info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

City of Russell hit with golf-ball sized hail, 82 mph winds; homes and vehicles damaged

info2024-05-20T13:50:47-05:00May 20th, 2024|

The City of Russell says they have been hit with extensive damage caused by severe weather on Sunday afternoon. "The damage to our community is extensive," the City said in a Facebook post. "Numerous power poles and lines are down and trees block roadways. Buildings are damaged, including a garage that is flattened. We have requested mutual aid from other utilities. We do not have an ETA on power restoration. When we can estimate the restoration time, we will update." In a release Sunday afternoon, the city says they were hit with golf ball-sized hail and 82 mph wind gusts as [...]

Gearhead Curios in Galena wins award and grant for roadside attraction

info2024-05-20T13:49:40-05:00May 20th, 2024|

The souvenir shop Gearhead Curios in Galena has received an award and grant. The Jefferson Highway Association recently presented Gearhead Curios the first-ever Roadside Attraction Award. The Galena attraction is the first Jefferson Highway Information Center, with souvenirs. Aaron Perry bought the establishment in 2018, and began to transform it into what it is today. One of the next additions to the souvenir shop will be a 22-foot muffler man. Kansas Tourism awarded a $12,500 tourism attraction grant to cover a third of the cost. "When you take the trip on roadside America, for that weekend, that week, that month, you're going back [...]

ATV vs UTV: What’s the difference?

info2024-05-20T13:44:08-05:00May 20th, 2024|

Warmer weather means more people are beginning to head outside, and one popular way to travel off-road is by using ATVs and UTVs. But what is the difference between an ATV and a UTV? All-terrain vehicles, better known as ATVs, quads or four-wheelers, are typically designed to seat one rider, but some have a second seat for another rider. The vehicles are compact and maneuverable, making them ideal for a variety of riders. There are many types of ATVs on the market, including those used for trail riding, mudding (driving on muddy terrain) and even small utility uses. Another distinctive feature of ATVs is [...]

Florence Grand Prix riding again Memorial Day weekend

info2024-05-20T13:40:33-05:00May 20th, 2024|

Hundreds of riders from across the U.S. will descend on Florence in Marion County Memorial Day weekend. The Florence Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, May 26. The original Florence Grand Prix was held from 1972 to 1978 and saw hundreds or riders and thousands of spectators during its original six-year run. The race was revived in 2022 for its 50th anniversary. This is now the third Florence Grand Prix since its revival. The race begins at 10 a.m. with vintage motorcycles racing across the Flint Hills, followed by the 100-mile modern-bike Enduro race, which kicks off at 1 p.m. It will [...]

Wichita Fire Department hosting Summer Kids Camp

info2024-05-20T13:39:45-05:00May 20th, 2024|

The Wichita Fire Department is hosting Summer Kids Camp. The summer camp will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, and Friday, June 21, at Wichita Sports Forum & Aviate Jump Park, 2668 N. Greenwich Rd. The WFD says the camp is designed to introduce kids to roles and responsibilities of the WFD with hands-on experiences. "Through education, demonstration, and participation, campers will gain a unique perspective of firefighting tasks," said the WFD. "Daily activities include exciting team exercises crafted to demonstrate a day in the life of a Wichita Firefighter." Summer Kids Camp is for 8 to 13 [...]

New coloring book showcases Southeast Kansas attractions

info2024-05-20T13:36:03-05:00May 20th, 2024|

There's a new coloring book highlighting attractions in Southeast Kansas. The unique project was completely designed by art students at Pitt State, with Gus as the tour guide. The first installment of the coloring book was created and released in the spring of 2022. Tourism officials say the demand for it every year continues to grow. It won first place in the Small Budget Print category at the Kansas Tourism Conference - and was so popular with residents and visitors, the decision was made to do a reprint. "We wanted something that the hotels in particular could give to kids when they walk [...]

City of Emporia reveals $500,000 skate park design

info2024-05-20T13:34:52-05:00May 20th, 2024|

The City of Emporia has released design images for the new skate park that will be built in Emporia. The project started after an anonymous donation of $250,000 was given to the city for a skate park. The city matched the funds and hired American Ramp Company to make the final designs. The City of Emporia took feedback from an advisory committee and reviewed designs. City staff will present the design to the City Commission on May 15. The skatepark design features a bowl, a hip, a bump to rail, a down rail, a manual pad, two handrails, a double stair set [...]

Wichita City Hall says it won’t yet release key info on cyber attack, citing security risks

info2024-05-20T13:30:34-05:00May 20th, 2024|

A deluge of unanswered questions continue to swirl around Wichita City Hall, where a ransomware attack has disrupted some city services for two weeks. But city officials aren’t answering them now, instead directing anyone with questions to a city webpage that focuses on how public-facing city services have been affected. They won’t say who the city hired to help get the city’s systems back online or how much it is expected to cost taxpayers. They won’t say whether the city will notify residents whose information was compromised — or whether the city plans to pay for identity theft protection for those [...]

Report: At least $630 billion needed for wastewater, stormwater over next 20 years

info2024-05-20T13:13:51-05:00May 20th, 2024|

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently transmitted a report to Congress outlining clean water infrastructure investments – including wastewater and stormwater system upgrades – that are needed over the next 20 years. Through the Clean Watersheds Needs Survey, states and U.S. territories report on future capital costs or investment needs to maintain and modernize publicly owned wastewater treatment works, stormwater infrastructure, nonpoint source control, and decentralized wastewater treatment systems like septic tanks. “Protecting our nations waterways is vital for healthy communities. They provide sources of drinking water, support farming, power economic opportunity and transport and allow for recreation and fishing,” said EPA’s [...]

Goats return to Wichita to clear 3 acres of brush, city says

info2024-05-20T13:12:55-05:00May 20th, 2024|

They're baaaaaaaaaaaaaack! The City of Wichita says goats with Restoration Grazing, LLC have been sent to clear brush from city grounds starting this weekend. The city said Friday that the goats will make their return to Wichita this Saturday to remove three acres of invasive bush honeysuckle and other undesirable underbrush. The goats will be working just west of Botanica near Sim Park Road. The last time the goats were in Wichita was last June when they cleared five acres of brush from Sim Park. Rex Rutledge, owner of Restoration Grazing LLC, says the goats' goals go beyond just clearing brush. [...]

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