info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

New superintendent to focus on Shawnee Mission’s strategic plan for future-based learning

info2018-08-20T06:21:09-05:00August 20th, 2018|

Strategic planning to prepare Shawnee Mission students for a fast-paced future is new superintendent Mike Fulton’s top priority. Details for exactly what that strategic plan will look like remain to be seen, but Fulton plans to make the plan a collaborative effort between the Shawnee Mission School District Board of Education, school administration, parents, students and members of the community. That means involvement from the community will be vital to prepare students for their futures and to reach their full potential, he said. “Schools exist for one reason: It has to help the children of our community be successful as adults,” [...]

Consultants unveil final recommendations for Santa Fe Commons in Overland Park — one concept with farmers market, and one without

info2018-08-20T06:19:05-05:00August 20th, 2018|

A paper-airplane shaped band shell, water feature and curved walkway made it into the final recommendations for Santa Fe Commons Park. Public hammocks did not. Consultants presented their recommendations at a public input session Thursday for the 3.8-acre park in the heart of downtown Overland Park. They made two final park plans – one with a farmers’ market and one without – that will continue through various city committees before the city council decides what the park should look like. Here are proposed site plans for the two concepts. Santa Fe Commons Park, which will be re-christened Thompson Park when the [...]

Even if Wichita sells MacDonald, it can still make sure it stays a golf course

info2018-08-20T08:13:45-05:00August 20th, 2018|

Wichita can ensure that MacDonald Golf Course remains a golf course, even if the city does sell it to the developer of the Waterfront, a council member said. Council member Pete Meitzner said he thinks the city could and probably would make that part of any request for proposals to sell the course. Meitzner said “It makes perfect sense for it to remain a golf-centered area,” and “If we do an RFP, we could make that a condition.” Selling the course for anything other than golf use would undercut a city pact with First Tee, a nonprofit youth golf program that [...]

Hays city commissioners roundly praise Arc inclusive playground plan

info2018-08-20T06:13:36-05:00August 20th, 2018|

Hays City Commissioners offered encouraging words Thursday evening to organizers spearheading a fully accessible playground, ball park and splash pad at one of the city’s existing parks. Commissioner Henry Schwaller IV told the group to be flexible and persistent and that he thought they could succeed with the ambitious $1.6 million project, particularly if they approach fundraising and construction in phases. “You don’t have to do all three things at once,” Schwaller said. “If you want to do this in phase 1, 2 and 3, we’d be amenable to that as well. So I’d give you an 18-month window of time [...]

Wellington City Council contemplates how to clean up the city

info2018-08-20T06:42:48-05:00August 19th, 2018|

The Wellington City Council wants to clean the city up, but they don’t want to take a heavy handed approach to get there. The council heard from Winfield Environmental Inspector John Adams at a work session meeting Thursday and talked about various ideas to improve the city’s appearance. Adams said he spends three hours per day looking around Winfield to find areas that need cleaning up. He said they are more proactive in their approach, and not complaint driven as many towns are. Adams said he tries to get a buy in from people, as opposed to forcing them to clean [...]

Archaeologists explore a rural field in Kansas, and a lost city emerges

info2018-08-19T12:24:37-05:00August 19th, 2018|

...Arkansas City is trying to determine how to promote its new claim to fame. Etzanoa remains mostly underground or on private land. Yet that hasn’t deterred interest. “We get about 10 calls a day to see the lost city,” said Pamela Crain, director of the Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The vision is to have a visitors center. The other key is to persuade landowners to allow people onto their property.” Limited tours began last spring, focusing on key historical and archaeological sites. Town leaders are hoping for a UNESCO World Heritage site designation. Read more: LA Times.

Things are happening in … Baxter Springs

info2018-08-17T09:49:25-05:00August 17th, 2018|

Down town Baxter Springs, Kansas. Future home of Cafe on the Route, Little Brick Inn, Decades of Wheels, The Spin Out, and Rita’s Roost.

How should Wichita handle surveillance cameras? Police want your opinions

info2018-08-17T09:45:58-05:00August 17th, 2018|

After a controversial rollout, the Wichita Police Department is seeking the public’s help in drafting a policy for its surveillance cameras in Old Town — and beyond. Should the chief of police be able to decide when to release surveillance video footage? Should the cameras be pointed through windows or into private rooms? What about traffic tickets? Those are just three questions the public can answer directly to the Wichita Police Department through an online form, available here. The full text of the policy is available here. “We have conducted a one year policy review and updated the public safety camera [...]

Edwardsville Fire Department Awarded $1 Million Grant for Regional Fire Agencies

info2018-08-17T09:50:27-05:00August 17th, 2018|

The department was alerted in late July that the grant was awarded in the amount of $1,103,731 with a matching requirement of $110,373. Per the conditions of the MOU, participating agencies agreed to provide a 10% contribution to the total matching requirements for their approved items. Edwardsville's contribution comes to approximately $11,037. This amount will be funded through the City's special sales tax, which was established in 2014 for purchases related to Fire/EMS equipment, street improvements, as well as parks and recreation activity. The items included in the original grant application included SCBA packs with harness, backpack and face piece, RIT [...]

South Hutchinson approves $360,000 in city personnel cuts

info2018-08-17T06:28:45-05:00August 17th, 2018|

Against the urging of citizens, including the Reno County Sheriff and the Nickerson schools superintendent, the South Hutchinson City Council voted 3-2 to make personnel cuts Thursday. Citizens filled the council chambers — some standing in the hallway — and several spoke against the personnel cuts during a public comment session before the council entered an executive session to discuss nonelected personnel. Council member Luke Herren said cuts were the only option to acquire the money the city needs. “We’ve got to have cash,” Herren said. “And the hard part about it is the only way to have recurring money year [...]

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