info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

City Administrator reflects on Humboldt gas crisis as anniversary approaches

info2022-02-07T07:18:46-06:00February 7th, 2022|

The fallout from a crippling ice storm last February had far-reaching ramifications for the city of Humboldt. As a result of wind chill warnings and stress to natural utility lines, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly declared a State of Disaster Emergency last Feb. 14. Eight days later, the Humboldt City Council declared a State of Financial Emergency. The city’s bill for the month of February soared to $1.6 million, dwarfing its monthly projected budget of $35,000 – as well as the $375,000 annual budget. The Kansas legislature ultimately passed legislation bailing out a number of municipalities that experienced the gas price crunch. [...]

Labette Co. leaders look to restore economic recovery to pre-covid conditions

info2022-02-07T07:17:25-06:00February 7th, 2022|

It's a time of economic recovery across Kansas. But while some have returned to pre-pandemic conditions, others haven't. It's getting close in Labette County, and now officials are looking at the final steps to continue the comeback. "Reports show that Parsons and Labette County are right, almost where we were pre-COVID," said Jim Zaleski, Parsons Economic Development Director. While unemployment may have jumped to almost 9% in Labette County at the start of the pandemic, it's almost back to normal, now sitting at around three and a half percent according to Wichita State University. Source: KSNF/KODE

New plans for Mission Gateway aim to restart long-troubled project from ‘square one’

info2022-02-07T00:58:52-06:00February 7th, 2022|

A new plan aims to jump start the long-troubled Mission Gateway development a month after it missed a critical construction milestone, forcing its developers back to “some version of square one” almost 16 years after the project first began. Should Mission city leaders agree to pursue the newest iteration of the long-running redevelopment plan this spring, developer Tom Valenti suggested construction could resume as soon as the beginning of 2023 — almost three years after work stopped on the property. But city officials frustrated by years of false starts appeared to remain skeptical during Valenti’s first pitch of the new version [...]

Riley County appraiser says home values could increase 10% to 14%

info2022-02-07T07:14:49-06:00February 7th, 2022|

Riley County appraisers say single-family homes in Manhattan and immediate surrounding areas could see a 10% to 14% increase in their taxable property values this year. Riley County Appraiser Greg McHenry told The Mercury on Friday about the potential level of increases. He said the housing supply is not meeting the demand in Manhattan, and residents are willing to pay more for a home. McHenry on Thursday updated the county commission on the local real estate market. County appraisers annually provides new valuations for all properties. Source: themercury.com

USD 383 looking for input on budget plan for $7.25 million federal grant

info2022-02-07T00:55:17-06:00February 7th, 2022|

USD 383 is seeking public input on a budget plan for millions of dollars of federal funding coming to the district. The Manhattan-Ogden school district was allocated over $7.25 million by Congress in March of 2021 intended to help elementary and secondary schools respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in various ways. This is the third round of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency (ESSER III) funds distributed since 2020, provided this time as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). USD 383 previously received over $812,000 through the CARES Act and over $3.2 million as part of the CRRSA Act. “The [...]

Kansas provides $2M for electric vehicle charging stations

info2022-02-07T00:53:49-06:00February 7th, 2022|

Kansas has awarded $2 million in grants to the operators of travel centers on Interstate 70 and the Kansas Turnpike to install charging stations for electric vehicles. The state Department of Transportation announced grants Friday for stations in seven locations. The grants are financed with funds from legal settlements with German automaker Volkswagen Corp. over its admission in 2015 that diesel-engine cars were programmed to turn on emissions controls during government lab tests and turn them off while on the road. The department said the grants were designed to put charging stations along the state’s most-traveled highways. Source: Andover American

Hillsboro experienced a record-breaking sales tax numbers

info2022-02-07T00:52:10-06:00February 7th, 2022|

Hillsboro experienced a record-breaking tax income with December’s sales tax, according to Hillsboro City Administrator Matt Stiles in the Hillsboro City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 4. Stiles said they do not know the exact reasons for the month’s collections of $872,024.52, which was 23 percent higher than 2020 and 47 percent than the rolling five-year average. “There could be any number of reasons. Car sales were high, and we also have new businesses doing well with The Building Center and bomgaars,” said Stiles. Mayor Lou Thurston added, “And frankly all of our businesses do a really good job and work [...]

JCDHE works with City of Mission to improve recycling, decrease contamination

info2022-02-07T00:49:02-06:00February 7th, 2022|

Johnson County Department of Health and Environment is partnering with the City of Mission and GFL Environmental (trash and recycling hauler) to provide recycling education to reduce contamination and improve recycling habits as part of the “Recycle Right” campaign. On Monday, Feb. 7, JCDHE’s recycling specialists will be walking through neighborhoods in Mission, assessing the contents of recycle bins. If non-recyclable items are found, feedback offering tips on ways to improve their recycling will be left on the bin. The first area to be observed will be the part of the city that has a Monday recycling collection. Source: Johnson County [...]

Lenexa police officer helps deliver baby

info2022-02-07T00:41:44-06:00February 7th, 2022|

Police find themselves in all kinds of emergency situations. Even so, what happened on Interstate 35 early Thursday morning is something a Lenexa police officer will likely always remember. Officers responded to a QuikTrip at I-35 and 95th Street around 12:15 a.m. When they arrived they found a woman in labor. Her husband had been driving her to the hospital, but they weren't going to make it before the baby arrived. A 15-year veteran of the police force helped the woman deliver the baby in the family's car before paramedics arrived. "And units responding to 95 and Lenexa Drive, your baby [...]

Osawatomie reestablishes tourism committee

info2022-02-07T00:36:02-06:00February 7th, 2022|

A big box store may not be in Osawatomie's future. But city officials agreed tourism can play a larger role in driving Osawatomie's economy. With that in mind, the city has reestablished the Osawatomie Tourism Committee in part to promote signature events designed to draw people to the community. The city is seeking applicants for the newly reformed tourism committee, which was originally established in 2013 but has been dormant for some time. The city is accepting applications through Wednesday, Feb. 9. See the city’s website www.osawtomieks.org for more information and details about how to apply. Source: Local News | republic-online.com

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