info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Johnson County mega-development defaults on bonds from controversial KS incentive program

info2024-01-09T07:07:42-06:00January 9th, 2024|

The sprawling Prairiefire development in southern Overland Park has defaulted on its Kansas STAR bond debt, the latest in the project’s years-long struggle to generate enough sales to meet its obligations under the controversial state tax incentive program. Bondholders were sent a notice of default last month after Prairiefire could not pay off $15 million in debt by its maturity date, which is the first slice of $65 million in Kansas Sales Tax and Revenue, or STAR, bonds issued in 2012. The 60-acre development — a combination of restaurants, shopping and a museum at 135th Street between Lamar and Nall avenues [...]

Fed officials in December saw rate cuts likely, but path highly uncertain, minutes show

info2024-01-09T07:06:35-06:00January 9th, 2024|

Federal Reserve officials in December concluded that interest rate cuts are likely in 2024, though they appeared to provide little in the way of when that might occur, according to minutes from the meeting released Wednesday. At the meeting, the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee agreed to hold its benchmark rate steady in a range between 5.25% and 5.5%. Members indicated that they expect three quarter-percentage point cuts by the end of 2024. However, the meeting summary noted a high level of uncertainty over how, or if, that will happen. Source: CNBC

‘It’s a problem here in Topeka’: Experts say human trafficking not confined to big cities

info2024-01-09T06:51:40-06:00January 9th, 2024|

Few in Topeka and Shawnee County recognize a societal problem operating in the shadows. Unless, that is, you know what to look for. Local experts hope to use Human Trafficking Awareness Month, observed across the country in January, to shed light on a problem most people don’t realize exists in the Topeka area. Source: CJonline

Dighton grocery store burns down

info2024-01-08T11:28:28-06:00January 8th, 2024|

A grocery store in Dighton burned down Saturday night. According to the Lane County Sheriff's Office, they received a call at 9:27 p.m. for the report of a fire at K&J Foods. Upon arrival, crews were met with a large amount of smoke. It took crews a couple of hours to get it extinguished. No injuries were reported. The building is considered a total loss. According to the LCSO, the owner was out of town. The City of Dighton said while crews were battling the fire, the northeast side of town was filled with dangerous smoke. To help residents avoid breathing in the smoke, the Catholic Hall [...]

Fire department wins ‘Battle of the Badges’

info2024-01-08T11:26:50-06:00January 8th, 2024|

The Wichita Fire Department came out on top again. It's the fifth consecutive win for the fire department in the annual "Battle of the Badges." The annual friendly competition is held annually over the holidays to encourage blood donations to the American Red Cross at a time when donations are typically low. "We didn't think that we were gonna win this year we thought that the Red Cross would give law the win so that they'd keep coming back and playing with us but we won," says Wichita Fire Captain Chriss Flemming. "We know as first responders that the need for blood [...]

Pretty in Pink: Liberal business forced to stop painting building pink, mayor pushes for change

info2024-01-08T11:24:46-06:00January 8th, 2024|

A Hispanic-owned business in Liberal is at the center of a controversy over the color they chose for their new building. Erika Marino purchased a building on 210 S. Kansas Ave. in 2023 to expand her business, Chikas Fresas, located in the Kansas Avenue Overlay District. The owners got approval for interior renovations. They say the city inspector told them they didn't need any permits for the exterior. "When they started the process of the painting, midway, they gave her a correction notice to stop immediately with the color, with any of the renovations for the outside of the building," said Citlaly Reyes, the [...]

Parsons Land Bank sees success

info2024-01-08T11:22:39-06:00January 8th, 2024|

A house that was in the city’s land bank is being renovated, city commissioners heard this week. Jim Zaleski, city economic development director, told city commissioners the house at 1621 Chess has been a test case for the land bank. The house was acquired by the land bank and the board took proposals early this year from those interested in rehabbing the house. Zaleski said drywall is being installed inside and a new heat pump has been added outside. The land bank offers property owners the chance to donate lots, with or without buildings on them, so the land or buildings [...]

County approves purchase of 5 license plate reader cameras for main highways

info2024-01-08T11:21:12-06:00January 8th, 2024|

Neosho County commissioners Tuesday heard from Neosho County Sheriff Greg Taylor regarding traffic cameras and the commission approved the purchase of five for the county. Taylor said the Chanute Police Department asked him to come to a meeting to discuss license plate reader cameras created by Flock Safety. “These are cameras that they put out throughout the city,” Taylor said. “End up being five of them. Essentially a vehicle goes by that’s got a NCIC, you know, it’s wanted for stolen vehicle or an Amber Alert as it’s coming into their jurisdiction. Those cameras would read the plate, send their jurisdiction [...]

State, local leaders debate tax program

info2024-01-08T11:19:42-06:00January 8th, 2024|

County leaders want the state to reinstate the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction. The program was introduced to help local governments during difficult times, but the state has withheld funding for the past 20 years. Kansas, grappling with economic challenges, introduced the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction (LAVTR) in 1937 to alleviate the burdens on local governments during the Great Depression. For the last 20 years, the state has withheld that funding. Today, a measure to reinstate the funding is gaining traction. During the economic turmoil of the 1930s, the state faced a dire situation, with Kansas being hit especially hard by [...]

A look inside the Village, Lawrence’s community to help people recover from homelessness

info2024-01-08T11:18:22-06:00January 8th, 2024|

Fifty small cabins will soon be available to help Lawrence community members experiencing homelessness recover and secure housing. The City of Lawrence has raised the Village of Pallet emergency shelters at 256 N. Michigan St., the former location of Veritas Christian School. Lawrence Community Shelter staff members will run the site. Misty Bosch-Hastings, homeless programs coordinator for the City of Lawrence, said she thinks a lot of people will probably compare the village to the city-sanctioned camp in North Lawrence. But “I want them to know that this is a very well thought out plan. The operational plans are to help individuals end their [...]

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