Southeast Kansas steps up its resources for students

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced a five-year nine-million dollar grant to improve student behavioral health in southeast Kansas. The grant aims to address the behavioral health needs of nearly 40 thousand students. Officials with the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas say the grant will impact children without resources. “If someone is struggling to come to school, unready to learn because they don’t have food, we want to help,” said Leah Gagnon, Director of Patient Engagement at the CHC of SEK. “Our community health workers can really step in and be that bridge between the resources and support that we have in the schools and the resources and support that families and students need at home.”
Source: KOAMKOAM

Ranson Financial2022-09-23T00:57:55-05:00September 23, 2022|News|

Dog rescued by Geary County Sheriff’s Office becomes national narcotics detector dog

A dog rescued by the Geary County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) has become a national narcotics detector dog. According to the GCSO, Nova was dumped near Interstate 70, and in 2018, she became a K-9 partner to Captain Justin Stopper. On Thursday, Sept. 22, she became certified through the National Narcotics Detector Dog Association (NNDDA) for meth, heroin, cocaine and marijuana. She also gained certification for articles, such as clothing.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-09-23T07:42:16-05:00September 23, 2022|News|

Sales tax increase could add extra $1M for Parsons

If Parsons voters in November approve increasing the public safety sales tax up 0.5% to 1%, it will generate approximately an additional $1,000,000 for a total of $2,000,000 for the city, according to City Manager Debbie Lamb. The current 0.5% sales tax in Parsons generates about $1,000,000, Lamb told the Sun on Wednesday. The added money from the tax would go toward the construction of a new public safety center for the Parsons Police Department.
Source: Parsons Sun

Ranson Financial2022-09-23T06:59:41-05:00September 23, 2022|News|

Overland Park Farmers Market named ‘America’s favorite’ in new nationwide vote

The Overland Park Farmers’ Market is the best in the country, according to a new online poll of thousands of farmers’ markets from around the U.S. The 60-year-old market in downtown Overland Park took home the title of America’s “favorite farmers market” in the 14th annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration put on, in part, by the American Farmland Trust. The contest, which lasted throughout the summer before ending on Sept. 19., had farmers markets across the country participate by asking shoppers, farmers, vendors, volunteers and others to vote for their favorite markets.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2022-09-23T07:00:06-05:00September 23, 2022|News|

Text-to-911 service enhancements look to save more lives

The Garden City Police Department, in conjunction with the Kansas 911 Coordinating Council, announces the enhancements made to the Text-to-911 service in Kansas. Text- to-911 has been available to citizens of Finney County since November 2017, for individuals who cannot safely make a voice call to 911 in an emergency. Texting 911 can be done by typing “911” in the field for a phone number. No other numbers need to be used. Texting should be done through your wireless phones text messaging service and not from a third-party texting application. Text-to-911 does require an active telephone service plan with data, or it will not work.
Source: Western Kansas News

Ranson Financial2022-09-23T07:00:33-05:00September 23, 2022|News|

Having a rambunctious party in Overland Park could now cost you up to $500

The Overland Park City Council unanimously passed a policy to regulate partying, particularly at short-term rentals, following a fatal shooting in March at an Overland Park property. Council members voted unanimously in favor of the nuisance party ordinance, which regulates gatherings of five or more people that leads to noise complaints, unlawful alcohol or drug use, assault or battery, property damage and littering among other factors. The ordinance would allow officers to cite individuals for criminal conduct and for failing to leave a party once instructed.
Source: KC Star Local News

Ranson Financial2022-09-23T00:37:39-05:00September 23, 2022|News|

TPD holds public session on training methods

Thursday night, members of the Topeka Police Department hosted an event to better educate the public about how officers are trained to handle the emergencies they experience on a daily basis. During the session, police instructors outlined the current procedures for training new recruits, and what continued education looks like to veteran officers. The goal of meetings is to open a dialog with the community about the rigorous training Topeka Police officers must complete before they interact with the public. This was the second of two educational presentations about police procedure.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2022-09-23T00:36:18-05:00September 23, 2022|News|

Notice of Public Meetings in Central and Eastern Kansas for Public Water Supply Lead and Copper Rule Implementation

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is holding public meetings to help communities and public water supply systems learn about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new Lead and Cooper Rule Revisions (LCRR). Under the LCRR, public water supply systems are required to prepare and maintain and inventory of service line materials. This inventory is to be submitted to KDHE by October 16, 2024.

Public water supply system decision-makers, operators, and the public are encouraged to attend to learn more about the inventory requirements and actions that can be taken to reduce lead exposure risks in drinking water. Piping containing lead can become a potential health risk in drinking water. Some homes (typically built before 1988) may have lead service lines that connect to the public water supply system. Young children, infants and fetuses are particularly vulnerable to lead in drinking water and water used for formula because the physical and behavioral effects of lead occur at lower exposure levels in children.

KDHE staff will review the following topics:

Development of Lead Service Line Inventories
- Public Water Supply System Responsibilities
- Water System Customer Cooperation
Lead Exposure Health Risks from Drinking Water
Funding information for lead service line replacement

The meetings will be held:

October 3, 2022	October 4, 2022
1 – 3 p.m.	1 – 3 p.m.
Courtyard by Marriott	Drury Plaza Hotel
3020 Riffell Drive	400 W. Douglas Ave.
Salina, Kansas 67401	Wichita, Kansas 67202

October 11, 2022	October 12, 2022
1 – 3 p.m.	1 – 3 p.m.
Capital Plaza Hotel, Emerald Ballroom	Chanute Memorial Auditorium
1717 SW Topeka Blvd	101 S. Lincoln Ave.
Topeka, Kansas 66612	Chanute, Kansas 66720

Individuals needing accommodations should contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at least five business days before the hearing by phone at (785) 296-5514, fax (785) 559-4258 or TTY 711.

Meetings for other regions of the state will be announced once they are scheduled.

For more information about KDHE’s Lead Service Line Inventory requirements please visit KDHE.KS.gov/LCRR.

Ranson Financial2022-09-23T09:51:26-05:00September 22, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for September 21, 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 Financial2022-09-22T08:01:59-05:00September 22, 2022|News|

USDA Rural Development Announces $6.3 Million for High-Speed Internet in Rural Communities

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas State Director for Rural Development Christy Davis today announced $6,319,640 in funding for high-speed internet access for rural residents and businesses in eight counties in Kansas and Nebraska. USDA is making the investments through the third funding round of the ReConnect Program. … The specifics of this Kansas grant are: A $6,319,640 grant will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network. This network will connect 704 people, 17 businesses, and 225 farms to high-speed internet in Jackson, Nemaha, Pottawatomie, Republic, Washington, and Riley counties in Kansas as well as Jefferson and Thayer counties in Nebraska. … To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov or contact the nearest USDA Rural Development state office.

Ranson Financial2022-09-22T07:59:34-05:00September 22, 2022|News|