Maple Hill city council opposes closure of Maple Hill Elementary under USD 329 bond proposal

The Maple Hill City Council is opposing a plan from USD 329 Wabaunsee to close Maple Hill Elementary School as part of a multimillion-dollar bond issue on the Nov. 8 ballot. City council members approved a resolution at their Oct. 10 meeting that states the council is “unanimously opposed to any effort” of the USD 329 school board to close Maple Hill Elementary, as district officials look to consolidate all facilities into one central campus. The resolution states in part that the city council believes a pre-K-through-fifth-grade attendance center is “a vital attribute” in attracting new residents to town and developing the local economy.
Source: themercury.com

Ranson Financial2022-10-28T12:55:36-05:00October 28, 2022|News|

Doggone project soon gone: Pet owners in Overland Park will receive permanent tags

If you own a pet, you know the drill. You properly license the dog or cat before receiving a tag that’s good for one year. That’s the easy part. Then comes the epic struggle to replace the old tag with the new one on the animal’s collar. It may take pliers or fingernails of steel, if you can get the dang things to move at all. But with a new licensing procedure that will take effect in January, Overland Park hopes fewer people will be growling in frustration. And the city will save some money, too.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2022-10-28T12:54:57-05:00October 28, 2022|News|

Kansas history tied to railroad development

In territorial Kansas, a fifth of all land was granted to railroad companies. The grants shaped settlements and business development in the state. Leo Oliva of Woodston talked about the railroad’s impact on Kansas development at a program last week at Marion City Library. Railroad companies chose where to lay tracks and sold land close to tracks at higher prices and land farther out at lower prices.
Source: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

Ranson Financial2022-10-28T12:44:13-05:00October 28, 2022|News|

Prairie Village to take single-family districts out of housing discussion

Single-family housing districts in Prairie Village have been temporarily removed from the conversation on the city’s housing recommendations. Moving forward, the city’s discussion is now narrowed down to focus on commercial, multifamily and mixed-use districts. This takes any consideration of multifamily housing within single-family housing districts — one of the most controversial aspects of a special task force’s recommendations — out of the equation for now, unless attainable housing cannot be addressed otherwise, per a planning commission work session on Tuesday.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2022-10-28T12:43:33-05:00October 28, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for October 27, 2022

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 Financial2022-10-28T12:42:21-05:00October 28, 2022|News|

Free expungement clinic planned for Riley County residents needing a clean slate

Riley County residents looking to clean up their criminal record are invited to a free expungement clinic at the Manhattan Public Library Friday. Attorneys will be on hand to help individuals review if they have any convictions that can be expunged. Deputy Riley County Counselor Craig Cox says there will be a prosecutor available from the County Attorney’s office as well as a judge. “A person can walk in and we’ll review the criminal history. Depending upon the nature of the conviction, for most misdemeanors you have to wait three years after you’ve completed your sentence. For most felonies, it’s a five year wait and for most serious driving violations, it’s a one year wait,” he said. In many cases, past criminal convictions can hamper a person’s ability to gain employment, or in some instances prevent them from getting an interview. In some instances, a past driving violation can also prevent someone’s ability to renew a driver’s license.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Ranson Financial2022-10-28T12:40:51-05:00October 28, 2022|News|

“CID” proposal in Pittsburg aimed at improving shopping area

A number of improvements could be coming to an area of Pittsburg, if a new proposal is given the go-ahead. It’s for a new “CID”, or “Community Improvement District”, for the shopping area in and around where the “Home Depot” sits off North Broadway…. It involves a 7-10ths of a cent sales tax for the next 20 years, or until it generates $3,700,000 in revenue, whichever comes first. “The idea is we get improvements for the community, not just new roofs on the developer’s existing buildings, so they’ll be, the Goody’s building, which has been vacant for 10 years, will become a Marshall’s. That’s supposed to open in November. There’s a new building going just to the south of that, which hasn’t been named where it’ll be, but it’s another national retailer. And then there’s going to be sidewalk improvements and the overall signage and just the general improvements in the area, kind of upgrade the district a little bit,” said Daron Hall, Pittsburg City Manager.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2022-10-28T12:39:58-05:00October 28, 2022|News|

Lawrence’s Human Relations Commission pushes to ban housing discrimination based on source of income

Proposed changes to city codes could open literal doors to many Lawrence community members in need of housing if a city advisory board’s recommendations become law. The Human Relations Commission voted Thursday to advance to the Lawrence City Commission recommendations that call for protections from discrimination that is based on source of income, survivor status or immigration status. The advisory board’s recommended language around source of income would prevent landlords from denying housing because someone’s money comes from housing assistance such as vouchers, settlements and more. In a survey of 115 available rental properties in Lawrence in May 2021, 80% did not accept housing choice vouchers, according to a presentation in the meeting materials.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Ranson Financial2022-10-28T12:39:03-05:00October 28, 2022|News|

Man accused of slashing tires on nearly a dozen Geary County Sheriff’s Office vehicles

Geary County Sheriff’s Office vehicles were the target of vandalism early Thursday morning when 11 patrol units had their tires slashed, according to authorities. Those vehicles were parked in the lot at 9th and Franklin Streets in Junction City. Security video showed 36-year-old Justin Nienhaus, of Grandview Plaza, as the perpetrator. He was arrested by deputies in conjunction with Junction City and Grandview Plaza Police officers on 10 counts of felony criminal damage to property as well as two misdemeanor counts thereof, and two counts of felony interference with a law enforcement officer.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Ranson Financial2022-10-28T12:37:23-05:00October 28, 2022|News|

Andover tornado recovery work continues

Recovery and cleanup efforts continue in Andover, six months after a tornado moved through parts of Sedgwick and Butler Counties. The City of Andover released an update on what’s been done and what is still being worked on. There have been several volunteer cleanup days recently, and the next is planned for November 5. If you’d like to help, you can sign up to volunteer through the United Way of the Plains.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2022-10-28T12:37:08-05:00October 28, 2022|News|