info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Tonganoxie’s economy struggling as popular farm’s sunflower crop slow to bloom

info2018-09-05T09:14:21-05:00September 5th, 2018|

It was an unusual Labor Day weekend in the metro's favorite sunflower patch. They're one of nature's splendors and Leavenworth County's brightest sights. Labor Day weekend is always busy at Grinter's Farm in Tonganoxie since it's about the time Ted Grinter's legendary sunflower crop begins to bloom. However, the flowers aren't nearly as tall and colorful as they normally are, thanks to a dry summer that hasn't provided enough rain since Grinter planted flowers six weeks ago. And a small town that depends on flower power is taking notice. "This year, it's been a little tricky because God didn't cooperate," Kathy [...]

Hutchinson City Council approves support for bike trail grant

info2018-09-05T08:37:36-05:00September 5th, 2018|

The Hutchinson City Council gave its approval to support a KDOT grant that would extend the GVI bike trail to the west of Plum Avenue. The Transportation Alternatives grant would pay for 80 percent of the project while the city would be responsible for the rest. The estimated cost of the project would be $641,000 with the grant paying for $513,000. The city would be responsible for the remaining balance. That does not include land acquisition along the trail. KDOT announced it will not have such grant funds available after this year. No price tag was available on the project, which [...]

Hannes Zacharias completes river advenuture

info2018-09-05T08:27:16-05:00September 5th, 2018|

Kayaker Hannes Zacharias will miss the solitude of spending months on the river - “something about the measured pace,” he said - but he won’t seek to repeat the solo adventure he just finished. Zacharias paddled - and partially hiked, drove, and rode - as he followed water flowing east from the Continental Divide in Colorado to the Mississippi River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. He began the journey May 2,6 capturing snow from Tennessee Pass in Colorado that he poured into the Mississippi River Over Labor Day weekend. Zacharias grew up in Dodge City and paddled from Dodge City [...]

Hutch seeks to improve rental inspection program

info2018-09-05T08:26:32-05:00September 5th, 2018|

The Hutchinson City Council decided to continue a controversial rental property inspection program for another year while waiving the fees charged to landlords and ordering a restructuring of the policies. Council members on Tuesday heard from a handful of landlords, most of whom called the 2015 Rental Registration and Inspection program unfair. The council voted unanimously to have the city’s Housing Commission study ways to improve the program, which was meant to protect renters. But the landlords said it was often used as a way for residents who don’t pay rent or were facing eviction to retaliate against property owners. The [...]

Shawnee County Treasurer Larry Mah says state, not county, charges online vehicle registration fee

info2018-09-05T08:23:22-05:00September 5th, 2018|

The Shawnee County Treasurer’s Office charges no fee to renew motor vehicle registrations online, but the state of Kansas does, says county Treasurer Larry Mah. He spoke in response to concerns expressed by Topeka Capital-Journal readers after the newspaper published an article about fees associated with the registration process. Mah had said in a Topeka Capital-Journal article published Saturday that while his office charges a $3 facility fee to people who renew their registrations at its office or annex, it assesses no such fees to those who renew those registrations by mail or online. Mah shared that information in response to [...]

Chanute utilities director ‘unicorn’ remembered by friends, co-workers

info2018-09-05T07:49:29-05:00September 5th, 2018|

Friends and co-workers reacted Tuesday to the death of Chanute Utilities Director Larry Gates. Gates passed away early Friday after a brief illness. Chanute City Manager Jeff Cantrell recalled Gates as rock-solid, confident in his work, compassionate and someone who would give the shirt off his back. “The loss is a shock to our organization,” Cantrell said. Although he did not give details, he said officials knew about 30 days ago that Gates had serious health issues. Cantrell said even while undergoing treatment, Gates kept involved with city services through texts and emails. “Larry was my boss, my mentor,” retired utilities [...]

Parsons OKs loan, small grant for Domino’s

info2018-09-05T07:45:38-05:00September 5th, 2018|

Domino’s Pizza could open in Parsons as early as February, the future owner told city commissioners Tuesday. The Parsons City Commission approved a $115,000 loan for Pizza Properties LLC for the future Domino’s carry-out and delivery restaurant that will be built east of the new Dollar Tree, 2105 Main. The 20-year loan with 4.25 percent interest will come from a revolving loan fund created by three contributions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and city funding. The commissioners also approved a $5,000 retail recruitment incentive grant to Pizza Properties. Emily Elwell, who owns Pizza Properties with her husband, Dan, [...]

Carbondale celebrates coming of fall at annual festival Saturday

info2018-09-05T07:43:51-05:00September 5th, 2018|

Carbondale is gearing up for its annual fall festival, returning this year to the second Saturday in September. The 2018 Carbondale Fall Festival is this Saturday, Sept 8. All activities will be in the new side of City Park., with vendors, a car show on Kansas Avenue, special parade for youth, variety of bounce houses, slides, and obstacle courses appropriate for toddlers to adults. Farmers market vendors will have a bonus sale opportunity at the festival, along with assorted foods and crafts. The Osage County Sheriff’s Office will have an information table and gifts for children and adults. The Carbondale Lions [...]

Belleville is looking a lot better

info2018-09-04T16:47:41-05:00September 4th, 2018|

The appearance of residential areas in Belleville are improving. After getting off to a rocky, contentious start the North Central Regional Planning Commission as the determining agency for nuisance abatement in Republic County’s largest city has turned in a “thumbs up” assessment. “If you have not driven around you really need to,” Carol Torkelson of the NCRPC told members of the Belleville City Council last week. “You will see amazing thing. People really do have pride in their properties.” Read more: Belleville Telescope.

Flooding closes south side of Pratt

info2018-09-04T10:38:19-05:00September 4th, 2018|

Torrential rains Sept 3 dumped from six to over eight inches of rain across the county causing heavy flooding on the Ninnescah River pushing water over the banks and causing numerous road closures especially in the Pratt area. Parks and the Pratt County Veteran's Memorial Lake were filled to overflowing. Several families in low lying areas had to be rescued. (Read more: News - PrattTribune - Pratt, KS)

About info