info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

3-story house being moved through Great Bend streets draws a crowd of spectators

info2021-12-07T22:16:04-06:00December 7th, 2021|

A three-story house being moved through the streets of Great Bend drew a large crowd of spectators on Tuesday. The Great Bend Tribune says the Unruh House at 2526 Broadway owned by Amber and Brent Rugan of rural Stafford County is being relocated to their farm property. Crews have been preparing the house for weeks. But, first, the house was placed on beams and loaded on a trailer. The home's transport from Broadway started toward Washington Avenue. Several road closures and safety measures will occur as the house makes it to its new location. Source: KSN-TV

Morrill Library showcase features art from more than 15 local artisans

info2021-12-08T07:27:17-06:00December 7th, 2021|

The Morrill Public Library hosted a Community Art Showcase on Saturday. The showcase featured artwork from more than 15 local artisans, in addition to selections from the high school art classes and Hiawatha Clock Tower interpretations from the elementary school fourth graders. The Art Showcase included paintings and drawings of all media types, crochet works, a quilted baby blanket, die cast cars, ceramic pieces, an owl sculpture, lead soldiers and more. Stephanie Gummelt, a musician from St. Joseph, Mo., performed a beautiful acoustic concert while those in attendance browsed the art pieces and were able to enjoy light refreshments. Source: hiawathaworldonline.com

Wichita City Council votes to approve water and sewer rate increases for 2022

info2021-12-08T07:27:41-06:00December 7th, 2021|

The Wichita City Council on Tuesday voted 7-0 to increase water and sewer rates. The recommended rate adjustments for 2022 are 6.50% for water and 3% for sewer, for a combined rate adjustment of 5.13%. The rate adjustments were made to help fund the ongoing operation and maintenance of water and sewer utilities. Right now, work continues on the $524 million Northwest Water Facility and the $357 million Biological Nutrient Removal project. The new rates will take effect on Jan. 1, 2022, and the adjustments are the same as those shared with the council since December 2019. Source: KSN-TV

New fire chief named in Garden City

info2021-12-08T07:28:00-06:00December 7th, 2021|

Garden City announced the city's new fire chief on Tuesday. Jon Irsik will fill the position vacated by the resignation of Chief Bill Beaty earlier this year. Irsik currently serves as interim battalion chief for the Garden City Fire Department and has 17 years of experience in the fire service. He started his career in 2004 as a firefighter before moving through the ranks. "I am honored to be selected as the next fire chief for Garden City Fire Department. Source: KSN-TV

Should the Douglas County Commission have 5 members?

info2021-12-08T07:28:21-06:00December 7th, 2021|

Douglas County on Thursday will host a community listening session on the possibility of moving from three county commissioners to five. County Clerk Jamie Shew will start the event with a presentation about the process of moving to a five-member commission, which would require an election. Then commissioners will take comments from community members. Some people have expressed concerns about a lack of representation of rural Douglas County residents, particularly after the 2020 election. Source: The Lawrence Times

Incentive renewal means Spirit won’t pay Wichita property taxes for at least 20 years

info2021-12-08T07:28:40-06:00December 7th, 2021|

Spirit AeroSystems, Wichita’s largest employer, won’t pay city property taxes for another 20 years after the Wichita City Council renewed an incentive agreement. The council voted Tuesday to renew a non-annexation agreement reaffirming that Spirit’s campus on Oliver is not technically within city limits. The City Council renewed a similar 20-year agreement with Textron Aviation in December 2019. After re-upping the incentive agreement, the council unanimously voted to grant Spirit a one-year extension on job growth promises the company could not deliver on, largely because of the joint crises of the pandemic and the worldwide grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX. [...]

Dole will lie in repose at Kansas Capitol after Russell service

info2021-12-08T07:30:16-06:00December 7th, 2021|

The body of Bob Dole, the former Kansas senator who died Sunday at 98, will lie in repose at the state Capitol on Saturday following a memorial service in his hometown of Russell. The Dole Institute of Politics on Tuesday announced Kansas-based events honoring Dole for later in the week. Dole’s body will arrive on Friday evening at Hays Regional Airport and will be received by a delegation led by Gov. Laura Kelly. From 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, a public viewing will be held at St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell, Kansas. A service will be held [...]

Kansas City area schools address safety after spate of threats and Michigan shooting

info2021-12-07T07:42:39-06:00December 7th, 2021|

This week’s threat of a possible shooting at Wyandotte High School is just the latest in a string of at least a dozen threats made recently against Kansas City area schools. They echo a rise in such threats nationwide as district officials and police try to determine what is credible — and what is a worst-case scenario, like the shooting Nov. 30 in Michigan that left four students dead and six other students and a teacher wounded. Officials in some area districts say they are reviewing policies and procedures following the Michigan shooting, as well as the series of threats against [...]

Short-term rental properties in Riley County need license to operate starting Jan. 1

info2021-12-07T07:42:19-06:00December 7th, 2021|

New Riley County regulations include license requirements for short-term rental properties, such as those on websites like Vrbo or Airbnb. On Monday, Riley County commissioners unanimously approved new land development regulations and adopted driveway standards for unincorporated areas of Riley County. In July, Manhattan city commissioners discussed potential licensing and permits for short-term rental properties in Manhattan, but they took no action. According to Craig Cox, deputy county counselor, short-term rental regulations were not in the previous code. In the new regulations, property owners will have to have a license and meet the requirements to obtain the license. Source: themercury.com

‘Heirloom’ book celebrating Wichita’s 150th about to be released by historical museum

info2021-12-07T07:41:43-06:00December 7th, 2021|

The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum has a surprise gift for fans of local history and old photos depicting Wichita’s past. The museum’s staff has for about three years been quietly working on a hefty “heirloom” book, meant as a celebration of the city’s 150th birthday in 2020, and it will release the book on Saturday — just in time for holiday gift giving. It’s called “A Spell Created: A Sesquicentennial History of Wichita and Sedgwick County.” The hard-cover book, which is 10x14 inches, has 356 pages and weighs six and a half pounds. It costs $95 and will go on sale [...]

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