info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Leawood’s new history book in the works for 75th anniversary

info2023-02-16T14:17:23-06:00February 16th, 2023|

In celebration of Leawood’s 75th anniversary, the city is publishing a new history book later this year. The roughly 100-page book — loosely titled “Leawood — The Journey Continues” — will chronicle the city’s history from 1997 to 2022 from a variety of perspectives, from economic development to arts and public outreach. City staff is slating for a fall publication, after which time the book will be available for purchase. Source: Prairie Village Post

House bill would repeal 50-year ban on compensating members of local school boards

info2023-02-16T14:16:58-06:00February 16th, 2023|

The hypothetical cost of implementing a Kansas House bill enabling local school districts to pay elected board members $20 per hour for a commitment of less than two hours a week would cost taxpayers $2.8 million annually. Adopting the change would break a 50-year precedent in Kansas law that made local school board members volunteers without a salary, but the idea seemed to make sense to Rep. Kristey Williams, chair of the House K-12 Budget Committee. She said during a Tuesday hearing the legislation could serve as a token of appreciation for board members and affirm the value placed on work [...]

Lyon County may use private entity for shelter services

info2023-02-16T07:57:07-06:00February 16th, 2023|

Lyon County may be close to an agreement with a private entity for animal control services, Sheriff Jeff Cope told city and county commissioners Wednesday afternoon during a joint luncheon. Cope said he was not yet able to disclose who the private entity was, but said he expected a contract to come through to the Lyon County Commission in the coming week. "We would be able to address the quarantine issues for animal bites, vicious animals, court orders and things like that," Cope said. Source: Emporia Gazette

Uniontown: Improving Community Spaces Grant Available

info2023-02-16T07:59:03-06:00February 16th, 2023|

“The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) is gearing up for a placemaking project in Uniontown,” President and CEO Jody Hoener said. They are seeking Uniontown resident’s input for a grant to improve the small town of almost 300 people in Bourbon County. “We have a survey for community members to fill out,” Hoener said. ... “We have already been working on Creative Placemaking projects in Fort Scott: the 3rd Street Park Improvements and the Downtown Arch projects,” Rachel Carpenter, Director of the The Center for Economic Growth at HBCAT, said. ... “Some examples would be: park improvements, murals in an [...]

Zoning hurdles could face solar project

info2023-02-16T00:33:50-06:00February 16th, 2023|

With many dangling details remaining, issues surrounding a planned solar farm in central Barton County were the topic of a County Commission study session Wednesday morning. All county officials know for sure is that developer Acciona Energy USA will soon seek zoning permits for the project and hope to be well into construction within six months. Source: Great Bend Tribune

Hesston offers new communication method

info2023-02-16T00:32:40-06:00February 16th, 2023|

The city of Hesston has added a new way to reach residents with information they could find helpful with an app that texts information to those who sign up. City clerk Jason Thrasher said city employees were researching a way to alert residents of timely issues when he came across Text.My.Gov a couple of months ago. Those who sign up for the free app get a text notifying them about anything going out in their neighborhood. “Anything people need to be aware of, this gives us a way to push things out,” Thrasher said. Source: Harvey County Now

Upcoming regulations will see cities reaching out to homeowners

info2023-02-16T08:02:53-06:00February 16th, 2023|

The Hiawatha City Commission met on Monday evening, and were addressed by Water & Lights Superintendent Brad Scott on upcoming lead and copper pipe regulations. Scott reported that the new clean water initiative will require cities to report on the number of lead and copper pipes in use, and to replace a certain percentage per year based on the percentage of lead or copper pipes running to residences in the city. Source: hiawathaworldonline.com

Group in hopes of establishing a food corridor in central Kansas

info2023-02-16T00:27:47-06:00February 16th, 2023|

The Kansas Rural Center is in the first of a three-year grant project to develop a cooperative food hub for 12 central Kansas counties along I-135, including Harvey, Sedgwick, Reno and Marion Counties. The project is just getting off the ground. According to Ryan Goertzen-Regier, program and administrative manager for the Kansas Rural Center, they received a grant from the USDA and started during the last quarter of 2022. He said they have funding for staff to work on the project for three years. Source: Hillsboro Free Press

Partnership promises better response times in wrecks

info2023-02-16T00:26:51-06:00February 16th, 2023|

A technology partnership between the sheriff’s office, Kansas 911 Coordinating Council, RapidDeploy, and OnStar was demonstrated for emergency responders and county commissioners Thursday. Adding the RapidDeploy mapping and OnStar communications to the enhanced 911 service the county already has will make it easier to get faster help at no additional cost to the county. Crash locations can be pinpointed as soon as a caller notifies dispatchers. Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Audit finds western Kansas keeps losing water, despite local efforts

info2023-02-16T00:25:59-06:00February 16th, 2023|

Local agencies in western Kansas have had decades to slow the decline of the Ogallala Aquifer, but most areas had less water last year than they did a decade ago, according to an audit released Wednesday. The audit, which evaluated groundwater management districts, or GMDs, was released as a staggering drought and attention from the governor and Legislature bring renewed attention to the near-crisis state of water in western Kansas. Auditors found the agencies had little direction from the state and limited authority. “While they appear to operate within their current expectations, their overall role in addressing the state’s water situation [...]

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