info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

What nickname do you use for Topeka?

info2023-11-08T10:04:18-06:00November 8th, 2023|

Topeka has more than a few nicknames in the local lingo, depending on who you ask. Kansas' capital has gone by several names over the years. Some exist as playful renditions of the city's name while others pay homage to the history of the Sunflower State's capital. The color of gold has long been a staple symbol of Topeka going back many years. It can most commonly be seen on the city's seal and flags. But where does this come from? The phrase, "The Golden City," was established by early settlers of the area due to the beauty of the city's sunlit rolling hills [...]

McPherson school bond vote fails

info2023-11-08T09:43:37-06:00November 8th, 2023|

McPherson residents voted against an $88.5 million bond that would have gone to improve schools. The vote was 1,843 yes and 2,149 no. The $88.5 million bond would have created a new academic building at the high school, replacing the old structure from the 1960s. It would have connected to an updated fine arts section. The bond would have provided HVAC updates to every school in the district. McPherson County Clerk Hollie Melroy said they replaced their central counting machine Monday night to make sure they were ready to count ballots for the school bond. Melroy said it was working Tuesday morning, [...]

Grant Co. will not get a new jail, two ballot issues fail

info2023-11-08T10:26:50-06:00November 8th, 2023|

Two issues on the ballot in Grant County revolved around a new jail. The current facility was built in 1972. Grant County Commissioners wanted to pass a $15,500,000 bond project to replace the jail. That issue failed, with 64% of voters saying "no." The other issue would have created a 1% citywide retailers sales tax to pay for the facility. That issue also failed by 64%. District 3 Commissioner Mark McGaughey believes voters did not understand why a new jail is needed. "A lot of people didn't attend our Q/A sessions that we had in the community. We wish more people would have came [...]

America’s first female mayor came from a tiny town in Kansas. And she got the job by accident

info2023-11-08T09:34:53-06:00November 8th, 2023|

These days, it’s common to see women on the ballot for school boards, city council and mayoral races in Kansas. The state’s top official, Gov. Laura Kelly, is in the middle of her second term. But women running for office — heck, even women voting — is only a little more than 100 years old in most of the country. Except in Kansas. There, women were allowed to vote in school board elections in 1861. By 1887, women could vote in Kansas in a municipal election. And by 1912, women had full suffrage — a full eight years before the passage [...]

For years, wind was the power source of the plains. Now, Kansas is seeing solar step up

info2023-11-08T09:32:12-06:00November 8th, 2023|

The city of Pratt, Kansas, is home to around 6,500 people. But the small town is rife with new developments. Driving around town, vice mayor Doug Meyer and Jamie Huber – Pratt’s director of electric utilities – point them out: a new swimming pool, recently resurfaced tennis courts, a 16-unit housing project. One of their proudest projects, though, is a six megawatt solar farm that came online in 2019. It’s right on the edge of town. “A lot of people don’t see it – I’ve got people who still ask me where it’s at,” Huber said. Over the past decade, renewable [...]

Pottawatomie County voters again say no to road and bridge sales tax question

info2023-11-08T09:31:12-06:00November 8th, 2023|

For the second straight year, Pottawatomie County voters have turned down a quarter percent sales tax to fund road and bridge improvements. The measure failed on a 56 to 44 percent margin (2,547 voting no, 2,032 voting yes), a year after it also failed by a 53 to 47 percent margin. County officials previously noted that such a tax would’ve generated approximately $2 million annually for about a dozen infrastructure projects. They had hoped to pay for the needed upgrades through the sales tax rather than utilizing property taxes. Most of the projects earmarked were in the Green Valley area and along and near [...]

Great Bend amends short-term rental rules

info2023-11-08T10:27:54-06:00November 7th, 2023|

Following complaints from local Airbnb owners, the Great Bend City Council Monday night approved an ordinance amending short-term rental regulations, that cover such businesses, that it had OKed in June. At the Oct. 16 council meeting, Terri Bahr, who operates a number of Airbnbs in Great Bend and other communities, and Jarod Chansler, who runs an Airbnb in the downtown area, addressed the council with their concerns. “The existing short-term rental regulations were the culmination of considerable hard work on the part of the Assistant City Administrator Logan Burns, Building Inspector Matt Schafer, their staffs, and the Planning Commission,” said City [...]

Commerce Announces $2M in CDBG-COVID Resiliency Competitive Grants

info2023-11-07T23:46:39-06:00November 7th, 2023|

The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced 15 Kansas communities would receive their share of $2 million from the Community Development Block Grant-COVID Resiliency (CDBG-CVR) competitive grant program. This program was funded via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. CDBG-CVR was designed to empower Kansas businesses to enhance their resiliency in the face of future community illnesses and public health emergencies. “These grants will be a game-changer for many Kansas businesses,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “This investment in pandemic resiliency not only will help retain jobs but help our state attract new businesses, [...]

Allen County OKs plan to accept plastic recyclables

info2023-11-08T10:28:38-06:00November 7th, 2023|

The county’s first foray into recycling might look a little different than they expected. Allen County commissioners agreed Tuesday to allow a recycle and trash service provider from Erie set up a bin at the landfill to collect some types of No. 2 plastic items such as milk jugs. “It’s not cardboard, but it’s a start,” Mitch Garner, Public Works director, said. The county had identified cardboard as its top recycling need. Kenny Schettler, whose company collects trash for the City of Humboldt, offered to set up a container to collect only No. 2 plastic, a sturdier type of plastic that [...]

Bentley Birthday Bash: a huge success with room for growth

info2023-11-07T23:42:00-06:00November 7th, 2023|

The recently concluded Bentley Birthday Bash has left the local community buzzing with excitement after a resounding success that exceeded all expectations. The grand celebration, held in honor of Bentley’s 135th birthday, not only drew an impressive crowd but also showcased the event’s profound potential for future growth. Families, friends and visitors from neighboring towns flocked to the event, eager to join in the festive spirit and show their love for Bentley. The organizers left no stone unturned in curating a diverse range of attractions, ensuring there was something for everyone. Source: Harvey County Now

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