info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Downtown bike-share program doubling in size with 100 more bicycles, new locations

info2018-10-04T22:39:13-05:00October 4th, 2018|

The downtown Wichita bike-share program that launched last year is more than doubling its size with additional locations and more bicycles. Bike Share ICT is adding 100 more bicycles and 24 new locations in the coming weeks, said Becky Tuttle, community development director for Greater Wichita YMCA. The expansion is funded through a contribution from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and the Wichita Community Foundation. “Bike Share ICT has had a tremendous impact on the bike and pedestrian culture of our city,” Mayor Jeff Longwell said in a release. “I love seeing more and more people riding bikes, and [...]

More jobs means more than better pay to some Kansans

info2018-10-04T22:38:07-05:00October 4th, 2018|

More jobs and better pay coming their way, that was the conclusion of the annual jobs forecast from Wichita State's Center for Economic Development and Business Research Thursday. "I'm actually optimistic about the job outlook," said Jeremy Hill, director of the Center for Economic Development and Business Research behind the forecast. For the last few years he's been pessimistic about job growth and Kansas has lost jobs. But now, he says, things are turning around. "It doesn't mean we're going to grow a lot. But I think it's actually a positive sign." (Read more: KAKE - News)

Merriam celebrating inaugural Merriam Drive Live this weekend

info2018-10-04T22:32:36-05:00October 4th, 2018|

The inaugural Music Fest Merriam Drive Live is set for Saturday, Oct. 6. Downtown Merriam will turn into a street and lawn party with live music on two stages. Plus, festivalgoers can enjoy a touch-a-truck and beer garden as well as food trucks, yard games — including Connect 4, corn hole and giant Jenga — and other kids activities. Crafters and farmers market vendors will also be there for visitors to get their shopping done. (Read more: Prairie Village Post - Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)

McPherson residents might snag a free pizza with a properly functioning smoke alarm

info2018-10-04T22:31:48-05:00October 4th, 2018|

McPherson’s Domino’s Pizza, 719 N. Main St., and the National Fire Protection Association are teaming up with the McPherson City Fire Department to promote fire safety during Fire Prevention Week on Oct. 7-13. From 11 a.m until 7 p.m. this upcoming Monday and Tuesday anyone who orders a Domino’s pizza may be randomly selected and surprised at the door when their pizza arrives aboard a fire engine. If the smoke alarms in the home are found to be working, their order is free. If the alarms are not working, the firefighters will replace them or install new batteries. (Read more: News [...]

Goddard STAR bond project finally a reality?

info2018-10-04T22:30:05-05:00October 4th, 2018|

The starting gun finally may be sounding for real on the long-awaited $25.4 million Goddard STAR Bond Development. The city council on Monday approved a fourth amendment to the development that offers the best promise yet to jumpstart the project, which has been on the drawing board for five years. The amendment assigns master developer rights for five years from Goddard Destination Development to Goddard Sports, LLC, a company owned by Wichita entrepreneur Rodney Steven. The agreement calls for construction on Phase I of the development to begin no later than Dec. 31, 2018. “They are ready to begin, and I [...]

Amtrak will run Southwest Route as it is for at least a year

info2018-10-04T22:27:06-05:00October 4th, 2018|

Amtrak officials say its Southwest Chief route, which stops in Topeka, Newton, Hutchinson, Dodge City and Garden City, will continue to operate as normal for at least the next year. Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas made the announcement Wednesday in news release after a hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. The Southwest Chief line runs for 2,300 miles between Chicago and Los Angeles. Amtrak officials said in June they were considering using buses along the route in parts of Kansas, New Mexico and Arizona. Moran said during Wednesday's hearing that Amtrak officials committed to continuing operation [...]

Mission residents urge council to pass non-discrimination ordinance with protections for LGBTQ residents, employees

info2018-10-04T22:26:26-05:00October 4th, 2018|

Mission residents came out Wednesday night in overwhelming support of a nondiscrimination ordinance to extend legal protections to their LGBTQ neighbors and city employees. Councilmember Sollie Flora introduced the ordinance that would make discrimination against a number of classifications, including LGBTQ individuals, illegal. LGBTQ residents and city employees are not currently given legal protection from discrimination under state or federal law. The ordinance is reflective of the city’s values, Flora said Wednesday. (Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)

Sedgwick County to investigate itself on secret personnel matter

info2018-10-04T22:25:25-05:00October 4th, 2018|

Following a closed-door session and cryptic pronouncements from the bench, a divided Sedgwick County Commission has decided to hire outside counsel to conduct an investigation of personnel matters within the county. Commissioners declined to state the reason for the investigation, but sources within county government have previously told The Eagle that some commissioners have been concerned about a high rate of turnover among department heads who report to County Manager Michael Scholes. The decision to launch the investigation came Wednesday after a half-hour meeting of commissioners behind closed doors. (Read more: Politics & Government News |)

Marysville considers change in downtown zoning

info2018-10-03T22:14:58-05:00October 3rd, 2018|

Marysville City Council is eyeing a change in zoning of Marysville’s central business district to allow for apartment development in the future. City inspector Dave Richardson told council members at their Sept. 24 meeting that Marysville Planning Commission is considering a new zoning district for downtown buildings that currently are prohibited from having ground-floor residences. Richardson said the change could offer more options for use of vacant buildings that once housed businesses and professional offices in the downtown area. Current city code allows for second-story residences, such as apartments and lofts, in buildings along Center and Broadway, but not on the [...]

Wellington City officials not happy with Dollar Tree’s rush to pave 17th Street

info2018-10-03T22:13:56-05:00October 3rd, 2018|

Developers involved in the Dollar Tree project paved 17th Street north of the new store over the weekend, and Wellington city officials are not real happy with the situation. As part of the overall agreement, the developer was supposed to do that project, but they were also to allow the city to inspect the work as it proceeded and they were to meet certain specifications. City officials discovered on Monday the work had been done over the weekend. Dollar Tree officials are targeting for an opening date of Oct. 25. City Manager Shane Shields told the council at Tuesday’s meeting that [...]

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