News – Page 1100 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Andover homeowners question city code

info2022-05-11T07:30:45-05:00May 11th, 2022|

The City of Andover could keep up to 15% of the insurance claim settlements on a home that suffers at least 75% loss following the recent tornado. Some homeowners say that doesn't seem right. "I am amazed. I, ah, I don't even know what to say," said Andover homeowner Janice Eden. "I don't see how that's possible." Turns out state statute allows municipalities to write the issue into city code. Andover has just that on the books. "In the years I've been an insurance agent, I've never seen it happen, but I have talked to some contractors who said it does [...]

STAR Bonds in Derby passes 8-0

info2022-05-11T00:34:59-05:00May 11th, 2022|

The STAR Bonds in Derby passed 8-0 on Tuesday during Derby's City Council meeting. According to the City of Derby, the Final Phase for the STAR Bonds development consists of a family entertainment and multi-sport area that includes: A man-made public access lagoon with beach activities (scuba diving, windsurfing, snorkeling and other water sports), an aerial park, and indoor and outdoor event venues. 6-acre glamping site, offering glamorous camping on permanent platforms with amenities such as running water, plumbing, electricity, etc. A 150-room hotel offering exclusive beach access and an indoor pool. Source: KSN-TV

AT&T launches new 911 location service

info2022-05-11T00:30:01-05:00May 11th, 2022|

AT&T launched a new 911 location service Tuesday intended to improve emergency response for the public. The company says 68% of adults don't have a landline in their homes, and over 80% of 911 calls now come from mobile phones. Typically, when a call is placed to 911, the wireless phone is routed based on the closest cell tower, which can cover up to a 10-mile radius. This means that sometimes callers are transferred from one dispatch center to another when seeking help, causing delays when an emergency response is needed. Source: KSN-TV

Shawnee loosens rules for shooting off fireworks around Fourth of July

info2022-05-11T07:31:56-05:00May 11th, 2022|

The Shawnee City Council Monday night made changes in its municipal rules that permit other types of fireworks for recreational use and will eventually allow pop-up firework stands within its city limits. Councilmembers decided to wade slowly into the idea of loosening up restrictions on fireworks. Under the new rules, the use of fireworks would be limited to July 3rd and 4th until 11 p.m. The noise ordinance was also adjusted to exempt the use of fireworks on those days. The city, like many others in Johnson County, currently only allows relatively low-risk fireworks like snaps, snakes and sparklers that are [...]

Medical marijuana bill stalls in Kansas Senate

info2022-05-11T07:33:38-05:00May 11th, 2022|

Medical marijuana legalization in Kansas has once again stalled this year. A joint plan from the House and Senate that would legalize cannabis medically, is now stuck in the committee after a meeting was held to go over differences of both chamber’s proposals. As the legislative session comes to a close, lawmakers have now found themselves still in the early stages of carving out the piece of legislation. According to a spokesman for Senate leadership, Mike Pirner, the bill is not likely to gain any momentum when lawmakers meet again on May 23 to officially end the session. Source: Western Kansas [...]

Where can apartment renters get the most for their money? In Wichita, study finds

info2022-05-11T00:19:14-05:00May 11th, 2022|

Apartment renters in Wichita get the most bang for their buck when it comes to square footage compared other large cities in the U.S., a recent study has found. Wichita ranked No. 1 on a list of America's 100 largest cities where you can rent the largest apartment on a budget of $1,500 a month. The study, published in March by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website, found that renters in Wichita can live in a 1,597 square-foot, four-bedroom apartment for $1,500 a month. That's about one square foot of space for every dollar. Source: Wichita Business Journal

Topeka grapples with intersection rules

info2022-05-10T07:15:45-05:00May 10th, 2022|

Topeka’s city government in January 2020 banned pedestrians from interacting with vehicle occupants at 23 specific Topeka intersections. But people on foot still sometimes ask drivers for money at those crossings, according to members of the Topeka and Shawnee County News & Police Scanner Facebook group. Source: CJonline

Topeka USD 501 network under attack

info2022-05-10T07:13:19-05:00May 10th, 2022|

It was a normal spring school day in Topeka USD 501 when district technicians noticed something suspicious in their network activity. The districtwide computer network that allows the district’s students and teachers access to the internet was seeing a huge spike in traffic. Normally, Topeka USD 501’s bandwidth can easily handle the average network load of students turning in online assignments and teachers checking email, with the district rarely using up more than 30% of its bandwidth, said Scott Gowan, chief information officer for the district. But there was no mistaking the signature of the spike in activity, and after the [...]

Hutchinson-area homes for sale rise in price to $99,900

info2022-05-10T07:11:59-05:00May 10th, 2022|

A typical Reno County home listed for $99,900 in March, up 5.3% from a month earlier, an analysis of data from Realtor.com shows. The median list home price in March was down about 7.7% from March 2021. Reno County's median home was 1,464 square feet for a listed price of $81 per square foot. The Reno County market was busy, with a median 36 days on market. The market added 64 new home listings in March, compared with the 64 added in March 2021. The market ended the month with some 49 listings of homes for sale. Source: Hutch News

Municipal Bond Trends for May 9, 2022

info2022-05-10T07:08:34-05:00May 10th, 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.