Seven hikes? Fast-rising wages could cause the Fed to raise interest rates even higher this year

Too much of a good thing, in the form of rapidly rising wages, is expected to push Federal Reserve interest rate hikes at an even faster pace. Average hourly earnings jumped 0.7% in January and are now running at a 5.7% pace over the past 12 months, according to Labor Department data released Friday. Excepting a two-month period during the early days of the pandemic, that is by a wide margin the fastest-ever move in data going back to March 2007. While that has come as welcome news to workers, it’s posed a further quandary for the Fed, which increasingly is being seen as falling behind in terms of policy and having to catch up to inflation that is running at its fastest pace in nearly 40 years.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2022-02-08T01:52:34-06:00February 8, 2022|News|

How Butler County was impacted by the early Feb. 2022 winter storm

The last few days have been cold and snowy in south-central Kansas and it has left a small impact on the communities. Schools, services, and businesses were closed, then the roadways have felt like an adventure. The good news is that the winter storm has passed and some good weather is on the way. We could return into the 40s and 50s, then have sunny conditions, but here is what the winter storm caused through Wednesday, Feb. 2 through Friday, Feb. 4.
Source: Andover American

Ranson Financial2022-02-08T01:47:45-06:00February 8, 2022|News|

The history behind the brick roads in Fort Scott

In 1952, Fort Scott was referred to as the city of brick streets because it had more brick streets per capita than any other city in the US. These bricks are a source of pride for the community, and they’re something people have been fighting to protect for decades. “We are a historic community, they provide an ambiance, a look that a lot of cities don’t have,” says Matthew Wells, Fort Scott City Commissioner, “We bill ourselves as historic Fort Scott, Kansas, and the brick streets only enhance that.” … Work on them began back in the 1880’s using a unique clay native to the area.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2022-02-08T06:49:11-06:00February 8, 2022|News|

Neighbors raise concern over Shawnee County sand extraction operation

A Topeka-based company will now be able to operate a sand dredging pit near a local township. On Monday, Shawnee County commissioners held a public hearing regarding plans for a sand extraction operation site in Tecumseh. At the meeting, people voiced their concerns over the proposed project that will allow sand extraction. … Those from the area expressed worry about potential air and noise pollution, road erosion, and traffic concerns. Following the public hearing, commissioners made a handful of amendments to the proposal, including updates to requested fencing and limiting hours of operation. Planning Department Director Randy Anderson noted if negative issues come to the commission through Public Works or the Township, an investigation will be done. That information will be brought to the commissioners for action.
Source: KSNT News

Ranson Financial2022-02-08T06:46:02-06:00February 8, 2022|News|

FedEx Ground distribution center comes to Pittsburg

FedEx is building a new distribution center in Pittsburg, Kansas. The City of Pittsburg and Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce made the announcement today. Officials expect the center to open this fall. Crews are building the 250,000 square-foot FedEx Ground facility next to Kansas Crossing Casino. The new distribution facility is slated to open in October of 2022. “The new FedEx Ground distribution center is a tremendous development for Pittsburg, the region and our state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I am so grateful for the collaboration between the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Department of Transportation in support of FedEx Ground’s fast-moving investment plans. Completion of the four-lane U.S. 69 highway expansion to Pittsburg was a critical part of this business investment and growth of our economic development capacity in Southeast Kansas and our state.”
Source: KOAMKOAM

Ranson Financial2022-02-08T01:33:55-06:00February 8, 2022|News|

Neosho County Community College receives grant from the USDA

The Neosho County Community College has received a $745,000 grant from the USDA. They were one of several agencies in Kansas to receive a grant, but they received the most money for their project, which is the new Mitchell Career and Technology Center. President Brian Inbody says it will open the door to several new opportunities. “It’ll bring up to eight new programs to the area, on day one it’ll have six programs located there, aerostructures, for building airplane parts, industrial maintenance technology for installing equipment in factories, welding, construction, electrical and HVAC.”
Source: KOAMKOAM

Ranson Financial2022-02-08T01:30:32-06:00February 8, 2022|News|

Sunflower Electric plans large solar project in Russell County

On Monday morning, Sunflower Electric Power Corporation filed an application for a solar project in Russell County. The Sunflower Electric Solar @ Russell project would be a 20-megawatt solar farm located on 240 acres three miles east of Russell in north-central Kansas. … The project would be Sunflower’s second solar development. The company already has the 20-MW Johnson Corner Solar Project in Stanton County in southwest Kansas. It has been in operation since April 2020. Sunflower says the Johnson Corner Solar Project is the largest operating solar facility in the state. The Russell project would match its size with approximately 75,000 solar panels on single-axis tracking.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-02-08T06:50:19-06:00February 8, 2022|News|

Kansas bill would allow firework sales year-round

Kansas lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow firework sales year-round, a move that could help small businesses and the state’s coffers collect more revenue. … Kyle Hamilton, an assistant revisor of statutes, said current law authorizes the State Fire Marshal to designate the annual firework season through rules and regulations. The existing season is June 27 and ends July 5. The bill “would override that current regulation,” Hamilton said. “The new language would define firework season for seasonal retailers as June 15 through July 6, and for annual retailers as Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.” … The bill also allows cities and counties to prohibit all fireworks sales. They also can establish a fireworks season different from the dates that would be codified in state statute.
Source: CJonline

Ranson Financial2022-02-07T07:35:24-06:00February 7, 2022|News|

Hutchinson’s Crisis Team is making a difference

Most people would do anything to avoid a crisis. Officer Trevor Nobbs runs toward them. Nobbs, 28, serves as the Hutchinson Police Department’s representative on a Crisis Response Team, responding to calls when officers believe a person is suffering from a mental health crisis. He works with Shanon Brandon of Mirror Inc., and Rebeca Sandoval, a private clinical social worker. While it has only been in operation for nine months, the team has had a measurable impact in Hutchinson and on the department, said Hutchinson Police Chief Jeff Hooper, who presented a report on the team’s first nine months of operation to the Hutchinson City Council last week.
Source: Hutch News

Ranson Financial2022-02-07T07:30:50-06:00February 7, 2022|News|

Saline County using technology to help track its snow-removal

After snow fell across much of the country this week, people were able to see if roads in Saline County were cleared by county crews before they ventured outdoors. In October of 2021, Saline County Road and Bridge installed technology that tracks the location of its snow-removal fleet. With the new technology comes the use of SnowPaths, a fleet-tracking tool that can be useful for residents hoping to know what the status of roads may be. “It allows for the citizens to see where our snowplows and motor graders have been during snow-removal events,” said Darren Fishel, the county road and bridge administrator. “That way, they can judge whether their road has been cleared or not.”
Source: Salina Journal

Ranson Financial2022-02-07T07:27:41-06:00February 7, 2022|News|