info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

‘A breakdown’: Kansas missed signs dead ex-official worked both sides of $425k grant

info2024-09-20T10:09:52-05:00September 20th, 2024|

A former Kansas Department of Commerce official suspected of embezzling public funds handled money for a community foundation that received a $425,000 grant while he oversaw the same grant at the state agency that awarded it, an apparent conflict of interest now coming under scrutiny. Two top Commerce officials — Lt. Gov. David Toland, who leads the agency, and Robert North, the agency’s general counsel — signed off on the grant amid warning signs that the official was working on both sides of the grant. The former official, Jonathan L. Clayton, died in August in a single-vehicle crash as he faced [...]

Lawrence adds 11 new city services for residents to request in city’s app, including pothole repairs

info2024-09-20T10:07:41-05:00September 20th, 2024|

The city of Lawrence’s app now allows residents to make 11 new types of service requests, including pothole and pavement repairs and stormwater issues. The city announced the expanded service requests offered by the web app, called SeeClickFix... Source: LJWorld

Wichita to continue Stage 2 water restrictions, increase enforcement

info2024-09-20T10:06:45-05:00September 20th, 2024|

The City of Wichita said it will increase enforcement as it continues Stage 2 water restrictions. ... “During the last two months, efforts on education were prioritized over issuing fines,” said the city. “Going forward, staff plans to increase enforcement, including issuance of fines if warranted, while still continuing educational efforts on ways to cut back on water use.” Source: KWCH

Lyon County Commission discusses VisionFirst Economic Development report

info2024-09-20T10:03:43-05:00September 20th, 2024|

The Lyon County Commission reviewed the findings and recommendations found in the VisionFirst Economic Development Report, Thursday morning. The report outlines recommendations for streamlining economic development efforts in Emporia and the surrounding areas by bringing entities like RDA, the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, Emporia Main Street, and Visit Emporia under one umbrella organization. The report, which was commissioned by the City of Emporia, was recently presented to the county and several key stakeholders, including the Regional Development Association and Emporia Enterprises. According to Chair Rollie Martin, the VisionFirst report outlines a more unified, strategic direction for economic development in Emporia [...]

Board of County Commissioners discusses next steps following Lenexa City Council vote on homeless services center

info2024-09-20T10:02:29-05:00September 20th, 2024|

Following the Sept. 17 Lenexa City Council denial of a Special Use Permit for the proposed Homeless Services Center, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners voted today to terminate the real estate purchase agreement with MAA Krupa Lenexa LLC for the La Quinta property. Given the timeliness of contractual requirements, the Board took special action outside of its previously published calendar. “While I’m deeply disappointed in the Lenexa City Council’s denial of the SUP application, we needed to take swift action today to preserve as many federal COVID-19 relief funds as possible,” said Mike Kelly, Chairman of the Johnson County [...]

Olathe Police partnering with FBI on new firing range training facility

info2024-09-20T10:00:51-05:00September 20th, 2024|

The Federal Bureau of Investigations will contribute some funds to the Olathe Police Department’s new firing range planned in southern Olathe. On Tuesday, the Olathe City Council voted 6-0 to approve a 20-year memorandum of understanding with the FBI for shared use and shared cost of building the facility near 167th Street and Interstate 35. Additionally, the city council approved an agreement with Turner Construction for the design and construction of the firing range. Councilmember Matt Schoonover was absent from the meeting. Firing range project to cost around $15M. All the features of the new firing range planned in southern Olathe [...]

Officials celebrate Kansas’ ‘economic transformation’ at new soybean plant

info2024-09-20T09:59:07-05:00September 20th, 2024|

While this southeast Kansas town’s population peaked more than 100 years ago, the opening of the region’s largest ever economic development project means its best days are ahead, Lt. Gov. David Toland said Thursday. Toland spoke to a crowd of more than 100 state and federal lawmakers, economic development officials and construction company representatives who gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Bartlett soybean crushing plant just south of Cherryvale. The town’s population peaked at 4,700 in 1920 and is now 2,200. Toland, a Democrat and Iola native who also serves as commerce secretary, said the project reminds him of [...]

Changes are coming to the housing voucher program in several Kansas counties

info2024-09-20T09:57:56-05:00September 20th, 2024|

Changes are coming to the housing voucher program in several Kansas counties. Sedgwick, Butler, and Harvey County, excluding Newton, are moving to payment standards set by ZIP code for their housing voucher programs. In Wichita, people previously received a flat rate for their voucher. Starting Jan. 1, the amount someone receives will be based on ZIP code. The change is happening through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Wichita City Council member Brandon Johnson is concerned about landlords who don’t have good motives I always think about the ways they try to get out of dealing with people, and [...]

Mulvane officials say water is safe to consume

info2024-09-20T09:56:19-05:00September 20th, 2024|

Mulvane residents are assured that their water is safe to consume despite a more pronounced chlorine smell. The City of Mulvane normally gets its water from Augusta. However, recently, the line running from Augusta to Mulvane under the Walnut River failed, leading Mulvane to switch to its groundwater reserve system. That water is treated through Reverse Osmosis, which passes it through a filter that removes minerals, salts, and other impurities and disinfects it with chlorine. The water from Augusta is surface water, which was first treated through lime softening, then chlorine. That process removes calcium and magnesium from the water, along [...]

Washburn law school receives funding for rural practice program

info2024-09-20T09:55:02-05:00September 20th, 2024|

A local law school receives $1 million to expand rural legal practice across the Sunflower State. Washburn University School of Law has received a large grant to expand the school’s Rural Legal Practice Network and Externship Program. This $1 million grant comes from Patterson Family Foundation in Kansas City Missouri, according to a news release from Washburn University. With the funding, the program is able to be developed by creating a more diverse network of rural practitioners that gives access to legal resources and an opportunity for students to connect and learn from mentors. Source: KSNT 27 News

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