info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Cities, Towns and Villages Are Innovating to Adapt to the Changing Retail Landscape

info2023-05-03T11:00:34-05:00May 3rd, 2023|

The National League of Cities today released The Future of Cities: Adapting to Changes in the Retail Landscape, a report that analyzes the post-pandemic retail economy in cities, towns and villages nationwide. The report found that changes in central business districts have been profound, due in part to the rates of in-office work in certain geographies, and that recoveries have been uneven. “The difference in the ways that cities have recovered from the pandemic is striking and has local leaders rethinking the best ways they can support continued growth in their communities,” said NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence Anthony. Source: [...]

KHP’s ‘two-step’ technique for launching vehicle searches challenged on constitutional grounds

info2023-05-03T11:08:10-05:00May 3rd, 2023|

“You guys have a safe trip,” [Trooper] Rohr said. “Drive careful.” The video shows Rohr took a few steps toward the rear of the RV before spinning back to engage Erich again. It’s known as the Kansas Two-Step — a technique taught KHP personnel to signal termination of a routine traffic stop and initiation of a separate effort to elicit information and gain entry to a vehicle to search for contraband. ... [Plaintiffs are] contesting KHP’s reliance on the two-step method to question motorists in anticipation of building reasonable suspicion and compelling involuntary searches of suspect vehicles. KHP policy has clashed [...]

Great Bend’s council backs raising city minimum wage

info2023-05-03T11:08:44-05:00May 3rd, 2023|

While many unknowns remain concerning the City of Great Bend’s 2023 budget, the City Council Monday night gave tacit approval of a plan that would raise the minimum wage for starting city employees to $15.50. The goal would be to make the pay more in line with other employers. The increase was the subject of a council work session following its agenda meeting. No final action could be taken. “This is really just an attempt to be more competitive in the in the job market,” Interim City Administrator Logan Burns said. The idea was born of Barton County’s raising its minimum [...]

Erosion issues leave county ‘between a rock and a hard spot’

info2023-05-03T11:09:12-05:00May 3rd, 2023|

Cost increases, slow government approval and a lack of payment or extension guarantees have left Harvey County up the river without a paddle on an erosion mitigation and repair project. The county applied for a Federal Emergency Management Agency program to pay 75 percent of the costs of mitigating and repairing erosion in East Park, as well as erosion caused by the Little Arkansas River in West Park. A 2019 flood caused seven areas of erosion, and three sections threaten to swallow the roadway in West Park. Source: Harvey County Now

Wichita street with ‘offensive’ name gets new name

info2023-05-03T10:21:22-05:00May 3rd, 2023|

There is a small stretch of road in a west Wichita neighborhood that is named Squaw Lane, but not for much longer. At Tuesday's Wichita City Council meeting, the Council voted to rename Delano Avenue. The road is 357 feet long and intersects with Maize Road, just north of Central Avenue. It was platted in the Toh-N-Hah Village Addition. The City of Wichita Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights Advisory Board requested the name change due to the sensitivity of the word “squaw.” Merriam-Webster Dictionary calls the word "offensive," "dated," and "disparaging." Source: KSN-TV

The U.S. Supreme Court Could Upend Local Property Tax Laws

info2023-05-03T11:12:36-05:00May 3rd, 2023|

The property tax and seizure case argued before the high court last week has led to some unlikely alliances—bringing together all parts of the ideological spectrum. The case, Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota, is about how much autonomy the U.S. Constitution allows state governments who have lawfully seized property from owners who are delinquent on their taxes. A ruling against Hennepin County in this case could limit how and when other local governments can execute a tax foreclosure and what they’re allowed to do with the sale proceeds. The property tax and seizure case argued before the high court last week [...]

Here’s what to expect from today’s Federal Reserve announcement

info2023-05-03T11:13:09-05:00May 3rd, 2023|

There won't be a lot of mystery surrounding what the Federal Reserve is going to do Wednesday with interest rates. Where the intrigue comes in is how the central bank proceeds from here. Markets have priced in a near-100% probability that the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee will approve a quarter percentage point increase at the conclusion of the two-day meeting. That will mark the 10th increase since March 2022, taking the Fed's benchmark borrowing rate to a target range of 5%-5.25%. For investors, the hard part will be what happens next: Does the Fed signal that it’s done hiking, or [...]

Caney city officials give an update on water situation

info2023-05-03T11:14:07-05:00May 3rd, 2023|

City officials in Caney say, about half an inch of rain at the end of April helped the city's main water source Little Caney River and therefore avoided a water watch in town. Caney's Public Works Supervisor David Munday says, city workers check the Little Caney River dam daily to make sure the water level doesn't get below the dam. He says, the city's secondary water source Timber Hill Lake, which is used to fill Little Caney River when in need, is now below 15 feet. Because of the low water levels, the city is planning to have a new primary [...]

Lifeguard shortage could cause problems for other area summer programs

info2023-05-03T10:08:09-05:00May 3rd, 2023|

The City of Wichita announced Tuesday morning that 40 lifeguard positions are open ahead of the upcoming pool season beginning May 29. If the positions don't fill in time, the pools may have to close on a rolling schedule, and hours could be reduced. Many summer festivities could be affected by the lack of proper staffing. "We often have parties and get-togethers and gatherings at the swimming pools, and that'll just make it a little more difficult for those families to schedule those," said Troy Houtman, the City of Wichita Director of Parks and Recreation. Source: KSN-TV

Concerns of feral hog activity abating in Lyon County

info2023-05-03T10:06:51-05:00May 3rd, 2023|

Concerns about feral hog activity in Lyon County seem to be easing. Lyon County Game Warden Aaron Scheve says there haven’t been any feral hog sightings for weeks, indicating any feral hog or hogs in Lyon County early this year may well have departed. At least one hog was spotted between Emporia and John Redmond Reservoir as well as southwest of Olpe, although the initial concern was a possible herd was dumped. Feral hogs are considered a problem animal because of the health issues they pose, including pseudorabies, tuberculosis and parasites, and because of the damage they can cause to agriculture [...]

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