info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

‘A hot-button issue’ — Another JoCo city tackles tree preservation ordinance

info2024-07-15T13:03:27-05:00July 15th, 2024|

The city of Mission is working on a new tree preservation ordinance, the latest city in northeast Johnson County to look at ways to maintain its mature tree canopy. The Mission City Council during a committee meeting on Wednesday voiced support for a possible ordinance that would outline how to protect, remove and replace trees throughout the city but stop short of stricter regulations like requiring permitting for removal of trees on private property. Other neighboring cities, including Fairway and Prairie Village, already have tree preservation ordinances on their books, either modifying or approving those regulations in the past five years. In Roeland Park, a tree preservation ordinance [...]

Lenexa K9 officer Kobi retires after seven years and nearly 600 calls

info2024-07-15T13:02:16-05:00July 15th, 2024|

After seven years of serving Johnson County, a K9 officer for the Lenexa Police Department is retiring from the force. Having racked up hundreds of deployments and drug finds, Kobi, a 10-year-old Dutch Shepherd, served his last shift on July 5. His partner officer Sgt. Rich Sanchez got to formally announce the end of his final day of duty over the police dispatch. For Sanchez, it was tough making the call, but after Kobi suffered some hip issues and his sense of smell lost its sharpness, it was time to let him be a civilian dog. “I know he could still do [...]

Baxter Springs mural project to honor Route 66 and local heritage

info2024-07-15T12:56:35-05:00July 15th, 2024|

A project is underway to highlight the history of Baxter Springs. An announcement today launched a new mural planned on the north side of town. It includes elements of baseball, the military, the railroad, a cattle drive, and, of course, Route 66. The project attracted an initial grant of $7,500, then got the same amount in matching funds from the Ronald Thomas Foundation. "It's going to hopefully greet our national and international friends that travel Route 66, as well as local residents who work outside of town and just visitors to town," said Jennifer Burton, Baxter Springs Public Art Mural Comm. The [...]

Valley Center’s $19.5M recreation and aquatics center sees an opening ahead

info2024-07-15T12:55:36-05:00July 15th, 2024|

A long-awaited Valley Center community project will open its doors early in 2025. City administrator Brent Clark said Valley Center's 44,000 square-foot recreation and aquatics center is "well underway" and is slated to open in January. "We're starting to see everything come together," he said. Clark said the center, located near Valley Center Middle School on 800 N. Meridian Ave., includes a fitness center, a gymnasium with a court for basketball, volleyball and pickleball, a children's area, service offices and a 25-meter, six-lane competition pool, which will be used by the community and the Valley Center High School swim team. The center [...]

Atchison to celebrate Earhart

info2024-07-14T09:33:52-05:00July 14th, 2024|

Every year, the Atchison community comes together to celebrate Earhart, the world-famous pilot from their city. Museum founder Karen Seaberg said the weekend-long celebration typically is a mixture of educational opportunities and party activities. Source: Salina Journal

Fed Chair Powell says holding rates high for too long could jeopardize economic growth

info2024-07-10T10:02:25-05:00July 10th, 2024|

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday expressed concern that holding interest rates too high for too long could jeopardize economic growth. Setting the stage for a two-day appearance on Capitol Hill this week, the central bank leader said the economy remains strong as does the labor market, despite some recent cooling. Powell cited some easing in inflation, which he said policymakers stay resolute in bringing down to their 2% goal.... Markets expect the Fed to begin cutting rates in September and likely following up with another quarter percentage point reduction by the end of the year. Source: CNBC

Valley Center Hires (North Newton City Administrator) Kyle Fiedler as New Community Development Director

info2024-07-10T10:00:35-05:00July 9th, 2024|

The City of Valley Center is pleased to announce the hiring of Kyle Fiedler as the newest Community Development Director. Kyle was born and raised in Newton, is a 2011 graduate of Newton High School and a 2013 graduate of Wichita State University Frank Barton School of Business. Currently, Kyle is the City Administrator for the City of North Newton. ...Kyle will begin his duties in early August. Source: City of Valley Center

Election commissioner certifies petition aiming to limit city of Topeka’s taxing authority

info2024-07-09T11:32:55-05:00July 9th, 2024|

Petition drive organizer Earl McIntosh needed 2,941 signatures from registered Topeka voters to require the mayor and city council to respond to his proposal to limit the city's taxing authority. ... The petition calls for the passage of an ordinance that would ban the city from bringing in more property tax revenue than the "revenue neutral" amount it brought in the previous year, unless voters approve such an increase in a ballot question election, McIntosh said. Source: CJonline

Hospital seeks protective zoning

info2024-07-09T08:54:51-05:00July 9th, 2024|

St. Luke Hospital’s chief executive asked Marion City Council members Monday to use rezoning to discourage outside medical facilities from establishing competing facilities that might siphon off services the hospital depends on that to subsidize other services. Alex Haines said that when more profitable procedures are done elsewhere, the hospital must survive on income from services that make less profit. “I think it’s very important for both the hospital and the city,” Haines said. Source: Marion County RECORD

After 2 years of fighting, Johnson County city allows more apartments. But there’s limits

info2024-07-08T14:14:24-05:00July 8th, 2024|

After two years of arduous debate, packed with resident protests and political battles, the Prairie Village City Council this week finally amended zoning laws to allow for more housing — but only in commercial areas and with several limits. While the move still drew opposition, the approved changes are significantly scaled back from earlier ideas that sparked heated protests, a court fight and a contentious election. After a few hours of discussion and public comments, the council on Monday voted 12-1 to amend its zoning laws. And some city officials appear ready now to end and move on from the debate, [...]

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