info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Overland Park’s fire chief retires — Here’s what happens next

info2023-04-18T10:49:17-05:00April 18th, 2023|

The process of finding Overland Park’s next fire chief is underway following the official retirement of Fire Chief Byran Dehner in March. The city has begun steps to fill this prominent role, which city officials say “leads the fire department, ensuring high-quality fire protection for Overland Park and surrounding communities.” He became the head of the Overland Park Fire Department in 1994 and served as its leader through a period of growth and change. Source: Prairie Village Post

Lawrence City Commission to consider contract for permanent design of Old West Lawrence traffic devices

info2023-04-18T09:05:46-05:00April 18th, 2023|

Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will consider an agreement for the final design of devices intended to slow and reduce traffic in Old West Lawrence. The first round of the “traffic calming” pilot project in November 2021 caused some frustration for many residents of the neighborhood, as some temporary barriers forced people to turn at certain intersections rather than drive straight down streets, among other confusion. But the project first came about because many residents were concerned about safety, and drivers speeding through the neighborhood. Source: The Lawrence Times

Interim parks director Thompson promoted to Manhattan assistant city manager

info2023-04-18T10:45:16-05:00April 18th, 2023|

Wyatt Thompson, who has served as the Manhattan city government’s interim parks and recreation director for the past year, will join the City Manager’s Office as an assistant city manager, City manager Ron Fehr announced the change Monday. Thompson will be handling project management and supervision of the division leaders in building services and at the animal shelter. Today also is the first day on the job for Aaron Stewart, who was hired in March to replace former parks and rec department director Eddie Eastes, who retired in May 2022. Source: themercury.com

HEAL Projects Breathing Life into Downtowns Across Kansas

info2023-04-17T11:36:09-05:00April 17th, 2023|

A new strategy of timely investments in Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants rolled out by Governor Laura Kelly’s administration are fueling many of these success stories. Funded by the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Patterson Family Foundation — which is dedicated to strengthening communities and particularly in rural areas — the HEAL matching grants are critical tools in revitalizing downtown districts and making them more economically vibrant. Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Johnson County Library goes fine-free

info2023-04-17T10:36:40-05:00April 17th, 2023|

In a major milestone, Johnson County Library is no longer assessing daily fines for overdue materials. Patrons checking out books, DVDs or other materials from any of the library's 14 branches no longer have to worry about the assessment of a fine for items returned after their due date. In addition, existing overdue fines have been removed from most patron accounts, and fees older than seven years have been waived. Source: Johnson County Kansas |

Winfield 150th celebration signs available

info2023-04-17T10:35:05-05:00April 17th, 2023|

The Cowley County Historical Society Museum is now celebrating Winfield's 150 years by selling “Happy Birthday, Winfield!” yard signs for $20. “Our signs were designed by Bobby Valentine and printed by Cardinal Sign,” said Cindy Goertz, chairperson of the 150th event committee. “They are truly a work of art. They will look great in your yard or in your business window.” Signs can be picked up at the museum, 1101 Mansfield, from 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce office, 123 E. Ninth Ave., and Do It Up Studio, 110 E. Ninth Ave., will also have signs [...]

Shook retires as clerk for Arkansas City

info2023-04-17T10:32:47-05:00April 17th, 2023|

Lesley Shook has officially retired as City Clerk after more than two decades of service to the City of Arkansas City. Shook’s final day with the city was March 27. She was honored with a reception at City Hall. Shook began her career with the city in 1995 as an administrative secretary. Lesley was introduced as the City Clerk in 2008. Retirement plans include gardening and travel. A New Jersey native, Shook looks forward to more visits with her east coast family. Shook also plans to spend time with her granddaughter, Olivia, who lives with Shook’s son, Zach, and his wife, [...]

The status of new cybersecurity laws proposed in Kansas

info2023-04-17T11:39:39-05:00April 17th, 2023|

As employers in the private and public sectors adjust to the advent of flexible work over the last two years, they're simultaneously trying to protect their organizations from attackers looking to steal and sell data. 2021 was a year defined by significant cyberattacks that crippled infrastructure and shut down hospitals, schools, and municipal governments. It's the same year the Colonial Pipeline, which supplies gasoline to millions living in the Northeast U.S., was hobbled by a ransomware attack that triggered a gas panic and elevated prices for consumers. Source: Wichita Eagle

A new museum in Amelia Earhart’s Kansas hometown honors her pioneering legacy in flight

info2023-04-18T10:56:34-05:00April 17th, 2023|

Pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart spent part of her childhood in Atchison, Kansas. Now her hometown is celebrating her life and adventures with a new museum that opens this weekend. The Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum showcases 14 interactive science and technology exhibits, celebrates the trailblazing aviator and features a Lockheed Electra 10-E aircraft named Muriel. Earhart flew an identical plane when she and her navigator, Fred Noonan disappeared on her doomed, final flight around the world in 1937. Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. As crowds gathered outside the museum Friday, Karen Seaberg, founder and president [...]

Johnson County Library is ditching late fees and wiping out all overdue book fines. Here’s why

info2023-04-17T11:34:51-05:00April 17th, 2023|

Johnson County Library patrons were liberated Thursday from fines that build up for keeping books and other materials past their due dates. The Johnson County Library Board voted unanimously — and with applause — to discontinue charging 30 cents for each day an item is overdue. The library also will forgive overdue fines that were already on the books. By Friday morning, patrons with JoCo Library’s mobile app were able to see $0.00 under the “Fees due” tab. Board members said the embarrassment of the fines had been discouraging people from ever returning items or coming back to use the library. [...]

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