info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Emergency rental assistance still available; guidelines changed to help more Kansans at risk for eviction

info2022-04-07T01:40:45-05:00April 7th, 2022|

The Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance program is accepting applications for rent, utility and internet assistance from tenants and landlords who have experienced financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Known as KERA, recent updates have allowed the state to serve more Kansans, according to a news release from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. Here are the changes: Eligible households may receive up to 18 months of assistance — an increase from the previous 15-month maximum; Recipients may receive a lump sum of $900 in past-due or future internet assistance — an increase from the previous $750 limit; and Households that have endured [...]

Manhattan overturns Historic Resource Board’s denial of Museum of Art and Light

info2022-04-07T07:05:54-05:00April 7th, 2022|

Manhattan city commissioners on Tuesday approved moving forward with the Museum of Art and Light project despite questions emerging about its impact on historic aspects of downtown. The commission unanimously overturned the Historic Resources Board’s denial of the planned museum. In addition to disagreeing with the board’s view that the nonprofit museum would have a harmful effect on the Downtown Historic District, commissioners also cited that the $44 million museum would generate too much economic benefit to stop it now. During its March 28 meeting, the board voted to deny the project 3-2, finding that the project, set to be built [...]

Marysville poverty simulation for educators described as ‘eye-opening’

info2022-04-07T07:06:37-05:00April 7th, 2022|

About 12 percent of Marshall County’s children live at or below the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that means an income of $27,750. About 2 percent of children here live in extreme poverty, far below the federal level. Marysville school district’s teachers and other staff spent a morning learning a little about what that’s like recently during a poverty simulation conducted at a workshop in the Marysville Junior High gym. The educators, who took on the roles of young mothers, elder grandparents, teen-aged fathers, and other caregivers, spent a few hours trying to figure it all out and [...]

EDGE grants spur $29,000 in beautification projects

info2022-04-07T01:31:56-05:00April 7th, 2022|

ElevateEdgerton!’s new EDGE Grant program has exceeded expectations. Within just three weeks of launching the new Residential and Commercial Beautification program, ElevateEdgerton! has awarded all $5,000 set aside for 2022. Property owners applied for a wide variety of property façade improvements, totalling $29,000 in total project costs. “ElevateEdgerton! is extremely honored to be able to invest back into the community and help residents fund these type of improvement projects. Sometimes just a little extra bit of help can be the deciding factor and we are humbled with the interest we had in this program,” said James Oltman, ElevateEdgerton! president. Source: Gardner [...]

Municipal bonds yields climb double-digits

info2022-04-07T07:07:30-05:00April 7th, 2022|

Municipals sold off Wednesday, with triple-A benchmarks being cut up to 12 basis points across the curve, while U.S. Treasuries strengthened on the front end but the long-bond hit year highs and equities ended in the red. The Federal Open Market Committee meeting minutes show “the doves have left the building,” said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA, after the FOMC announced it expects a $95 billion per month balance sheet reduction, with analysts forecasting announcement and reduction beginning in May. “The Fed is worried about inflation spreading and that suggests they will remain aggressive a while longer even when [...]

Wind energy discussions continue in Brown County

info2022-04-07T07:08:03-05:00April 7th, 2022|

Discussions on wind energy are heating up at the county level. The Brown County Commissioners have spent some time in discussions about the possibility of wind energy farms that could come into the county. While Commissioner Bill Pollock has made it clear he is against any wind energy farms coming into the county, Commissioners Lamar Shoemaker and Richard Lehmkuhl are interesting in hearing from county residents. Several years ago there was a town hall meeting about proposed wind energy in the large courtroom at the courthouse, and the commissioners have discussed holding something similar again as the topic continues to arise. [...]

Kingsley is Harvey County’s new finance director

info2022-04-07T07:08:18-05:00April 7th, 2022|

New Harvey County Finance Director Shannon Kingsley returned to her old stomping grounds. The Newton resident said she left her job as an internal financial auditor for Sedgwick County because she loved the community where she lives. She last worked for Harvey County in 2005 as the planning and zoning director. “I had some good experiences in the past and I am excited about the opportunity to come back here,” she said. Kingsley said she left in 2005 because the planning and zoning director position was part-time and she wanted to pursue a job that was more in alignment with her [...]

Evacuations in Butler County after wildfire erupts near El Dorado airport

info2022-04-07T07:08:30-05:00April 6th, 2022|

An active wildfire forced evacuations near the El Dorado airport Wednesday afternoon, a Butler County dispatch supervisor says. The fire started in the area between SW 30th and Highway 77, about one mile west of the airport. It is mostly contained, but still has some spots burning, according to the supervisor. Evacuations started around 2:30 p.m. near SE 30th and Turkey Creek. No injuries or damage to structures have been reported, dispatch says. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Wellington City Manager Shane Shields announces his retirement in August

info2022-04-07T07:09:35-05:00April 6th, 2022|

The Wellington City Council met on Tuesday to implement the new RHID program and approve board and commission appointments. But the meeting’s biggest development was an important announcement from a longtime civil servant. Wellington City Manager Shane Shields announced his retirement after 42 years of civil service, 20 of which with Wellington. Shields has been the city manager since 2016. Shields started with the police department for eight years before moving on to City administration as a City Clerk and Finance Director in 2010. He ascended to his current position in 2016, where he’s effectively served the community since. Previously, he [...]

Christian Braun’s rise to championship with Jayhawks rooted in small-town Kansas

info2022-04-07T07:12:00-05:00April 6th, 2022|

Long before he ever won a national championship, before the growth spurt to become a 6-foot-7 NBA prospect, before the obscenity-laced celebrations, Christian Braun was just a scrawny hooper from Burlington, Kansas. If you’re wondering about the source of the fiery passion that Braun used to spark Kansas and help the Jayhawks overcome the largest deficit in NCAA men’s title game history for a 72-69 win over North Carolina at the Superdome on Monday, look no further than his hometown. The decision by Braun to continue listing Burlington as his hometown instead of Overland Park, where the family moved for his [...]

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