info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

New downtown recycling trailer in Great Bend already deemed a success

info2019-01-22T09:25:12-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

The community’s reaction to the new downtown recycling drop-off site has already exceeded expectations. Organizers had anticipated unloading the trailer twice a month. But it is filling up quickly and the timetable has been moved up to accommodate the amount of collections at 18th and Williams. The trailer was the brainchild of the Barton County Young Professionals (BCYP). “Many of our members had voiced their desire for more recycling opportunities. And Sunflower Diversified Services and the city of Great Bend made it happen,” said Megan Hammeke, steering committee chair. “We are so excited to have this new addition downtown and we [...]

New Sheridan Co. K9 officer ready to begin training for duty

info2019-01-22T09:25:11-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

Sheridan County’s newest member of the sheriff’s department will be arriving soon. Dak, the county’s first K9 officer, will begin training next week in Omaha, Neb., with his partner Deputy Adam Babcock. The department is also accepting donations to help support the K9 program supplies, including such necessities as a dog cage for the patrol vehicle, kennels, veterinarian expenses, food and other necessities. (Read more: Hays Post)

Report: Kansas electricity costs higher than other states

info2019-01-22T09:23:48-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

A report says Kansas customers are paying more for electricity than in neighboring states because of investments in coal and wind power. The Kansas Corporation Commission recently presented its analysis of electricity rates to lawmakers. The commission found that utilities Westar Energy and Kansas City Power & Light spent billions of dollars over the last decade on coal-fired power plants in Kansas. They also spent millions of dollars complying with a now-repealed state rule for 20 percent of energy to come from renewable sources by 2020. Commission Chief Accountant Justin Grady says Kansas decided to invest in coal when it was [...]

New management to take over the hospital in Hillsboro immediately

info2019-01-22T09:22:28-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

Hillsboro Community Hospital is temporarily under new management. This morning, the Marion County District Court approved the Bank of Hays and the City of Hillsboro’s joint request to remove HCH out from EmpowerHMS and appointed a new company to take over the management. As the Free Press previously reported, the Bank of Hays filed a foreclosure action against the current ownership group of the hospital, also known as EmpowerHMS. According to a press release issued early this afternoon by the City of Hillsboro, Cohesive Healthcare Management has been appointed by the court to take possession of the hospital and to operate, [...]

Basehor hires new city administrator

info2019-01-22T09:19:08-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

The Basehor City Council and mayor have hired a new city administrator. Leslee Rivarola’s appointment to the position was approved Wednesday during a Basehor City Council meeting. She is scheduled to begin her duties as the new city administrator Feb. 4. Rivarola, 37, said she has an extensive background in public service. “I just love serving the public, and I really believe in the work that we do,” she said. She currently serves as the city administrator of Lake Lotawana, Missouri. She has been in this job for about four years. She has held other positions in the public service field [...]

Website created for Salina downtown project

info2019-01-22T09:17:49-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

The website for downtown Salina’s revitalization project is now available at salina2020.com. The website hosts the most up to date information about projects, developments and events related to the renovation. Salina 2020, the master developer of downtown Salina’s revitalization project, and Salina Downtown Inc., will be hosting a cash mob Feb. 9. Shoppers are encouraged to patronize stores, restaurants, bars, and businesses during the event. Social media users have a chance to win a $50 gift card to one of 20 downtown businesses by spreading information about the cash mob across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The social media contest is being [...]

Rural Revitalization gets to work

info2019-01-22T09:15:07-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

Only one committee in the Kansas House of Representatives has a leadership team comprised of three lawmakers living west of U.S. 81. It’s the new Rural Revitalization Committee. The problems of rural Kansas are varied and challenging, “but perhaps we can bend the curve,” said Committee Chairman State Rep. Don Hineman, R-Dighton. Rounding out the leadership team are Vice Chairman State Rep. Adam Smith, R-Weskan, and Ranking Minority Member State Rep. Jason Probst, D-Hutchinson. “It’s pretty open-ended,” Hineman said of the committee’s agenda. “That’s what has most people excited,” according to Smith. Just about any topic that is a concern for [...]

Shawnee County Commission decision brewing on alcohol at softball fields

info2019-01-22T09:09:32-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

Allowing alcoholic beverages at Shawnee County’s four adult softball complexes would help it increase revenues and attract national tournaments, supporters say. But questions remain as to whether the county is prepared to deal with problems that might bring. Teresa Miller, a member of the Shawnee County Parks and Recreation advisory board, told commissioners Dec. 20 about how beer consumption made players more aggressive on the teams for which her husband used to play. “When they had beer, they were pretty rowdy,” she said. “Baseball bats make good weapons.” Parks and recreation director John Knight responded his department plans to arrange for [...]

City of Parsons to consider golf subsidy

info2019-01-22T09:05:31-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

City commissioners likely will grant an $8,000 subsidy to the local golf course on Tuesday. The commissioners plan to receive a financial report from Parsons Katy Golf Course Association and probably will approve the payment to the course. The city has paid the golf course a subsidy for many years but within the last few years began reducing the amount of $12,000 by $1,000 each year. The subsidy is expected to remain at $8,000 unless commissioners decide otherwise. The commission agrees to pay the subsidy annually in order to help keep the business afloat as it is the only golf course [...]

Wind farm moratorium fails again in Neosho County

info2019-01-22T09:03:48-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

Once again, a motion against the proposed Neosho Ridge wind electrical generation project failed to draw a second at Thursday evening’s Neosho County Commission meeting, when matters came to clash over a 1,000-foot setback. Development manager for Apex Clean Energy, Jade Scheele, said a setback of more than 1,000 feet ends the conversation, although Apex has agreed to a setback of 1,640 feet from the middle of properties that are not involved in leases. “If you can’t go more than 1,000, I’m done,” Commissioner Paul Westhoff said. “Let’s just get this done. No windmills.” Apex has signed leases in about 44,000 [...]

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