info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Property crime up, violent crime down in Kansas

info2024-08-21T10:11:39-05:00August 21st, 2024|

An annual report on crime in Kansas shows property crime rising and a decline in violent crime, providing benchmarks that may guide law enforcement and community leaders. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Index Report, which summarizes crime data submitted by law enforcement agencies from across the state, shows property crime increased by 2.6% and violent crime decreased by 3.7% from 2022 to 2023. The number of reported property crimes increased to 66,782 cases. The report said the overall crime index was “heavily impacted” by the uptick in property crimes, increasing from 26.7 offenses per 1,000 people in 2022 to 27 [...]

KDOT accepting applications for Innovative Technology Program

info2024-08-21T10:09:55-05:00August 21st, 2024|

The Kansas Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for the fall 2024 round of the agency’s Innovative Technology Program. The Innovative Technology Program provides financial assistance to governmental and non-governmental organizations for innovative transportation-related projects that promote safety, improve access or mobility and implement new transportation technology. “Innovative technology” is broadly defined as any technology that does not currently exist in the local community of the project. This allows local communities to determine what projects to submit based on their specific needs. All transportation system projects are eligible, including roadway (on and off the state system), rail, aviation, unmanned aerial [...]

Vote passed to let citizens decide if county commission should increase to five

info2024-08-21T10:08:43-05:00August 21st, 2024|

The Bourbon County Commission plans to let voters decide whether to add two commission districts in the November election. On Monday, the commission passed by a 2-1 vote a resolution that would place the following question on the Nov. 5 ballot: “Shall the current number of Bourbon County Commission Districts set forth in KSA 19-203(1)(b)(c)(d)&(e) be increased to five Commissioner Districts?” Source: Fort Scott Tribune

Common Consumption Area expanded

info2024-08-21T10:06:48-05:00August 21st, 2024|

The Great Bend City Council adopted an ordinance Monday that greatly expands the downtown Common Consumption Area, which allows a committee to allow alcohol sales in designated areas during select events. The vote was 6-1, with councilmember Davis Jimenez opposed and councilmember Kevyn Soupiset absent (he arrived a short time later). Before voting, the council heard from audience member Dee Ann Grummon, who expressed her opinion that “expanding the ‘Common Consumption Area’ is not a wise idea.” “Is it impossible to draw a crowd with food, art and music/entertainment only, or is alcohol the magic ingredient for any event to be [...]

‘Time to turn the page’: Attempt to recall Prairie Village mayor after housing saga fails

info2024-08-21T10:02:09-05:00August 21st, 2024|

An attempt to recall Prairie Village Mayor Eric Mikkelson will not move forward after a group — unhappy with the city’s efforts to address its shortage of affordable housing — did not collect enough signatures to place the initiative on the ballot. “Time to turn the page,” Mikkelson said in a statement to The Star. “We move forward best when actually united.” It was a group of residents’ ninth attempt at recalling the mayor in recent months, as the northeast Johnson County city has been embroiled in controversy over officials’ consideration of adjusting zoning laws to allow for a wider variety [...]

City council approves ordinance changes for short-term rentals, purchasing of naming rights

info2024-08-21T09:59:03-05:00August 21st, 2024|

On Tuesday, the Wichita City Council approved the city budget for 2025, as well as several other items, including ordinance changes for short-term rentals and the purchasing of naming rights. The Wichita City Council approved ordinance changes regarding short-term rentals like Airbnbs. The changes make the renter responsible for issues like underage drinking, property damage, and illegal fireworks at a “nuisance party,” defined as “a social gathering of five or more people on a residential property in which certain nuisance-type activities occur.” The council will revisit who is responsible for dispersing parties if the police come during their meeting on Sept. [...]

Parsons PD receives safety tool donation to boost officer visibility

info2024-08-21T09:56:40-05:00August 21st, 2024|

Flashing lights could be the thing that saves a police officer’s life. “During those periods when officers are out working traffic crashes and other incidents in the middle of the night, they need to be seen,” said Robert Spinks, Parsons Kansas Police Chief. Visibility and more safety are a couple of important things the Parsons Police Department will now be able to increase with the help of a new tool. “This is an opportunity where we’re taking custody of enough Guardian Angel devices to equip all of our patrol officers,” said Spinks. On Monday, Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks announced the [...]

Topeka city council urges tax entities to keep rates low

info2024-08-21T09:54:31-05:00August 21st, 2024|

The Topeka City Council unanimously passed a resolution to urge all local tax entities to keep property tax rates as low as possible for homeowners and renters. The resolution was brought by District 8 City Councilman Spencer Duncan last month after the council chose to ignore a tax petition brought by Earl McIntosh. McIntosh is now suing the city over that decision. The Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority (TMTA) is one of several entities that influence property taxes in Shawnee County. Rod Miller, a TMTA board member, presented at the council meeting to explain why their operating costs are forcing them to [...]

Kansans raise concerns over government’s proposed transmission line corridor

info2024-08-21T09:52:00-05:00August 21st, 2024|

A proposed electric transmission corridor that could run through Kansas is prompting questions from Kansans. The Pawnee County community met at the Larned Community Center Thursday evening to ask those questions, share their stories, and share their concerns. “I’m really concerned because this is our house. This is our home,” said one resident who spoke during the meeting. “How long have you known about this going to happen? When did we find out? A lot of us did this week. We didn’t even understand or know anything about this. It hit us in the face. This has been in process. Why [...]

Topeka releases results of new police chief survey

info2024-08-21T09:49:04-05:00August 21st, 2024|

The City of Topeka has released the findings from public sessions as part of the hiring process for a new police chief. From July 22 to Aug. 3, the City of Topeka collected 260 responses to the community survey. Three public sessions were also hosted where citizens could share their thoughts. “The community emphasized the need for a police chief who values communication, transparency, and community engagement, with a focus on reducing crime, improving public safety, and addressing mental health and homelessness,” City Manager Dr. Robert Perez said. “We will use this feedback from community members to make sure we find [...]

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