info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Wichita mayor cites economic development achievements in State of the City address

info2023-02-27T09:00:50-06:00February 27th, 2023|

As part of his State of the City address Thursday, Mayor Brandon Whipple says Wichita is well on its way to becoming a global leader not only in manufacturing but in technology. According to Mayor Whipple, the City of Wichita has competed for 10 economic development projects in the past six years, collectively worth a billion dollars in capital investment. Eight of those projects have been pursued in the past 24 months alone. Mayor Whipple says the city also competed for 15 economic development projects that provided 1,000 jobs each (more than half of which, again, were sought after in the [...]

Concept for new sculpture shown to city commissioners

info2023-02-27T08:59:19-06:00February 27th, 2023|

The Atchison Art Association represented by Angie Cario gave a report on the new concept for the riverfront development area. KDOT donated the Amelia Earhart Bridge pieces to the Atchison Art Association in 2013. In partnership with Charles Sprouse of Benedictine College Art & Architecture and artist Vaughn Schultz, the Atchison Art Association has facilitated an artistic representation using pieces preserved from the original Mo-Kan Free Bridge, also known as the former Amelia Earhart Memorial bridge. With permission from the Chamber and the Historical Society, we’ve incorporated all the bridge elements, including the pieces reserved for the AAA. Source: News | [...]

Fairway disputes ‘Save the Shawnee Indian Mission’ flyers

info2023-02-27T08:56:38-06:00February 27th, 2023|

The city of Fairway is pushing back against flyers bearing the message “Save the Shawnee Indian Mission” that began appearing in local residents’ mailboxes last week. Thousands of flyers paid for by the Shawnee Tribe started showing up at homes around the Mission site in northeast Johnson County, detailing the tribe’s argument that the historic site is in “distress” and that it should be transferred to the tribe for restoration. Source: Prairie Village Post

Future of Winfield’s Walnut Valley Festival is in doubt

info2023-02-28T14:33:26-06:00February 27th, 2023|

The Walnut Valley Festival is on the ropes and it’s up to us to save it. ....Bart Redford, executive director of the Walnut Valley Association: “We’re definitely having this year’s festival and then we’ll just have to see where we’re at after that.” The music festival that draws thousands to Winfield every year is tapping financial reserves to stay in business, and that can’t continue forever, he said. “We need a few years of some good crowds, so we can kind of replenish our reserves,” Redford said. “I think it’s doable.” Source: The Iola Register

Fed’s Mester says she has hope that inflation can be brought down without a recession

info2023-02-24T11:59:33-06:00February 24th, 2023|

Cleveland Federal Reserve President Loretta Mester said Friday that interest rates likely need to keep moving higher to get inflation back to acceptable levels. In a CNBC interview, Mester said she sees the central bank's benchmark interest rate having to rise above 5% and stay there for a while. The fed funds rate, which sets the level that banks charge each other for overnight borrowing but spills over into many forms of consumer debt, is currently in a target range of 4.5%-4.75%. "I see that we're going to have to bring interest rates above 5%," she told CNBC's Steve Liesman during [...]

Fed Rate Policy Is Shaking Up the World of Muni Debt

info2023-02-24T11:56:41-06:00February 24th, 2023|

Demand is down for municipal bonds, which just erased nearly all of their January gains amid fears of rate increases. The markets’ bumpy start to 2023 is causing whiplash even in the historically placid realm of state and local government debt. Municipal bonds this month have erased nearly all of their January gains after fears of rate increases cooled investor appetites. ... Most bonds in the $4 trillion muni market are backed by state and local taxes, and prices for the ultrasafe securities tend to move in line with Treasurys. Demand rarely flags because the bonds have a perk coveted by [...]

After 47-year career in public works, Wichita director Alan King will retire in March

info2023-02-24T11:52:20-06:00February 24th, 2023|

Alan King is retiring after 11 years as Wichita’s director of public works and utilities. Mayor Brandon Whipple praised the outgoing director for his service during his State of the City address Thursday evening. “The city has benefited so much from Alan King’s knowledge, particularly as we are upgrading our aging infrastructure. Once in a while, we have a boil [water] order and Alan King is that steady hand, that steady voice that makes sure we get back to business as quick as possible,” Whipple said. “Alan, I hope you enjoy your retirement, but I also hope just as much that [...]

Does your Johnson County tap water taste funny? Here’s why

info2023-02-28T14:29:11-06:00February 24th, 2023|

For any Johnson Countian who may have noticed a funny taste or smell to their tap water lately, WaterOne has an important message: your water is absolutely safe to drink. The different “flavor profile,” as WaterOne officials put it, is due to seasonal temperature changes in local river water, and technicians are already making adjustments for it, said Mandy Cawby, WaterOne customer relations director. Source: Prairie Village Post

Wichita mayor delivers State of the City address

info2023-02-24T01:06:29-06:00February 24th, 2023|

Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple delivered a progress report Thursday evening on the city’s efforts to boost the economy, improve public safety and provide opportunities for all of its citizens. In his State of the City address, the mayor said the city is working with Wichita residents to build a vibrant community. The mayor said the city has turned the corner on the COVID economy from 2020, and now has an unemployment rate of three percent. He said the city has restored or created over 32,000 jobs and now has the most robust job market it has had in decades. He [...]

Derby adding new position on legal team

info2023-02-24T12:03:02-06:00February 24th, 2023|

Due to some continuing shifts within the city of Derby’s legal division, staff proposed creating a new full-time assistant city attorney position that was approved by the Derby City Council at its Feb. 14 meeting. Currently, the legal division includes the city attorney (with Jacqueline Kelly just hired to the position), a part-time assistant city attorney and part-time city prosecutor. With the part-time assistant city attorney position vacant for over two years and the current city prosecutor recently giving notice, the decision was made to combine the roles into one full-time position to help attract potential employees. Replacing the part-time positions [...]

About info