Wichita Public Libraries hold amnesty week to forgive fees

This week, the WPL held an amnesty event that encouraged patrons to return overdue materials without the embarrassment of an assigned block or fee payment. Eliminating overdue fees at the Wichita Public Library removes a costly obstacle to the city’s library access. “Sometimes, when people would accrue overdue fees, they would be too embarrassed to return the materials,” Sean Jones, WPL communication specialist said. “This amnesty week gets our materials back but also eliminates fees for patrons.” While overdue fees seem like a logical system to ensure the return of materials, they often create financial burdens instead of compliance with due dates. This burden leads to patrons being unable to access the free services at the library.
Source: The Sunflower

Ranson Financial2022-09-29T23:50:58-05:00September 29, 2022|News|

Catch fish with your hands at these Kansas lakes

It’s about to become a fishing free-for-all at a couple Kansas lakes. That’s because two Kansas lakes are removing normal limits on fishing because of drought, according to an announcement from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Ellis City Lake in Ellis and Warren Stone Memorial Lake near La Crosse have announced temporary fish salvages because current drought conditions and future dry weather could lead to significant fish losses, according to the department. The temporary salvage allows anyone to catch the remaining fish by any legal means as well as by hand, dip net or seine. Any limits on fish size or catch limits are also removed.
Source: Emporia Gazette

Ranson Financial2022-09-29T07:56:22-05:00September 29, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for September 28, 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 Financial2022-09-29T07:40:16-05:00September 29, 2022|News|

Fed’s Bostic favors raising rates to 4.25%-4.5% by year end

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic said he backs raising rates by a further 1.25 percentage points by the end of this year to counter inflation that has been worse than he expected. “The lack of progress thus far has me thinking much more now that we have to get to a moderately restrictive stance,” he told reporters Wednesday via a telephone conference call. “And for me, that is in the 4.25% to 4.5% range for our policy. My preference is that we get there by year end.” Fed officials raised interest rates by 75 basis points on Sept. 21 for the third straight meeting, bringing the target for the benchmark federal funds rate to a range of 3% to 3.25%. Median projections show officials forecast that rates would reach 4.4% by the end of this year.
Source: The Bond Buyer

Ranson Financial2022-09-29T02:14:02-05:00September 29, 2022|News|

Public Temporarily Allowed to Salvage Fish at Ellis City Lake Due to Drought

Recent drought conditions resulting in minimal inflow at Ellis City Lake are having detrimental effects on local fish populations. And, continued dry weather may lead to significant fish losses in the near future. That’s why the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) and the City of Ellis, Kan. have issued a temporary order to open the lake to public salvage effective immediately. When a public fish salvage is in effect, the public may collect any remaining fish in the designated waterbody by any legal methods, as well as by hand, dip net, or seine, per K.A.R. 115-7-1. The Ellis City Lake fish salvage order also temporarily removes all daily creel limits and size limits, per K.A.R. 115-25-14.
Source: All Web News

Ranson Financial2022-09-29T02:09:59-05:00September 29, 2022|News|

Bee swarm lands in downtown Emporia

A beekeeper was heading to the 600 block of Commercial Street Tuesday to help relocate an errant swarm. According to the Lyon County Emergency Communications Center, the swarm is located in the alleyway behind 627 Commercial St. The swarm appeared after a five-gallon bucket of honey was spilled in the alley, which “created a literal golden buffet for the region’s bee population.” “The amazing bee experts of our city have advised that the bees should have the honey gobbled up in the next few days, but as far as clean up and removal — it’s a little late to do that,” LCECC said in an initial post to social media. “The bees would not be pleased.”
Source: Emporia Gazette

Ranson Financial2022-09-29T07:50:45-05:00September 29, 2022|News|

Bar owners say food requirement is arbitrary

A state law requiring places that sell alcohol to derive 30 percent of their revenue from sales came into focus last week when the state held up the license renewal of Sandhills Brewing in Hutchinson. The brewery sold more than $16,000 worth of hot dogs and food in one night and needed another $13,000 in food sales by the end of the month to renew its license. Sandshills’ plight drew a lot of attention about the law, which some accused of being arbitrary and a hindrance to opening a business. “It seems like it’s a law to keep clubs and businesses away, and they just want to have restaurants that serve alcohol,” said Allen Brinkman, co-owner of Moxie Grill & Bar in Newton. “It seems like it’s a very biased law.”
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2022-09-29T02:02:27-05:00September 29, 2022|News|

Overland Park has installed its first outdoor, publicly accessible automated external defibrillator

Overland Park has installed its first outdoor, publicly accessible automated external defibrillator in Thompson Park, 8045 Santa Fe Drive in the downtown area. The defibrillator was donated by a group of Overland Park residents in honor of Rick Worrel, a business community member who died in 2019. It’s housed in a climate-controlled cabinet known as a “SaveStation” on the south side of the restroom building next to the water fountain. The AED will be available around the clock for anyone to use for someone who appears to be in cardiac arrest.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2022-09-29T07:30:44-05:00September 29, 2022|News|

Olathe homeowners appeal HOA decision barring flying American flag

An Olathe, Kansas, couple is facing unknown fines from their HOA for their love of the American Flag and the Kansas City Chiefs. They’ve been told they can’t fly either flag in their backyard. Since the flag flap started, the Clarks have learned though Chiefs and other flags are banned by the HOA, American flags are not. But the HOA has taken issue with their flag pole threatening fines if any flag is flown. Since 2018, the Clarks say they’ve raised a Chiefs flag on game days on their backyard patio and proudly flown an American flag the rest of the time.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-09-29T07:37:05-05:00September 29, 2022|News|

New art public piece completed in Lawrence

Members of the public are invited to help celebrate the installation of new artwork in the City of Lawrence next month. The piece, named Through Other Eyes, was recently erected between the Lawrence Kansas Police Department and an adjacent trailhead. …The art piece is the work of Joe O’Connell with Creative Machine. He plans to give away 50 small, colorful glass spheres so attendees can take a piece of his artwork home with them.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2022-09-29T07:37:40-05:00September 29, 2022|News|