Have a roaring good time at Argonia Street Race

Good autumn weather is expected for the fifth annual Argonia Car Show and Street Race. This event has become a big deal for Argonia, with a population of just a few hundred people. “It’s very exciting for everybody, from little kids to older folks,” said Wayne Vineyard, one of the organizers. “We started doing it after going to Norwich’s street races a couple of times.” Vineyard said organized street races have been growing in popularity. Caldwell started a new street race this year, for example.
Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers

Ranson Financial2022-10-11T06:52:25-05:00October 11, 2022|News|

Reno County installs new information kiosk

Responding to frustrations expressed by people turned away at the vehicle tag office because they didn’t have all the necessary paperwork, often after waiting in line for up to an hour, Reno County has installed a new information kiosk inside the annex lobby. The new touchscreen device lists what documents are required to get a tag and title, whether buying a vehicle from a dealer or an individual, as well as what’s required when renewing a tag. Developed by the county’s Information Technology Department at the direction of County Administrator Randy Partington, the kiosk offers a lot more information about county offices than just the tag office.
Source: Hutch News

Ranson Financial2022-10-11T06:33:46-05:00October 11, 2022|News|

Understaffed and stressed: Kansas nursing homes, hospitals

The workforce at Kansas hospitals and nursing homes is increasingly tied to firms that aren’t regulated at the state level and are often out-of-state — and those facilities say they are fed up and want action. Finding enough workers is a challenge for health care across the state. That is certainly true in Rush County, where Locust Grove Village, a nursing home in LaCrosse, is hanging on for dear life. Attracting staff has been a problem for some time, administrator Charlotte Rathke said, and like many of their peers, Locust Grove Village has been forced to rely on contract workers from staffing agencies, firms that supply workers to hospitals and long-term care homes regionally and nationally on an as-needed basis.
Source: Hutch News

Ranson Financial2022-10-08T17:18:54-05:00October 8, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for October 7, 2022

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 and Beth Warren.

Ranson Financial2022-10-08T16:58:52-05:00October 8, 2022|News|

Treasury yields inch higher as markets await unemployment data while Fed remains hawkish

The yield on U.S. Treasuries inched higher on Friday as markets awaited the release of labor market data, which could give indications about inflation and future Federal Reserve policy. … Data released earlier in the week, including an unexpected decline in job openings, led some investors to believe the gap was narrowing and that this could affect Federal Reserve policy. Fed speakers, however, stuck to the hawkish tone of the last weeks on Thursday, with Chicago Federal Reserve President Charles Evans saying the Fed expects to hike interest rates by another 125 points across their next two meetings as central bankers continued to be concerned about recent inflation readings.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2022-10-07T06:57:24-05:00October 7, 2022|News|

Ogallala Aquifer on track to 70% depletion in 40-45 years

The newest drought monitor shows three-fourths of Kansas is now in a drought emergency. The Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) says current drought conditions are on par with what the state saw between 2011-2012, and this could mean significant decreases for parts of the Ogallala Aquifer, the biggest groundwater source for Southwest Kansas. Between 2011-2012, the average rate of decline for the aquifer was 2-3 feet. In parts of certain counties, that number was between 10-15 feet. The average recharge rate for the aquifer is three inches of water per year.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-10-07T06:56:13-05:00October 7, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for October 6, 2022

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 and Beth Warren.

Ranson Financial2022-10-07T06:50:07-05:00October 7, 2022|News|

Derby’s council expresses concerns with scooter program

The City of Derby’s electric scooter program may be gone at the end of this year after the initial 17-month pilot program with Bird Scooters is set to expire. City Council members heard a one-year update from Sarah Gooding, assistant to the city manager at the Sept. 27 meeting. Scooter ridership peaked shortly after the program was introduced in August 2021 with 1,796 rides in September 2021. Ridership dropped over the winter months and picked up again to a high of 1,049 rides in June 2022. Compared to similar electric scooter programs, Derby’s has a longer average ride time of 12.8 to 17.6 minutes per rental. City Manager Kiel Mangus attributed this to Derby not having a traditional downtown and shopping areas and parks being more spread out across the city. After attending a recent conference in Columbus, Ohio, Mangus said scooter rentals were more practical in cities with a congested downtown area.
Source: Derby Informer | News

Ranson Financial2022-10-07T06:48:09-05:00October 7, 2022|News|

Governor Laura Kelly Announces $28.5M for 32 Pedestrian and Bike Transportation Projects

Governor Laura Kelly announced $28.5 million has been awarded for 32 Transportation Alternatives (TA) program projects across Kansas for Fiscal Year 2023-24. The competitive grant program, administered by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), provides funding for a variety of projects, including pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure for non-driver access to public transportation, and overall safety and mobility improvements.
View the 32 Kansas TA projects selected to receive an award.

Ranson Financial2022-10-07T06:43:00-05:00October 7, 2022|News|

Safe crossing: Crossing Guards needed in McPherson

Every Wednesday morning and afternoon Jerry Montagne can be found working as a crossing guard, escorting children safely to and from school at Washington Elementary. Serving as a crossing guard isn’t part of his duties as McPherson County Sheriff, rather he does it because he enjoys it. “About three years ago they had a shortage of crossing guards and officers were having to fill in,” Montagne said. “I offered to do it and I love it. I look forward to seeing all the kids each week.” Montagne is one of many crossing guards employed by the city and supervised through the McPherson Police Department.
Source: McPherson Weekly News

Ranson Financial2022-10-07T06:36:13-05:00October 7, 2022|News|