info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

City of Wichita settles lawsuit for police department targeting people of color on gang list

info2024-04-10T10:51:39-05:00April 10th, 2024|

Tuesday morning, the Wichita City Council approved a settlement in a lawsuit its facing for the police department targeting people of color on its gang list. The federal lawsuit was filed in 2021 by Progeny, a local juvenile justice group. According to the lawsuit, WPD's gang list includes 5,200 people, 1,700 active members, 3,000 inactive, and 221 gang associates. The suit claims police target people on the list with frequent stops and searches over minor traffic violations. It also says there's a minimum bail of $50,000 if charged with a violent crime. It states black people make up 60% of Wichita's [...]

Wichita school board moving ahead with long-range building plan

info2024-04-10T10:50:18-05:00April 10th, 2024|

Wichita school board members had discussions Monday night on the next steps for a long-range master plan for the buildings in the school district. The board is looking at next steps after the planned closings of two middle schools and four elementary schools. The plan is looking at a mix of actions including rebuilding, renovation, consolidation and maintenance. A recent community survey identified the top priorities as optimizing and upgrading school buildings to address building needs and enhance the learning experience. The board will have public comment sessions on April 22nd and 23rd to get input on the building plan. There will [...]

Haysville hopes new playground will convince residents to keep 1% sales tax for parks, roads

info2024-04-10T10:48:50-05:00April 10th, 2024|

Monday was a big day for Haysville kids like Aspen and Adrianna after patiently waiting for months to finally get to try the brand-new playground at Riggs Park. "My mom and dad said we would come here on the opening day of the park," said Aspen. "We were going to come to the park. We planned it," said Adrianna. With a cut of the ribbon, Haysville Mayor Russ Kessler says hundreds of kids spent the day on the new playground with smiles from ear to ear. But he says equipment like this doesn't come cheap. "Roughly $300,000. And that's included with [...]

‘Drinking zones’: Topeka Common Consumption Areas open soon

info2024-04-10T10:47:24-05:00April 10th, 2024|

Topeka residents will soon be able to consume alcohol in public in two new parts of town. Starting on April 15, bar patrons in the downtown and North Topeka Arts District (NOTO) areas will be able to bring their drinks outside of the establishment. Common consumption areas (CCA) will be marked with signage designating the area and times that drinking is permitted. The CCAs will be open from 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. seven days a week. Individuals must purchase drinks from licensed establishments and not bring alcoholic drinks into the CCA areas. “Common Consumption is a natural evolution of our continued development [...]

Community feedback on Central Topeka Grocery Oasis

info2024-04-10T10:46:30-05:00April 10th, 2024|

A food desert in Topeka is one step closer to being no more. Tuesday, Central Topeka Grocery Oasis held a public meeting to get feedback on what people are looking for in a new grocery store. The Dillons on Huntoon and Washburn closed in 2016. Since then there's been a need in the community for a grocery store. Fast forward to 2018, a group of neighbors started working on this project to make that a reality. Now, with property purchased on 12th and Washburn, that grocery store is creeping its way into the market. That brings us to today. From the layout of [...]

Commission reviews rental registration, parking ordinances

info2024-04-10T10:45:04-05:00April 10th, 2024|

Parsons city commissioners this week began reviewing language for ordinances that would require landlords to register rental properties with the city and restrict citizens from parking on front and side yards of residences. Registering rental properties could be the first step toward improving the condition of rental properties in Parsons. The parking issue is a way to remove unsightly vehicles from the yards in Parsons. The vehicles would have to be parked on an all-weather surface to stay on the front or side yards. These surfaces range from gravel to concrete. The discussion of the registration requirement may not apply to [...]

Another city-owned ‘ghost town’ neighborhood in south Wichita is about to get a facelift

info2024-04-10T10:42:00-05:00April 10th, 2024|

Wichita resident Wenedra Bell grew up in a city-owned home on the south side near Hydraulic and I-135, and is now in the middle of an entire neighborhood of boarded-up homes. "We had block parties, the children were everywhere...it was nice. It was real homey," Bell said, describing what the neighborhood used to be like. "It's sad. It's like a ghost town here. It's not the same at all." City Councilman Mike Hoheisel says the city owns nearly fifty homes in the neighborhood, and most of them have been abandoned and boarded up for about five years now. "It's an understandable concern [...]

Topeka Police help out Special Olympics Kansas

info2024-04-10T10:33:22-05:00April 10th, 2024|

The Topeka Police Department partnered with Special Olympics Kansas Tuesday for an annual fundraiser. The statewide event, TIP-A-COP, took place at Applebee's. From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. 10% of sales made went back to Special Olympics Kansas. It's something that means a lot to both officers and the athletes. "Law enforcements involved, involvement with special Olympics, that's why we're here, and we're really just here to support the athletes and help them out, let them know how important they are to us," Topeka Police Department Sgt. Dan Wilson said. "It feels awesome that they're showing that they care and that we mean [...]

Federal grant of $500,000 will help city address domestic violence

info2024-04-10T10:31:35-05:00April 10th, 2024|

The two-year grant will pay for additional staffing and community resources. Police Chief Robert Spinks announced the grant at the city commission’s work session on Thursday. City Manager Debbie Lamb said the grant will be for $506,380. Spinks said he proposed a demonstration project that focuses on domestic violence, prevention, intervention and support services. The county attorney, city attorney, Safe House advocates and other agencies will be involved. Parsons has seen increased rates of domestic violence incidents in recent years. Spinks said the grant will fund a new full-time detective sergeant position to focus on domestic violence. It also pays for [...]

Visit Manhattan launches “Manhappiness” campaign to draw in visitors

info2024-04-10T10:29:21-05:00April 10th, 2024|

Visit Manhattan on Friday launched its "Manhappiness" campaign to showcase the culture and experiences the city has to offer visitor. As part of the campaign, Visit Manhattan will highlight the diverse attractions, events and amenities that it believes make the region a top destination for leisure, business and family-friendly experiences. That includes the downtown area's shops and restaurants, the scenery of the Flint Hills and more. "We are excited to unveil the 'Manhappiness' campaign and invite everyone to discover the joy of Manhattan," said Marcia Rozell, director of Visit Manhattan, in a written statement. "With its rich cultural heritage, outdoor recreational [...]

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