info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Every Johnson County teacher who wanted a COVID shot has gotten one, officials say

info2021-03-12T07:07:40-06:00March 11th, 2021|

As more students return to classrooms, Johnson County health officials report that all educators who want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine have gotten their first dose. Since the county began vaccinating school staff at the beginning of February, 15,000 educators and child care workers have received the first of two shots. In public schools, more than 74% of staff members have been vaccinated, along with 72% of private school staff and 65% of child care workers, the department said Thursday. Health officials expect those numbers to grow as more teachers and staff members indicate interest in receiving the vaccine, which is [...]

Shawnee County grassfires continue for 5th straight day

info2021-03-12T07:07:50-06:00March 11th, 2021|

The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office is starting traffic control and advising motorists to stay clear of 61st and Shawnee Heights Road after a controlled burn grew untamable. The Shawnee County Sheriff's Dispatch center confirmed there was smoke over the road. Although the red flag warning has been lifted, the Topeka Fire Department is asking for no burning in Topeka because of the danger of fire spreading. Source: KSNT News

As Overland Park explores solutions to U.S. 69 congestion, toll road bill faces skepticism in Topeka

info2021-03-12T07:08:10-06:00March 11th, 2021|

Johnson County transportation liaison Josh Powers can make public safety, economic development and convenience arguments for reliance on tolls to pay for construction of express lanes on what might be the busiest four-lane highway in Kansas. He’s talking about U.S. 69 that slices a north-to-south route through Overland Park. It routinely suffers congestion during rush hour. Overland Park officials approached the Kansas Department of Transportation about widening the highway to six lanes. New northbound and southbound lanes would be referred to as “managed” lanes, which would be a first for Kansas. Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Governor Laura Kelly visits McFarland to Celebrate $5 million in Grants to Expand Broadband to Homes, Businesses Statewide

info2021-03-12T07:08:28-06:00March 11th, 2021|

Governor Laura Kelly today announced that through the Broadband Acceleration Grant Program, 14 broadband improvement projects totaling $5 million will improve access to high-speed internet for homes and businesses in 18 communities statewide. “Broadband access has been an overlooked problem in Kansas and across the country for years – but my administration knows it’s a game-changer, particularly for rural and underserved areas of our state,” Governor Kelly said. “These grants use an aggressive timeline to support urgent broadband needs that came to light during the pandemic. We’re committed to ensuring every Kansan has access to the connection they need for telehealth, [...]

Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach urges residents to get vaccinated in final State of the City address

info2021-03-12T07:08:41-06:00March 11th, 2021|

Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach, who has been in office since 2005, gave what is likely to be his last State of the City address earlier this month. Gerlach, who last month said he would not seek re-election this year, used the annual event March 3 to highlight ways the city has tried to overcome hardships created by the pandemic and stay unified in the midst of unprecedented challenges. The speech is normally given at a live, in-person event but was pre-produced this year and put online due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. Gerlach’s address had a valedictory tone as the Johnson [...]

Sedgwick County opens COVID-19 vaccine to postal, grocery and restaurant workers

info2021-03-12T07:09:02-06:00March 11th, 2021|

Sedgwick County has opened up all of Phase 2 of its COVID-19 vaccination plan, now allowing people such as postal, grocery and restaurant workers to get the shot. Phase 2 was previously broken up into three part, 2A, 2B and 2C. As of Thursday, they are all combined. Click here to see if you're eligible and here to schedule an appointment online. County Manager Tom Stolz said the county has administered about 75,000 doses in the community. Source: KAKE - News

Kansas communities set for broadband improvements following first round of state grants

info2021-03-12T07:09:41-06:00March 11th, 2021|

Critically needed broadband will soon be available to more than a dozen Kansas communities after the first-round recipients of a state grant program were announced Thursday. The Broadband Acceleration Grant Program, created in fall 2020, aims to increase broadband access across the state through a 10-year, $85 million investment. The program is operated through the office of broadband development in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Eisenhower Legacy transportation program. The initial round provided $5 million in total grant awards to 14 companies in 18 communities; each company matched the state grant it received. Source: Kansas Reflector

Energy assistance program expanded

info2021-03-12T07:10:00-06:00March 11th, 2021|

The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program is being expanded to help Kansas residents with high utility bills, according to Gov. Laura Kelly. Gov. Kelly announced Thursday that the application deadline for LIEAP assistance is being extended to May 28. Also, income requirements for the program are changing from 130 percent to 150 percent of the federal poverty level, according to the governor’s office. For example, a household of four that makes $39,300 a year or $3,275 a month would qualify for LIEAP assistance. Source: Wyandotte Daily

Topeka agrees to pay $335,000 to settle lawsuit linked to 2016 police SUV crash

info2021-03-12T07:18:49-06:00March 11th, 2021|

Topeka's city government has agreed to pay $335,000 to settle a lawsuit over an April 2016 crash in which a vehicle driven by an undocumented immigrant was hit by a Topeka police SUV, which allegedly went through a red light while responding to a call with its lights and siren on. The city paid that amount in the suit pursued by motorist Jesus Meza and his passenger and niece, Meyra Meraz Aguirre, said Molly Hadfield, the city's media relations director. Source: CJonline.com.

Garden City applies for state loan for utility help

info2021-03-12T07:22:20-06:00March 11th, 2021|

The Garden City Commission applied for a utility low-interest loan program through the state of Kansas for assistance in financing high utility costs incurred during the extreme winter weather in February at a special meeting Wednesday. The cold weather incurred just over $10 million in additional expenses to the city’s electric utility.... Mike Muirhead, Garden City Public Utilities director, said the loan program is available to any city in Kansas that has incurred extraordinary costs due to the weather. Source: Garden City Telegram.

About info