info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Johnson County to add dozens of new public EV charging stations

info2024-08-07T11:21:59-05:00August 7th, 2024|

More electric vehicle charging stations are in the pipeline for Johnson County, now that county commissioners have voted to accept a $1.4 million federal grant. The grant would add 32 new charging stations in 16 locations around Johnson County, with the county, some cities and the county park and library districts managing the maintenance and ongoing costs. The stations will take about a year to install, said Brian Alferman, sustainability program manager for the county health department. Source: Johnson County Post

JoCo wants cities to help pay for new homeless shelter, but some officials are pushing back

info2024-08-07T11:20:41-05:00August 7th, 2024|

Four Johnson County cities may become the first to commit to annual contributions for a countywide homeless shelter. But local officials are already raising concerns about the abbreviated process to allocate the funds, with a county-determined deadline set for just over two weeks. This week, the cities of Prairie Village, Leawood, Olathe and Mission are all discussing their individual cities’ prospective payments to go towards supporting the early years of operation at a new proposed homeless shelter at the La Quinta Inn and Suites hotel in Lenexa. The agendas for Prairie Village, Leawood and Mission show that each of those cities [...]

As Wichita pushes for more EV charging stations, some worry about fire risks

info2024-08-07T11:17:53-05:00August 7th, 2024|

Driving around Wichita, you’ll see the occasional Tesla, electric Ford F-150 Lightning pickup or even one of the city’s battery-powered buses quietly cruising around town. With more electric vehicles have come more worries about what happens if they catch fire. They burn much hotter, emit noxious gases and pose an electrocution risk. But the idea that EVs catch fire more often than gas-powered vehicles is a myth. Source: KLC Journal

The city of Wichita is selling its public housing. Where are tenants going?

info2024-08-07T11:13:37-05:00August 7th, 2024|

On a lazy Sunday morning in July, the heat is creeping into the 90s before the clock hits noon. Danielle Lenz sits on her front porch in a lawn chair, keeping an eye on her mischievous six-year old. Two years ago, she didn’t know that this sunflower yellow rental home near downtown was where her family would end up. Lenz and her four kids were living in public housing in west Wichita when the news hit in 2022 that the city planned to sell their home – and the 351 other single-family public housing units scattered throughout town. Initially, she wanted [...]

Move Over Law isn’t just on Earth

info2024-08-07T11:11:05-05:00August 7th, 2024|

While on patrol recently Kamass Highway Patrol Lt Brown made a rather unusual observation. During a routine traffic stop, he noticed an unidentified object passing by his stopped patrol car on I-70. Intrigued, he rewound his in-car camera footage and discovered what appeared to be a UFO flying saucer! “What’s noteworthy is that this ‘UFO’ slowed down and moved over, adhering to Kansas law by giving space to our law enforcement officers on the side of the highway. Apparently, the move over law is not just here on planet Earth, but in other solar systems far away as well!” Remember, whether [...]

Archeologist digs up history beneath Polk-Quincy Viaduct

info2024-08-07T11:09:38-05:00August 7th, 2024|

An archeologist with the Kansas Historical Society (KSHS) is helping uncover hidden pieces of Topeka’s history at the site of a major construction project. 27 News spoke with Shelby Beltz, a State Historic Preservation Office archeologist, about her work at the Polk-Quincy Viaduct site in Topeka. In a recent publication from the KSHS, Beltz describes the archeological findings being there amid the ongoing labors of construction crews on and beneath the viaduct. Beltz said she watches the workers in action, keeping an eye out for any interesting materials among the dirt while utilities are being relocated. By working closely with contractors [...]

City of Emporia promotes Tayler Wash to Assistant City Manager during Civic Leadership Institute’s celebration

info2024-08-07T11:07:51-05:00August 7th, 2024|

Tayler Wash’s hard work has paid off in her short time as the City of Emporia’s Director of Special Projects. During the closing moments of the celebration of the inaugural Civic Leadership Institute Tuesday evening, Wash was handed a key to the City of Emporia from City Manager Trey Cocking. On the key was the inscription, “Tayler Wash, Assistant City Manager.” Wash says she was excited about the key, however, it took her a moment to realize what just happened. Wash says she’s thankful for the support from City Commissioners and City of Emporia staff for believing in her putting together [...]

Rawlins County school bond, sales tax passes

info2024-08-07T11:05:50-05:00August 7th, 2024|

Voters in Rawlins County resoundingly voted yes to a $29.9 million school bond to rebuild the school that was destroyed by arson in June 2023. Out of 943 voters, 636 said yes to the bond issue, and 307 said no. They also voted 783-285 in favor of a 1% sales tax to help fund that school bond. Several members of the community told KSN they are rejoicing. They said they have been in desperate need of a new school since it was destroyed by two juveniles who were found guilty of arson. “It’s a great night for our community,” Eric Stoddard [...]

Governor Kelly Directs Flags be Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Wichita Firefighter Ty Voth

info2024-08-06T17:26:27-05:00August 6th, 2024|

Today, in accordance with Executive Order #20-30, Governor Laura Kelly has directed flags throughout the State of Kansas be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in honor of Wichita Firefighter Ty Voth, who passed away in the line of duty on Aug. 1, 2024. “Ty Voth made the ultimate sacrifice, and he was taken much too soon,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “His dedication and selflessness will not be forgotten. My deepest condolences go out to his family, loved ones, colleagues, and the entire Wichita community.” Source: Governor of the State of Kansas

Cherokee Co. moves to have fallen City Marshal memorialized

info2024-08-06T09:07:47-05:00August 6th, 2024|

Recently, it came to light that the name of Empire City Marshal Marion Thomas, along with his service and sacrifice to the community, was missing from the etched marble walls of the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. The omission was brought to the attention of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office according to Chief Deputy Nate Jones. Jones says with support from the Community Outreach Deputy and the Cherokee County Genealogical Society, they have spent the last few weeks collecting historical records. These documents included newspaper articles, and court documents from the era, detailing the events surrounding Marshal Thomas’s death. [...]

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