Plastic bag bans can sometimes backfire: Study

20 Wednesday, November 20

Plastic bag bans can sometimes backfire: Study

info2024-11-20T09:28:29-06:00November 20th, 2024|

Policies aimed at curbing the use of single-use plastic bags have sometimes accomplished the opposite of their intentions, a new study has found. When two Texas cities prohibited stores from giving away plastic grocery bags for free, the sale of such bags surged in response, according to the study, published in the Journal of Marketing Research. The longer a policy was in place, the longer the behaviors spurred by those regulatory prohibitions persisted, the researchers found. Source: KSNT 27 News

20 Wednesday, November 20

Rural Kansas highway closure to bring more than 50-mile detour for local drivers

info2024-11-20T09:27:06-06:00November 20th, 2024|

State transportation officials say part of K-4 Highway in Dickinson County will close later this month, bringing with it a large detour for locals to follow. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) announced in a press release on Monday, Nov. 18 that a road work project is slated to run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21 on part of K-4 Highway just south of the town of Hope. Workers will be replacing a railroad crossing that requires the highway to be closed to all traffic while the project is ongoing. Drivers will be unable to use K-4 [...]

20 Wednesday, November 20

State banks seek better climate competing for local, state government deposits

info2024-11-20T09:25:51-06:00November 20th, 2024|

The state's banks are urging lawmakers to take steps to allow them to better compete for local and state government deposits that they say are now flowing to out-of-state financial institutions at a cost to the Kansas economy. The banks say state law is structured in a way that local and state governments are less inclined to invest their funds locally than they are with institutions from out of state, which they say reduces the amount of capital for Kansas businesses that want to expand. Source: Sunflower State Journal

20 Wednesday, November 20

Pott County considering economic incentives for new auto dealership

info2024-11-20T09:24:44-06:00November 20th, 2024|

The Eck Auto Group out of Wichita is pursuing economic incentives for a new auto dealership at the southeast corner of Excel Rd and Hwy 24. The estimated cost of the project is just shy of $11 million. Tyler Ellsworth, attorney with Kutak Rock Law Firm, on Monday presented county commissioners with a brief overview of the proposed project. “We are not asking the commission to take any final action today,” said Ellsworth. “My goal is to provide a brief update on what this project entails and the two types of economic development incentives that the dealership group has requested.” Source: [...]

20 Wednesday, November 20

Municipal Bond Trends for November 19, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-11-20T08:44:38-06:00November 20th, 2024|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

20 Wednesday, November 20

Salina rich in 100-plus years of aviation history

info2024-11-20T08:22:44-06:00November 20th, 2024|

November is recognized as National Aviation History Month and in Salina, there is plenty of history to recognize. With names including the likes of Glenn L. Martin and Steve Fossett, and organizations including the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy and even NASA using the city for operations, Salina is steeped in aviation history. Source: Salina Journal

19 Tuesday, November 19

Municipal Bond Trends for November 18, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-11-19T11:17:14-06:00November 19th, 2024|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

18 Monday, November 18

Valley Center’s new water plant to bring savings to residents’ pockets

info2024-11-18T10:44:50-06:00November 18th, 2024|

Valley Center currently sells raw water to the City of Wichita. Wichita treats this water, and then Valley Center buys the treated water back. However, the town is building its own water treatment plant to eliminate Wichita from the process. ... City Administrator Brent Clark expects the new water treatment plant to cut water bills by half. Source: KWCH

18 Monday, November 18

Wichita Fire Department rolls out new alert tool

info2024-11-18T10:43:58-06:00November 18th, 2024|

The Wichita Fire Department is using a new tool to alert drivers when emergency vehicles are nearby. They’re called HAAS Alerts and pop up on your car’s dashboard or through apps like Waze. Other departments in the area like Mulvane and Sedgwick County Fire have been using the alerts for years. Source: KWCH

18 Monday, November 18

After 52 years in the ground, Seward County time capsule reveals memories

info2024-11-18T10:42:45-06:00November 18th, 2024|

When the lost time capsule from 1972 was discovered two weeks ago on the Seward County Fairgrounds, there was excitement about what was inside. The capsule was supposed to be unearthed two years ago, but it was forgotten, and since no marker was placed to remind the public of its location and its date, two years passed before curiosity led to a search, and that search led to the discovery of the capsule, a Wilbert Vault intended to house a casket. Source: Liberal First