info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Merriam adopts new rules after decision to take ‘thin blue line’ flags out of annual display

info2024-06-12T12:49:25-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Following a debate over the use of “thin blue line” flags in the city’s annual Fourth of July event, Merriam has adopted a new official flag display policy. The Merriam City Council on Monday unanimously approved the new flag rules for city property and city-run events, which came after the decision to exclude “thin blue line” flags and display only U.S. flags during the city’s Flags 4 Freedom event that starts later this month. The new policy approved Monday goes beyond that one event and outlines what flags the city can display on city-owned flag poles and at citywide events. It also offers a [...]

Park City’s long-awaited $500M mixed-use development to break ground this week

info2024-06-12T12:47:30-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Park City is ready for a groundbreaking on a massive and long-awaited mixed-use development. Wichita's Lange Real Estate announced Monday it will break ground Friday on a 160-acre, mixed-use development west of I-135 between 53rd Street North and 61st Street. The development, called Champtown Addition, is slated to cost $500 million with several commercial projects, including a 180-room hotel and around 132,000 square feet of retail space with restaurants, big-box retail, and a multi-sport facility that will have baseball and softball fields. The plans include a 78,100 square-foot aquarium to operate as a nonprofit by Arizona-based operator OdySea, with a 20,000 square-foot rainforest-inspired [...]

USD 259 looks to rebuild, renovate, and consolidate 25 schools

info2024-06-12T12:46:19-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Wichita Public Schools is looking to rebuild, renovate, and consolidate 25 schools across the district over the next five years. Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld presented the Board of Education with his recommendations for the facility master plan. "The recommendations would occur over the next five years or more,” Bielefeld said. “The vision for new facilities as well as enhancements to current facilities support educational adequacy, equity and efficiency." Bielefeld is asking members of the district to take a survey online starting on Tuesday to give their thoughts on the proposed plan. He adds the locations of the various rebuilds and consolidations are [...]

There’s a new Chief of Police in the City of Columbus

info2024-06-12T12:44:31-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Columbus has a new police chief. “I understand that I have big shoes to fill,” said Chief Kyle Clark. The City Council selected Clark to serve as the next Chief of Police for the City. He's a lifelong resident of Cherokee County and has served the Columbus Police Department for more than a decade. According to the City, his extensive experience includes roles as Patrol Officer, Sergeant, and Lieutenant, in addition to three years with the Pittsburg State University Police Department. Chief Clark holds numerous law enforcement professional certifications, including credentials in crime scene investigation, verbal de-escalation, and narcotics detection. Chief [...]

Governor Kelly Announces 12 Rural Communities and Organizations to Receive Funding for Mural and Public Art Projects

info2024-06-12T12:42:05-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Governor Laura Kelly today announced that 12 communities and organizations will receive a combined $78,800 to allow 20 new murals and public art projects to revive public spaces and engage residents and visitors. “Murals and public art installations welcome people to our rural communities while developing community pride and showcasing the rich history of our state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Investments in this program allow art to flourish and enhance public spaces for visitors and communities alike.” The Office of Rural Prosperity’s Rural Mural Public Art grant program awardees are in communities across the state with a population of less than [...]

Lenexa is launching a pilot program to give seniors property tax relief

info2024-06-12T12:28:26-05:00June 12th, 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 [...]

Gov. Kelly approves updated drought declarations, emergency water use approved for four counties

info2024-06-12T12:24:58-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Governor Laura Kelly has approved updated drought declarations for Kansas counties through a proclamation. “While drought conditions have improved in some areas of the state, many counties continue to be negatively impacted by the decline in water supply or strains on water resources,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “I strongly encourage all Kansans to continue to conserve water over the summer months.” The drought declaration placed four counties into emergency status, 35 into warning status, and 66 into watch status. While Eastern Kansas has seen significant relief from drought since March, central and western Kansas has declined rapidly into severe and, in [...]

Wichita says most systems back online following cyberattack

info2024-06-12T12:18:05-05:00June 12th, 2024|

The City of Wichita says recovery efforts following the recent cyberattack are progressing well and that most public facing systems are back in service with some limited exceptions. Water metering, billing and payment processing systems are coming back online, the city said in a release on Monday. Customers should expect to begin receiving updated statements this week. Auto-payments are functioning as normal, and customers should now have access to their utility accounts online. Bills may be paid via card, cash, check and money order at City Hall. You can also access your water account and pay online at link.wichita.gov. You can [...]

Pittsburg seeks $360K grant to support homeless community

info2024-06-12T12:07:17-05:00June 12th, 2024|

For more than a decade, the City of Pittsburg has annually applied for the Emergency Solutions Grant through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. This year, the city is requesting over $300,000 to support its homeless community. "We also help with homeless prevention funds, which assist individuals in staying housed by covering back rent or utilities assistance. Additionally, there's funding for shelter operations," said Megan Keener, Assistant Director of Housing. Last year, Pittsburg applied for $450,000 but received approximately $100,000. If the full amount isn't granted this year, city officials plan to be strategic with the funds they do receive. "We have [...]

Community theatre debuts with auditions for interactive comedy murder mystery

info2024-06-12T12:03:57-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Excitement fills the air as the newly formed Bourbon County Community Theatre announces auditions for its inaugural production, "Holy Mother of Bingo!" by Patrick Walsh. Auditions are set for June 17 or 18 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Ellis Performing Arts Center, Fort Scott Community College. Open to adults and teens, no prior preparation is required for this interactive comedy murder mystery. Set during an innocent bingo fundraiser at Our Mother of Mercy church, the plot thickens as parishioners mysteriously drop dead. With suspects aplenty, tensions rise and past feuds come to light. Could it be the disgruntled choir director, the [...]

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