info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Kansas lawmakers call for ‘serious debate’ on marijuana

info2020-11-12T07:13:37-06:00November 11th, 2020|

It's an issue some lawmakers can't seem to agree on, but as more evidence on the benefits of marijuana is made available, marijuana supporters in Kansas may finally see some change. "It's taken a long time to build up the familiarity, education and inform the public about it," said Wichita Representative Gail Finney, who introduced a bill on legalizing medical marijuana in 2009. While the bill died in committee, Finney is one of few lawmakers who have made the push for legalizing some form of marijuana in Kansas, despite an increased level of support for legalizing the drug across the state. [...]

Pittsburg City Commission approves funding for wireless program

info2020-11-12T07:13:49-06:00November 11th, 2020|

The Pittsburg City Commission approves additional funding to a wireless internet program. Dragonnet will provide about 500 Pittsburg community schools students and their families with internet in their homes. The project was initially funded through a $1.1 million grant from the state. The city will now be contributing an additional $100,000 to help get the project done. And that money will come from sales taxes. Jay Byers, Deputy City Manager, Pittsburg, said, "The sales tax has been coming in very strong. So, we're able to take half of that from the public safety sales tax fund balance. And it's a public [...]

Shawnee County may create public health advisory board

info2020-11-12T07:16:45-06:00November 11th, 2020|

Helping the Shawnee County Commission replace outgoing health officer Gianfranco Pezzino would be among the duties of five medical professionals serving on a public health technical advisory board the commission will consider creating Thursday. ... The proposal, sponsored by Riphahn, comes forth at a time when the county is looking to replace Pezzino, who is leaving the health officer’s job he has held for nearly 14 years effective Dec. 31. Source: Local Government - The Topeka Capital-Journal

Tampa transplant reinvigorates neglected homes

info2020-11-12T07:17:06-06:00November 11th, 2020|

John Bichelmeyer eyed Tampa’s the old lumber building on Main St. and fell a little more in love with its potential every day he walked by. A native of Kansas small towns, Bichelmeyer’s job building wind farm turbines with RES had him traveling from New York, to Canada, and the very bottom of Texas, until he blew into Tampa about year ago. Not really intending to stay, Bichelmeyer surprised himself by buying the rundown structure, rescuing it, and moving in along with girlfriend Michelle Wilson. Source: Marion County RECORD

Roeland Park, Leawood residents approve sales tax increases

info2020-11-12T07:17:22-06:00November 11th, 2020|

Roeland Parkers on Nov. 3 approved a special sales tax that will fund the city’s infrastructure projects beginning in 2024. The question — which asked if the city should replace its one quarter of one percent sales tax with a new half percent sales tax — gained approval from nearly 60% of voters, according to Johnson County’s unofficial election results. Roeland Park Mayor Mike Kelly said the city will ensure the funds collected are used efficiently. “We’re very grateful that the people of Roeland Park trust us to represent this community, and we appreciate their support of our plan to utilize [...]

Governor Laura Kelly Announces $2 Billion in New Capital Investment in 2020

info2020-11-12T07:17:29-06:00November 11th, 2020|

Governor Laura Kelly today announced that the State of Kansas has officially surpassed $2 billion in new capital investment in 2020. This investment is brought by new economic development projects driven by Governor Kelly’s administration and the Kansas Department of Commerce. “The arrival of COVID-19 threatened to undermine the significant progress my administration has made to rebuild Kansas’ economic development recruitment efforts,” Governor Kelly said. “But with the assistance of Secretary David Toland and the dedicated team at the Department of Commerce, we have continued to bring in new projects or grow existing businesses. This significant milestone in investment illustrates our [...]

Sedgwick County to enforce new health order

info2020-11-12T07:17:47-06:00November 11th, 2020|

Sedgwick County commissioners have approved a resolution that will allow the county to enforce a new health order that went into effect Wednesday. The health order puts a limit on mass gatherings of 100 people or 50 percent of the fire code capacity, whichever is less. This will apply to restaurants, bars, nightclubs, fitness and health centers that have patrons not wearing masks for a longer period of time. Bars and nightclubs will have to close at 11 p.m. but they can continue carryout and curbside services past midnight. Retail stores are not considered mass gatherings but they would be limited [...]

Kansas counties, biggest school district set new COVID rules

info2020-11-12T07:17:57-06:00November 11th, 2020|

Kansas' largest public school district has scrapped plans to allow its middle and high school students to attend some in-person classes and three counties have imposed new restrictions inspired by the coronavirus pandemic. The moves by local officials come as the state works to expand its overall testing capacity so under a "unified" statewide strategy announced by Gov. Laura Kelly in late September. The strategy calls for regular testing of at-risk populations, including first responders, prison inmates, nursing home residents and K-12 students and staff, as well as more aggressive testing in virus hotspots. The state plans to spend at least [...]

As nurses, instructors and recruiters, these Kansas women served in WWII

info2020-11-11T07:57:44-06:00November 11th, 2020|

As World War II raged across the globe, some 350,000 American women joined the armed forces, serving in branches including the Women’s Army Corp (WAC), the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve (SPARS), the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP), the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve (WR) and the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). Earlier this year, The Eagle asked the community to share stories about Kansas women who answered the call to serve in the war in any capacity. In honor of Veterans Day, here are some of them, as told by their families and friends. Source: Local News | Wichita [...]

More schools in Wichita area move students to online classes as COVID rates spike

info2020-11-11T07:56:55-06:00November 11th, 2020|

More schools in the Wichita area are sending at least some of their students to fully remote learning as the coronavirus pandemic worsens. The local school decisions come as Kansas Department of Health and Environment data shows Sedgwick, Reno, Butler, Harvey, Sumner and Cowley counties above the red zone thresholds for the positive test rate and the rate of new COVID-19 cases. Many district created their own reopening guides based on the Kansas State Department of Education’s gating criteria. The red zone calls for online only classes for all grade levels and no sports or other activities. Source: Local News | [...]

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