info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

How running with pancakes in southwest Kansas boosts community spirit and the economy

info2024-03-04T13:04:37-06:00March 4th, 2024|

This year marks the 75th anniversary of what’s known as the Pancake Day Race in the southwest Kansas town of Liberal. It’s an oddity, but these types of community festivals offer economic and less tangible benefits to smaller towns. Women dressed in aprons, skirts and headscarves line up in the middle of main street. They’re dressed in a traditional English kitchen outfit, but instead of cooking they are about to race. As the women get on their marks they prepare their other race essentials, frying pans and pancakes. This is the annual Pancake Day Race, a tradition in Liberal, Kansas, for 75 [...]

‘The lifeblood of the community’: States invest to save rural grocery stores

info2024-03-04T13:03:20-06:00March 4th, 2024|

Corliss Hassler rushes in the front door of Post 60 Market and heads straight for the produce case. “I’m back,” she announces. It’s around lunchtime, but it’s already her second trip in today — this time, she’s picking up a few items for the Friday fish fry at the local Catholic church. Hassler is a regular customer and investor in the small grocery store, opened in 2022 as a cooperative. The store provides convenience, sure: It’s the only place in town to buy fresh fruits, vegetables and meats. But it’s also a social hub for the northeast Nebraska town of Emerson, [...]

Kansas considers $40 million fund to help local governments shelter homeless people

info2024-03-04T13:01:46-06:00March 4th, 2024|

Around 2,600 Kansans are experiencing homelessness on any given day, one survey estimates. Lawmakers tasked with reducing this number will decide whether a $40 million fund is the best way to provide support for struggling local communities. Andy Brown, deputy secretary for programs at the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, gave an overview of potential pathways to reduce homelessness in the state Thursday. “The fact that we have a high percentage of unsheltered folks means that the visibility of homelessness is high,” Brown told lawmakers on the House Committee on Welfare Reform. “As we’re able to reduce the percentage [...]

SoCe, a south-central Wichita neighborhood, sits at a crossroads

info2024-03-04T13:00:25-06:00March 4th, 2024|

As lovers of all things old, Larry and Cathy Mong were thrilled with the home they bought for $50,000 in Wichita 23 years ago: a 1906 Victorian in south central Wichita, less than a mile from the heart of downtown. The neighborhood was a little rough, but the Mongs had seen similar neighborhoods in the Dallas-Fort Worth area go through the gentrification process. “We thought in five to 10 years it would be like downtown Dallas, but it isn’t,” Larry Mong said. In fact, in some respects it seems to have declined. When they moved in, Larry remembers, every home on the block [...]

Lawrence plastic bag ban officially in full effect

info2024-03-04T12:59:20-06:00March 4th, 2024|

Plastic bags are officially banned in Lawrence, but will that ban stay? The City Commission passed an ordinance last year that took effect on Friday. The ordinance banned single-use plastic bags in an effort to reduce the use of plastics in the city. "We're very excited about it,“ Lawrence resident Misti Osbern said. "We've been trying to use our reusable bags for a long time." However, the changes could come to a halt, if new legislation is passed. There are ongoing efforts to prohibit plastic bag bans at the state level, after failed attempts in previous years. Currently, House Bill 2446, prohibiting cities and [...]

City of Pittsburg to enhance safety through intersections by removing trees

info2024-03-04T12:57:50-06:00March 4th, 2024|

Custom Tree Care of Topeka, KS, will commence tree removal from certain intersections' right-of-ways in Pittsburg starting Monday, March 4. The project aims to enhance safety by eliminating vision-obstructing obstructions for drivers. This initiative aligns with the city's "Spruce Up Pittsburg" campaign and ongoing traffic improvement endeavors. During the operation, which will span several weeks, motorists and pedestrians are advised to consider alternative routes, exercise caution in the work zone, and be mindful of workers. The City of Pittsburg wants the public to know they appreciate the patience of motorists and residents while this work is being performed. Contact Director of Public [...]

It’s ‘going to be really hurtful’: Families to Wichita school board before closure vote

info2024-03-04T12:27:15-06:00March 4th, 2024|

The fate of six schools, 322 employees and 2,213 students will be decided Monday, when the Wichita school board votes on a closure proposal that the district leadership team says would save $16 million. It’s the culmination of a whirlwind process that began in late January, when the district’s chief financial officer first notified the public of a $42 million budget shortfall and presented board members with a choice between closing schools and laying off teachers. Emotions ran high Thursday as the district hosted a public hearing on the recommended closure of four elementary schools — Clark, Park, Payne and Cleaveland [...]

City looks at changing policy on using industrial revenue bonds for rental housing

info2024-03-04T12:11:55-06:00March 4th, 2024|

Should the city government issue industrial revenue bonds for things like non-low-income rental housing? That’s the question the Manhattan City Commission will take up at Tuesday’s meeting. The issue follows a January retreat at which commissioners said they wanted to help create more workforce housing. They asked city officials to draft a housing policy to take advantage of available programs and tools. The city government previously has used IRBs for industrial and commercial development. An approved IRB can result in a property tax abatement of the new property taxes created by the rental housing project for a period of up to [...]

Fire destroys two Winfield businesses

info2024-03-04T12:10:35-06:00March 4th, 2024|

Fire officials in Winfield said two businesses are a total loss after a Sunday morning fire. Crews saw flames coming from a building in the 100 block of East 5th Street when they arrived just after 9 a.m. The building housed The Winfield Thrift Store and a hair salon, Hair Tamers. Firefighters had to take a defensive posture, staying outside the building because of heavy fire involvement. Crews from Arkansas City, Udall and Burden helped bring the fire under control and crews were able to protect neighboring buildings. No one was in the building at the time and no injuries were reported. [...]

Controlled methane flares at Johnson County landfill prompt 911 calls to Shawnee

info2024-03-01T15:05:23-06:00March 1st, 2024|

The city of Shawnee wants people to know that if they’re seeing fire coming from the Johnson County landfill, they shouldn’t be alarmed. The flares are the result of an ongoing plant expansion plan. While the Archaea Energy plant at the landfill in Shawnee, which produces renewable natural gas, has shut down for the expansion, it’s been producing flares in the sky to release built-up natural gas. Source: Johnson County Post

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