News – Page 1611 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Growing together: McConnell AFB gives Derby a leg up on economic development

info2020-10-12T08:40:57-05:00October 12th, 2020|

“We have really embraced the Air Force base,” says Dan Squires, director of planning and engineering for the city. McConnell, he says, is always involved in planning decisions within certain zones near the base by requirement — but the base is often consulted on planning and projects even outside of those areas. The impact of McConnell is felt all across town, from jobs and housing to local spending by base personnel, all helping to give Derby a large portion of the half-billion dollar economic impact the base has within the 50-mile radius surrounding it. Source: Wichita Business Journal

Hutch Fire sends second crew to relieve volunteers at Wyoming wildfire

info2020-10-12T08:39:42-05:00October 12th, 2020|

On Wednesday, Hutchinson Fire Department Cpt. Craig Walle, Cpt. Travis Kerschner and Mark Penner from the Kansas Forest Service departed to relieve the Hutch crew offering assistance on the Mullen fire in Wyoming. They will be deployed for two weeks and continue operations that our current crews are performing. Currently that fire is over 128,000 acres and has over 1,000 personnel assigned to it. Source: News - The Hutchinson News

B-29 bomber ‘Doc’ returns to Great Bend

info2020-10-12T08:46:47-05:00October 12th, 2020|

The Great Bend Municipal Airport will host the World War II B-29 superfortress “Doc” for ride flights on Saturday, Oct. 24, Airport Manager Martin Miller announced Friday. The plane, based in Wichita, has scheduled two rides for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., before flying to Olathe that afternoon. Each flight offers nine seats, positioned at different locations on the aircraft, Miller said. Tickets are now available for purchase ranging in price from $600-1,500 at www.etix.com/ticket/o/5476/docs-friends. Great Bend Municipal Airport, formerly Great Bend Army Airfield, was built in 1943 and dedicated to aircrew and maintenance training on the brand new B-29 bomber. [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for October 8, 2020

info2020-10-09T08:17:51-05:00October 9th, 2020|

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.

Small-town bike shop serves large area

info2020-10-09T08:16:35-05:00October 9th, 2020|

Not many people who pull into the north-central Kansas town of Osborne, population 1,291 (as estimated in 2018), will expect to find a working bicycle shop. After all, many larger Kansas communities can’t claim a bicycle shop. “I’ve had it happen a dozen times. People will stick their head in the door, with a little trepidation, and then notice the tools, smell the oil, before they finally exclaim, ‘This is a bike shop,’ ” said John McClure, proprietor and mechanic at Blue Hills Bikes. Source: Leavenworth Times

Wichita’s high-end homes are selling faster than they have in a decade

info2020-10-09T08:15:19-05:00October 9th, 2020|

The most expensive homes in the Wichita area are selling fast and the number of them available has fallen to levels not seen since before the Great Recession, according to a real estate analyst at Wichita State University. Stan Longhofer, director of WSU’s Center for Real Estate, said the demand for homes that cost more than $500,000 and a limited supply of them were standouts of the 2021 Kansas Housing Markets Forecast, an annual report released this week. The change comes despite a pandemic and global recession that hasn’t yet negatively impacted home sales but could catch up in the next [...]

Liquor-by-the-drink? Question will come up during the Nov. 3 general election season

info2020-10-09T08:14:53-05:00October 9th, 2020|

Voters throughout Johnson County will consider a liquor-by-the-drink question during the Nov. 3 general election season, while Leawood and Roeland Park are asking residents to approve sales taxes. If approved, the liquor amendment will allow individual drinks to be sold without requiring establishments to serve food as well. Current law, described as archaic by its detractors, requires that food account for 30% of the gross receipts of a business if it is to sell liquor by the drink. Source: Joco 913 News

Casino begins construction near Park City

info2020-10-09T08:14:33-05:00October 9th, 2020|

Crosswinds Casino near Park City is breaking ground. After more than 30 years of having the ten acres of land, Wyandotte Nation has had a goal to build a casino and it’s now underway. “We're exercising our right to game on our property there,” said Wyandotte Nation Chief Billy Friend. Wyandotte Nation Chief said it’s been a long time coming. Source: KSN-TV

Western Kansas counties running out of water – conservationists look to recharge the aquifer

info2020-10-09T08:16:44-05:00October 9th, 2020|

It’s a multi-million dollar project aimed at restoring the aquifer and preserving the future of communities experiencing a decline in groundwater.... Phase VI continues the effective Kansas Playa Initiative and is now enmeshing Playa Lakes Joint Venture’s “Municipal Water” campaign which aims to help recharge areas of western Kansas being impacted by a rapidly depleted water source. ... The current focus area is in Greeley and Wichita counties, parts of the state in a severe drought. “Water is the driving force of the economy here in southwest Kansas,” said Bill Simshauser, Farmer and Kansas Association of Conservation Districts Board Member. It [...]

Kansas to increase wastewater testing for covid-19

info2020-10-09T08:01:56-05:00October 9th, 2020|

The state is expanding its testing of wastewater to predict the coronavirus. The testing helps show where the virus is commonly found and how it spreads across the state. KDHE plans to expand water testing to 95 rural counties and Johnson and Wyandotte County to help predict the next spike in coronavirus cases. According to the state's top doctor, the testing can help identify the virus up to a week before it shows in the case numbers. Source: KSNF/KODE