Symphony to perform in Peabody

“Peter and the Wolf” and “Appalachian Spring” will be performed Sunday in the final installment of Sunflower Theatre’s 2023-2024 concert series. The Wichita Symphony performance will be 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 213 E Division Ave., Peabody.
“Peter and the Wolf” is a musical story for orchestra and narrator that introduces individual instruments in the orchestra while the narrator tells the story. The symphony also will perform “Appalachian Spring,” an American ballet by choreographer Martha Graham and composer Aaron Copland. Collaborating for the concert are Sunflower Theatre, Wichita State University, and Barlett Arboretum. Light refreshments will be served after the concert. Admission is free, but donations to help pay for Sunflower Theatre programming and renovation will be accepted.
Source: Marion County RECORD

Ranson Financial2024-04-19T11:03:25-05:00April 19, 2024|News|

Beloit USD 273 Bond Issue Questions Defeated In Election

After much discussion, various meetings, and much consternation, the Beloit USD 273 School Bond issue and vote came to a conclusion yesterday (Thursday, April 18th). Question 1 on the ballot included for voters to consider was a New Ag Center, a Renovation of Expansion of Woods/Construction Tech, HVAC Replacement at Elementary & Jr.-Sr. High Schools, and a New Stadium Pressbox and Restrooms at an estimated cost of $16.2 million dollars which would be funded by a 13.5 mill levy increase over 25 years. Unofficial Results from the Mitchell County Clerk’s office are Yes: 823 (37%), No: 1,425 (63%). Question 2 on the ballot could only pass if Question 1 passed. Question 2 on the ballot included for voters to consider was a Jr.-Sr. High School Lockerroom Renovation, Football Field Turf, Track Resurface, and Tennis Court Resurface at an estimated cost of $3.8 million dollars which would be funded by a 3 mill levy increase over 25 years. Unofficial Results from the Mitchell County Clerk’s office are Yes: 644 (29%), No: 1,597 (71%).
Source: Sunflower State Radio Network

Ranson Financial2024-04-19T10:52:39-05:00April 19, 2024|News|

KS Supreme Court: “Driving” vs. Attempting to Drive

Under Darrow, Jarmer’s unsuccessful effort to drive her car out of a muddy ditch fails to satisfy K.S.A. 8-1002(a)(2)(A)’s requirement that she was “operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or both.” Because the evidence presented establishes only that she attempted to operate her vehicle, the KDR could not suspend her driver’s license under K.S.A. 8-1002(a)(2)(A) following her failed breath test. We thus reverse the suspension of Jarmer’s driver’s license and remand the matter to the KDR for further proceedings.
Read the opinion: Jarmer vs. KDOR

Ranson Financial2024-04-19T10:00:18-05:00April 19, 2024|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for April 18, 2024

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. 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.

Henry Schmidt2024-04-19T01:15:56-05:00April 19, 2024|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for April 17, 2024

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. 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.

Henry Schmidt2024-04-18T09:52:48-05:00April 18, 2024|News|

Wall Street pushes out rate-cut expectations, sees risk they don’t start until March 2025

If there was any doubt before, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has pretty much cemented the likelihood that there won’t be interest rate reductions anytime soon. Now, Wall Street is wondering if the central bank will cut at all this year. That’s because Powell on Tuesday said there’s been “a lack of further progress” on lowering inflation back to the Fed’s 2% target, meaning “it’s likely to take longer than expected” to get enough confidence to start easing back on policy.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2024-04-18T06:25:12-05:00April 18, 2024|News|

Stafford County joins in on building boom

There’s a building boom in the Golden Belt, and Stafford County Economic Development isn’t going to be left behind. “We are building nine houses, with five in St. John and four in Stafford,” noted Ryan Russell, SCEDC executive director. The 18-month building project is through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, through its Middle Income Housing offering.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Ranson Financial2024-04-18T06:15:08-05:00April 18, 2024|News|

Power outage prompts rush hour traffic jam on Metcalf in Overland Park

The gusty winds are believed to be responsible for a power outage that turned off the traffic signals at 75th Street and Metcalf Avenue late Tuesday afternoon in Overland Park, prompting a mile-long traffic jam on one of the city’s most-used roadways. Evergy’s online outage map showed that approximately 774 customers were without power in the area of the busy intersection at around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Several businesses in the area were forced to close because they didn’t have power for their computers to work. As of 5:30 p.m., northbound traffic on Metcalf was at a crawl, backed up to 83rd Street, while southbound traffic was backed up to 71st Street. Eastbound traffic on 75th Street was stacked back to Robinson Street, and westbound was back to nearly Lamar Avenue. Evergy’s website shows that the outage was first reported at about 4:20 p.m. and that repairs are a “work in progress.” The estimated restoration time is 6 p.m. Update: Around 6 p.m., the traffic lights at Metcalf and 75th began working again, and Evergy’s outage map online showed most outages in the area around the intersection had been addressed.
Source: Johnson County Post

Ranson Financial2024-04-17T12:27:56-05:00April 17, 2024|News|

Mayor Butler proclaims Thursday as “Ron Fehr Day” in Manhattan

At Tuesday’s Manhattan City Commission, Manhattan mayor Wynn Butler proclaimed this Thursday Apr. 18 to be “Ron Fehr Day” in Manhattan to honor City Manager Ron Behr’s commitment to public service in the city and Fehr’s retirement after 24 years as the city manager. “This honor is in recognition of [Ron’s] many achievements,” said Butler. “And on behalf of the City Commission, the City employees, and the citizens of Manhattan in expressing our gratitude and appreciation for many years of loyal and exemplary service to the community.” Fehr has worked for the local city government since 1982 when he was appointed to the newly formed Parks and Recreation Department as Forestry and Parks Supervisor. Fehr was appointed assistant City Manager in 1992 and was acting City Manager for a brief period in 1995 and in late-1999 and early-2000 until becoming the full-time city manager in Apr. 2000. “Ron has worked with 31 commissioners and 27 mayors since 1992,” said Butler. “He has attended 730 commission legislative sessions, 730 work sessions, 31 commission retreats, 305 intergovernmental luncheons, 122 joint city and county meetings and numerous other meetings.” Fehr will be officially honored by the city at a ceremony at City Hall on Apr. 18.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Ranson Financial2024-04-17T12:21:13-05:00April 17, 2024|News|

Wichita removes curfew on electric scooters

Wichita City Council members have voted unanimously to do away with the nighttime curfew on the use of electric scooters in the community. The city previously had a restriction that began at dusk or 9 p.m., whichever is earlier, and ended at sunrise. Veo, the company providing the electric scooters, asked the city to look at changes to extend the hours of operation. Wichita is the only city in the Midwest and Plains region that has a curfew on scooters. Interim Wichita Transit Director Penny Feist said the Police Department recommended wording in the ordinance to call for headlamps and reflectors for safety, similar to those required on bicycles. She said the company providing the scooters already has lamps and reflectors on them. The person riding the scooter is responsible for making sure the headlamp is working and Feist said Veo has an app that allows users to report a problem. Feist said data from the past five years indicates that more people are using the scooters around 6 to 7 p.m. The Council voted to approve the ordinance changes to remove the curfew and allow the use of electric scooters during the nighttime hours.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2024-04-17T12:20:09-05:00April 17, 2024|News|