Overland Park residents are trying to save this 100-year-old oak tree along 69 Highway

Local residents are calling for a century-old tree to be saved in Overland Park that is set to be removed as part of the 69Express toll lane project. A post on Nextdoor, a neighborhood social network site, has garnered more than 100 likes and comments from residents wanting to preserve the old bur oak tree, which is located at the southwest corner of 119th Street and U.S. 69 Highway. The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to grade down the area with the oak tree and use the space for a pond that would capture stormwater runoff, said Laura Wagner, public engagement and communications manager for the 69Express project.
Source: KCUR News

Ranson Financial2023-02-27T09:02:38-06:00February 27, 2023|News|

Wichita mayor cites economic development achievements in State of the City address

As part of his State of the City address Thursday, Mayor Brandon Whipple says Wichita is well on its way to becoming a global leader not only in manufacturing but in technology. According to Mayor Whipple, the City of Wichita has competed for 10 economic development projects in the past six years, collectively worth a billion dollars in capital investment. Eight of those projects have been pursued in the past 24 months alone. Mayor Whipple says the city also competed for 15 economic development projects that provided 1,000 jobs each (more than half of which, again, were sought after in the past two years).
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2023-02-27T09:00:50-06:00February 27, 2023|News|

Concept for new sculpture shown to city commissioners

The Atchison Art Association represented by Angie Cario gave a report on the new concept for the riverfront development area. KDOT donated the Amelia Earhart Bridge pieces to the Atchison Art Association in 2013. In partnership with Charles Sprouse of Benedictine College Art & Architecture and artist Vaughn Schultz, the Atchison Art Association has facilitated an artistic representation using pieces preserved from the original Mo-Kan Free Bridge, also known as the former Amelia Earhart Memorial bridge. With permission from the Chamber and the Historical Society, we’ve incorporated all the bridge elements, including the pieces reserved for the AAA.
Source: News | atchisonglobenow.com

Ranson Financial2023-02-27T08:59:19-06:00February 27, 2023|News|

Fairway disputes ‘Save the Shawnee Indian Mission’ flyers

The city of Fairway is pushing back against flyers bearing the message “Save the Shawnee Indian Mission” that began appearing in local residents’ mailboxes last week. Thousands of flyers paid for by the Shawnee Tribe started showing up at homes around the Mission site in northeast Johnson County, detailing the tribe’s argument that the historic site is in “distress” and that it should be transferred to the tribe for restoration.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2023-02-27T08:56:38-06:00February 27, 2023|News|

Future of Winfield’s Walnut Valley Festival is in doubt

The Walnut Valley Festival is on the ropes and it’s up to us to save it. ….Bart Redford, executive director of the Walnut Valley Association: “We’re definitely having this year’s festival and then we’ll just have to see where we’re at after that.” The music festival that draws thousands to Winfield every year is tapping financial reserves to stay in business, and that can’t continue forever, he said. “We need a few years of some good crowds, so we can kind of replenish our reserves,” Redford said. “I think it’s doable.”
Source: The Iola Register

Ranson Financial2023-02-28T14:33:26-06:00February 27, 2023|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for February 24, 2023

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.

Henry Schmidt2023-02-27T08:50:04-06:00February 27, 2023|News|

Fed’s Mester says she has hope that inflation can be brought down without a recession

Cleveland Federal Reserve President Loretta Mester said Friday that interest rates likely need to keep moving higher to get inflation back to acceptable levels. In a CNBC interview, Mester said she sees the central bank’s benchmark interest rate having to rise above 5% and stay there for a while. The fed funds rate, which sets the level that banks charge each other for overnight borrowing but spills over into many forms of consumer debt, is currently in a target range of 4.5%-4.75%. “I see that we’re going to have to bring interest rates above 5%,” she told CNBC’s Steve Liesman during a “Squawk Box” interview. “We’ll figure out how much above. That’s going to depend on how the economy evolves over time. But I do think we have to be somewhat above 5% and hold there for a time in order to get inflation on a sustainable downward path to 2%.”
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2023-02-24T11:59:33-06:00February 24, 2023|News|

Fed Rate Policy Is Shaking Up the World of Muni Debt

Demand is down for municipal bonds, which just erased nearly all of their January gains amid fears of rate increases. The markets’ bumpy start to 2023 is causing whiplash even in the historically placid realm of state and local government debt. Municipal bonds this month have erased nearly all of their January gains after fears of rate increases cooled investor appetites. … Most bonds in the $4 trillion muni market are backed by state and local taxes, and prices for the ultrasafe securities tend to move in line with Treasurys. Demand rarely flags because the bonds have a perk coveted by high-income investors: Interest is generally exempt from federal and state taxes. A tax-free yield of 5% equates to a taxable yield of around 8% for investors in the top tax bracket, according to data from Nuveen Asset Management. … But after more than a year of investors and traders trying to predict what the Fed will do, heads are spinning even in the muni market. Over the past two months, debt maturing in one year has been trading at higher interest rates than debt maturing in three years, according to ICE Data Services. Market professionals say they can’t remember that happening for such a prolonged period in more than a decade.
Source: WSJ.com: Markets

Ranson Financial2023-02-24T11:56:41-06:00February 24, 2023|News|

After 47-year career in public works, Wichita director Alan King will retire in March

Alan King is retiring after 11 years as Wichita’s director of public works and utilities. Mayor Brandon Whipple praised the outgoing director for his service during his State of the City address Thursday evening. “The city has benefited so much from Alan King’s knowledge, particularly as we are upgrading our aging infrastructure. Once in a while, we have a boil [water] order and Alan King is that steady hand, that steady voice that makes sure we get back to business as quick as possible,” Whipple said. “Alan, I hope you enjoy your retirement, but I also hope just as much that you keep your cell number the same because there’s a chance that we may have to call you.” King’s last day on the job is March 3.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2023-02-24T11:52:20-06:00February 24, 2023|News|

Does your Johnson County tap water taste funny? Here’s why

For any Johnson Countian who may have noticed a funny taste or smell to their tap water lately, WaterOne has an important message: your water is absolutely safe to drink. The different “flavor profile,” as WaterOne officials put it, is due to seasonal temperature changes in local river water, and technicians are already making adjustments for it, said Mandy Cawby, WaterOne customer relations director.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2023-02-28T14:29:11-06:00February 24, 2023|News|

Services

Company