info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

New treatment plant has Hiawatha water in the clear

info2018-12-28T10:33:50-06:00December 28th, 2018|

The Hiawatha water treatment plant has been up and running for over two months, now, and the improved water quality has been earning rave reviews. After years of unsafe nitrate levels, the plant’s ion exchange purification system has the city’s drinking water well within safe levels, and according to Hiawatha Water Superintendent Brad Scott, should keep them there for years to come. Along with Sewer Superintendent Dave Grimm, Scott toured different types of treatment facilities in 2016, and after many meetings with engineering firm BG Consultants, settled on a final design, which was approved in 2017, with AHRS beginning construction on [...]

County to tackle bridge work in 2019

info2018-12-28T10:31:36-06:00December 28th, 2018|

Miami County Road and Bridge plans to replace several bridges in 2019. The Miami County Commission on Wednesday, Dec. 12, authorized Project Manager Matt Oehlert to solicit price proposals for construction inspection on four bridge projects as well as construction bids for three of those structures. Kansas Department of Transportation will let bids for construction of a fourth bridge, which is located on 217th Street, 0.7 miles west of Waverly Road. KDOT will fund 80 percent of the estimated $470,000 joint project, with the county responsible for covering the other 20 percent, Oehlert told commissioners at their study session Dec. 12. [...]

Miami County hires consultant to help develop new radio system

info2018-12-28T10:30:20-06:00December 28th, 2018|

Miami County would not build a bridge without hiring an engineer first, Commissioner Danny Gallagher said. Gallagher said he viewed hiring a professional consultant to help the county build an emergency radio system the same way. “This is our engineer for the radio system,” Gallagher said. The other commissioners agreed, voting 5-0 during their meeting Dec. 19 to hire Tusa Consulting Services for $82,200 to help commissioners arrive at a radio communications solution that would allow all first responders in the county to communicate with each other. (Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Fire board governance debated at public hearing in Miami County

info2018-12-28T10:29:03-06:00December 28th, 2018|

A possible shift in governance of Miami County Fire Districts No. 1 and No. 2 sparked a lively debate for 40 minutes Wednesday, Dec. 19, in the County Commission chambers. County commissioners scheduled a public hearing to gather comments about a possible shift in governance from the fire districts’ current boards to the County Commission. Paola Fire Chief Andy Martin said he thought it would be a mistake to eliminate the First District No. 1 board. “They’ve come a long way and done a lot of long-range planning ... and generally improving fire service,” Martin said. Martin said the board may [...]

South Hutchinson police chief talks of hiring officers

info2018-12-28T10:27:18-06:00December 28th, 2018|

Although, there have been cuts made earlier this year to the South Hutchinson Police Department as the city council worked to get its financial house in order, South Hutchinson Police Chief Mark Thompson talked of making a hire despite those cut backs. He also gave advice for those who may want to enter law enforcement as a profession: (Read more: Hutch Post)

Colby named among the state’s safest communities

info2018-12-28T10:25:14-06:00December 28th, 2018|

After analyzing data that included the rate of violent crime and property crimes, home security company Safewise has listed one northwest Kansas community among the state’s safest. Colby — the only northwest Kansas city to make the list — ranked ninth in the study. Mission Hills and Hesston were named the state’s two safest communities. (Read more: Hays Post)

Grant funds available for new swimming pools (60% grant / 40% local)

info2018-12-27T13:32:23-06:00December 27th, 2018|

The purpose of this round of CDBG funding is to benefit Kansas cities by granting unobligated CDBG funds for an activity not normally funded through the annual CDBG program. Funds in this round will be awarded in a manner to be primarily invested in pools of water within a Neighborhood Center. In selecting projects to be funded the State of Kansas shall give priority to projects that can award contracts based on bids within one year from contract start date. Up to $20 million dollars will be made available under the Neighborhood Center round of funding to address an activity listed [...]

Lenexa council changes city administrator’s title to city manager

info2018-12-27T13:12:49-06:00December 27th, 2018|

Lenexa city leaders have taken first steps to change the city administrator’s title to city manager. Discussion of the title change comes ahead of the pending retirement of Lenexa city administrator Eric Wade, who plans to stay on staff for a few months alongside his replacement to facilitate a smooth transition next year. The Lenexa council in its Dec. 18 meeting voted 6-1 on an ordinance for the title change. Councilmember Bill Nicks cast the single dissenting vote. Councilmember Thomas Nolte was absent for the vote and council discussion. Lenexa city attorney Cindy Harmison said that in a presentation earlier this [...]

Tiny houses bring people home to Nicodemus

info2018-12-27T13:11:54-06:00December 27th, 2018|

They broke ground in April, but then it rained for days, and then weeks. Then it flooded, then a bridge went out, and then it became impossible to find licensed and bonded building contractors willing to take on the work of building four tiny homes in Nicodemus. “We’ve had one setback after another,” said JohnElla Holmes, leader of the Nicodemus Tiny Homes Project in Graham County. “But now we’re back on track.” With dirt leveled, footings dug, and some concrete poured, it looks now like four people longing to move back home to the tiny town on U.S. Highway 24 will [...]

Derby Rec Commission looks at esports

info2018-12-27T13:08:55-06:00December 27th, 2018|

As part of its 10-year master plan, the Derby Recreation Commission wants to take part in the growing industry of esports. Esports is a general term to describe video games played in a competitive setting. With the rise in popularity of video games across the nation, some players are gaining interest in playing them for sport. Competitive leagues for games such as Fortnite, League of Legends, and Overwatch have been early pioneers in the sports industry. Though the DRC currently has no formal plans to purchase a facility or equipment for esports, Drum said the DRC was “intrigued” by the industry [...]

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