info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

City of Hutchinson and community groups bring Strong Towns’ president to town to speak at historic Fox Theater

info2018-10-23T10:54:31-05:00October 23rd, 2018|

In an effort to spark a new dialogue about how Hutchinson and Reno County should grow and what it will take to sustain that growth, the public is invited to a “Curbside Chat” on Oct. 23 with Strong Towns President Charles Marohn. The city of Hutchinson, Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, Hutch Rec, Young Professionals of Reno County and Hutchinson Community Foundation will welcome Marohn from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Fox Theatre, 18 E. First Ave. The final 20 minutes of the presentation will include a public question-and-answer session with Marohn. Strong Towns is a media organization leading [...]

New rules imposed for Shawnee County Civil Service Board

info2018-10-23T10:50:53-05:00October 23rd, 2018|

The three-member board that decides promotions in the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office must now interview applicants for those at least twice a year. That requirement was among revised rules for the Shawnee County Civil Service Board that County Commissioners Kevin Cook, Shelly Buhler and Bob Archer voted 3-0 to approve Monday. Sheriff’s Maj. Jay Simecka thanked those involved afterward for their “engagement, decisiveness and response action” in getting the rules revised, which he described as being “a truly collaborative effort.” The county’s Civil Service Board — which consists of Aaron Mays, Gary Ross and Matthew McGivern — seeks to ensure Shawnee [...]

Health officials to hold groundwater contamination meeting in Haysville

info2018-10-23T10:49:13-05:00October 23rd, 2018|

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment plans to hold a public meeting in Haysville to address groundwater contamination. The agency's Dry Cleaner Remediation Program's public availability session will be held at 6 p.m. today at the Haysville High School Gymnasium at 1975 West Grand Avenue. It is expected to last two hours. The groundwater contamination is attributed to the American Cleaners site located at 412 West Grand. The KDHE says it will provide information regarding the status of the site, current investigative and remedial plans and future plans for the site. (Read more: KAKE - News)

The Supreme Court Cases for State and Local Governments to Watch

info2018-10-23T10:48:10-05:00October 23rd, 2018|

The eight current justices face a quiet docket without any headline-grabbing blockbuster cases. Still, there are several cases with implications for state and local governments. “State sovereignty is a really big issue this term,” says Lisa Soronen, executive director of the State and Local Legal Center. Chuck Thompson, executive director of the International Municipal Lawyers Association, adds that several of this term’s cases “have the potential to expand the amount of litigation against local government.” Here's a rundown of the most important cases for state and local government officials to watch: (Read more: GOVERNING)

Kansas Sheriff pleads guilty to firearms charge, agrees to resign

info2018-10-23T10:45:12-05:00October 23rd, 2018|

The Sheriff of Ness County pleaded guilty Monday to a federal firearm charge and agreed to resign, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister. Sheriff Bryan Whipple, 48, Ness City, pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly selling a gun to a person who was prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm. In his plea, Whipple admitted he arranged to sell a .45 caliber pistol and ammunition to a man he knew was a convicted felon. The plea agreement calls for Whipple to resign his position as sheriff and to surrender his law enforcement certification from the Kansas Commission on Peace [...]

Wellington aviation enthusiasts celebrate a new municipal airport mile-long runway

info2018-10-23T10:44:34-05:00October 23rd, 2018|

With the Wichita band “Soul Injection” singing the song “Celebration”, the City of Wellington, airport authority officials, flying enthusiasts and the community at large were indeed doing just that Saturday. The grand opening and open house of Welington Municipal Airport’s new runway was held during a perfect fall day. After years of planning, bureaucratic red tape, and then a year’s worth of construction, Wellington now has a 5,250 foot runway to accommodate larger private jets. The runway, which was previously 4,000 feet, will put Wellington’s airport on a level playing field with various area airports in providing services for those with [...]

Bird supporters fight back, accuse Wichita board of feral cat favoritism

info2018-10-23T10:43:16-05:00October 23rd, 2018|

As a Wichita city board continues to claw its way toward an ordinance making it easier to be a stray cat, bird lovers are pushing back and accusing the board of feral feline favoritism. Tom Ewert, president of the Wichita Audubon Society, told the board last week he thinks the ordinance would be bad for birds and other local wildlife animals. At the minimum, he said the proposed “community cat colonies” should be banned around 15 parks and open spaces that are designated as wildlife habitats. The Animal Control Advisory Board has been working for months and is nearing completion on [...]

Ark City going for the prize

info2018-10-23T10:36:47-05:00October 23rd, 2018|

The Arkansas City Chamber of Commerce is hoping to raise enough votes to win a $500,000 prize that is being offered by a unique TV show, Small Business Revolution, Main Street Productions. The program picks a community each season to receive a makeover of main street businesses. The winner is determine by the number of votes received through the program’s website. Chamber CEO Paisley Howerton said in early October, a link with information about the contest was shared on the Ark City Ask and Answered Facebook page. She said she saw it as a possible opportunity and everyone quickly started sharing [...]

City of Topeka to take up employment contract, asphalt purchase

info2018-10-22T09:55:36-05:00October 22nd, 2018|

An employment contract with Topeka street maintenance employees and Shawnee County’s emergency purchase of 828 tons of hot mix asphalt are among matters local governing bodies plan to take up this coming week. The city’s governing body, consisting of the nine council members and Mayor Michelle De La Isla, plans to consider entering into a three-year contract covering 2019 through 2021 with city street maintenance employees represented in collective bargaining by Teamsters Local No. 696. The employees involved have approved the contract, which would provide a 1 percent across-the-board pay increase in each of the three years involved, said a document [...]

Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic reports payroll growth, low cost of living, population

info2018-10-22T09:51:24-05:00October 22nd, 2018|

Each quarter the Business & Economic Research Center releases a report called “The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Report.” The third quarter report, recently released, shared the quarter’s income and overall job growth, unemployment, job growth by industry, payroll growth by industry, labor force, taxable sales, residential permits, commercial permits, office space market, commercial and residential land values, retail space market, bankruptcies and more. Director of Business & Economic Research Center Michael Davidsson, Ph.D. said 2017 was a good year for the Pittsburg Micropolitan Area, with bankruptcies declining and the increase of housing infrastructure. (Read more: Pittsburg, KS - Morning Sun)

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