info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Fitch: Inflation to mount for U.S. water, sewer utilities in 2023

info2022-12-14T13:25:50-06:00December 14th, 2022|

Fitch Ratings says 2023 will bring a series of challenges that U.S. water and sewer utilities have not experienced in over a decade, according to Fitch Ratings’ 2023 outlook for the sector. Fitch Ratings’ 2023 sector outlook for U.S. water and sewer utilities is ‘Deteriorating’ and largely driven by rising inflation and a slowing U.S. economy, with Fitch economists calling for a mild recession around mid-2023. Next year will likely mark a second straight year of cost and capital pressures for water and sewer utilities, according to Senior Director and U.S. Water and Sewer Sector Head Audra Dickinson. “General inflationary pressures, [...]

Saline County Livestock and Expo Center to raise rental prices due to inflation

info2022-12-14T07:58:01-06:00December 14th, 2022|

After a year of inflation on goods and overall rising costs, the Saline County Livestock and Expo Center will raise its prices next year. The Expo Center, which oversees several buildings available for event reservations, is led by director David Flaherty II. At the weekly county commission meeting Dec. 13, he explained the rise in rental fees is due to higher costs for things like maintenance and utilities. “At this time, in 2022, it’s due to rising utility costs and after some improvements have been made and comparing costs with other facilities,” Flaherty said. Source: Salina Journal

Lawrence City Commission will delay final approval of source of income protections to hear from landlords

info2022-12-14T07:47:45-06:00December 14th, 2022|

The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday voted in favor of an ordinance change to create a protected class based on source of income, but will delay final approval in order to seek feedback from landlords. The ordinance will likely come back in front of the commission in mid-January. Lawrence’s Human Relations Commission recently advanced proposed ordinance changes that would prevent landlords from denying someone housing just because a prospective tenant’s rent money comes from housing assistance such as vouchers, settlements, benefits, subsidies, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers and more. The advisory board had been working for about two years and researching similar [...]

Four fire departments receiving safety grants

info2022-12-14T07:51:23-06:00December 14th, 2022|

Several area volunteer fire departments are receiving state grants to improve the protection of personnel. The Office of the State Fire Marshal awarded 2023 grant money to Chase County Fire District No. 1, Eureka Volunteer Fire Department, Lyon County Fire District No. 5 and Olpe Fire District No. 1. They will share in $1.3 million in funds, provided largely through the American Rescue Plan Act. A statement from the Fire Marshal’s office does not specify how much each department will receive. The equipment includes “bunker or wildland gear (coat, pants, helmet, gloves, hood and boots) and new masks for Self-Contained Breathing [...]

The Fed has to portray itself as tough on inflation even as it pushes through a smaller rate hike

info2022-12-13T23:59:11-06:00December 13th, 2022|

The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates by a smaller half percentage point Wednesday yet signal that its battle with inflation is still far from over. The central bank is also slated to release new forecasts for interest rates and the economy when it winds down its two-day meeting Wednesday afternoon. Fed officials have indicated they would reduce the size of rate hikes, after four straight three-quarter percentage point hikes in a row. Fed officials may take some comfort in the latest data on inflation, but they likely won't show it. November's consumer price index, released Tuesday, showed signs [...]

Cleanup from Keystone oil spill in Washington County likely to take several weeks

info2022-12-13T23:58:05-06:00December 13th, 2022|

Nearly a week after a massive oil spill from the Keystone pipeline in rural Washington County, officials still don’t know what caused the failure, resulting in over 14,000 barrels of crude oil to flow into Mill Creek, near the Kansas-Nebraska border. Clean up activities continue, with the Environmental Protection Agency saying it had recovered nearly 2,600 barrels of liquid from the scene, most of it an oil-water mixture. Just 435 barrels of oil have been recovered directly from the ruptured pipeline. Source: 1350 KMAN

Pottawatomie County bridge among 33 selected for state program targeting $40 million in upgrades

info2022-12-13T23:55:46-06:00December 13th, 2022|

Gov. Laura Kelly was in Westmoreland Tuesday to announce more than $40 million will support 33 local and off-system bridge projects across the state in fiscal year 2024, including one in rural Pottawatomie County. Joined by Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz and Pottawatomie County Commission Chair Pat Weixelman, Gov. Kelly highlighted the local project along Armstrong Road over Vermillion Creek, just northeast of Havensville. It’s one of just two in the area that crosses the creek. Source: 1350 KMAN

Derby police chief announces retirement

info2022-12-13T23:54:35-06:00December 13th, 2022|

Derby Police Chief Robert Lee's 42-year-long law enforcement career will come to an end on July 4, 2023. Chief Lee has served the city of Derby since March 2009. “Derby has been an amazing place to work in the second part of my career,” said Robert Lee. “I feel like I have accomplished everything I set out to do, and now it’s time to step down and allow others to lead the department.” “The leadership that Chief Lee has provided during his career in Derby is invaluable,” said Kiel Mangus, City Manager. “He is a dedicated public servant who put a [...]

Wichita to put more artificial grass in city park

info2022-12-13T23:52:09-06:00December 13th, 2022|

A Wichita park that was once synonymous with homelessness, drunkenness and drug use is celebrating a new reality — popularity due to its new design and community events. Now, that popularity is forcing a change from natural grass to artificial turf. Naftzger Park, 601 E. Douglas, was remodeled and reopened in 2021 as an outdoor gathering space for residents and visitors and a place to relax between stops at nearby businesses. It has a stage, dog run, water feature, lots of natural grass and some artificial grass. Source: KSN-TV

Oswego police make arrest in Santa heist

info2022-12-13T23:50:59-06:00December 13th, 2022|

A rural Parsons man made his way onto not only Santa’s naughty list but law enforcement’s after stealing a $3,000 Santa from Riverside Park in Oswego and selling it. Oswego Police Chief George Elliott on Monday said Kyle Neal Kirk, 32, of 4066 Trinity Road, was arrested for the theft Saturday in Oswego when he left his home to pick up Christmas presents for his children from an Angel Tree Project at the First Christian Church in Oswego. The Oswego Police Department took the theft of the Santa on Nov. 27 seriously, devoting extensive man hours to searching for it, Elliott [...]

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