info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Hutch City Council seeks approval of new zoning ordinance

info2018-09-18T09:13:09-05:00September 18th, 2018|

The Hutchinson City Council will take final action on the rezoning proposal that would allow for more condensed development in the older parts of the city during Tuesday’s agenda session. The changes were put in place after several public meetings and studies were done to see if the infill district would make property improvement easier. One of the biggest additions with the new zoning change would allow for the construction of a small apartment on property, such as a garage apartment. Other changes include smaller setbacks and the number of parking spaces a property must have from two to one. The [...]

Great Bend to renegotiate contract with the Chamber of Commerce

info2018-09-18T09:11:44-05:00September 18th, 2018|

The contract between the City of Great Bend and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce was drafted in 1999 and there have been no changes to the agreement since. City Administrator Kendal Francis felt it was time to renegotiate the contract with the Chamber to get better clarification of what the City wants from the Chamber and the economic development the governing body wants to pursue. The contract with the Chamber automatically renews January 1, and in order to renegotiate the contract the City must give the Chamber 90 days notice. The Great Bend City Council voted in favor allowing the [...]

Hesston library adds wifi checkout

info2018-09-18T09:01:40-05:00September 18th, 2018|

The Hesston Public Library is expanding online offerings — now allowing library users to check out one of 10 WiFi hotspot devices. “They check out just like a book, DVD or anything else,” said Libby Albers, head librarian at Hesston Public Library. “You can take them on the road, take them camping or take them home.” Albers said the first users include a family that has moved and is waiting for their home internet service to be connected, a family whose cable line was cut during construction and others. “There are a lot of ways to utilize this,” Albers said. The [...]

Parsons hires new police chief

info2018-09-18T08:59:21-05:00September 18th, 2018|

The city of Parsons announced Monday the hiring of a retired Louisiana law officer as police chief, replacing Chief Jason Sharp, who took a job with Labette Community College. City Manager Debbie Lamb announced the hiring of Robert L. Spinks of Lake Charles, Louisiana. His hiring followed an internal, regional and national search. He was among four finalists. An official start date will be announced soon. Spinks and his wife, Connie, are preparing for the relocation from Louisiana. (Read more: Parsons Sun)

Eureka City Council To Consider Grass Clippings Ordinance

info2018-09-18T08:42:46-05:00September 18th, 2018|

At their regular meeting last Monday, Eureka City Councilmembers discussed implementing an ordinance that would prohibit residents from blowing grass clippings into city streets. “One of our biggest issues with storm drainage is cut grass,” explained city administrator Ian Martell. Councilman Michael Countryman added, “After this last rain I drove down the street and everybody had blown everything into the street.” Martell said that one of the city crews has done almost nothing but clean storm drains this entire year, adding, “It takes a lot of time away from our guys.” He said that other cities have ordinances prohibiting such actions, [...]

City of Topeka to offer Clean Slate Day this Friday

info2018-09-18T09:59:30-05:00September 18th, 2018|

Clean Slate Day will take place on Friday, September 21st from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Topeka Municipal Court. Clean Slate Day is an opportunity for a fresh start for people with Topeka Municipal Court offenses. This allows them to begin payment plans for outstanding fines and fees, setting new court dates for outstanding warrants and getting old violations expunged all without the fear of arrest. The Topeka Community Foundation has provided a $3,500 grant to help those who income qualify to pay their outstanding fees and fines. The funds are available on a first come first serve basis. [...]

Lawrence City Commission to consider $67,500 settlement related to police chase injuries

info2018-09-18T10:03:23-05:00September 18th, 2018|

At its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider approving a settlement related to a high-speed police chase that ended in a car accident. William and Sandra Gibson, of Talmage, which is near Abilene, were injured in the accident and filed a lawsuit against members of the Lawrence Police Department earlier this year. The city attorney’s office is recommending the commission approve a $67,500 settlement agreement, according to a memo to the commission. The settlement states that it is not an admission of liability and intends to avoid the expense of future litigation. Read more: LJWorld.

After nearly a quarter of renters rate housing conditions as poor, city leaders question rental inspection program

info2018-09-18T10:02:33-05:00September 18th, 2018|

For every 20 rental units in Lawrence today, only one was inspected by city staff in the past year. After a survey found a significant number of Lawrence residents describe their housing condition as poor, some city leaders are asking whether the city is doing enough inspections. The resident survey, conducted as part of the city’s recent housing market analysis, indicated that 24 percent of renters rate their housing condition as poor. That percentage is higher for renters with children, at 32 percent. During the City Commission’s discussion of the housing condition responses Tuesday, commissioners questioned what that indicated about the [...]

Sedgwick County deputy killed during suspicious character call, sheriff says

info2018-09-17T08:30:24-05:00September 17th, 2018|

A 12-year veteran of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office was shot and killed Sunday in western Sedgwick County. Robert Kunze was shot while responding to a suspicious character call, Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter said during a Sunday evening news conference. A second person, the suspect, was also killed. “Tragedy has struck the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office,” Easter said. “A family member of ours has been killed in the line of duty.” Read more: Wichita Eagle.

New chief of interpretation wants to tell Fort Scott’s story

info2018-09-17T06:53:30-05:00September 17th, 2018|

A chance to help continue telling the stories behind a national park and protecting it as a resource has brought Carl Brenner to the Fort Scott National Historic Site. Brenner, who is originally from St. Louis, is the new chief of interpretation and resource management at the fort, which is a unit of the National Park Service. He officially started in the position July 22. “It’s nice to be in an area with so much potential,” he said. “Fort Scott has a tremendous story. I want to work with the community and help tell that story.” Brenner said he oversees education [...]

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