‘It means community’: Kansas rural development director evangelizes small-town life

When I began driving around the state for the Kansas Reflector last year, I didn’t know what to expect. I was raised and educated in Kansas, yes, but I had spent nearly 15 years away. When I returned, I worked in Topeka and Lawrence. The rural areas of my youth weren’t just distant in memory — they were a lengthy drive away. My childhood recollections of these places as comfortable and nurturing clashed with the national political narrative that had emerged over the past 20 years. Urban areas were growing and progressive. Rural ones were decaying and reactionary.
Source: Kansas Reflector

Ranson Financial2022-10-12T02:22:25-05:00October 12, 2022|News|

Inflation expectations ease, while spending outlook tumbles, Fed consumer survey shows

Inflation expectations and the outlook for household spending growth fell sharply in September as the Federal Reserve’s rate increases take hold in the U.S. economy. Consumers expect the inflation rate a year from now to be 5.4%, the lowest number in a year and a decline from 5.75% in August, according to the latest New York Fed Survey of Consumer Expectations. That level peaked at 6.8% in June and has been coming down since as the central bank has instituted a series of rate hikes totaling 3 percentage points. Markets largely expect the Fed to continue raising rates until it brings inflation down to its long-run target of 2%.
Source: Economy

Ranson Financial2022-10-12T02:21:00-05:00October 12, 2022|News|

Lenexa Mayor Boehm honored with excellence award

Lenexa Mayor Michael Boehm was honored with the E.A. Mosher Excellence in Local Government Award by the League of Kansas Municipalities during a ceremony on Oct. 10, 2022 at the Overland Park Convention Center. The E.A. Mosher Excellence in Local Government Award is presented to elected city officials who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the city they serve, an active commitment to strong local government and service to the League of Kansas Municipalities. Named in honor of E.A. Mosher, League Director from 1960 to 1991, this award is designed to honor excellence and leadership at the highest level.
Source: City of Lenexa

Ranson Financial2022-10-12T07:12:14-05:00October 12, 2022|News|

Wichita City Council approves new food and farm council

The Wichita City Council has voted unanimously to create a Wichita-Sedgwick County Food and Farm Council to help direct the implementation of a food system master plan that was adopted earlier this year by the city and the county. The master plan will look at production, distribution and availability of food in the community and work to address issues with “food deserts” where neighborhoods don’t have convenient access to food. The plan was created in a partnership with the Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita. The Food and Farm Council will serve as an advisory board to the city and county on food system issues, and it will have 14 members. Wichita Vice Mayor Becky Tuttle said the creation of the council and the food system master plan will be a game changer in addressing food deserts in the community.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2022-10-12T02:17:59-05:00October 12, 2022|News|

This city in Kansas really conserves its water, but that still might not be enough to survive

While communities across the semi-arid High Plains all face their share of droughts, Hays was — and is — the only city in Kansas with more than 15,000 residents but no sustainable source of water. It’s caught in the middle. Too far west for reliable rainfall and reservoirs. And too far east to tap into the massive — if disappearing — Ogallala aquifer. So when prolonged drought hits, the town’s bucket of backup plans isn’t exactly overflowing. That’s why Hays continues its decades-long quest for a sustainable water source today — it’s now in the middle of jumping through legal and regulatory hoops to build a 70-mile pipeline that would bring in water from three counties away. The 1992 crisis wasn’t the first or last time Hays has had to worry about running low on water. But it marked a turning point.
Source: KCUR News

Ranson Financial2022-10-12T07:14:27-05:00October 12, 2022|News|

Fort Scott airs out pungent problem; announces November sludge cleanup

For those that live or drive through Fort Scott, Kansas, you may be aware of a sewer-like odor filling the air. KOAM’s Keri Worthen today spoke with the City to discuss what is being done to fix the pungent problem. Assistant City Manager Brad Matkins says the colder the temperature, the more you can smell the lagoon from the wastewater plant. They say they have been actively treating the smell to mitigate the issue. “We are chemically treating it by putting a chemical in there twice a week, heavy doses plus we are putting a drip of this chemical, that has eliminated some of the smell,” Matkins said.
Source: KOAMKOAM

Ranson Financial2022-10-12T02:15:36-05:00October 12, 2022|News|

Small earthquake recorded near Marion

A small earthquake was recorded early Monday morning near Marion. It happened shortly after 12 a.m. and was centered near 77 Highway and 170th St, just east of Marion County Lake. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, which recorded the temblor, there are no reports of damage or any reports from the public of having felt the early morning quake. According to the Kansas Geological Survey, there was a slightly stronger earthquake the day before in Dickinson County. It was recorded shortly after 8:30 a.m. Sunday north of 700 Avenue and just east of Rain Road, between Hope and Herrington.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-10-12T02:14:29-05:00October 12, 2022|News|

“Human side of the badge” shown by local police

Several police departments in Southeast Kansas participate in a nationwide event meant to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they protect. The event is called “Faith and Blue.” It began in 2020, following several high profile incidents across the United States, where residents of many cities called for the defunding or dismantling of their current policing system. Out of that unrest, “Faith and Blue” was born, where law enforcement and faith-based leaders come together to unite the community with those who serve and protect.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2022-10-12T02:13:38-05:00October 12, 2022|News|

Topeka firefighters share how to best prevent fires and stay safe

Fire safety prevention week is happening now and the Topeka Fire Department is so excited to educate people, they’re extending it. Fire safety prevention week starts Oct. 9 every year in remembrance of the great Chicago fire of 1871. The TFD cares so much about educating the public, that they devote the month of October to fire safety prevention. The theme this year is “Fire won’t wait plan your escape” and that’s exactly what the firefighters of TFD will be doing this week.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2022-10-12T02:12:34-05:00October 12, 2022|News|

Topeka City Council talks redistricting

Ten years are up and it’s time for community members and council members to come up with a “perfect plan” of redistricting the capital city. The Topeka city council is discussing the redistricting of nine districts on Tuesday night. Committees have been meeting for several months to create a map to best equally split the population of Topeka to fit all of the districts. Redistricting is based on how much the population changes in Topeka, some neighborhoods might have a higher population than others.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2022-10-12T02:11:35-05:00October 12, 2022|News|