info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Yellen Says U.S. Risks Default as Soon as June 1 Without Debt Ceiling Increase

info2023-05-02T09:34:34-05:00May 2nd, 2023|

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the U.S. government could become unable to pay all of its bills on time as soon as June 1 if Congress doesn’t first raise the debt limit. President Biden on Monday invited the top Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill to meet next week to discuss raising the country’s roughly $31.4 trillion borrowing limit, the White House said soon after Ms. Yellen’s warning. Source: WSJ.com: US Business

Douglas County launches GIS ‘Geoportal,’ an information hub including interactive maps and other data tools

info2023-05-02T07:10:01-05:00May 2nd, 2023|

Douglas County’s Geographic Information Systems Department has launched a new “Geoportal,” a collection of GIS-related content like web applications, maps and data produced by county GIS staff. On the portal, the public can view interactive maps of road closures, properties, voting precincts, taxing districts, controlled burns and more. On top of that, users can download the data and maps available on the portal for free. Standard road maps and ownership maps, meanwhile, can be purchased. Source: LJWorld

Douglas County Commission will soon decide on first solar project since new regulations were approved

info2023-05-02T07:09:13-05:00May 2nd, 2023|

The first application submitted under the county’s new regulations for solar energy projects may be just one step away from winning final approval from the Douglas County Commission. On Monday, the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission voted unanimously in favor of a conditional use permit application for the “Stull Solar Farm,” a small-scale solar project located on about 12.6 acres of a 117-acre parcel south of Lecompton. With that vote, the Planning Commission is sending the application to the County Commission and recommending that the county commissioners sign off on it. The County Commission is responsible for making the final decision on [...]

Saline County organizations plan public forum on homelessness, criminal justice system

info2023-05-02T07:06:03-05:00May 2nd, 2023|

A public forum on topics surrounding mental health, homelessness and the criminal justice system will be held Wednesday at the Salina Grace Resource Center. The Saline County Community Improvement Team (CIT) Council is hosting the educational forum 6 to 8 p.m. May 3 as a way to help inform the public about how certain issues are affecting people locally and what efforts are being made to address them. Those who attend the forum will get more insight on how mental health, homelessness, substance abuse and interactions within the criminal justice system are at play locally. Local agencies that are part of [...]

Overland Park to review how city controls speeding on residential streets

info2023-05-01T10:20:42-05:00May 1st, 2023|

It’s time to review Overland Park’s process for approving roundabouts, speed tables and other so-called “traffic calming” measures, an Overland Park city council committee has decided. The council’s Public Works Committee will take an in-depth look at the city’s 15-year-old set of rules on what requirements must be met, as well as whether some dedicated funding can be arranged. In particular, they’ll look at whether the current process is too restrictive and whether it should be easier for neighborhoods to get such measures okayed on their residential streets. Source: Prairie Village Post

Ark City library finished with fines

info2023-05-01T10:20:24-05:00May 1st, 2023|

Arkansas City Public Library has joined other public libraries no longer fining patrons for overdue books. “It’s a trend nationally,” said Mendy Pfannenstiel, Ark City’s library director. The fines have been found to be “not really effective” as a means of deterring people from turning in their books late, Pfannenstiel said. “What we want is for people to return the books.” Those people who can afford to pay the fines tend to do so; those who can’t afford them don’t. Fines range from 25 cents to $5 a day. Not paying the fines means patrons can’t use the materials, and “often [...]

Macksville City Library announces grand opening of new wing

info2023-05-01T10:19:52-05:00May 1st, 2023|

The Macksville City Library is hosting a grand opening celebration. “After 12 years of fundraising and nine months of construction, the new addition to our library is complete, and we are READy to Serve!” said Jody Suiter, library director. The public is invited to visit the library on Wednesday, May 3, for a “Come & Go & Check Out the Library” event from 1-6 p.m. “We are excited to share this milestone with our patrons, friends, benefactors and the community at large,” Suiter said. "Come see the new addition and learn about all the library has to offer with technology, resources, [...]

Century II update shows tough decisions could be ahead

info2023-05-01T09:39:43-05:00May 1st, 2023|

The company that took over managing Century II last year gave its first update to the Wichita City Council this week. And council members learned they face some future issues that could affect some popular, even beloved, groups and events. The City of Wichita turned over the management of Century II Performing Arts and Exhibition Center to ASM Global on Jan. 1, 2022. General Manager Chris Whitney said Century II is coming back from the lean pandemic years. "We're finally, I feel like, back to a good solid event calendar load," she said. "We're seeing that in the industry. We believe [...]

De Soto needs more people, not just Panasonic, to lure big-name retailers and grocers, CRE experts say

info2023-05-01T10:16:28-05:00May 1st, 2023|

De Soto already has a pretty good selling point — Panasonic's $4 billion, 4,000-job electric-vehicle battery plant — but before the city can lure the likes of Target or Walmart to town, it will need to ramp up its population. Almost 1,300 apartments already are planned or under construction, thanks to Prairie Village-based Flint Development, Lawrence-based Alcove Development and other smaller builders, which at least gets the ball rolling on meeting current and future housing demand from the plant, which targets being operational in 2025. But it could take three to five years before residents occupy those spaces and have sufficient [...]

New city policy says children can stay at North Lawrence campsite

info2023-05-01T10:11:46-05:00May 1st, 2023|

Children are now allowed to stay with their parents at the city-run campsite for people experiencing homelessness in North Lawrence, according to a new policy. To stay with their children, parents must read the “family contract,” and maintain contact with their children at all times, according to the policy, which went into effect last week. Previously, the city has not allowed anyone under 18 to stay at the campsite. The city announced Monday that it is putting in place new safety protocols at the campsite, emphasizing that there are no visitors allowed other than “community outreach partners” who have been approved [...]

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