info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Destination Derby: Leaders say STAR bond projects help transform the city into a regional draw

info2021-10-15T09:00:23-05:00October 15th, 2021|

Derby mayor Randy White remembers recently being at the city’s Field Station Dinosaur attraction when he struck up a conversation with other visitors. In the conversation, he learned they were from Kansas City and had planned a day in Derby specifically to visit the dinosaur park. It was affirmation, he says, of what has been the intentional use of STAR bonds to help transform the the city from a bedroom community to a regional destination. “That’s what a regional draw is about,” White says. “You have to have cool things.” White says it’s more than just casual encounters: Drive through the [...]

Manhattan Housing Authority awarded $2.6M grant for rental assistance

info2021-10-14T23:56:53-05:00October 14th, 2021|

Manhattan Housing Authority recently awarded a $2.6 million grant to start a Bridge to Housing Stability program for Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance applicants. MHA commissioner, Brad Claussen says, applying is worth the effort to go through the process. MHA has provided around $1.4M to property owners directly. Assistance is temporary. Individuals are granted 3 months of assistance and encouraged to re-certify. Applicants must go through KERA to get the process started and once approved you are handed off to a local entity. There remains over $200M for housing assistance at the state level. Source: 1350 KMAN

Governor Laura Kelly Announces 100 New Jobs in Bonner Springs

info2021-10-14T23:54:39-05:00October 14th, 2021|

Governor Laura Kelly today announced that Medline, the country’s largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies, will invest $77.5 million to construct a new distribution center and create 100 new jobs in Bonner Springs. “Medline’s decision to choose Kansas to expand their footprint is a testament to our central location, infrastructure network, and world-class workforce,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This project is a major win for Bonner Springs and the state as a whole. This company exemplifies the type of businesses we are working to attract and retain, and this new facility will be a fantastic addition to the [...]

Working to improve communication between Sedgwick County and the city of Wichita

info2021-10-14T23:49:47-05:00October 14th, 2021|

A lapse in communication. That is how Sedgwick County leaders describe what happened one week ago, when a major water main broke, prompting a boil water advisory for Wichita and surrounding communities. On Thursday, Oct 7 at 1:32 p.m., the power went out at the water treatment plant causing pumps to shut down. Within minutes, the pumps were restarted but started to lose pressure. At 2 p.m., city crews found the water main break. Fifteen minutes later they notified the KDHE, then a boil advisory was issued at 3 p.m. The city held a press conference at 3:30 p.m. This is [...]

USD259 hoping to fill vacant positions by hosting job fair

info2021-10-14T23:47:27-05:00October 14th, 2021|

Wichita Public Schools held a job fair Thursday, Oct. 14 in hopes of hiring substitute teachers, paras and custodians. Before the coronavirus pandemic, USD259 had around 1,000 substitutes. This year it is half that. Nearly 100 people showed up to the job fair today hoping to snag a position. "I like kids. I worked with kids for a while. I was a director of our nursery, I worked in pediatrics as a CNA," said Heather Self, who applied for a position at the job fair. "I have teenagers at home, so it's up my alley." Source: KSN-TV

Kansas booze deliveries might be next, following to-go cocktails

info2021-10-14T23:45:42-05:00October 14th, 2021|

The to-go cocktails and longer liquor store hours adopted in Kansas during the pandemic could live on after the virus threat has passed. But some lawmakers worry that additional changes sought by grocery chains and liquor companies could hurt small businesses and overwhelm state regulators. Changes approved during the 2021 legislative session included expanding the hours liquor stores could operate on Sundays and holidays and allowing the sale of to-go cocktails and drive-through drinks. Source: KSN-TV

Wichita conducting further testing on pipe that failed leading to pressure loss and boil advisory

info2021-10-14T23:43:48-05:00October 14th, 2021|

The city of Wichita said that they are conducting further testing on a 42-inch pipe that led to a failure and loss of pressure last week. The city was put under a boil advisory from Thursday afternoon to early Saturday morning before it was lifted by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. During a press conference, Alan King, Wichita's director of Public Works & Utilities, said the pipe had been replaced and the hole backfilled. However, the line hasn't been put back into service. "The repaired section of pipe will be pressure tested, and we will put it at a [...]

Shawnee County commissioners approve plan to make your drive better

info2021-10-14T23:41:29-05:00October 14th, 2021|

The Shawnee County Commission approved a motion Thursday that will help drivers in Topeka. This new construction plan will focus on Southwest Topeka Boulevard just south of University Boulevard, and right across the road from Forbes Field. Construction workers will be changing the road from being two lanes on either side to only one. Because the road will now be one lane on either side, there will be points made where passing will be allowed. They also plan to re-pave the area where the railroad tracks cross over the street, making it a less bumpy ride on your commute. "It will [...]

Overland Park will retake bids for new animal shelter contract after residents raise ‘no kill’ concerns

info2021-10-14T23:39:24-05:00October 14th, 2021|

A plan to change Overland Park’s animal shelter contract from Great Plains SPCA to the Wycliff Animal Clinic got so much angry pushback from residents and feedback from some councilmembers that the city will rebid the contract and make sure to reach out to multiple animal shelters this time around. Much of the opposition to the change revolved around residents’ concerns and questions about what could happen to stray animals the new shelter takes in on the city’s behalf. Great Plains claims itself as the “largest no-kill animal shelter in the Kansas City metro,” while the prospective contract for Wycliff left [...]

Merriam Mayor Ken Sissom set to retire this month after 40-year career — ‘I’ve been blessed to do this’

info2021-10-15T00:08:03-05:00October 14th, 2021|

After 40 years of serving the city of Merriam, Mayor Ken Sissom is retiring at the end of this month. Sissom was first elected as mayor of Merriam in April 2009 and has served three full terms. During his time as mayor, he oversaw the city’s business base grow with the city expanding the number of car dealerships along I-35. The introduction of IKEA off I-35, the Kansas City metro’s first, along with the newly built Merriam Community Center, were also among the city’s milestones during Sissom’s tenure. Before becoming mayor, Sissom worked more than 25 years for the Merriam Police [...]

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