info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Nickerson hires new city clerk

info2019-10-23T19:49:16-05:00October 23rd, 2019|

Nickerson City Clerk Robin Schmitt is resigning after working at City Hall for more than eight years, to take a job in the Rice County Treasurer Rita Smith’s office. The Nickerson City Council accepted Schmitt’s resignation Monday night and hired Deputy City Clerk April Beshears as city clerk. The council also raised the salary of the full-time job to approximately $20 an hour. The city is seeking applicants for utility clerk and the person hired potentially could become deputy clerk. Beshears held the title of utility clerk before becoming deputy clerk and handling utilities. There is no utility clerk currently. A [...]

Conference to promote Kansas tourism, showcase Sumner County

info2019-10-23T19:46:12-05:00October 23rd, 2019|

Representatives from communities throughout Kansas have been in Sumner County this week to see how tourism is promoted here, share ideas and take that information to their own local economies. The TIAK (Tourism Industry Association of Kansas) conference started Aug. 21 and runs through Aug. 23 at the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane. The conference will draw in representatives from chambers of commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureaus and DMOs (Designated Marketing Organizations), Stacy Davis, director of the Sumner Economic Development Commission, said before the conference started. ″This big event will give our counterparts across the state a chance to see how [...]

Sedgwick County Hires New President For Exploration Place

info2019-10-23T19:42:21-05:00October 23rd, 2019|

Sedgwick County hired a new president and CEO for Exploration Place Wednesday. Adam Smith starts his job at the nonprofit Wichita science center Nov. 11. Smith has worked in the museum field for more than 20 years and most recently served as executive director for Comic-Con Museum in San Diego. Deputy County Manager Tim Kaufman says Smith’s museum leadership experience put him at the top of more than 70 applicants. (Read more: RSS Feed)

Corinth, Clear Creek elementaries among 6 in Kansas named Blue Ribbon Schools

info2019-10-23T19:41:20-05:00October 23rd, 2019|

Three elementary schools in Johnson County were named Blue Ribbon Schools this year as part of the U.S. Department of Education’s recognition of school excellence. Clear Creek Elementary in USD 232, Corinth Elementary in the Shawnee Mission School District and Lakewood Elementary in the Blue Valley School District were recognized as Exemplary High Performing Schools. Exemplary High Performing Schools have their state’s highest high school graduation rates and the highest achieving students — the top 15% — in English and mathematics, measured by state assessments. The three elementary schools are among six schools in Kansas to receive the Blue Ribbon recognition this [...]

History Guy: ‘Birdman’ made Kansas aviation history in Shawnee County

info2019-10-23T19:40:08-05:00October 23rd, 2019|

As he built a biplane from scratch in 1911 in Topeka, Albin K. Longren kept the project secret in case it failed. Longren, his brother, E.J. Longren, and their mechanic, William Janicke, waited until nearly dark on Sept. 2, 1911, before revving up the engine of that plane, which Alvin Longren then piloted as it stayed airborne — 2 feet above the ground — for about 200 feet in southeast Shawnee County. This week’s History Guy video at CJOnline tells of how Longren accomplished a milestone in Kansas aviation history that day by making the first successful flight of a plane [...]

Transfer station director retires after 32 1/2 years with county

info2019-10-23T21:03:58-05:00October 23rd, 2019|

Bud Druse, the county noxious weed, household hazardous waste, transfer station, and recycling director, will retire Nov. 20 after a total of 32½ years with the county. Druse has worked for the county twice. He spent 22½ years in the road and bridge department, from 1973 to 1995. He returned to work for the county in 2010, starting in the road and bridge department before being promoted to director of the transfer station in 2015. (Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)

From driverless trolleys to free hot spots, Wichita looks to technology to help residents

info2019-10-22T21:48:22-05:00October 22nd, 2019|

Fans who take a trolley from a downtown parking garage to Wichita’s new baseball stadium next season may notice something unique about their journey. There’s no driver. City officials want to use autonomous trolleys downtown next year as part of a concerted effort to increase the use of machine-learning, or “smart,” technology across Wichita. (Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Wichita City Council approves funding to help speed up drivers’ commutes

info2019-10-22T21:44:15-05:00October 22nd, 2019|

he Wichita City Council Tuesday approved funding to help speed up drivers' commutes across town. The council voted to approve $250,000 that will lead to synchronizing stoplights. The technology is already in use along Maple from Maize Road to McLean. With the tech upgrade, drivers along Maple may have noticed a recent change. "Ultimately we're looking to save time. We're looking to minimize stops, to minimize delays, Wichita City Engineer Gary Janzen says. (Read more: KWCH News)

100% of Kansas schools now meet FCC minimum Wi-Fi guideline

info2019-10-22T21:43:51-05:00October 22nd, 2019|

Every school in the state of Kansas now meets the FCC's minimum recommendation for Wi-Fi bandwidth. Across the United States, 99% of schools use some form of digital learning during the school day. Around 70% use computers all day. With so many schools using online courses, the more devices need to use the internet, the more powerful the bandwidth must be. Education Super Highway is a non-profit organization that focuses on getting students connected to the internet. (Read more: KWCH News)

KDOT’s new Cost Share Program in high demand

info2019-10-22T21:42:58-05:00October 22nd, 2019|

With nearly 100 applications in the first round, the new Cost Share Program from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is off to a strong start. In total, KDOT received 92 applications with more than $92 million in local investment. In return, the applications requested nearly $242 million from KDOT funds. “While we knew there’s pent up demand for transportation investment, we’re overwhelmed with the level of interest this new program is garnering,” said Lindsey Douglas, Deputy Secretary of Policy and Fiscal Affairs. (Read more: Kansas Transportation)

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