info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

City commission to consider amendments to residential and electrical codes

info2019-08-05T16:43:42-05:00August 5th, 2019|

The Hays city commission knew there would need to be some tweaking of the residential and electrical code updates adopted by the city in July 2017. Three concerns in relation to upgrades and remodels of existing homes requiring a city permit were brought to their attention during the commission work session last week. “Almost all rooms except bathrooms and garages now require AFCIs (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter),” explained Jesse Rohr, public works director. An AFCI protects against electrical- related arcs from an electrical circuit or a device, which commonly lead to fires. If an arc is detected, the AFCI is [...]

Salina USD 305, NEA-Salina reach agreement

info2019-08-05T16:42:35-05:00August 5th, 2019|

Salina USD 305 and NEA-Salina have come to an agreement on teacher contracts, according to a news release from Salina USD 305. The two sides came to an agreement on an average salary increase of 3.2 percent after completing a successful mediation session. The teams had already agreed to other changes in the contract such as: Increased plan time for elementary classroom teachers and high school teachers Expanded the opportunity to use paid time off The next step is for USD 305 teachers to vote in order to ratify the 2019-2020 teacher contract. (Read more: The Salina Post)

Kansas schools: Help wanted

info2019-08-05T16:39:27-05:00August 5th, 2019|

Public school districts across Kansas are scrambling to hire employees ahead of the new school year. “I predict a lot of school districts will start without all their teachers hired,” said Haven USD 312 Superintendent Clark Wedel recently. “It’s a challenge, probably more than it ever has been in my career,” Wedel said on July 29, when the Haven school board conducted a special meeting and hired a fourth-grade teacher. Hutchinson USD 308′s McCandless Elementary School will welcome students Aug. 15 with a long-term substitute teaching a kindergarten class. (Read more: News - Salina Journal)

$29.5 million building permit approved for Delano apartment project

info2019-08-05T16:38:09-05:00August 5th, 2019|

A $29.5 million building permit was pulled this week by Crossland Construction to begin work in the Delano District on a five-story apartment building with mixed use and parking garage on the lower levels. The construction is part of the $40 million Delano catalyst project, which has been slow-moving since conversations with the city began in 2016. Kansas City-based EPC Real Estate LLC is the developer behind the tax-incentivized construction project designed to bring more vibrancy and amenities along the Arkansas River. The plans were expected to include the apartment complex with 204 units, a minimum 90-room hotel and public green space [...]

YMCA Dome facility opens to Garden City public

info2019-08-05T16:37:03-05:00August 5th, 2019|

After years of fundraising, construction delays and pending litigation, the Garden City Family YMCA’s Dome facility opened in late July with prayers, applause and pencils put to membership cards. The space is now officially open to the public, operating under a temporary certificate of occupancy until a permanent license can go before the Garden City Commission, said YMCA CEO Chad Knight. “This has been a long journey, let me tell you,” Knight told community members at the opening under the long-awaited dome. Memberships were available for a discount in honor of the event. (Read more: News - PrattTribune - Pratt, KS)

Kansas State gets $2.8 million grant for cyberattack research

info2019-08-05T14:24:48-05:00August 5th, 2019|

Kansas State researchers have received a three-year, $2.8 million federal grant for a project to enhance utility operators’ awareness of and resilience to cyberattacks. The award from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office was announced Thursday. The Manhattan Mercury reports that as more solar and other distributed energy resources are added to the electrical grid, utility operators need new tools to provide stronger protection against physical and cyber risks. (Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF)

Major new entertainment complex coming to Towne East Square next year

info2019-08-05T14:23:47-05:00August 5th, 2019|

A major new entertainment venue is coming to Towne East Square. No one is discussing it yet, but Round 1 — a combination bowling, arcade, billiards, karaoke, ping pong, darts and dining venue — will open at the mall by about this time next year. Shoppers have noticed construction at the lower level of the mall in the JCPenney wing. (Read more: Carrie Rengers: Business Columns & Blogs |)

Increased federal funding for partial Medicaid expansion on hold as federal case ruling looms

info2019-08-05T14:17:44-05:00August 5th, 2019|

With a decision looming in the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Trump administration announced it will not increase funding for any state seeking partial Medicaid expansion. The lawsuit against the ACA, led by 18 attorneys general, requests the court to throw out the entire health care act on the grounds that it is unconstitutional. Earlier this year, attempts were made by some states to partially expand Medicaid. Utah requested the federal government pay 90 percent of the partial expansion costs, keeping the state’s share at 10 percent. But the Trump [...]

Topeka Rescue Mission might close soon without new funding

info2019-08-05T14:15:25-05:00August 5th, 2019|

Officials with the Topeka Rescue Mission say the organization could close next month if new funding isn’t found. Leaders said in a statement Monday that the mission is facing a $180,000 shortfall each month. It will close all its shelters and end all services if new funding isn’t found by Sept. 15. WIBW reports Mission leaders say they’ve already made money-saving moves, including announcing last week that the TRM Thrift Store would close soon. (Read more: 1350 KMAN)

The city plans to put a new tax on your drinking water, but some question whether it’s fair to low-income residents

info2019-08-05T19:59:04-05:00August 5th, 2019|

In many progressive circles, the most hated tax in the land is a sales tax on food. Kansas is one of the few states that charges it, and opponents decry it as extremely regressive because it forces low-income people to pay tax on a product that is necessary for life. But now questions are being raised whether Lawrence city commissioners — perhaps without much thought — are placing an equally regressive tax on the one product that may be even more essential than food. Commissioners are poised to place a new tax on water. As part of the city’s proposed 2020 [...]

About info