info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

At least 71 Kansas public schools have 4-day week schedules this year. Here’s where

info2023-09-11T10:25:14-05:00September 11th, 2023|

More Kansas public school students than ever are attending classes only four days per week. Data from the Kansas State Department of Education lists 71 public schools with four-day weeks this year, up from 69 schools last year and just 56 the year before. These schools are located in 31 different school districts, mostly located in the southern and western portions of the state. New to the list this year is the West Elk school district, where two schools are adopting 4-day schedules for the first time. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Police, code enforcement shut down an illegal animal rescue in Parsons

info2023-09-11T10:23:48-05:00September 11th, 2023|

Parsons Police Department and the city’s code enforcement officer have shut down an illegal animal rescue in Parsons. Community Service Officer Ricky Thompson has been conducting an investigation into the well-being and treatment of dogs in the 500 block of North 25th Street in Parsons. He learned about a potential illegal number of dogs in the area. While investigating Thompson met with the homeowner who had claimed to be running a nonprofit animal rescue. Thompson gathered details of the apparent business and contacted City Attorney Ross Albertini and the city Code Enforcement Officer Tyeler Riggs. Thompson and Albertini reviewed pictures of [...]

JoCo election office says it’s too late for Prairie Village petitions

info2023-09-11T10:21:56-05:00September 11th, 2023|

It’s too late for any of the Prairie Village petitions to make it onto the Nov. 7 ballot, says the county election office. In a statement issued Friday evening regarding the three resident-led petitions, Johnson County Election Commissioner Fred Sherman said it was too late to add any additional items on the upcoming general election ballot. The statement came as the legal case over the petitions’ fate remains unresolved. The city and the group of residents pushing the petitions were still waiting Friday to receive a final ruling from Johnson County District Court Judge Rhonda Mason, who is deciding whether any of the [...]

Knife competition comes to Columbus, KS

info2023-09-11T10:18:47-05:00September 11th, 2023|

The steel was sharp, the atmosphere charged with excitement, as Columbus, Kansas played host to an exhilarating Knife Competition today. This unique event brought together blade enthusiasts, forging aficionados, and fans of the hit TV show "Forged in Fire" for a day filled with impressive displays of craftsmanship and skill. The competition not only showcased the talents of those who participated but also reinforced the importance of passing down the tradition of bladesmithing to future generations. Source: KOAM News

City commission to discuss future downtown plans

info2023-09-11T10:17:02-05:00September 11th, 2023|

Manhattan city commissioners will go over the Beyond Tomorrow Downtown Plan during Tuesday’s upcoming meeting. Senior planner Ben Chmiel will present an update to the improvements made in downtown and present upcoming projects. Commissioners will take no action during the meeting because it is a work session. Source: themercury.com

Is Wichita’s disorderly conduct law unconstitutional? Kansas Supreme Court to decide

info2023-09-11T10:15:39-05:00September 11th, 2023|

The Kansas Supreme Court is poised to consider whether a provision of Wichita’s disorderly conduct ordinance unconstitutionally limits freedoms of speech and assembly protected under the First Amendment. On Tuesday, the court will hear an appeal brought by Gabrielle Griffie, the Project Justice ICT organizer who was sentenced to probation for her role in demonstrations demanding accountability after the May 2020 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The city accused Griffie of planning the protest to engage in “disorderly conduct,” more specifically, engaging in “noisy conduct tending to reasonably arouse alarm, anger or resentment in others.” Griffie argued that the [...]

Kansas property tax increases have homeowners objecting and legislators looking at new laws

info2023-09-08T12:37:19-05:00September 8th, 2023|

Despite record-breaking temperatures, an overflow crowd of frustrated taxpayers crammed into the Shawnee County Commission chambers recently to voice concerns about rising property taxes driven largely by growing home values. ... It’s a scene playing out across the state as local governments hold public hearings on their budgets required by state law. Local budgets continue to rise and some taxpayers are frustrated as their property taxes increase and they feel their voices aren’t being heard. The interest shows that legislative action in recent years didn’t resolve concerns over rising property taxes. Lawmakers, local officials, and taxpayers alike are gearing up for [...]

Minneapolis building kept alive as The Farm and the Odd Fellows meeting place

info2023-09-08T12:24:02-05:00September 8th, 2023|

he Farm and the Odd Fellows has transformed a century-old building to help "plant and cultivate relationships" in the Minneapolis community. Sitting at the corner of Second and Sheridan Streets in downtown Minneapolis, this business, which opened in May of 2021, isn't just one thing for the community, but six different and unique pieces and parts, including a coffeehouse, pickleball court, brewhouse, brewpub and games environment, all in one location. The Farm and The Odd Fellows, 205 W. Second St. opened in 2021 to be a place for the community of Minneapolis to gather. The century-old building was renovated but continues [...]

Experience life as an inmate during this Saline County event celebrating its new jail

info2023-09-08T12:22:53-05:00September 8th, 2023|

Those who might wonder what it is like to spend a night in jail will have the opportunity to try it in early November. The Saline County community is invited for a Slumber in the Slammer event hosted by the Saline County Sheriff's Office, where participants will experience life as an inmate without the usual prerequisite of breaking the law. Among other benefits, the event will aim to help spread community awareness of how inmates are treated and the day-to-day routines that take place in a jail facility. Source: Salina Journal

Pittsburg Middle School unveils new facilities & more after $16.5 million bond project

info2023-09-08T11:23:43-05:00September 8th, 2023|

PITTSBURG, Kan. — The historic Pittsburg Middle School building unveils some newly completed renovations Friday. A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the completion of the $16.5 million bond project. New additions include a fully renovated auditorium and flexible learning spaces. Over the last ten years, administrators say certain sections of the 1921 building were unable to house students and staff. The new space now allows the middle school to function at full capacity. ... "So we have a lot of open collaborative spaces. It was also built in such a way that if we do need to put up walls for additional classrooms [...]

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