info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

‘Small step for Topeka’: Topeka Metro unveils new after-hours wheelchair accessible vehicle

info2018-08-31T09:43:36-05:00August 31st, 2018|

After 7:30 p.m., when Topeka Metro ends it service for the night and heads toward the bus barn, ways to get around the city narrow for those who need a wheelchair-accessible ride. Topeka Metro and Capital City Taxi have teamed up to fill that gap by adding a wheelchair-accessible vehicle that will run after Topeka Metro’s regular service hours end. Kevin Moten, owner of Capital City Taxi, said the move was a small step for Topeka when it comes to people with disabilities. “I’m excited to be a part of this project and help everyone out in the city,” Moten said. [...]

Town hall meeting discusses wind generation project in Neosho County

info2018-08-31T09:42:22-05:00August 31st, 2018|

As many as 80 people attended a town hall meeting Tuesday evening, some to learn about and some to oppose a planned wind generation project in southeast Neosho County. The Neosho County Commission held the meeting at the Galesburg Community Center with representatives of Apex Clean Energy to discuss the project to place 100 to 130 wind turbines in a 100-square-mile area roughly between Anderson and Platt roads and between 140th and 50th roads. “We’re here tonight because we want to hear from you,” Commissioner Jennifer Orr told the gathering, “not because we’ve made a decision.” Chris Ollson of Environmental Health [...]

County Clerk: Elections make job stressful

info2018-08-31T11:11:21-05:00August 31st, 2018|

While the County Clerks office handles a lot for the county, from payroll and paying the bills to keeping records, County Clerk Kayla Wang told Lions on Tuesday elections are the most stressful part of her job. “I’ve enjoyed it immensely,” Wang said of the 26 years she’s worked for the office, including the last 10 as county clerk. “Some days the public can be a challenge, but mostly it’s a joy.” The turnout for the August primary was 36.7 percent of the 5,610 people registered to vote. That’s a little higher than typical for a primary, and higher than the [...]

Merriam formally kicks off new community center construction with groundbreaking ceremony

info2018-08-31T09:40:11-05:00August 31st, 2018|

Merriam celebrated the beginning of construction for its new $30 million community center with a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning. Residents, city leaders and representatives from the contractor, McCarthy Building Companies packed into the upstairs training room of city hall as a thunderstorm, which forced a last-minute relocation of the event, rolled through town. Mayor Ken Sissom said talks for the city to build a new community center began in 2014, prompted by major expenses from maintaining two of the city’s facilities, the existing Irene B. French Community Center and the Merriam Aquatic Center. After several studies and soliciting feedback from residents [...]

Change to weed director’s job ‘not a demotion,’ Shawnee County commissioners told

info2018-08-31T09:38:56-05:00August 31st, 2018|

A change approved Thursday to John Welbourn’s job overseeing county weed control operations is not a demotion, Shawnee County commissioners were told Thursday. Commissioners Kevin Cook, Shelly Buhler and Bob Archer subsequently voted 3-0 to approve a “repurposing” of the department’s organizational structure, which included reclassifying Welbourn’s position from “weed director” to “weed supervisor.” In response to Cook’s question as to whether the proposal involved would constitute a “demotion” for Welbourn, parks and recreation director John Knight said it would not. The move would instead reclassify the job Welbourn holds from that of an appointed department head who serves at the [...]

Merriam officials discuss strategies for keeping Town Center tenants from departing

info2018-08-31T11:13:08-05:00August 31st, 2018|

Two years after tax increment financing for Merriam Town Center expired, some retail stores are facing the prospect of higher rent — and city officials are keeping a close eye on potential business departures. The announcement in July that Hen House was leaving the shopping center after two decades in business raised eyebrows among city officials, who are concerned about the associated drop in sales tax receipts that get directed to the city’s budget. At Monday’s city council meeting, Merriam officials discussed what efforts the city could be taking to keep the center vibrant and prevent other tenants from leaving. Chris [...]

Salina dedicates marker to local abolitionist

info2018-08-31T10:51:22-05:00August 31st, 2018|

The City of Salina dedicated a historical marker Thursday in front of the Smoky Hill Museum to August Bondi, a local Jewish-American abolitionist who fought against slavery and for the American ideal of freedom.Jerry Klinger, President of the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, who initially proposed creating the marker, spoke about Bondi’s life during the ceremony.“The story of Mr. Bondi isn’t so much a Jewish story, it’s an American [...] (Read more: News - Salina Journal)

Real or retaliation?: Sign claims 400 tiny homes for Wichita

info2018-08-31T10:50:55-05:00August 31st, 2018|

A sign popped-up in east Wichita overnight advertising 400 tiny homes. It's by 143rd and 21st street. That is miles north, but on the same road, as a tiny homes development that was just approved to move forward last week despite opposition from neighbors worried about their property values. "This would be very bad and I would not want to see it at all,” said Dan Jablonski who lives in neighborhood. (Read more: KWCH News)

Power being restored in Russell

info2018-08-31T11:12:09-05:00August 31st, 2018|

Power is being restored in Russell, after a day without lights and air conditioning. A citywide outage was reported at 1:45 a.m. Thursday. By 5:20 p.m., a tweet from the City of Russell said power had been restored to 80% of customers. Russell USD 407 called off school Thursday. Classes will resume Friday. (Read more: KAKE - News)

Sister city ambassadors arrive in Leavenworth

info2018-08-31T10:43:54-05:00August 31st, 2018|

Though they had been in town for only a short time, two visitors from sister city Wagga Wagga, Australia, said Thursday that they were impressed with Leavenworth. Though they had been in town for only a short time, two visitors from sister city Wagga Wagga, Australia, said Thursday that they were impressed with Leavenworth. “It’s beautiful,” said Maddie Smith. Smith and Zoe Martin are visiting Leavenworth after competing in the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest. Martin, who holds the title of Miss Wagga Wagga, described the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest as a personal development program that raises money for charities. (Read more: [...]

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