info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Immigrants help rural Kansas flourish, but they often face challenges once they’re here

info2024-06-07T15:43:53-05:00June 7th, 2024|

With the diversification of the population there are starting to be cultural shifts. Both Garden City and Liberal now have two people of color on their respective city commissions. Kathleen Alonso is a civic engagement coordinator for the nonprofit New Frontiers. She was encouraged to run for local office after seeing the community embrace the majority minority, electing two Hispanic people to the city commission. Her campaign was ultimately unsuccessful, but she said the trend continues. “I've seen a lot more people that look and speak like me in more positions of power,” she said. Alonso knows all too well the [...]

New $14 million emergency room facility planned for this south-central Kansas city

info2024-06-07T15:40:40-05:00June 7th, 2024|

A new Wesley emergency room will soon be under construction in Andover. The $14 million facility is planned for 126 West Cloud Avenue just west of Andover Road on U.S. 54. It will have 12 beds. Lee Mangus, Andover’s director of community development, said the site’s location will make it easier for people coming from outside the city to access an emergency room. “It’s always good to have redundancy in facilities,” Mangus said. “I know Kansas Medical Center sometimes gets overwhelmed in their emergency room, and this location is closer to the southern end of our city.” According to a Wesley [...]

Commerce Awards Nearly $300,000 for Downtown Improvements in Kearny County

info2024-06-07T15:36:34-05:00June 7th, 2024|

The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced that Kearny County has been awarded $296,250 through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for a new coffee and bakery shop. This Commercial Rehabilitation grant, along with $98,750 in local matching funds, will help restore an older building and revitalize downtown Deerfield in Kearny County. “With the opportunities that CDBG grants offer, communities such as Kearny County are able to fund projects that breathe new life into their town, downtown businesses and surrounding communities,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Investing in rural Kansas and downtown businesses brings many opportunities [...]

Book power: Johnson County program helps children in courthouse ‘feel not alone’

info2024-06-07T15:35:32-05:00June 7th, 2024|

Going to a courtroom can be scary, especially for children at the center of custody cases. Getting a small gift can help to take some of the fear out of the experience. That’s where Courtroom Assisted Reading Encouragement (CARE) comes in to help. Those in charge of the program maintain a small book collection in the Johnson County Courthouse in Olathe, and any child who comes through Judge Kathleen Sloan’s courtroom gets the opportunity to pick a volume to take home and keep. “They get to end their day that probably started in the courtroom with entering this room and experiencing this very [...]

Rules for backyard chickens in Johnson County keep evolving. Which cities allow them?

info2024-06-07T15:34:31-05:00June 7th, 2024|

When the weather heats up and people in Johnson County start looking for new projects, questions about backyard chickens start popping up. In Johnson County, the rules for owning backyard chickens varies from city to city, which can cause confusion for both residents and city officials. For example, the City of Leawood strictly prohibits the ownership of backyard chickens, while officials with the City of Shawnee look at it as something that encourages empathy and responsibility. “We’ve had awesome luck with it,” said Scott Hunter, community service officer for the Shawnee Police Department. In Lenexa, livestock and poultry are permitted in three zoning districts — Agricultural [...]

New education center in Southeast Kansas aims to transform lives

info2024-06-07T15:32:50-05:00June 7th, 2024|

A new Southeast Kansas education center is looking to provide more resources for students and young adults struggling with behavioral issues. "I just can't imagine the feeling of no one being there, no one supporting you, no one loving you, knowing no one believing in you. And I really felt like my heart led me to the Second Chance Education Center," said Mandy Monroy, Second Chance Education Center owner. The Second Chance Education Center in Parsons aims to help kids who have been suspended, who are bouncing around from district to district for behavioral reasons, or young adults who previously dropped out. "In [...]

Lenexa is launching a pilot property tax rebate program

info2024-06-07T15:32:04-05:00June 7th, 2024|

Lenexa is planning to launch a pilot program that will provide $100,000 in property tax relief for older homeowners in the area. On Tuesday, the Lenexa City Council unanimously approved a Governing Body Finance Policy for a Property Tax Rebate Program intended to provide property tax relief for eligible homeowners. The program is intended to provide property tax relief for eligible older homeowners and lessen the tax burden resulting from rising home values. The program has been in talks for about a year. “This is great,” said Councilmember Courtney Eiterich. “I know we’ve hashed through a lot of different scenarios on this, and I’m [...]

Wichita Police Department Mounted Unit welcomes new Clydesdale

info2024-06-07T15:31:14-05:00June 7th, 2024|

The Wichita Police Department Mounted United has welcomed Bobbi, a 3-year-old Clydesdale mare. Bobbi was able to be acquired thanks to a collaboration between the WPD, Wichita Police & Fire Foundation, Cowskin Creek Clydesdales, and a local donor. "Their support has made it possible for Bobbi to join our ranks and contribute to our mission of ensuring the safety and security of our community," said the WPD. Bobbi will start her journey with the WPD by going through comprehensive training. "... she will learn the essential skills required to serve alongside her fellow officers," said the WPD. Bobbi will play a crucial role in enhancing [...]

Survey work begins for next phase of East Kellogg expansion

info2024-06-07T15:26:58-05:00June 7th, 2024|

The Kansas Department of Transportation says a geological field survey has started for the next phase of the East Kellogg expansion project in Wichita. The survey is focused on the section of Kellogg from the K-96 interchange to 159th Street East (Andover Road), and it should be completed by August. Survey activities will include coring the roadway and base material for analysis. Traffic control measures will be taken while crews are drilling for the assessment. Drivers should expect temporary single lane and shoulder lane closures, and they’re advised to stay alert and watch for survey workers and expect delays. Source: 101.3 KFDI

Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $4M Awarded through Broadband ADOPT Program

info2024-06-07T15:21:06-05:00June 7th, 2024|

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that seven organizations will receive a combined $3.9 million in grants through the Advancing Digital Opportunities to Promote Technology (ADOPT) program. ADOPT supports the Kelly administration’s work to connect more Kansans to high-speed internet by making public Wi-Fi accessible and distributing devices in underserved areas. “Kansans rely on technology for work, school, health care, and connecting to each other,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The ADOPT grants support community organizations in our shared mission to connect more people to the internet and critical digital skills.” The program helps organizations serving Kansans move forward by ensuring that communities can access public [...]

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