info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Celebrating Our Small Cities

info2019-07-08T01:03:38-05:00July 8th, 2019|

Each year, the National League of Cities celebrates our cities with populations of 50,000 or less. Across the country, our small towns, villages, and cities are the heartbeat of communities. While a large proportion of the United States continues to be urban, a growing majority of Americans live in small towns with populations between 2,500 and 50,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. These are the places where government is personal and strong foundations for community are built. (Read more: CitiesSpeak)

Study: Kansas saves more money from federal disaster grants

info2019-07-08T01:00:11-05:00July 8th, 2019|

A study has found that Kansas saves more money, on average, than any other state that uses federal grants to mitigate natural disasters. The Pew Charitable Trusts analysis shows that for every $1 of federal funds spent on protecting against flood and tornado damage, Kansas avoided $6.81 in potential recovery costs. The Kansas News Service reports that Missouri trailed close behind, with each federal dollar saving $6.72. (Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Flooding still causing problems at El Dorado Lake

info2019-07-08T00:58:25-05:00July 8th, 2019|

Officials with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism say Independence Day is one of the busiest weekends for state parks all year long. They say the lake is still recovering from flood waters. Five of it's six boat ramps are still under water, and several campgrounds still closed. Thousands of people were forced to use one boat ramp, causing traffic and congestion on the lake. Some say they have never seen that before. (Read more: KWCH News)

Dodge City approves Sidewalk Cafe ordinance

info2019-07-08T01:21:46-05:00July 6th, 2019|

During the Dodge City Commission meeting Monday, city commissioners approved a sidewalk cafe ordinance for downtown restaurants. “We received requests from restaurant owners within the Heritage District downtown to allow alcohol and food be allowed onto the sidewalks,” Dodge City legal counsel Brad Ralph said. “The restaurants would be allowed to have tables in front of the premises for patrons.” Ralph said after seeing similar ordinances in areas throughout the state, the city amended the ordinances based off two concerns. (Read more: News - Dodge City Daily Globe - Dodge City, KS)

Wamego’s Fourth of July celebration attracts up to 50,000 people

info2019-07-06T23:04:40-05:00July 6th, 2019|

On most days, Wamego has a population of about 4,800 people.You'd never know it on the Fourth of July, however, when as many as 50,000 people — possibly more — crowd into this Pottawatomie County town located about 45 miles northwest of Topeka.For many people, Wamego's Fourth of July celebration is as good as it gets: a slice of Americana with scenes that Norman Rockwell could have painted 75 years ago. (Read more: Local - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Manhattan’s flag design contest

info2019-07-06T23:04:29-05:00July 6th, 2019|

Manhattan officials have announced on the City website that seven finalists have been selected from 120 design submissions in the City’s new flag design contest. You can vote on your favorite concept either online or in person at city hall. Only one entry is allowed from each computer IP address and only one ballot per person can be otained at the customer service window. To cast a vote online, please visit www.cityofmhk.com/flag. or to fill out a paper ballot in person, go to the customer service window at City Hall, located at 1101 Poyntz Avenue. (Read more: Little Apple Post)

NextEra files suit against county seeking to overturn denial of its permit

info2019-07-06T23:03:49-05:00July 6th, 2019|

NextEra Energy and some six dozen owners of land in Reno County filed suit in district court this week. The group seeks to reverse the county’s denial of a conditional-use permit for a proposed wind farm in the southeast part of the county. The suit was electronically filed by Pretty Prairie Wind LLC, the Kansas limited liability company NextEra created to develop the project. It also lists as parties to the suit individuals, businesses or trusts that have contracted with Pretty Prairie Wind to lease land for the proposed 80-plus turbine project. The 14-page lawsuit alleges problems with a protest petition [...]

‘Big Ditch’ renamed in honor of man credited for saving Wichita

info2019-07-06T23:03:18-05:00July 6th, 2019|

Following an act of Congress, the 60-year-old flood-control project credited for literally saving the city of Wichita is renamed for the man credited for its creation. Rep. Ron Estes and Sen. Jerry Moran visited Wichita Wednesday to take part in the ceremony recognizing the official renaming of the Wichita-Valley Center Floodway -- known locally as "The Big Ditch -- to the MS Mitch Mitchell Floodway. The project, completed in 1959, diverts water from Chisholm Creek, the Little Arkansas River, and the Arkansas River around the heart of Wichita and empties the water back into the river downstream of the city. Estes [...]

JoCo parks system giving e-bikes a trial run

info2019-07-06T23:02:54-05:00July 6th, 2019|

Electric bicycles — the kind that work only when the rider is pedaling — are now permitted on the recreational trails operated by the Johnson County parks system. Reversing a position taken late last year against e-bikes, the county’s Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners voted last month to permit electric bikes on trails for a six-month trial period that runs through the end of the year. A primary goal is to promote fitness by getting more people on bicycles and exercising, even those who are limited by age, physical infirmity or excess weight. They are particularly useful in helping riders [...]

Flooding in central Kansas forces evacuations in small town

info2019-07-06T23:01:44-05:00July 6th, 2019|

Flooding in central Kansas has forced evacuations in a small town along the rain-swollen North Cottonwood River. The flooding resulted from heavy rains Thursday morning. Parts of Saline County received more than 8 inches of rain, while 6 inches fell in Marion County. KAKE-TV reports that about 10 homes in Durham in northwest Marion County along the North Cottonwood had to be evacuated. Mayor Mike Sorensen said the downtown in the community of about 110 residents was under 3 feet of water. (Read more: Hutch Post)

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