info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Decision day for new Prairie Village home design guidelines coming Monday. Here’s what they would mean

info2018-10-01T06:34:11-05:00October 1st, 2018|

Expect the Prairie Village City Council chambers to be a lively place come Monday. After the city’s planning commission unanimously recommended approval for a set of new home design guidelines Sept. 11, the council at its meeting next week will take up whether to formally adopt the new regulations. A group of homebuilding and remodeling professionals have organized opposition to the new guidelines, with several lobbying the planning commission to recommend denial ahead of the vote earlier this month, saying that the regulations would scuttle investment in rebuild projects and would have unintended consequences for existing homeowners. Among the proposed design [...]

Blight in Topeka: City officials walk delicate balance between property rights, maintaining safety

info2018-10-01T06:31:14-05:00October 1st, 2018|

Dilapidated homes and commercial buildings dot neighborhoods throughout Shawnee County, challenging government officials to tackle health and safety issues along with complaints from neighbors who see their property values impacted. But there aren’t easy answers to blighted properties, said Sasha Haehn, director of neighborhood relations for the city of Topeka. As is appropriate, she added, the government can’t ignore the rights of property owners, and if those owners don’t want to take care of their properties, the city or county can only step in when there is a health or safety issue. “The International Property Maintenance Code establishes a minimum standard [...]

New city vehicle changes Roeland Park curbside leaf pickup program

info2018-10-01T06:29:03-05:00October 1st, 2018|

The city of Roeland Park has announced changes to its decades-old city leaf collection program. The city will soon debut a brand new leaf vacuum that changes the way curbside leaf pickup is done. In the past, residents had been instructed to sweep leaves into the street, and a city vehicle would come by and sweep them up. Starting this November, residents will rake leaves to their curb, and a brand new machine will come by and vacuum them up. City leaders say the new method should keep more leaves and debris out of storm drains, and it’s more durable than [...]

Topeka mayor suggests adding ‘citizen layer’ to evaluating police use of force

info2018-09-28T10:09:35-05:00September 28th, 2018|

Topeka’s city government is looking at creating a job in city manager Brent Trout’s office for a civilian employee whose duties would include playing a role in investigating reports of police misconduct, particularly those involving use of force, city officials said Thursday. Trout was still trying to determine exactly how the arrangement would work and how the position would be funded, he said as he and Mayor Michelle De La Isla held their monthly news conference at City Hall. Police Chief Bill Cochran said he had personally suggested the arrangement, which is similar to one the city of Denver has in [...]

Wilson park plans still alive in Ark City

info2018-09-28T09:50:58-05:00September 28th, 2018|

The master plan for the renovation of Arkansas City’s Wilson Park is progressing slowly, according to City Manager Nick Hernandez. Hernandez unveiled the city’s long-term plan for the park in March 2017, which included a refurbishing of the Wilson Park train engine that was successfully done last October. The CourierTraveler recently asked city officials about the status of the other projects envisioned for the master plan, which was done by LK Architecture with a $33,500 grant proved by the V.J. Wilkins Foundation. In an email Wednesday, Hernandez said the plan has not been abandoned and efforts are currently being made to [...]

Cowley County businesses return from ‘Destination BootCamp’

info2018-09-28T09:49:57-05:00September 28th, 2018|

Cowley First recently sponsored nine Cowley County businesses to attend the Colorado-based business improvement “Destination Business BootCamp,” where they learned many new methods to bring more customers and tourists to Cowley County. They were among a group of business owners from across North America who attended the intensive 2 1/2 day, 20-hour workshop. “With the principles we learned at the BootCamp, we will be able to satisfy more of our customers’ needs and make visiting Cowley County a much more enjoyable, fun experience,” Tawna Golightly of Timber Creek Floral & Gifts, in Winfield said. “We were able to sponsor this first [...]

Prairie Village considers home design guidelines on Monday

info2018-09-28T10:08:40-05:00September 28th, 2018|

A group of homebuilding and remodeling professionals have organized opposition to the new guidelines, with several lobbying the planning commission to recommend denial ahead of the vote earlier this month, saying that the regulations would scuttle investment in rebuild projects and would have unintended consequences for existing homeowners. Among the proposed design standards, the new regulations would require a minimum amount of greenspace on a home lot, and restrict the amount impervious surface. (Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Douglas County raises smoking age to 21 in unincorporated areas

info2018-09-28T07:32:45-05:00September 28th, 2018|

The Douglas County Commission has raised the minimum age to buy tobacco products in the county’s unincorporated areas from 18 to 21. The Lawrence Journal-World reports the commission approved the change Wednesday and it will take effect in 30 days. The measure includes all products that include nicotine, such as the liquids used in electronic cigarettes. Currently, only four stores in the county’s unincorporated areas would be affected by the resolution. Douglas County commissioners said they are not worried about lawsuits because the county’s legal counsel reviewed the resolution. (Read more: WIBW News Now!)

Shawnee County Parks and Recreation gets national accreditation

info2018-09-28T07:30:41-05:00September 28th, 2018|

The Commission for the Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies awarded accreditation Wednesday evening to Shawnee County Parks and Recreation. CAPRA accreditation demonstrates that an agency is in compliance with national standards of excellence, said Mike McLaughlin, communications and public information director for Shawnee County Parks and Recreation. John Knight, director of Shawnee County Parks and Recreation, said being awarded accreditation puts the department among an elite group of agencies. Fewer than 2 percent of parks and recreation agencies are accredited, he said. “Gaining accreditation shows our residents that we are meeting the national standards to deliver the best services to [...]

Retiring Pratt Police Chief reflects on service

info2018-09-28T07:28:31-05:00September 28th, 2018|

Closing the last chapter on a law enforcement career that has stretched four decades has caused now retired police chief Gary Myers to reflect on his years as a public servant. “I’ve spent most of my adult life as a police officer,” Myers said. Like most people in law enforcement, Myers got involved with police work to help people. Helping find a lost child and returning it to its family is a very good feeling, Myers said. One of the things Myers quickly learned was the badge is a symbol of trust for the community he serves. “I get the satisfaction [...]

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