Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing announce new 737 Max production agreement

Spirit AeroSystems Inc. announced Thursday that it has reached a new 737 Max production rate agreement with The Boeing Co.

The company says Spirit (NYSE:SPR) will restart production slowly, ramping up deliveries throughout the year to reach 216 for 2020. The company did not give a specific restart date.

The company says in a release that it does not expect to reach the production rate of 52 a year until at least 2022.

There is a caveat: the rate agreement is based on expectations for Boeing’s (NYSE:BA) production rate and the return to service for the aircraft. And they warn that, depending on conditions, the agreement could change.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-01-30T19:11:48-06:00January 30, 2020|News|

STAR bonds proposal would give incentives to hospitals, headquarters projects

If Kansas’ STAR bond program is extended, hospitals and headquarters projects could start qualifying for the incentives.STAR, which stands for Sales Tax Revenue bonds, is an economic development tool that’s used to finance the development of major commercial, entertainment and tourism areas. It’s currently reserved for projects considered to be a statewide and regional destination. They also must feature a high-quality innovative entertainment and tourism attraction with unique features to bolster tourism and economic impact, according to the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Ranson Financial2020-01-31T06:53:49-06:00January 30, 2020|News|

Kansas City, MO Council passes ‘game-changer’ legislation in border war truce

Another piece of legislation designed to end Kansas and Missouri’s longstanding economic development “border war” sailed through the Kansas City Council on Thursday.

The ordinance, which Mayor Quinton Lucas first introduced in September, limits Kansas City’s power to entice companies across the border with generous tax abatements.

For years, Kansas and Missouri spent considerable taxpayer resources to lure companies — and coveted jobs — from each other. Companies pocketed, at times, hefty state incentives to move their operations a few miles across the state line. The two states agreed to halt the widely criticized practice last year.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Ranson Financial2020-01-31T06:54:28-06:00January 30, 2020|News|

Baxter Springs City Court cancels temporarily due to flu epidemic

In a Facebook post by the Baxter Springs Police Department Thursday, it was announced that the Baxter Springs City Court would be cancelled Friday, January 31st due to the flu epidemic.

In order to minimize the spread of the flu that has been affecting the Four State area, the Court issued a statement that they would close Friday and notify those with court dates of their new scheduled time.

They ask that you notify the Judicial Assistant next week if your address is not current at, 620-856-3825.

Ranson Financial2020-01-30T19:07:49-06:00January 30, 2020|News|

Johnson County chair Ed Eilert named Outstanding Kansas Citian of the Year

Ed Eilert, chair of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners, has been named one of two recipients of the Outstanding Kansas Citian of the Year award.

The other award recipient is former Gen. Richard Myers, a retired general in the United States Air Force who served as the 15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Myers, who now serves as president of Kansas State University in Manhattan, was born and raised in the Shawnee Mission area and is a 1960 graduate of Shawnee Mission North.

Established in 1973 by historical society The Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City, the award is designed to recognize individuals who have contributed to the well being and/or historic preservation of the greater Kansas City metro area, through their professional work, civic engagement or volunteerism, or who have simply become part of Kansas City’s history.

Ranson Financial2020-01-31T06:53:04-06:00January 30, 2020|News|

Lawsuit: Kansas Highway Patrol targets out-of-state drivers

Ninety-three percent of the Kansas Highway Patrol’s traffic stops in 2017 involved cars with out-of-state plates, according to a lawsuit challenging the practice as an infringement on motorists’ constitutional rights.

In an amended lawsuit filed Thursday on behalf of three plaintiffs, including two Oklahoma brothers who initially filed the complaint, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and a Kansas City, Missouri, law firm contend that the traffic stop statistics show that the Kansas Highway Patrol specifically targets out-of-state drivers, including many on the main highway connecting Kansas with neighboring Colorado, because that state’s legalized marijuana.

The case began as a hand-scrawled complaint filed last December by the two irate brothers, but it got significant legal backing when the ACLU and the law firm, Spencer Fane LLP, joined their cause.
(Read more: KSNF/KODE – FourStatesHomepage.com)

Ranson Financial2020-01-31T06:52:24-06:00January 30, 2020|News|

City of Manhattan looking to demolish flood damaged strip mall

The city of Manhattan is looking to demolish a building that was damaged by flooding. The strip mall located at 3003 Anderson Avenue had water close to the ceiling during the Labor Day flood in 2018.

The Manhattan City Commission decided in September 2019 that the building was unsafe and gave the owners until December 2019 to clean it up. Ryan Courtright, Assistant Chief of Risk Reduction with Manhattan Fire Department, said there was damage from the flood and things left over from the previous tenants.

“We actually had a couple of restaurants that were in the building that food product ended up basically being dispersed through out the building and creating an unsanitary condition,” Courtright said.

Courtright said the city will take bids for the demolition starting in mid February, and the city commission will most likely accept a bid at the beginning of March. The company will then have 30 days to start demolition and seven days to finish the demolition.

(Read more: KSNT News)

Ranson Financial2020-01-30T19:02:05-06:00January 30, 2020|News|

Wind farm leases filed at county

As a Labette County committee studying wind energy continues its work, the first four wind farm lease and easement agreements have been filed.

Four of five committee members — Sandy Krider, Kevin King, Mel Hass and Rod Landrum — and facilitator Charlie Morse met Tuesday evening in the Labette County Public Works building in Altamont. Committee member Lori Whitworth wasn’t able to attend. Eleven members of the public attended and discussed various issues with the committee.

The Labette County Commission formed the committee to look into wind farm regulations after a German utility expressed interest in developing a wind farm in Labette County.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Ranson Financial2020-01-30T19:01:32-06:00January 30, 2020|News|

Sumner County Conservation District celebrating 77 years

The 77th Bankers Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting of the Sumner County Conservation District will be held Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Raymond Frye Complex, 320 N. Jefferson in Wellington.

The theme for this year’s event is “Where Would We BEE Without Pollinators.” Conservation Awards will be presented to Jay Zimmerman of South Haven and Kyle and Lane Bruce of Argonia.

Other awards to be presented will include the Coloring and Poster Contest and the Teacher Appreciation Awards.

Following the meal and awards presentations, the Board of Supervisors for the Sumner County Conservation District will conduct the Annual Business Meeting. Business to be conducted will include the annual report of the District’s 2019 activities, the financial report and the election of two Board Supervisors. The seats currently held by Douglas Hisken of the Belle Plaine area and Leon Becker of the Conway Springs area are the available seats to be filled.

(Read more: Sumner NewsCow)

Ranson Financial2020-01-30T18:59:08-06:00January 30, 2020|News|

Johnson County voters approve $186M for school construction and safety

Johnson County voters on Tuesday approved a $186 million bond issue for Blue Valley schools that will help fund security improvements, classroom additions and a new elementary school.

More than 26,200, or 30%, of voters in the district cast mail-in ballots in the bond referendum, with 73.8% in favor of the new spending, according to unofficial results from the Johnson County Election Office.

“It was another outstanding show of support from our community for this bond election. We are blessed to live in a community that strongly supports public education and the Blue Valley school district,” said Mike Slagle, deputy superintendent.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Ranson Financial2020-01-30T06:52:59-06:00January 30, 2020|News|