U.S. 10-year yield could spike ‘well above’ 2% in the next three months, strategist says

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield is likely to hit 2% by the end of the year but could spike “well above” that in the second quarter, according to ING senior rates strategist Antoine Bouvet. Bouvet told “Street Signs Europe” on Wednesday that the envisaged re-opening of the economy in the second quarter, when it’s hoped the vast majority of the U.S. population will be vaccinated against the coronavirus, will result in strong retail sales on the back of the U.S. government’s stimulus package. All these factors will “contribute and conspire towards optimism in the market and then towards that spike in U.S. Treasurys,” Bouvet said, expecting yields to reach a “minimum” of 2%.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2021-03-11T06:59:58-06:00March 10, 2021|News|

City Commission discusses future of housing in Emporia

The Emporia City Commission discussed updates to its Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) policy to address the housing shortage in Emporia during its study session Wednesday morning. Special Projects Coordinator Jim Witt explained that about 53% of local households could afford houses priced at $150,000 and that this data point would help guide the commission in moving forward with making decisions in regard to housing. However, he also said that the variability of housing prices would be important to consider as well. “That’s the second point, I think, to be made is that the rising costs of housing — affordable materials, etc. — is going to impact whatever we do,” Witt said.
Source: Emporia Gazette

Ranson Financial2021-03-11T07:00:20-06:00March 10, 2021|News|

Ellinwood City Council reviews February energy emergency

Meeting Tuesday, the Ellinwood City Council received updates from city staff regarding expected cost related to the energy crisis in mid-February caused by extreme cold weather. City Administrator Chris Komarek said there are still several unknown variables when it comes to expenses. “This is related to both the wholesale purchase of power and the usage within our own infrastructure,” said Komarek. “One of the main issues at hand will be the bills we will be sending to our citizens and businesses on April 1.” He added that, depending on what the increase might be, the city will need to decide on the type of adjustments to pay agreement policies and how long to offer extensions.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Ranson Financial2021-03-11T07:01:33-06:00March 10, 2021|News|

Lawrence bar owners, students excited for new COVID guidelines, loosened restrictions

More counties in Kansas are beginning to loosen their COVID-19 restrictions. Douglas County is the latest area to follow the trend. Under the new order, mass gatherings increase from 25 to 50 people and food and drink venues can return to normal business hours. Social distancing and masks are still required, and indoor capacity limits will remain at 50%.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-03-11T07:02:17-06:00March 10, 2021|News|

Mayetta votes in favor of sales tax increase

People in Mayetta voted in favor of a one-half percent sale tax increase in a special election Tuesday. The current sales tax will increase to 1.5% and will start April 1. This increase will help cover the cost of extending a city sewer line to the new Dollar General store. It’s currently under construction on Mayetta’s west city limits. Revenue from the sales tax will also be used for general street maintenance, sidewalk construction and repair.
Source: KSNT News

Ranson Financial2021-03-11T07:01:53-06:00March 10, 2021|News|

Lawrence City Commission votes to set 11 p.m. end time for meetings, approves other meeting rule changes

The Lawrence City Commission has voted to amend rules governing its meetings in an effort to improve their efficiency and prevent them from running late into the night. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the commission voted 3-0, with commissioners Stuart Boley and Jennifer Ananda absent, to adopt an amendment to the section of city code related to meetings of the governing body and a new resolution that lays out the commission’s meeting rules and procedures. The changes include the addition of an 11 p.m. end time, which can be overruled, where there was no end time before. Mayor Brad Finkeldei said that while he was not a big fan of how the 11 p.m. end time was set up, the changes had been the consensus of the commission and they were worth a try. Finkeldei said he thought some of the other changes approved, such as those made to how work sessions and the consent agenda work, would also help the commission’s meetings run more smoothly.
Source: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2021-03-10T07:39:18-06:00March 10, 2021|News|

Jetmore woman launches internet company to overcome the digital divide in her rural community

It started as a retirement idea in 2016 and has since made a significant difference in the community. Susan Nuss, a lifelong Jetmore resident, has created her own internet company, helping her town stay on the digital map. Nuss has nearly 30 years of experience in the internet world. Launching her own company to serve those she grew up knowing has been a dream of hers. She created Black Dragon Networks, LLC. Black Dragon Networks, LLC is a minority, woman-owned engineering company rooted in Hodgeman County. It specializes in bringing high-speed internet to rural, remote areas of the state. Many of the areas of focus are communities that have been overlooked by other carriers, leaving them with little to no service.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-03-10T07:19:25-06:00March 10, 2021|News|

Average price for a new home in Johnson County? $558,000 as property values rise

As buyers face a bidding war over Johnson County’s limited housing inventory, new homes are selling for $558,000 on average, according to a county appraiser report. Factor in existing homes as well, and the average sales price of a single-family home was $394,000 in 2020, the appraiser said. Last month alone, according to the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors, the average sales price soared to more than $411,000. “This year, we just don’t have the inventory,” said Marti Lilja, a real estate agent with Keller Williams, adding that the pandemic delayed a lot of construction. “We’re so behind. There are so many buyers who still need houses, it’s going to take a while before everything gets caught up.”
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2021-03-10T07:18:12-06:00March 10, 2021|News|

Ark City students headed back to school five days a week

Students in the Arkansas City public school district will return to classrooms five days a week starting with elementary grades March 22. The USD 470 school board made the decision Monday night. Middle and high school students will start the full in-person schedule April 6. The students currently are going to schools four days a week with Wednesday a remote learning day.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Ranson Financial2021-03-10T07:17:26-06:00March 10, 2021|News|

Reno County leaves mask order in place three more weeks

The Reno County Commission will leave in place the governor’s mask mandate for the county until at least March 30, when the board will take it up for discussion once again. Local health officials asked the commission on Tuesday to leave the order in place at least for another month, to allow more employees in high contract critical jobs to be vaccinated against the virus.
Source: Hutch News.

Ranson Financial2021-03-10T07:16:39-06:00March 10, 2021|News|