info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

City of Topeka revises Downtown Plaza contract

info2018-08-23T09:12:13-05:00August 23rd, 2018|

Topeka’s governing body on Tuesday evening unanimously approved contract changes that include making it possible for an out-of-town entity to manage the planned Downtown Plaza. Members made the changes after Downtown Topeka Foundation chairman Kurt Young asked that the foundation’s contract with the city, which called for Visit Topeka Inc. to manage the plaza, be amended to enable the foundation to issue a “request for qualifications” from anyone interested in running the plaza. In the end, the foundation might well decide to choose a local entity, Young said. Still, he said, ”“We have a duty and a responsibility to every [...]

Ellis County will replace 40-year-old storm sirens

info2018-08-22T06:51:12-05:00August 22nd, 2018|

Ellis County will getting new outdoor warning systems in several locations later this year after the county commission gave the go-ahead to purchase a new system Monday. The current storm sirens are nearly 40 years old and in need or replacement, according to Director of Fire and Emergency Darin Myers. Myers said the current sirens, with the exception of the six recently installed in the city of Hays, have been experiencing several issues. The city of Hays began installing new sirens after 2010, and Fort Hays State also replaced an aging siren around that same time. In the existing sirens, there [...]

Will Wichita sell MacDonald golf course? City debates the pros and cons

info2018-08-22T06:49:44-05:00August 22nd, 2018|

Wichita’s proposal to sell MacDonald Golf Course is now officially waiting for a tee time. The city golf committee decided Tuesday to hold off on issuing a request for proposals to sell the course, until after the members can establish an overall vision plan for the entire golf system. That plan is expected to take the rest of the year to complete. The decision came after more than an hour and a half of discussion at City Hall, including the members of the committee and about 40 interested golfers in attendance. Selling MacDonald is under consideration because of an unsolicited offer [...]

City of Pittsburg explains tornado policy

info2018-08-22T06:47:04-05:00August 22nd, 2018|

On Sunday, a storm blew across Crawford County. Pittsburg residents notification systems on their cell phones warned of a tornado and they were told to “take shelter now.” However, in Pittsburg, no sirens sounded. “Radar is incredibly advanced and the desire to prepare the public to prevent loss of life is tremendous,” Pittsburg Public Information Director Sarah Runyon said. “While the conditions and radar reading were enough for the National Weather Service to broadcast a tornado warning for the Crawford County area, Pittsburg staff could not justify using the sirens as we could not confirm a tornado inside the city limits.” [...]

Reno County and USD 309 still discussing school resource officer

info2018-08-22T06:43:58-05:00August 22nd, 2018|

As expected, the Reno County Commission made no final decision about adding a position to the Reno County Sheriff’s Office. The addition would include a school resource officer for the Nickerson School District. The plan is for the district to pay 85 percent of the wages and benefits with an estimated cost of over $74,000 — more than what was first indicated. Dr. Dawn Johnson with USD 309 explained why the district feels it needs the officer. The two commissioners present at the meeting Tuesday didn’t seem to have a problem moving ahead with negotiations with the district. At this point, [...]

Rental inspection program could be eliminated in Hutchinson

info2018-08-22T06:41:39-05:00August 22nd, 2018|

It was controversial and even lead to threats of legal action. There was eventually legislation by the state over its legality. In March 2015, the Hutchinson City Council approved establishment of a Rental Registration and Inspection Program. But the city was forced to amend the program in June 2016 to comply with the new state statute. The change required tenant consent before conducting an interior rental inspection. The change basically took the teeth out of the city program, which was put in place to pressure landlords to keep their property up to standards. The program was also met with much resistance [...]

South Hutchinson Police Chief starts GoFundMe page to assist officers being laid off

info2018-08-22T06:40:23-05:00August 22nd, 2018|

The South Hutchinson Police Department has started a GoFundMe page to assist two officers and a records clerk whose jobs will be eliminated Sept. 5 as part of budget cuts imposed by the South Hutchinson City Council last week. Officers Matt Gabrielson and Keith Zerger, and records clerk Jaime Hedger will have little time to prepare for the layoff, said Police Chief Mark Thompson. He’s hoping to raise at least $2,000 for each employee to help with health insurance or other bills they might face before being able to find new jobs. He based the amount sought on estimated COBRA insurance [...]

South Hutchinson fire truck will remain in service after accident

info2018-08-22T06:38:15-05:00August 22nd, 2018|

A South Hutchinson fire truck damaged in a collision Sunday while responding to an alarm will remain in service, said Fire Chief R.C. Watson, until the vehicle is scheduled for repair. The crash at the intersection of Blanchard and Main damaged to the truck’s front bumper and driver’s side door. “The door is not working properly,” Watson said. “It’s got a hitch when you try to close it. And the bumper will need to be replaced. But all our trucks remain in service. It just won’t be the first-out apparatus.” He had no estimate on the cost of repairs. The truck, [...]

Saline County Commission selects interview board for county engineer

info2018-08-22T06:34:06-05:00August 22nd, 2018|

On Tuesday morning, Saline County commissioners unanimously selected a six-person interview board to conduct job interviews with applicants for county engineer. The interview board will consist of County Administrator Rita Deister, Assistant County Administrator Andrew Manley, Road and Bridge Administrator Darren Fishel, Commissioner Mike White, Human Resources Director Marilyn Leamer and a professional engineer to be selected by Deister and Leamer. Saline County’s previous county engineer, Neil Cable, retired at the end of July. Saline County is accepting applications for the position through Aug. 26. Leamer told commissioners that three people already have applied. The board will recommend a candidate with [...]

Dodge City changes residential zone; applies for housing grant

info2018-08-22T06:32:47-05:00August 22nd, 2018|

Community housing projects took up most of the city commission meeting agenda on Monday. Community Housing Association of Dodge City, Wagon Wheel addition, Candletree #8 and a commercial zoning change to residential, were all topics addressed. The commercial zone change was for 2.54 acres of land to an R-3 residential higher density zone for multi-family development. The 2.54 acres is between Ross Boulevard and Canterbury Road west of Avenue A and east of Cannery Row. According to planning and zoning director of development services Kevin Israel, it is unclear at this time at the type of housing development that will be [...]

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