Rebuilding Andover: How supply chain issues may disrupt tornado recovery

Aside from a handful of places along one section of U.S. 54, the majority of Andover’s business community was safe from the tornado’s destructive path on April 29. “It’s been a whirlwind, a lot of emotional ups and down, let me tell you,” said Andover Area Chamber of Commerce president Becky Wolfe. “You hear stories and then you’re so thankful nobody got hurt — seriously hurt — and the outcome could have been a lot worse. So we’ve been very, very, very fortunate.”
Source: Wichita Business Journal

Ranson Financial2022-05-04T03:45:59-05:00May 4, 2022|News|

Breastfeeding bench placed in City of Burden park

The City of Burden park has a new feature – a bench that will help families, specifically breastfeeding moms. In 2018, the Breastfeeding Advocates of Cowley County (BACC) received a grant from the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition for the design, construction, and installation of a breastfeeding bench. The goal of this project is to provide a safe, comfortable and sheltered area to breastfeed and change a diaper. … The breastfeeding bench was constructed by Central of Burden High School Shop class. The bench features a shaded canopy and was installed near the playground equipment. This location helps caregivers sit and feed children without having to leave the park.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Ranson Financial2022-05-03T07:26:23-05:00May 3, 2022|News|

15 years after the deadly tornado in Greensburg, what remains vital is community

It’s spring, so residents of Greensburg are getting a little on edge. “You’re so excited for spring, the flowers and gardens,” said Greensburg resident Erica Goodman, owner of Where’Dya Find That Antiques on South Main Street. “Yet storms come with it.” Goodman’s home and business were among the hundreds destroyed 15 years ago Wednesday as a 1.7-mile wide wedge tornado tore through town. The devastating EF5 twister hit the south-central Kansas town at about 9:45 on a Friday night, killing 11 people, injuring 63 and destroying more than 90% of its structures. While residents have no formal plans to mark the anniversary on May 4, they can’t help but remember, several said, as also try to continue to build on the new Greensburg that has risen from it.
Source: Hutch News

Ranson Financial2022-05-03T07:23:18-05:00May 3, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for May 2, 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.

Ranson Financial2022-05-03T07:17:35-05:00May 3, 2022|News|

Fears of a Fed mistake grow as this week’s anticipated interest rate hike looms

The Federal Reserve is tasked with slowing the U.S. economy enough to control inflation but not so much that it tips into recession. Financial markets expect the central bank on Wednesday to announce a half-percentage point increase in the Fed’s benchmark interest rate. The fed funds rate controls the amount that banks charge each other for short-term borrowing but also serves as a signpost for many forms of consumer debt. Doubts are rising about whether it can pull it off, even among some former Fed officials. Wall Street saw another fierce sell-off Monday afternoon, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 down more than 1% after being positive earlier in the session.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2022-05-03T02:10:51-05:00May 3, 2022|News|

Lt. Governor Toland Announces Applications Open for Rural Mural and Public Art Program

Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland announced that grant applications are open for the Rural Mural and Public Art program. The Kansas Department of Commerce will provide matching funds for communities to create new murals and public art projects that will engage community residents and create a place for the community to gather and enjoy. “Public art is an important component in the health and vibrancy of communities across our state,” said Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland. “The Rural Mural and Public Art program will create new destinations that tell the story of a community and inspire pride in residents and visitors to Kansas. All of this enhances quality of life and fuels new growth statewide.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2022-05-03T07:14:34-05:00May 3, 2022|News|

10-Year Treasury Yield Hits 3% for First Time Since 2018

The worst bond rout in decades hit a new milestone Monday with the yield on the 10-year Treasury reaching 3% for the first time since late 2018. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which rises when bond prices fall, crossed the 3% level ahead of this week’s Federal Reserve meeting, recently trading at 3.002%, according to Tradeweb. A reference for borrowing costs on everything from mortgages to student loans, the yield last closed above 3% in November 2018 and has jumped from 1.496% at the end of last year.
Source: WSJ.com: Markets

Ranson Financial2022-05-03T07:15:01-05:00May 3, 2022|News|

Olathe may annex nearly 175 acres for Garmin’s expansion

Olathe-based Garmin Ltd., the maker of GPS and electronic devices, could continue to deepen its footprint in the city at the southwest quadrant of 151st Street and Lone Elm Road. On Tuesday evening, the City Council will review the annexation request of Garmin (Nasdaq: GRMN) subsidiary Garmin Realty LLC for 174.64 acres for future development. The company acquired the three Olathe land parcels from Brunker Farms in November. The site sits just west of Olathe Medical Center and catty-corner from the former Great Mall of the Great Plains property.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal

Ranson Financial2022-05-03T07:15:16-05:00May 3, 2022|News|

Andover is opening an extra storm shelter for residents Monday

The city of Andover is opening its storm shelter at City Hall for residents who need a place to hunker down if weather gets severe. Public shelters at the concession stand restrooms at the 13th Street Ball Diamonds and at the restrooms in Central Park are also open, the city said in a Monday email and Facebook post. The announcement comes in the wake of an EF-3 tornado that tore through the town on Friday, damaging hundreds of homes and buildings. Officials have said the twister cut a more than 12-mile path, starting in rural southeastern Sedgwick County and traveling through Andover, for the roughly 21 minutes it was on the ground.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-05-03T07:15:35-05:00May 3, 2022|News|

Mission mourns loss of former city councilmember Suzie Gibbs, a ‘one of a kind’ civic leader

The Mission community is mourning the loss of Suzie Gibbs, a beloved and active leader this week. Gibbs served more than two dozen years on the Mission City Council, volunteered countless hours of her time to various charities and managed her own small business, died Tuesday, April 26. A resident of Mission since 1967 (except for a brief stint in retirement at the Lake of the Ozarks), Suzanne Greenlee Barnhart Gibbs, was born Feb. 22, 1935. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Scott Barnhart, and is survived by her husband, Jack Gibbs, and his granddaughter, Kelsey Gibbs, among other close family members.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2022-05-03T02:02:09-05:00May 3, 2022|News|