info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

McPherson Police Department offering facility walk-throughs

info2021-04-30T06:54:55-05:00April 29th, 2021|

National news has recently been filled with incidents of active shooters or mass shootings. While no such incident has occurred in McPherson, recent events in other parts of the country have led the McPherson Police Department to remind community members they offer facility walkthroughs and active shooter training for local businesses, schools, and organizations. Mark Brinck, administrative captain for the McPherson Police Department, says that in 2019 the department received over 30 requests for facility walk-throughs or active shooter training. “From 2020 to present, we have received one similar request,” Brinck said. The department offers Run, Hide, Five Active Shooter Training [...]

Electric rental scooters could make debut on Overland Park streets this summer

info2021-04-30T06:55:03-05:00April 29th, 2021|

Motorized scooters like those in downtown Kansas City are back on the drawing board in Overland Park after a two-year hiatus. A city council committee Wednesday agreed that the city should pursue a pilot project for a scooter share program that could start as early as this summer. The committee asked city staff to move forward with the details after a brief discussion Wednesday night. The Overland Park City Council last talked about scooters in February 2019. At that time, shared public bicycles were the main focus, but scooters were a part of the discussion as well. Scooters subsequently became popular in [...]

City of Sedgwick starts on its pocket park

info2021-04-30T06:55:36-05:00April 29th, 2021|

After years of discussion, the pocket park between the Sodality Place and the police department took a major step toward becoming reality when city workers and a concrete crew poured a large (roughly 30×60) slab of concrete in the empty lot Thursday morning. Mayor Bryan Chapman said that the ADA compliant ramp would be poured on Friday, and then the concrete would cure a week before installing the fencing. Source: Harvey County Now

Horse trading has potential to save millions for Newton

info2021-04-29T07:46:01-05:00April 29th, 2021|

The City of Newton wants to do some trading with the state. The Kansas Department of Transportation wants to build a new facility near U.S. Highway 50 and Anderson. It needs city infrastructure hookups. he city needs a maintenance building for the park department, and the one KDOT’s leaving is large and near Centennial Park at 1010 E 12th St. So the city proposed a trade – hook up costs for the KDOT building. And it looks like KDOT is going to accept. “This has building set up for maintenance and equipment storage and those types of functions more usable for [...]

World’s biggest disc golf tournament takes over Emporia

info2021-04-29T07:44:46-05:00April 29th, 2021|

Rain or shine, pandemic or not, disc golf is on. The Dynamic Discs Open is hosting some of the best disc golfers from around the country in Emporia from April 28-May 1. Even amateurs can participate or come to watch the best of the best. The tournament usually sees the best in the world, but COVID-19 restrictions kept it to only US participants. It’s still the biggest disc golf tournament in the world and has four rounds for the professionals. Source: KSNT News

Topeka business owners report not being able to fill job openings

info2021-04-29T07:44:31-05:00April 29th, 2021|

Labor shortages have been popping up across the country, and now here in Northeast Kansas. With COVID-19 vaccines being widely available and more people feeling comfortable dining out, Ryan Cavanaugh, one of the co-owners at the Brew Bank in Topeka is looking to hire more summer workers. "The important part about now is getting staff in and trained before summer really takes off," Cavanaugh said. The Kansas Department of Labor reported 3.7% unemployment for March last month. Cavanaugh said he is having trouble finding people to hire. Multiple other restaurants in Topeka also reported having employment issues. Source: KSNT News

Abilene appoints Ron Marsh as new city manager

info2021-04-30T07:12:17-05:00April 29th, 2021|

After a competitive search process, the City of Abilene has a new city manager. During Monday’s city meeting, commissioners and Mayor Brandon Rein approved the appointment of Ron Marsh of Clearwater to serve as Abilene’s next city manager. Marsh currently is the city administrator in Clearwater, a job he has held for 3 ½ years. “I am extremely excited to be named the Abilene city manager and appreciate the city commission’s confidence in me,” Marsh said. “This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a great staff.” Marsh said Abilene has much to offer and he and his wife are looking [...]

Fed holds interest rates near zero, sees faster growth and higher inflation

info2021-04-29T07:11:44-05:00April 29th, 2021|

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday kept its easy money policy in place despite an economy that it acknowledged is accelerating. As expected, the U.S. central bank decided to keep short-term interest rates anchored near zero as it buys at least $120 billion of bonds each month. The latter part of policy is a two-pronged effort to support an economy that grew strongly to start 2021 as well as to support market functioning at a time when 30-year mortgages still go for around 3%. Despite noting the economic strength as well as inflation that is on the rise, if just temporarily, the [...]

Kansas solar energy lags, but sprawling Johnson County solar farm could help change that

info2021-04-29T07:10:22-05:00April 29th, 2021|

A massive solar farm stretching from west of Gardner possibly into Douglas County will, if it comes to fruition, become the biggest in Kansas, a state that has lagged behind in solar energy development. Billy Wilkins, project director for the West Gardner Solar Project, said Tuesday that his company, NextEra Energy, has already gotten signatures from landowners for 2,000 acres of the proposed 3,500-acre, $320 million project. The ground-mounted solar array would not necessarily run contiguously, however. Wilkins said the project would provide setbacks and would likely exclude land that is used for recreation or environmental purposes. Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Municipal Bond Trends for April 28, 2021

info2021-04-29T07:02:48-05:00April 29th, 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.

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