Higher bond yields? At least five years away, strategists say

A return to significantly higher yields will take longer than previously thought, according to a Reuters poll of fixed-income strategists who slashed their year-ahead major government bond yield forecasts to the lowest since polling began 17 years ago.
With no resolution in sight to the U.S.-China trade war, the current modest global economic expansion cycle has taken a hit, prompting major central banks to shift to policy easing this year from a tightening view at the turn of last year.
That has not only pushed benchmark sovereign bonds yields to new lows this year, but has also resulted in over $17 trillion – a record amount – of debt securities pushed into the negative yields territory.
And according to the Sept. 19-27 poll of over 100 strategists, that trend of subdued yields is here to stay.

Local firefighters honor those who have died in the line of duty

Sunday afternoon in Wichita, firefighters from all over Kansas gathered to honor and remember those firefighters who have died in the line of duty.

This was all part of the 18th “Kansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial” that took place at the Kansas Firefighter Museum.

Names of men and women who have died since the 1800’s have been added to a wall. The most recent name added was of a firefighter from Wamego who died in the line of duty. His name is now the 125th name added to the wall.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2019-09-29T20:44:20-05:00September 29, 2019|News|

Despite concerns, fireballs were expected at Andover fireworks show, fire chief says

Andover firefighters said what were described as fireballs during a fireworks show Saturday night performed as expected, despite public concerns of something more harmful.

“Please be assured that nothing unplanned happened and there were no injuries,” Andover Fire Chief Chad Russell said in a statement Sunday morning. “The ‘fireballs’ that have been described were very dramatic, but completely planned. They did exactly what they were expected to do.”

The fireballs led to concerns from some people that something dangerous may have happened at the Greater Andover Days fireworks show. Russell said that at around the same time the fireworks show ended, Andover Fire-Rescue and Butler County EMS were called to an unrelated fire and left Central Park with lights and sirens activated.

(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2019-09-29T20:43:22-05:00September 29, 2019|News|

Donation will build new senior housing in Hutchinson

For several years, Hutchinson residents Gene and Kay Schmidt had been tossing around what they could do with some of their retirement savings to help the city’s south side.

The area has seen much of its housing deteriorate or disappear over the years, with little new development.

They also wanted to do something, said Gene, former Hutchinson Hospital CEO, that they could physically see happen, yet that might somehow continue to “re-gift” over the years.

After discussions with Interfaith Housing and Community Services staff over the past year, foundations of that something are being laid — literally.

Ground was ceremonially broken Friday at the corner of Avenue G and Plum Street for Southern Pines Townhomes, a planned new housing development owned by Interfaith that eventually will include four two-bedroom duplexes leased to senior citizens.

Construction on the first unit, which will front Plum Street, has already started.

Besides new housing in the south that serves seniors, the project will continue to give back in that a portion of rents collected will be reinvested back into the Lincoln Neighborhood for housing rehabilitation or other neighborhood needs, said IHCS President and CEO Lorna Moore.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2019-09-29T20:42:26-05:00September 29, 2019|News|

Local leaders take exception to bleak forecast for Scott County

The numbers paint a bleak picture of the future for Western Kansas.
By 2044, Scott County is projected to see a population decline of 12.6%.
Finney County’s population decline is projected at 19.4%.
And they’re the lucky ones.
The population loss in other area counties is forecast at: Wichita (44.9%), Lane (61.3%), Kearny (32.9%), Logan (32.1%) and Thomas (37.4%).
The only counties west of Hays expected to buck that trend are Gray (+5.6%) and Ford (+17.7%).
Those are the kind of numbers which might cause a little panic among economic development leaders in the region.

E-bicycles Now Legal at Kansas State Parks

In a 5-1 vote, Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KWPT) Commissioners approved the use of electric-assisted bicycles, or e-bikes, at Kansas state parks. The decision was made during the Commission’s Sept. 19 public hearing at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center in Great Bend.

E-bikes, also referred to as pedal-assist bikes, have a small motor that engages when a rider pedals. Once engaged, the motor provides a “boost” of acceleration, allowing the rider to more easily maneuver hills and rough terrain. Only e-bikes that cease to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a maximum of 20 miles per hour may be used at Kansas state parks. E-bikes will also only be allowed on trails already approved for bicycle use.

(Read more: Rural Messenger)

Ranson Financial2019-09-29T18:37:00-05:00September 29, 2019|News|

In JoCo visit, Kansas Sec. of State says office will take measured approach to expanding polling location option

It’s not one hundred percent certain that Kansans will be free to vote at their choice of polling places in time for the 2020 presidential election, says Secretary of State Scott Schwab, because of the many technical and security issues that still have to be worked out.

“We’re not in a hurry to screw this up. We want to make sure that the election is an election you get a result you can trust in,” he told Johnson County Commissioners during a brief visit to their Thursday meeting.

Schwab was referring to a law passed recently that would uncouple voting from neighborhood polling places. The law will allow any voter to cast a ballot at any polling place on Election Day, regardless of where he or she lives.

Ranson Financial2019-09-29T18:35:58-05:00September 29, 2019|News|

Coffey County Sheriff Rogers to retire when term ends

Randy Rogers, sheriff of Coffey County since 1997, has announced he will retire when his current term expires in January 2021.

Rogers hopes to spend more time with his family, including his grandchildren, he said in a statement posted Wednesday on his department’s Facebook site.

“I can’t thank the citizens of Coffey County and the men and women of the sheriff’s office enough for all the support and confidence in me as sheriff,” he said. “I have experienced so much as sheriff and will take those memories with me forever.”

Ranson Financial2019-09-29T18:30:30-05:00September 29, 2019|News|

Newspaper claims Wichita’s mayor steered contract to friends; Mayor explains that the allegations are simply not true

First, an excerpt from the Wichita Eagle:

Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell steered what could become the largest contract in the city’s history to his political supporters, golf partners and friends, a Wichita Eagle investigation has revealed.
The city plans to spend about $524 million to build a new plant to treat drinking water. …
A city selection committee unanimously recommended awarding the contract to Jacobs Engineering, one of the nation’s leading design firms that specializes in water treatment plants.
Instead, at Longwell’s urging, the City Council gave it to Wichita Water Partners, a group that has less experience designing large water plants.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

The Mayor responded:

You may have read today’s Wichita Eagle story alleging that I used my influence to award friends of mine the contract for the new water treatment facility. I want to assure you that these allegations are simply not true. In fact, our process is designed so that this kind of favoritism cannot happen. The full City Council made this decision based on what is best for the community. Below you can read my response to today’s Wichita Eagle story…

(Read more: Facebook – City of Wichita.)

Ranson Financial2019-09-29T20:32:45-05:00September 29, 2019|News|

NOTO dedicates new courtyard, unveils sculpture

The NOTO Arts and Entertainment District continues to develop areas that people can visit, and Thursday was no different as the district gathered to dedicate its new courtyard.

The courtyard, located between the NOTO Arts Center, 935 N. Kansas Ave., and Paper June, 927 N. Kansas Ave., features string lights, painted concrete by Shelly Bedsaul and new landscape.

The courtyard officially has been named Teeter Courtyard after Stan and Jody Teeter, who donated money to repair the courtyard.

Ranson Financial2019-09-29T18:19:52-05:00September 29, 2019|News|

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