info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Sedgwick County judge offers Kansas legislators package of bills to stem domestic violence

info2023-02-07T01:19:10-06:00February 7th, 2023|

District Judge Phil Journey knows the grim statistics on domestic violence and regularly comes face-to-face with perpetrators and victims of violence in the home. His vantage point from a courthouse in Sedgwick County — epicenter of the state’s domestic violence caseload — led to development of a package of reform bills he wants the 2023 Kansas Legislature to consider. Improving the state’s response to 22,500 reported incidents of domestic violence annually, he said, could put downward pressure on 3,000 aggravated assaults, 900 kidnappings and the rapes, strangulations and homicides tied to those incidents. Source: Atchison Globe Now

Manhattan to unveil new $22.5 million joint maintenance facility

info2023-02-07T12:50:45-06:00February 7th, 2023|

A public dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place Friday as the City of Manhattan unveils its new $22.5 million Joint Maintenance Facility. City Manager Ron Fehr, Mayor Mark Hatesohl and representatives from BBN Architects, McCownGordon Construction and Public Works Director Rob Ott will provide comments in the north vehicle repair and maintenance shop. y. Source: 1350 KMAN

Derby PD bringing back Citizens Police Academy

info2023-02-07T00:55:36-06:00February 7th, 2023|

After a few years of being placed on hold, the Derby Police Department is bringing back its Citizens Police Academy in 2023. The COVID pandemic interrupted the last session of the CPA three weeks in, meaning no complete session has been held since 2018 (as it is something the department has traditionally put on in even years). Given that extended hiatus, Derby PD Lt. Caleb Rue noted the department looked forward to offering that once again in 2023. Source: Derby Informer | News

Organization ‘Grow Kansas Film’ aims to get incentives for movie and tv production in Kansas

info2023-02-07T00:48:39-06:00February 7th, 2023|

Kansas is one of 13 that does not provide incentives for film or television to be produced here. Filmmakers from the sunflower state say its cost Kansas opportunities. "We have missed countless, countless productions because Kansas cannot compete with other states that have incentives" Academy award winning screenwriter Kevin Willmott told the state senate's commerce committee on Thursday. He is part of a group called "Grow Kansas film" trying to change that with a bill in both the House and Senate. "The film business has changed. Movies are shot in the place that has the best incentive, because the film business like any [...]

Wichita police chief issues Super Bowl challenge to sheriff

info2023-02-07T00:46:51-06:00February 7th, 2023|

Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan challenged Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter to a challenge on the Super Bowl. The Kansas City Chiefs will take on Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, Feb. 12. Sullivan, who is originally from Philadelphia, challenged Easter to a friendly wager. If the Eagles win the game, he expects Easter to stand on the corner of Central and Main with a sign saying, "Fly Eagles Fly." Sheriff Easter responded that he accepts that challenge because he said the Eagles "are not going to win." Source: KSN-TV

Shawnee Co. population growth highest in 10 years

info2023-02-07T00:45:03-06:00February 7th, 2023|

In 2022, Shawnee County recorded its largest single-year increase in population in 10 years. This is according to the latest Kansas Division of the Budget report. Shawnee County's population grew by 2,265 people in 2022. It's the highest single-year percentage growth among the top-five largest counties by population in Kansas. The Greater Topeka Partnership attributes this population growth to successful strategies like Momentum 22 boosting the morale of people living in Topeka. Pivarnik says Momentum 27 offers new incentives the city hopes will continue to make Topeka a sought-after destination for newcomers. Source: KSNT 27 News

Prairie Village to consider amending affordable housing recommendations

info2023-02-07T00:43:08-06:00February 7th, 2023|

The Prairie Village City Council on Monday night will consider amending proposed affordable housing recommendations, potentially removing two aspects of the plan that have garnered the most criticism. The recommendations, initially put forward by a special task force last summer, have sparked months of intense public debate in Prairie Village, with a group of opponents frequently packing city council meetings, arguing that the recommendations — if implemented — would take away homeowners’ rights. Source: Prairie Village Post

Wichita City Council to vote on downtown street plan that calls for some major changes

info2023-02-06T12:31:37-06:00February 6th, 2023|

The Wichita City Council will vote Tuesday on a concept plan for redesigning downtown streets that calls for converting several one-way roads to two-way and reducing the number of lanes on other two-way streets. The proposal, born out of Wichita’s Project Downtown master plan, aims to serve as a blueprint for improving safety and mobility in the city core. Wichita’s Capital Improvement Plan allocates $17.4 million for upgrades to downtown streets over the next 10 years. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ignite Emporia, community stakeholders brainstorm solutions to local childcare crisis

info2023-02-06T08:29:29-06:00February 6th, 2023|

In the continued struggle to bring affordable and accessible childcare to Emporia, community members are leaving no stone unturned. Ignite Emporia and the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a Childcare Workshop on Wednesday, in partnership with ChildCare Aware of Eastern Kansas, bringing together community members with a stake in childcare. From business owners to educators to childcare providers, stakeholders from across the county met at the Trusler Business Center Wednesday to brainstorm a solution to the community’s severe lack of childcare options. To begin the meeting, participants heard from Hillsboro Community Child Care board chairman Tristen Cope about the successes [...]

Kansas Supreme Court examines clash over expanding hog facilities, shielding water supply

info2023-02-06T08:28:24-06:00February 6th, 2023|

The Kansas Supreme Court must arbitrate conflict sparked by a cunning Kansas regulatory maneuver to expand concentrated swine feeding operations and the response of an environmental organization claiming state regulators embraced legal fiction to weaken surface water protections. The Sierra Club won a lawsuit four years ago in Shawnee County District Court challenging farmer Terry Nelson and his partners for sidestepping maximum limits on the number of hogs packed into a single location near a creek. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment had collaborated with the Nelson family to add about 2,400 hog units at a farm in Phillips County. [...]

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