info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

JoCo leaders support election official despite prolonged delay releasing vote results

info2018-08-10T11:44:31-05:00August 10th, 2018|

Johnson County commissioners voiced full support Thursday for Election Commissioner Ronnie Metsker, despite an election marred by an overnight delay in releasing voting results. “I have to compliment you and your team,” Commissioner Steve Klika told Metsker at Thursday’s commission meeting. Klika said he knew many voters and observers were frustrated that it took until Wednesday morning to get the final tally from Tuesday’s primary election. But he didn’t blame Metsker for a delay that kept election watchers across the country waiting for results in several high-profile races, including the still-undecided Republican primary for governor. Klika also credited the vendor of [...]

Automated water meters would provide more data to Lawrence customers, allow for tiered rate plans

info2018-08-10T11:35:32-05:00August 9th, 2018|

photo by: Journal-World Illustration Water meters and billing in Lawrence are set to get a multimillion-dollar update, paving the way for changes to the city’s utility rate structure. The city’s 2019 proposed budget, which the Lawrence City Commission is scheduled to adopt next week, includes $4.45 million toward the installation of automated utility meters. That amount is in addition to $6.42 million allocated for the project as part of the 2018 budget, bringing the total amount close to $11 million. Deputy Director of Utilities Mike Lawless said the city has about 34,000 residential and commercial utility customers, and that utility staff [...]

Topeka woman sues city over pothole injury

info2018-08-09T07:36:18-05:00August 9th, 2018|

A Topeka woman is suing the city after claiming she fell and was injured by a pothole in the street. The lawsuit, filed Monday in Shawnee County District Court, says Amanda Counts notified the city of Topeka about a pothole in front of her home in the 1200 block of S.W. Hillsdale four times, starting in September 2016. A crew responded in October 2016 and told her it would be repaired the following day. On April 24, 2017, Counts fell and “suffered a serious and permanent injury,” the petition claims. The pothole was repaired about a week after she fell. The [...]

Marion County Commission splits on transfer station

info2018-08-09T07:34:22-05:00August 9th, 2018|

Thursday’s special county commission meeting had one item on the agenda, the Marion’s transfer station for recyclables. The project passed 2-1, but commissioner Randy Dallke had major reservations, he said. Commision chair Dianne Novak and commissioner Kent Becker voted in favor of the repairs, bringing about a majority. Novak then moved to accept the engineering agreement from Kaw, pending approval by the county counselor. Dallke seconded and it passed unanimously. According to Dallke, voting in favor of the agreement was about cutting losses and working together. “I realize that, O.K., what good does it do me to vote against it,” Dallke [...]

Tiny home village planned for Wichita is receiving opposition

info2018-08-09T07:43:15-05:00August 9th, 2018|

Brady Sherman proudly walks next to land that could soon house dozens of tiny homes. He's the CEO and co-founder of MicroMansions, a community targeted for millennials and empty-nesters. “They are luxurious, energy-efficient, affordable tiny homes with a Midwest flair," he said. "So it's more of the minimalistic lifestyle.” The homes will start from $75,000 to $100,000, with five designs to choose from. "The houses range from 400 to 600 square feet and there will be 90 in the first plat," Sherman said. But this tiny home idea is causing some huge concerns from nearby neighborhoods. There's a petition trying to [...]

Great Bend’s best possible outcomes for the problematic Great Bend Hotel

info2018-08-09T07:40:59-05:00August 9th, 2018|

Among the Great Bend properties abated by the City Council Monday night was former Highland Hotel (now known as the Great Bend Hotel and Convention Center), a local landmark that has fallen into disrepair. Located at 3017 10th St., trash cans around the site are over flowing, weeds have been allowed to grow and other maintenance has not been done, City Sanitarian Austin LaViolette said. Even after city personnel and volunteer private citizens have fought back the vegetation, it is still an eyesore. A member of the meeting audience asked what could be done about it. Sadly, officials said, not much [...]

Derby Historical Society Museum finally free of window, roof leaks

info2018-08-09T07:24:13-05:00August 9th, 2018|

It’s been a lot of work, but the advances made by the city’s only museum are making its president smile. “I’ve seen a lot of progress this year,” said John Rhodes, president of the executive board of directors of the Derby Historical Society Museum. Much of that progress is simply protecting the exhibits from the elements in the decades-old building at 208 N. Westview. Recently, a windows replacement project was completed and a new roof added, cutting out leaks. “We had real problems, but the contents are finally safe,” Rhodes said. “We’re getting the building in good shape.” The museum, which [...]

Salina, Clay Center housing projects get boost from state

info2018-08-09T07:18:24-05:00August 9th, 2018|

Two north-central Kansas housing projects are among 11 initiatives across the state that will receive Kansas Housing Resources Corporation financing. The awards, offered as deferred-payment loans, are funded through HUD’s Home Investment Partnerships Program and the National Housing Trust Fund, which provide federal funds to expand access to affordable rental housing. Lee Hardware Lofts in Salina, being developed by Overland Property Group and Community Housing Development Corp. of Central Kansas, will receive $500,000 in HOME funds for its conversion of the historic Lee Mercantile building on North Santa Fe Avenue. The building will be converted to 53 apartments. Parkview Plaza Apartments [...]

Miami County seeks federal funding for off-system bridges

info2018-08-09T07:15:11-05:00August 9th, 2018|

Miami County officials are preparing to submit four proposed bridge replacement projects to the Kansas Department of Transportation in the hope that one of them will be selected for federal off-system bridge funds. If one of the submitted projects is selected, Oehlert said the bridge replacement project would take place in 2020. The federal off-system bridge grant would provide 80 percent of the project cost, with Miami County being required to cover the remaining 20 percent. The grants can be awarded up to $1 million. The county has used federal off-system bridge funding for multiple projects in the past, including $1 [...]

Roeland Park considers rezoning vacant Johnson Drive building for use as dry cleaner

info2018-08-09T07:10:47-05:00August 9th, 2018|

The Roeland Park city council took up the issue of rezoning 5000 Johnson Drive from an office building district to a mixed use district at the governing body workshop Monday. The long-vacant building was recently purchased by the owner of Pride Cleaners. Kathleen Warman, of Warman Architects, spoke on behalf of Pride Cleaners and described the extensive exterior remodeling and parking lot reconfiguration planned for the site. Warman said the owner was also willing to add a public sidewalk to improve walkability. While councilmembers generally agreed the plans significantly improved the look of the building, the updates do not comply with [...]

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