info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Allen County to switch ambulance services

info2021-08-19T06:53:50-05:00August 19th, 2021|

Allen County will pursue a contract with a private company to provide countywide ambulance services starting in 2022. County commissioners voted, 2-1, Tuesday to negotiate solely with American Medical Response, and to let its existing EMS contract with the City of Iola expire on Dec. 31. The move is certain to have major ramifications within the Iola Fire Department, because firefighters man ambulances throughout the county from stations in Iola, Humboldt and Moran. “The decision was not made lightly,” Commissioner David Lee said, noting he’d had “a lot of sleepless nights” during negotiations. “But at the end of the day, I [...]

Unionizing new Amazon workers top priority for Wichita labor leaders

info2021-08-19T06:54:10-05:00August 19th, 2021|

Several unions in the Wichita area are preparing to attempt to organize new Amazon workers in Wichita and Park City, local labor leaders said, despite the online retail giant’s success in so far keeping unions at bay in warehouses across the country. “I may be a bit too much of an optimist, but the only way you ever accomplish anything is by trying,” said Esau Freeman, the business representative for the Service Employees International Union Local 513, which represents workers at the city of Wichita and USD 259. Freeman said he has given his business card to any Amazon workers he [...]

Wichita, Sedgwick County leaders declare formal support for Amtrak expansion

info2021-08-19T06:55:18-05:00August 19th, 2021|

Wichita City Council members and Sedgwick County Commissioners have been involved in discussions over the past decade on returning passenger rail service to south central Kansas, but they have now declared formal support for an expansion of Amtrak service. Sedgwick County Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution of support Wednesday for the extension of Amtrak services. The Wichita City Council approved a similar resolution last week. The city has not had direct access to passenger service since 1979. In recent years, Wichita residents have had to travel to Newton or Hutchinson to access Amtrak services. Amtrak has been studying an expansion of [...]

Governor Laura Kelly Announces 250 New Jobs in Emporia

info2021-08-19T06:55:49-05:00August 19th, 2021|

Governor Laura Kelly today announced Communications Solutions, LLC (CSLLC) will expand its operations to Emporia, Kansas, creating 250 new jobs. “Our partnership with CSLCC, which will create 250 new jobs in Emporia, is a testament to our state’s talented workforce and strong economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Congratulations to CSLLC and Emporia on this exciting announcement. We’ll continue prioritizing pro-growth policies to recruit new businesses and families to our state.” CSLLC is a premier provider of Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer Call Center services. The company is purchasing a facility to create a new call center in response to growing customer demand, with [...]

A short-staffed Sedgwick County now offers signing bonuses up to $5,000

info2021-08-19T03:43:01-05:00August 19th, 2021|

To combat widespread staffing shortages, Sedgwick County is offering signing bonuses up to $5,000 for some new employees. The signing bonuses are available for new hires in facilities maintenance, emergency communications (911) and Comcare — departments in which the county is having trouble attracting applicants, County Manager Tom Stolz told commissioners Wednesday. “It is a trial policy to see if the use of signing bonuses is an effective way to bolster and recruit workforce in areas that have large numbers of openings of specialty positions,” Stolz said. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Board of Regents session raises open meeting questions

info2021-08-19T03:40:47-05:00August 19th, 2021|

The Kansas Board of Regents is convening virtually Wednesday afternoon to vote on the profile that will be used to pick the next president of Kansas State University. But the only way to watch the 4 p.m. Zoom meeting is to drive to the board’s Topeka office, where it will be livestreamed. Emily Bradbury, executive director of the Kansas Press Association, said in a joint statement with the Kansas Association of Broadcasters that the board’s decision to limit access to the public meeting is irresponsible. “While the Kansas Board of Regents may not have to provide a link to the meeting [...]

Pizza Hut can serve beer, thanks to pastor

info2021-08-19T06:57:49-05:00August 19th, 2021|

More than four decades after opening in Hillsboro, Pizza Hut can now serve its customers a beer. Until Tuesday, the restaurant was banned from serving beer because city code prevents cereal malt beverage from being served within 200 feet of any school, college, or church. Pizza Hut is within 200 feet of Hillsboro United Methodist Church. Although no one from Pizza Hut came to talk to city council members Tuesday, the pastor of the church came to advocate letting Pizza Hut sell beer. Source: Marion County RECORD

Parsons selected for regional criminal justice training site

info2021-08-19T03:31:17-05:00August 19th, 2021|

Parsons will be home to a new regional criminal justice training site for law enforcement. Agencies from 16 regional counties will report to the new center for criminal justice training. Officials hope to get the new center up and running in the next 90 days. The 16 counties to be served by the site are: Lyon, Greenwood, Elk, Chautauqua, Coffey, Woodson, Wilson, Montgomery, Anderson, Allen, Neosho, Labette, Linn, Bourbon, Crawford and Cherokee. “This is a huge step forward for our agency and our region,” said Parsons Police Sgt. Jason Ludwig. “Training is critical for smaller rural agencies where staff members have [...]

Rural residents air concerns about dangerous dirt ‘detour’

info2021-08-19T03:25:46-05:00August 19th, 2021|

Residents along an unofficial detour voiced their concerns to the Neosho County Commission Tuesd ay after a fatality accident last week. Marilyn Henry, who lives in the first mile north of the intersection of Elk Road and K-47, was one of about a dozen residents at the meeting and spoke to the commission about heavy traffic around the US-169 construction project. Four miles of Elk Road are dirt between K-47 and 150th Road. The stretch is posted 30 miles per hour and through trucks are prohibited. Commissioners on Tuesday approved a resolution that specifically prohibits through-truck traffic on Elk, Chase and [...]

Want to rent a scooter in Prairie Village? Residents may soon have that option

info2021-08-19T06:58:34-05:00August 19th, 2021|

The city of Prairie Village is on the brink of making way for a fleet of dozens of rentable, motorized electric scooters, though lingering concerns about the vehicles has prompted the city to consider a pilot program that can be ended relatively quickly. The city council previously expressed some concerns over adding scooters to city streets, but the council committee of the whole on Monday approved entering a memorandum of understanding for a pilot program with Bird, one of the biggest players in the growing e-scooter market. Mayor Eric Mikkelson said he’s supportive of the pilot program because it will allow [...]

About info