info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Emergency radio upgrades in Saline County could cost $16 million

info2019-01-04T06:50:52-06:00January 4th, 2019|

Saline County needs to upgrade its 911 radio system. This week, emergency management warns the estimated price tag for the upgrades is $16.2 million. In 2012, Saline County made changes to its emergency radio system to comply with FCC regulations. Today, the Kansas Highway Patrol is on a different system than Saline County and the Salina Police Department. This means the agencies can't directly communicate with one another. This is why the expensive upgrade is a necessity. "Our troopers in the field could speak to the deputies and police officers in the field in real time. There would be no time [...]

Lawsuit filed against Garden City Community College, former president for violation of employee rights

info2019-01-04T06:49:41-06:00January 4th, 2019|

A lawsuit has been filed against the former president of Garden City Community College and the college. In court documents filed on Wednesday, plaintiffs consisting of six current and former employees of the college accuse Herbert Swender of several violations, including infringing upon their constitutional rights on a number of occasions. The plaintiffs are seeking relief in the form of compensatory and punitive damages. Last May, the faculty senate presented a 28-page report to the board, accusing Swender of bullying, intimidation, sexual harassment and retaliation against employees. The college also terminated Swender’s contract back in August and agreed to pay a [...]

Investors signal confidence that Fed won’t hike rates further

info2019-01-03T08:33:44-06:00January 3rd, 2019|

Investors widely appear to be betting that swings in the market and changes in hiring and consumer spending could stall economic growth and hold interest rates steady through 2019. The Federal Reserve predicted two more rate hikes in 2019, but federal funds futures show a 91% chance the rate will be the same or lower at the end of the year. Read more: Wall Street Journal.

Overland Park households placed in new City Council wards

info2019-01-03T08:23:28-06:00January 3rd, 2019|

As of Jan. 1, about 5,200 Overland Park households were placed in new City Council wards as part of district boundary review that takes place every two years. The idea is to balance the number of residents among wards as residential growth continues in the south part of the city. Under city policy and state law, the population should not deviate more than 10 percent among the city’s six wards. However, last year’s review found a 15 percent deviation. (Read more: KC Star Local News)

New traffic roundabout planned in Junction City

info2019-01-03T08:23:23-06:00January 3rd, 2019|

There will be a new traffic roundabout built near the intersection of McFarland Road and Eisenhower Drive in 2019. Junction City Public Works Director Ray Ibarra explained it will help deal with the traffic load coming through the intersection, and making turns at 5th Street. The roundabout will be located just south of the McFarland Road – Eisenhower Drive intersection. Ibarra stated, “The roundabout will take care of McFarland and it will also take care of the traffic coming out Lincoln Elementary School, and that way we’ll have a good traffic flow out of there.” Ibarra added a crosswalk at the [...]

Saline County Administrator Deister to retire in March

info2019-01-03T08:21:26-06:00January 3rd, 2019|

After serving Saline County for 27 years, Saline County administrator Rita Deister will be retiring March 24. Deister has been the county’s administrator for 18 years. Before that, she served in the roles of personnel director and assistant county administrator for Saline County. Deister said she has enjoyed her time in county government. “I think I’ve served under 8 boards and 21 commissioners,” she said. “It’s been fun, and I’ve enjoyed getting up and going to work every day.” Saline County Commission chairman Bob Vidricksen announced Deister’s retirement Wednesday morning. “Thank you for your years of service,” he said. “You have [...]

Ford County pays more than $70,000 to firm hired in voting rights case

info2019-01-03T06:50:49-06:00January 3rd, 2019|

Ford County has paid more than $70,000 in legal fees to the firm representing County Clerk Debbie Cox, who was sued over voting access in one of the state’s few majority-minority cities. In October and November, the county paid $71,481 to the Hinkle Law Firm, which is based in Wichita, a document obtained through an open records request indicates. The money comes from the county’s general fund, Cox said. The ACLU sued Cox in late October after she moved Dodge City’s sole voting location outside city limits because the original location was to undergo construction. The lawsuit alleged that the move [...]

Geary County Rural Fire Department to receive funding through state program

info2019-01-03T06:48:35-06:00January 3rd, 2019|

The Geary County Rural Fire Department will receive $5,523 through the Kansas Firefighter Recruitment and Safety Grant Program. The department is one of 70 Kansas volunteer or part-time fire departments to be awarded funds. Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges noted the funds will be used to purchase structure firefighter gear for three new firefighters. The gear will include coats, helmets and boots. (Read more: Junction City Post)

Old airport terminal building demolition expected to begin this month

info2019-01-03T06:47:59-06:00January 3rd, 2019|

The old airport terminal building at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport won’t be around much longer. Conco Inc. has pulled a $5.5 million building permit related to demolition of the remaining structure. A copy of the permit will appear in the next weekly edition of the Wichita Business Journal. Brad Christopher, assistant director of airports for the Wichita Airport Authority, says the razing of the old building is expected to begin in late January and run through the middle of June. Demolition of the old terminal, which served the city for more than 50 years, was spilt into separate projects [...]

New assistant Manhattan city manager named

info2019-01-03T08:31:58-06:00January 3rd, 2019|

Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr has announced that Dennis Marstall has been named Assistant City Manhattan. Marstall, a 1987 Manhattan High School graduate, was selected from a group of four finalists. He plans to begin work January 25th. Marstall will be responsible for assisting with the day-to-day management of City operations including supervision of staff and administrative policy development, working with the city manager and deputy city manager on various projects and redevelopment activities, serving as the city manager’s designated representative to the Riley County Law Board, staff liaison to the City-University Special Projects Fund Committee and coordinating state legislative activities. [...]

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