info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Merriam approves McCarthy’s second bid package of $10.5 million on community center construction

info2018-12-12T06:52:26-06:00December 12th, 2018|

Construction on the new Merriam Community Center is underway, and councilmembers have unanimously approved a second bid package with McCarthy Building Companies. Before the council voted last night, assistant city administrator Meredith Hauck gave councilmembers an update on construction so far. Demolition is complete, and site grade work has begun. McCarthy published its monthly drone video covering recap of construction on the community center during November. The recently approved second bid package of $10.5 million covers costs for grading, installation of utilities and laying of the foundation and site concrete; work on these items will continue through February. (Read more: Prairie [...]

Snow removal costs believed to minimal so far in Barton County

info2018-12-12T08:45:52-06:00December 12th, 2018|

Barton County and the rest of the state has experienced a couple of run-ins with winter weather already, especially the Thanksgiving weekend. The winter storm included high winds and at times caused zero visibility, snow drifts, and hazardous driving conditions. Handling the maintenance of the county roads fell to Barton County staff. Snow and ice treatment costs the county with the use of equipment, salt, and manpower. The cost can go up when treatment is needed on a weekend or holiday, normal times off for county employees. (Read more: Great Bend Post)

Merriam council advances nondiscrimination ordinance with protections for LGBTQ residents, employees after first reading

info2018-12-12T06:48:51-06:00December 12th, 2018|

The Merriam city council on Monday generally agreed on the wording of a nondiscrimination ordinance which would provide legal protections for LGBTQ residents and employees. The council heard the first reading of the ordinance, which was drafted by city attorney Nicole Proulx Aiken, during its meeting Monday. The ordinance will come back to the council for consideration at a date yet to be determined. Aiken highlighted a few provisions currently included in the draft ordinance, which is designed to protect residents and employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity — especially in the areas of employment and public [...]

New effort underway to bring an old Shawnee, Kansas, theater back to life

info2018-12-12T06:45:57-06:00December 12th, 2018|

Once an iconic piece of downtown Shawnee, Kansas, a boarded-up movie theater will soon get new life. There’s a new effort under way to get the place up and running again. Advertisement Hidden in plain sight on Johnson Drive, you’ll find the weathered remnants of a place taken by time – and three guys who want to take it back. “I didn’t want to pick our colors and try to find something that matched it,” said Jeff Calkins as he walked us through the work done so far. Calkins, his brother Chris Calkins, and their friend Bruce Young are working to [...]

Sabetha declines pursuit of Westar wind energy offer

info2018-12-12T06:44:44-06:00December 12th, 2018|

A failed motion is what transpired following a discussion at the Sabetha City Commission meeting Monday evening, regarding an offer that Westar made to the city. The Sabetha City Commission met at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, at City Hall. Present were Mayor Doug Clark, Commissioners Nick Aberle, Norm Schmitt, Maridel Wittmer and Julie Burenheide, City Administrator Doug Allen, Assistant City Administrator Bill Shroyer and City Clerk Steve Compo. Also present was Scott Shreve with Energy Management Group (EMG) and patron Phil Moser. Shreve came before the commission to offer the city the opportunity to purchase two megawatts of wind energy [...]

City Hall picks team to design, build Wichita’s new Minor League baseball park

info2018-12-12T06:40:19-06:00December 12th, 2018|

After a week’s delay, the City Council is ready to play ball with a group to develop Wichita’s new $75 million baseball stadium. On Tuesday, the council picked its team: JE Dunn Construction, EBY Construction, Schaefer Johnson Cox Frey Architecture, DLR Group, and Professional Engineering Consultants. Those companies will design and build the stadium to replace the demolished Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at the northwest corner of Maple and McLean. The city is using a single team to handle both the design and construction of the project in the interest of time. The still-to-be-named team is expected to throw out its first pitch [...]

Andover development would feature commercial, residential and public space

info2018-12-12T06:38:14-06:00December 12th, 2018|

A 100-acre piece of property just north of U.S. 54 in Andover could look a lot different starting next year. Investor Michael Lies and Jerry Jones of the Jones Commercial Development Co. have plans for a large mixed-use development that would include compact homes, retail and restaurant space, and a new city park. After close to three years of discussions, Andover's City Council appears to be fully on board with the development, which would include an expansion of Yorktown Street to the north from U.S. 54. "Mike (Lies) and Lance (Biel) have been working to assemble this piece of property for [...]

A fixture at city hall for 30 years, Vicki Charlesworth retiring from Shawnee on Friday

info2018-12-12T06:35:25-06:00December 12th, 2018|

Deputy City Manager Vicki Charlesworth, who has been a fixture at Shawnee City Hall for three decades, is set to wrap up a long and respected career for the city this week. Charlesworth will officially retire on Friday, Dec. 14. Charlesworth’s service to Shawnee started in November 1988 when she joined the staff as a personnel technician. She steadily rose through the ranks of the city’s administration, serving as personnel analyst, deputy city clerk, city clerk, and assistant city manager before become deputy city manager in 2012. Charlesworth took over as interim city manager in November 2017 after the departure of [...]

Commissioners get update from area legislators

info2018-12-12T06:33:37-06:00December 12th, 2018|

Geary County Commissioners met with members of the area legislative delegation on Monday at the Geary County Office Building. A main topic involved the upcoming working relationship between the legislature and the new incoming governor Laura Kelly. According to Commission Chairman Charles Stimatze, State Senator Jeff Longbine is optimistic. “He’s worked with Laura Kelly in the past. he says it’s going to be a good thing.” Commissioner Ben Bennett stated, “Most important thing was the confidence that working with the new governor will be a different tone. I felt like they were looking forward to having the session with some of [...]

Salina City Manager Finalists Announced

info2018-12-12T08:47:15-06:00December 12th, 2018|

The Salina City Commission has announced its City Manager finalists. ...the two City Manager finalists are Mike Schrage of Salina and Jeff Dingman of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Mr. Schrage currently serves as Salina's Interim City Manager. He has served Salina as Deputy City Manager for 12.5 years before accepting the interim role in June. His previous public sector experience includes 12 years as City Administrator in Smithville, Missouri and 2.5 years in Maysville, Missouri. Mr. Schrage holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Northeast Missouri State University and obtained a Master's Degree in Public Administration at Wichita State University. Mr. [...]

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