info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

New safeguards on Kansas police seizures of property coming after Kelly signs reforms

info2024-04-25T07:31:04-05:00April 25th, 2024|

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday signed into law the most substantial overhaul of the state’s civil asset forfeiture rules in years, the latest effort by lawmakers to reform law enforcement seizures of property. The controversial but widespread practice allows police to take property they believe is connected to a crime before anyone is charged or convicted. Kansas law enforcement seized $3.91 million of property in 2023, with approximately $2.38 million forfeited. Source: Wichita Eagle

Affordable housing plans in Prairie Village

info2024-04-25T07:30:41-05:00April 25th, 2024|

After months of protests, a court fight and a contentious election, Prairie Village is once again considering plans to amend zoning laws to allow for more housing — but now only limited types in commercial areas. ... Chris Brewster, a city planner, said the latest plans call for allowing mixed-use residential projects in commercial areas, something that is currently restricted. Such projects could include adding apartments above office or retail space. Source: Joco 913 News

Need help finding way around Olathe? City’s new sign project aims to give directions

info2024-04-25T07:28:58-05:00April 25th, 2024|

Olathe is developing new signs designed to help people find their way and locate unique places and notable features across the city. Earlier this month, the Olathe City Council gave the greenlight to a project to place new wayfinding signs for parks and trails as well as for the downtown area and places that are unique to Olathe. Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Wichita gets U.S. Figure Skating Championships

info2024-04-25T07:20:16-05:00April 25th, 2024|

Wichita will host the 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January, according to a Visit Wichita news release. It will be the first time the U.S. Championships will be held in both Wichita and the state of Kansas, the release said. ... The event is set for Jan. 20-26 at INTRUST Bank Arena. Source: Hutch News

Pottawatomie County signs disaster declaration for storm damage in St. Marys area

info2024-04-24T15:44:37-05:00April 24th, 2024|

Pottawatomie County Commissioners signed a disaster declaration Monday, following severe storm damage in the eastern part of the county late last week. Emergency Management Director Jennifer Merrow says the National Weather Service was on site Friday week assessing damage in St. Marys. Weather officials estimate a downburst, that included wind speeds of up to 95 mph, impacted the area around the high school, where roof damage was reported. Storms led to power outages Thursday and Friday, with Bluestem reporting damage to at least eight of its power poles. If the State of Kansas should decide to provide public assistance through FEMA, [...]

Wichita school district could consider bond issue, consolidation plan

info2024-04-24T15:43:30-05:00April 24th, 2024|

Consultants hired by Wichita public schools say the district needs to reduce its number of buildings by more than 25% over the next two decades. That could involve a massive bond issue or series of bonds to build and renovate schools — though none of the options include price tags just yet. And it likely will mean closing many older, smaller schools. David Sturtz with Ohio-based Woolpert, formerly Cooperative Strategies, presented four options during community meetings Monday. They range from a “no bond” option to an extensive building and renovation plan that would take 15 to 20 years. All options include closing and consolidating [...]

Baxter Springs Fire Department celebrates groundbreaking for new facility

info2024-04-24T15:42:02-05:00April 24th, 2024|

An empty lot on the corner of 17th and Military Avenue in Baxter Springs will soon be home to a new fire station. Ground was broken today on the new facility for the Baxter Springs Fire Department. U.S. Representative Jake LaTurner helped make sure one million dollars in federal funding was approved in the Fiscal Year 24 appropriations package to go toward building it. A representative from his office and Senator Tim Shallenburger were on hand for today's event, as both helped in the process of securing both federal and state funding for the three-million-dollar project. The new fire station will eventually replace the aging [...]

Reining in the rogue pear trees

info2024-04-24T15:40:14-05:00April 24th, 2024|

Many Midwest ranchers, park workers and homeowners work nonstop to control disruptive plants from faraway places. In an excerpt from the podcast Up From Dust, Celia Llopis-Jepsen of the Kansas News Service reports on policy changes meant to help. Biochar is a hot topic in sustainable agriculture — it looks like charcoal, but actually sequesters carbon through an ancient farming technique. Kate Grumke from Harvest Public Media has the story on how the old process is finding new life. Source: KCUR News

Valley Center works with pair of Wichita developers on 130-acre development

info2024-04-24T15:38:43-05:00April 24th, 2024|

For the past five years, some parts of Valley Center have seen some wet circumstances. City administrator Brent Clark tells the WBJ that he has been working on resolving a drainage issue from 93rd Street North to 7th Avenue since the winter of 2019. He explained that the lack of drainage causes stormwater drops from the west side of Meridian Avenue, causing concern for residents. "We've had quite a few residents that have been very upset over the years in our community," he said. Now that ownership of the property in the targeted area has changed, Clark and a pair of [...]

Hillsboro makes progress in strategic goals

info2024-04-24T15:36:44-05:00April 24th, 2024|

Progress in the city’s strategic plan was the topic of conversation in the April 16 Hillsboro City Council meeting. The council discussed updates in the various sectors they have set goals in. For the childcare center, City Administrator Matt Stiles told the Council that they now have three bids. “They’re still over the budget but a little bit closer. So there’s still a gap in what’s been raised and what’s available through grant funds and what the project anticipated cost is. So the H4C group is now working to try to figure out how we’re going to close that gap,” said Stiles. “I [...]

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