info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Monday marks 30 years since deadly Andover tornado

info2021-04-27T07:16:26-05:00April 27th, 2021|

The storm that hit on April 26, 1991, is most known for devastating the community of Andover. But the F5 twister also hit parts of Wichita, Haysville, McConnell Air Force Base, and other parts of south-central Kansas.... Of the more than 50 tornadoes reported that day, 30 were rated an F2 or greater. But the most devastating tornado was the one that hit Andover and south-central Kansas. In south-central Kansas, 19 people died and 298 people were injured in the storms that day. In Andover, 13 people died at the Golden Spur Mobile Home Park, four died in the Greenwich Heights [...]

City of Edgerton Partners With Watershed Coalition On Native Plants

info2021-04-27T07:21:49-05:00April 27th, 2021|

The City of Edgerton and the Hillsdale Watershed Coalition are pleased to announce a new partnership for Spring 2021. All Edgerton residents who help support watershed health by planting native trees and plants, or by constructing rain barrels or rain gardens on their properties will be eligible for free technical assistance from the Miami County Conservation District’s Urban Conservationist. Those who choose to plant native trees are encouraged to apply for a 50 percent reimbursement of up to $75 per tree for up to two trees per household, and all approved native plant gardens, rain barrels, bioswales, and buffer strips are [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for April 23, 2021

info2021-04-26T07:50:46-05:00April 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 Fed is unlikely to hint at policy changes next week, even with a stronger economy

info2021-04-26T07:50:04-05:00April 26th, 2021|

Federal Reserve officials next week are likely to paint a robust picture on the economy while simultaneously not even hinting at policy changes ahead. Investors increasingly have come to trust central bankers when they say that even with the economy running at its hottest pace in nearly 40 years, they won't start taking away policy accommodation until it's clear the recovery is on solid ground. ... The Fed has kept short-term borrowing rates near zero since early in the Covid-19 pandemic ... Financial markets, though, have been leery that with economic data getting stronger by the day and inflationary pressures starting [...]

Twenty years later, PWWSD 18 plant still keeping water clean

info2021-04-26T07:43:23-05:00April 25th, 2021|

Twenty years ago, construction work began on a new water treatment plant that, under the auspices of Public Wholesale Water Supply District 18, was designed to treat water from Banner Creek Reservoir west of Holton for use by water customers in both the city and Jackson County Rural Water District 3. Since its completion about a year later, the water plant has seen only a few operational changes, the most significant being a switch from its original membrane filtration system to a more traditional sand filtration system, according to Holton Water and Sewer Superintendent Dennis Ashcraft, who also oversees daily operations [...]

Cities face lifeguard shortage as summer looms

info2021-04-26T07:43:53-05:00April 25th, 2021|

The Jones Aquatic Center kept its gates closed last summer and its full return in 2021 is still precarious due to a shortage of lifeguards and swim instructors. The problem isn’t limited to Emporia. On April 12, Overland Park reported that only three of its six out door aquatic centers would be open this summer and similar news stories have popped up all over the country. “We’re not alone with this,” said Emporia Recreation Center director Tom McEvoy. “We had our in-person state conference here last Wednesday down at [White] Auditorium and I talked to a number of director friends of [...]

Newton changing its signage

info2021-04-26T07:45:13-05:00April 25th, 2021|

Out with the clouds; in with the “train and grain.” The newly formed Community Development Commission moved forward on changing up city gateway/wayfinding signage. “The end game is to have those in place by the sesquicentennial,” Director of Community Development Zach McHatton said. “We’re branding behind the flag.” For at least 15 years, Newton’s wayfinding signs–the ones that direct people to city attractions–displayed a blue sky and cloud design. You may have noticed them, or you may not have. Source: Harvey County Now

Johnson County town makes way for industrial park expansion despite neighbors’ pleas

info2021-04-26T07:46:07-05:00April 25th, 2021|

Hundreds of residents, many of whom live outside of Edgerton’s city limits in unincorporated Johnson and Miami counties, have been fighting the expansion. They are frustrated that Edgerton leaders continue to annex more farmland, making way for the development of more warehouses at the ever-encroaching Logsitics Park Kansas City. They say their quiet, rural way of life is threatened as the industrial park continues to expand south of Interstate 35. That has led about 300 residents to petition to form their own city in Miami County. They hope that incorporating into their own town will help protect their borders, so that [...]

Crawford County working to combat vaccine hesitancy

info2021-04-26T07:46:41-05:00April 25th, 2021|

While covid-19 vaccinations have become more available - vaccination rates have stalled. They're seeing this firsthand in Crawford County. They're trying to help take away this vaccine hesitancy so many people are having. The good news - they already have a plan, and it comes down to sharing stories of trusted people throughout the community. Tyler Wilson, Pittsburg Resident, said, "A lot of people are hesitant to get the vaccine just out of fear I feel like." Across the country, covid-19 vaccines are becoming more available. However, places like Crawford County are starting to see less people showing up. Source: KSNF/KODE

Sparks steps up as Chief of Moundridge Police Department

info2021-04-26T07:47:20-05:00April 25th, 2021|

Michael Sparks has been a familiar face on the Moundridge Police Department since 1995. This month, he was promoted to chief of police. Despite nearly three decades of policing, Sparks said, as a child, he wanted to be a pilot. In high school, police work caught his attention and became a career. “It’s a mix of things, helping people and being part of the community. It’s cliche, but it’s really what it’s about,” he said. As a small-town resident, Sparks grew up in Halstead and made his home and raised his six children in Moundridge with his wife, Frances. Source: McPherson [...]

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