info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Kansas firefighters sharpening their skills while helping fight fires out west

info2021-08-09T07:39:49-05:00August 9th, 2021|

From California to Nevada and Idaho, wildfires are raging in the west. Crews from right here in Kansas are helping battle those blazes. A group from the Hutchinson Fire Department returned Thursday night to Hutchinson. The four-man crew said it's a trip that helped them learn more about fighting fires -- an education they believe will help them here in Kansas. Firefighter Cole Inghram and Brent Fisher were the eyes in the sky for the Stateline Complex Fire. “We were able to get up on a peak lookout tower that was at 64,000 feet and be able to look down on the [...]

Winfield seeks feedback on backyard chickens

info2021-08-09T07:38:55-05:00August 9th, 2021|

The City of Winfield wants to hear from the public about whether to increase the number of chickens residents are allowed to keep. The planning commission will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall to collect opinions on the keeping of chickens within the city limits. A local citizen has asked to change the current regulations that allows just one chicken to be kept for exhibit in 4-H or the county free fair, according to a press release issued by the city. Source: The Arkansas City Traveler

Chanute Land Bank assists several local building projects

info2021-08-09T07:38:20-05:00August 9th, 2021|

The Chanute Land Bank awarded the remainder of its moderate-income housing funds Wednesday morning and has one project lined up as soon as more money is available. The board approved requests for a historic downtown building, two home renovations and two new home construction projects under the Chanute Housing Improvement Program. They also tentatively approved a downtown project when more money is available. “I knew this would go quick and it did,” Kim Ewert with the land bank said. The funding brings a total of 15 new housing units to Chanute. Source: The Chanute Tribune

Riley County gives final approval to 0.2% sales tax ballot question

info2021-08-09T07:35:54-05:00August 9th, 2021|

Riley County commissioners on Thursday officially approved adding a question to the Nov. 2 election ballot asking whether voters would be in favor of a 0.2% sales tax for road and bridge projects. The current 0.5% countywide sales tax, which is shared by the city and county governments, comes to the end of its 10-year term on Dec. 31, 2022. If voters approve the proposed 0.2% rate, it would come with a shorter term of five years and take effect Jan. 1, 2023. If the question is approved by voters, all sales tax proceeds could only be used for road and [...]

Ellinwood park adds adjustable basketball goals with grant funding

info2021-08-09T07:35:12-05:00August 9th, 2021|

Ellinwood Recreation Commission, the City of Ellinwood and Sunflower Bank announce the recent grant they received from the Golden Belt Community Foundation. The Ellinwood Community has been awarded The CPI Qualify of Life Barton County grant in the amount of $4,300, which will go toward new basketball goals at the city park. The money received will go toward two ultimate HangTime adjustable basketball systems with moveable extension arms to allow rim height adjustment from 7 ½ to 10 feet. Rim height adjustment can be accomplished by means of hand operated bevel gear crank located on the pole. Source: Great Bend Tribune

Kansas hospitals are short-staffed, forcing some patients to travel miles for care

info2021-08-09T07:34:50-05:00August 9th, 2021|

Kansas hospitals are struggling to keep up with an increasing amount of patients, as they face staffing shortages. Cindy Samuelson, a spokesperson for Kansas Hospital Association, told The Kansas Capitol Bureau on Friday that nearly all hospitals in the Kansas City metro area have reported being understaffed, forcing patients to be transferred to other hospitals, sometimes several states away, for care. "We're in a time of flux right now," Samuelson said. "We've had patients going to states not bordering Kansas, which is, unfortunately, farther than we'd like patients to have to seek care." It's causing a strain on workers, but also [...]

Homelessness, mental illness and substance abuse are often intertwined in Wichita

info2021-08-09T00:17:51-05:00August 9th, 2021|

Micky Maddux encounters people who are homeless three to 10 times a day. She does not live or work in a shelter or sleep on a sidewalk. She’s the owner of an art gallery in Wichita’s Old Town Square. She’s cleaned their urine and feces off her gallery front in the morning, been accosted and heard their shouting. “Sometimes it’s not always aggressive,” Maddux said. “Sometimes it’s heartbreaking.” Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Fort Scott is having their Inaugural Downtown Spring Clean next week

info2021-08-09T00:15:08-05:00August 9th, 2021|

Fort Scott City Officials are putting the focus on downtown beautification. The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will host its inaugural Downtown Spring Clean a week from Friday. The event was originally planned to take place in April, but rain postponed it, along with the make-up date. Next week, volunteers will paint curbs, clean up trash and debris and other projects. Source: KSNF/KODE

New infrastructure will finally start to develop for the Columbus School District

info2021-08-09T00:13:09-05:00August 9th, 2021|

Thanks to Tuesday's election, a long awaited infrastructure upgrade will finally become reality for the Columbus School District. "They see the need, this is the same building that my parents went to school in, not much changed." Says Taylor Spear, Central Elementary & Jr. High Teacher. On Tuesday, the Columbus School District's proposed 14.75 million dollar bond project was approved. "Over 70 percent of the voters supported it. About six years ago they tried another bond issue and it failed. I think it was almost in reverse." Says Brian Smith, Columbus USD 493 Superintendent. Officials say the success came from an [...]

Putting up a good front in Barton County

info2021-08-09T07:34:00-05:00August 9th, 2021|

The Barton County Commission wants downtown property owners countywide to be able to put their best face forward, spark economic prosperity and to revitalize business districts. To this end, commissioners Monday morning will consider a proposed Barton County Facade Improvement Grant Program. “The goal is to provide financial assistance to businesses and property owners for downtown building front improvements to increase economic prosperity, accessibility, and quality of life in Claflin, Ellinwood, Great Bend and Hoisington,” County Administrator Phil Hathcock said. The county has determined communities’ retail centers are areas of “priority funding,” and maps of these defined districts will be available [...]

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