info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Proposed birth center in Winfield moved to location better suited for licensing requirements

info2019-04-08T07:25:31-05:00April 8th, 2019|

A new location has been chosen for a planned birthing center in Winfield due to licensing requirements, the nurse-midwife behind the project said Wednesday. Tarena Sisk, a nurse-midwife practicing in Winfield, had previously hoped to start a freestanding birth center at the former Iron Gate Inn at 1203 E. Ninth Ave. However, licensing requirements from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment say all birthing rooms must be on the ground floor, something that would be hard to do in the multi-story home, also called the Baden House after its first owners. Sisk has made an offer to buy a former [...]

Horton Commission moves EMS into Armory

info2019-04-08T07:20:46-05:00April 8th, 2019|

The Horton City Commission met for their final March meeting, and discussed the outcomes of moving the city’s EMS services into the Armory offices. NEK-CAP would like to renew their lease for another five years, which will be discussed at a later meeting, but the move would remove HHS, Faith & Fun and Keith Olsen from the Armory, with the EMS group taking two offices to manage their activities. Interim City Administrator John Calhoon mentioned that scheduling and security would need to be discussed further with ambulance service now housed there. (Read more: Hiawatha World Online)

Property owners give more feedback on proposed wind farm in Reno County

info2019-04-08T07:19:09-05:00April 8th, 2019|

The Reno County Planning Commission Thursday heard public input on a proposed wind farm for land in the southeast part of the county. The Thursday afternoon-into-Thursday-night meeting provided numerous people on both sides of the argument opportunities to make their opinions heard on why a wind farm should or should not come to Reno County. NextEra Energy Resources is the company making the proposal for an 80-turbine farm east of Pretty Prairie. NextEra says the farm would add jobs and bring millions of dollars into the local community to go toward schools, roads and first responders. It says wind energy is [...]

Emporia City Commission lends support for i6 eco devo grant

info2019-04-08T07:17:48-05:00April 8th, 2019|

The Emporia City Commission pledged its support for an economic development grant during an action session Wednesday afternoon. The i6 Economic Development Grant is a program of the Economic Development Administration that was identified by Commissioner Rob Gilligan as an opportunity to bring more tech-based jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities to Emporia. The $750,000 grant requires matching funds. The city has tentatively pledged $225,000 over three years toward the grant. Mayor Jon Geitz said the goal was not to take away from the work that Emporia Main Street or the Regional Development Association already do in attracting businesses to the region, but [...]

On split vote, Ellis will apply for state grant for new swimming pool

info2019-04-08T07:15:35-05:00April 8th, 2019|

A public hearing regarding construction of a new municipal swimming pool was conducted by the Ellis City Council Monday evening prior to the regular council meeting. The Kansas Dept. of Commerce is offering a special round of grant funding for small city swimming pools. A new pool for Ellis is projected to costs $1.85 million. The city can apply for a maximum $1 million state grant with a local match of $850,000. It was a 3-2 vote later in the meeting on a resolution for Ellis to apply for the Community Development Block Grant funds. (Read more: Hays Post)

Lawrence City Commission to consider study to evaluate trash rates; rates expected to change

info2019-04-08T08:53:42-05:00April 8th, 2019|

Lawrence city commissioners will soon decide whether to hire a consultant to study the city’s solid waste service and the collection rates charged to Lawrence residents. Currently, residential customers pay $18.80 per month for trash and recycling collection, and commercial customers pay a wide range of fees based on the size of container and number of pickups per month, according to the city’s fee schedule. However, it has been several years since the last cost analysis, and Solid Waste Division Manager Kathy Richardson said the city doesn’t know at this point whether the current rates are covering the city’s costs. “The [...]

KDOT pledges $1 million match for Ellis County Northwest Business Corridor

info2019-04-05T09:57:28-05:00April 5th, 2019|

The Kansas Department of Transportation has pledged to match $1 million in funding for road improvements in Ellis County’s Northwest Business Corridor, contingent on approval of a grant the county has made to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Logan. Rep. Barb Wasinger (R-Hays), 111th District, brought together a coalition of federal, state, county and city leaders in February to see the road first-hand, tour businesses whose operations are affected by the road, and asked all parties to work together for a solution. “I’d like to thank Congressman Marshall, Commerce Secretary Toland and Deputy Transportation Secretary Douglas, as well as Senator Billinger, [...]

City of Newton acts quickly to address stink

info2019-04-05T09:55:22-05:00April 5th, 2019|

South winds, wet ground and a winter’s worth of sludge made for a smelly few days on the south side of Newton. The City of Newton, as it regularly does, distributed a byproduct of its was wastewater treatment plant, what they call “sludge”, on a city-owned field to be used as fertilizer. Normally the sludge, is disced into the field soon after. However, according to city public information officer Erin McDaniel, the field was too wet for the farmer to get into immediately. “That was the issue,” she said. “The wind was coming out of the wrong direction. It’s unfortunate. It’s [...]

Augusta City Council approves request to move “Blessing Box” to city property

info2019-04-05T09:52:46-05:00April 5th, 2019|

Council also approved a request from Heather Holmes, who has been maintaining a Blessing Box near 14th and Ohio Streets, to move the box a short distance across Ohio St. on city property in front of the Community Garden. She explained that the move would make it more accessible and visible to the public. Holmes, along with the Augusta community has kept the free little pantry stocked. People are encouraged to take what they need and leave what they can for others. Anyone can put a donation in the pantry, as well. (Read more: Augusta Gazette)

Former Riley County employee claims he was wrongfully terminated in suit against commission

info2019-04-05T09:50:51-05:00April 5th, 2019|

A lawsuit filed last week in Riley County District Court alleges Riley County Commissioners terminated an employee for speaking out against one of the commissioners. The lawsuit was filed March 27 by former county employee Steven DeHart of Olsburg, who claims the board fired him in 2017 because he continually spoke out against Chairman Ron Wells. DeHart worked for the county as an environmental health specialist. In the petition, DeHart claims he drew the ire of the commission when he reported Wells had a private sewer hookup at his residence that allowed him to receive free service. It was initially a [...]

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