Spending federal COVID aid proves tricky in Kansas

Kansas is moving slowly to spend the latest round of COVID-19 aid, and one town turned down its share because city officials decided it’s not needed. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that while most state and local governments across the country saw the influx of money as an opportunity to shore up infrastructure, fight the COVID-19 pandemic and help local businesses, the 2,300-person town of Lakin turned down the $300,000 it was due to receive. City administrator Michael Heinitz said the local economy is humming and the town has ample reserves on hand to handle any new projects that might arise. “If somebody else needed the money, it could go to them instead of us,” Heinitz said.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-09-07T21:19:00-05:00September 7, 2021|News|

Uniontown commemorates 115 years of labor day celebrations

While some throughout the four states may choose to travel to other places this labor day, Uniontown is using the holiday to celebrate its history. “My great grandad, he was an old settler along with the other gentlemen, and I think they just wanted to have a get-together, you know they were farmers, they were working hard every day, and they just wanted to have a gathering in town, I would assume that’s the way it started.” said attendee Alan Drake. The town held its 150th annual Old Settlers Picnic. This year’s theme was hats off for hometown pride. On Monday, the old settler’s picnic wrapped up the labor day weekend with a parade. Highlighting area law enforcement, the local high school, as well as various businesses.
Source: KOAMKOAM

Ranson Financial2021-09-07T21:13:52-05:00September 7, 2021|News|

Communities receive grant to help residents enroll in health insurance

NEK-CAP, Inc. (Northeast Kansas Community Action Program) was recently selected as one of ten community organizations throughout Kansas to receive funding to assist individuals enroll in Marketplace insurance, Medicaid and CHIP. This was made possible through a federal grant Thrive Allen County received from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to help underserved populations find affordable health insurance coverage with the assistance of Navigators. The grant is expected to provide $2.9 million over a three-year period. Navigators are federally trained and certified individuals who help consumers find and apply for Marketplace health insurance. According to CMS, “Since 2013, Navigators have helped Americans understand their health insurance options and facilitated enrollment in health insurance through the Federally-facilitated Marketplace. As trusted community partners, their mission focuses on assisting the uninsured and other underserved communities. Navigators serve an important role in connecting communities that historically have experienced lower access to health coverage and greater disparities in health outcomes to health coverage.”
Source: The Sabetha Herald » Feed

Ranson Financial2021-09-07T21:12:27-05:00September 7, 2021|News|

Junction City Commission approves plan to give city employees a bonus

The Junction City Commission voted Tuesday evening to approve bonuses toward city employees. Full-time workers will receive $500 and part-time employees will get $250 each. This is a one-time bonus to show appreciation for their hard work during the pandemic, not tied to vaccination status. Money goes to any workers active on the city payroll at this time.
Source: KSNT News

Ranson Financial2021-09-07T21:01:56-05:00September 7, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for September 3, 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 Financial2021-09-07T07:36:35-05:00September 7, 2021|News|

Local market fighting to survive

If local buy-in to Moran’s Marmaton Market doesn’t pick up, the store will likely close within the next 30-60 days, predicts manager Marilyn Logan. “If just half the people in town would come in and spend $20 to $30 a week, that would make the difference in us being able to stay open,” she said Thursday. In business since 2018, the cooperative grocery store has failed to gain local traction. “There’s tremendous support from the surrounding areas. From Moran, not so much,” Logan said. “The owners of the diner in Kincaid and the Mildred Store are regular customers,” Logan said. “In fact, our most faithful clientele are those from Colony, Stark, Elsmore, Bronson and Uniontown.” Even so, it’s local customers who drop in multiple times a week that make or break a grocery store. That lack of repeat business is what is hurting the market, said Brenda Boyle, chairman of the Marmaton Market board of directors.
Source: The Iola Register

Ranson Financial2021-09-07T00:01:13-05:00September 7, 2021|News|

Little Balkans Days back in Pittsburg after hiatus

An annual tradition in Pittsburg is back to, hopefully, being annual again. “Little Balkans Days” is underway. For those who don’t know, the festival started in 1985 as a way to celebrate the area’s ethnic and immigrant history. It was canceled last year due to the pandemic, and organizers have worked diligently with the Crawford County Health Department to develop safety measures. Folks are encouraged to practice social distancing outside, and are required to wear masks during inside events.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-09-06T23:54:38-05:00September 6, 2021|News|

Stray bullets discharged in county can net fines

Gun owners and property owners will now be held responsible for discharging firearms in unincorporated Johnson County. The ordinance passed 7-0 at Johnson County Board of Commission’s Aug. 26 meeting. Fines will range from a minimum $500 to $1,000 per violation. Discharged bullets that leave the boundaries of their property and land on another property without consent or are discharged on a property without consent will be in violation, Peggy Trent, chief counsel and county legal advisor, said. Trent said the discharge of a firearm is allowed in lawful defense or by a law enforcement officer, however. Calvin Hayden, Johnson county sheriff, said he received 22 calls from 19 addresses between August 2 2019 and June 13 2021.
Source: Gardner News

Ranson Financial2021-09-06T23:52:27-05:00September 6, 2021|News|

First look inside Park City Amazon fulfillment center

We’re getting the first look inside Amazon’s new fulfillment center in Park City. The massive building is the size of 17 football fields. The 1.2 million square foot facility equates to about 10,000 storage units. The fulfillment center is wrapping up its third week of operation. Right now, there are 700 associates working inside the center. HR partner Cassondra Redmond says it’s bringing a lot of excitement to the community. “When I go to the grocery store, if I have on my Amazon t-shirt I get questions, customers asking, ‘Hey are you hiring ?’ So I think it’s impacting people. They’re excited we’re here and we are too,” Redmond said.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-09-06T23:49:44-05:00September 6, 2021|News|

Experts weigh in on Hillsdale Lake, Golden

County Commission Chair Rob Roberts summed up a three-hour session about the intermodal’s effect on the Hillsdale Watershed with one sentence. “So far, I haven’t heard anyone really tell me that a warehouse building [and its impervious surface] creates much more of a problem than the velocity from a momentary 2-inch, 5-inch rain,” Roberts said at the Wednesday, Aug. 25, study session. It’s a function of where that warehouse is and what it picks up as it washes stormwater runoff down to the reservoir, said Tom Stiles, director of the Bureau of Water at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). Stiles said KDHE does not regulate impervious surface.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com

Ranson Financial2021-09-06T23:45:18-05:00September 6, 2021|News|

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