2021 – Page 260 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Johnson County city reports thieves are stealing this essential vehicle part

info2021-02-26T09:15:09-06:00February 25th, 2021|

Lenexa police say they have seen a substantial increase in catalytic converter thefts over the last couple of months, mainly at businesses where fleets of vehicles are parked overnight. “While most any type of vehicle is at risk, lately we are seeing thieves targeting work vans, trucks and larger utility-style work vehicles,” the city said in a news release. “Stealing a catalytic converter only takes a few seconds, but can be expensive to replace and costs businesses valuable time while their fleet vehicles are out of service.” Source: Joco 913 News

City governments in Kansas didn’t launch the tech revolution. But they’re embracing it.

info2021-02-25T17:04:59-06:00February 25th, 2021|

With residents demanding 24/7 access to information online, cities across the state are improving their communications infrastructure, an imperative made more pressing by the covid-19 pandemic. Their efforts create more than just increasingly sophisticated websites. The roles and duties of city officials are evolving in conjunction with their communication strategies, creating both strains and opportunities for strengthening the social fabric. Source: KLC Journal.

Reno County takes input on commercial wind regs

info2021-02-25T08:13:43-06:00February 25th, 2021|

Speakers offered widely contrasting views of what messages it would send – and what the economic impacts would be – depending on which commercial wind development regulations the Reno County Commission adopts. A half-dozen speakers appeared in favor of regulations forwarded by the Reno County Planning Commission, while four others called for more stringent restrictions or an outright ban on wind development in the southeast corner of the county. Each side received 30 minutes to speak. The County Commission then put off for two weeks further discussion on the topic to consider what they had heard and formulate their own opinions. [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for February 24, 2021

info2021-02-25T08:04:42-06:00February 25th, 2021|

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.

Audit: Bogus unemployment claims may have cost Kansas $600M

info2021-02-25T08:07:24-06:00February 25th, 2021|

Kansas may have paid $600 million worth of bogus claims for unemployment benefits last year, a legislative audit said Wednesday, more than double an estimate from the state Department of Labor. The report from the Republican-controlled Legislature's nonpartisan auditing division suggested that nearly 1 in 4 unemployment claims paid last year could have been fraudulent amid a surge in filings during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the Department of Labor's own data. The department on Tuesday estimated last year's fraudulent claims as worth $290 million. Source: Emporia Gazette

10-year Treasury yield tops 1.45%, highest level in more than a year

info2021-02-25T08:06:28-06:00February 25th, 2021|

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield held above the 1.4% level on Thursday morning, ahead of the U.S. Department of Commerce releasing its second estimate for fourth-quarter gross domestic product. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note climbed to 1.454% at 7:00 a.m. ET. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond rose to 2.312%. Source: CNBC - Bonds

Cheney superintendent worried as gas bill skyrockets

info2021-02-25T07:57:13-06:00February 24th, 2021|

A week after temperatures plummeted below zero, causing demand for electricity and natural gas to skyrocket, some are getting a glimpse at what it is going to cost. Cheney Superintendent David Grover says the district's bill is usually $7,000 but now is $57,000 and it doesn't include the coldest days. The district gets its gas from the city. "School budgets as most people understand are set July 1, read July 1 through June 30th, and there certainly was never a $300,000 cushion built into energy," said Grover. He has reached out to local, state, and federal lawmakers for help. Source: KSN-TV

Kansas lawmakers seek relief from increases in natural gas prices following arctic blast

info2021-02-25T07:58:14-06:00February 24th, 2021|

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, Rep. Ron Estes, Rep. Tracey Mann, Rep. Jake LaTurner, and Rep. Sharice Davids sent letters on Tuesday to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Richard Glick amid extreme increases in natural gas prices. They are asking Glick to consider expeditiously Governor Laura Kelly's emergency request to protect Kansans from the potentially severe economic consequences following the arctic blast last week. They are also asking to look into the price spike and see what can be done to make sure it doesn't happen again. "I really think we need some type of investigation before we rely upon the federal [...]

Housing official talks about growing demand for rental assistance in Wichita

info2021-02-25T07:58:33-06:00February 24th, 2021|

Since the City of Wichita opened applications for the Wichita Emergency Rental Assistance Program Monday morning, more than 800 people have sent in their solicitation. City officials say they expect the number to gradually grow. The program is intended to help Wichitans pay for their overdue rent and utility bills. "Many families have been impacted by COVID-19 and are hurting, I mean we see the number of families that are struggling to get their unemployment benefits that really didn't surprise me," said Sally Stang, Director of Housing and Community Services for the City of Wichita. "And we're going to continue to outreach [...]

Save Century II loses in bid at state Legislature to protect Wichita buildings

info2021-02-25T07:58:39-06:00February 24th, 2021|

After a lengthy hearing in Topeka, the state Legislature won’t be taking action to save Century II and the former Wichita downtown library. The Save Century II group argued their case for state intervention before the House Local Government Committee. Save Century II members Celeste Racette, John Todd, Karl Peterjohn and Walt Chappell were asking lawmakers to require a binding public election before any decisions are made to tear down the historic buildings to replace them with a sweeping redevelopment of the Arkansas River front where they stand. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Yearly Archives: 2021