News – Page 555 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

North Newton to light up the sky

info2023-11-20T10:43:27-06:00November 20th, 2023|

North Newton might set the heavens aglow this holiday season because there will be a Holiday Lighting Competition for businesses and residences. “Bethel College approached me back in May, really wanting to gain some excitement and some spirit around the holiday season before students are sent back home,” City Administrator Kyle Fiedler told the North Newton City Council during its regular monthly Monday night meeting. “This also came from my first year here. The tree on Main Street that was lit up, I think a lot of customers enjoyed that. We wanted to try to encourage that, and we never came [...]

Wichita to consider ordinance to fine landlords that retaliate

info2023-11-20T11:18:38-06:00November 20th, 2023|

The Wichita City Council will consider fines of $250 up to $2,500 for landlords that evict tenants for complaining about living conditions. "You have to keep paying your rent. That's state statute," said Brandon Johnson. But Johnson wants the city to help people who pay their rent and still have unfair living conditions. He explains the proposed city ordinance would stop landlord retaliation, where he says some are getting kicked out while still paying rent. "The hope is that it makes a difference permanently," said Johnson. "There are landlords right now that have been trying to evict folks and actually evicting them just for [...]

Firefighters save Shawnee Co. horse trapped in mud

info2023-11-20T10:37:40-06:00November 20th, 2023|

It's a sticky situation one Shawnee County woman will never forget. One of the horses she watches after on her property in Berryton found himself stuck in the mud on Wednesday evening. Without the help of one of her other horses, Amy Bermudez may not have found him as quickly as she did. "It was dark, 6 o'clock when I go to get the horses in, and I call for Cooper, the victim, and he doesn't come," Bermudez told KSNT News. "So I go to get my other horse that's out in the yard, and when I go to get her, she normally [...]

Ribbon cutting honors Walter Johnson’s new birthplace marker in Humboldt

info2023-11-20T11:19:25-06:00November 20th, 2023|

A ribbon cutting in southeast Kansas honors the "Humboldt Thunderbolt." That's legendary, 1924 World Series Champion Walter Johnson. He was a pitcher with the Washington Senators from 1907 to 1927. A sign along US 169 as you enter Humboldt from the south, has honored the city as Johnson's birthplace for several years. But, now it has a fresh new look. Allie Utley's grandfather, Dick Davis, created the original marker. She felt like it was her duty to upgrade the sign. "Seemed obvious that I should be doing a project that also included my family's legacy, so I just think I felt really compelled by the [...]

Simple economics giving a major boost to Emporia sales tax collections

info2023-11-20T11:20:01-06:00November 20th, 2023|

The City of Emporia’s sales tax collections have been on the rise throughout the past year according to Treasurer Janet Harouff. ...Harouff noted the city collections have increased steadily each month this year putting the city seven percent above where it was this same time last year with a total of $5.3 million collected as of October. When asked what is contributing to this steady increase, Harouff explained it is simple economics. When asked if a decrease in inflation would mean a dip in city collections, Harouff stated that would be dependent on whether or not product makers lower their prices. She says [...]

Johnson County looks to convert abandoned factory into trail hub

info2023-11-20T10:08:33-06:00November 20th, 2023|

Johnson County officials are looking to convert the old Kuhlman Diecasting plant at 159th and Mission into a trail hub. Photo credit Roxie Hammill. Thirty years ago, the old Kuhlman Diecasting plant just south of 159th Street and Mission Road was abandoned, gradually becoming a toxic eyesore and a danger to the school children who made it their forbidden playground. Now, after years of frustration, the plant’s demolition and environmental clean up, local officials are considering making the site a trail hub that would connect bike and nature trails in the area and, they hope, improve the Blue River watershed. Johnson [...]

Iola: Build it and they will come

info2023-11-20T11:20:37-06:00November 20th, 2023|

More than a year ago, Iola council members voted 7-0 to extend water, electric and streets in the Cedarbrook Addition and followed through last spring by committing $1.7 million to the project with the goal of attracting developers. It worked. On Monday, council members sold the 22 lots to the mother-and-son duo Jennifer Chester and Blake Boone. The two plan to start construction in January 2024. When all is said and done, Iola will have at least 16 single-family homes and possibly another three larger homes or three duplexes. The new development is designated as Cedarbrook Third Addition. Time and again, [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for November 17, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-11-20T07:47:15-06:00November 20th, 2023|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

New Shawnee County park may be destination playground

info2023-11-18T09:55:22-06:00November 18th, 2023|

Plans for the anticipated Shawnee County family park — with its destination playground for older play, 16 pickleball courts and a shelter house — are moving along. The Family Park will be built at the corner of S.W. Urish Road and S.W. 21st Street between Midwest Aquatics Center and the Cypress Ridge Golf Course. Efforts to begin crafting the park began in late July 2020 after Shawnee County commissioners hosted the first public engagement phase for the planning of the park. Public feedback was requested in October 2020 for park’s potential concept. Source: CJonline

Kansas counties need state permission to raise sales taxes. Here’s why that could change.

info2023-11-18T09:13:01-06:00November 18th, 2023|

Kansas may make it easier for local governments to raise sales taxes. State lawmakers on a Special Tax Committee have recommended that the Legislature remove a required step for counties to get legislative permission before asking voters for a tax increase. "This was something that I've been looking at, actually since I was a county commissioner, realizing that the process is extremely cumbersome," said Rep. Adam Smith, R-Weskan and the committee chair. The committee was tasked with studying various tax issues, among which was simplifying the process for counties in particular to obtain sales tax authority. "Just judging from the general [...]