News – Page 342 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

How Kansas is spending federal infrastructure dollars

info2024-12-09T09:03:01-06:00December 9th, 2024|

On the whole, U.S. infrastructure is ill-equipped for the demands of modern-day life. In response, the federal government has been pumping money into making repairs and improvements across the country through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021; the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which funds the domestic production of semiconductors and promotes various activities at science agencies; and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Through these, the federal government has announced $582.8 billion in funding toward public infrastructure, semiconductor development, and clean energy across the nation and its territories. The federal government has announced $3.7 billion in funds [...]

Emporia puts new rec center project on pause after Tyson, Holiday Resort closures

info2024-12-09T09:00:45-06:00December 9th, 2024|

The City of Emporia is slowing down its progress on building a new recreation center due to several business closure announcements this week. The Emporia Recreation Steering Committee and a city spokeswoman told 27 News on Friday, Dec. 6 that it has decided to take a step back on the new recreation center project because of the Tyson Fresh Meats and Holiday Resort closure announcements. The committee is waiting until the members “fully understand the implications”. Source: KSNT 27 News

Riley County firefighters mourn loss of ‘pillar of our community’

info2024-12-09T08:59:08-06:00December 9th, 2024|

A local fire agency is mourning the loss of one of its own who left a profound impact on the community he served for more than four decades. The Riley County Fire District #1 took to social media on Dec. 4 to share its memories of Ross Hauck who passed away on Nov. 30, 2024. Hauck died at the age of 76 and was still an active participant with the district at the time of his passing. Source: KSNT 27 News

Emporia reassures community amid multiple business closures

info2024-12-09T08:58:12-06:00December 9th, 2024|

Emporia leaders and stakeholders are working to support residents impacted by multiple business closures this week. A joint statement was released by the City of Emporia, Lyon County and stakeholders from multiple key organizations that are working together to find a way to help people impacted by the closures of Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. and Holiday Resort. These entities met on Wednesday, Dec. 4 to coordinate efforts to support the workers and families hit by these shut downs; meeting will continue regularly as the situation evolves, according to the release. The main focus is connecting impacted employees with local job opportunities [...]

County appraiser is a ‘tough’ job. JoCo is now looking for a new one.

info2024-12-09T08:57:10-06:00December 9th, 2024|

A search for a new county appraiser began Thursday as county commissioners accepted the resignation letter of Appraiser Beau Boisvert. Boisvert, who has been appraiser for five years, will step down Jan. 24, 2025 due to health concerns. Commissioners regretfully accepted his retirement at Thursday’s meeting and praised him for his work with the county, which started when he was hired in 2019. Commission Chair Mike Kelly cited Boisvert’s professionalism in handling some difficult years, “not only in dealing with a market you didn’t create, dealing with state statues you didn’t create, having to deal with people who didn’t necessarily want [...]

The Fed is on course to cut interest rates in December, but what happens next is anyone’s guess

info2024-12-09T08:55:36-06:00December 9th, 2024|

Friday’s jobs report virtually cements that the Federal Reserve will approve an interest rate cut when it meets later this month. Whether it should, and what it does from there, is another matter. The not-too-hot, not-too-cold nature of the November nonfarm payrolls release gave the central bank whatever remaining leeway it may have needed to move, and the market responded in kind by raising the implied probability of a reduction to close to 90%, according to a CME Group gauge. However, the central bank in the coming days is likely to face a vigorous debate over just how fast and how [...]

New school board hotline now live

info2024-12-09T08:54:27-06:00December 9th, 2024|

The Kansas School Board Resource Center (KSRC) recently announced the launch of a new legal hotline, a resource now available to all Kansas school boards. This initiative aims to provide state and local school board members in Kansas with free, accessible legal advice on various issues related to their roles and responsibilities. Source: Derby Informer | Area

Lenexa will send sales tax renewal to voters in spring

info2024-12-09T08:53:38-06:00December 9th, 2024|

The Lenexa City Council on Tuesday approved ballot language for the renewal of a three-eighths-cent sales tax that will have generated almost $150 million for streets, parks and recreation. Voters will receive mail ballots in mid-March on renewing the tax, initially approved in 2008 and expiring in 2028, according to a release from the city. The renewed tax would kick in after Oct. 1, 2028, and is expected to provide about $260 million before it lapses in 2048. The city plans to share specific dates for the vote early next year. The release notes that 40% of Lenexa’s sales tax comes [...]

Plan to reduce Sedgwick County property tax burden fails

info2024-12-09T08:52:35-06:00December 9th, 2024|

On Wednesday, Sedgwick County commissioners considered a new plan to control property tax spending by using sales tax revenue to fund some quality-of-life services. It came as commissioners were hearing many complaints about high property taxes. The county mailed property tax bills last week. Commissioners Jim Howell and Ryan Baty believe the county should only use property tax money to pay for core government services, like the sheriff’s office, the fire department, 911, and roads and bridges. Howell proposed funding quality-of-life services, like the Sedgwick County Zoo and Exploration Place, through the sales tax. Source: KSN-TV

Overland Park bids farewell to farmers’ market pavilion, makes way for new space

info2024-12-09T08:50:57-06:00December 9th, 2024|

Patrons and vendors alike bid farewell to the Overland Park Farmers’ Market pavilion in downtown Overland Park over the weekend. People left messages, shared memories and signed their names in permanent marker on the pavilion’s pillars on Saturday, the final day of the 2024 market season. The city will soon begin the process of disassembling the aging market pavilion to make way for a new $34 million structure. Source: Shawnee Mission Post