info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Gearhead Curios: time travel haven on Route 66 celebrates Retro Day “every day”

info2024-02-28T10:46:15-06:00February 28th, 2024|

Today marks National Retro Day, a time for nostalgia enthusiasts to celebrate the charm of the past. However, for one establishment nestled in the Galena part of Route 66, every day is a celebration of retro flair. Nestled along America's historic highway, Gearhead Curios stands as a beacon of vintage treasures, many of which have been gifted to the store owner, Aaron Perry. "I get to offer an escape from reality to the people who are traveling back to nostalgic America," said Perry. Five days a week, he welcomes visitors from across the globe to his store -- people enjoying Route [...]

More Kansas schools embrace four-day weeks

info2024-02-28T10:42:04-06:00February 28th, 2024|

Seventy-seven school buildings in approximately 29 districts across the state have implemented a four-day week this year, up from 60 in 2023. As more Kansas public schools adapt to a shorter academic week, rural communities may see benefits. Rural school districts already contain the majority of the state’s four-day scheduled schools. “It’s been a hot topic,” said Randy Watson, KBOE Commissioner of education, in a Feb. 14 Kansas State Board of Education meeting. Watson said most districts were having discussions about the possibility of implementing four-day weeks, especially in smaller, more rural areas. Since 2011, 93 Kansas school buildings have tested [...]

Chetopa Residents face grocery shopping challenges as local store closes

info2024-02-28T10:37:31-06:00February 28th, 2024|

The only grocery store in Chetopa, Kansas is closing. Chetopa Foods and Deli, a key grocery store in Chetopa, Kansas, is set to close its doors before the end of 2024, leaving residents concerned about the impact on their community. Kevin Vaughan, an employee for three years, shared that the decision to close was made by the store's owner, who has been preoccupied with other responsibilities. "It's been a long time coming," Vaughan said, noting that all employees have secured other jobs in anticipation of the closure. The owner, a New York resident and truck driver, has yet to set a [...]

County considers changing dog registration requirement, policy on ‘at-large’ animals

info2024-02-28T10:17:16-06:00February 28th, 2024|

Riley County officials on Monday discussed potential pitfalls of proposed changes to animal control regulations. County commissioners heard from Shelley Woodard, deputy Riley County counselor, regarding changes to the regulations. The current animal control resolution was enacted in 1988, and various stakeholders are drafting policies that more closely align with those of Manhattan. Woodward said she has sought input from city and county officials. The proposed updates include removing the requirement for individual dog registration and licensing in unincorporated areas while maintaining the requirement for rabies vaccinations. She said very few people have come forward and actually registered their dogs in [...]

Lawrence’s plastic bag ban goes into effect Friday; here’s what you should know

info2024-02-28T10:05:55-06:00February 28th, 2024|

The City of Lawrence ordinance banning single-use plastic bags goes into effect Friday, March 1. Here’s what you should know. Lawrence city commissioners in August 2023 approved an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags citywide. The ban, initially prompted by a class of environmentally conscious fourth graders who are now high school sophomores, was under discussion for years before commissioners approved Ordinance 9996. The ordinance aims to reduce the use of plastics in the city, which in turn could help reduce the city’s dependence on fossil fuels and prevent some pollution from the bags, contamination through microplastics from bags degrading, and animal deaths from eating [...]

City of Emporia’s drinking water places third at international water contest

info2024-02-28T10:02:17-06:00February 28th, 2024|

The City of Emporia placed third in at the Berkeley Springs Water Tasting event, where more than 100 entries from five continents were up for consideration. The winners were announced Saturday. This is the second year in a row the city has earned a top-four finish. The competition is hosted by Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. The city took third in the Municipal Water category, behind Santa Ana, California, and the City of Montpelier, Ohio. According to a written release, the municipal water category saw a U.S. sweep, from the West Coast to the East Coast, [...]

Halstead Planning Commission considers the risks of BESS

info2024-02-26T15:12:32-06:00February 26th, 2024|

Pat Hughes, an attorney with Adam Jones Law Firm in Wichita, said the zoning regulations were written before battery storage systems were created, and it’s not clear what’s required to build one in the heavy industrial district. It’s possible that you could read the zoning code to say that it’s allowed as a matter of right, because it’s one of these utility storage uses that’s allowed in an I-2 zone,” Hughes said. “It’s also possible to read the zoning code and say, ‘No, it would have to be a special use permit.’” Source: Harvey County Now

Wichita unveils free Narcan vending machine, already used more than 100 times

info2024-02-26T15:11:51-06:00February 26th, 2024|

Thursday a new chapter opens in the fight against the opioid crisis with the opening of a new Naloxone vending machine. “Wichita is disproportionately affected by the opioid problem and we want to get these machines into the communities where they can do the most good,” said Bryan Baier, president of Healthy Blue Kansas. Wichita received one of the first Naloxone vending machines in the state and it's incredibly easy to use. You just type in your zip code and out pops a Naloxone kit. Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. Source: KAKE - News

Prairie Village removes some pickleball courts at city park. Will that fix noise issue?

info2024-02-26T15:11:14-06:00February 26th, 2024|

Some pickleball nets are coming down at Prairie Village’s Windsor Park. At least, for now. After months of debating how to handle noise coming from six new pickleball courts at Windsor Park, the Prairie Village City Council last week voted 11 to 0 to temporarily remove nets on four of the courts. Later this year, the city plans to see how, if at all, having fewer pickleball courts impacts neighboring residents’ noise concerns — and potentially take further measures, including removing nets at the remaining two courts, if necessary. Source: Johnson County Post

White House sends $5.8 billion water infrastructure funds to states

info2024-02-26T14:56:35-06:00February 26th, 2024|

The Biden administration Tuesday announced $5.8 billion in water infrastructure funds for states, tribes and territories, the latest round of funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act record level of clean water investment. Th money includes $3.2 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for water projects and $2.6 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for storm and wastewater infrastructure. The funds include $1 billion for seven major rural water projects, $1 billion to address "forever chemical" contaminants, and $1 billion for Great Lakes drinking water projects. "Every person should have a right and the ability to have access to [...]

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