Liquor stores continue to deal with supply chain problems

Alcohol sales have gone up drastically since the beginning of the pandemic, and while that demand hasn’t gone down, supply chain issues continue to be a problem for many liquor stores. Stores say the supply chain issues hit nearly every level of the business, from certain brands or types of liquor being available to even issues down the chain like glassmaking for bottles. Central Wine & Spirits Owner, Jeff Grantham explained, “I mean it’s glass, its cans, I’ve heard all of all kinds of shortages. Anheuser-Busch, Michelob Ultra, they’re out of 20 packs, like bottles, 12 oz bottles.”
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-11-18T07:13:38-06:00November 18, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for November 17, 2021

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 Financial2021-11-18T07:03:45-06:00November 18, 2021|News|

Reopening hospital in Fort Scott a possibility

Bringing a hospital back to Bourbon County will be a long process, but the chief executive officer of the company contracted to conduct a feasibility study said Tuesday they are ready to move forward with the idea. Fort Scott city and Bourbon County officials met with officials from Noble Health of Kansas City, Mo., to get a glimpse of the feasibility study data. The county contracted with Noble Health to conduct a study to determine if opening a hospital in Bourbon County is feasible.
Source: Fort Scott Tribune

Ranson Financial2021-11-18T00:03:51-06:00November 18, 2021|News|

Harvey County to revamp travel policy due to violations

Harvey County Finance Director Dan Bronson told the Board of Harvey County Commissioners on Tuesday that he was looking at making major revisions to the county’s travel policy due to an increase in the number of violations in recent weeks. Bronson said the violations came from employees surpassing the limit for meals. He said more employees had been traveling for training since the COVID-19 pandemic was subsiding. About 10 violations were red-flagged in the past week by County Clerk Rick Piepho. Bronson said the violations were an efficiency issue. When an employee spends $30 on a meal, he said someone had to track down that employee for $5.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2021-11-18T07:04:36-06:00November 18, 2021|News|

Newton recycling program in jeopardy

The future of recycling in Newton is unknown, but expect it to be an item of debate in the coming months. The use of the program has decreased. And, recycling tipping fees that the city will have to pay are expected to increase. “I don’t know where we’re going to land with it, but we will have to have a discussion on recycling in 2022 and if we’re going to continue,” Newton City Engineer Suzanne Loomis said. At the start of 2020, the city moved to an optional recycling program, thanks to Waste Connections penalizing cities if they didn’t have a cleaner recycling stream in its negotiated contract with the county. The city had residents sign up for the program in hopes there would be fewer violations.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2021-11-18T06:57:45-06:00November 18, 2021|News|

Money available for Amtrak expansion. Now what?

The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has become law. It contains money for long-distance Amtrak routes. Amtrak has plans to connect Oklahoma City to Wichita and Newton, making Newton a hub between the proposed route and the Southwest Chief. The expansion has long been discussed as a goal for the state, Amtrak and locally in Newton. “The good news is there are now funded programs (to pay) for it,” Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari said of the line expansion. But, as the dust settles and more information becomes available, it appears there’s more work to be done before work on the route begins.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2021-11-17T23:59:05-06:00November 17, 2021|News|

Kansas casino early partnership with ‘DraftKings’ in anticipation of legalization of sports gambling

Early Tuesday, the Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Dodge City pushed forward with their partnership with a mobile sports gambling company. All of this before lawmakers have even signed the dotted line on any regulations to legalize sports betting in Kansas. While it’s still illegal here in Kansas, the ability to bet on your favorite live sports might soon be a reality. Which Kansans like Kyle Ricklefs say could be a game changer. “I think it would be awesome. I think it’d be really good for the economy, it’d be something fun for people to do,” said Ricklefs.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-11-17T23:55:22-06:00November 17, 2021|News|

Will the infrastructure bill lead to Amtrak in Wichita?

Rail service returning to Wichita is now a possibility since President Biden signed the massive infrastructure bill. Leaders in Kansas are hoping it will happen, as the state will get 272 million dollars for public transportation. Chairman Chip Westfell, of the Harvey County Commission, said the signing of the bill has greatly improved the possible extension of the Heartland Flyer from Fort Worth, Tex. to Newton, Kan. He said it is not a done deal yet. “I was excited, enthused for all the rail fans. But, I am enthused for Kansas, enthused for everyone on the route,” said Commissioner Westfall. Sedgwick County Commissioner Pete Meitzner is also enthused. “We are hoping in working with amtrak and the federal rail administration FRA to see what it is going to take to make sure we are in that first group of construction projects,” said Commissioner Meitzner.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-11-17T23:51:59-06:00November 17, 2021|News|

‘Artie has left the building’

It would likely be hard to find a Paola resident who didn’t recognize the name and face of Paola Mayor Artie Stuteville. After all, she’s lived in the community since 1969. She’s served on the Planning Commission and City Council before becoming mayor in 2005. She’s owned a local laundromat and taxi service for more than 40 years. And she’s also hard to miss thanks to being blessed with a lot of height. But after 28 years of public service, Stuteville decided not to run for reelection in November, and she is passing the leadership torch to Paola City Council member Leigh House. House ran unopposed and won the Paola mayoral position with 555 votes in the Nov. 2 election.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com

Ranson Financial2021-11-17T23:49:33-06:00November 17, 2021|News|

All Kansas adults can now get COVID booster shots

All fully vaccinated Kansans over the age of 18 are now eligible for COVID-19 booster shots, state health officials announced Wednesday. Before, Kansas followed federal guidelines, that booster shots should be available only to people over 65, with underlying health conditions or at risk because of their jobs or living conditions. But like governors in several other states, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said she didn’t want to wait.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2021-11-18T07:00:13-06:00November 17, 2021|News|