info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Marketing firm: Wichita should focus talent search on four U.S. metro areas

info2018-11-19T06:40:42-06:00November 19th, 2018|

With a talent attraction and retention challenge continuing in Wichita, workforce leaders are attempting to take their efforts to the next level. Earlier this year, the Greater Wichita Partnership, a regional economic development organization, began working with Development Counsellors International in an effort to begin work on the design of a multi-faceted marketing campaign to draw people to Wichita. "Talent is the key commodity now," says Andrew Nave, the GWP's executive vice president of economic development. "I've been doing economic development for 15 years. Workforce promotion and talent promotion has always been a key criteria, but now it's now not only [...]

Gardner city council establishes land bank

info2018-11-19T06:36:04-06:00November 19th, 2018|

The Gardner City Council has established a land bank in a renewed push to revitalize blighted parts of the city and give potential landowners a chance to purchase land without inheriting delinquent taxes on the properties. The council, during its Nov. 5 meeting created the land bank which will allow the city to acquire property sold at tax sale without having to pay the delinquent taxes. “If a city is a successful bidder at a tax sale, the city is required to pay delinquent taxes. In contrast, when a land bank acquires property, the county treasurer must remove from the tax [...]

Lenexa’s Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park is going to be lit for the holidays

info2018-11-19T06:33:21-06:00November 19th, 2018|

Every year for the past 25 years, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park lights up for the holiday season. Jeff Carlson, parks and recreation facility maintenance supervisor, said his crew decorates 80 to 90 trees in the park with dozens and dozens of stringed lights. Some of the trees are pretty large, about 70 feet tall, so they require tall lifts to hang up the lights. And all of the lights are different: traditional C9 and C7 bulbs and modern LED, traditional Christmas colors of red and green and unique colors from all over the rainbow. “There’s a big oak tree out here in [...]

Spring Hill hires Assistant City Administrator

info2018-11-19T06:31:41-06:00November 19th, 2018|

At the Nov. 8 City Council meeting, the Governing Body approved Mayor Steven Ellis’ appointment of Jose Leon to Assistant City Administrator of Public Works, Community Development and Physical Plant. “The City of Spring Hill is very excited to have Mr. Leon join the team,” Jim Hendershot, Spring Hill City Administrator, said. “His experience, knowledge and leadership will be an asset to this community, our residents and City staff.” Leon previously worked for the City of Roeland Park as the Public Works Director and the City of Overland Park Public Works department. Leon also served seven years in the private sector [...]

Wichita firefighters dressed as superheros rappel down Wesley Children’s Hospital

info2018-11-16T10:12:43-06:00November 16th, 2018|

Children at a Wesley Healthcare hospital saw six superheroes through their windows on Thursday — heroes who are Wichita firefighters when they’re not rappelling down buildings. The Wichita Fire Department tweeted photos of the superhero firefighters on the roof of Wesley Children’s Hospital. They included Batman, Captain America, the Hulk, Spider-man, Thor and the Green Lantern. “Our local firefighters always seem to be on the lookout to give back to the community and you could tell they really enjoyed dressing up and visiting the kids today,” Wesley Healthcare said in a statement. “It’s a great day at Wesley Children’s Hospital when [...]

Hoxie hospital receives $2.25M federal loan for facility improvements

info2018-11-16T10:12:06-06:00November 16th, 2018|

USDA Rural Development State Director Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing in health care infrastructure and services in rural Kansas. “Ensuring that rural Kansans have access to quality medical care, close to home is a top priority for USDA Rural Development,” said Hinrichsen. “Several of our rural hospitals are aging, and we are committed to assisting communities with financing for innovative health care projects that meet the needs of rural Kansans.” Today’s announcement is part of USDA’s commemoration of National Rural Health Day, which is held annually on the third Thursday of November to focus on the specific health [...]

Ark City makes cut for online TV show

info2018-11-16T10:11:09-06:00November 16th, 2018|

Arkansas City’s long-shot odds of winning $500,000 in a TV show contest are getting stronger. Word was received Tuesday that Ark City made the cut of 20 finalists from nearly 12,000 nominations for Small Business Revolution — Main Street, a TV show produced by the Deluxe Corporation. Ark City Chamber CEO Paisley Howerton said on Wednesday she is excited by the news. She and her staff are looking for new ways to increase community involvement and support. Businesses in the winning community apply for part of the $500,000, Howerton said. This is fourth season of the contest; season 3 winner was [...]

Ellis Co. election canvass will determine winner of state rep seat

info2018-11-16T10:06:49-06:00November 16th, 2018|

With the race for the Kansas House of Representative 111th District still too close to call, all eyes will be on the Ellis County election office and Clerk and Election Officer Donna Maskus on Thursday night as the vote tallies are finalized. Just 40 votes separate incumbent Democratic State Rep. Eber Phelps and Republican challenger Barb Wasinger after the final votes were tallied on election night. Wasinger led Phelps 4,259 to 4,219 votes. There are still approximately 200 provisional ballots and more than 30 advance ballots that still must be counted, a process Maskus said could take a significant amount of [...]

City Hall staying put in Leawood

info2018-11-16T10:05:46-06:00November 16th, 2018|

After hearing from residents on Nov. 12, the Leawood City Council decided against moving the former City Hall from its current site at 9615 Lee Blvd. City leaders had considered placing the building close to the current City Hall at 4800 Town Center Drive, leaving more green space for a park that’s being planned on the Lee Boulevard property. Chris Claxton, the city’s parks and recreation director, said most residents who spoke at the meeting favored keeping the building on its current site. However, the old City Hall will have to be moved to different spot to accommodate construction of a [...]

Holcomb City Council votes in Yolanda Cox as new member

info2018-11-16T09:59:39-06:00November 16th, 2018|

On Wednesday night, the Holcomb City Council approved Yolanda Cox to fill its fifth seat, left empty since former council member Jerry Quint stepped down in August to join the city’s short-staffed police department. Quint originally left the council on Aug. 8 to temporarily become a part-time officer at the Holcomb Police Department, which has long been understaffed, said Robin Lujan, city administrator. At the end of his originally slated 60-day leave, when positions at the police department remained unfilled, Quint decided to stay with the department in the interest of the city’s public safety, Lujan said. She said the city [...]

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