2023-10-13T08:01:40-05:00October 12, 2023|News|

Governor Kelly Announces New Staff to Lead Water Policy Efforts

Governor Laura Kelly announced that Vijay Ramasamy has joined the Kelly Administration to serve as Special Advisor for Water. In this role, Ramasamy will advise Governor Kelly on water planning and develop coordinated strategies to ensure a sustainable future for water in Kansas. “I am glad Vijay has rejoined my Administration to lead our work on water projects and move conservation efforts forward,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “This new role reaffirms my commitment to preserving our remaining water supply that has powered our farming economy for decades. Vijay’s expertise will be crucial as we address the historic drought Kansas is facing.” The Special Advisor for Water is a new position created by Governor Kelly to drive progress on the state’s most pressing water issues.
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas

Ranson Financial2023-10-11T14:09:07-05:00October 11, 2023|News|

Marion celebrates Old Settler’s Day with annual parade

Marion had a great turnout for the Old Settler’s Day parade on Saturday. In addition to class floats over the years, including one from the Class of 1948, the parade included the Marion High School Marching Band and the Marion Middle School Marching Band. The parade was just one of many activities over the weekend for Marion residents to enjoy.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press

Ranson Financial2023-10-11T10:01:35-05:00October 11, 2023|News|

As rural residents age, some Kansas communities step up to help

Bertie Dinkle smiled from her seat at the Louisburg Senior Center. “This is my second home.” She had just finished her meal of chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and strawberry cake. She happily chatted with friends across the table. “I used to live in Overland Park, and they didn’t have anything like this,” Dinkle said about the center and the community around it. For some, aging in a rural area is a benefit. There’s a tight-knit, supportive community. And for folks like 94-year-old Dinkle who are in good health, the 20-30 minute drive to the nearest hospital isn’t a burden. But for others, going gray in rural America is fraught with challenges. Hospitals are further away, public transportation is scarce, isolation is likely, accessible housing is limited and basic resources like grocery stores and pharmacies are closing. The goal for most agencies and rural households: Age in place as long as possible.
Source: KCUR News

Ranson Financial2023-10-11T14:09:39-05:00October 11, 2023|News|

Here’s a look at Leawood’s 75th anniversary celebration

This weekend, the city of Leawood celebrated a big milestone. This year marked its 75th year as an incorporated city. As such, residents gathered this weekend to celebrate with a range of festivities along Tomahawk Creek Parkway. A few more activities are still to come later this month. The celebration continued through the weekend with a Touch-a-Truck event, balloon animals, a puppet show, a concert and more. Here’s a look at some of Saturday’s highlights.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2023-10-11T09:59:10-05:00October 11, 2023|News|

Kansas prairie inspires public art projects for Merriam Plaza Library

When Johnson County Library opens the Merriam Plaza branch in the first half of 2024, it will include a drive-thru, state-of-the-art technology, early literacy space in the kids section, and all the other amenities one would expect in a new branch built at a cost of nearly $14 million. Adhering to patron feedback, the new branch at 6120 Slater St. will also have abundant natural light, a warm wood ceiling and a “green” roof with vegetation that provides a habitat for pollinators. Yet the art integrated into the design of Merriam Plaza Library — which is replacing the aging Antioch Library — may well provide the most eye-catching connection to nature. After evaluating nearly 180 submissions, the Johnson County Public Art Commission last year commissioned projects from Emily Alvarez of Kansas City, Missouri, and Sage Vaughn of Los Angeles. Alvarez’s four-panel indoor mural will include deep blue teal and lime green among its vibrant colors and will have raised plexiglass panels featuring plants and side profiles of residents of diverse races.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2023-10-11T14:10:00-05:00October 11, 2023|News|