info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Fed raises rates; officials boost outlook to four hikes in 2018

info2018-06-14T07:34:20-05:00June 14th, 2018|

Federal Reserve officials raised interest rates for the second time this year and upgraded their forecast to four total increases in 2018, as unemployment falls and inflation overshoots their target faster than previously projected. The so-called “ dot plot” released Wednesday showed eight Fed policy makers expected four or more quarter-point rate increases for the full year, compared with seven officials during the previous forecast round in March. The number viewing three or fewer hikes as appropriate fell to seven from eight. The median estimate implied three increases in 2019 to put the rate above the level where officials see policy [...]

Phase II of Aggieville Infrastructure Analysis

info2018-06-13T11:04:12-05:00June 13th, 2018|

Phase I of an Aggieville Infrastructure Analysis occurred over the fall and winter of 2017 examining parking, water and sewer infrastructure, and providing future growth scenarios for the district. Phase II of the analysis will look at further development of Aggieville’s public infrastructure, including streetscape, sidewalks, Triangle Park, lighting, traffic flow, on-street parking, and preliminary design of the parking garage at the northwest corner of N. Manhattan Avenue and Laramie Street. Public participation and involvement will be an important part of the process. Business owners, citizens, students, and K-State administrators will have an opportunity to participate and provide feedback to help [...]

Chanute approves agreement to fund Main Street

info2018-06-13T11:03:30-05:00June 13th, 2018|

Chanute commissioners heard a presentation on the Main Street Chanute program from one of its board members and continued discussion before approving funding for the program at Monday evening’s commission meeting. The commission voted Monday to approve its agreement to fund $32,000 in four quarterly payments. The city made one payment and commissioners asked in December for a work session to discuss the program, which was never scheduled. Main Street board member Dan Mildfelt said withholding funding was a rebuke during his request the funds be restored. In a prepared statement, he talked about the history of the program, the opposition [...]

Kansas counties file federal racketeering case against opioid companies

info2018-06-13T11:02:13-05:00June 13th, 2018|

Two Kansas counties and two Missouri counties this week joined a growing tide of legal challenges to the opioid epidemic by accusing pharmaceutical companies of racketeering. Montgomery and Bourbon counties in Kansas and Lafayette and Worth counties in Missouri filed suits in federal court against more than a dozen manufacturers and distributors, alleging nine of them are in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Bourbon County said in its suit that it is acting "to abate the public nuisance caused by rampant and uncontrolled opioid use and addiction, and to recoup taxpayer monies that have been spent [...]

Reno County Commissioners make no decision regarding beer sales on Sunday

info2018-06-13T11:01:16-05:00June 13th, 2018|

The Reno County Commission made no decision Tuesday concerning a request from O’Brien’s Marina at Cheney Lake to sell cereal malt beverages on Sunday. None of the commissioners had an issue with this particular business selling beer on Sunday, but County Counselor Joe O’Sullivan noted that any resolution would apply countywide to any business located in the unincorporated areas of the county. The commissioners looked at a resolution that already passed in Kingman County. It allows the sale of 3.2 beer. The commission will bring the issue back next week. O’Sullivan will have a draft resolution ready. (Read more: Hutch Post)

Baldwin City on backup power after storm, asks residents to curb electricity use

info2018-06-13T10:59:19-05:00June 13th, 2018|

After overnight storms knocked out power around Baldwin City, city officials are now asking residents to curb their electricity use to ensure the city’s backup power system can handle the load. The city is asking all electric customers to voluntarily reduce their consumption of electricity until further notice, the city posted to its Facebook page shortly after noon Tuesday. Several power poles were broken east of town, the city said, and the main transmission lines to the city were knocked down during the storm. “KCP&L is currently working to rebuild those lines but we do not know when service will be [...]

Pawnee Mental Health Services Seeks Funding Increase from Geary County

info2018-06-13T10:54:32-05:00June 13th, 2018|

Pawnee Mental Health Services is requesting increased funding for 2019 from Geary County. A budget proposal submitted by Executive Director Robbin Cole asked the county commission to increase the support for community mental health to the state average contribution. “Currently in Geary County, Pawnee Mental Health receives funding of $3.98 per capita. The state average is $7.44 per capita. So I’ve asked them to reach that state average per capita contribution.” That would equate to a $128,213 increase. Geary County currently provides an annual funding contribution totaling $147,290 to Pawnee Mental Health Services. (Read more: Junction City Post)

Economic development group announces name change to “Grow Hays”

info2018-06-13T10:53:29-05:00June 13th, 2018|

During the March 2018 meeting of the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development’s Board of Directors, the group unanimously voted to change its name to Grow Hays. The change in name to Grow Hays is one of several changes associated with the organization’s ongoing evolution and rebranding effort. Long known for its efforts to promote a robust local economy through business creation, retention/expansion and recruitment, Grow Hays has offered support toward numerous community successes. A few recent projects include the arrival of Hobby Lobby, a soon to be constructed convention center, development of innovative job training initiatives, and BriefSpace, a co-working [...]

Extension of city water will serve new addition in Clay Center

info2018-06-13T10:51:55-05:00June 13th, 2018|

Planned construction of the Meadowbrook housing east of the city has made it economically feasible for the city to add water lines that will provide water to a number of homes just east of Clay Center now on private wells. The extension will make city water available to the Prairie Meadows addition as well as other east Clay Center homes just north of US-24. “We’ve been wanting to provide this extension, but before the Meadowbrook addition, it wasn’t quite feasible,” Utilities Superintendent Scott Glaves said. (Read more: www.ccenterdispatch.com - RSS Results in news,local/* of type article)

Making the pitch in Hoisington

info2018-06-13T10:50:45-05:00June 13th, 2018|

City staff have been busy in recent weeks working diligently with prospects interested in bringing new homes and businesses to town, City Manager Jonathan Mitchell told council members at Monday night’s regular city council meeting. One of those prospects, he said, proposed a unique commercial opportunity. “They would be a great compliment to our recreational facilities and our hotel,” he said. Mitchell provided scant details, stating that before he could divulge more detailed information, the company making the proposal wanted first to gauge the receptiveness of the council in moving forward. Even then, whether the city can work with the company [...]

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