info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Fed’s Brainard sees economy improving, flags concerns around housing

info2023-01-20T00:02:16-06:00January 20th, 2023|

Federal Reserve Vice Chair Lael Brainard sees economic conditions moving in the right direction and sees room for a so-called 'soft landing' for the economy after a year of record-high inflation. Speaking at an event at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business on Thursday afternoon, Brainard, the second-ranking member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, said inflation has largely subsided in most spending categories aside from housing costs and non-housing services. She also noted that a cooling labor market has led to slower wage growth, but the overall employment picture remains strong. Source: The Bond Buyer

Governor Kelly’s tax cut plan introduced in the Kansas Legislature

info2023-01-20T00:00:51-06:00January 20th, 2023|

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said Thursday that all three elements of her tax cut plan have been introduced in the state House and Senate. The first part of the “Axing Your Taxes” package calls for the complete elimination of the state sales tax on groceries, as well as the sales tax on other essentials like diapers and feminine hygiene products, which were not part of a bill approved last year. The second part of the plan calls for a four-day state sales tax holiday in August on the purchase of school supplies. Source: 101.3 KFDI

Emporia discusses possible rental registration program

info2023-01-20T07:27:14-06:00January 19th, 2023|

The City of Emporia discussed the possibility of a rental property registration at its meeting Wednesday afternoon. Director of Building and Neighborhood Development Kory Krause and Housing Specialist Jeff Lynch presented commissioners with a proposal for the rental registration program, on behalf of the Community Housing Board. Lynch said the board believes a registration program for rental properties in the city will provide accountability from the city’s landlords and help the city better communicate with landlords and tenants about current codes. The housing board previously debated the need for a registration program in June of last year, citing a string of [...]

City Attorney selects new commission member after split vote

info2023-01-20T07:32:02-06:00January 19th, 2023|

After the four sitting members of the Hiawatha City Commission could not come to a consensus on the next Street Commissioner, the vote was left in the hands of City Attorney Andy Delaney at Thursday night's Special Meeting of the commission. With Toni Hull and Laura Tollefson each receiving two votes, motions to elect Bob Rahe and Tom Martin were put forth, but died for lack of a second. No more motions were made, and Mayor Becky Shamburg announced that the procedure dictated that the City Attorney would make the selection, and it was Hull who received Delaney's endorsement. Source: hiawathaworldonline.com

‘Those are pot-bellied pigs’: Experts say no evidence of feral hogs in Garden Plain, credit state’s strict no-hunting law

info2023-01-20T07:32:36-06:00January 19th, 2023|

He says if hunting them was legal, it would just scatter them, causing a multitude of new population pockets. "With most wildlife populations, if we're trying to reduce abundance, we want to use hunters as tools for wildlife management. It's efficient, it's cheap, and that sort of thing. Because the hogs are so prolific, that doesn't work very well," said Ricketts. Ricketts says the proof is in the pudding – unlike neighboring states that allow public feral swine hunting, Kansas is the only one with fewer hogs now than in 2004. Source: KAKE - News

Mission Gateway’s new $268 million proposal cleared its final hurdle

info2023-01-20T07:33:11-06:00January 19th, 2023|

The latest iteration of the $268 million Mission Gateway project is moving forward following a key vote Wednesday night. Now the question is: will developers finally complete it? The Mission City Council on Wednesday approved changes to the tax increment financing plan and Community Improvement District ordinances, as well as a final redevelopment agreement for the fifth version of the project. With those hurdles now cleared, work could finally resume later this year on the site at the intersection of Johnson Drive, Shawnee Mission Parkway and Roe Avenue. The ordinances approved Wednesday terminate a previous TIF project plan and CID and [...]

New Wichita water treatment plant reaches construction milestone

info2023-01-20T07:33:28-06:00January 19th, 2023|

The new water treatment facility under construction in northwest Wichita has reached a milestone. The City of Wichita says crews are now installing the connection line to the raw water pipeline from Cheney Reservoir that will connect to the facility. The plant is under construction near 21st Street North and Hoover, north of the Sedgwick County Zoo. The city says water customers should see no impact in service during installation. The new facility is replacing the current treatment plant, which is 80 years old and will not be able to meet future demands as the city continues to grow. Source: KSN-TV

Emporia Land Bank considering acquisition of Urbanside Park to spur additional future development

info2023-01-19T23:34:23-06:00January 19th, 2023|

The Emporia Land Bank is looking to foster additional local development with the potential acquisition of a local park. During the Emporia City Commission’s regular meeting Wednesday, City Community Development Coordinator Jeff Lynch delivered the annual land bank report. Lynch noted that in 2022 the land bank managed to sell off three different properties. The annual report comes as the land bank is considering the potential acquisition of Emporia’s Urbanside Park located in east Emporia. According to Lynch, the land bank would like to acquire the 1.3-acre tract for potential development use, however, the exact details are still being ironed out. [...]

Leawood turns 75 this year — How the city will celebrate

info2023-01-19T23:24:30-06:00January 19th, 2023|

This year, Leawood will celebrate 75 years as a city. In honor of the anniversary, the city has a number of commemorations in the works for the coming months, including public events and a new public art sculpture. This summer, the Leawood Historic Commission will host scavenger hunts and tours for kids and adults based on historic sites across the city. The commission is also planning a 75th anniversary trivia night for early November, at either the Ironwoods Lodge or the Leawood Community Center’s Oak Room. Source: Prairie Village Post

ACPD brings in new K-9 officer

info2023-01-19T23:19:34-06:00January 19th, 2023|

There is a new face at the Arkansas City Police Department, and it is adorable. K-9 Sal is a police dog of a different breed. His assignment does not include sniffing for drugs or running a track on a fugitive. Sal’s primary assignment is to support the men and women of the Arkansas City Police Department and area first responders. “K-9 Sal was acquired by the department last year after Crisis Intervention Officer Cori Tuxhorn and Lieutenant Jason Legleiter approached me about an incredible opportunity to enhance employee wellness in the department. Four County Mental Health Community Co-Responder Jamie Lovell, who [...]

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