City puts a stop to KCK homeowner’s Chiefs mural, ordering him to take it down

A bit of fun is turning into a bit of a fumble for a Kansas City, Kansas, homeowner after the city threw a penalty flag for the Chiefs mural painted on his house. “We don’t have any HOA here. We don’t have any restrictions that I know of. I just thought I’m going to paint my house, so let’s have some fun,” artist Chris Chancey said. But according to city code, that kind of artwork isn’t allowed in residential areas. Now Chancey has a deadline to take it down. “I told my wife I was going to be painting the house in the spring anyway, and she let me do this,” Chancey said.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

Ranson Financial2021-03-19T09:45:00-05:00March 19, 2021|News|

Conway Springs City Council appoints new city clerk

The City of Conway Springs has a new city clerk. Courtnie Louia has been named to fill the position that has been vacant since earlier this year. Louia was officially appointed as city clerk at last week’s meeting of the Conway Springs City Council. Louia, who lives in Viola and has a background in business management, takes over the position previously held by Aubrey Hill. Hill resigned to take a position in the private sector.
Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers

Ranson Financial2021-03-19T09:44:13-05:00March 19, 2021|News|

Wichita is expanding internet access program

The city of Wichita will be expanding a program that provides internet access for low-income neighborhoods. The city began providing hot spot devices through a pilot program in 2019, and each device provides wi-fi access for up to 15 devices within a home. When initial funding ran out, the city used federal block grant funding to continue the program. Megan Lovely with the Mayor’s Office said federal CARES Act funding is now being used to expand the program to more homes.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2021-03-19T09:43:42-05:00March 19, 2021|News|

Douglas County leaders to consider reducing use of chemical herbicides for weed control after environmental groups voice concerns

Following concerns from local environmental groups, county leaders are going to reconsider the county’s level of chemical herbicide use and discuss potential reductions. The Douglas County Commission was scheduled to approve the county’s annual Noxious Weed Management Plan as part of its consent agenda Wednesday, but members of local environmental groups voiced concerns. The county uses chemicals to control weeds in unincorporated areas, has agreements with some other entities for the same purpose, and sells chemicals to the public for weed control.
Source: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2021-03-19T09:00:46-05:00March 19, 2021|News|

Downtown Lawrence parking meter rates to increase, and new mobile app payment options to be available

Changes are coming next week to downtown metered parking, including increased parking rates and the option of making payments using a mobile app instead of coins. Downtown visitors will soon be able to choose between using the current coin-operated parking meters or new mobile payment options, according to a city news release. The changes coincide with an increase in parking rates. Meters will be updated to reflect the increased rates, and stickers will be added to meters listing mobile payment options throughout the week.
Source: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2021-03-19T09:00:05-05:00March 19, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for March 18, 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 Financial2021-03-19T08:57:44-05:00March 19, 2021|News|

Kansas Rural Opportunity Zone Program

Economic development in rural Kansas could soon be getting an upgrade. House Bill 2431 is being reviewed by the Kansas House of Representatives. If passed this would add more benefits to the rural opportunity zone program. The program was launched back in 2011 and was designed to incentivize people to move to more rural areas in Kansas. … Right now the program offers up to $15,000 in student loan assistance and tax waivers. If passed, this would also include assistance in making down payments.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-03-19T09:49:24-05:00March 19, 2021|News|

10-year Treasury yield surges to 14-month high of 1.74%, 30-year rate tops 2.5%

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield hit 1.74% on Thursday morning, despite reassurance from the Federal Reserve that it had no plans to hike interest rates anytime soon, nor taper its bond-buying program. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note had trimmed some gains to 1.722% by 5:15 a.m. ET. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was at 2.483%. Yields move inversely to prices. After the Fed’s two-day policy meeting concluded on Wednesday, the central bank said it sees stronger economic growth than previously estimated, forecasting gross domestic product to rise to 6.5% in 2021. This is up from the 4.2% GDP increase forecast in December. The Fed also expected core inflation to hit 2.2% this year, but a long-run expectation of it sticking around 2%.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2021-03-19T08:31:25-05:00March 18, 2021|News|

Kansas schools to receive $1 billion for COVID relief

With passage of the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan, Kansas public schools should receive approximately $1 billion to address COVID-19 related expenses, such as learning loss, according to a news release from the Kansas Association of School Boards. The new bill — called the American Rescue Act — nearly $123 billion to K-12 schools. President Joe Biden is scheduled to sign it into law last Friday. Kansas’ share of the legislation will be about $600 million. Combined with early coronavirus packages, Kansas will receive about $1 billion in federal assistance under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund (ESSR).
Source: Holton Recorder

Ranson Financial2021-03-19T08:32:16-05:00March 18, 2021|News|

State pumps in $300k to Moundridge company to expand internet access

A Moundridge company is getting $312,819 from the state of Kansas to expand broadband services. The state awarded Moundridge Communications Network a matching 50/50 grant to expand fiber internet service to the community of Elyria and a rural area near Hesston. The $625,000 project will provide internet service with up to one-gigabit download speeds to “108 households, 10 businesses, 11 community anchors and one educational institution,” according to the state release. In the rural Hesston area, the company will build out north of Dutch Ave. and east of I-135. “The areas around Hesston have Century Link and they have basically abandoned their customers,” Sommer Smith, Vice President of Moundridge Telephone Co., stated. “We get calls from people regularly asking if we can just come one mile and get them service.”
Source: McPherson Weekly News » Feed

Ranson Financial2021-03-19T08:32:40-05:00March 18, 2021|News|