info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Inflation slows in May, with consumer prices up 3.3% from a year ago

info2024-06-12T12:59:06-05:00June 12th, 2024|

The consumer price index showed no increase in May as inflation slightly loosened its stubborn grip on the U.S. economy, the Labor Department reported Wednesday. The CPI, a broad inflation gauge that measures a basket of goods and services costs across the U.S. economy, held flat on the month though it increased 3.3% from a year ago, according to the department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been looking for a 0.1% monthly gain and a 3.4% annual rate. The monthly rate rose 0.3% in April while the annual rate was 3.3%. Excluding volatile food and energy prices, core CPI increased [...]

City of Wamego, ECODEVO respond to announcement of Caterpillar closure

info2024-06-12T12:57:14-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Local officials are responding to Thursday’s announcement from Caterpillar that it plans to shutter its Wamego facility sometime next year. Wamego City Manager Stacie Eichem says they learned of the situation late in the day Thursday. Eichem says the announcement comes as a major blow to the community. Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Shanna Goodman provided the following statement Friday morning. “This news is a significant disappointment for our entire region, as Caterpillar has been an integral part of our community for decades. We are actively collaborating with regional partners to provide resources and support for displaced workers. However, [...]

Wichita proposes to buy former Park Elementary School to use as homeless shelter

info2024-06-12T12:51:15-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Wichita wants to convert the former Park Elementary school into a new shelter for people who are homeless. For months, the city has been seeking a location for what it calls a multiagency center: a facility with emergency shelter beds, affordable housing units and social services. Now, the city has settled on the former school at 9th and Main. Wichita Public Schools shuttered Park Elementary earlier this year as the district faced a $42 million budget deficit. “Given its close proximity to multiple homeless service providers, the location is ideal for referrals and coordinated services, easy access and mobility for those needing services and [...]

Merriam adopts new rules after decision to take ‘thin blue line’ flags out of annual display

info2024-06-12T12:49:25-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Following a debate over the use of “thin blue line” flags in the city’s annual Fourth of July event, Merriam has adopted a new official flag display policy. The Merriam City Council on Monday unanimously approved the new flag rules for city property and city-run events, which came after the decision to exclude “thin blue line” flags and display only U.S. flags during the city’s Flags 4 Freedom event that starts later this month. The new policy approved Monday goes beyond that one event and outlines what flags the city can display on city-owned flag poles and at citywide events. It also offers a [...]

Park City’s long-awaited $500M mixed-use development to break ground this week

info2024-06-12T12:47:30-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Park City is ready for a groundbreaking on a massive and long-awaited mixed-use development. Wichita's Lange Real Estate announced Monday it will break ground Friday on a 160-acre, mixed-use development west of I-135 between 53rd Street North and 61st Street. The development, called Champtown Addition, is slated to cost $500 million with several commercial projects, including a 180-room hotel and around 132,000 square feet of retail space with restaurants, big-box retail, and a multi-sport facility that will have baseball and softball fields. The plans include a 78,100 square-foot aquarium to operate as a nonprofit by Arizona-based operator OdySea, with a 20,000 square-foot rainforest-inspired [...]

USD 259 looks to rebuild, renovate, and consolidate 25 schools

info2024-06-12T12:46:19-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Wichita Public Schools is looking to rebuild, renovate, and consolidate 25 schools across the district over the next five years. Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld presented the Board of Education with his recommendations for the facility master plan. "The recommendations would occur over the next five years or more,” Bielefeld said. “The vision for new facilities as well as enhancements to current facilities support educational adequacy, equity and efficiency." Bielefeld is asking members of the district to take a survey online starting on Tuesday to give their thoughts on the proposed plan. He adds the locations of the various rebuilds and consolidations are [...]

There’s a new Chief of Police in the City of Columbus

info2024-06-12T12:44:31-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Columbus has a new police chief. “I understand that I have big shoes to fill,” said Chief Kyle Clark. The City Council selected Clark to serve as the next Chief of Police for the City. He's a lifelong resident of Cherokee County and has served the Columbus Police Department for more than a decade. According to the City, his extensive experience includes roles as Patrol Officer, Sergeant, and Lieutenant, in addition to three years with the Pittsburg State University Police Department. Chief Clark holds numerous law enforcement professional certifications, including credentials in crime scene investigation, verbal de-escalation, and narcotics detection. Chief [...]

Governor Kelly Announces 12 Rural Communities and Organizations to Receive Funding for Mural and Public Art Projects

info2024-06-12T12:42:05-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Governor Laura Kelly today announced that 12 communities and organizations will receive a combined $78,800 to allow 20 new murals and public art projects to revive public spaces and engage residents and visitors. “Murals and public art installations welcome people to our rural communities while developing community pride and showcasing the rich history of our state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Investments in this program allow art to flourish and enhance public spaces for visitors and communities alike.” The Office of Rural Prosperity’s Rural Mural Public Art grant program awardees are in communities across the state with a population of less than [...]

Lenexa is launching a pilot program to give seniors property tax relief

info2024-06-12T12:28:26-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Lenexa is planning to launch a pilot program that will provide $100,000 in property tax relief for older homeowners in the area. On Tuesday, the Lenexa City Council unanimously approved a Governing Body Finance Policy for a Property Tax Rebate Program intended to provide property tax relief for eligible homeowners. The program is intended to provide property tax relief for eligible older homeowners and lessen the tax burden resulting from rising home values. The program has been in talks for about a year. “This is great,” said Councilmember Courtney Eiterich. “I know we’ve hashed through a lot of different scenarios on this, and I’m [...]

Gov. Kelly approves updated drought declarations, emergency water use approved for four counties

info2024-06-12T12:24:58-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Governor Laura Kelly has approved updated drought declarations for Kansas counties through a proclamation. “While drought conditions have improved in some areas of the state, many counties continue to be negatively impacted by the decline in water supply or strains on water resources,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “I strongly encourage all Kansans to continue to conserve water over the summer months.” The drought declaration placed four counties into emergency status, 35 into warning status, and 66 into watch status. While Eastern Kansas has seen significant relief from drought since March, central and western Kansas has declined rapidly into severe and, in [...]

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