info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Overland Park crime numbers jumped in 2020 and are on pace to increase again in 2021

info2021-07-27T07:47:36-05:00July 26th, 2021|

Crime — especially property crime — increased in Overland Park last year with many categories on track to stay higher or increase again by the end of this year, according to police department statistics. After a dip in 2019, overall crime rates in 2020 climbed back up to slightly above where they were in 2018. Of particular note are increases in auto theft and auto burglary, but aggravated assault, domestic violence and weapons violations also increased last year. The statistics note only incidents in which officers could verify evidence that a crime had taken place, said police spokesman Officer John Lacy. [...]

It’s a big weekend in Pittsburg for business that celebrates the work of local artists

info2021-07-27T07:47:52-05:00July 26th, 2021|

It's a big weekend in Pittsburg for business that celebrates the work of local artists. And, Artforms Gallery is doing a little celebrating itself, as in its 5 anniversary. Since it started, the gallery has served as a collaborative effort between local artists. It also serves as a classroom for those who wish to take up different mediums of art. Some of those classes are available during this weekend's open house workshops. Janet Lewis, Artforms Gallery Managing Member, says, "Right now we have 17 different artists and you'll see a range of styles, media, price range and that sort of thing, [...]

A new public library is in the works for Frontenac, Kansas

info2021-07-27T07:48:04-05:00July 26th, 2021|

Thanks to help from a local family, the city of Frontenac will soon welcome a new resource. It's in the early stages of bringing a new library to town. And it's thanks to a $4,000,000+ donation from the Tavella family. City officials hope to make this a community-led project, and are looking to establish a committee to head the effort. Source: KSNF/KODE

Federal bill holdup delaying bus replacements, Topeka Metro says

info2021-07-27T07:48:30-05:00July 26th, 2021|

A federal infrastructure bill holdup is delaying improvements to the Topeka Metro, according to the bus system's manager. Congress members disagree on how to pay for the bill, according to Rob Scott, Senior Economist at the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. “The problem has been a reluctance to spend, a reluctance to tax, a desire to prioritize tax-cutting over all other priorities,” Scott said. The bill contains funding that would help get new busses rolling around Kansas' capital city, according to Topeka Metro General Manager Robert Nugent. The bus system has to replace 26 of its vehicles in the next [...]

Journey is one for the history books: Kansas Historic Hotel road trip highlights eight landmarks

info2021-07-26T08:26:34-05:00July 26th, 2021|

More than a dozen historic hotels are located in Kansas, with many built in the early 1900s at the height of the railroad rush. Over the past century, many of the state’s historic hotels have changed ownership and some have temporarily closed. For some, community members stepped up, realizing the importance of these hotel’s history not only to their town but also the state. Historic preservation is a common theme among hotel owners, and many have gained a spot on the National Register for Historic Places. Sara Fox, owner of Holton’s Hotel Josephine, has made historic preservation a priority since the [...]

Fed meeting may test low U.S. Treasury yields

info2021-07-26T08:25:30-05:00July 26th, 2021|

The $22 trillion market for U.S. Treasury securities may get a reality check from the Federal Reserve this week following a plunge in interest rates that bucked expectations of higher yields this year as the economy rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic. Yields, which move inversely to prices, have been in a downward trend since the last Federal Open Market Committee meeting in June. The market initially perceived the Fed as being a bit hawkish as policymakers last month projected an accelerated timetable for rate hikes and opened discussions on ending crisis-era bond purchases amid a backdrop of rising inflation. But the [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for July 23, 2021

info2021-07-26T08:22:15-05:00July 26th, 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.

The bond market is torn over the potential for higher inflation and lower growth

info2021-07-26T08:11:42-05:00July 25th, 2021|

A volatile environment for government bonds is reflecting a highly uncertain future for the U.S. economy, pointing to both slower growth and stubborn inflation. After a burst higher earlier this year that scared markets, Treasury yields have fallen back sharply as investors have switched their focus from worries about price increases to the potential that the rapid burst in post-pandemic activity could start to slow down. In the 1970s, the mix of higher prices and lower growth was called "stagflation," a pejorative that has garnered little attention since then as inflation has remained tame over the past few decades. However, the [...]

Low vaccination rates in surrounding counties concern JoCo public health officials

info2021-07-25T20:12:25-05:00July 25th, 2021|

Mask mandates remain a talking point as health officials continue to recommend federal guidelines regarding masks and social distancing to at-risk groups. However, local leaders are only recommending, not mandating, that unvaccinated people wear face masks. The head of Johnson County’s health department, Dr. Sanmi Areola, also said no mandates or business restrictions are being considered at this time. “JCDHE monitors virus trends closely and will work with partners to make decisions to ensure the health and safety of the community,” Areola said. Because of the surge of the Delta variant, the CDC is concerned with the large demographic of Americans [...]

City of Lawrence allows AT&T and subcontractors to resume work

info2021-07-25T19:47:23-05:00July 25th, 2021|

Eight days after the city of Lawrence issued a cease and desist order for AT&T to stop all ongoing utility work due to “numerous” safety complaints from citizens and other utility providers, the parties announced Friday the order had been lifted. City officials met with AT&T representatives and other local utility providers on Monday to discuss the concerns laid out in the July 15 order, which included hitting other public utility and competitor’s facilities without utility locates being performed in advance — which is illegal in Kansas. AT&T, the city said in a statement Friday, committed to the following measures to move [...]

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