info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Voters to decide on sales tax for local hospitals in November

info2024-07-22T10:32:07-05:00July 22nd, 2024|

Nemaha County voters will soon decide if they want to continue a 1/2 percent retailer’s sales tax for two local hospitals — Sabetha Community Hospital (SCH) and Nemaha Valley Community Hospital (NVCH). The question — which is a renewal of a sales tax already being collected since July 1, 2015 — will appear on the General Election ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 5. If approved, the money collected would continue to help fund health care services in Nemaha County for an additional 10-year period. The funding is used by the hospitals for capital improvements, equipment upgrades and general operating expenses. Representatives for [...]

City of Manhattan approves agreement with K-State for fire services

info2024-07-22T10:27:33-05:00July 22nd, 2024|

The Manhattan city commission on Tuesday approved a new agreement with K-State for a continued ground lease and fire protection services at 2000 Denison Avenue. In 1983 the city government and KSU signed the current interlocal agreement for the city to provide fire services to university properties and for the city to lease K-State’s land at 2000 Denison Ave., where the city owns and operates the fire department headquarters, fire station and training grounds. The new agreement extends the city’s lease term until 2075, and coincides with the estimated $5 million investment the city may make in replacing the Training Center [...]

Atchison hires new City Manager

info2024-07-22T10:26:30-05:00July 22nd, 2024|

The City of Atchison officially has a new city manager. City Commissioners and Mayor La Rochelle Young just recently announced Mark Westhoff as Atchison’s next City Manager. His contract was approved on July 1 with an official start date of August 27. Westhoff comes to Atchison from his current position as County Administrator for Prowers County in Colorado, serving since 2022. Westhoff is a graduate of the University of Colorado and is currently completing his Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Public Management from Colorado State University - Pueblo. “I’m overjoyed at the opportunity to join the excellent team [...]

Wichita’s 154th birthday celebrated at the historical museum

info2024-07-22T10:24:43-05:00July 22nd, 2024|

Wichita celebrated its 154th birthday Sunday. The city was established in 1870, just three months after Sedgwick County was recognized. The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum celebrated by having an ice cream social, live music, and free admission for people to experience and check out the exhibits. The museum is also celebrating 85 years of existence. “It’s the only museum that’s focused on our local history in a broad sense. And that’s the history back to the founding of the county and right after the Civil War. And here we are, 154 years later, still working on it.” Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum [...]

In first year of open enrollment, Olathe accepts 70+ out-of-district transfers

info2024-07-22T10:23:31-05:00July 22nd, 2024|

The Olathe School District has approved 72 out-of-district transfer applications for the upcoming school year. The move comes as all school districts in Kansas must now provide the opportunity for nonresident students to enroll in their schools, according to a state law that takes effect this year. At the July 11 school board meeting, Dr. Jill Smith, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education at Olathe Public Schools presented the board with its first open enrollment report. The district, Smith said, had 590 openings across elementary, middle and high schools. All eligible students wishing to transfer to schools with openings were accepted. Any [...]

Abilene deploys first stage of drought response

info2024-07-19T14:33:34-05:00July 19th, 2024|

As of July 5 Abilene is under a water watch, meaning the city is requesting residents reduce their water usage outdoors. Ron Marsh, city manager, called for the watch because of how low the water tables are, how far down a well needs to go to pump water from the city’s water sources underground. Source: Abilene Reflector Chronicle

Governor Kelly Announces $10M for Broadband Projects in Rural Kansas

info2024-07-19T13:54:13-05:00July 19th, 2024|

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that $10 million has been awarded to 12 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the latest round of Broadband Acceleration Grants. The awards will be paired with an additional $12.7 million in matching funds, resulting in an investment of nearly $22.7 million for high-speed broadband access projects across 14 rural Kansas counties. Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Overland Park considers changing how it gives out 2 types of development incentives

info2024-07-19T13:53:48-05:00July 19th, 2024|

As part of a months-long effort to review its economic incentive policies, Overland Park is now tackling two that tend to use sales tax to encourage specific types of development and redevelopment. These two economic development tools are community improvement districts and transportation development districts, more typically referred to as CIDs and TDDs, respectively. Source: Johnson County Post

Fed Governor Waller sees central bank ‘getting closer’ to an interest rate cut

info2024-07-19T13:45:06-05:00July 19th, 2024|

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller on Wednesday suggested that interest rate cuts are ahead soon as long as there are no major surprises on inflation and employment. ... Keeping with statements from other policymakers, Waller's sentiments point to an unlikelihood of a rate cut when the Federal Open Market Committee meets later this month, but a stronger likelihood of a move in September. Source: CNBC

Who are Wichita’s top water customers?

info2024-07-19T12:38:31-05:00July 19th, 2024|

As of Monday, Cheney Lake is nearly six-and-a-half feet below its normal level, less than 65% full. This is a mark that has Wichita on the brink of mandatory water restrictions. With the City of Wichita treating more than 19 billion gallons of water each year, 12 News looked into water usage in the city, asking for the top 30 users of Wichita’s water supply. Considering Wichita water customers, the supply extends well beyond the city’s limits. Source: KWCH

About info