info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Valley Center Police report increase in car burglaries across city

info2022-04-01T00:03:45-05:00April 1st, 2022|

Valley Center Police have arrested a juvenile in relation to an ongoing investigation into an increase in car break-ins across the city. Police said suspects have stolen one car and one firearm and broken into several other vehicles in three main areas over the last week. They believe all the incidents are related. Dannielle Ritter’s rental car was stolen from her house. She said it was a reminder not to get too comfortable in a small town. “It was a little bit more stressful since it wasn’t our car,” Ritter said. “We were worried about what exactly that… would… the repercussions [...]

Border truce ‘didn’t include the Chiefs,’ Kansas governor says amid relocation talk

info2022-04-01T06:54:34-05:00April 1st, 2022|

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said Thursday the state’s economic border war truce with Missouri “didn’t include the Chiefs,” after the team president disclosed it has considered stadium options in Kansas. The Democratic governor’s comment signals Kansas would be willing to use economic incentives to lure the Chiefs, who have been in Kansas City since 1963, across the state line. When initially asked about the possibility of relocating the NFL team, Kelly quipped that she was “on speed dial with Lamar Hunt,” referring to the Chiefs’ late founder and owner. His son Clark Hunt is the team’s chairman and CEO. Source: The [...]

Olathe schools to cut $20 million, eliminate jobs

info2022-04-01T06:54:45-05:00March 31st, 2022|

The Olathe school district is planning to cut about $20 million from next year’s budget and eliminate some positions, officials said, due to declining enrollment during the pandemic and other challenges. The move could be a sign of what’s to come for some other districts that face similar obstacles as they launch into their budget deliberations. In Olathe, while reductions in department budgets are expected across the board, the district has confirmed it will cut library clerk positions next school year — about 15 total at middle and high schools, spokeswoman Becky Grubaugh said. Source: KC Star Local News

Don’t burn in April, officials remind residents of Sedgwick and 15 other counties

info2022-04-01T06:54:53-05:00March 31st, 2022|

Here’s an annual reminder: Sedgwick County and 15 others are under an open burn ban for all of April. Restricted activities include “burning trees and brush from land clearing, crop residues, construction debris, yard waste and the use of backyard chimineas and fire pits,” a city news release said. Starting April 1, no new burn ban permits will be issued and previously issued permits will be suspended until May 1. Exceptions to the ban include “outdoor cooking apparatuses, ceremonial fires, or open burning for the purpose of crop, range, pasture, and wildlife or watershed management,” the release said. Source: Wichita Eagle

Solar power plan takes the spotlight

info2022-03-31T23:42:32-05:00March 31st, 2022|

Iola City Council members have two weeks to once again chew on a proposal that would integrate solar power into the city’s energy portfolio after hearing a proposal Monday for a 4-megawatt solar plant on the west edge of town. Iola’s energy consultant Scott Shreve and Rick Borry of Priority Power Management LLC — the company that would build the plant and control it for at least the first five years — explained the advantages to the city, namely the ability to secure a block of electricity for a known amount for at least 30 years. The cost would vary, depending [...]

New downtown Wichita schools could bring big boost to area

info2022-04-01T07:02:41-05:00March 31st, 2022|

The first Osteopathic Medical School in Kansas is slated to open its doors in Downtown Wichita this August. Right next to it on Broadway, WSU Tech is building its Institute of Culinary and Hospitality Education, also opening in August. The two places of higher learning at their enrollment peaks could combine for over a thousand students, plus faculty, and staff. It's something that has Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple very excited. “You can't have that type of, I guess, activity in a central area like this without seeing a ripple effect of economic opportunity." Whipple says many small towns are built around [...]

Pittsburg City Hall is making changes to improve accessibility

info2022-03-31T23:36:08-05:00March 31st, 2022|

Pittsburg plans to spend upwards of $300,000 to improve the accessibility of its City Hall building. Sprouls Construction Inc. out of Lamar, Missouri will spend the upcoming weeks installing new ramps and making the buildings entrance more level and accessible. The $284,187 project was approved by Pittsburg’s City Commissioner last week. Officials say the funding for this project comes from federal relief grants. Source: KOAMKOAM

Museum exhibit focuses on history of Arma

info2022-03-31T23:34:19-05:00March 31st, 2022|

The second quarterly exhibit at Miners Hall Museum, "Little Balkans Coal Camp: Arma," will open Friday and continue through June 26. The exhibit will feature the history of the coal camp now known as Arma. Arma was incorporated as a city on May 18, 1909. Previously the city had been known as Rust, Armiton and Armacost, a small coal camp that was laid out in 1886. The city was named for William F. Armacost, one of the owners of most of the land north and east of the camp. Admission to the museum is free; donations are accepted. Hours of operation [...]

Columbus hires Jake Letner as new City Administrator

info2022-03-31T09:47:35-05:00March 31st, 2022|

The City of Columbus, Kansas hired Mr. Jake Letner as their City Administrator. Mr. Letner will assume the City Administrator position on Monday, April 4th, 2022. "Mr. Letner will be a great asset to our team as City Administrator.” says Columbus Mayor Grant Spieth. “Jake is dedicated, hardworking, and is heavily involved in our community. The City of Columbus is looking forward to a lengthy and rewarding relationship with Mr. Letner.” ... Mr. Letner holds a Bachelor of Arts from Pittsburg State University and Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. For the last two years, Mr. [...]

Russell City Manager Jon Quinday Discusses How Increased Valuations Impact Property Taxes

info2022-03-31T09:39:14-05:00March 31st, 2022|

A few days ago, I was asked if the City receives more tax money when valuations increase. The answer is, "It depends." Property tax is the most criticized and misunderstood source of government revenue. The citizen was interested in recent media reports indicating statewide increases in property valuation. While in Russell County, we have not yet seen our valuation notices, it is probable, based on media reports across the State, we will experience the same. Naturally, we are all concerned about an increase's effect on our property tax. Different property classes – residential, agriculture, commercial – have different assessment rates, adding [...]

About info