info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

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

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 66, seeking both adventure and a glimpse into the past. To recreate the ambiance of yesteryears, Perry’s creativity knows no bounds. The fireplace crafted out of a 1933 Chevy with an infinity mirror is just an example of his retro-cool with a modern twist vibe. “My ceiling is covered with license plates that travelers have gifted me,” Perry added. “And one guy stuck a dollar on the wall and told me, ‘This is how you start something.’ And now I have money from all over the world.” However, Gearhead Curios isn’t just a magnet for international travelers; it’s also a spot for locals like Gabrielle Richards, who relish the chance to witness the excitement of visitors exploring Route 66.
Source: KOAM News

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

More Kansas schools embrace four-day weeks

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 a four-day schedule, although some of the districts have returned to a typical five-day schedule. First proposed as a way to save money in some districts, the four-day week also has been utilized for teacher recruitment. Kansas State Department of Education researchers examined the 2022-2023 school year population of 54 buildings using a four-day school week and 1,335 buildings using a five-day school week to compare learning outcomes. They looked at public and private elementary, middle, junior high and high schools with state assessment data for that school year. The majority of the four-week scheduled schools are in more rural areas with smaller student enrollment.
Source: KAKE – News

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

Chetopa Residents face grocery shopping challenges as local store closes

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 specific closing date. According to Vaughan, the owner’s busy schedule has delayed the decision-making process. “He’s too busy, actually, I think, to actually sit down and think it over right now,” Vaughan explained, highlighting the owner’s split focus between his trucking duties and the store’s performance.
Source: KOAM News

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

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

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 the past. Commissioners also are considering language in the proposed regulations regarding at-large animals. Woodard said the county doesn’t want “patrols” of people rounding up dogs that are not actually loose and uncontrolled, noting that in many rural locations dogs may be wandering around a large field and appear to be loose and at large but are actually confined to the owners property. Woodward said officials also are reviewing tethering requirements, with language that would require continuous access to food and water for any animal that is tethered in place for extended periods. Commissioners also heard discussion about policies on vicious animals.
Source: themercury.com

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

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

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 the bags, among other concerns. City staff members have also said the bags are difficult to recycle and that they contaminate the materials that the city can process, recycle and compost. The city estimates that Lawrence residents use and discard more than 29 million single-use plastic bags per year. The ordinance bans establishments from giving customers plastic bags that are less than 4 mils in thickness — that’s about as thick as a piece of paper. The ban also applies to paper bags that do not contain at least 40% post-consumer recycled content. Reusable bags (or totes) made of cloth are OK. So are reusable plastic bags that are at least 4 mils in thickness, contain at least 40% post-consumer recycled material and are labeled with the post-consumer recycled content percentage, the mil thickness, and the word “reusable” on the bag. The ordinance also includes a number of exemptions for product-specific bags. That means things such as produce bags and bags to prevent cross-contamination of groceries; garment bags, such as those used for dry cleaning; bags to bring home your new pet fish and more are still OK.
Source: The Lawrence Times

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

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

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, and all three medalists have formerly been awarded Gold. “The consistency in winners from year to year with different panels of judges validates the choices,” said watermaster Arthur von Wiesenberger. “It also speaks to the impressively high caliber of the waters entered.” Berkeley Springs Water Tasting Event said the waters were rated for each attribute including appearance (it should be clear — or slightly opaque for glacial waters), aroma (there should be none), taste (it should taste clean), mouth feel (it should feel light), aftertaste (it should leave you thirsty for more).
Source: Emporia Gazette

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

Halstead Planning Commission considers the risks of BESS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

White House sends $5.8 billion water infrastructure funds to states

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 clean water, and it should not matter where you live or how much money you earn or how much money you got in your back pocket,” said Vice President Kamala Harris Tuesday in Pittsburgh, where she announced the funds. “With this investment, we are continuing our urgent work to remove every lead pipe in the country and ensure that every American has access to safe and reliable drinking water.” State revolving funds for drinking and wastewater act as the primary federal funding for states, which then often leverage the money by issuing municipal bonds, most of which feature triple-A ratings, to make low-interest loans to cities, counties, water districts and other governmental entities to finance infrastructure projects.
Source: The Bond Buyer

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

About info

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

More Kansas schools embrace four-day weeks

Chetopa Residents face grocery shopping challenges as local store closes

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

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

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

Halstead Planning Commission considers the risks of BESS

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

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

White House sends $5.8 billion water infrastructure funds to states

Services

Company