News – Page 1317 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Hackers hit Pottawatomie County: Cyberattack on community underscores security risks for governments

info2021-10-01T06:49:43-05:00October 1st, 2021|

A Kansas county is still recovering from a cyberattack almost two weeks ago, underscoring the internet security risks local governments in the state face amid a national wave of attacks from hackers. Pottawatomie County was hit with the attack on Sept. 17, officials say, with some of the county’s computer system encrypted by the hackers, making them inaccessible and shutting off some services. “We are very limited,” County Treasurer Lisa Taylor told county commissioners Monday, the Wamego Times reported. “The driver’s license (system) is completely down, we can’t do taxes.” The county said such services as EMS, police and fire haven’t [...]

Wamego gears up for OZtoberFest this weekend

info2021-10-01T06:47:57-05:00October 1st, 2021|

Wamego celebrates … a lot. Coming up this weekend, Wamego will celebrate fall and the Wonderful Wizard of Oz with the annual OZtoberFest. This year’s theme is the Emerald City, so expect to see a lot of green — from costumes to auction items. The festival is a collaborative effort between the OZ Museum, Columbian Theatre and the Wamego Area Chamber of Commerce. “Even though many are in love with the Wizard of Oz, you don’t have to be a fan to enjoy OZtoberFest,” said Kara Holle, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce. “This family friendly, fun-filled festival offers something [...]

One of the finest in the state: Newton City Auditorium built in 1915, torn down in 1966

info2021-10-01T06:47:05-05:00October 1st, 2021|

The Newton City Auditorium served an important function in the community when it stood at 130 W. Sixth St. decades ago. “It’s a community center,” said Kris Schmucker, curator at the Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives in Newton. “It’s important. It served a function.” Schmucker said that going through old newspapers, she came across advertisements for shows and meetings in the auditorium. “It was used as a meeting place for WCTU,” she said, adding that stands for Women’s Christian Temperance Union. That group was focused on no drinking, getting the women’s right to vote and morals of the state. Source: [...]

City of Pittsburg receives grant for interactive historical walking tour

info2021-10-01T06:45:23-05:00October 1st, 2021|

The city of Pittsburg is taking a modern approach to remembering its past. The city recently received the "2020 Historic Preservation Fund Grant" from the Kansas Historical Society. The grant will go towards creating an interactive walking tour for the downtown area. While still in the developmental stages, the city hopes to have the new tour involve a mobile app and QR codes to help make its history more accessible. Source: KSNF/KODE

Rural Opportunity Zone loan assistance program expands to Crawford County

info2021-10-01T06:45:06-05:00October 1st, 2021|

It's the first chance many are getting to take advantage of the Kansas "Rural Opportunity Zone" program in Crawford County. The ROZ program expanded its coverage back in may to 95 counties in Kansas. Crawford County was later adopted in June. The program offers Kansas residents up to 15 thousand dollars in loan forgiveness over five years or an income tax abatement for new county residents. Source: KSNF/KODE

Municipal Bond Trends for September 30, 2021

info2021-10-01T06:41:11-05:00October 1st, 2021|

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.

City updates public on natural gas cost spike

info2021-10-01T06:39:11-05:00September 30th, 2021|

Winfield City Manager Taggart Wall said that the city tried to keep customers informed about what was happening from the beginning regarding natural gas costs, while some larger utility companies are just now starting to announce rate increases related to the storm. Kansas Gas Service, which serves Arkansas City, has presented plans showing how it plans to recover its $452 million in gas purchases over the next five, seven and 10 years. Black Hills Energy has proposed a five-year plan to recover its $88 million in gas costs. All together, natural gas customers in Kansas spent around $1 billion to meet [...]

Newton considering land bank

info2021-10-01T06:39:40-05:00September 30th, 2021|

The Newton City Commission will vote to establish a land bank at a coming meeting. A land bank functions as a land holding organization aimed at helping deal with blighted and problem properties in the city. Properties can be donated to the bank. The bank has the power to forgive back taxes on the properties as part of the donation process. The bank can then turn around and sell the properties to be redeveloped or reused. “You guys have seen here lately with condemned and blighted properties it’s an issue in Newton we’d like to get addressed,” City Manager Kelly McElroy [...]

Rental housing program delivers $41.5 million in aid to struggling Kansans

info2021-09-30T07:17:15-05:00September 30th, 2021|

Olathe residents Sheryl and Gary Evert were among thousands of Kansans struggling to pay their rent during the COVID-19 pandemic. They eventually sought assistance under the Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance program authorized by Congress and financed through federal coronavirus relief legislation. Under KERA, the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation, or KHRC, has granted $41.5 million in rental, utility and internet assistance to 7,800 eligible households across the state since March. “My wife Sheryl and I are in our 70s, and before we received our KERA funding, life was really stressful,” Gary Evert said. “We didn’t know when we would be able to [...]

Excitement building for Rose Hill Fall Festival

info2021-09-30T07:16:42-05:00September 30th, 2021|

After a year off, the Rose Hill Fall Festival is set to make its return Oct 8-10, 2021, and according to festival chair Lovina Finders the community is more than ready for it. “This is probably the most excited the town’s been about it,” Finders said. “Last year was the first one since the ’70s that we’ve missed. We’ve had a tornado, we’ve had a snowstorm, we’ve had 90-degree weather; we’ve never cancelled until last year.” While there will be a handful of traditional activities like the parade, craft fair and family-friendly fun (i.e., turtle races, pony rides, petting zoo, etc.), [...]