B-29 bomber ‘Doc’ returns to Great Bend

The Great Bend Municipal Airport will host the World War II B-29 superfortress “Doc” for ride flights on Saturday, Oct. 24, Airport Manager Martin Miller announced Friday. The plane, based in Wichita, has scheduled two rides for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., before flying to Olathe that afternoon. Each flight offers nine seats, positioned at different locations on the aircraft, Miller said. Tickets are now available for purchase ranging in price from $600-1,500 at www.etix.com/ticket/o/5476/docs-friends. Great Bend Municipal Airport, formerly Great Bend Army Airfield, was built in 1943 and dedicated to aircrew and maintenance training on the brand new B-29 bomber.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Ranson Financial2020-10-12T08:46:47-05:00October 12, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for October 8, 2020

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 Financial2020-10-09T08:17:51-05:00October 9, 2020|News|

Small-town bike shop serves large area

Not many people who pull into the north-central Kansas town of Osborne, population 1,291 (as estimated in 2018), will expect to find a working bicycle shop. After all, many larger Kansas communities can’t claim a bicycle shop. “I’ve had it happen a dozen times. People will stick their head in the door, with a little trepidation, and then notice the tools, smell the oil, before they finally exclaim, ‘This is a bike shop,’ ” said John McClure, proprietor and mechanic at Blue Hills Bikes.
Source: Leavenworth Times

Ranson Financial2020-10-09T08:16:35-05:00October 9, 2020|News|

Wichita’s high-end homes are selling faster than they have in a decade

The most expensive homes in the Wichita area are selling fast and the number of them available has fallen to levels not seen since before the Great Recession, according to a real estate analyst at Wichita State University. Stan Longhofer, director of WSU’s Center for Real Estate, said the demand for homes that cost more than $500,000 and a limited supply of them were standouts of the 2021 Kansas Housing Markets Forecast, an annual report released this week. The change comes despite a pandemic and global recession that hasn’t yet negatively impacted home sales but could catch up in the next couple of years, Longhofer said. For now, the housing market is booming, often causing “bidding wars.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2020-10-09T08:15:19-05:00October 9, 2020|News|

Liquor-by-the-drink? Question will come up during the Nov. 3 general election season

Voters throughout Johnson County will consider a liquor-by-the-drink question during the Nov. 3 general election season, while Leawood and Roeland Park are asking residents to approve sales taxes. If approved, the liquor amendment will allow individual drinks to be sold without requiring establishments to serve food as well. Current law, described as archaic by its detractors, requires that food account for 30% of the gross receipts of a business if it is to sell liquor by the drink.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2020-10-09T08:14:53-05:00October 9, 2020|News|

Casino begins construction near Park City

Crosswinds Casino near Park City is breaking ground. After more than 30 years of having the ten acres of land, Wyandotte Nation has had a goal to build a casino and it’s now underway. “We’re exercising our right to game on our property there,” said Wyandotte Nation Chief Billy Friend. Wyandotte Nation Chief said it’s been a long time coming.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2020-10-09T08:14:33-05:00October 9, 2020|News|

Western Kansas counties running out of water – conservationists look to recharge the aquifer

It’s a multi-million dollar project aimed at restoring the aquifer and preserving the future of communities experiencing a decline in groundwater…. Phase VI continues the effective Kansas Playa Initiative and is now enmeshing Playa Lakes Joint Venture’s “Municipal Water” campaign which aims to help recharge areas of western Kansas being impacted by a rapidly depleted water source. … The current focus area is in Greeley and Wichita counties, parts of the state in a severe drought. “Water is the driving force of the economy here in southwest Kansas,” said Bill Simshauser, Farmer and Kansas Association of Conservation Districts Board Member. It is estimated that the two counties combined have nearly 5,000 playas. But experts say within the next 50 years, the area won’t have enough water to sustain the cities of Leoti and Tribune. “Wichita and Greeley county are running out of water,” said Simshauser.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2020-10-09T08:16:44-05:00October 9, 2020|News|

Kansas to increase wastewater testing for covid-19

The state is expanding its testing of wastewater to predict the coronavirus. The testing helps show where the virus is commonly found and how it spreads across the state. KDHE plans to expand water testing to 95 rural counties and Johnson and Wyandotte County to help predict the next spike in coronavirus cases. According to the state’s top doctor, the testing can help identify the virus up to a week before it shows in the case numbers.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2020-10-09T08:01:56-05:00October 9, 2020|News|

Derby’s next plan for the future puts deeper emphasis on mixed-used development, walkability

A 40-year comprehensive plan being developed by Derby city leaders takes input from residents gathered through community events and online engagement. It’s a roadmap designed to help guide city decisions and policy, as well as a helpful tool for developers to find inspiration for growth. It replaces the last one adopted in 2006. “There’s been a lot learned and a lot done in communities all over the country and really all over the world that we’re learning from people’s mistakes, capturing the best practices and trying to accomplish that here in Derby,” city planner Scott Knebel said.
Source: Wichita Business Journal

Ranson Financial2020-10-09T08:00:45-05:00October 9, 2020|News|

Gardner city council discusses, amends social media policy

Gardner’s social media policy was amended by the council at their Oct. 5 council meeting. The changes to the policy give the city administrator and public information officer more authority to oversee social media for boards, commissions, committees, the city Council and mayor. … Amended language to the policy includes allowing the city administrator or public information officer to contact an elected or appointed official requesting they stop commenting on a particular issue.
Source: Gardner News

Ranson Financial2020-10-09T08:00:02-05:00October 9, 2020|News|