info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Olathe plans to move post office to make way for downtown revitalization

info2024-07-08T14:13:10-05:00July 8th, 2024|

Olathe plans to relocate the downtown Post Office next year as part of the city’s efforts to revitalize the area. The city council announced the preliminary plans on June 25 at the first workshop for next year’s budget. The move is a collaborative effort with the United States Postal Service. Little is known about the project so far, but more information could be made available within the next three to five months once more refined conversations are had. According to City of Olathe Chief Communications and Marketing Officer Cody Kennedy, conversations have been “purely introductory” at this point. “I do know [...]

Lenexa wants to collect 1,000 pounds of used plastic bags to make into bench

info2024-07-08T14:11:53-05:00July 8th, 2024|

The city of Lenexa is looking to get a new public bench through unconventional means — by recycling more than 1,000 pounds of plastic bags. Taking a cue from neighboring cities like Merriam, the city has launched a year-long project where it ask residents to donate plastic bags at three locations in hopes of reaching the magic number of 1,000 pounds, enough to craft a bench. “This was just something that was a little different that could benefit the community and the environment,” Heather Howell, Lenexa’s human resources specialist and member of Lenexa’s We Care Committee, said .“People do have a [...]

Lenexa adopts new long-term plan to guide city through next 20 years

info2024-07-08T14:08:58-05:00July 8th, 2024|

After three years of planning, the Lenexa City Council on Tuesday approved a new comprehensive plan that lays the groundwork for the city through 2040 and beyond. At its meeting Tuesday night, the council gave the green light to a revised comprehensive plan, a document that serves as an aspirational roadmap for the next 20 years of development and land use in the city. The council passed the plan with a 5-2 vote. One of the big changes the new plan predicts is a shift away from big box retail spaces and offices to more housing and non-office business parks. “In [...]

Prairie Village weighs buying church property. Could it become part of new city hall?

info2024-07-08T14:06:39-05:00July 8th, 2024|

Prairie Village is considering purchasing a church property on Mission Road that could become part of a still-evolving plan to build a new city hall. At a special city council work session on Monday, discussion of the church appeared to inadvertently come up as councilmembers were hearing about a slightly revised site design layout for a new prospective $30 million city hall plan that the city has been discussing for more than a year. Whether purchasing the church property would mean the city uses that building or the land it sits on for a new city hall has yet to be [...]

Galesburg Fire Dept. awarded $5,000 grant through Nutella partnership

info2024-07-08T14:05:39-05:00July 8th, 2024|

The Galesburg Fire Department is receiving a grant from Nutella through a partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council. According to the fire department, the $5,000 grant is to help secure necessities the fire department needs including equipment, gear, training, recruitment, retention initiatives, community outreach, education efforts, or other necessities. The Galesburg Fire Department says the grant was awarded by Nutella through its "Stacks for Giving Back" program. The purpose of the program is to shine light on those who spread positivity in the community. The program is awarding a combined total of $25,000 to five fire departments in the U.S. [...]

City of Emporia mourns loss of Mayor Danny Giefer

info2024-07-08T14:04:31-05:00July 8th, 2024|

The City of Emporia is in mourning as it announced the death of longtime City Commissioner and Mayor Danny Giefer, who died at his home on July 6. Giefer and his wife moved to Emporia over 50 years ago in 1970. The city said in a news release it is better because of that decision. “Emporia is a better place, because in 1970 newlyweds Danny and Betty Giefer chose to move here to live and to rear their children. We are grateful they did,” the news release said. Giefer was sworn into the Emporia City Commission in 2013 because, the city [...]

Reno County considers expanding zoning, solar farms

info2024-07-08T14:03:01-05:00July 8th, 2024|

Reno County is asking residents to share their opinions about the possible expansion of countywide zoning and solar farms in the unzoned areas of the county. The county is hosting three town hall meetings this month for County District 1 and District 2. The first meeting is Monday evening. Some of the county officials who will be at the meetings include Reno County Administrator Randy Partington, the county commissioners who represent District 1 and District 2, the director of Public Works, and the county planner. The town hall meetings will be informal. They will start with information about planning and zoning [...]

Baxter Springs enhances annual Light Up the Sky celebration with new attractions

info2024-07-08T14:01:26-05:00July 8th, 2024|

Baxter Springs is looking to take their annual Light Up the Sky celebration to another level. The city’s public works crew lead the fundraising and organizing efforts, getting 20 sponsors to donate to help put the celebration on. Previously the event took place on 19th St, but this year it’s returning to Kiwanis Park. The celebration will have many new additions this year, including police barrel rides, a disk golf contest, a water dunk tank and the new pickle ball courts. Mayor Kelly Abbott said they want to provide the things the community enjoys doing. “I think everybody looks forward to [...]

Pittsburg celebrates 4th of July and 71 years of Kiddieland

info2024-07-08T13:59:57-05:00July 8th, 2024|

There were plenty of smiles in Pittsburg Thursday to celebrate the 4th of July. The City of Pittsburg hosted a full day of celebrations in Lincoln Park and at Kiddieland. In fact, this year marks the 71st year of Kiddieland’s existence in Pittsburg. “Not just on the 4th of July, but all the time. We have families and grandpas that will come in and go, I want to bring my grandkids here. I remember coming here when I was a kid. Some of the rides are exactly the same as they remember. And so seeing their kids and grandkids enjoy the [...]

Cherryvale’s Claim: The forgotten author of the Pledge of Allegiance

info2024-07-08T13:57:49-05:00July 8th, 2024|

For more than a century, Americans have said the Pledge of Allegiance, from the newest citizens, to presidents, to school children. But for one southeast Kansas community, it’s more than an oath. It’s part of the story of their town. “We claim that Frank Bellamy, who lived back at the turn of the century, as in 1890’s to 1900, we think that he wrote the Pledge of Allegiance,” said Mike Wood, Cherryvale Historical Museum. Frank Bellamy was born in 1876 in Indiana, the anniversary of our nation’s independence. His father, a prominent judge, moved the family first to Girard, and then [...]

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