info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission votes to recommend allowing two houses per lot, but with some restrictions

info2019-08-29T21:01:10-05:00August 29th, 2019|

Lawrence-Douglas County planning commissioners have voted in favor of a proposal that would allow two houses to be built on one lot if both homes are affordable, but they’re recommending the city limit where and under what requirements the so-called density bonus would be allowed. At its meeting Wednesday, the Planning Commission voted 7-2 to recommend the proposal, which would be the city’s first land use rule to be directly connected to the affordability of homes. The changes, which were originally proposed by the nonprofit organization Tenants to Homeowners, would allow two homes to be built on one lot as long [...]

Sedgwick County adopts energy plan

info2019-08-29T19:28:48-05:00August 29th, 2019|

Over the last year or so, there has been plenty of regional discussion on renewable energy. Several counties around Sedgwick County have had robust community hearings or have quietly worked out the details and witnessed hundreds of wind turbines pop up. That said, what works in one area may not work great everywhere. We made the news this week when Sedgwick County unanimously passed an update to the Community Investment Plan along with zoning regulations for commercial wind and solar farms. Over the last year, we have heard quite a bit of opposition from neighbors concerned about the “flicker-effect,” how these [...]

A week to go for Great Bend school bond mail-in ballot

info2019-08-29T19:28:07-05:00August 29th, 2019|

The September 5th deadline to return your mail-in ballots in Great Bend is steadily approaching, and USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton says it has been an interesting summer with getting information to the community about the bond issue. The combined bond of $44.87 million is asking for facility improvements to address safety, security, early childhood education, and renovations. The mail-in ballot was sent to all registered voters within the Great Bend school district last week, and Thexton is excited to find out the results next week. (Read more: Great Bend Post)

McPherson College teams with McPherson Hospital to offer new model for rural healthcare

info2019-08-29T19:27:25-05:00August 29th, 2019|

An initiative introduced by McPherson College and McPherson Hospital with a focus on community health sets out to become a new model for community health care in rural areas. It features a new enhanced health science degree at the college with a wide variety of hands-on educational opportunities, thanks to a partnership with the hospital. Working together toward healthier communities is the goal of the partnership. The partnership will provide opportunities for student learning and community outreach with the intent to create a new model for rural community health in Kansas. There is more to a healthy community than just treating [...]

Kansas lake is called an ‘oasis on the Plains’

info2019-08-29T19:25:47-05:00August 29th, 2019|

It’s not what you expect to find amid flat farmland. “The uniqueness of being in the middle of western Kansas and having a lake where a lake probably shouldn’t be,” said Greg Mills, park manager for Historic Lake Scott State Park. In a wooded canyon with rocky bluffs, Lake Scott is fed by natural springs and is known nationally for its beauty. “We are recognized as the 23rd most scenic state park in the U.S.,” said Mills. “Previously we were recognized as one of the top 50 beaches in the U.S.” (Read more: KSN-TV)

KDOT projects population growth for Crawford County

info2019-08-29T19:24:17-05:00August 29th, 2019|

In a recent study by KDOT, Crawford County is the only county in Southeast Kansas expected to grow in population. Last week, Pittsburg city leaders went to a conference held by the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation. The conference was held to show how transportation plays a large role in population growth. The state department predicts Crawford County to grow about 14 percent between 2014 and 2044. In addition, the study revealed that the county has seen a four percent increase in the number of 20 to 39-year-olds in the area. (Read more: KSNF/KODE – FourStatesHomepage.com)

Sedgwick County Commissioners, Wichita’s Police and Fire Chiefs rappel down hotel for good cause

info2019-08-29T19:23:31-05:00August 29th, 2019|

This afternoon, Sedgwick County Commissioners Lacey Cruse and Jim Howell will rappel down the Ambassador Hotel, 104 S. Broadway, as part of the Access the Ledge fundraiser for Project Access. The first 70 fundraisers who raised a minimum of $1,000 in donations for Project Access were allowed to rappel down the building. Commissioner Cruse was scheduled to rappel at 4 p.m. and Commissioner Howell at 5 p.m. “This is probably one of the craziest things I’ve ever done but knowing that one in seven residents in this community goes without healthcare is even crazier.” Commissioner Cruse said. “I’m happy to bring [...]

Wellington police use Facebook memes to reduce theft

info2019-08-29T19:22:52-05:00August 29th, 2019|

If you follow the Wellington Police Department’s Facebook page, you have no doubt seen the memes that show up at 9 p.m., reminding residents to lock their houses, cars and not to leave any expensive belongings in their cars. “It is another way for us to reach out to our community just to take another reduction out of property crime,” Wellington Police Chief Tracy Heath said. Seventy to 80% of crime in the city is property theft, Heath said. Living in a small town, people might think they are safe or it’s never going to happen to them, but “we still [...]

Oktoberfest coming to Liberal?

info2019-08-29T19:21:55-05:00August 29th, 2019|

The Liberal community could have a new event to mark on the calendar in October after a presentation to the Liberal City Commission during its most recent meeting Tuesday night. Kris Musgrave and Greg Standard came before the commission Tuesday night to propose a new event to help engage the downtown area. “Our Masonic Lodge, when I came back, was very small, but it’s been growing exponentially,” Musgrave said. “We’ve acquired about eight new members in the past two years and our lodge is one of the faster-growing ones in Kansas right now. We’re working on putting together more things for the [...]

WPD joins hundreds of police forces partnering with doorbell-camera company Ring

info2019-08-29T19:20:51-05:00August 29th, 2019|

The Wichita Police Department has joined a growing number of law enforcement agencies nationwide partnering with Amazon-owned doorbell camera company Ring in an effort to make neighborhoods safer. Lt. Patrick Leon said Thursday that the department’s involvement with Ring began in February. But starting in September, Ring , based on information it receives from its customers, will able to send alerts to the police department’s community policing officers notifying them of crimes in Wichita neighborhoods. The officers will then be able to ask Ring to contact subscribers to the company’s video-recording service to request copies of any footage that doorbell cameras [...]

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