Jobless rate in Kansas lowest in 20-plus years

Kansas is reporting that unemployment in the state dropped to 3.2% in August and was at its lowest rate in more than 20 years.

The state Department of Labor said Friday that the state gained private-sector jobs during the month and over the past year. Labor economist Emilie Doerksen said the state has seen broad economic growth, and Gov. Laura Kelly hailed the report as good news for Kansas.

The department said the unemployment rate declined from 3.3% in July. It was also 3.3% in August 2018.

It was the lowest unemployment rate since May 1999. The rate has been below 4% since January 2017.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Ranson Financial2019-09-22T18:45:34-05:00September 22, 2019|News|

Seismologists urge Kansans to have a disaster plan for earthquakes

A couple of earthquakes shook south central Kansas early Saturday morning, one in Oklahoma and one in Kansas. They’re the latest earthquakes to shake the region.

The Cosmosphere in Hutchinson held a free public presentation on Saturday morning. Hoping to give some answers to locals about why this is happening.

“From a scientific perspective, what we’re seeing in Kansas is really quite interesting. I think that there are a lot of interesting things that we’re still learning,” says Dr. Justin Rubinstein.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2019-09-22T18:44:25-05:00September 22, 2019|News|

KPERS explores idea of cutting 7.75% investment return forecast, adding to liability

Trustees of the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System discussed Friday the possibility of following a national trend by lowering assumptions on long-term investment returns, signaling the state’s taxpayers could be asked to contribute more to a system serving 315,000 people.

Nothing is likely to be decided about modifying the current 7.75% return on investment standard for KPERS until completion in January of a lengthy study of economic and demographic trends.

“This is obviously one of the most important decisions the board makes,” said Kelly Arnold, the board’s chairman. “We need to make sure we’re making the right decision for the members.”

Ranson Financial2019-09-22T18:43:03-05:00September 22, 2019|News|

Kansas’ unemployment rate slips to 3.2% for first time in two decades

The unemployment rate in Kansas declined to 3.2% in August and the state recorded expansion of 17,800 jobs in the private sector during the past year, officials said Friday.

Gov. Laura Kelly seized upon the latest monthly report as evidence of an economy capable of job growth and lowering of the jobless rate. It has been about 20 years since the Kansas unemployment figure moved under 3.3%.

“This is good news for Kansas,” she said. “My administration is focused on creating quality jobs throughout Kansas.”

Ranson Financial2019-09-22T18:41:55-05:00September 22, 2019|News|

Library project moves forward

Following a special meeting of the Newton City Commission and the library visiioning team, a firm was selected for a project to renovate or replace the Newton Public Library.

Commissioner Barth Hague moved, and Mayor Kathy Valentine seconded, to accept a contract with HBM Architects subject to City Attorney review. The motion carried 4-1 with commissioner Glen Davis voting against.

According to the meeting minutes, due to HBM Architects’ extensive experience with library projects and their detailed ranking process for site-selection, the committee was interested in hiring them. The fund-raising sub-consultant of Swanson House that WDM Architects teamed up with “was impressive and the committee asked if these two consultants could work together on the project.”

(Read more: Newton Kansan)

Ranson Financial2019-09-22T18:39:46-05:00September 22, 2019|News|

Little Jerusalem State Park opens Oct. 12

The wait is finally over.

The Nature Conservancy and Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) have announced that the Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park will open on Sat., October 12.

(Read more: Scott County Record RSS)

Ranson Financial2019-09-22T19:49:45-05:00September 21, 2019|News|

Hundreds turn out for fourth annual Clean Slate Day sponsored by city of Topeka

Long before the crack of dawn on Friday morning, folks started lining up in front of the Topeka Performing Arts Center for a chance to clear their criminal records during the fourth annual Clean Slate Day, sponsored by the city. For some, it meant setting a court date on an outstanding case, thereby dropping a warrant that had been issued for their arrest. For others, it was a chance to renew a driver’s license that had been suspended.

Ranson Financial2019-09-22T19:47:39-05:00September 21, 2019|News|

Pretty Prairie district gains students

Pretty Prairie USD 311 added students and staff this year. All-day preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds has made Pretty Prairie attractive for young families, said superintendent Randy Hendrickson. Friday was the day Kansas schools counted students, and Pretty Prairie school district’s number for K-12 was 287, up from 272 students a year ago. "We’re very excited," Hendrickson said. There’s a lot of growth in the elementary grades, Hendrickson said.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2019-09-22T19:43:33-05:00September 21, 2019|News|

Scott City adopts new policy on property tax payments

Following the county’s lead, the Scott City Council has adopted a resolution that will aid the county in the collection of back taxes.
The city is joining with the county in forcing property owners who are delinquent in their tax payments to either pay their taxes in full or face the prospect of a tax sale in the near future.
…
A common practice has been to make “partial” payments. In other words, paying only for those years which will keep property out of a sale, but still being delinquent for the most recent two years.
Under the charter ordinance, payments made by an individual will apply to the most recent tax year.
The individual can’t designate that payments be made to earlier years in order to avoid a foreclosure sale.

‘There’s so much love at this theater.’ Chestnut, an Olathe gem, shines after 21 years

It took joy, creativity and a whole lot of support from family to make Chestnut Fine Arts Center the success it has become over the past 21 years.

The 102-seat performing arts center in the heart of Olathe has presented 20 seasons of musicals, musical reviews and plays to more than 16,000 audience members each season. Founder and director Brad Zimmerman believes the Chestnut’s success is the result of years of hard work and hands-on family commitment.

“After 10 years of teaching music and freelancing as a musical director in Kansas City theaters, I decided to look for a place where I could live and produce theater,” he said. “I found that place where I’ve been doing both for 20 years.”

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2019-09-20T08:15:34-05:00September 20, 2019|News|

Jobless rate in Kansas lowest in 20-plus years

Seismologists urge Kansans to have a disaster plan for earthquakes

KPERS explores idea of cutting 7.75% investment return forecast, adding to liability

Kansas’ unemployment rate slips to 3.2% for first time in two decades

Library project moves forward

Little Jerusalem State Park opens Oct. 12

Hundreds turn out for fourth annual Clean Slate Day sponsored by city of Topeka

Pretty Prairie district gains students

Scott City adopts new policy on property tax payments

‘There’s so much love at this theater.’ Chestnut, an Olathe gem, shines after 21 years

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