info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Benefit car show, cornhole tournament for Police Chief’s family

info2024-06-12T11:59:23-05:00June 12th, 2024|

The community of Columbus, Kansas is coming together to support one of its own. According to the City of Columbus, Police Chief Jason Daniels was diagnosed with colon cancer earlier this month and community members are coming together to support him and his family during this time. Chief Jason Daniels served the community for more than 20 years. The city says a Benefit Car Show and Cookout will be held at the fairgrounds on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at the Columbus Fairgrounds. Community members have organized a Venmo account that will go directly to Jason's family. The QR code can be [...]

Pittsburg official discusses inflation’s toll on City Hall & budget

info2024-06-12T11:56:41-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Inflation isn't just impacting local residents, it's also affecting City Hall. Pittsburg Deputy City Manager Jay Byers says the city's budget has "most definitely" been impacted by inflation. Byers notes that a few years ago, during the pandemic, there were some extreme spikes in some products due to problems with the supply chain, but for the most part, that has leveled out. He said overall, the city is paying 5-percent more for items than a year ago, but they are also seeing more money come into the city. "Yes, it's absolutely impacting us now. Fortunately, we're having, you know, our our natural growth of [...]

Here’s how a possible $450 million bond issue could reshape Wichita school district

info2024-06-12T11:55:31-05:00June 12th, 2024|

The Wichita school board heard a plan Monday for a $450 million bond issue proposal that would support the complete rebuilding of eight schools over the next five to six years. The district would reduce its overall footprint by 11 buildings, consolidating programs into new and existing facilities and closing four elementary schools, five special schools and two administrative buildings. The draft proposal, presented by Ohio-based consultant Woolpert, comes three months after the school board voted to permanently close six schools as a cost-saving measure. The board took no binding action Monday night, but intends to revisit the facilities master plan [...]

Chetopa avoids potential water crisis

info2024-06-12T11:54:51-05:00June 12th, 2024|

Chetopa averted a potential crisis this week by creating a work-around after a waterline broke that transports water from the Neosho River to the city’s water treatment plant. The temporary fix, which was in place Tuesday, used a large pump to pull water from the river, deposit it in a portable pool used by firefighters to store water for fire suppression and then pump that out of the pool and into the intake pipe upstream from the break. The broken pipe was repaired by early Thursday afternoon. Scott Feagan, who is the city’s police chief and superintendent, said that the city [...]

Boeing’s woes mean rising anxiety in Wichita, Kansas, the ‘Air Capital of the World’

info2024-06-11T09:23:10-05:00June 11th, 2024|

Not everyone in the self-proclaimed “Air Capital of the World” works in the aviation industry, though it seems like everybody here knows someone who does. That’s why the entire city has a stake in what happens to Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, a key supplier that builds the fuselage for the 737 at a sprawling factory on the southern edge of town. Source: NPR

USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Fund Community and Economic Development Projects in Rural Communities

info2024-06-10T12:27:58-05:00June 10th, 2024|

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development ... today invited applications for grants to help organizations improve housing, community facilities, and community and economic development in rural areas. USDA is making up to $5 million in grants available under the Rural Community Development Initiative program. The program provides funding to organizations that provide financial and technical assistance for housing, community facilities, or community and economic development projects. Eligible applicants include public (including Tribal) organizations, nonprofit organizations and qualified private organizations. For assistance with application for, or administration of, grants, contact Rose Mary Saunders or Crystal Hinnen.

Attorney shortage in rural Kansas

info2024-06-09T10:55:55-05:00June 9th, 2024|

In December 2022, Chief Justice Marla Luckert issued an order establishing a Rural Justice Initiative Committee ... The committee is to study the issue, gather data, and make recommendations by fall 2024. Statewide surveys and listening sessions have been conducted along with interviews of law school students. “(The shortage of attorneys) is becoming a constitutional crisis...” Source: Hays Daily News

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 [...]

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