info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

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. [...]

Family sues Topeka police over deadly shooting

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

The family of a man who was shot and killed by Topeka Police has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and the officers involved. On Oct. 13, 2022, Taylor Lowery, 33, was killed following a domestic disturbance at his family’s southeast Topeka home. According to findings released by the Shawnee County Attorney’s Office on Jan. 25, 2023, Topeka police responded to a call from Lowery’s sister that he was armed with a knife and attempting to force his way into the her bedroom. After barricading himself inside the home, DA investigators said Lowery drove to a gas station where [...]

Live fire demonstration highlights Girard’s firefighter training

info2024-08-06T09:01:12-05:00August 6th, 2024|

First responders in Kansas kicked off a day of training as a part of this month’s “Crawford County Fire School.” “Oh, it was just a reminder that instead of just doing, I got to slow down and coach him along,” said Ron Ewing, son and father fire school duo. Out of 45 firefighters, Kaiden and Ron Ewing are the father and son duo who chose to go through this month’s Crawford County Fire School together. “I was proud, you know, but humble also that he’s ever since he was little, he’s been coming around to the fire schools and stuff,” said [...]

Ashcraft notes 40th year with city

info2024-08-06T08:56:53-05:00August 6th, 2024|

In the mid-1980s, Dennis Ashcraft, fresh out of Cloud County Community College where he majored in agricultural science, had come back to his native Holton to start a career — but what that career would be was yet to be determined. “I’d graduated from college and I wanted to stay in this area,” Ashcraft said. “A position came open at the city’s wastewater treatment plans, so I applied for it, thinking I could do that until I figured out what I wanted to do.” On July 1, 1984, Ashcraft began his tenure with the city. Forty years later, he smiles and [...]

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