info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Artist building largest ‘I Like Ike’ button in Abilene

info2024-05-03T10:09:46-05:00May 3rd, 2024|

The cattle town of Abilene is embarking on another “world’s largest” tourism project this year focused on honoring one of its most famous residents. The Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau announced in a press release Thursday, May 2 it plans to construct the world’s largest “I Like Ike” campaign button in honor of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. A $22,000 Kansas Tourism Attraction Development grant will be used to fund the project along with donations collected from more than 200 sources. Julie Roller-Weeks with the visitor’s bureau says the inspiration for this project comes on the heels of the success of [...]

An Emporia park is saved, after community rallies together

info2024-05-03T10:08:06-05:00May 3rd, 2024|

The controversy over an Emporia park is over. On Wednesday, May 1, Quaker Park in Emporia was removed from the surplus property list. The City was trying to sell the park for a housing development but now says Quaker Park will not be turned into housing. The city gathered to make this decision during the City Commission Agenda Meeting. By starting a petition, people in the community collected more than 800 signatures to save the park, with only 462 signatures needed. The city commission validated the advocate’s efforts today in the meeting. Source: KSNT 27 News

Heavy flooding leaves parts of Fort Scott underwater

info2024-05-03T10:06:45-05:00May 3rd, 2024|

Fort Scott, Kansas is hit the hardest with flooding from the weekend storms. According to city officials, most of the flooding is north of town and along Highway 54 east towards Uniontown. Most of the clean-up around town should take less than a week. Damaged roads will be repaired. Source: KOAM News

Public hearing for Shawnee Co. solar and wind farms

info2024-05-03T10:03:42-05:00May 3rd, 2024|

The Shawnee County Planning Commission will consider a wind energy ban and a one-year solar energy moratorium. “This public hearing process is a very important step to take as Shawnee County considers banning wind farms, and a moratorium on solar farms,” Director of the Shawnee County Planning Department Joni Thadani said. “We look forward to hearing from the community. Even if you are unable to attend in person, you can watch the meeting on the Shawnee County YouTube livestream.” Source: KSNT 27 News

Fed keeps rates steady as it notes ‘lack of further progress’ on inflation

info2024-05-01T14:08:42-05:00May 1st, 2024|

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday held its ground on interest rates, again deciding not to cut as it continues a battle with inflation that has grown more difficult lately. In a widely expected move, the U.S. central bank kept its benchmark short-term borrowing rate in a targeted range between 5.25%-5%. The federal funds rate has been at that level since July 2023, when the Fed last hiked and took the range to its highest level in more than two decades. ... With its the decision to hold the line on rates, the committee in its post-meeting statement noted a "lack of [...]

Crawford County landowners speak out against wind, solar

info2024-05-01T14:05:51-05:00May 1st, 2024|

The Crawford County Commission room was packed on Friday as dozens of local landowners were present to show support for a moratorium on any further development of wind and solar farms in the county. Calling themselves the Crawford County Coalition Against Industrial Wind and Solar, county resident Ray Huff spoke on their behalf. Huff said he is not “anti-green” or a conspiracy theorist, but focused on the potential detrimental effects wind turbines have on local wildlife. Source: Morning Sun

Historic Johnson County village is falling apart. Will Panasonic plant save or kill it?

info2024-05-01T14:05:18-05:00May 1st, 2024|

Directly across from Clearview, spread along more than a half-mile of West 103rd Street, Panasonic’s $4 billion electric vehicle battery plant is rising on the grounds of the old ordnance works. Scheduled to open in 2025 with some 4,000 workers, nothing since World War II has so impacted De Soto, a mostly rural town of 6,500. That includes fueling rumors on the fate of Clearview and its 500 or so residents. Source: KC Star Local News

Evinger feels call to serve leading fire/EMT reserves

info2024-05-01T14:04:35-05:00May 1st, 2024|

For nearly 20 years, Mike Evinger has been a dedicated volunteer and mentor to the Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department, a role he never imagined would become such a significant part of his life. When he’s not rushing to aid in emergencies as the reserve captain for the department, Evinger can often be found caring for yards throughout the community. As the reserve captain, Evinger is responsible for coordinating and leading the reserve team, ensuring their readiness for emergency response. It’s hard to imagine that these two worlds could merge as one, but for Evinger, being a volunteer for the department is [...]

Digging deep into the history of Olathe, this documentary filmmaker discovered gems

info2024-05-01T14:04:14-05:00May 1st, 2024|

Gregory Sheffer thought he knew Olathe history. After all, he grew up in the Olathe school system and earned a history degree from MidAmerica Narazene University in Olathe. There was, Sheffer discovered, more to know about Olathe’s history. And through a documentary film project, he’s learned a lot more — and so have the people of Olathe. Source: Kansas City Breaking News & Sports | The Kansas City Star

Governor Kelly Announces Kansas Moving Forward with $451.7M High-Speed Internet Deployment Plan

info2024-05-01T14:03:25-05:00May 1st, 2024|

Governor Laura Kelly announced federal approval of the state’s Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Initial Proposal Volume 2, providing an investment of more than $450 million to expand Kansas’ high-speed internet infrastructure. Funding will be granted to areas that have been identified as underserved through a competitive application process that will begin in July. ... Eligible homes and businesses within the predetermined funding areas will be made public for 60 days before the application process opens. This transparency ensures that applicants have adequate time to become aware of opportunities and to prepare for the process. Preregistration for BEAD applicants is [...]

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