info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Schools closed, power still out for thousands in JoCo following severe storms

info2024-05-20T14:05:12-05:00May 20th, 2024|

A line of thunderstorms packing gusty winds caused damage to numerous Johnson County neighborhoods late Sunday night, and at least three schools in the area were closed Monday due to the storms’ lingering impacts. The National Weather Service office in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Johnson County at about 10 p.m. The warning said there was the risk of wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour and hail up to the size of quarters. Wind gusts ended up damaging trees throughout the area. Large tree branches crashed down onto several homes’ roofs, and even more fallen tree branches [...]

Lenexa unveils renovated Sar-Ko-Par Aquatic Center, which will open later this month

info2024-05-20T14:04:21-05:00May 20th, 2024|

After years of planning and renovations, Lenexa’s “flagship outdoor pool” is ready to reopen to the public. Following a two-year, $15-million redesign, Sar-Ko-Par Aquatic Center — formerly Indian Trails Aquatic Center — will open for the summer swim season on Saturday, May 25, with a new look and bevy of new amenities. “The community was the one wanting something that had way more features to it,” said Mandy Danler, project manager and assistant director of Lenexa Parks and Recreation. “While it can be costly, that’s what they wanted. So we brought it all under here and did what we could to assure that [...]

Golf cart users request more latitude on Great Bend streets

info2024-05-21T09:27:50-05:00May 20th, 2024|

The Great Bend City Council will consider an ordinance permitting and regulating the use of golf carts, micro-utility trucks and work-site utility vehicles on certain streets in town when it meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 20, at City Hall, 1209 Williams St. The meeting in the Council Chambers is open to the public and will also be livestreamed for the public to view on the City Council Facebook page. According to agenda materials, the current Standard Traffic Ordinances adopted by the city prohibit the use of these vehicles on city streets. However, by separate ordinance, the use of micro-utility trucks [...]

Evel Knievel Museum to move from Topeka to Las Vegas

info2024-05-20T13:58:51-05:00May 20th, 2024|

A museum dedicated to famous motorcycle stunt performer Evel Knievel is heading west later this year. The Evel Knievel Museum, which has been located in Topeka since its founding in 2017, will move to Las Vegas after the final day of business, according to museum co-founder Matt Patterson. A new museum is already under construction in Nevada. The move comes after months of speculation for the future of the museum's property, which it shares with a Harley-Davidson store. KSNT-TV reported in December 2023 that the property at SW 21st Street and Topeka Boulevard was sold to Shawnee County. The museum will [...]

Lawrence is short a fire engine because of staffing shortages, union says

info2024-05-20T13:54:49-05:00May 20th, 2024|

Lawrence has been short a fire engine most of the day Thursday, and firefighters expect that to happen again — maybe as soon as this weekend — because of staffing shortages and overtime cuts. Seamus Albritton, president of IAFF Local 1596, the firefighters union, said normal daily staffing for Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical operations is 39 firefighter-paramedics, but that minimum has been cut to 36. “Usually if we did not have 39 people available to work due to various reasons such as leave, we would call firefighters back for overtime to fill those vacancies allowing us to keep all units in service for [...]

Westmoreland Mayor says $105,000 has been raised for tornado relief

info2024-05-20T13:53:38-05:00May 20th, 2024|

Westmoreland Mayor Mark Jack recently updated the relief efforts taking place in Pottawatomie County. He said that city council has not yet decided on how to disperse the raised funds, but noted the council will soon be meeting with local groups and individuals for input. Jack also updated the total amount raised. The next steps for the city, he says, are for residents to reach out to the local government or one of the humanitarian organizations set up if they have major needs. Sen. Jerry Moran hinted last week that Westmoreland wouldn’t qualify for FEMA money, but Jack says they’re not done trying and [...]

Rural Kansas needs health care providers. K-State’s first PA cohort is stepping up

info2024-05-20T13:52:10-05:00May 20th, 2024|

They all came for different reasons and from different sources of inspiration, but the end goal was the same — to help people with broken noses, bacterial infections and any other number of medical maladies. As the inaugural cohort of Kansas State University’s physician assistant studies program finishes 27 months of intensive classroom and clinical training, its students are excited to make a difference in treating acute and chronic illnesses and injuries, especially in areas that face health care shortages. “Our first cohort set the standard for the program,” said Gwen Ferdinand-Jacob, director of the program and a physician assistant herself. “They helped [...]

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 [...]

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