info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Fare Increase for Johnson County Micro Transit

info2023-12-20T11:39:36-06:00December 20th, 2023|

Based on a review of the current ridership trends, the 2024 program budget, increasing ridership demands and service efficiency, the Board of County Commissioners has authorized Johnson County Transit to implement a fare increase to the Johnson County micro transit service. This fare increase will be effective January 1, 2024. Johnson County Micro Transit is an app-based premium service that uses on-demand dynamic routing – an affordable ride-hailing option to assist in making connections to the larger fixed express and commuter bus routes, all throughout the Johnson County service area, and the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. It is designed to [...]

El Dorado City Commission rejects permit for proposed overnight homeless shelter

info2023-12-20T11:36:39-06:00December 20th, 2023|

The El Dorado City Commission voted against a plan to turn a vacant building into an overnight homeless shelter at their meeting Monday night. The 3-2 vote came after much discussion and weeks of public comments regarding the permit for the proposed shelter, which would have been located on West Central Avenue. The city's planning commission already voted against the permit nearly two weeks ago. Commissioners Sydnee Scribner and Kendra Wilkinson were in favor of the permit's approval. Wilkinson cited the number of homeless people in El Dorado that have been served by the Butler Homeless Initiative has continued to increase since [...]

Prairie Village could expand eligibility for home improvement grants

info2023-12-20T11:34:17-06:00December 20th, 2023|

More properties could soon be eligible for two home improvement grant programs in Prairie Village. The Prairie Village City Council during a council committee of the whole discussion on Dec. 4 agreed to increase the maximum average home value for properties qualifying for the city’s exterior grant program, which aims to incentivize homeowners to beautify their property. In addition, the city offers sustainability grants for homeowners looking to decrease their properties’ environmental impact. In addition, the council is weighing whether to increase the overall budgets for both the exterior and sustainability grant programs, as well as create an annual schedule that could allow [...]

Shawnee residents keep up fight against approved U-Haul storage center

info2023-12-20T11:32:05-06:00December 20th, 2023|

Despite passing a narrow Shawnee City Council vote last year, a proposal for a U-Haul off Kansas Highway 7 continues to face pushback from neighbors. At a Dec. 11 city council meeting, neighbors close to the proposed storage building and retail store, located in the Zarda Business Parka at 7020 Silverheel St., showed up to discuss a new bill that they hoped could halt the project. “I don’t know if there’s anything that can be done at this point,” said Ann Manzardo of Shawnee. “But we’re here. I’ve got several of my neighbors here representing our community in the hopes that we [...]

How tweaks to Overland Park city code could stiffen penalties for reckless drivers

info2023-12-20T11:27:01-06:00December 20th, 2023|

Overland Park is updating some of its traffic codes to mirror state traffic rules in order to ensure more accountability for drivers who cause collisions within city limits. Under the current city code, some individuals who cause accidents in Overland Park may face lighter traffic violations due to differences in city and state codes. Last week, the Overland Park City Council’s Public Safety Committee voted 6-0 to recommend approval of an ordinance that would amend the city’s municipal codes pertaining to traffic accidents. During the meeting last Wednesday, Councilmember Sam Passer was filling in for Councilmember Inas Younis during the committee meeting. The most [...]

Planning commission splits on plan for massive solar farm north of Lawrence

info2023-12-20T11:05:50-06:00December 20th, 2023|

Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission members voted on a 4-4 tie to recommend denial of a permit for a massive solar farm north of Lawrence after a meeting that stretched hours into early Tuesday morning. The permit will soon go to the Douglas County Commission for consideration. City Planner Mary Miller outlined the project and said city staff recommended approving the permit. The motion included recognition of a series of conditions that the planning commissioners had discussed in order to ensure certain topics would be forwarded to the county commission. The Kansas Sky Energy Center, a 159-megawatt solar farm, would be built, owned and operated [...]

Riley County Police Department announces new public information officer

info2023-12-20T11:04:16-06:00December 20th, 2023|

The Riley County Police Department announced its new public information officer on Monday. While Ashley Tokoi, the new PIO, had been going through the hiring process, Hali Rowland served as a remote interim PIO since Aaron Wintermote left RCPD Sept. 22. Tokoi told The Mercury she’ll be sharing responsibilities with Rowland until her training is complete in the upcoming months. Tokoi will eventually perform all duties of the job, which is “plan, organize and implement communication and activities” for all five divisions: Patrol, Corrections, Dispatch, Administration and Support. Prior to being formerly introduced as the PIO at the law enforcement agency [...]

KDOT addressing issues with U.S. 50 in western Kansas

info2023-12-20T11:03:30-06:00December 20th, 2023|

The Kansas Department of Transportation says they are addressing issues with U.S. Highway 50 in western Kansas. The department says they are aware of the deteriorating road conditions between Offerle and Spearville. Numerous potholes have developed in the pavement affecting travel between the two communities. KDOT says a resurfacing and passing lane project will be getting underway next construction season that will address issues with the road's condition. The department says that in the meantime, they will continue to maintain the road until the projects begin. For the latest on road construction across the state or road conditions, visit KanDrive.gov. Source: KSN-TV

Mounted units apprehend Wichita shoplifter with $1,600 worth of stolen merchandise

info2023-12-20T11:01:38-06:00December 20th, 2023|

Mounted units apprehended a shoplifter in Wichita with $1,600 worth of stolen merchandise in their vehicle. The Wichita Police Department said its mounted unit was doing a routine holiday patrol on North Greenwich Road Monday when someone waved them down about a shoplifting incident at Cabela's. The WPD said the officers investigated and located the suspect and the suspect's vehicle nearby. According to the Sumner County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Wylie and Sergeant Thomas from the Caldwell Police Department assisted the Wichita Police Department's mounted unit in the arrest. As seen in the photo, stolen merchandise included a blanket, jackets, a hat, gloves, and plush fish. The [...]

Cherryvale Historical Museum announces a move

info2023-12-20T10:47:19-06:00December 20th, 2023|

The Cherryvale Historical Museum board has announced that the museum will move to a new building in the new year. In January, board members and volunteers will begin transitioning from the current location, 215 E. Fourth St. in Cherryvale, to the new building at 322 E. Main, the former First Baptist Church and Fellowship Hall. The church congregation had grown small, and without a permanent pastor, the remaining members decided that it was time to offer the structure to another nonprofit group. The museum board saw this as an opportunity to bring the museum onto Main Street in a more visible [...]

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