McPherson County Old Mill Museum receives Humanities Kansas grant

Humanities Kansas recently awarded $9,985 to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum in support of ‘Not the Same Old Grind: Mills & Milling in McPherson County’ a new permanent exhibit exploring the milling industry in the county from past to present. Lorna Nelson serves as project director. “We are excited to add a new permanent exhibit that showcases both artifacts and archival material to tell the evolving story of milling and its impact in our county,” she said. “In addition to explaining more of our county’s story, it will help visitors better understand the historic mill on site. We hope the new exhibit will provoke thoughts/conversation about change over time in our rural way of life, our industries, our food production, and even our food consumption.”
(Read more: McPherson Weekly News » Feed)

Ranson Financial2020-05-07T09:14:53-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for May 5, 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 Financial2020-05-06T09:15:39-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Look up this morning in the Wichita area! Team McConnell (McConnell Air Force Base) flyover to salute community and frontline COVID-19 responders

Look to the sky! Team McConnell is scheduled to perform a #AmericaStrong flyover on Wednesday between 10 and 11 a.m. Note: Times are subject to change. Social distancing should be practiced at all times.

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T09:12:25-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Health director says COVID-19 trends in JoCo encouraging, but neighboring communities seeing cases rise

In an update to the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Tuesday, Johnson County Health and Environment Director Sanmi Areola, PhD, said COVID-19 trends in Johnson County suggest spread of the virus is slowing here — but noted that cases are rising in neighboring communities. “Johnson County trends are encouraging,” Areola wrote. “However, while our numbers continue to trend in the right directions, those of our immediate neighbors are not.”
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T09:06:17-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Equal funding considered for counties and municipalities

House lawmakers are working on separate and equal federal aid packages for counties and municipalities at the same time that the National League of Cities has doubled its federal aid request to $500 billion over two years. NLC’s director of federal advocacy predicted Tuesday that some small rural communities may have to opt for dissolution because of their dire revenue shortfalls related to the pandemic. Some assistance could be on the way through a “municipality fund” that would designate 30% of the federal aid for municipalities with populations less than 50,000. House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., disclosed those plans in a “dear colleague” letter Monday. She said lawmakers are considering creating separate funds for direct aid to states, counties and municipal governments.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T08:57:10-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

These Johnson County cities vote to keep pools closed this summer because of COVID-19

Johnson County cities can open pools for the summer as early as May 18, according to Gov. Laura Kelly’s plan for reopening Kansas amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But some cities say they aren’t ready to dive into the deep end. On Monday night, both the Prairie Village and Roeland Park city councils decided to keep their cities’ public pools closed this summer. And on Wednesday, an Overland Park committee will consider whether the city should open any of its outdoor pools. Officials across Johnson County and the region are deciding whether it’s safe to open community centers and pools, many of which draw hundreds of visitors from across the region.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T08:57:25-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Chicago Fed’s Evans sees rates ‘low for quite a long time’

While it won’t be the eight years like the last time the Federal Reserve cut interest rates to the zero lower bound, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Charles Evans said he “doesn’t think there will be reason to raise rates anytime soon.” “We just came through a long expansion, although we are in a much different environment right now, I think interest rates will remain low for a quite a long time,” Evans said on a virtual conference call on Tuesday morning. He spoke mostly about the adverse effects of COVID-19 on the economy and presented a baseline case of what he envisions for the remainder of the year.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T08:57:47-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Cities Are Essential: New Campaign Calls for Immediate, Direct Funding to Support Local COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Today, the National League of Cities, the voice of the over 19,000 cities, towns and villages in the United States, launched a campaign to secure economic relief for the communities on the frontline of America’s response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The Cities Are Essential campaign calls for $500 billion in direct federal aid and economic relief from the COVID-19 pandemic over the next two years to support the communities who support America’s people. “Cities are essential – to the fabric of this nation, to the pandemic response effort, and to the 200 million residents we provide essential services for,” said Clarence Anthony, CEO and Executive Director, National League of Cities. “The federal government must act now. It’s been almost two months since the first bill providing Coronavirus relief was passed by Congress, and most communities haven’t received a cent in aid.”
(Read more: NLC)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T08:58:52-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Larned considering seasonal help for nuisance lawns

Revisiting a discussion about nuisance mowing violations that began last December, the Larned City Council Monday night considered the pros and cons of utilizing in-house staff over bidding and contracting for mowing the yards those who allow their grass and weeds to grow too tall. Of primary concern was the risk of liability and damage to equipment…. the city’s code enforcement officer… in 2019… surveyed 14 Kansas cities similar to Larned to find out how they handled and charged for mowing. She found an almost even split between those that contract and those who perform the work in-house. Some, like Hoisington, charged an hourly fee, and others, like Eureka, a flat rate. Larned is in line with the administrative fees charged, she determined. Smith compiled the data and recommended the city allow in-house mowing.
(Read more: Great Bend Tribune)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T09:14:23-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Wichita YMCA locations to reopen in phases beginning May 18

The Greater Wichita YMCA announced that reopening its facilities in phases begins in less than two weeks. While details are still being ironed out, phase one will begin on Monday, May 18 to coincide with Kansas Laura Kelly’s plan to reopen the state. Local YMCA branches closed on March 16 due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to the YMCA’s website, hours will be modified and each facility will comply with state and local guidelines. More details are expected on Monday, March 11.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T08:59:26-05:00May 6, 2020|News|