info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

KBI director on Marion County newspaper raid: Media is not ‘above the law’

info2023-08-13T23:48:43-05:00August 13th, 2023|

The top law enforcement officer in Kansas appeared to justify a Marion County search warrant that led to an unprecedented raid on a local newspaper and potentially contributed to the death of the paper’s co-owner. Kansas Bureau of Investigation Director Tony Mattivi released a statement Sunday following widespread outrage of Friday’s raid, in which local law enforcement seized computers, cellphones and other reporting materials from the Marion County Record office and publisher Eric Meyer’s home. The raid was part of an investigation into the alleged identity theft of a restaurant owner who had clashed with the paper. Source: The Lawrence Times

Johnson County Library’s courier trucks get refresh with vibrant new artwork

info2023-08-14T09:11:09-05:00August 13th, 2023|

Johnson County Library’s courier trucks transport materials between the branches and travel countless miles each year, serving as billboards on wheels, with images promoting Library services. The current vinyl wraps were installed on the trucks in 2018, so it’s time for a refresh. This year, three local artists are designing the wraps, bringing their uniquely creative visions to the task and giving each truck a bold and brilliant exterior. “We are asking local artists to interpret what the Library means to them, how the Library impacts the community, and translate that into art,” said marketing specialist Ben Oglesby. “I see it [...]

Great Bend Fire Department saves pets from burning home

info2023-08-13T23:35:58-05:00August 13th, 2023|

The Great Bend Fire Department saved pets from a house fire last weekend. Great Bend Fire made a post on Facebook Friday saying on Aug. 5, around 5:30 a.m., units responded to a report of a structure fire in the 10 block of SE 20 Rd. Once on scene, units found a 1,500-square-foot house with smoke and flames showing from the two-car attached garage. Crews made an aggressive interior attack and were met with high heat, heavy fire and smoke. While searching the residence to make sure the occupants all got out, crews were able to safely remove several family pets [...]

Dodge City Regional Airport Set for Major Expansion and Remodel

info2023-08-14T09:13:57-05:00August 13th, 2023|

The City of Dodge City is thrilled to announce that the bid for the expansion and remodel of the Dodge City Regional Airport Terminal has been awarded to Icon Structures of Wichita. This expansion is a testament to the efforts and vision of our Commissioner’s leadership, coupled with significant federal support. In March of 2023, the Dodge City Regional Airport was awarded $7.3 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to go towards remodeling and expanding the existing terminal. This funding stems from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Airport Terminal Program (ATP) Grant. Source: Western Kansas News

Lawrence offers Meeting in a Box for Land Development Code

info2023-08-13T18:24:52-05:00August 11th, 2023|

The City of Lawrence is now offering a Meeting in a Box tool as part of the community engagement process for the Land Development Code. The Meeting in a Box encourages individuals and community groups to share their thoughts on community character. The Land Development Code team is working to create the design standards that future development in Lawrence will follow, which includes elements such as landscaping, local architecture, infrastructure, historic context and more. These elements all help define our community character. The Meeting in a Box is a self-paced workshop that community members can complete by themselves or with the group [...]

Topeka has many who want to buy homes but too few houses on the market to choose from

info2023-08-13T16:52:36-05:00August 11th, 2023|

The housing market in Topeka closely mirrored national real estate trends during the first half of 2023, with both plagued by low inventory, high home prices and rising interest rates. ... Developers have been cautious since the housing crash of 2008, a problem that has contributed to the inventory issues plaguing the country today. Meanwhile, homeowners who bought before interest rates rose are staying put, making the shortage worse. Topeka Area Building Association CEO Katy Nelson said she’s seeing higher demand for new construction in Shawnee County and the surrounding areas. ... Would-be homebuilders still face some challenges, including financing difficulties. [...]

New Round of Funding Announced for Revitalization of Downtown Buildings

info2023-08-10T23:22:56-05:00August 10th, 2023|

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today $1.5 million will be available for a fourth round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants to revitalize dilapidated and underutilized downtown buildings in small communities across the state. HEAL grants help close financial gaps for communities striving to make their downtown districts more economically vibrant. Since the HEAL grant program was launched in 2021, more than $3.5 million has been awarded to fund 63 projects in 48 counties throughout Kansas. Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Groundwater salt levels are high in Andover, Experts say this could be a big problem

info2023-08-10T23:17:45-05:00August 10th, 2023|

Throughout the summer, people in Andover have been raising questions on Facebook wondering why they can't use their well water. Some of them posted that after testing the level of salt in the water exceeded 400 parts per million. K-State Extension Agent Matthew McKernan said that this can be damaging to plants. "Sodium is going to be very detrimental to our soils, it's going to break down our soil quality and actually take the place of organic matter and clay particles in the soil," McKernan said. "And so as that, when high sodium water is applied to the soil, the sodium [...]

How Johnson County will spend $1.6M in COVID relief funds

info2023-08-10T23:14:34-05:00August 10th, 2023|

Johnson County is spending roughly $1.6 million in COVID-19 relief funds on several initiatives, including one to help pay rent and utilities as well as providing for the housing needs of people with certain disabilities. Johnson County Commissioners on Aug. 3 convened to consider how the county will spend remaining federal COVID-19 relief funds. The county agreed to pay for accessibility upgrades at the Theatre in the Park, an outdoor theater at Shawnee Mission Park. Source: Prairie Village Post

Garden City wins award from ‘The Great Race’ organization

info2023-08-10T23:13:03-05:00August 10th, 2023|

The group that organizes the annual "Great Race" has named Garden City the 2023 Best Overnight City. Garden City was the Day 8 stop from the race that also made a stop in Wichita. Participants raced from St. Augustine, Florida, to Colorado Springs, Colorado, over nine days from June 24 to July 2. The race stopped in Garden City on June 30, its first stop there since 2006. Race participants voted the stop as the best overnight stop along the race route. Source: KSN-TV

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