info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

No discussion in Hutchinson for quiet zones

info2019-05-20T07:03:44-05:00May 20th, 2019|

A recent accident involving a train and pedestrian brought up the dangers of walking along the railroad right-of-way. It also brought up quiet zones for railroads and why Hutchinson doesn’t have such an ordinance. Many cities, especially those along very busy rail lines, do have quiet zones. The cities typically see between 60 and 100 trains per day. But Hutchinson is different in that three railroads run through the community. And with 60-grade crossings, it can seem like trains are constantly blowing their horns. Although it can seem like more, the area only averages 25 to 35 trains per day. With [...]

Park damaged by floods could reopen soon in downtown Leavenworth

info2019-05-20T07:01:01-05:00May 20th, 2019|

Landing Park could be open in time for Memorial Day weekend, a city official said. The downtown Leavenworth park has been closed since it was flooded by the Missouri River in March. But city personnel have started to clean the park. Steve Grant, director of the Leavenworth Parks and Recreation Department, was using a uniloader Thursday to pick up silt and sand from the park. “Basically it’s just scraping it off,” he said of the work. Grant estimated that 95 percent of the material left behind by the flood is sand. He said the sand and silt are now being used [...]

Proposed Topeka TIF District would include downtown, NOTO

info2019-05-20T06:54:53-05:00May 20th, 2019|

The Topeka City Council plans next week to discuss creating a tax-increment financing district that would include downtown Topeka and North Topeka’s NOTO area. Downtown Topeka Inc. requests that the city establish the “Dynamic Core Redevelopment District,” which would be bounded by S.W. 17th on the south, NOTO on the north, S.W. Topeka Boulevard on the west and S.E. Adams on the east, according to a document in the agenda packet for Tuesday’s meeting. Kansas law allows government entities to create TIF districts to help offset development costs and to try to attract developers. Developers pay off costs over a period [...]

Newton police chief retiring after 33 years

info2019-05-20T06:50:28-05:00May 20th, 2019|

he City of Newton announced that, effective immediately, Police Chief Eric Murphy had retired from his position of police chief after 33 years with the department, five as police chief. “We sincerely thank Chief Murphy for his honorable service and dedication to the law enforcement profession,” City Manager Bob Myers stated in a press release. “His integrity and commitment to our community are second to none, and we wish him all the best in the future.” An attempt to contact Murphy was made Tuesday afternoon, but he was no longer at the police office though the front desk said a message [...]

Allen County checks cost of adding Chanute to 911 service

info2019-05-17T14:15:55-05:00May 17th, 2019|

The Iola Register reported that after crunching the numbers, Allen County 911 Communications Director Angela Murphy estimates it would cost about $167,000 annually to absorb the city of Chanute into its emergency system. Murphy suggested three more employees would be needed, which would entail additional licensing fees. Chanute currently pays $180,000 for 911 services through Neosho County, but has been unhappy with the results, which have not improved despite 3-5 percent fee increases, Murphy said. Bruce Symes said he was pleased with Chanute’s estimation of Allen County’s services, but was wary of venturing into a “hornet’s nest” between Chanute and Neosho [...]

Osage City receives grant in 2018 from KDHE

info2019-05-17T14:13:21-05:00May 17th, 2019|

The City of Osage City received a grant in 2018 from KDHE's Waste Tire Grant Program. This grant helped the City purchase 4 picnic tables and 4 park benches. The tables and benches were placed in Jones Park, the Aquatic Center, Lincoln Park, and Huffman Park. The tables and benches are made from 100% recycled plastic and rubber composition. The City has received this grant once before in 2015 in which picnic tables, park benches, and trail benches were purchased and placed in the same locations as in 2018. (Read more: Osage City)

Commissioners learn recent law enforcement operation targeted central Topeka

info2019-05-17T14:12:39-05:00May 17th, 2019|

Law enforcement officers made contact with hundreds of people last week while conducting an operation focusing on central Topeka, Shawnee County sheriff’s Maj. Jay Simecka told county commissioners Thursday morning. Officers from four agencies made 38 arrests during that effort, Simecka told The Topeka Capital-Journal later Thursday. “The primary objective was to dramatically increase law enforcement presence in areas where violent crimes had recently been reported and were being predicted to occur,” he said. Those crimes included the shootings of Washburn University football player Dwane Simmons and former Washburn football player Corey Ballentine — apparently by a stranger — early April [...]

🎥 Hays PD Bike Patrol: Bicyclists must obey motor traffic laws

info2019-05-17T14:10:57-05:00May 17th, 2019|

Bicycles have the same rights – and responsibilities – as motor vehicles on Kansas streets and highways. “Bicyclists must obey the same traffic safety measures as cars, whose drivers need to yield to bicycles appropriately as necessary,” says Stefan Gildemeister, Hays Master Police Officer. Gildemeister is also program coordinator and bike team leader for the Hays Police Department (HPD) Bicycle Patrol. Hays has seven designated bike routes and two concrete bike paths throughout town as part of Bike Hays. There are also bike lanes outlined on many city streets. “Those are specifically for bicyclists. They’re not meant for pedestrian traffic or [...]

Bike to Work Day Friday morning in downtown Hutchinson

info2019-05-17T14:09:45-05:00May 17th, 2019|

Although it will be a little breezy, Friday is “Bike to Work Day.” This is a chance to use an alternate way to get to work and get some exercise at the same time. The ride will happen from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Participants can pedal their way to free breakfast from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at DCI Park at 2nd & Main, the Hutchinson Clinic trailhead near 23rd & Waldron, RCB Bank at 624 E. 30th and the South Hutchinson City Building at Main & Blanchard. (Read more: Hutch Post)

Lenexa’s annual food drive collects goods for local families

info2019-05-17T14:07:42-05:00May 17th, 2019|

Every year, the city of Lenexa makes it a priority to host a food drive for the Johnson County Multi-Service Center and collect food and goods for people in Johnson County who need an extra hand. “Every year, around this time, we have a food drive that benefits our local multi-services facilities which, in essence, is a place for those Johnson County residents that are having trouble making ends meet,” said Dana Stauch, senior accountant and member of the We Care Committee, which is coordinating the food drive. The food drive began May 1 and runs through the end of the [...]

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