info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Payrolls and wages blow past expectations, flying in the face of Fed rate hikes

info2022-12-02T10:33:13-06:00December 2nd, 2022|

Job growth was much better than expected in November despite the Federal Reserve’s aggressive efforts to slow the labor market and tackle inflation. Nonfarm payrolls increased 263,000 for the month while the unemployment rate was 3.7%, the Labor Department reported Friday. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been looking for an increase of 200,000 on the payrolls number and 3.7% for the jobless rate. ... The numbers likely will do little to slow a Fed that has been raising interest rates steadily this year to bring down inflation still running near its highest level in more than 40 years. The rate [...]

Scott vs. City of Leawood: Building Inspector Authority

info2022-12-02T10:15:07-06:00December 2nd, 2022|

Dennis and Kristine Scott appeal the district court's ruling in favor of the City of Leawood in a dispute that arose after the Scotts placed two stone columns in the public right-of-way of a newly constructed cul-de-sac that is required to be dedicated to the City as part of a residential construction project. Although the Scotts submitted plans and specifications to the City of Leawood for the cul-de-sac that depicted the required public right-of-way, those plans and specifications did not show that they intended to place stone columns in the right-of-way. Ultimately, the City of Leawood informed the Scotts that one [...]

New weapon scanners arrive at Wichita high school

info2022-12-02T09:43:28-06:00December 2nd, 2022|

Wichita West High School is the first in the district to use weapon screening detectors as students enter the building for class. Students demonstrated the new safety measure Thursday afternoon as they left the building, and the detectors will be used Friday morning. The scanners will be placed at three entrances that are open at the start of the school day: the main entrance, the athletic entrance and a west entrance used by students who ride buses. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Labette County OKs grandfathering in septic system

info2022-12-02T09:42:25-06:00December 2nd, 2022|

The Labette County Commission Wednesday approved grandfathering in a sewer/septic tank at 3830 Main, just outside of the city limits of Parsons. This commercial property is located in a flood plain, according to County Emergency Operations Manager Charlie Morse. Morse is also the county’s sanitation officer. Earlier this year, commissioners updated the county’s code to disallow new septic systems in floodplains. Source: Parsons Sun

What makes a nuisance? How Midwest cities, including Wichita, approach a developer’s halted projects

info2022-12-02T09:39:42-06:00December 2nd, 2022|

In Wichita, Chris Labrum, director of the city-county Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department, said in general, situations that present a nuisance condition with a building project site include: Causing an environmental hazard or concern, such as contamination or excessive erosion Causing a public safety and/or security hazard — to include if the job site is abandoned and unsecure Excessive storage of junk and trash or other materials not related to the construction or the allowed zoning/uses of the property Excessively tall grass and weeds that may harbor vermin, insects, or other hazards to neighboring properties "They are the property owners [...]

Crews battle large grass fire in Marion County

info2022-12-02T09:35:39-06:00December 2nd, 2022|

Crews from several fire departments were involved in battling a large grass fire Thursday afternoon in southeastern Marion County. The fire broke out south of Florence, and strong south winds pushed the fire and smoke to the north, creating a hazard for drivers on Highway 50. There was no word of any structures that were threatened or damaged, and no injuries were reported. The fire was 90 percent contained by evening, and firefighters were watching for hot spots. Source: 101.3 KFDI

Reno County daycare survey sees issues

info2022-12-02T07:54:14-06:00December 2nd, 2022|

During a Reno County Commission meeting on Tuesday, a professor from Kansas State University told the commissioners the result of a child care survey in the county. He said Hutchinson is lacking in both childcare and housing, but he thinks housing can take care of itself through attrition. He also said enforcement of policies is an issue. Bradford Wiles, Ph.D. in human development, said the county needs to create a new position to help bring change and implement childcare practices in the county. He said this person should make from $80,000 to $100,000 annually. However, he said, the highest salary an [...]

Gardner public works recognized

info2022-12-02T09:29:02-06:00December 2nd, 2022|

Seven Gardner Public Works employees were recognized for their accomplishments at the Kansas City Metro Chapter of the America Public Works Association’s Snow Removal and Equipment Training Expo. Kellen Headlee, public works director, and Mayor Todd Winters presented a trophy to Eric Willard, Public Works Street Maintenance employee, who won first place in the skid steer operations event. Jake Milkey, public works street maintenance employee, placed first in the vendor’s mini excavator event, but was unable to attend. Source: Gardner News

KSDE Commissioner to USD 443 BOE: How does Dodge City raise happy 30 year olds?

info2022-12-02T09:30:29-06:00December 2nd, 2022|

A young lady from the Sunnyside Elementary School student council introduced herself to the Dodge City Globe with a handshake, then ushered this reporter into a classroom in which Kansas State Department of Education Commissioner Randy Watson “was happy to share really great information” with the Dodge City USD 443 Board of Education. ... how does one even define success? Watson asked, rhetorically. “How does one raise a happy 30 year old?” “A successful Kansas high school graduate has the academic preparation, cognitive preparation, technical skills, employability skills and civic engagement to be successful in postsecondary education in the pursuit of [...]

Kansas collects $642.3 Million in total taxes for November

info2022-12-02T02:04:15-06:00December 2nd, 2022|

The Kansas Department of Revenue today announced that total tax collections for November were $642.3 million, which is $15.4 million, or 2.5%, more than last November. Total tax receipts for Fiscal Year 2023 continue to outpace Fiscal Year 2022, with year-over-year growth at 5.4%. Total tax collections for November were 5.3% below the estimate, which was recently raised at November’s meeting of the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group to align with consistently strong revenues. The estimate for November and the remainder of FY 2023 was raised by $773.0 million. Source: hiawathaworldonline.com

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