info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

City of Pittsburg experiences cybersecurity incident

info2023-09-19T20:37:29-05:00September 19th, 2023|

Over the weekend, the City of Pittsburg discovered a cybersecurity incident impacting the city’s network. This incident resulted in a temporary IT outage impacting city emails, phones, and online payments. The City of Pittsburg Incident Response Team immediately took proactive measures to protect city data and network systems. The city is working with forensic experts to fully understand the extent and implications of this incident, and to ensure that the city can operate within a safe and remediated network environment. Despite this temporary disruption, the city operations and services will continue. Public safety services, including 9-1-1 dispatch, and utility services remain [...]

Newton City Clerk awarded Master Municipal Clerk designation

info2023-09-18T14:26:07-05:00September 18th, 2023|

The City of Newton is proud to announce that City Clerk Denise Duerksen this week was awarded her Master Municipal Clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. This is the highest recognition a city clerk can achieve. The MMC program has an extensive and rigorous educational component and a professional and community contribution component. Through advanced continuing education programs, participants receive further development to perform more complex municipal duties. Denise has worked so hard on her continuing education to achieve this goal. In her 33rd year with the City of Newton, she has become a leader, mentor, and valuable [...]

Hutchinson’s Prairie Dunes Country Club to host USGA championships

info2023-09-18T14:24:43-05:00September 18th, 2023|

An esteemed heartland course that’s hosted several top golf tournaments in the past is back in the USGA rotation after an announcement Tuesday that it will host a pair of future championships. Prairie Dunes Country Club, in Hutchinson, Kansas, will be the host site for the 2029 U.S. Senior Open and 2032 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, the USGA announced. Hosting high-profile events is nothing new for the course, as these tournaments will mark the ninth and 10th time the Perry Maxwell treasure will host a USGA Championship, although the last came in 2006. Source: Hutch News

Localities warn of risks in federal cuts

info2023-09-18T10:57:51-05:00September 18th, 2023|

As the appropriations tug of war goes back and forth in Congress, municipalities are concerned about a wide range of federally-supported infrastructure projects which might end up on the chopping block. The National Association of Counties is already ringing a warning bell via a letter addressed to both chambers of Congress imploring the need to "prioritize federal investments in crucial local government activities through the appropriations process." NACo is especially concerned about the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief Fund running dry after a season marked with wildfires and hurricanes. Per their letter, "Without the DRF being adequately funded, recovery projects [...]

Chase County Sesquicentennial Celebration Planning Committee honored with flag flown over U.S. Capitol

info2023-09-18T10:55:41-05:00September 18th, 2023|

The Chase County Sesquicentennial Celebration Planning Committee was presented with a flag flown over the United States Capitol this week, in honor of the Chase County Courthouse. Grace Greene, Director of District Operations for the Office of U.S. Representative Jake LaTurner (R-KS) presented the committee with the flag and a proclamation by LaTurner, highlighting the significance of the Chase County Courthouse as it reaches 150 years on continuous operation. Source: Emporia Gazette

City of Emporia supports water workers amid ongoing main break challenges

info2023-09-18T10:53:29-05:00September 18th, 2023|

As the City of Emporia continues to grapple with unprecedented water main issues, the well-being of city crews tasked with repairing and maintaining the city's water infrastructure remains a top priority. According to Communications Manager Christine Torrens, the city emphasized the importance of supporting workers as they dealt with upwards of 15 water main breaks throughout the week. "This week, the City of Emporia's Underground Utility crew has implemented shift rotations to prevent an increase in stress levels and emotional strain among their staff," she said. "We understand the toll this continuous work can have on them, so we are taking [...]

Johnson County thrift store sued city for blocking its move. It finally has a new home

info2023-09-18T10:52:13-05:00September 18th, 2023|

Goodwill is opening (or reopening, perhaps) in Olathe — but only after a two-year-long battle with the city. The thrift store has finally found a new home in a former Tractor Supply at 11934 S. Strang Line Road. It hopes to open by the end of the year, said Melody Herren, a spokeswoman for Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas. But Goodwill had hoped to have a store open long before that. After operating at 16630 W. 135th St. for roughly 17 years, Goodwill sought to move across the street, to 16175 W. 135th St., in 2020 to “upgrade its [...]

‘It’s an emergency.’ Midwest towns scramble as drought threatens drinking water.

info2023-09-18T14:14:43-05:00September 18th, 2023|

James Rainbolt typically can tackle most problems at his rural water plant with some extra time or money. But he can’t fix this. “I just can’t make it rain,” he said. Like others across southeast Kansas, Rainbolt remains helpless as he watches a persistent drought dry up the local water supply. He runs a public wholesale water supply district that provides the drinking water for several cities and rural water districts. The lack of rain has been so severe that it’s now threatening the water district’s intake pipe, which brings water from a local lake to the treatment plant. As lake [...]

Overland Park will start allowing native plants in home lawns and gardens

info2023-09-18T14:15:00-05:00September 18th, 2023|

Overland Park residents may soon be able to plant more native plants in their yards and gardens. The city is in the process of updating its codes to make space for planned native landscapes for their ecological and stormwater benefits. That could mean front yard gardens featuring milkweed, blue sage, native flowers and other species that once dominated the northeastern Kansas landscape. Native plants, according to Johnson County Extension, are “well-adapted to a local ecosystem” and tend to evolve in an area “without the influence of man.” Source: KCUR News

Weir homecoming celebration highlights town’s vibrant history

info2023-09-18T14:16:21-05:00September 18th, 2023|

This weekend, the City of Weir is joyously celebrating its homecoming. As part of the homecoming festivities, the town is taking a moment to reflect on its rich history. Presenter and host David Wallace invited community members to share their stories, memorabilia, and insights into the vibrant history of Weir. "I've had the involvement of the museums around town and throughout Southeast Kansas. I have involvement from the McCune Museum, The Galena Historical Museum, The Nature Center in Galena. Miners Hall Museum has really done a great job," said David Wallace. Source: KOAM News

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