News – Page 1487 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Mayetta votes in favor of sales tax increase

info2021-03-11T07:01:53-06:00March 10th, 2021|

People in Mayetta voted in favor of a one-half percent sale tax increase in a special election Tuesday. The current sales tax will increase to 1.5% and will start April 1. This increase will help cover the cost of extending a city sewer line to the new Dollar General store. It's currently under construction on Mayetta's west city limits. Revenue from the sales tax will also be used for general street maintenance, sidewalk construction and repair. Source: KSNT News

Lawrence City Commission votes to set 11 p.m. end time for meetings, approves other meeting rule changes

info2021-03-10T07:39:18-06:00March 10th, 2021|

The Lawrence City Commission has voted to amend rules governing its meetings in an effort to improve their efficiency and prevent them from running late into the night. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the commission voted 3-0, with commissioners Stuart Boley and Jennifer Ananda absent, to adopt an amendment to the section of city code related to meetings of the governing body and a new resolution that lays out the commission’s meeting rules and procedures. The changes include the addition of an 11 p.m. end time, which can be overruled, where there was no end time before. Mayor Brad Finkeldei [...]

Jetmore woman launches internet company to overcome the digital divide in her rural community

info2021-03-10T07:19:25-06:00March 10th, 2021|

It started as a retirement idea in 2016 and has since made a significant difference in the community. Susan Nuss, a lifelong Jetmore resident, has created her own internet company, helping her town stay on the digital map. Nuss has nearly 30 years of experience in the internet world. Launching her own company to serve those she grew up knowing has been a dream of hers. She created Black Dragon Networks, LLC. Black Dragon Networks, LLC is a minority, woman-owned engineering company rooted in Hodgeman County. It specializes in bringing high-speed internet to rural, remote areas of the state. Many of [...]

Average price for a new home in Johnson County? $558,000 as property values rise

info2021-03-10T07:18:12-06:00March 10th, 2021|

As buyers face a bidding war over Johnson County’s limited housing inventory, new homes are selling for $558,000 on average, according to a county appraiser report. Factor in existing homes as well, and the average sales price of a single-family home was $394,000 in 2020, the appraiser said. Last month alone, according to the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors, the average sales price soared to more than $411,000. “This year, we just don’t have the inventory,” said Marti Lilja, a real estate agent with Keller Williams, adding that the pandemic delayed a lot of construction. “We’re so behind. There are [...]

Ark City students headed back to school five days a week

info2021-03-10T07:17:26-06:00March 10th, 2021|

Students in the Arkansas City public school district will return to classrooms five days a week starting with elementary grades March 22. The USD 470 school board made the decision Monday night. Middle and high school students will start the full in-person schedule April 6. The students currently are going to schools four days a week with Wednesday a remote learning day. Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Reno County leaves mask order in place three more weeks

info2021-03-10T07:16:39-06:00March 10th, 2021|

The Reno County Commission will leave in place the governor’s mask mandate for the county until at least March 30, when the board will take it up for discussion once again. Local health officials asked the commission on Tuesday to leave the order in place at least for another month, to allow more employees in high contract critical jobs to be vaccinated against the virus. Source: Hutch News.

Municipal Bond Trends for March 9, 2021

info2021-03-10T07:07:33-06:00March 10th, 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.

Kansas to move to next vaccination phase in 4 weeks or less

info2021-03-10T07:06:35-06:00March 10th, 2021|

Kansas' top health official says the state could finish vaccinating seniors and essential workers and move on to the next phase of coronavirus vaccinations in the next month. Dr. Lee Norman said Tuesday that the state could reach the third phase in four weeks or sooner. The next phase includes people aged 16 to 64 with medical conditions that put them at severe risk if they are infected with COVID-19, including cancer and Type 2 diabetes, as well as workers in critical industries such as information technology and government. Source: KSN-TV

Parsons celebrates 150 years

info2021-03-10T07:05:45-06:00March 10th, 2021|

There was a sesquicentennial celebration Monday in Southeast Kansas. We spoke with the families who've called Parsons their home for generations. Marilyn Smith, Parsons Resident, said, "Everybody was community built, everybody was friends with everybody." This was a major day for the city of Parsons 150 years ago. Dave Mattox, Parsons Historian, said, "On March 8th, 1871, the very first lots were sold in Parsons at the KATY Freight Depot. They were looking for a junction point for the two KATY lines, and Parsons ending up being that junction." Source: KSNF/KODE

Lowes launches ‘100 Hometowns’ project to improve communities

info2021-03-10T07:04:38-06:00March 10th, 2021|

A company dedicated to improving homes now wants to improve communities. Lowe's, the retail chain, is celebrating its centennial and is promising to spend $10 million on 100 neighborhood projects."It might be a community center that needs revitalization, a garden, a block, something that has maybe fallen into disrepair, something that has been subject to the many natural disasters we know," says Lowe's executive vice president Marisa Thalberg. Thalberg says the projects come at a time when Americans need a sense of community. Source: KSN-TV