info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Parts of Kansas once tried to secede and form ‘West Kansas.’ It helps explain our politics today

info2024-06-26T09:02:54-05:00June 26th, 2024|

Secession movements in places like eastern Oregon continue to make headlines today, but back in the 1990s, parts of western Kansas made an effort to secede that previewed the political divisions that still cause people in the U.S. to consider cutting ties from their governments. In Kansas, the effort involving nine southwest Kansas counties all started with a disagreement over school funding policies. After people in western Kansas felt a new school funding law adversely affected rural schools, some residents of the nine counties were so upset that they petitioned to leave the state. They proposed a new state called West Kansas. [...]

Olathe church’s plan to build splash pad and playground could fill parks ‘gap’

info2024-06-26T08:57:51-05:00June 26th, 2024|

Splash pads and pickleball courts may be on their way to south Olathe. During its meeting earlier this month, the Olathe Planning Commission unanimously recommended rezoning for a new recreational area on the property of Living Hope Church of the Nazarene, 18550 W. 175th St. The church’s plans envision a playground, splash pad, four pickleball courts, walking trails, canopies and parking for church congregation activities, all on the northwest corner of West 175th Street and South Ridgeview Road. Once complete, the area would be open to the public but owned by Living Hope Church. The city staff’s report on the proposal states, “This project [...]

One key to a good life: Community helped Lenexa with details of this 2024 parks plan

info2024-06-26T08:56:31-05:00June 26th, 2024|

Trails, pools and pickleball courts all have big roles in how Lenexa exercises and plays. And those vital elements of a good life just got a refresh in the city. “The benefits and importance of parks and recreation are almost endless,” said Lenexa Parks & Recreation Director Logan Wagler. “Parks and recreation is vital for fostering healthy, vibrant and sustainable communities. It provides numerous physical, mental, social, environmental and economic benefits, making them essential components of urban and suburban planning. “Investing in parks and recreation facilities ensures a higher quality of life for all residents, promoting overall well-being and community cohesion.” [...]

City of Manhattan facing shortfall in revenues

info2024-06-26T08:53:37-05:00June 26th, 2024|

The city of Manhattan is facing a revenue shortfall, which could affect the city in several areas over the next few years. A number of solutions to the problem has been discussed such as raising the mill levy which was proposed by commissioner Karen McCulloh. Others like commissioner John Matta has cautioned against an approach due to the possibility of a tax increase. Commissioner Jayme Minton has said the city needs to get its financial situation under control. Interim city manager Jason Hilgers says that the solution that has been used in the past is reductions in staff. Hilgers says that [...]

Sedgwick County Files Disaster Declaration for Park City Fire

info2024-06-26T08:52:11-05:00June 26th, 2024|

The fire at the Evergreen Recycling Plant continues to burn and Sedgwick County has signed a disaster declaration regarding the fire for at least the next seven days. The disaster proclamation will allow the county to seek additional state resources to fight the fire, which is contained but could continue to burn for several days. Sedgwick County Emergency Management has said air support from the state should be flying in from Salina to help fight the blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Source: 101.3 KFDI

Saline County looking for input on broadband access in the community

info2024-06-25T09:43:28-05:00June 25th, 2024|

With surveys of the community about broadband access still out and available for people to respond to, Saline County is hosting several community forums on the topic this week. ... "The analysis will cover the types of broadband services available, usage patterns, and, most importantly, gaps in coverage," the county said. Source: Salina Journal

Petition filed seeking to keep city of Topeka from raising taxes without public vote

info2024-06-25T09:42:26-05:00June 25th, 2024|

Petition drive organizer Earl McIntosh said he submitted 2,445 more signatures than required Monday on a petition seeking to ban Topeka's city government from raising property taxes without a public vote. McIntosh said 5,386 people signed the petition he turned in to county election commissioner Andrew Howell. ... The petition seeks to ban Topeka's city government, without a public vote, from assessing more property taxes in any given year than it collected the previous year. Source: CJonline

100 years on, the Shawnee Fire Department continues to evolve

info2024-06-24T08:14:00-05:00June 24th, 2024|

Since beginning as a one-truck, volunteer-run department in 1924, the Shawnee Fire Department has lived by the philosophy of always evolving and adapting — whether it’s during an escalating emergency or expanding to meet the needs of a growing city. “To look at where we came, from an all-volunteer (group) to a combination department…I mean, (it’s) leaps and bounds,” said Deputy Chief Corey Sands, a 27-year veteran of the department. “I can’t imagine where we’re going to go in that much time moving forward.” Source: Johnson County Post

Prairie Village to increase police pay to keep up with other JoCo departments

info2024-06-24T08:12:04-05:00June 24th, 2024|

The city of Prairie Village is poised to increase police officer salaries in two phases over the next 18 months in an effort aimed at retaining, recruiting and competing more with other Johnson County police departments. At Monday’s city council meeting, City Administrator Wes Jordan said the Prairie Village Police Department is at “a critical crossroads,” with 12 vacant positions, including three traffic and three patrol officers. Source: Johnson County Post

Panasonic’s battery plant is already transforming De Soto, Kansas. It’s only halfway built

info2024-06-24T08:11:33-05:00June 24th, 2024|

Once completed, the $4 billion, 4.7-million-square-foot facility will be the largest battery manufacturing plant in the world, said Jeff van Heel, who runs construction on the site. Van Heel, Panasonic Energy of North America president Allan Swan and other executives hosted a media tour Thursday of the construction site. When production equipment installation is included, the facility is a little less than 50% built out, van Heel said. But officials plan to start production gradually in the parts that are fully ready, so that the company can start making the batteries in the first quarter of 2025. Source: KCUR News

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