info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Mayor’s veto causes delay for Butler project

info2018-09-28T06:58:37-05:00September 28th, 2018|

In response to Andover Mayor Ben Lawrence’s veto last week concerning the special use permit for Butler Community College’s building project, the Andover City Council voted Tuesday night to sent the request back to the Planning Commission. Butler Community College and its leaders have been fielding questions about funding and spending since early this year when Kansas Representative Kristey Williams began waging a campaign to slash BCC’s mill levy. Butler had plans for renovation and construction at the 5000 Building on E. 13th Street in Andover, but following pressure and questioning from Williams and a veto from Andover Mayor Ben Lawrence [...]

Topeka officials look at adding ‘citizen layer’ to evaluating allegations of police misconduct

info2018-09-28T06:54:05-05:00September 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 [...]

Harvey County rates transportation priorities

info2018-09-28T06:51:02-05:00September 28th, 2018|

The Board of Harvey County commissioners reviewed transportation priorities Monday in preparation for a presentation for the Joint Legislative Vision Task Force meeting to be held Oct. 4 in Newton. County Administrator Anthony Swartzendruber said it was important for south-central Kansas counties to present a united front to the task force. Otherwise, the region will continue to lose out to northeast Kansas for projects getting state funding. Commissioner George “Chip” Westfall will present the region’s priority list to the task force. Those included improvements to the US-50 and Meridian Road; construction of an exit that will allow westbound traffic on US-50 [...]

Newton to consider scientific priority survey

info2018-09-28T06:46:45-05:00September 28th, 2018|

Everybody wants something for nothing. A majority of Newton City Commissioners appeared to think that conducting a scientific survey to poll Newton residents on their priorities for the future would be a good idea. However, a sticking point seems to be the price…that is, if the city can get it on the cheap or not. The City Commission discussed the possibility of commissioning a professional community wide survey to get more reliable data on community priorities and what priorities the community would be willing to support. Such a survey has been batted around by Newton City Commissions since 2015, with Commissioner [...]

Hutch Housing Commission will address inspection program in October

info2018-09-28T06:42:32-05:00September 28th, 2018|

The Hutchinson City Housing Commission will take a month before revisiting the rental registration and inspection program. The Housing Commission got an update on the decisions made by the City Council to keep the program in place, but made major changes to the program. What those changes will be will come from the commission. Discussion about the future of the program began in August and came to a head when the commission first considered ending the program. At a later meeting, however, the commission decided to keep the program. That was met with much discussion by the council, which eventually came [...]

Chairman of county commission argues against salary reduction

info2018-09-28T06:38:15-05:00September 28th, 2018|

The chairman of the Leavenworth County is pushing back against the idea that salaries for commissioners should be reduced if the commission is expanded to five members. Currently, the Leavenworth County Commission has three members. But in November, voters will be asked to consider increasing the number of commissioners to five. Some have argued the money currently spent to pay salaries for three commissioners should be split five ways if the commission is expanded. This would reduce the salary for an individual commissioner. But Chairman Louis Klemp has said he intends to propose a salary increase for members of the County [...]

Great Bend celebrates new ownership of local healthcare provider

info2018-09-28T06:34:43-05:00September 28th, 2018|

The University of Kansas Health System announced last April their intent of purchasing Great Bend Regional Hospital. The acquisition became official August 1, and Thursday afternoon a facility dedication happened with a “ribbon tying”. The ceremony included speakers, all of which touched on the importance of the purchase that kept health care close to home for residents. Great Bend Chamber of Commerce CEO Jan Peters noted the deal will not only keep healthcare access local but it will keep a strong employer for the community. The Great Bend hospital, now known as The University of Kansas Health System – Great Bend [...]

Shawnee joins local fire departments’ effort to prepare to fight Kansas wildfires

info2018-09-28T06:33:03-05:00September 28th, 2018|

After two devastating wildfires in Kansas in the past two years, Shawnee has decided to join the Kansas Wildland Task Force to pool resources with neighboring fire departments. The Shawnee council agreed in a 7-0 vote to proceed with a memorandum of understanding between local fire response agencies in Johnson, Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties, including Olathe, District 2, Gardner and Kansas City, Kan. Fire chief John Mattox said Shawnee firefighters deployed twice in the past two years on wildfires in Kansas. “Part of the disaster was the organization of the deployment of crews in Kansas the last two years,” Mattox told [...]

Council considers safety measures for parades

info2018-09-27T11:02:58-05:00September 27th, 2018|

The candy flew through the air during Louisburg’s Labor Day parade. Now, there is a call to put a stop to it. The Louisburg City Council reviewed a proposal at its Sept. 17 meeting to change the way parades are handled in the city. While the council accepted some of the changes as suggested in the proposal, the members weren’t ready to make all the changes. The proposal calls for an end to the throwing of candy from vehicles, allowing candy to be handed out by people who walk along with the floats. Under the proposal, construction cones and caution tape, [...]

Osawatomie set to dedicate new fitness park

info2018-09-27T11:01:39-05:00September 27th, 2018|

Brent Kaempfe works out on the two-person chest press on a crisp autumn morning. It was the Osawatomie resident’s first opportunity to use the outdoor fitness park just north of the Osawatomie Pool. With the pool’s waterslide in the background, Kaempfe surveyed the 12 units of exercise equipment and liked what he saw. “This is great for the community,” Kaempfe said. “A lot of people use the track [at Lynn Dickey Stadium, across the parking lot] and now they can come over here and use this equipment.” The 12 Greenfields outdoor exercise machines – some of which can accommodate more than [...]

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