Ranson Financial, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Economic optimism: Reno County has record low unemployment; retirees and exporting talent part of issue

Area experts are upbeat about the economic outlook for Hutchinson and the region, despite record-low unemployment and ongoing inflation-recession worries. Meeting those challenges, however, they say, will likely require convincing more young people to start their careers in their home community or to come back as more of the aging population continues to retire. The tightest labor market for Reno County in more than 30 years means job hunters and those wanting to move up have opportunities not seen in a while, said Tucky Allen, Business Services Director for Kansas WorkforceOne.
Source: Hutch News

Ranson Financial2022-06-20T01:05:03-05:00June 19, 2022|News|

Powell vows that the Fed is ‘acutely focused’ on bringing down inflation

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell reiterated the central bank’s commitment to bringing down inflation, saying Friday that it’s essential for the global financial system. “The Federal Reserve’s strong commitment to our price stability mandate contributes to the widespread confidence in the dollar as a store of value. To that end, my colleagues and I are acutely focused on returning inflation to our 2 percent objective,” Powell said in introductory remarks for a Fed-sponsored conference on the global role of the U.S. currency. Those remarks come two days after the Federal Open Market Committee voted to raise benchmark interest rates by three-quarters of a percentage point to a targeted range of 1.5%-1.75%. Banks use the rate to set borrowing costs for short-term loans they provide to each other, but it also feeds through to a multitude of consumer products like credit cards, home equity loans and auto financing.
Source: CNBC

Ranson Financial2022-06-17T07:54:47-05:00June 17, 2022|News|

Lawrence Police Department creates position devoted to diversity and community engagement

The Lawrence Police Department has announced changes to its organizational structure, including the creation of a new position in the chief’s office devoted to diversity and community engagement. According to the announcement, which came this week in a memo to the Lawrence City Commission, Lt. Myrone Grady, who already is employed by LPD, has been named as the department’s first executive officer for diversity and community engagement.
Source: LJWorld

Ranson Financial2022-06-17T07:52:07-05:00June 17, 2022|News|

City of Olpe hosts roughly 600 visitors as part of Biking Across Kansas tour Thursday night

The City of Olpe played host to several hundred cyclists from across the state Thursday evening. Riders in the annual Biking Across Kansas event concluded day six of their journey across the state at Olpe High School where students, staff and residents put on a special meal to welcome roughly 600 individuals. … USD 252 Superintendent Mike Argabright says he was grateful for the opportunity to showcase the Olpe community to the visiting riders.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio

Ranson Financial2022-06-17T07:37:26-05:00June 17, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for June 16, 2022

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.

Ranson Financial2022-06-17T07:26:13-05:00June 17, 2022|News|

Bourbon County Jail Inmates Moved to Other Counties

Bourbon County Jail inmates are being sent to other counties, according to the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center Administrator. “The Bourbon County Jail will be farming out most, if not all, of their inmates to other counties in southeast Kansas,” said Major Bobby Reed in an email with the daily reports sent to news entities. “The facility is doing this because of staffing shortages.” “Approximately 56 inmates out of 65 are being housed elsewhere,” Reed noted to fortscott.biz.” The cost (to the county) is $40 per day per inmate.” That amounts to $2,240 per day in payments to other counties, by Bourbon County. … Staffing is at a critical point. “I have 16 positions when fully staffed,” he said. “I have not been fully staffed in a long time.”
Source: Fort Scott Biz

Ranson Financial2022-06-17T07:24:44-05:00June 17, 2022|News|

Fireworks to be discharged in North Newton for one day

A couple of citizens expressed concerns during the Monday night North Newton City Council meeting about extending the days fireworks can be ignited in town during a lengthy discussion about the matter. Gwen Neufeld and Evelyn Adams were against the proposed idea of extending the days to Saturday and Sunday, since the Fourth of July in on a Monday this year. The amount of time fireworks can be discharged in North Newton is only on the Fourth of July. “There’s a reason people don’t want to live on the other side of the railroad tracks,” Neufeld told the council, adding the nightmare of the noise used to stress her out when her children were quite young. … City Administrator Kyle Fiedler told the council they received copies of an email and letter sent to the city against extending fireworks days. He also said the city of Newton is allowing the sale and discharge of fireworks from June 27 through July 4 and that the North Newton Council hasn’t addressed changing the town’s stance on the matter for 23 years.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2022-06-17T07:23:35-05:00June 17, 2022|News|

Girard police officer & restauranter to compete in Nat’l BBQ competition

The search to find one of the best outdoor cooks could hold the power to help make a Southeast Kansas couple’s dream come true. “I never for a moment thought I was going to make it as far as I have,” said James Jarvis, Hero’s BBQ Co-Owner. Girard Police Officer James Jarvis is currently competing in the Char Champion Competition, a search to find one of the best outdoor cooks in North America. “If I’m not mistaken, there were approximately 25,000 plus entrants in this competition. We’ve been fortunate enough to advance to the quarterfinals,” said Mr. Jarvis.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2022-06-17T07:20:50-05:00June 17, 2022|News|

KDOT bridge inspector resigns after railing falls in Topeka

KDOT announced Thursday one of its bridge inspector has resigned after pieces of the Polk-Quincy Viaduct fell from the bridge earlier this week. KDOT said it conducted an internal review of the bridge inspection process. During that review, KDOT discovered the inspection of the Polk-Quincy Viaduct on May 23, 2022, did not follow protocols, according to a press release. This comes after a 60-foot barrier wall fell off the Polk-Quincy Viaduct into an empty parking lot on June 11. The falling wall was likely due to high temperatures and deterioration of the steel that connects the concrete barrier to the viaduct deck.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2022-06-17T07:20:25-05:00June 17, 2022|News|

Wichita’s housing market is still hot, but what about future sales — and appraisals?

Nationally, the housing market may be experiencing a correction, but in Wichita, there’s still a boom on. That’s because the greater Wichita area is still seriously short of houses, so it comes down to supply and demand. “It’s economics 101,” said John McKenzie, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Plaza Real Estate, who is in his 50th year in real estate. He said the past 24 months — particularly the past 12 months — are like nothing he’s seen before. That includes potential buyers “crawling all over each other other” at a home with 18 showings in a day and, in some cases, houses selling for double their asking prices. McKenzie said some two-bedroom, one-bath houses that used to be in the mid $70,000 to low $80,000 range have been selling for $140,00 to $150,000. “It’s just absolutely nutty,” he said. “Until we get inventory up, we’re going to continue to see the market that we’re in.”
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-06-16T08:20:47-05:00June 16, 2022|News|

About Ranson Financial

Economic optimism: Reno County has record low unemployment; retirees and exporting talent part of issue

Powell vows that the Fed is ‘acutely focused’ on bringing down inflation

Lawrence Police Department creates position devoted to diversity and community engagement

City of Olpe hosts roughly 600 visitors as part of Biking Across Kansas tour Thursday night

Municipal Bond Trends for June 16, 2022

Bourbon County Jail Inmates Moved to Other Counties

Fireworks to be discharged in North Newton for one day

Girard police officer & restauranter to compete in Nat’l BBQ competition

KDOT bridge inspector resigns after railing falls in Topeka

Wichita’s housing market is still hot, but what about future sales — and appraisals?

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