info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Gas costs soar due to arctic blast in Winfield

info2021-02-22T07:03:32-06:00February 21st, 2021|

The City of Winfield has incurred $10 million in natural gas costs through the previous six days as sub-zero temperatures gripped the area, leading the city to look for ways to mitigate the financial fallout. “The cost of this event to our community has been one that we have had very little control over. We are seeking every avenue of relief as this is an insurmountable cost for us that, without relief, will be felt for years to come,” Winfield city manager Taggart Wall said in a letter to the community, which was posted on the city’s Facebook page and emailed [...]

Parsons offers temporary plumbing licenses

info2021-02-22T07:04:02-06:00February 21st, 2021|

Plumbers in Parsons for a limited time can get a license without taking the standardized test usually required. During a special meeting Friday afternoon, the Parsons City Commission approved a resolution allowing plumbers to get a license to practice their trade in the city without a master or journeyman certificate until April 30. Those receiving temporary licenses must have either worked for a licensed plumber for several years or did plumbing work of their own outside of the city. The move was made to alleviate the backlog of people still waiting to have their pipes thawed or repaired after the Arctic [...]

Housing study finds Johnson County real estate market remains unaffordable for many

info2021-02-22T07:04:15-06:00February 21st, 2021|

While communities across Johnson County enjoy high growth as attractive places to live, residents often face limited options in the housing market that are attainable for raising a family and aging in place. That’s according to the results of a county-wide housing study, which was released and published earlier this month. The Johnson County Municipalities Community Housing Study is a months-long endeavor by the Johnson County Health Equity Network, a collaboration that comprises the county and 19 cities, along with numerous private groups and organizations. Source: Prairie Village Post

Finney County educators and school staff get vaccinated

info2021-02-22T07:04:24-06:00February 21st, 2021|

Finney County educational staff received their first round of COVID vaccines Thursday and Friday. The vaccinations took place at the county's mass vaccination clinic at the Finney County Fairgrounds exhibition building. The chance to get vaccinated stemmed from a community collaboration between the county, the local health community, and surrounding schools. "It's so exciting to be able to collaborate with our community partners and offer vaccinations for all of the school employees here. We're very excited to do this outreach for our community," said Colleen Drees, Finney County Health Department Director. Source: KSN-TV

City of Cheney asks for help with high gas prices

info2021-02-22T07:04:39-06:00February 21st, 2021|

One of the cities needing relief from the current astronomical prices is the city of Cheney. The whole year of 2020 the city of Cheney said they spent 256,000 dollars on natural gas. With the huge spike in prices, just in the month of February, the total amount is looking to be a million dollars. A huge expense for a city of just over two thousand people. "We need help it's not just the city asking for help we are asking for help from our businesses and our customers," said Danielle Young, Cheney City Administrator. When the price of natural gas [...]

Broadband company expands its reach to rural areas, thousands could benefit

info2021-02-22T07:04:45-06:00February 21st, 2021|

In a virtual world, the internet is key. However often in rural areas, it can be difficult to access. In Haviland, a local broadband company received a much-needed upgrade. The pandemic made it clear for many how important fast internet speeds are to get through the day-to-day virtual life activities But with that came challenges for small internet companies working to serve rural customers. Haviland Broadband, formerly known as Haviland Telephone is a small, locally-managed internet company. It serves areas in and around Kiowa, Kingman, and Sumner counties. Source: KSN-TV

Recommended to leave a radius around fire hydrants when shoveling snow

info2021-02-22T07:04:53-06:00February 21st, 2021|

Firefighters are asking the community to be mindful when shoveling snow. Fire departments recommend leaving at least a five-foot radius around fire hydrants. Doing that allows sunlight to help the ground thaw more efficiently -- keeping water lines warmer, which will help prevent water issues with the hydrant. Steven Burton, Fire Chief, Columbus Fire Dept., says, "Any amount of clearance around it is very important for us, but also making sure the different jurisdictions and private parties that are pushing snow aren't piling those piles up in the way of those hydrants to where they'll block the view from responders. That's [...]

Mercury Broadband growing, bringing 200 jobs to Topeka

info2021-02-22T07:04:59-06:00February 21st, 2021|

A local internet company is growing and bringing more jobs to the capital city. Mercury Broadband has started construction on a new building in Southwest Topeka. It will be a new call center for the broadband provider. CEO Garrett Wiseman said they're also expanding services in parts of rural Shawnee County. "So many students are being educated from home right now and without good internet access, it's impossible to do," Wiseman said. "So we're excited about the opportunity to bring better service to the communities." The company is bringing 200 new jobs as part of the project. Source: KSNT News

Douglas County considering more changes to land-use regulations to further limit rural residential development

info2021-02-21T09:50:14-06:00February 21st, 2021|

Although Douglas County adopted new zoning regulations last year to limit residential development in rural parts of the county, that effort did not go exactly as planned. Tonya Voigt, the county’s zoning and codes director, told the County Commission recently that new codes that were adopted in early 2020 slowed the number of residential subdivisions into land parcels of 10 acres or smaller, but vastly increased the number of divisions into 20-acre lots. She said that meant the codes didn’t create the situation the county staff had hoped for. “It has not slowed down development; it has just changed the way [...]

Garden City declares financial emergency

info2021-02-20T12:18:01-06:00February 20th, 2021|

The Garden City Commission declared a financial emergency at its regular meeting Tuesday. Melinda Hitz, Garden City finance director, said the cash balance of the electric fund is low, sitting around $100,000, when typically the balance is between $4 million and $5 million. There is a reserve fund that has a little over $4 million, but the operating fund is concerning, Hitz said. Mike Muirhead, Public Utilities director, said the fund is low for several reasons. First, retail and commercial sales are down approximately $1.75 million from projected utility costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ...Declaring a financial emergency is the [...]

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