News – Page 618 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Halstead’s hidden treasure in post office

info2023-11-01T10:23:42-05:00November 1st, 2023|

When walking into Halstead’s post office, most people don’t take a second glance at the mural above the postmaster’s door or know about the Kansas history that it holds and others just like it across the state. Kansas artist Birger Sandzén was 70 years old when he arrived in Halstead to paint a mural that was a part of a New Deal-era program in 1941. The river scene he painted, called “Where Kit Carson Camped,” depicts the scenic location near Halstead where a powwow took place between frontiersman Kit Carson and Native American Chief Black Kettle. Sarah Green, co-director of the Kansas Sampler [...]

Sedgwick schools receive state recognition

info2023-11-01T10:21:55-05:00November 1st, 2023|

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and the Kansas State Board of Education recently notified Sedgwick Public Schools of USD-439 for achieving recognition in the 2023 Kansans Can Star Recognition Program. The KSDE and the state board presented Sedgwick Public Schools with the following recognition for 2023: Academically Prepared for Postsecondary: Copper; Graduation: Silver; Postsecondary Effectiveness: Copper. “We recognize the exceptional work your district is doing to reach the state’s vision for education—Kansas leads the world in the success of each student,” the organizations wrote in a letter to the district. “The Kansans Can Star Recognition Program recognizes district success in the [...]

Finney County Historical Society celebrating 75 years

info2023-11-01T10:53:53-05:00November 1st, 2023|

The Finney County Historical Society is celebrating its 75th anniversary on Thursday. The anniversary reception is being held in conjunction with the Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Finney County Historical Museum. Admission is free, and attendees should use the museum’s north entrance. Steve Quakenbush, Executive Director of the Finney County Historical Society and Museum, said the Historical Society was first established on Jan. 31, 1948. The organization’s first meeting and founding was held in the Finney County Courthouse. Quakenbush said he would love to know what the founders thoughts on the Historical Society turning 75. Source: Garden [...]

Markets are on board with the Fed’s ‘higher for longer’ policy, CNBC survey shows

info2023-11-01T10:55:07-05:00November 1st, 2023|

While respondents to the CNBC Fed Survey expect no additional rate hikes from the Federal Reserve, they have fully embraced its "higher-for-longer" mantra to the point where no rate cuts are expected until the third quarter of 2024. The 31 respondents, including economists, strategists, and analysts, believe the Fed is now on hold into September of next year, when 57% expect a rate cut. As recently as the summer, respondents had forecast rate cuts in the beginning of next year. ... The change can also be seen in the outlook for the fed funds rate, the central bank's benchmark for short-term [...]

Harvey County commissioners hear reasoning for recommended renewable energy ban

info2023-11-01T10:55:51-05:00November 1st, 2023|

After years of discussion and research, a decision will be made at the next Harvey County Commission meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14, regarding renewable energy regulations in Harvey County. Karen Rothe, director of planning and zoning, presented the Harvey County Planning Commission’s recommended changes to the Commercial Renewable Energy Project Regulations. As expected, Rothe told commissioners that the recommendation by the planning commission is to ban commercial-grade wind and solar energy. The planning commission passed the regulations unanimously. She said the reason for regulations is so people can understand what the county’s expectations are on their projects, what they want to be identified when [...]

Girard, school district OK partnership

info2023-11-01T09:59:00-05:00November 1st, 2023|

Following last week’s Girard City Council meeting, the local council and Girard USD 248 announced a partnership that will soon allow residents to use one of the school’s facilities. USD 248 superintendent Todd Ferguson took the podium during the meeting, discussing partnership options between the city and school district regarding the use of the school’s Activity Center, located at 150 Apico Way on the north side of the building. “I believe you guys are probably relatively in the loop on this, but I just wanted to make sure that we’re comfortable with this moving forward,” he said. “As you may or [...]

Politicians mark start of $532 million project to replace Leavenworth’s 126-year-old penitentiary

info2023-11-01T10:56:46-05:00November 1st, 2023|

Heavy construction machinery did the real work in advance of Monday’s groundbreaking for a $532 million Leavenworth federal prison and satellite prison camp to replace an antiquated structure constructed in 1897 that served as the nation’s first maximum-security prison. After the speeches and applause, a gaggle of local, state and federal politicians and Federal Bureau of Prisons officials dutifully grabbed ceremonial shovels and gouged the frigid dirt at their feet to celebrate a step forward for public safety. The imposing stone facade of the U.S. Penitentiary known as “Big Top” remained solid, but the federal prison’s electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air [...]

Kansas and Wichita homestead refunds are ‘here for us to take advantage of’

info2023-11-01T10:57:30-05:00November 1st, 2023|

Property tax refund options for older homeowners are growing thanks to new state and local programs. But homeowners must know about the programs and fill out the correct paperwork to take advantage of them. This year marked the rollout of Kansas’ property tax “freeze’’ for qualifying homeowners. Called the Seniors or Disabled Veterans Refund (SVR), it is designed to keep an eligible homeowner’s taxes from increasing year to year. Over 10,000 claims for this refund have been filed across the state in 2023, according to the Kansas Department of Revenue. The popularity of the SVR tax refund program will spread in [...]

Horton mural honors the lives of veterans

info2023-11-01T09:36:19-05:00November 1st, 2023|

A new mural in Horton is doing more than just beautifying what once was just a brick wall. It's honoring the lives of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. "We've had the dream for a number of years," Reinvent Horton President Connie Werner said. "We got a hold of the artist that did this mural and then told them about the stories of the gentlemen that lost their lives and the history of our armory here and a number of different historical things." So they got to work. In under two weeks, Chase Hunter along with other artists with [...]

Truckload of Bottled Water helps Caney Valley School District midst water shortage

info2023-11-01T09:34:33-05:00November 1st, 2023|

Caney Valley School District in Kansas is proactively addressing the ongoing water shortage by implementing innovative measures. School Superintendent Blake Vargas recently discussed the district's approach, which includes temporarily closing school on specific days while ensuring compliance with the required number of school days for the year. Vargas explained the rationale behind the decision, stating, "The determination was made. It's a variety of days. The majority are on Mondays; we do have a couple of Fridays. But up to our Thanksgiving and Christmas break, we will be off. Essentially, what we've done is by eliminating those days, we know that we [...]