Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical recognizes service of pioneering firefighter

Lexie Engleman was one of the city’s first female firefighters, and now her name is on the training room at Station No. 1. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical (LDCFM) recently dedicated the training room to Engleman, who served the department nearly 30 years until she retired as a captain at age 60 in December 2010, according to a news release. Family, friends, other LDCFM retirees and current staff members joined Engleman to celebrate the recognition. A plaque with Engleman’s portrait will hang in the room. The plaque says that when Engleman joined the Lawrence Fire Department in June 1981, she became one of the first female firefighters in the city’s history.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Ranson Financial2023-07-12T11:47:53-05:00July 12, 2023|News|

Newton city manager submits resignation

Newton City Manager Kelly McElroy has announced she will leave her position in October after seven years of service to the Newton community. McElroy has been city manager since January 2020. She joined the Newton staff in October 2016, first as community development director, city planner and historic preservation officer, and later as assistant city manager. “It has been an honor and pleasure to work for the City of Newton and the community,” McElroy said. “I am very proud of our staff team that has strong ambition, creativity, and servant leader hearts. The leadership the City Commission has provided us over the past several years has been invaluable. We are fortunate to have such dedicated individuals serving, focusing on big picture endeavors, and leading the community into a rapid growth mode.” As city manager, McElroy led the City through the COVID-19 pandemic, construction of a new public pool, the new Railer Field at Centennial Park, a new Newton Public Library, remodel of the Law Enforcement Center, the City’s Sesquicentennial celebration, and a surge in new residential, commercial and industrial development in the community.
Source: City of Newton

Ranson Financial2023-07-12T11:46:17-05:00July 12, 2023|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for July 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 Schmidt2023-07-12T04:07:04-05:00July 12, 2023|News|

Parks & Rec planning survey for comprehensive plan, potential indoor waterpark

The Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department is nearing the start of a comprehensive master plan that will take a deep dive into overall planning of the department’s future. Director Aaron Stewart says a community survey is due to come before the city commission next month, with an early fall rollout likely. Stewart says once the survey is completed, Parks & Rec should have a better understanding of the community’s needs and wants, including a measure on how much the community is willing to support funding of a potential indoor waterpark. Stewart estimates such a project would carry a roughly $40 million price tag.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Ranson Financial2023-07-12T01:37:06-05:00July 12, 2023|News|

One expanded gambling proposal disqualified from consideration

Boyd Gaming’s “Diamond Jo” proposal was disqualified. The Gaming and Racing Commission adopted a policy change it said better reflected what the state legislature wanted. Since Boyd Gaming already operates the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane its application was taken out of the running to prevent a potential monopoly in one of the state’s gambling zones. The decision leaves one proposal in the running-Ruffin Holdings’ “Golden Circle”, to be built at the old Wichita Greyhound Park location at 77th North and Hydraulic.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2023-07-12T01:35:18-05:00July 12, 2023|News|

Dodge City named Most Charming Small Town in Kansas

A popular travel publication has named Dodge City the Most Charming Small Town in Kansas. TravelMag announced Tuesday that Dodge City had won the award. The small town in southwest Kansas also won the award in 2022 from a publication called Trips to Discover. TravelMag says it surveyed more than 100 travel experts to identify the 20 most charming towns in the Midwest. It only considered towns with populations of less than 100,000 residents. “We are thrilled to receive this distinction from TravelMag,” said Megan Welsh, director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau for Dodge City. “This recognition allows us to reach new audiences who may not have considered us as a vacation destination before. We look forward to welcoming these visitors and sharing the unique experiences Dodge City has to offer.”
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2023-07-12T01:32:26-05:00July 12, 2023|News|

Humboldt Council clamps down on big rig parking

The ordinance to restrict semi-trailers from parking along city streets has been on the books for decades, Humboldt Council members learned Monday night, but never enforced. That willingness to turn a blind eye caught up with them when “just one guy,” turned into several parking their rigs in front of people’s homes, causing a problem for fellow residents. Last month, Council members ordered City Attorney Fred Works to draft an ordinance banning the parking of large vehicles along city streets.
Source: The Iola Register

Ranson Financial2023-07-12T01:29:50-05:00July 12, 2023|News|

USD 259 has a new superintendent

Kelly Bielefeld has been named the new superintendent for the USD 259 school district. “We believe in the value of every single student. We take everybody and we do our best to get them ready for their future,” said Bielefeld. Bielefeld is just starting his new position in the district and he celebrated beginning his tenure by touring College Hill Elementary School where he was introduced to students, staff, and a new game: 9-square. At an initial news conference today, Bielefeld detailed his plans for the upcoming school year.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2023-07-12T01:19:14-05:00July 12, 2023|News|

This area Route 66 stop is gaining notoriety

If you love Route 66, you aren’t alone, it’s one of the most traveled roads in the whole world. And one stop along the Mother Road is getting notoriety for what you do while you’re there. Aaron Perry was already thinking about starting his own Route 66 business in 2018 when he drove by an old service station near the Kansas-Missouri border on the Mother Road. “And I jokingly tell people it got dark, a beam of light shone down, angels played harps, and we ended up with an old Texaco in Galena Kansas,” said Aaron Perry, Owner, Gearhead Curious.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2023-07-12T11:42:23-05:00July 12, 2023|News|

Hundreds of old oil and gas wells in Johnson and Miami counties need capping

Oil and gas wells that are in some cases over a century old, abandoned and emitting methane, are targeted for being plugged up as part of a comprehensive federal investment in infrastructure that may eventually include 378 wells in Johnson and Miami counties. U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids toured some of those wells this week in Johnson County, as part of an effort to call attention to President Joe Biden’s economic priorities. Haaland, Davids and Susan Duffy, chair of the Kansas Corporation Commission, stopped at the Virginia Sue Field of Dreams near 183rd Street and Pflumm Road in Bucyrus to visit three of those sites on Monday. Kansas has already received $25 million to plug wells and is eligible to receive another $25 million in federal grants in another round of funding, Haaland said.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Ranson Financial2023-07-12T11:44:35-05:00July 12, 2023|News|