News – Page 128 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Fed officials are worried about tariffs’ impact on inflation and see rate cuts on hold, minutes show

info2025-02-24T10:24:25-06:00February 24th, 2025|

Federal Reserve officials in January agreed they would need to see inflation come down more before lowering interest rates further, and expressed concern about the impact President Donald Trump’s tariffs would have in making that happen, according to meeting minutes released Wednesday. Policymakers on the Federal Open Market Committee unanimously decided at the meeting to hold their key policy rate steady after three consecutive cuts totaling a full percentage point in 2024. In reaching the decision, members commented on the potential impacts from the new administration, including chatter about the tariffs as well as the impact from reduced regulations and taxes. [...]

El Dorado plans to remove Pit Bull registrant requirements

info2025-02-24T10:23:01-06:00February 24th, 2025|

In a City Commission Work Session on Wednesday, February 12, the City Commission discussed updating the Title 6 of the Municipal Code that spells out animal ordinances, which included abolishing the Pit Bull registrant requirement. The Pit Bull registrant requirements have been a long-time controversary for Butler County and surrounding areas. The City of Augusta passed an ordinance to remove the ban on Pit Bulls in August 2023. The ban of and city registrant requirements of Pit Bulls, Staffordshire Terriers or other similar mix breeds became popular for cities in the 1980’s when information had spread through the media of dangerous [...]

Old coin sparks discussion, reveals local history

info2025-02-24T10:21:49-06:00February 24th, 2025|

Amy Beck frequently stumbles across tidbits of history at estate sales, and one of her recent finds drew quite a bit of attention on social media. She shared pictures of the front and back of an old coin, which displayed the wording “Horse and Buggy Doctor” and “Hertzler Research Foundation.” Comments on her pictures quickly poured in as others began researching the coin. The coin was originally produced as a commemorative piece to honor Dr. Arthur Hertzler on his 100th birthday, July 26, 1970. Hertzler was known as the “Horse and Buggy Doctor” and founder of the Halstead Hospital. Source: Harvey [...]

Halstead Planning Commission nears final draft of BESS regulations

info2025-02-24T10:20:41-06:00February 24th, 2025|

The Halstead Planning Commission worked through the zoning regulation draft for battery energy storage systems (BESS) during its regular meeting Monday evening, just a few days after Concurrent, a Texas-based company leasing land in the city’s industrial park, held a public forum to answer questions regarding their plan to open a BESS facility in town. Planning Commission Chairman Tessa Wending asked if they adequately addressed mitigating the risk from a potential explosion because it’s such a big risk. Source: Harvey County Now

New Assistant County Manager Darron Leiker begins work at Johnson County Government

info2025-02-24T10:19:31-06:00February 24th, 2025|

Today, Darron Leiker joins the Johnson County Government leadership team as a new Assistant County Manager. That role was vacated in December 2024 with the retirement of Joe Connor. Leiker comes to Johnson County from the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, where he served nearly 23 years. He began as Assistant City Manager in 2002 and became City Manager in September 2005, serving for 19 years. In that role he oversaw approximately 15 departments and 1,240 FTEs, prepared an annual budget of more than $233 million (FY 2024) and implemented the policies and goals of a seven-member governing body. Source: Johnson [...]

Gardner voters renew half-cent sales tax paying for road projects

info2025-02-24T10:17:57-06:00February 24th, 2025|

Gardner voters have approved renewing a half-cent sales tax for the city’s Pavement Management Program. On Tuesday, Feb. 11, nearly 68% of voters who cast mail-in ballots approved the sales tax renewal, according to unofficial results from the Johnson County Election Office. Overall, turnout for the special election was 17%, according to unofficial final tallies. The renewed sales tax takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, and will continue for another decade. Mayor Todd Winters said the passage of the sales tax renewal will allow the city to maintain and improve roads, sidewalks and trails for years to come. Source: Johnson County Post

See the tax rebates, home improvement grants on offer in your Johnson County city

info2025-02-24T10:16:48-06:00February 24th, 2025|

As property taxes continue to rise along with home values in Johnson County, residents may be looking for any way they can to save money. Many local cities in Johnson County, as well as the county itself, offer a variety of rebate programs aimed at helping homeowners pay their annual property tax bills, as well as make repairs and renovations. Many of these programs are aimed at certain populations, including low-income homeowners, seniors and disabled veterans. But other rebates are open to a wider segment of homeowners looking for assistance in paying for everything from replacing windows and installing solar panels [...]

Wichita approves public art plan to fill empty spots downtown

info2025-02-24T10:15:37-06:00February 24th, 2025|

The City of Wichita has approved a plan to once again fill the empty pedestals in Old Town and elsewhere with sculptures. Starting in 2008, the city installed over a dozen pedestals, most of them in Old Town, as part of a sculpture walkabout program. That program ended in 2023. On Tuesday, the Wichita City Council voted 7-0 to approve a $200,000 plan (using funds explicitly earmarked in the budget for art projects) to fill the pedestals with permanent pieces. Source: KSN-TV

Topeka residents meet, evaluate the city

info2025-02-24T10:14:35-06:00February 24th, 2025|

Topeka residents met Wednesday, Feb 19, to serve on a special city committee that hasn’t been seen in a decade. The Topeka Citizen Government Review Committee is made up of five people all selected by the mayor. The last time this group was put together was 2014. For the next six months, the committee, along with public comment, will examine and evaluate Topeka’s form of government and determine if they have recommendations for change. Source: KSNT 27 News

Symphony in the Flint Hills will end after 20 years

info2025-02-24T10:12:56-06:00February 24th, 2025|

The Symphony in the Flint Hills announced Wednesday, Feb. 19 that 2025 will be the last year for shows. These annual shows were a way for people to appreciate and learn more about the Flint Hills tallgrass prairie After 20 unforgettable years, the Symphony in the Flint Hills Signature Event will have its Grand Finale on Saturday, June 14, at Evans Family Ranch in Chase County. Join us for one last breathtaking evening of music, prairie skies, and community as we celebrate this milestone event. Along with the Signature Event concert, the Symphony in the Flint Hills hosted a prairie art [...]