info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

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 [...]

Update on Fort Scott water warning

info2023-09-08T11:23:13-05:00September 8th, 2023|

"Because dry conditions normally can lead to fires," said Dave Bruner, Fort Scott Fire Chief. That's a big reason why officials with the Fort Scott Fire Department and School District are trying to limit their water usage. City officials announced water storage has fallen below 70% capacity on Tuesday -- and will not recover in the usual amount of time. "We are on water conservation efforts right now, our lake levels are really low, they're probably as low as they've been historically. And so the city has put out that they want us to conserve water," said Destry Brown, Fort Scott [...]

Bridge projects in Kansas benefiting from BIL revenue

info2023-09-08T11:22:35-05:00September 8th, 2023|

Bridge projects across Kansas are getting a boost thanks to two local bridge improvement programs benefiting from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Thirty-five local and off-system bridge projects across the Sunflower State will receive a combined total of $42.3 million - which combined with matching funds from the awarded cities and counties, comes out to $48.8 million. Governor Laura Kelly along with Kansas Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed announced the projects in Dodge City on Thursday. KDoT's Off-System Bridge program (OSB) awarded $20.5 million in Fiscal Year 2025 funds to 20 projects. The Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program (KLBIP) awarded $21.8 million in [...]

A love for community: Local historian Charlie Troutner shares his passion for his hometown at Edgerton museum

info2023-09-08T11:25:47-05:00September 8th, 2023|

Edgerton History Museum prepares for 10th anniversary in October Tucked away on the other side of City Hall on Nelson Street in downtown Edgerton sits a two-story house holding all the historical treasures of stories from the city’s past. Local lifetime resident and historian Charlie Troutner has meticulously curated artifacts, scraps, donations from residents past and present to share the story of Edgerton. Troutner said he volunteers out of love. “I feel like it is important for our residents to know the history of the town they live in..." Source: Gardner News

More motions and requests for jury filed in the Pot-Bellied Pig case

info2023-09-08T00:33:16-05:00September 8th, 2023|

The owner of Ginger the Pig requested an advisory jury to help hear the case as well as filed two separate motions to dismiss the case and strike information from the complaint against them. The City of Newton since May 10 has been in the process of seeking to remove a pot-bellied pig owned by Jessica D.Grigoreva. The City holding the pig is not allowed within the City by ordinance. During past public meetings, Grigoreva previously stressed the pig’s importance to her family and its service as an emotional support animal for her son. She said the family had had the [...]

Johnson County Government celebrates 166th anniversary of first meeting

info2023-09-08T11:26:55-05:00September 8th, 2023|

The old courthouse, designed by famed Kansas architect George Washburn, was in operation from 1891-1952. A cornerstone from the courthouse is part of the Johnson County Square. The first meeting of Johnson County, as an organized local government initially led by an appointed “county tribunal,” is celebrating its 166th anniversary on Thursday, Sept. 7. Members of the tribunal were John T. Ector, John Evans and William Fisher Jr. They were appointed by Kansas Territorial Gov. Robert J. Walker. Dr. John T. Barton (founder of Olathe) was appointed county treasurer. Source: Johnson County Kansas

Housing frustration prompts call for new city government in Prairie Village

info2023-09-08T00:28:02-05:00September 8th, 2023|

Prairie Village residents soon will vote on a proposal that could restructure city government and remove multiple elected officials from office. After two days of testimony last week, Johnson County District Judge Rhonda Mason ruled Wednesday that one of three resident-led petitions can progress onto the November ballot. Earlier this summer, Stop Rezoning Prairie Village, a resident group opposing city-proposed housing initiatives, began collecting signatures on three petitions: one to restructure city zoning and two that would reshape how city government operates. Source: Kansas City Business Journal

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