info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

State funding to improve short-line railroad systems

info2024-02-26T14:55:10-06:00February 26th, 2024|

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has announced funding for 17 short-line railroad expansion and rehabilitation projects. The governor said almost $16.5 million will be made through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Rail Service Improvement Program (RSIP), and the projects will improve the state’s agriculture supply chain. RSIP recipients will use the funds for expansion and capacity improvements, major track rehabilitation, and rail replacement. These projects support rail improvements that enhance safety, expand carload capabilities, reduce truck traffic, increase operating speeds, and improve operating efficiencies.  Governor Kelly said the projects will help Kansas farmers and ranchers connect to regional, national, and international markets. The projects include [...]

Wichita announces next round of public housing sales

info2024-02-26T14:42:19-06:00February 26th, 2024|

The City of Wichita has announced the next round of sales of public housing units as the city continues to reposition its housing stock. The city is listing 12 properties for sale at fair market appraised value rather than traditional real estate prices, making them more affordable for residents. Open houses have been scheduled for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 25th, and from 3 p.m. to 5 pm on Tuesday, February 27th. The following homes are up for sale: 917 S Whittier; 1233 N Lorraine; 2229 E 53rd Street S; 2236 E 53rd Street S; 5224 S Hydraulic; 1714 E Idlewild Dr; 1325 E Selma; 1213 E Selma; 2318 [...]

No, you won’t get hepatitis A from Lawrence’s drinking water

info2024-02-26T14:38:53-06:00February 26th, 2024|

The concentration of hepatitis A in Lawrence’s wastewater has been on the rise, but the drinking water is clean and safe, according to the city. Wastewater — aka sewage — is processed through the city’s water treatment plants. Drinking water and tap water have been treated. The City of Lawrence has received a number of questions about this lately, according to a news release Thursday evening. “WastewaterSCAN, a national wastewater monitoring system based at Stanford University in partnership with Emory University, recently noted an increase in the concentration of hepatitis A virus (HAV) detected in the wastewater processed at the Lawrence Kansas River Wastewater [...]

Fentanyl presentation draws large crowd

info2024-02-26T14:27:58-06:00February 26th, 2024|

Approximately 115 people attended the United Way of Dodge City Learn @ Lunch program at the Dodge City Community College (DC3) Library on Tuesday, Feb. 20. The presentation, which featured Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) Director Tony Mattivi, was titled “The Fight Against Fentanyl: One Pill Can Kill.” While attendees enjoyed food provided and sponsored by PT Works Physical Therapy and Performance of Dodge City, Mattivi discussed the many dangers of fentanyl and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement officials to protect Kansans from the deadly drug. Source: Dodge City Daily Globe

Wichita community, city leaders meet to discuss homelessness

info2024-02-26T14:19:12-06:00February 26th, 2024|

Members of the Wichita community met Wednesday night at the Advanced Learning Library to discuss Wichita's growing rate of people living on the streets. City Council member J.V. Johnston, who's been working on the city's homeless task force, said that it's the goal of the city to achieve functional zero homelessness, meaning there are more people coming out of living on the streets than going in. "I think if we all work hard and all the agencies collaborate and work together, city and county and nonprofits all work together, including the business community, we can achieve it," Johnston said. Sedgwick County's [...]

Billions of cicadas in the Midwest this spring will be ‘a really weird phenomenon’

info2024-02-26T14:11:32-06:00February 26th, 2024|

This spring, billions of cicadas will dig their way out of the soil across most of the Midwest and Southeast, filling the air with their cacophonous soundtrack. Starting in late April, two major broods of cicadas that show up on 13- and 17-year cycles will crawl out of the soil and head to treetops to sing and mate. It’s the first time these two broods have emerged at the same time in 221 years. The males will die almost immediately after mating. The females will live just long enough to build nests in the trees and lay eggs. By the time those eggs [...]

WPD going high-tech for safety of officers and citizens

info2024-02-26T13:58:33-06:00February 26th, 2024|

The Wichita Police Department is trying newer technology to lessen the chance of officers and citizens getting injured or killed during potentially dangerous situations. On Thursday, Lieutenant Aaron Moses said uniformed officers are already getting trained on some of the newer tools while other products are still in the works. Moses said all uniformed officers will be getting new body-worn cameras. The Axon Body 4 cameras featured an expanded field of view, improved video quality, and extended battery life. He said officers will also be able to stream video to supervisors if necessary. "As part of our new contract, every uniformed member, from [...]

Portion of historic Olathe farm to get new life as city park

info2024-02-26T13:30:30-06:00February 26th, 2024|

A portion of the historic Hoff Farm in northern Olathe is set to become a new neighborhood park. The land set to become the new park — nearly 17 acres — is near the corner of College Boulevard and Woodland Road. Descendants of the Hoff family donated some of their land for the park a few years ago, along with a parcel to become Olathe’s future Firehouse No. 9. "We greatly appreciate the contribution the Hoffs have made," Councilmember Marge Vogt said last Tuesday. "This is a big deal." Considered some of the city's original pioneers, members of the Hoff family [...]

Shawnee City Council to weigh new restrictions on AirBnbs

info2024-02-26T12:33:22-06:00February 26th, 2024|

Owners of short-term rentals in Shawnee, including AirBnbs and VRBOS, would have to obtain a business license and comply with new restrictions in order to keep that license, according to a proposal that will be considered by the city council at its meeting Monday night. At 6 p.m. at Shawnee City Hall, the council will weigh a proposal that will amend the city’s municipal code regarding short-term rental properties, including new rules for licensing, as well as restrictions on the number of people in a short-term rental and parking. It comes after nearly a year of discussion about how the Johnson [...]

Commerce Grants Available for Rural Mural and Public Art Projects

info2024-02-26T12:10:46-06:00February 26th, 2024|

The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced a total of $75,000 is available for a new round of Rural Mural and Public Art program funding. The program helps rural communities design engaging new art that improves the local aesthetic – making the community more appealing not only for those who live there but for potential new businesses and residents as well. Grants up to $7,500 are available for eligible communities, which also is the total amount any one county can receive. The Office of Rural Prosperity program requires a 1:1 match, with 25% being a cash match unless the community has fewer [...]

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