info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Main Street Kansas: Haunted hotel in Wilson attracts business from thrill seekers

info2018-10-26T06:24:22-05:00October 26th, 2018|

It's a hotel with a reputation, first, as a popular train stop in the 1890's. Then, for the movie, "Paper Moon," which shot several scenes here in 1973. Even the hotel's food has a following! "This was known for having the largest steak around. You got it free if you ate it all," said Melinda Merrill, owner of the Midland Railroad Hotel. But the hotel's darker side that may get the most attention. "Actually, as soon as I bought it, which was four years ago, the stories started coming out," said Merrill. Stories of an orphaned girl haunting the third floor. [...]

Cowley County residents want bridge replacement sooner

info2018-10-26T06:23:04-05:00October 26th, 2018|

Residents from northeast Cowley County expressed concern Tuesday about the county’s apparently slow response in replacing the stone-arch Fox Bridge, north of Cambridge. The bridge, built in 1910 over Grouse Creek, collapsed and was swept away just more than two years ago, in October 2016, by flood waters from heavy rains in the eastern part of the county. Visitors to the commission meeting complained of the difficulty of getting around the area. Deborah Calvin spoke about people trying to get across the former bridge, which is near her home. Without the Fox Bridge, school buses have to go miles out of [...]

Sales tax renewal featured on upcoming ballot in Hiawatha

info2018-10-25T08:17:15-05:00October 25th, 2018|

Early voting started this week, and one of the key issues being discussed about the ballot is a renewal of a quarter-cent sales tax for economic development. The tax has come up several times at recent Hiawatha City Commission meetings, and the Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development has circulated flyers over the past few weeks in an attempt to educate voters on what the sales tax has accomplished, and what they hope to see from it in the future. During city meetings, the commission has urged voters to renew the tax, stating that current bond payments are funded by the tax, [...]

City of Dodge City offering free public transportation to only polling location

info2018-10-25T08:17:29-05:00October 25th, 2018|

One polling location in Dodge city has grabbed people’s attention all over the nation. Some people saying it’s suppressing people’s right to vote now that it’s moved outside the city limits to the Western State Bank Expo Center. “It’s harder for people who don’t have transportation to get to the polling and it’s out in the country,” voter Jeremiah DeCouteau said. But do residents know the city is offering to help voters get there? “No, I wasn’t aware of that,” Allysa Reyes said. “I haven’t heard of that, any transportation.” Emilio Zacaries said. “I just usually use my car ,that’s about [...]

Goessel Council Approves Emergency Response Plan

info2018-10-25T07:51:01-05:00October 25th, 2018|

The Goessel city council met on October 15 and approved the emergency response plan that was put together by Phillip Fishburn of Midwest Assistance Program. MAP works with small rural communities on matters of disaster management, in addition to numerous other issues. The central office is in Missouri, but Fishburn’s office is in Haven. An emergency response plan is required in order to receive loan and grant money for the city’s sewer project. According to city clerk Jennifer Whitehead, the city needs a “Letter of Conditions.” This plan will satisfy that requirement. The document is about 200 pages long and includes [...]

Marion County Commission considers expanding commission to five members

info2018-10-25T07:43:46-05:00October 25th, 2018|

The Marion County Commission debated on the issue of five members as opposed to three members, but this time Marion city officials also attended the Monday, Oct. 22 meeting. Mayor Todd Heitschmidt and city administrator Roger Holter provided some options related to dividing the county into five districts, along with what they have been hearing from constituents. (Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)

Redesigned disc golf course is open for play in Great Bend

info2018-10-25T07:34:48-05:00October 25th, 2018|

The grand reopening of the disc golf course at Veteran’s Memorial Park included challenges, a tournament, a “how to clinic”, and a ribbon cutting. The event Tuesday afternoon in Great Bend was to celebrate the redesigned course with 18 tees, new tee boxes, and baskets. Jeremy, Rusco, a Great Bend native and owner of Dynamic Discs, was on hand with the Dynamic Discs Mobile Store. Rusco started Dynamic Discs in 2005 in Emporia and since then the company has emerged as a leading brand for disc golf. The disc golf course at Vet’s Park was designed in 2005 as well and [...]

KDHE Continues Outreach on Former Wichita Area Dry Cleaner Sites Meetings in Wichita and Haysville held to address environment and health concerns

info2018-10-25T07:31:17-05:00October 25th, 2018|

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is actively engaging residents affected by dry cleaning contamination in the west Wichita and Haysville areas. Within the last week, two public meetings were held to share with residents, the latest on contamination clean up and health-related studies being conducted to evaluate the impact of private well water contamination. “Our top priority is ensuring residents understand their level of exposure and know the steps we are taking to remediate the sites,” said Bob Jurgens, KDHE Bureau of Environmental Remediation Director. “We appreciate those who attended the meeting and asked questions. We understand the [...]

Reno County residents have concerns over proposed wind farm

info2018-10-25T07:25:53-05:00October 25th, 2018|

With the Reno County Planning Department considering limited zoning for the entire county, some say it won’t happen soon enough. The planning department believes it could take as much as six-months for any zoning to be put in place. Two residents in the Haven area are asking the Reno County Commission to put a six month moratorium in place to stop Next Era Energy from building any wind farms in the county until zoning is in place to protect residents who live in the area of the proposed wind farm. (Read more: Hutch Post)

Bourbon County in planning phase for ambulance service

info2018-10-25T07:22:59-05:00October 25th, 2018|

Bourbon County officials said Tuesday they have moved beyond the fact-finding stage and now are in the planning phase of retaining an ambulance service. On Oct. 1, Mercy announced it would close Mercy Hospital Fort Scott on Dec. 31, which means the county is now responsible for providing an ambulance service to its citizens. Since then, Bourbon County Economic Development Director Jody Hoener, County Counselor Justin Meeks and Third District Commission Nick Ruhl have been researching options for an ambulance service. They said Tuesday they have been working with the city of Fort Scott about the issue. (Read more: Fort Scott [...]

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