info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Johnson County’s Negro Creek to keep controversial name, commemorating its grisly past

info2023-05-10T12:10:57-05:00May 10th, 2023|

Despite calls to rename Johnson County’s Negro Creek, a committee has decided to keep the controversial name, worried that removing it would erase a painful piece of history. Many Johnson County residents spent years unaware of the small, unmarked creek that flows through a golf course in Leawood and in southern Overland Park, in one of the most affluent areas of Kansas’ wealthiest county. But a couple of years ago, activists brought attention to the tributary and the mystery behind its troubling name, calling on leaders to remove it. The name, historians have discovered, most likely came from a story passed [...]

‘Grace and patience’: Wichita superintendent Alicia Thompson says farewell

info2023-05-10T09:52:16-05:00May 10th, 2023|

Alicia Thompson, the first woman and first Black superintendent of Wichita Public Schools, gave an emotional farewell speech at Monday’s school board meeting, her last before Kelly Bielefeld takes over as superintendent on July 1. “My mother was a teacher in this school district and I’ve been walking the Wichita Public Schools pretty much all my life — as a student, as a professional,” said Thompson, who has worked in the district for 31 years and is retiring at the end of the school year. Thompson started as a kindergarten teacher at Ingalls Elementary School before taking on assistant principal and [...]

Overland Park named one of best work from home cities in U.S.

info2023-05-10T11:58:16-05:00May 10th, 2023|

Overland Park was named one of the best cities to support remote workers. A study by website SmartAsset determined which American cities have the best circumstances for the “work from home” workforce, including lower cost of living and reliable internet and electricity. Overland Park ranked the fifth best work from home city on the list, and here are some of the key facts from SmartAsset’s findings: Nearly 32% of the city’s working population is remote. Over 5,800 people age 18 to 65 moved to Overland Park between 2019 and 2021, a possible factor in the nearly 24% increase in remote workers [...]

Inflation rate eases to 4.9% in April, less than expectations

info2023-05-10T09:49:19-05:00May 10th, 2023|

A widely followed measure of inflation rose in April, though the pace of the annual increase provided some hope that the cost of living will head lower later this year. The consumer price index, which measures the cost of a broad swath of goods and services, increased 0.4% for the month, in line with the Dow Jones estimate, according to a Labor Department report Wednesday. Source: Economy

Kansas Tourism Awards $421,820 in Attraction Development Grants

info2023-05-10T09:48:06-05:00May 10th, 2023|

Kansas Tourism today announced $421,820 in Attraction Development Grants has been awarded to 10 recipients. The funding will be used to develop new tourism attractions or enhance existing sites across the state. Attraction Development Grants assist in the development of travel experiences that will influence visitors’ travel decisions. The program also spurs economic growth through the creation of jobs, capital investment, revenue and number of visits. “These grants are essential investments in the growth and development of communities across the state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Supporting new and exciting attractions enhances both the visitor experience and [...]

One Johnson County city is trying out composting

info2023-05-10T11:58:39-05:00May 10th, 2023|

The city of Olathe will officially launch its compost dropoff program in the coming days, offering free disposal of food scraps to city residents at its multipurpose dropoff site at 1100 N. Hedge Lane. Olathe residents can stop by during the site’s open hours to dispose of any food waste, from meat and bones to eggshells, dairy products, produce scraps and processed foods. You simply deposit their scraps into one of the three 95-gallon trash bins housed inside a wooden corral. Source: KC Star Local News

Why Overland Park needs more diverse trees

info2023-05-10T11:59:39-05:00May 10th, 2023|

Cities in Kansas and Missouri are finding that they often have too many of the same kind of trees, making them extra vulnerable to pests and diseases. Houses sell for more money in neighborhoods with big, leafy canopies. So pests that can kill many trees quickly can pose real economic dangers. Kansas and Missouri communities are now hedging their arboreal bets. Source: KCUR News

The Local Infrastructure Hub Launches Spring Bootcamp Series to Help Cities Access Funding for Neighborhood Infrastructure and Broadband Equity

info2023-05-08T19:47:27-05:00May 8th, 2023|

The Local Infrastructure Hub announced a new set of bootcamps designed to help local leaders develop comprehensive and strategic funding applications for federal grants made available to cities as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. This next series will focus on five grant opportunities that address highway-rail crossing improvements, drinking water systems, broadband planning, local infrastructure projects, and bridge infrastructure. Source: www.nlc.org

Wichita’s libraries offering far more than just books these days

info2023-05-08T19:46:05-05:00May 8th, 2023|

A book published a few years back described public libraries as “palaces for the people.” It might not feel like a palace exactly when you visit one of the Wichita Public Library’s seven locations, but it is true that libraries are one of the few places in the modern world where people aren’t expected to pay to learn. Outside of the usual book checkouts, libraries provide a variety of resources for the community to capitalize on. Providing access to new literature and information without the financial burden is what the Wichita Public Library hopes to give to the community. All of [...]

Pittsburg leader challenges building owners to revitalize downtown

info2023-05-08T19:45:34-05:00May 8th, 2023|

"Anytime I drive by an empty store front I feel like it's a missed opportunity for a business that could of been," said Graphics Manager of Sign Brothers Josh Young. "Anytime there is a ran down store front it doesn't look good on our down town. It always look better if all our store fronts are filled and beautified," said Young. City leadership is also noticing the empty buildings. In the city commission meeting on April 25th, Mayor Ron Seglie said that while Broadway is looking good, there's still work to be done. He holds the building owners responsible and wants [...]

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