News – Page 973 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Lawrence City Commission to consider utility rate increases and weigh options to expand assistance programs

info2022-09-20T07:33:42-05:00September 20th, 2022|

Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will consider water, sewer, solid waste and stormwater rate increases, and assess possible ways to expand a program to help financially stressed residents pay their bills. ... Commissioners will discuss the options and obstacles attached to expanding its utility assistance program in light of probable utility rate increases. The city’s current “Low-Income Elderly Rate” program helps people ages 60 and older who are impoverished. To qualify, an older individual must make less than $14,168 from all income sources, or those with head-of-household status must have total household incomes of no more than $19,162, according to a [...]

New jobs come to Hesston

info2022-09-20T07:43:49-05:00September 19th, 2022|

Stanley Black & Decker, formerly Excel Industries, which manufactures Hustler-brand mowers sold nationwide, is expanding its workforce. The company aims to hire 70 employees over the next three months. Stanley Black & Decker, the world’s largest tools company and an outdoor equipment leader, is hiring employees at its Hesston plant to support its manufacturing of zero-turn radius mowers. Source: Salina Journal

Municipal Bond Trends for September 19, 2022

info2022-09-20T07:39:47-05:00September 19th, 2022|

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.

10-year Treasury yield jumps to 3.51%, the highest level since 2011

info2022-09-19T08:41:19-05:00September 19th, 2022|

Treasury yields ticked higher early Monday as traders anticipate the U.S. Federal Reserve's next moves in the face of persistently high inflation. The yield on the 2-year Treasury bond rose 7 basis points to trade at 3.93% at 6:41 a.m. ET, trading around levels not seen since 2007. The yield on the 10-year Treasury, meanwhile, gained nearly 5 basis points to 3.494%. ... The Fed's two-day meeting is due to begin Tuesday, with most market participants expecting another 75-basis-point hike by the central bank. Some analysts have, however, argued the Fed could increase interest rates by a full point, or 100 [...]

Recruiting ‘never really stops’ — Saline County schools seek backup school bus drivers

info2022-09-19T08:37:31-05:00September 19th, 2022|

School districts in Saline County share a similar message when it comes to recruiting bus drivers — as many as they can employ, there is always room for more. While there is not a dire need for school bus drivers right now in Saline County, local schools never really stop recruiting for drivers. Southeast of Saline Superintendent Roger Stumpf said he has become a driver himself, filling in any gaps that may arise in the district’s routes. Source: Salina Journal

KDHE Partnership Providing Free COVID-19 Tests for All Kansas Communities

info2022-09-19T00:18:47-05:00September 19th, 2022|

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, in partnership with The Rockefeller Foundation’s public charity, RF Catalytic Capital, and Project ACT, is now offering free at-home COVID-19 tests to households in all Kansas communities. All Kansas households can now visit AccessCovidTests.org and enter their zip code to place an order for 5 at-home COVID-19 test kits. Amazon will deliver the test kits directly to your house. Frequent testing is especially important for those with more exposure outside the home, such as kids in school or people who spend time in a group setting. By visiting AccessCovidTests.org, Kansans will be able enter their zip [...]

KDOT to Receive $39.5M Over 5 Years for EV Charging Infrastructure

info2022-09-19T00:17:50-05:00September 19th, 2022|

The Kansas Department of Transportation’s Charge Up Kansas NEVI Plan has been approved and is set to receive $39.5 million total over the next five years under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. The plan provides KDOT federal funds to help build a high-powered EV charging network across the state. Initial program funding will be matched with local funding to build direct current fast chargers (DCFC) along designated EV charging corridors. In Kansas, those corridors are I-70, I-35, I-135, I-335, U.S. 400 and U.S. 81 from I-70 north to the Nebraska state line (see map below). Once complete, this [...]

Why is Bourbon County Shrinking?

info2022-09-19T07:59:09-05:00September 19th, 2022|

...the most common question I get is, “Why are we shrinking?” Many people are quick the lay the blame on any number of local factors, but... ten primary reasons from my research over the years, which are listed below: 1. Rapid industrialization during and after WWII. 2. Change in tax policies to promote manufacturing. 3. Agricultural efficiencies and the drop of ag employment... Source: Fort Scott Biz

Downtown Wichita sculptures will receive a pop of color from local artist

info2022-09-19T00:08:43-05:00September 19th, 2022|

As many people flock to downtown Wichita for Open Streets ICT, there will be one event going on that will bring color to downtown long after this weekend. The sculptures in downtown Wichita will be receiving new decorations in the form of crocheted hats and even overalls. Tamara Gonzales posts many of her creations on her Instagram page @CrochetWithTamara. She also posted her idea to add overalls to the sculpture of the man reading there and that sparked her latest project. She took her idea to Wichita's Division of Arts and Cultural Services with a unanimous vote to allow the crochet [...]

Wichita pours millions of dollars into fixing Century II roof

info2022-09-19T08:02:20-05:00September 19th, 2022|

If you look at the skyline of Wichita, it's hard not to notice the round blue roof of Century II. However, in recent years that roof has fallen into disrepair. "We found flakes of the roof when we've been watering. So yes, the roof is deteriorating, the building looks rundown, it's decrepit," said Save Century II Chairperson Celeste Racette. The city is looking to fix that. On Tuesday the Wichita City Council will review a plan to spend just short of 10 million dollars on repairs to the historic building. Half of that will go to the roof. "Our goal is [...]