info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

JOCO home values continue to rise

info2019-02-25T09:06:42-06:00February 25th, 2019|

JJohnson County homeowners who were stunned by skyrocketing property value increases in recent years may breathe a little easier when they receive this year’s appraisal notices in the mail. “The market has cooled somewhat,” Johnson County Appraiser Paul Welcome told The Star. “It’s not at the frenzied pace it was last year.” Last year, many homeowners were shocked by property value increases of 15 percent or more, especially in the particularly desirable northern Johnson County neighborhoods of Prairie Village, Roeland Park and Fairway. Some neighborhoods in Overland Park, Merriam and Mission had 10 percent increases, and parts of Lenexa and southern [...]

County discusses hemp farming in Butler County

info2019-02-25T09:02:53-06:00February 25th, 2019|

Board of Butler County Commissioners held a work session, in which Dana Ladner with Kansas Dept of Agriculture spoke before the Commission to discuss industrial hemp rules and regulations and how the legality of hemp farming affects Butler County. On February 8, applications went live with a short window to apply for the “pilot research program.” March 1st is the deadline for applications, with a fee of $200 due. Once accepted into the program, there is an annual licensing fee which varies by type. The license fee for a Grower is $1000; Distributor is $2000; Processor is $3000. Licensees will also [...]

Project moves utility lines underground in Parsons

info2019-02-25T08:57:13-06:00February 25th, 2019|

Two utility companies have moved their infrastructure while another two are nearing completion of their work to make way for new turn lanes at 16th and Main. Darrell Moyer, director of engineering for the city of Parsons, said Friday that Kansas Gas Service and Cable One have completed their relocation work while Westar Energy and AT&T continue. “Everything is going underground,” Moyer said. The utility relocation work is concentrated on 16th Street (U.S. 59) from Crawford to Belmont. Moyer said the city staff has been working on utility relocation plans for about a year and promoted the underground lines near the [...]

Topeka police ask public to help name newest police dog

info2019-02-25T08:53:40-06:00February 25th, 2019|

The Topeka Police Department is asking the public to help name its newest police service dog. Whoever submits the name that is chosen will get to meet the dog and its handler, if he or she wishes, said police public relations specialist Gretchen Koenen. The new dog is a 15-month-old male Belgian Malinois from the Ukraine, Koenen said. He will be trained in narcotics detection, patrol services and handler protection. The public may submit suggested names on the police department’s Facebook page. Entries will be accepted through March 1. (Read more: Local Government - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Shawnee County to consider privatizing solid waste department

info2019-02-25T08:52:30-06:00February 25th, 2019|

The Shawnee County Commission will consider taking a step Monday toward potentially privatizing the county’s solid waste department. County commissioners plan to consider a proposal sponsored by Archer through which they would appoint Curt Niehaus, director of the county’s public works and solid waste departments, to the county’s solid waste management committee to replace Justin Pike, who was deputy director of the solid waste department until he left county employment Jan. 24. The proposal would also direct the county’s solid waste management committee to review the county’s solid waste management plan and provide commissioners with recommendations about the feasibility of arranging [...]

Lyon County approves removal of weight limits on 18 county bridges

info2019-02-25T08:49:42-06:00February 25th, 2019|

The commission also approved a request by County Engineer Chip Woods to remove the weight limits of 18 county bridges and alter the weight limits on an additional 10 to comply with federal law. Woods said there was nothing structurally wrong with the bridges, but the formula for how those limits are developed had been changed. The Road and Bridge Department will be responsible for changing or removing signs at each bridge and then will need to provide photographic proof to the Kansas Department of Transportation once the work is complete. Woods said the county’s failure to comply could result in [...]

City of Leavenworth offers rebate program to seniors

info2019-02-25T08:47:16-06:00February 25th, 2019|

Low-income senior citizens are invited to take part in a program that will reduce their monthly bills. The city of Leavenworth once again is offering a rebate program for qualifying individuals that pays their sewer and trash bills each month. Residents must live in the city limits, be 62 years old or older, be the primary occupant of the residence and fall into one of several age and income categories. For example, the total gross income of the applicant cannot exceed $28,000. For a household of eight or more people, the total gross income of the applicant cannot exceed $52,000. Several [...]

City of Topeka to hold public meetings regarding proposed changes in sign code

info2019-02-25T08:45:11-06:00February 25th, 2019|

The city of Topeka’s planning department is considering making various changes to the city’s rules regarding signs. The changes being considered would involve a comprehensive update to the city’s sign code, commercial building design standards and landscape and screening requirements, the city said on its Facebook page. “Enhancing Topeka’s quality of place and community aesthetic have been key objectives of the update while also making a more user-friendly sign code,” it said. (Read more: Local Government - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Gardner city council approved Price Chopper plan

info2019-02-25T08:38:40-06:00February 25th, 2019|

A new shopping plaza is coming to town after Gardner City Council passed a raft of ordinances and resolutions to help fund the construction of the Main Street Market Place project during a meeting Jan. 18. The proposed project, Main Street Market Place, includes a new 60,000 sq ft Price Chopper grocery store and the redevelopment of the current store into restaurant and retail space. Super Market Developers, Inc, a subsidiary of Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), is behind the project. The council, after holding a public hearing in which no member of the public came forward, passed a resolution declaring the [...]

‘This is our song’: Youth debut Lindsborg’s city song

info2019-02-25T08:37:38-06:00February 25th, 2019|

Wednesday night, 118 youth debuted the official song of Lindsborg, “Kara Lindsborg Mitt Hem.” The music and lyrics were written by residents Mike and Rose Marie Wallen. The title, pronounced “Share-ah Lindsborg meet hem,” translates to: dearest Lindsborg, my home. “This is our song,” said Lindsborg Mayor Becky Anderson after the performance. “When I heard this song, I was reduced to tears. I can’t thank these two people enough for bringing their talents.” Students in third, fourth and fifth grade, under the direction of Lori Nelson and Britney English, performed the song, as well as “Tryggare kan ingen vara (Children of [...]

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