Marysville poverty simulation for educators described as ‘eye-opening’

About 12 percent of Marshall County’s children live at or below the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that means an income of $27,750. About 2 percent of children here live in extreme poverty, far below the federal level. Marysville school district’s teachers and other staff spent a morning learning a little about what that’s like recently during a poverty simulation conducted at a workshop in the Marysville Junior High gym. The educators, who took on the roles of young mothers, elder grandparents, teen-aged fathers, and other caregivers, spent a few hours trying to figure it all out and finding a way to get by. Those interviewed afterward found the experience helpful.
Source: The Marysville Advocate

Ranson Financial2022-04-07T07:06:37-05:00April 7, 2022|News|

EDGE grants spur $29,000 in beautification projects

ElevateEdgerton!’s new EDGE Grant program has exceeded expectations. Within just three weeks of launching the new Residential and Commercial Beautification program, ElevateEdgerton! has awarded all $5,000 set aside for 2022. Property owners applied for a wide variety of property façade improvements, totalling $29,000 in total project costs. “ElevateEdgerton! is extremely honored to be able to invest back into the community and help residents fund these type of improvement projects. Sometimes just a little extra bit of help can be the deciding factor and we are humbled with the interest we had in this program,” said James Oltman, ElevateEdgerton! president.
Source: Gardner News

Ranson Financial2022-04-07T01:31:56-05:00April 7, 2022|News|

Municipal bonds yields climb double-digits

Municipals sold off Wednesday, with triple-A benchmarks being cut up to 12 basis points across the curve, while U.S. Treasuries strengthened on the front end but the long-bond hit year highs and equities ended in the red. The Federal Open Market Committee meeting minutes show “the doves have left the building,” said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA, after the FOMC announced it expects a $95 billion per month balance sheet reduction, with analysts forecasting announcement and reduction beginning in May. “The Fed is worried about inflation spreading and that suggests they will remain aggressive a while longer even when growth concerns start to emerge later in the year.”
Source: The Bond Buyer

Ranson Financial2022-04-07T07:07:30-05:00April 7, 2022|News|

Wind energy discussions continue in Brown County

Discussions on wind energy are heating up at the county level. The Brown County Commissioners have spent some time in discussions about the possibility of wind energy farms that could come into the county. While Commissioner Bill Pollock has made it clear he is against any wind energy farms coming into the county, Commissioners Lamar Shoemaker and Richard Lehmkuhl are interesting in hearing from county residents. Several years ago there was a town hall meeting about proposed wind energy in the large courtroom at the courthouse, and the commissioners have discussed holding something similar again as the topic continues to arise.
Source: County Government | hiawathaworldonline.com

Ranson Financial2022-04-07T07:08:03-05:00April 7, 2022|News|

Kingsley is Harvey County’s new finance director

New Harvey County Finance Director Shannon Kingsley returned to her old stomping grounds. The Newton resident said she left her job as an internal financial auditor for Sedgwick County because she loved the community where she lives. She last worked for Harvey County in 2005 as the planning and zoning director. “I had some good experiences in the past and I am excited about the opportunity to come back here,” she said. Kingsley said she left in 2005 because the planning and zoning director position was part-time and she wanted to pursue a job that was more in alignment with her education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from Wichita State University. She said her job for Sedgwick County was more finance-centric, based on Sedgwick’s sheer size.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2022-04-07T07:08:18-05:00April 7, 2022|News|

Evacuations in Butler County after wildfire erupts near El Dorado airport

An active wildfire forced evacuations near the El Dorado airport Wednesday afternoon, a Butler County dispatch supervisor says. The fire started in the area between SW 30th and Highway 77, about one mile west of the airport. It is mostly contained, but still has some spots burning, according to the supervisor. Evacuations started around 2:30 p.m. near SE 30th and Turkey Creek. No injuries or damage to structures have been reported, dispatch says.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-04-07T07:08:30-05:00April 6, 2022|News|

Wellington City Manager Shane Shields announces his retirement in August

The Wellington City Council met on Tuesday to implement the new RHID program and approve board and commission appointments. But the meeting’s biggest development was an important announcement from a longtime civil servant. Wellington City Manager Shane Shields announced his retirement after 42 years of civil service, 20 of which with Wellington. Shields has been the city manager since 2016. Shields started with the police department for eight years before moving on to City administration as a City Clerk and Finance Director in 2010. He ascended to his current position in 2016, where he’s effectively served the community since. Previously, he was the Sumner County Clerk. His retirement will go into effect on August 1, after which he plans to spend some time with his family.
Source: Sumner NewsCow

Ranson Financial2022-04-07T07:09:35-05:00April 6, 2022|News|

Christian Braun’s rise to championship with Jayhawks rooted in small-town Kansas

Long before he ever won a national championship, before the growth spurt to become a 6-foot-7 NBA prospect, before the obscenity-laced celebrations, Christian Braun was just a scrawny hooper from Burlington, Kansas. If you’re wondering about the source of the fiery passion that Braun used to spark Kansas and help the Jayhawks overcome the largest deficit in NCAA men’s title game history for a 72-69 win over North Carolina at the Superdome on Monday, look no further than his hometown. The decision by Braun to continue listing Burlington as his hometown instead of Overland Park, where the family moved for his freshman year of high school, has been a curious one to those close to him.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-04-07T07:12:00-05:00April 6, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for April 5, 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 Financial2022-04-06T07:15:16-05:00April 6, 2022|News|

Fed’s Mary Daly says high inflation ‘is as harmful as not having a job,’ pledges rate hikes ahead

San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly is worried about inflation, telling an audience Tuesday that the high cost of living is causing a heavy burden on society. “I understand that inflation is as harmful as not having a job,” she said during a session presented by the Native American Finance Officers Association. “That if you have a job and you can’t pay your bills, or I feel like I can’t save for what I need to do, then that’s keeping you up at night,” Daly said. “And our goal is to make sure that people don’t stay up worrying about whether their dollar today will be the same and worth a dollar tomorrow.” Daly spoke with the Fed embarking on a policy tightening phase that will include higher interest rates and a reduction in the amount of bonds the central bank is holding. Fed officials hope that reversing the ultra-easy policies they put into place during the pandemic will help get inflation closer to their 2% longer-run goal.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2022-04-06T00:42:24-05:00April 6, 2022|News|