info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Wichita council members can take unlimited gifts. It’s not like that everywhere

info2019-10-06T21:21:14-05:00October 6th, 2019|

Tulsa’s elected officials aren’t allowed to take gifts that could be used to influence them. Colorado Springs sets its dollar limit at $59. Oklahoma City requires disclosure of gifts over $300. But Wichita’s mayor and city council members are free to take unlimited gifts. A Wichita Eagle review of cities across the region found ethics codes that prohibit specific behavior by elected officials that would leave them open to improper influence. Some states even require local officials to receive ethics training. (Read more: Politics & Government News |)

Design companies present findings on Big Pool

info2019-10-06T21:20:12-05:00October 6th, 2019|

Garden City commissioners heard an update on the facility set to replace the Big Pool this week, reviewing the problems with the current pool, what attractions the community has shown interest in and what is coming next. Commissioners and city staff sat in on a meeting Tuesday morning with representatives from facility designers... (Read more: News - Wellington Daily News - Wellington, KS)

Ark City police wrap up successful Popsicle Patrol season

info2019-10-06T21:18:04-05:00October 6th, 2019|

The Arkansas City Police Department recently wrapped up its annual Popsicle Patrol program, with a major increase in the popsicles distributed this summer. A total of 1,749 popsicles were shared with the community, up nearly 355 percent from last year’s total of 505 popsicles, according to ACPD Capt. Eric Burr, who said the Popsicle Patrol program is a centerpiece for the department’s improved community outreach approach to policing. ACPD identified increased positive interaction with the Arkansas City community as one of its primary goals in a strategic plan that was first rolled out in 2014. (Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Topekans return from Montgomery, Ala., with ‘great ideas’ after annual intercity visit

info2019-10-06T21:16:53-05:00October 6th, 2019|

Topeka and Montgomery, Ala., might seem quite different on the surface. But the two cities have more in common than meets the eye. They are both capital cities. They have comparable costs of living and similar average household incomes. And they are both in the midst of multi-year economic development plans meant to improve quality of life. Montgomery was the site of this year's intercity visit — an annual trip by city and county officials... (Read more: News - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Creekstone expansion triggers water supply concerns for Ark City

info2019-10-06T21:15:46-05:00October 6th, 2019|

Expansion of the city’s beef processing plant is causing concern about whether Arkansas City will have enough water. Creekstone Farms could increase its water usage by as much as 50 percent within the next six months, city officials told commissioners this week. Commissioners discussed the growing water needs Tuesday and passed a resolution authorizing the Burns and McDonnell Engineering Company to provide services for a water evaluation ... (Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Power line sale to fund local Winfield upgrades

info2019-10-06T20:20:30-05:00October 6th, 2019|

The City of Winfield stands to benefit financially from a new partnership with independent electric transmission provider GridLiance, with money from the sale of transmission lines expected to directly fund upgrades for the city-owned electric transmission system, said Winfield City Manager Taggart Wall. The city will receive $1.1 million up front from GridLiance for the purchase, plus another $900,000 spread out over 15 years, said Wall. The first projects will be improvements to the Rainbow Substation west of Winfield and rebuilding an electric transmission line southeast of town, he said. (Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

New Neosho County clerk named

info2019-10-06T20:19:57-05:00October 6th, 2019|

Neosho County Republicans nominated southern county resident Heather Elsworth, rural Erie, Thursday evening as the replacement for County Clerk. A caucus of Republican precinct officers selected Elsworth on the first ballot from four applicants proposed for the County Clerk position to replace Randal Neely. Neely, who resigned effective Thursday, would have finished his term next year. Elsworth’s nomination now goes to Gov. Laura Kelly for appointment. Kelly has up to 10 days to finalize the nomination, although the previous appointment of Gail Klaassen as County Commissioner was completed in two days. (Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

Is Johnson County getting greener? Uber-like transit system, bike lanes flourishing

info2019-10-06T21:26:58-05:00October 6th, 2019|

An experimental, Uber-like microtransit system in Johnson County is in such high demand, it is poised to become a permanent fixture — signaling a desire for alternative modes of transportation in the suburbs. In his 11 years on the county board of commissioners, James Allen said he’s heard stories of residents struggling to make it around Johnson County without a set of car keys. Bus stops are often not within walking distance, and ridership on the public transportation system has been historically low, officials said. But over the past nine months, the county and RideKC have been testing a project aimed [...]

Finney County seeing significant retail, job growth

info2019-10-06T20:19:14-05:00October 6th, 2019|

Finney County’s recent economic growth has been significant, says a presentation from the Finney County Economic Development Corp., highlighting an expanding retail market and rare spot of booming job growth in western Kansas.Shannon Dick, FCEDC strategic analyst, broke down the details of Garden City’s job and retail growth before the organization’s board last week, explaining what has helped the city and county stand out in the region and state. (Read more: News - The Garden City Telegram)

147 years of Hutch Police memorabilia on display at Reno County Museum

info2019-10-06T20:18:19-05:00October 6th, 2019|

Today, a Hutchinson police officer may be called when a bar fight breaks out, but in the 1920s, a Hutchinson police matron dropped in at dance halls to assess whether girls were dressed appropriately. If Police Matron Marie Baldwin deemed some girls needed more clothing, she tapped them on the shoulder and sent them home. “I am not a granny about these things,” Baldwin was quoted in the newspaper. “But there are some things that go too far or not far enough as the case may be.” An exhibit highlighting the history — sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic — of the Hutchinson [...]

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