info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Senate bill requires state to pay for recount of close municipal races

info2020-01-26T19:20:00-06:00January 26th, 2020|

State Sen. Randall Hardy knows agony of defeat and joy of victory of a razer-thin municipal election. The Salina Republican prevailed in a 2015 race for Salina City Commission after a recount of ballots resolved in his favor a 2,141 tie that was temporarily broken with a flip of a coin for his opponent. A recount revealed 40 ballots hadn’t been properly counted, and allocation of those votes provided Hardy the margin of victory. “There was a jam in a counting machine,” he said. “It was kind of a fluke thing, but fortunate in my case.” (Read more: Local - The [...]

Ranchers, landowners battle feds over conservation, property rights

info2020-01-26T19:18:14-06:00January 26th, 2020|

Ranchers in Oregon, Washington and Kansas have been battling the federal government over property rights and conservation efforts for decades. The states argue that in most cases, land owners know best how to manage their own land, not bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. In Kansas and Washington, ranchers filed a motion to intervene over recent changes to endangered species' policies proposed by the U.S. Department of the Interior. (Read more: DerbyInformer.com - news,news/)

Salina Police launch alert system to help first responders with emergencies involving those with special needs

info2020-01-26T19:11:55-06:00January 26th, 2020|

A Kansas dispatcher is paving the way for how police respond to emergencies involving those with special needs. Amber Pfiefer, lead dispatcher with the Salina Police Department, has answered many emergency calls over her 12 year career but there’s one call a few years back she’ll never forget. “We responded to a call with a citizen with special needs,”said Pfiefer. “At that time we didn’t realize he was special needs and he was being just non communicating, not responding to what the officers were wishing him to do.” (Read more: KSN-TV)

Moderate income housing comes to a rural community

info2020-01-26T19:10:19-06:00January 26th, 2020|

Its been almost 13 years since Greensburg was hit by a tornado, taking out homes and the towns’ population. Now, like most rural communities, they’re working to build more affordable housing to try and bring people in. Greensburg and a dozen other communities were given a grant from the Kansas Moderate Income Housing Program to build housing that is affordable for those on a limited income. With 400,000 dollars given to Greensburg, they have recently laid the foundation for two new duplexes, with the hope to have them completed by the end of summer 2020. (Read more: KSN-TV)

New proposed KDOT program to help communities with construction

info2020-01-26T19:08:07-06:00January 26th, 2020|

A new proposed Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) program, FORWARD, will help counties across the state with projects to improve their transportation needs. That is, if the program is passed by the Legislature this session. “KDOT wants to be a problem-solving partner with communities, with industry,” Deputy Secretary of Transportation Lindsey Douglas said. “We want to be able to respond to their needs sooner.” (Read more: KSN-TV)

Hutchinson landlords: City’s response to building-code violations goes too far

info2020-01-27T07:07:29-06:00January 26th, 2020|

Some landlords in Hutchinson say it's time for an end to what they say is the city's overbearing enforcement of building code violations. The city says the program in place is meant to keep tenants safe and rental properties maintained. Wednesday, Eyewitness News spoke with landlords on and off camera about why they say something needs to change. "It's all treated like a criminal matter," Hutchinson rental property owner Robin Jackson says. "I think that's a problem. I think that causes a lot of antagonism." (Read more: KWCH News)

Recruiting efforts looking up for the Topeka Police Department

info2020-01-26T19:03:52-06:00January 26th, 2020|

After several years where it was nearly impossible to find people willing to consider a career as a Topeka police officer, things are on the upswing. Lead recruiting officers for the Topeka Police Department credit a shift in strategies for their newfound success. Sgt. Matt Cobb, lead instructor for the Topeka Police Department Academy, said recruiting officers now target prospective candidates in much the same way a college coach or military recruiter would try to sell his or her program to a prospect. (Read more: Local - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

County, lawmakers battle secretary of state over law saying where you can vote

info2020-01-26T19:01:47-06:00January 26th, 2020|

Sedgwick County is turning to the state Legislature to try to force Secretary of State Scott Schwab to let county voters choose their own polling place in this year’s upcoming elections. A Republican lawmaker has agreed to introduce a bill to let the County Commission change the voting procedure without Schwabb’s blessing. Meanwhile, the top Senate Democrat says he may take Schwab to court in an effort to make him comply with a law passed last year. (Read more: Local News |)

Pratt takes action on regional fire-training facility

info2020-01-27T06:59:07-06:00January 26th, 2020|

Pratt City Fire Department Chief David Kramer’s vision for a regional fire-training facility in Pratt moved from the drawing board to an action plan at the regular Pratt City Commission meeting, Monday, January 20, when Pratt City Commissioners unanimously approved $13,360 for the purchase of four storage containers, which includes delivery to Pratt from Kansas City. “This is one of our priorities,” Kramer said. “We really don’t have any other big target items in this year’s budget.“ Each of the containers is 40 feet long by eight feet wide by nine feet tall and, when situated with three containers running lengthwise [...]

City of Winfield begins census outreach

info2020-01-27T07:08:44-06:00January 26th, 2020|

The City of Winfield is beginning in earnest the local outreach effort related to the upcoming census. To kickstart the effort, the city worked locally with Cardinal Sign in Winfield to produce custom magnets displaying the Kansas Census Logo and Winfield to attach to 75 of the city’s various fleet vehicles in code enforcement, police, fire, water, wastewater, natural gas and electric departments. Beginning in mid-March, households can respond to the census online or by phone. About one-quarter of households will receive a follow-up paper questionnaire at that time. Beginning in mid-April, households that have not responded will receive a paper [...]

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