info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

USD 383’s Food Service Program to keep local children fed in the summer

info2024-05-14T12:57:27-05:00May 14th, 2024|

The USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden Summer Food Service Program is keeping local children nourished while school is out by providing free meals and snacks. From May 28 to Aug. 2, several schools in the USD 383 district will offer free meals to children aged 1-18. Stephanie Smith, the director of child nutrition for USD 383, said the program fed more than 1,000 children last summer. When Smith began working for USD 383 16 years ago, she said there were five feeding sites. The program has since expanded to nine as of this year. Children don’t need to be USD 383 students to [...]

Traffic tickets in Kansas can cost low-income drivers their licenses. There’s a new law to help

info2024-05-14T12:15:59-05:00May 14th, 2024|

Frank Meade originally lost his driver’s license nearly 40 years ago. When he was young, Meade was fined for driving drunk. But he couldn’t afford the cost and the state suspended his license. That didn’t stop him from using his vehicle for the many years following, and he wound up racking up a load of debt from traffic violation fines and court fees. He would need to pay those if he ever hoped to have a legal driver’s license again. “I just continued driving and continued driving and they just stacked up,” Meade told the Kansas News Service. “I had more fines and fees [...]

Assistant city manager for Dallas chosen to be Topeka’s next city manage

info2024-05-11T09:16:38-05:00May 11th, 2024|

Robert Perez, assistant city manager for Dallas, has been picked to be Topeka's next city manager.... “The governing body invested considerable time and effort into their selection process, and we’re excitedthat Dr. Perez has been selected,” Mayor Michael Padilla said in the release. “I have full confidence in his ability to lead the city of Topeka and guide us toward our strategic goals.” Source: CJonline

Sedgwick County rejects RHID incentives for apartment project in Goddard

info2024-05-10T07:31:20-05:00May 10th, 2024|

The Sedgwick County Commission has vetoed Goddard’s plan to give a developer $3.5 million in state incentives to build apartments at the Genesis Sports Complex. Commissioners voted 5-0 against the incentive package, which would have diverted property taxes from that land to pay for up to $3.5 million in eligible costs for a 108-unit apartment complex. County staff recommended nullifying Goddard’s agreement ... Source: Wichita Eagle

Retired fire chief continues to serve Halstead

info2024-05-10T07:30:32-05:00May 10th, 2024|

He spent his entire career selflessly helping others during their greatest times of need. Now, retired fire chief Jim VanSchaik has taken on a different form of community service: that of city council member. VanSchaik took the oath of office on April 22 to fulfill the final 20 months of Brody Flavin’s term. Flavin resigned from the council on April 11. Source: Harvey County Now

Prairie Village considering rule that would effectively ban AirBnbs in city

info2024-05-10T07:30:09-05:00May 10th, 2024|

Prairie Village is considering imposing a 30-day minimum stay rule on short-term rental properties, a rule that, if adopted, would effectively bar AirBnbs and Vrbos in the city. On Monday, the Prairie Village City Council became the latest Johnson County municipal government to take up the short-term rental issue and discuss imposing new restrictions on the properties. Source: Johnson County Post

Lawrence ordinance meant to help people with vouchers find housing survives legal challenge

info2024-05-10T07:43:50-05:00May 10th, 2024|

A Douglas County judge has ruled against a group of landlords who sued the City of Lawrence over an ordinance that bans discrimination against some prospective tenants. The Lawrence City Commission in February 2023 approved an ordinance change that creates a protected class based on renters’ source of income... Local housing advocates have said that the protections could significantly help lessen Lawrence’s housing and homelessness crises, because many families who qualify for housing vouchers are unable to find landlords who will accept them. The full memorandum decision is here. Source: The Lawrence Times

Westmoreland cutting utility bills for residents following tornado

info2024-05-10T07:27:07-05:00May 10th, 2024|

Westmoreland residents got some relief this week when the city government announced it was reducing utility bills. “In effort to hopefully give some relief, the city has cut this month’s utility bills in half!” officials wrote in a post on social media. The announcement came Tuesday in the wake of an EF-3 tornado that hit the city last week. Source: themercury.com

Kansas plan to get Chiefs, Royals relies on billions in bonds with ‘high degree of risk’

info2024-05-10T07:25:34-05:00May 10th, 2024|

Some Kansas lawmakers want to use STAR bonds to finance new stadiums for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. After Jackson County voters rejected a county sales tax for the teams in April, a Kansas proposal would authorize STAR bonds with 30-year terms to pay up to 100% of the cost of building a new stadium across the state line. Fully financing a Chiefs stadium could mean issuing $2-3 billion in STAR bonds, and potentially $1.5 billion to $2 billion for the Royals. Never before have STAR bonds of that size been issued. As of 2020, $1.1 billion total in STAR [...]

Upper Floor Housing Grants Available for Designated Main Street Communities

info2024-05-10T07:23:56-05:00May 10th, 2024|

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced $400,000 is available under the Residential Opportunities on Main Street (ROOMS) grant program to support new upper-floor housing in commercial buildings in Designated Kansas Main Street communities. ... Upper-floor investments create new housing opportunities and can play an important role in addressing the shortage of quality housing, which regularly is identified as a major issue throughout Kansas. Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

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