info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Amtrak announces matching funds for Southwest Chief

info2019-03-01T08:52:36-06:00March 1st, 2019|

Amtrak has informed federal, state and local officials along the daily Southwest Chief route that, with the enactment of the recent full-year funding bill by Congress, it will provide matching funds to enable a federal grant for safety and reliability upgrades on the train’s route in Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico. Earlier this year, Congress passed and the president signed into law the fiscal year 2019 Appropriations Act, which included critical funding for Amtrak and intercity passenger rail service. The legislation set aside at least $50 million of its National Network grant for improvements to the Southwest Chief route that passes [...]

Shawnee County restarts process to choose company to clean, repair courthouse

info2019-03-01T08:51:23-06:00March 1st, 2019|

Shawnee County commissioners directed a county committee Thursday to restart its process of choosing a company to carry out exterior cleaning and repairs at the county courthouse, 200 S.E. 7th. The county’s professional services selection committee had recommended the county enter into contract negotiations with Western Specialty Contractors. But Commissioners Bob Archer, Bill Riphahn and Kevin Cook voted 3-0 Thursday to approve Archer’s motion calling for the committee to start over. Archer said he had received additional information the committee didn’t have, though he didn’t share any further details. He said he saw no harm in having the committee begin again, [...]

Zoning approved for assisted living center in Derby

info2019-03-01T08:50:08-06:00March 1st, 2019|

An assisted living center developer wants to build in Derby. NAK Development Wichita LLC, which has a facility in Andover, wants to build a similar facility at the northeast corner of Woodlawn and Meadowlark, just west of the Family Video store. As planned, it would have 25 to 40 studio-type apartments and perhaps some independent living. The company got the lead on building a presence in Derby from its Andover workers. “A lot of our staff is familiar with Derby as they either worked or lived here,” said Chase Thornock, managing director. “We thought it was a beautiful location and it [...]

Locals in Marion county voice concerns over county wind farm

info2019-03-01T06:42:52-06:00March 1st, 2019|

Almost 30 people attended Tuesday’s Marion County Commission meeting to voice concerns about the setbacks associated with wind turbines in the area and across Kansas. Clarifying an earlier report, no wind turbines are planned in the area south of U.S. Highway 50 and east of U.S. Highway 77 in the tallgrass prairie preservation area. In addition, Pat Pelstring, representing Expedition Wind Project, based in Wayzata, Minn., is urging the commission to avoid a moratorium, noting that many people in that area have already signed agreements. The group, he said, wants to get started by fall if at all possible. For Jeremy [...]

Abilene pauses study on city building

info2019-02-28T10:05:11-06:00February 28th, 2019|

The Abilene City Commission wasn’t ready to decide the fate of the Abilene City Hall and Auditorium at its regular meeting Monday. City Engineer Mark Bachamp with Olsson Associates started a study of a renovation of the municipal court and Abilene Police Department. But he wasn’t sure if he should continue spending all of the $34,000 allocated.... They agreed to place the question on the City’s Roundtable at www.opentownhall.com/portals/299/Issue_7256 to solicit comments from the public. City Manager Austin Gilley said in the Roundtable introduction that the city hall building was designed for a 1925 operation and has outgrown its ability to [...]

Lawrence receives $480,000 grant to help complete 2 sections of citywide trail system

info2019-02-28T09:45:26-06:00February 28th, 2019|

The city has received a grant to help complete two sections in the trail system that will someday encircle Lawrence. Once complete, the Lawrence Loop will provide a continuous 22-mile concrete path around Lawrence, with connector trails linking it to neighborhoods. The city recently received a state transportation grant of nearly half a million dollars to help complete two sections of the trail in eastern Lawrence, but it will need to set aside additional funding as part of its upcoming budget process. The $480,000 Kansas Department of Transportation grant is for 2020 and requires a 20 percent match and other funding [...]

City of Marysville considers selling land to Kramer Oil

info2019-02-28T08:37:20-06:00February 28th, 2019|

Marysville City Council spoke favorably Monday of an economic development opportunity posed by selling city-owned land for a local business expansion. Kramer Oil is looking to expand its operations by purchasing 3.6 acres from the city. The property is directly south of CJ Express East at 11th Road and U.S. Highway 36. The potential sale was discussed during the council’s regular meeting. Mayor Carla Grund said she would like to see Kramer Oil submit a cost-benefit analysis to the city with information about the expansion such as jobs added and property tax benefits. Grund said if owner Chad Kramer was willing [...]

Project Wichita hopes young leaders will help propel regional growth

info2019-02-28T08:34:12-06:00February 28th, 2019|

Project Wichita continues to take its findings and potential action plans to the community, this week with an intentional focus on engaging young community leaders in the process. A panel of Project Wichita leaders spoke to the Wichita Business Journal’s Emerging Leaders on Wednesday morning at the Kansas Leadership Center, following a Tuesday evening with members of Young Professionals of Wichita, Connecting ICT, Urban Professionals, Young Latino Professionals and the United Way’s Young Leaders United program. Evan Rosell, among the presenters at the WBJ event, said it is imperative that young leaders be involved in any initiative moving the city and [...]

Newton City Commissioner proposes forum following utility rate feedback

info2019-02-28T08:21:07-06:00February 28th, 2019|

In response to complaints about utility rates from Newton residents, Commissioner Barth Hague said he instructed city management to put together a community forum to hear from residents about the issue. Recently, residents have vented on social media about the high prices of utility rates, prompted by a graph released by the City of El Dorado showing Newton to have the highest rates in the area, as well as plans that would increase utility rates to pay for things like bulky item pick up or tree trimming. “It’s quite possible, based on what transpired on Facebook, no one will come to [...]

After three decades, longtime Liberal solid waste director calls it a career

info2019-02-28T09:50:30-06:00February 28th, 2019|

The Liberal City Commission began its most recent meeting Tuesday evening rather bittersweet as the commission said good-bye to a longtime employee. Solid Waste Department Director Frank Holman will be retiring from his post at the end of the month and received his retirement plaque from the commission. “Frank Holman will be retiring from the City of Liberal March 1, 2019 after 30 years of successful service,” Vice Mayor Taylor Harden said. “Frank has been a dedicated employee for many years and his hard work and dedication toward the betterment of the community is greatly appreciated. We at the City of Liberal [...]

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