info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Zoning best protection, say wind farm opponents

info2018-11-16T09:52:23-06:00November 16th, 2018|

Some people have questioned why Apex Clean Energy would want to build wind turbines in Southeast Kansas. Lack of zoning regulations in Neosho County could be one of the greatest enticements for the company, according to information shared with Neosho County residents Tuesday night at Tony’s Function Junction near St. Paul. Anderson County residents Dane Hicks and Burk Peterson spoke to citizens at the event center who have raised concerns about the Neosho Ridge Wind project that is proposed in a footprint covering land between Galesburg and Thayer. Hicks and Peterson were part of a group of Anderson County residents who [...]

Anderson county residents speak about wind farm negatives

info2018-11-16T09:51:27-06:00November 16th, 2018|

From Burk Peterson’s back door in Anderson County, he can see the turbines stretched across his sight line from horizon to horizon in Coffey County 26 miles away. At night he said, it is like he is being invaded by aliens, because the turbines’ red lights are synced to blink in unison. Looking at Kansas wind maps and the marginal to poor winds in Southeast Kansas, some might wonder why wind energy companies would come here to harvest wind for power. With wind turbines that stand nearly 600 feet tall and blades reaching another 200 feet in the air, the energy [...]

Lawrence Parks and Recreation finalizes new cemetery rules allowing more decorations

info2018-11-16T08:27:42-06:00November 16th, 2018|

New rules allowing more decoration options at grave sites in Lawrence cemeteries were finalized Wednesday, said Derek Rogers, director of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department. Rogers said the rules, which were adopted after three public meetings held in September and October, will go into effect Jan. 1. The rules do not need to be approved by the Lawrence City Commission because they are part of park guidelines, which are under the department’s purview. Read more: LJWorld.com.

Douglas County to hold recognition ceremony for retiring administrator Craig Weinaug

info2018-11-15T10:36:58-06:00November 15th, 2018|

At its short meeting Wednesday, the Douglas County Commission announced plans for a recognition ceremony for retiring County Administrator Craig Weinaug. Weinaug announced in August he would be retiring Dec. 14 from the position he has held for 26 years. Commission Chair Nancy Thellman said the county would have a retirement celebration for Weinaug from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 14, at the Flory Meeting Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2110 Harper St. Assistant County Administrator Sarah Plinsky said the celebration will include a 3 p.m. program of remarks about Weinaug’s long career with the county. The celebration will be [...]

Osawatomie approves contract with Waste Management

info2018-11-15T09:36:50-06:00November 15th, 2018|

Osawatomie City Council members approved a five-year contract with Waste Management at their meeting Thursday, Nov. 8. Billing will continue to be handled by Waste Management. The council has said that once the city installs new software there is a possibility billing might revert to the city, though no formal decision has been made. Difficulties with billing have been points of contention with some residents. The city’s contract with Waste Management was set to expire at year’s end. The council in mid-September opted to stick with Waste Management, which was competing with Harrisonville-based WCA for Osawatomie’s solid waste and recycling collection [...]

Miami County receives ballpark cost to turn property into parking lot

info2018-11-15T09:35:58-06:00November 15th, 2018|

A plan to turn a vacant county-owned lot at the corner of Agate and East Shawnee streets in Paola into an asphalt-surface parking lot could cost $40,000 to $60,000 to construct. At the County Commission’s Nov. 7 study session, Road and Bridge Project Manager Matt Oehlert provided county commissioners with BG Consultants Inc.’s ballpark estimate for turning the 55-foot by 130-foot property at 102 E. Shawnee St. into additional parking for county employees. Miami County commissioners at their meeting Wednesday, Oct. 25, directed county staff to put in a change order to add the parking lot’s design to a contract the [...]

County rehires retired attorney to try to navigate FBI, personnel investigations

info2018-11-15T09:33:44-06:00November 15th, 2018|

Sedgwick County commissioners have turned to a familiar face to help them navigate investigations by them and of them, hiring back the retired Mike Pepoon to take over as their top lawyer. Pepoon, a former assistant county counselor and county lobbyist, will run the legal department in place of County Counselor Eric Yost. Yost, a former district court judge, is on indefinite paid leave after a news conference two weeks ago, where he released a statement accusing commissioners of trying to commit illegal acts in their efforts to oust County Manager Michael Scholes. Pepoon enters a difficult legal landscape at the [...]

Tax levy funding to support Rose Hill Historical Society structures

info2018-11-15T09:30:22-06:00November 15th, 2018|

A measure recently approved by USD 394 residents will use tax levy funds to improve the structural quality of Rose Hill’s museum and its outlying buildings. The measure passed 1606 to 1507 in the Nov. 6 election. It states that the levy shall not exceed an annual tax of one mill upon tangible property in the school district and that funds shall be used to “provide, establish, maintain and conduct a community historical museum for the City of Rose Hill.” “We’re just funded by grants and donations, and grants are pretty hard to get for a small museum like ours,” said [...]

Newton reviews five-year projection

info2018-11-15T09:28:33-06:00November 15th, 2018|

Two changes to the budget could make a big difference to future of the city, according to a financial projection given to the city commission Nov. 13 during a work session at City Hall. “I took out the $95,000 for outside agencies, and added two mills. ... Two little tweaks like that made that much difference,” said Donna Pickman, director of finance for the city. The financial plan, projecting the next five years, showed a pretty large swing in ending balances with those two changes happening in the 2020 budget. The ending balance swung from a negative $3.1 million to a [...]

City of Manhattan hears latest on plans for City Park, recreation centers

info2018-11-15T09:25:02-06:00November 15th, 2018|

The latest updates on plans for two planned recreation centers and the future of City Park were presented at the Manhattan City Commission’s work session in City Hall Tuesday. The plan lays out the long-term vision for improvements and projects around the park. The last version of the plan was adopted in 2006, but city administration decided it needed updates as many projects within it have already been completed. Park Planner Alfonso Leyva said the goal of this plan was to “create a space that caters to bicyclists and pedestrians” while enhancing activities already in the park and improving accessibility. He [...]

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