News – Page 1490 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Beyond big cities, independent pharmacies ‘begging’ for vaccine

info2021-03-08T09:08:41-06:00March 8th, 2021|

Dared and Renee Price are husband-and-wife pharmacists in south-central Kansas, and have spent tens of thousands of dollars and several months getting their six independent outlets in five small towns ready to deliver the two-dose Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. They’ve had to buy freezers, temperature monitors and a mobile refrigerator. They’d like to break even. At first, they received just 100 doses through the federal retail pharmacy program, though they’ve since gotten more. It’s unlikely to be a big money-maker — in Kansas, they’ll be reimbursed about $24 for fully vaccinating someone with two doses — yet they see it as [...]

Innovative building provides new housing in rural Kansas

info2021-03-08T09:08:06-06:00March 8th, 2021|

The Net Positive Studio was started in 2018 by Michael Gibson, a licensed architect and associate professor of architecture at Kansas State University, who teaches students to design and build homes for demonstration and partners with nonprofits to help fund the projects and get them built. “K-state is not gonna build 50 houses a year, but what we can do is we can show a different approach to doing this,” Gibson said. “We can show a type of house and the type of construction that you don’t see very much in Kansas.” In the U.S., median home prices have risen four [...]

Despite rising inflation, experts say the Fed won’t budge on rates

info2021-03-08T09:05:51-06:00March 8th, 2021|

The U.S. Federal Reserve won't step in to temper rising inflation any time soon, market watchers have said, despite surging yields that have roiled global stock markets. Stocks have been tethered over the past week to rising Treasury yields and the possibility that the Fed will tighten monetary policy to tackle an expected rise in inflation. On Thursday, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell acknowledged that "some upward pressure on prices" could occur as the economy reopens, noting that he expects the central bank to be "patient" on policy action even if the economy sees "transitory increases in inflation." Source: CNBC

Wamego’s Columbian Theater celebrates 125 years

info2021-03-08T08:22:34-06:00March 8th, 2021|

Growing up in Wamego, Clint Stueve saw how a group of people rallied around an old, crumbling theater to save the community landmark for future generations. It’s that kind of passion Stueve is relying on to get the theater through its next 125 years. Officially, The Columbian Theater turned 125 in 2020. But in a year marred by cancelled public gatherings and anxiety over the coronavirus, the theater’s plans to celebrate the milestone were tamped down. Some of them have even been postponed to the next notable year, the theater’s 130th anniversary in 2025. Source: CJonline.com.

Application process is now open for the City Utility Low-Interest Loan Program

info2021-03-05T08:19:18-06:00March 5th, 2021|

The City Utility Low-Interest Loan Program became law on March 4, 2021 after the publication of House Substitute for Senate Bill 88 in the Kansas Register. This program grants the State Treasurer’s Office the ability to issue loans to the cities in Kansas who have incurred extraordinary electric and/or natural gas costs during the extreme weather event of February, 2021. These loans will be issued at a rate that is 2.00% below the market rate as provided in K.S.A. 75-4237 with a minimum interest rate of 0.25%. The State Treasurer has opened the application process. Cities can learn more and apply for loans [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for March 4, 2021

info2021-03-05T08:14:07-06:00March 5th, 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 House passes property tax transparency bill

info2021-03-05T08:12:47-06:00March 4th, 2021|

The Kansas House passed Thursday a property tax transparency bill approved in a hurry by the Senate within the first week of the 2021 legislative session. Senate Bill 13 would repeal the property tax lid on yearly mill levy increases and instead establish a “revenue-neutral rate” which adjusts the effective tax rate to account for increases in assessed property value. It also establishes a requirement of notice and public hearing for municipalities seeking to collect property taxes exceeding their revenue-neutral rate. Source: Kansas Reflector

City of Edgerton offers low cost pet clinic

info2021-03-05T08:08:49-06:00March 4th, 2021|

Edgerton residents with pets need to update licenses by the end of the month. A current rabies vaccination is required. For those who can’t make their usual veterinarian appointments can be made at the low-cost animal vaccine clinic which returns to Edgerton City Hall in 2021 on March 20 from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Residents must sign up for a 15 minute timeslot to have their pets vaccinated. Reservations are accepted through petclinic.eventbrite.com or by calling city hall at 913.893.6231. Up to four pets are allowed per resident, per appointment. The clinic will offer low cost rabies and distemper vaccines, [...]

Kansas River path has merit

info2021-03-05T08:09:10-06:00March 4th, 2021|

There’s a lot to like about the concept of a bike trail along the Kansas River, from Junction City to Wamego. There are also some major bumps on the path forward, if you’ll pardon the wordplay. The concept surfaced this week in public meetings; among other things, the Riley County Commission agreed to support the concept, without committing any money. The idea is to build a trail along the river, the origin of which is at Junction City. (History lesson: The reason for that city’s name is that it’s the location of the junction of the Republican and Smoky Hill rivers. [...]

Roeland Park bans smoking in public parks, violators could be fined $100

info2021-03-05T08:09:56-06:00March 4th, 2021|

Roeland Park is the latest Johnson County city to ban smoking and all tobacco products in its public parks and other recreational facilities. The city council this week voted 5-2 to approve the ban, which will take effect no sooner than March 31. The ban also pertains to the community and aquatic centers, the sports dome, athletic fields, tennis courts, walking trails, restrooms, spectator and concession areas, and their public grounds, according to council documents. Source: Shawnee Mission Post