Muni-Bond Sales Surging as Yields Tumble to Lowest Since 1960s

U.S. state and local governments are selling bonds at the fastest pace since the record-setting flood in December 2017, seizing on a slide in interest rates that has pushed their borrowing costs to the lowest in more than half a century.
The volume of new debt sales in September is poised to rival or exceed the $38 billion that was issued in August, which was the busiest month since governments rushed to the market before President Donald Trump’s tax law pulled the subsidies from a key refinancing tactic. Governments have sold about $28 billion of long-term debt in September, a 33% increase from the same period a year ago, and more than $10 billion is already scheduled to be offered over the next week, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Finance Director Cindy Ehart Retires After 15 Years with City

Ehart started working as a part-time accountant for Merriam in 2004 and became the City’s finance director in 2007. She’s responsible for managing the City’s budget and financial reporting. Her department also oversees investments, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.

Ehart said Merriam is a location that “can’t be beaten” and said she’s been fortunate to serve the City while doing work she really enjoys.

“Merriam is a great place to live, work, and play,” Ehart said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to have served the community.”

(Read more: Merriam, KS news)

Ranson Financial2019-09-23T21:10:54-05:00September 23, 2019|News|

Motorist who was shot during altercation with Lawrence police officer files lawsuit alleging excessive force

A motorist who was shot by police after a traffic stop turned violent has filed a lawsuit claiming that police used excessive force against him and that the city failed to properly train its officers.

Akira S. Lewis filed the lawsuit in Douglas County District Court against the City of Lawrence, the Lawrence Police Department, the police chief and the two officers involved in the traffic stop. The lawsuit, filed Friday, alleges that the officer who shot Lewis used excessive force and that both officers involved in the stop battered him and inflicted emotional distress through negligence, among other claims.

Cyberattacks vandalized Kansas county websites in August, exposing security weaknesses

Cyberattacks crippled the websites of about a dozen Kansas counties in early August — replacing their homepages with cryptic messages and an image of Mecca.

One county, which was conducting an election during the assault, decided against posting results online. The attacks did not affect vote counting but meant citizens didn’t have access to normal government information, such as contacts for local agencies, for several hours.

The hacks defaced websites, but did not affect other systems. It does not appear the hacker or hackers took data hostage, as has happened elsewhere in the country. State officials don’t think the hacking was connected to the August primary election.

(Read more: Politics & Government News |)

Ranson Financial2019-09-22T19:44:35-05:00September 22, 2019|News|

A Kansas town and Google roll toward the future with Wi-Fi on school buses

What do you do when you’re stuck for an hour or more on a school bus?

In one Kansas school district, you log onto the internet and you do your homework.

On Friday, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and other dignitaries came to Council Grove, population 2,079, to celebrate a budding program to equip rural school transportation with Wi-Fi service.

(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2019-09-22T19:46:48-05:00September 22, 2019|News|

Commissioner Bob Archer prepares to leave office amid whirlwind of activity

Bob Archer entered politics here 10 years ago by winning the closest election in Topeka City Council history.

Now he’s preparing to leave the Shawnee County Commission amid a whirlwind of political activity.

Republican precinct committee members from the district Archer represents are preparing to choose his replacement Friday from between announced candidates Neil Dobler and Aaron Mays, and anyone else who might step forward.

Ranson Financial2019-09-22T19:00:25-05:00September 22, 2019|News|

School board presented first look at Manhattan High expansions

The Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 board of education got their first look at the designs for the Manhattan High School West campus expansions.

The hardest challenge for the Manhattan High School West Campus renovations is fitting all the staff and students from the East Campus. This is according to Adam Sterns with Gould Evans as he presented the options. Stern gave somewhat detailed options they have been looking at based on the master plan.

“There’s about 70 thousand square feet of additions in both the auxiliary gym and classroom additions, 100 additional parking spots for the incoming students and faculty. So that was kind of how the master plan was drawn up,” says Stern “The good news is we’re about the same square footage.”

Sterns says they looked at classrooms in high schools from around the state to get an idea on the rooms they would like. They decided on 800 square feet for each room from teacher input. They then surveyed teachers and students on what they want out of a classroom, with the students saying they wanted larger classrooms.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Ranson Financial2019-09-22T18:54:03-05:00September 22, 2019|News|

Tyson plant resumes some operations, provides update on reconstruction

Tyson representatives posted an update on the reconstruction of the Holcomb meatpacking plant Friday morning, saying the plant is still months away from reopening entirely but has been able to resume limited ground beef and value-added production.

Tyson Fresh Meats President Steve Stouffer said in the update that the company appreciates the support from Finney County residents following a fire that heavily took to the harvest floor of the plant on Aug. 9 and 10, caused by a “flash” following welding work near the slaughter area. The plant has since closed temporarily for reconstruction.

(Read more: Dodge City Daily Globe)

Ranson Financial2019-09-22T18:51:30-05:00September 22, 2019|News|

Edgerton approves condemnation plan

The Edgerton City Council approved a resolution to acquire through condemnation several private properties along state Highway 56 during a meeting Sept. 12.

The properties lie along the proposed route of a multi-use path along the highway which will provide pedestrian and bicycle access from neighborhood residences to the Dollar General store, the elementary school and other future development.

Dan Merkh, public works director, told the council that city staff had spoken with all the property owners along the corridor and negotiations for easements are ongoing.

(Read more: Gardner News)

Ranson Financial2019-09-22T18:50:00-05:00September 22, 2019|News|

Cost to repair, replace spillway balloons to $766,000

Cost of repairing the Gardner Lake dam has grown to more than $766,000, according to Michael Kramer, public works director. The cost includes the design, permitting and construction of the alternate.

In January, 2017, the Gardner City council approved dredging the lake and repairing the dam for a cost of $780,000. Michael Kramer, public works director, said the State Division of Conservation (DOC) had responded to a June 2016 city request for funding and would contribute $280,000 in 2017 to fund the dredging project. Kramer had also said DOC was hopeful that another $200,000 would be available in 2018, in which case more dredging would be done.

The DOC grant did not become available.

(Read more: Gardner News)

Ranson Financial2019-09-22T18:48:34-05:00September 22, 2019|News|