News – Page 1195 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Fed’s Bullard says the central bank’s ‘credibility is on the line,’ needs to ‘front-load’ rate hikes

info2022-02-14T21:45:06-06:00February 14th, 2022|

St. Louis Federal Reserve President James Bullard made his case for a rapid move higher in interest rates, saying Monday that the central bank needs to react to accelerating inflation. “I do think we need to front-load more of our planned removal of accommodation than we would have previously. We’ve been surprised to the upside on inflation. This is a lot of inflation,” Bullard told CNBC’s Steve Liesman during a “Squawk Box” interview. “Our credibility is on the line here and we do have to react to the data,” he added. “However, I do think we can do it in a [...]

Broadband leaders tout initiatives, programs

info2022-02-14T21:39:50-06:00February 14th, 2022|

Kansas state broadband leaders say federal and state funding established last year to improve connectivity across the state helped support nearly 100 projects, and they are optimistic additional funds are on the way. During the pandemic, the SPARK task force earmarked $60 million in CARES Act funding for two broadband grant programs related to the pandemic response. Connectivity Emergency Response Grants totaling $50 million are funding a total of 65 projects across the state and 25 Broadband Partnership Adoption Grants totaling $10 million helped facilitate internet access for low-income households, defraying internet subscription costs, funded hot spots, and provided devices to [...]

Riley County appraiser analyst says home values up 7% from 2021

info2022-02-15T07:21:24-06:00February 14th, 2022|

A Riley County appraiser analyst says the average home valuation has increased more than 7% in the last year. Allen Todd spoke to Riley County commissioners on Monday to discuss the local real estate market. He told The Mercury the average valuation for existing single family homes in Riley County increased 7.21% between 2021 and 2022. He said the increase in Manhattan is 7.43%. Meanwhile, the average valuation for single-family homes in Riley County is $229,682. The average in Manhattan is $244,865. Source: themercury.com

South Hutchinson warns drivers to slow down

info2022-02-14T09:59:06-06:00February 14th, 2022|

With continuing concerns about the safety of the U.S. 50 interchange in South Hutchinson, the city council this week agreed with a city manager recommendation that speeds in the area "be more aggressively enforced.” City Manager Joseph Turner also told the council Monday that he's planning an “exhaustive review” of police, fire and municipal court operations, with the intent of offering future recommendations. The council previously identified public safety as one of its top issues to address in the community, Turner said, thus the review. Source: Hutch News

When Kansas police use license plate readers, should data collected be public record?

info2022-02-14T09:56:27-06:00February 14th, 2022|

Kansas crime-fighters are using license plate readers to collect vehicle data, and they want lawmakers to block the release of that data to the public. Law enforcement organizations argue the bill would protect data privacy, but they also indicate the issue came to a head as part of a desire to avoid filling open records requests. "It will protect this license plate data from the open records requests," lobbyist Ed Klumpp said of the proposed legislation. "And it will protect that data and protect the people whose data we have." Klumpp requested Senate Bill 434 on behalf of the Kansas Association [...]

JOCO Commission, De Soto discuss Sunflower Ammunition Plant

info2022-02-13T21:00:55-06:00February 13th, 2022|

Johnson County Board of Commissioners approved the City of DeSoto’s request for creating a TIF District on the former Sunflower Ammunition Plant property. The vote passed 5 to 2 with commissioners Michael Ashcraft and Charlotte O’Hara dissenting. Ashcraft said he was struggling with the proposed TIF district only containing 6,000 of the 9,000 acre property and wanted to know how it will impact future cleanup and regrowth of the site. Ed Eilert, county chairman, said the 6,000 acres of the property were in the city limits of DeSoto, but they didn’t have authority over the other 3,000 acres. “The Army is [...]

USD 231 names interim superintendent

info2022-02-13T20:56:40-06:00February 13th, 2022|

James A. Sutton was approved as the new interim superintendent for Gardner-Edgerton School District USD 231 at the February 7 school board meeting. Sutton will serve as the interim superintendent effective immediately until June 30, 2022. The unanimous decision by board members was made after over an hour of executive session. “I am nothing but excited about coming to USD 231 and assisting the rest of the fiscal year helping out to do what I can,” he said. Sutton said he had listened to quite a few different perspectives where the district was currently at and planning on going. “As mentioned [...]

Sales tax collection continues to climb in Hillsboro

info2022-02-13T20:54:24-06:00February 13th, 2022|

The Hillsboro City Council heard in their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 1 that sales tax is continuing the strong upward trend from 2021. “Sales tax collection in 2022 has started off 25% higher than January 2021. In total we received $75,552.83 in January for sales in December 2021,” said Hillsboro City Administrator Matt Stiles. Stiles gave the council an update on the proposed shipping container housing on 3rd Street. The council heard public concerns about the project at the Jan. 18 council meeting. The project was referred back to the Planning Commission for further discussion. Source: Hillsboro Free Press

Dept. of Southeast Kansas is granting millions of dollars to improve the communities

info2022-02-13T20:52:37-06:00February 13th, 2022|

Across Kansas, rural communities will soon be receiving some help with their infrastructure, and for some this couldn't have come at a better time. "It's something we've been looking at for a while. We've been working on it for some time trying to figure out," said Mickey Pyle, Mayor of Girard. 40 communities across Kansas were announced as the recipients of the 2022 Community Development Block Grants. "The Department of Commerce in Kansas has grant money they give out. A lot of its infrastructure or improvements in the city." $17.6 million will be helping the state improve public safety, infrastructure, and [...]

What Wichita City Council members, mayor are looking for in next police chief

info2022-02-13T20:46:59-06:00February 13th, 2022|

Here are the qualities, background and priorities the Wichita City Council members who answered a five-question survey from The Wichita Eagle say the city’s new police chief should have. The city has already solicited proposals from consulting firm, paving the way for a national search to begin after current chief Gordon Ramsay leaves on March 1. What background and qualities do you think Wichita’s next police chief should have? Obviously, we’re looking for someone who has really the dedication and the professional experience to take on such a key a role. And in addition to a stellar resume of education and [...]