info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Douglas County leaders defer decision on whether energy firm can do tests for large-scale solar project

info2023-03-30T07:16:25-05:00March 30th, 2023|

Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday deferred their decision on whether an energy firm may conduct testing for a potential large-scale solar project, and they and some members of the public were skeptical about the company’s claims that it didn’t know it needed a permit. The commission’s meeting room at the Douglas County Courthouse was packed full of residents on Wednesday night, many of whom came to speak out against industrial-scale solar energy projects in general. But the county leaders were specifically deciding whether to approve four permits for Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources to conduct utility-scale solar-related testing activity on seven properties [...]

Round two of Barton County facade grants launched

info2023-03-30T07:15:10-05:00March 30th, 2023|

The Barton County Commission Wednesday morning plunged into round two of its poplar Facade Improvement Grant Program that provides assistance for business owners wanting to refresh their store fronts. Six grants were awarded. “This is near and dear to my heart,” said commission Chairman Shawn Hutchinson, District 3. “I’m excited to get this going.”... “In 2021, the commission dedicated $630,000 to the facade improvement project,” County Administrator Matt Patzner said. Funds spent on completed projects totaled $369,390.43 with extended projects estimated at $229,009.45, and there is $31,600 from the original funding remaining. Source: Great Bend Tribune

Harvey County trying new technique to solve cracking on Halstead Road

info2023-03-30T07:14:17-05:00March 30th, 2023|

Harvey County Road and Bridge Superintendent Jim Meier said the county would be trying a new technique this summer for a vexing problem that has resurfaced again and again—how to keep cracks from returning on Halstead Road. Meier said the six-mile stretch between Southwest 36th Street to the county line had a history of lateral cracking in a relatively short period, especially compared to other roads. He said the cracks that appeared were wider than those that appeared on other road projects. That allows more water to penetrate the surface and new paving material. He said the water seeped into the [...]

Newton School District cancelled for second day due to network security breach

info2023-03-30T07:13:51-05:00March 30th, 2023|

The Newton School District announced it would cancel classes on Thursday as the district continues to deal with a network security incident. Classes are expected to resume Friday, according to the release sent out to parents. On Tuesday afternoon, the district reported it was having an Internet outage and in the evening sent out a release stating that it detected a network security incident affecting certain systems within its network. The release stated that it notified law enforcement as well as began working with third-party forensic specialists to investigate the extent, cause and origin of the breach. Source: Harvey County Now

Prairie Village residents polled about new community center

info2023-03-30T07:12:13-05:00March 30th, 2023|

Most Prairie Village residents still say they would use a new community center that replaces the aging Paul Henson YMCA, though that proportion has decreased from four years ago. At the same time, a majority of respondents to a new survey said they would be willing to pay higher taxes in order to build a new community center. Source: Prairie Village Post

City envisions homes and retail on undeveloped plot in western Shawnee

info2023-03-30T07:11:45-05:00March 30th, 2023|

An area of western Shawnee considered mostly unable to be developed in its current state could one day be home to new conventional neighborhoods, low-density multifamily housing, sprawling park space and commercial zones. Late last year, the city council authorized the formation of a 1,650-acre improvement district that stretches between Monticello Road and Woodland Drive from Shawnee Mission Parkway to the southern city limit. Recently, the Shawnee city staff presented a basic conceptual plan for the now-dubbed Hickok Zarah conservation tax increment financing, or TIF, district to the planning commission. Source: Prairie Village Post

Johnson County records big drop in greenhouse gas emissions — but with some caveats

info2023-03-30T07:11:19-05:00March 30th, 2023|

Although Johnson County’s population grew by about 8% since 2013, its residents and county government have apparently become more efficient about using energy. According to a new study by the county department of health and environment, greenhouse gas emissions in Johnson County fell by about 35% per capita in the seven years between 2013 and 2020. The greenhouse gas inventory update — the first of its kind in Johnson County in seven years — also showed a community-wide decrease in emissions of about 30%. Source: Prairie Village Post

Nicodemus native discusses the ‘Promised Land’

info2023-03-30T07:10:49-05:00March 30th, 2023|

They traveled from Kentucky to the “Promised Land” on the Solomon River of Kansas. Emancipated African Americans found a road to freedom after the Civil War, and established the oldest and only remaining Black settlement west of the Mississippi at Nicodemus, Kan. Emporia State University Special Collections and Archives hosted “Children of the Promised Land,” a Humanities Kansas presentation by Angela Bates Tuesday evening. Bates is the executive director and past president of the Nicodemus Historical Society. A direct descendant of the town founders, she presents programs across the country about her unique hometown. Bates graduated from Emporia State University in [...]

Marion County buys former food bank

info2023-03-30T07:10:05-05:00March 30th, 2023|

County commissioners Monday agreed to pay $1 for a building at 1220 E. Main St. in Marion that formerly housed the county food bank. The idea is to build a new health department at the site, provided one can be designed to fit that space. The property is owned by Marion Advancement Campaign. “The next step would be to draw up a plan,” commission chairman David Mueller said. “This in no way guarantees a building will be built.” [HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Hutchinson Fire Department conducts pilot study for advanced EMT training

info2023-03-30T07:09:06-05:00March 30th, 2023|

The Hutchinson Fire Department (HFD) is looking to boost its efficiency. On Feb. 1, HFD began a six-month pilot study to determine whether advanced EMT training is the answer. All the Hutchinson firefighters are EMT (Emergency Medical Technicians) trained, but the advanced training would allow them to be more helpful on the scene and take steps before EMS (Emergency Medical Services) arrives. There are four Hutchinson firefighters who are AMT (American Medical Technologists) trained. Source: KSN-TV

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