Shawnee County OKs permit for event center, bed and breakfast

Rod McCollum wants to “grow old and die” on the land where he was raised just southeast of Topeka, he told the Shawnee County Commission on Monday.
Commissioners subsequently voted 3-0 to approve permits that McCollum, 63, said should enable him to do that.
Those two permits authorize the McCollum Family Trust to establish a bed and breakfast inn consisting of four guest rooms in his existing home and to convert an existing barn into a special event center on the property involved, provided each of 10 specific conditions are met.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-02-04T08:12:30-06:00February 3, 2020|News|

Dodge City’s 2nd Ave. Art guild gets Main Street grant

As part of the Dodge City Revitalization Improvement Program, 2nd Ave. Art Guild received a grant from Main Street Dodge City to go toward upgrades to its facade.
According to Main Street Dodge City, the purpose of the program is to improve the appearance and functionality of commercial properties located in the Downtown Commercial District.
The DRIP Grant has awarded 43 grants totaling $136,717.18 since its inception.
To enhance exterior appearances of buildings, DRIP provides incentives for current and new downtown property owners.
(Read more: News – Dodge City Daily Globe – Dodge City, KS)

Ranson Financial2020-02-04T08:12:53-06:00February 3, 2020|News|

KDOT announces approved December bids

The Kansas Department of Transportation has announced approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects in Kansas. The letting took place Wednesday, Jan. 15, in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.

District One — Northeast

Atchison: U.S. Highway 159, from the north city limits of Nortonville — the Atchison/Jefferson county line — north to the west city limits of Effingham, milling and overlay, 11.4 miles, Herzog Contracting Corp., Saint Joseph, Mo., $1,039,582.17.

(Read more: Sabetha Herald)

Ranson Financial2020-02-03T20:11:05-06:00February 3, 2020|News|

Wichita unlikely to profit when it privatizes events and alcohol in new city park

Wichita City Hall is poised to turn over control of events and alcohol in its newest park to a private operator who will likely keep all of the profits, city documents show.
The City Council is scheduled to vote on a contract to give the operators of the Wave venue in Old Town the option of closing off general access to the renovated Naftzger Park and charging admission to outdoor concerts or other events they schedule.
In addition, “Wave will have first right of refusal for coordinating alcohol service for all Naftzger Park events, including events that it does not host,” according to a city staff report recommending approval.
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-02-04T08:13:57-06:00February 3, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for January 31, 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 Advisors.

Ranson Financial2026-10-22T10:29:42-05:00February 3, 2020|Finance|

If coronavirus fears escalate, Wells Fargo warns 10-year Treasury yields could fall another 30%

Wells Fargo Securities’ Michael Schumacher expects the bond rush to intensify.

According to the firm’s global head of rate strategy, coronavirus fears will drive more investors into the U.S. Treasury market as a safe haven play and drive yields sharply lower.

The benchmark 10-year Treasury Note yield is already down 22% so far this year.

“Our big concern is that investors get more and more nervous,” Schumacher told CNBC’s “Trading Nation” on Friday. “We would say that probably the last 25 to 30 basis points mainly in the 10-year is largely due to the virus.”
Read more: CNBC.

Ranson Financial2020-02-03T06:56:19-06:00February 3, 2020|News|

Manhattan city commission discusses potential city-wide sales tax; reviews goals and priorities

The Manhattan City Commission discussed whether it wants to renew a county-sales tax set to expire in 2022 during a goal-setting meeting at the Flint Hills Discovery Center Friday.

The half-cent sales tax has been in place since 2002 and has gone towards roads and bridges, property-tax reduction, infrastructure and local business incentives.

City Manager Ron Fehr says while the commission is likely in favor of renewing the sales tax, the question is who will it affect going forward.

KDHE says Douglas County patient does not have coronavirus

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says a patient from Douglas County who was under investigation for the coronavirus has tested negative, and that person does not have the virus.

The patient had recently returned from a trip to China, where the coronavirus has been active. Specimens were sent to the Centers for Disease Control for testing, because the state does not have the testing capability for the virus.

KDHE Secretary Lee Norman said in a press release that the patient is in good health and has been released from a facility where he was being monitored. Dr. Norman said the patient will be able to resume his normal routine, and there is no risk to the public.

KDHE is still working with CDC officials and local partners to detect and respond to any possible cases of coronavirus that might occur in Kansas in the future.

(Read more: KFDI 101.3)

Ranson Financial2020-02-02T19:50:48-06:00February 2, 2020|News|

Topeka City Council considers taking meetings on the road

Topeka’s mayor and city council might take their show on the road.They plan Tuesday to consider authorizing the city manager to arrange for them to meet on the second Tuesday of each month at a location other than their chambers at 214 S.E. 8th.City manager Brent Trout this past week identified two potential meeting sites as being the city’s Holliday Building at 620 S.E. Madison and its Law Enforcement Center at 320 S. Kansas Ave.The Topeka and Shawnee County Public.

Ranson Financial2020-02-02T19:49:34-06:00February 2, 2020|News|

Osage County settlers planted churches, seeds of abolitionism

The making of Osage County’s history was not limited solely to those individuals who maintained permanent residence here. Such is the case of John Rankin, an Ohio resident and the man who established the Presbyterian church in Lyndon, Kansas.

John Rankin was originally from Tennessee. Rankin was influenced by the period called the Second Great Enlightenment, which was a revival of the Christian faith that led many to realize slavery was incompatible with their beliefs.

Rankin became ordained as a pastor in 1814, and soon after joined a local Anti-Slavery Society, a branch of a nationwide group that believed prejudice in any form was offensive and that African Americans were entitled to the same rights and privileges as the white man. Rankin’s involvement in the Anti-Slavery Society was influential to famous abolitionist radicals such as William Lloyd Garrison.

(Read more: Osage County Online)

Ranson Financial2020-02-03T06:45:38-06:00February 2, 2020|News|