info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

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

Norton County Hospital says rumors of closing are just rumors

info2023-03-30T07:08:47-05:00March 30th, 2023|

Norton County Hospital (NCH) says rumors in the community that they are closing are absolutely false. In a news release to KSN, the hospital board president and its CEO said that although the board did receive a January financial report that showed the previous year had been a bad year financially for the hospital, the same has been true for rural hospitals across the country. They say the board is committed to making financially responsible decisions that preserve the hospital. Source: KSN-TV

Effort to block cities, counties from recouping lost sales tax fails

info2023-03-30T07:07:39-05:00March 30th, 2023|

The Kansas Senate on Tuesday rejected a plan from Republican leadership designed to prevent local governments from increasing property taxes to backfill lost sales tax revenue from a separate GOP bill. The Senate last month passed a plan to exempt food from both state and local sales taxes, which would have cut an estimated $180 million a year from local government revenue. Officials warned that the only option for local governments wishing to maintain the same level of services would be to raise property taxes. In an effort to prevent property tax increases, Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, followed up with [...]

Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment – Local City and County Meeting Invite

info2023-03-30T08:28:19-05:00March 29th, 2023|

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is developing a Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Safety Assessment to plan for improved safety for people walking and biking on all public roads in Kansas. This assessment will be conducted in compliance with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidance memorandum dated October 21, 2022, which states: The purpose of this memorandum is to provide background and guidance to clarify the requirements for the Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment as described in 23 U.S.C. 148(l), as amended by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Pub. L. 117-58, also known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” (BIL)). [...]

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