News – Page 1049 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Grow Labette reviews projects to benefit communities

info2022-06-29T07:42:09-05:00June 29th, 2022|

The Grow Labette Coalition met last week to discuss projects in process and plans for the future to achieve healthier communities as a whole and affect people’s well-being. Grow Labette Coalition seeks to strengthen alliances with health care providers, the government, business and educational institutions to create healthy choices, while building a culture that celebrates the changes made available by these healthier opportunities. It operates as a part of the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Initiative, which provides community coalitions with the tools and resources needed to remove barriers and engage their communities in ways that support healthy eating, active living [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for June 28, 2022

info2022-06-29T07:40:55-05:00June 29th, 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.

Fed’s Williams sees 50 or 75 basis-point rate hike debated in July

info2022-06-29T07:39:16-05:00June 29th, 2022|

Federal Reserve officials will discuss whether to raise rates by 50 basis points or 75 basis points when they meet next month, with the decision being determined by economic data, New York Fed President John Williams said on Tuesday. “In terms of our next meeting, I think 50 to 75 is clearly going to be the debate,” Williams said during an interview with CNBC. “My view is we’ve got to get interest rates higher, and we have to do that expeditiously.” The policy maker said he supports raising the Fed’s benchmark interest rate to a range of 3% to 3.5% by [...]

Louisburg makes changes to vicious dog codes, lifts breed ban

info2022-06-29T07:36:25-05:00June 29th, 2022|

The pit bull breed ban in the city of Louisburg has been lifted with action taken by the Louisburg City Council at its June 6 meeting. At the same meeting, the council passed two new ordinances that strengthen the dangerous and vicious animal laws inside the city limits. Both ordinances were unanimously approved by the five-member council and went into effect June 15 after publication in the official city newspaper. Under the new ordinance a dangerous animal is one that is defined that either attacks or bites any person or domestic animal or has attacked or bitten a person or domestic [...]

Governor approves drought declarations for Kansas counties

info2022-06-29T07:33:57-05:00June 29th, 2022|

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has approved an update to drought declarations for all 105 counties in the state. The new declaration places all of the counties in a watch, warning or emergency status. The declaration places 34 western Kansas counties into an emergency status, while 8 counties have been placed in a warning, including Stafford, Pawnee, Pratt and Barber counties in southern Kansas. Sedgwick County and the surrounding counties in south central and central Kansas are among 63 counties that are under a watch. Source: 101.3 KFDI

Unincorporated Johnson County speed limit increases

info2022-06-29T07:33:12-05:00June 29th, 2022|

On June 23, 2022, the Board of County Commissioners voted to increase speed limits on 13 segments of roads in unincorporated Johnson County, upon the recommendation of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Public Works Department. An engineering study was conducted to determine the 85th percentile speeds as well as a review of safety and sight distance issues at intersections and entrances. The 85th percentile is simply the speed that 85% of the drivers will operate and is an important component considered when posting speed limits. The 13 segments that met the criteria for safe increases in speed limits to either 40 [...]

McPherson looks to add improvements with renewing second half-cent sales tax

info2022-06-29T07:32:04-05:00June 29th, 2022|

The second half-cent sales tax is expected to end next year in McPherson, and after finishing many projects these past 10 years, the City wants to keep moving forward. If approved, this would keep the 9% sales tax in the city. The half-cent sales tax generates about $1.6 million each year over the course of 10 years. It has funded the renovation of the community building and the reconstruction of 1st Street. If approved for the next 10 years, 70% will go to street projects, and 20% will be for public lands like the golf course and parks. Source: KSN-TV

Sedgwick County firefighters to receive $2m in funding

info2022-06-29T07:30:40-05:00June 29th, 2022|

The Kansas Insurance Department (KID) has made a $2 million distribution to local Sedgwick County Firefighter Relief Associations (FRAs). The funds are being distributed to eight local FRAs in Sedgwick County, pursuant to the Kansas Firefighters Relief Act. A total of $2,054,954.93 has been distributed. The funds are generated by a 2% tax paid by insurance companies on fire and lightning insurance premiums written in Kansas. The FRAs primarily use these funds for insurance premiums and safety enhancements. Some FRAs may use these for the health, accident, disability and life insurance premiums of local firefighters. Source: KSN-TV

“Grow Pittsburg” CDC hopes to continue city’s development

info2022-06-29T07:30:00-05:00June 29th, 2022|

The Pittsburg community is hoping to start a new program to help with the ever-growing needs of the area. During Tuesday night's commission meeting, members of Imagine Pittsburg will request $150,000 from the city to establish a new community development corporation called Grow Pittsburg. It would allow Imagine Pittsburg to set up a 501 (c)(3) and better look at ways to improve the community. That could include anything from housing to entertainment to education. Grow Pittsburg would be made up of members from Imagine Pittsburg, the city, school district, chamber and business community. Source: KSNF/KODE

Over $1M in funds now available for part-time, volunteer Kansas fire departments

info2022-06-29T07:29:24-05:00June 29th, 2022|

The Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has announced that over $1.2 million have been made available to their office due to a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), on Tuesday. In 2022, $1.2 million was given to the OSFM through the Kansas Firefighter Recruitment and Safety Grant (KFRSG), along with $100,000 from the OSFM's budget, for the OSFM to disburse by June 30, 2023. “This increase in funding will go a long way in providing much needed equipment for our volunteer fire departments across the state,” said Doug Jorgensen, State Fire Marshal. “In many rural areas [...]