The ‘Hamilton’ effect: How a Broadway play may influence debate over Wichita’s future

Inability to land “Hamilton” — the musical — has been cited for years as an example of why Wichita needs a new $187 million performing arts center to replace the blue-domed Century II building that has dominated Wichita’s skyline for the last 51 years.
It picked up steam in the past year while a coalition of city and county government, several quasi-public agencies and business groups composed the Riverfront Legacy Master Plan, a $1.2 billion plan to remake the east river bank between Douglas and Kellogg….
But the “we can’t get ‘Hamilton’” rationale dissolved this past week when the American Theatre Guild, the Kansas City group behind the Broadway in Wichita series, announced it would bring “Hamilton” to Wichita in its 2021-2022 series.
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-03-10T07:08:47-05:00March 9, 2020|News|

Overland Park Farmers’ Market will eliminate use of plastic bags this season

Shoppers at the Overland Park Farmers’ Market will be encouraged to bring their own bags and bottles as the market goes plastic bagless for the first time this spring, a possible first for markets in the area.
Kristina Stanley, city recreation supervisor, said the farmers are coming up with alternatives such as paper or compostable bags, but the ubiquitous plastic “thank you” bags will be a thing of the past on the market’s opening day, April 11.
…She said the city started letting vendors know in December 2017 that plastic was on the way out. The change is a challenge, she said, because the plastic is cheap and the norm for many sellers. But most are now on board and have found other ways to bag the produce, she said, adding the smaller things like berries and loose lettuce can still have plastic bagging as protection.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Ranson Financial2020-03-10T07:07:09-05:00March 9, 2020|News|

‘It’s eating up my income’: JoCo residents say property taxes could force them out

Carol Hein was looking forward to spending the rest of retirement in Roeland Park — in the house she has lived in for 38 years, surrounded by mature oak trees and well-maintained Cape Cod homes.
She doesn’t want to leave her two-bedroom ranch-style home, which is a lasting reminder of her late husband and the first years they lived together as newlyweds.
But now 74, Hein is questioning how long she can afford to live in Kansas’ wealthiest county, where home values continue to skyrocket — pushing up property taxes year after year.
(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Ranson Financial2020-03-10T07:09:14-05:00March 9, 2020|News|

Wichita mayor, council members attending Washington conference

Wichita mayor Brandon Whipple and city council members are in Washington, D.C. this week for an annual meeting of the National League of Cities.
Mayor Whipple said the Congressional City Conference will allow council members to meet with leaders from other cities and share ideas. They will also meet with members of the Kansas congressional delegation to talk about issues affecting Wichita. They’re expected to meet with Department of Transportation officials to talk about bringing Amtrak passenger rail service back to Wichita, and there will be discussions on housing and other issues.
(Read more: KFDI 101.3)

Ranson Financial2020-03-10T07:07:51-05:00March 9, 2020|News|

Riverfront Stadium is ’95% complete.’ Here are specifics of what to expect opening day

Walk around parts of Wichita’s newest, most prized possession and find unearthed dirt and rock.
Step inside and find one of the best minor league baseball stadiums in the country, set to bring affiliated ball back to Kansas for the first time since 2007.
The Wichita Wind Surge, the new Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, released the name of its downtown ballpark Thursday. With about 30 days until opening day, Riverfront Stadium is “95% complete” and is scheduled to get done in time for opening day, Wind Surge owner Lou Schwechheimer said.
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-03-10T07:10:12-05:00March 9, 2020|News|

Shawnee Fire Chief John Mattox retiring this summer after nearly 4 decades in fire safety

After 40 years in fire safety service and investigations, Chief John Mattox is retiring from the Shawnee Fire Department.
Mattox announced his retirement to staff in fall 2019, and Mayor Michelle Distler honored the chief and his service to Shawnee during her State of the City address last month.
His last day is June 15, and his official retirement date is July 1.
“I’m very appreciative, thankful for the support from the community, the firefighters,” Mattox said. “If you surround yourself with the right people, they will make you successful, and I think I’ve done that.”
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-03-10T07:12:17-05:00March 9, 2020|News|

AG Opinion 2020-4: Cap on mortgage recording fees; application.

Synopsis: The cap on mortgage recording fees found in K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 28-115(j) applies to initial mortgages as well as second mortgages or successive subordinate lien mortgages. Further, the cap applies to the mortgage on the primary or main residence inhabited by the mortgagor, regardless of whether the mortgagor had a previously qualifying mortgage. Cited herein: K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 28-115.
(Read more: Kansas Attorney General Opinions)

Ranson Financial2020-03-10T07:11:58-05:00March 9, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for March 6, 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 Financial2026-10-22T10:29:41-05:00March 9, 2020|Finance|

This morning … 10-year Treasury yield hits new all-time low of 0.318% amid historic flight to bonds

The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield resumed its historic slide on Monday as investors continued to punish risk assets like stocks in favor of the safety of bonds between an all-out oil price war and contagion fears surrounding the coronavirus.
The yield on the benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury briefly touched an all-time low of 0.318% in overnight trading, adding another 30 basis points to an unprecedented fall in the key interest rate. That rate was above 1.5% as recently as mid-February.
The 10-year yield, in particular, holds outsized importance in the U.S. economy for its use as a benchmark for mortgage rates and auto loans. The 30-year Treasury yield also hit a record low of 0.702%, breaching the 1% threshold for the first time in history. Bond yields fall as their prices rise.
Read more: CNBC.

Ranson Financial2020-03-09T07:06:29-05:00March 9, 2020|News|

First case of coronavirus in Kansas has arrived in Johnson County

Kansas confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus on Saturday as the disease, which has killed 19 people in the United States, continues to spread across the country.
Gov. Laura Kelly announced testing confirmed a Johnson County woman under 50 has the virus. Kelly said the woman is currently in isolation at her home.
“Public health officials are also working to identify and contact those who may have been in close contact with this individual and exposed to the virus,” Kelly said.
Read more: KC Star.

Ranson Financial2020-03-09T07:04:17-05:00March 9, 2020|News|