info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Sen. Alley gets feedback from Cowley county commission

info2018-12-07T09:50:38-06:00December 7th, 2018|

Cowley County commissioners had a request list for state Sen. Larry Alley, R-Winfield, when he stopped by the commission meeting Tuesday morning. Alley said he has been visiting all the county commissions in Senate District 32 that includes parts of seven counties: Cowley, Barber, Comanche, Harper, Sumner, Kingman and Sedgwick. He is collecting information on what counties want him to focus on in the next legislative session that starts Jan. 14. The No. 1 issue facing the county is money, Cowley County Commission chair Alan Groom said. Following up on the need for money, commissioner Wayne Wilt said the county would [...]

Augusta City Council approves camera upgrades for police units

info2018-12-07T09:48:44-06:00December 7th, 2018|

Four police cars will be receiving mounted camera system upgrades. Council approved the request for the purchase of wi-fi adapters, software, and a video storage server from Watch Guard in the amount of $8,040. The department uses in-car video recording systems in marked units to provide documentation of traffic stops, prisoner transports and other enforcement related activities. the camera systems are vital in evidence documentation and for investigating complaints of officer misconduct. (Read more: Augusta Gazette)

Prairie Village resident pushes city to better integrate accessible play equipment into neighborhood parks

info2018-12-07T09:44:07-06:00December 7th, 2018|

The Prairie Village governing body this week denied a resident’s appeal of the city’s decision to invest heavily in accessible playground equipment at Franklin and Harmon Parks, a move he said denied kids with disabilities the chance to be incorporated in play at other neighborhood parks. James Olenick, the father of a now-adult son with disabilities, challenged the public works department’s planned investment of nearly $120,000 in new play equipment at Franklin Park in the coming months. The city also has tentative plans to invest around $575,000 in a complete revamp of the playground at Harmon Park that would feature a [...]

Lenexa approves $200K review of former city hall facility, future public safety center needs

info2018-12-07T09:42:44-06:00December 7th, 2018|

Lenexa will undertake an extensive review and planning process for the former city hall facility on 87th Street as leaders look to ensure the city has the space to house its public safety needs — from the police department to municipal court — for years to come. The council unanimously agreed on Tuesday to hire PGAV Architects Inc. for $204,600 to review the current and future space needs of the Lenexa Public Safety Complex and then develop a comprehensive master plan for the current facility. The proposed study would provide recommendations on facility size, location and cost to accommodate the Lenexa [...]

Some fees change with new water park contract in Derby

info2018-12-07T09:41:29-06:00December 7th, 2018|

A new operating agreement between the Derby Recreation Commission and the city of Derby for Rock River Rapids was approved by the City Council at its Nov. 27 meeting. The contract was due to expire on Dec. 31 and the new agreement is for two years. The DRC manages the water park, which is at 1900 E. James, and the city owns it. The new agreement includes annual 2.5 percent increases in the management fee for a total of $107,919 in 2019 and $110,616 in 2020. Given cost increases in salaries and health insurance, the amount is reasonable, said Zahra Ehtisham, [...]

Marion swears Jeffrey in as police chief

info2018-12-07T09:38:46-06:00December 7th, 2018|

Marion assistant police chief Clinton Jeffrey will take over as chief of police effective immediately after Monday’s city council meeting. Jeffrey comes to the position with 11 years’ experience in law enforcement. He comes to the role with support and affirmation of many Marion County law enforcement and judicial communities. Jeffrey was sworn in Monday after a statewide search. An interview panel comprised of community members unanimously recommended his appointment, Mayor Todd Heitschmidt said. (Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Ellis County, Extension celebrate project’s completion

info2018-12-07T09:37:42-06:00December 7th, 2018|

Even though there is still some work to be completed, Ellis County officials, along with those from the recently formed Cottonwood Extension District, celebrated the completion of the last of three building renovations. “We’re so excited because we’re done!” Ellis County Administrator and project manager Phillip Smith-Hanes told the crowd gathered in the lobby and an adjacent conference room for a Hays Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting at the offices of the Extension district, formed in 2017 by a merger of the Ellis and Barton county Kansas State University Research and Extension programs. (Read more: News - The Hays Daily [...]

Shoppers from near and far are hooked on Belleville store

info2018-12-07T09:35:08-06:00December 7th, 2018|

You've heard the phrase-- "location, location, location!"-- and that's certainly key for a Kansas store near the Nebraska state line. Even though it's in the small town of Belleville, shoppers come from all around the Midwest. "Our business began in 1947," said Lynette Beam, assistant manager of The Feathered Nest. It started as a traditional furniture store, but now, is an example of modern-day marketing. "It was about 11-12 years ago, we decided we really need to make a change, diversify, become a destination shop for women," said Beam. The Feathered Nest now offers an endless variety-- 10,000 square feet-- of [...]

County employee resignation costs

info2018-12-07T09:33:55-06:00December 7th, 2018|

Sedgwick County Manager Michael Scholes agreed recently to resign. It will cost the county a lump sum of $205,427. The agreement also states the now former county manager will not sue the county. "That was an important piece in the agreement," said county commissioner Richard Ranzau. But Ranzau also says the cost to the county, along with the release agreement of county counsel Eric Yost, could go up to half a million. "I am really pleased we were able to get this settled before my term expired and I left the commission," said Commissioner Dave Unruh, who did not run for [...]

Topeka Police auctioning tactical vehicle purchased for more than $425,000

info2018-12-07T09:31:56-06:00December 7th, 2018|

The Topeka Police Department is getting rid of the tactical vehicle it quietly bought two years ago for more than $425,000, saying it experiences frequent mechanical failures that are costly to fix. “The sale will save the city thousands of dollars in warranty and repair costs,” Molly Hadfield, the city’s media relations coordinator, said Thursday. She confirmed the city plans to auction the truck at www.govdeals.com. “City Manager (Brent) Trout and Chief (Bill) Cochran have decided that it is in the city’s best interest to sell the mobile command incident vehicle that was purchased under different city leadership in 2016,” Hadfield [...]

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