info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Governor Kelly bans TikTok on state owned devices

info2022-12-29T03:03:26-06:00December 29th, 2022|

In response to security concerns, Governor Kelly announced TikTok will be banned from use on state owned devices in most cases. “Today, I am taking common-sense steps to protect Kansans’ privacy and security,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “TikTok mines users’ data and potentially makes it available to the Chinese Communist Party — a threat recognized by a growing group of bipartisan leaders across the United States.” States across the country have taken similar actions in the past few weeks. Source: 101.3 KFDI

City implements mandatory water conservation measures

info2022-12-29T03:02:31-06:00December 29th, 2022|

The City of Atchison is implementing mandatory water conversation measures due to record low river levels which have limited our ability to draw a sufficient amount of water to meet the normal demand from domestic, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers. Source: Atchison Globe Now

KDOT selects Deer Creek bridge to benefit from Improvement Program funds

info2022-12-29T03:01:16-06:00December 29th, 2022|

The bridge spanning Deer Creek along 314th Road about 3.5 miles north of Atchison is one of the 33 local and off-system selected bridge projects to receive a piece of the $40.5 million worth of funding from revenue generated by the federally approved Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz announced the selected projects for the funding on Dec. 13 at the Pottawatomie County Law Enforcement Center in Westmoreland not far from one of the selected bridge projects, according to a press release from Kansas Office of the Governor. Source: Atchison Globe Now

Addis to leave office after 40 years

info2022-12-29T02:58:46-06:00December 29th, 2022|

On Friday, Lonie Addis likely will participate in his final meeting as a county commissioner. Barring emergencies, the commission will not meet between Friday, the last meeting of the year, and Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, when Vincent Schibi of rural Parsons will be sworn in to replace Addis. Addis, 72, took his seat on the commission on Jan. 10, 1983. His current term, his 10th four-year term, will end on Jan. 9, just shy of 40 years. He’s been coming to terms in recent months with the end of a long career in county government. He said he likely would not [...]

Kansas receives nearly $5.7 million to expand broadband access

info2022-12-29T02:55:15-06:00December 29th, 2022|

Governor Laura Kelly announced that Kansas has received nearly $5.7 million to expand broadband access, adoption and affordability, from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Office. “Communities across the Kansas have enormous potential for a new chapter of innovation and success,” Governor Kelly said. “This funding will propel the state forward, accelerating our efforts to ensure all Kansans can fully participate in the digital world.” The funds are part of the designated $65 billion as outlined in the federal bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021, dubbed the “Internet for All Initiative.” Source: The [...]

Fall 2022 Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) Grant Recipients Announced

info2022-12-28T01:45:22-06:00December 28th, 2022|

Governor Laura Kelly today announced the recipients of the fall 2022 Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants. A total of 15 projects from across the state are receiving almost $773,000 in matching grant funds. HEAL was created in 2021 as a partnership between the Patterson Family Foundation and the Department of Commerce. The HEAL program provides grant funding to assist communities in revitalizing underutilized and dilapidated downtown buildings and turning them into economic drivers in the community. The first round of HEAL grants resulted in 32 commercial buildings being rehabilitated. Interest in the program remains strong. A total of 30 applications [...]

Emergency calls up slightly during cold wave

info2022-12-28T01:44:15-06:00December 28th, 2022|

Despite snow and record-breaking cold, the number of 911 calls in Lyon County over the past week was up only slightly from last year. The Lyon County Emergency Communications Center reported Tuesday that its officers handled 1,532 calls between December 21-27. That number includes emergency and non-emergency calls. That was up five percent from the 1,458 calls received in the same seven-day period in 2021. The period last year had only a trace of rain, one morning with a low of 19 degrees and one afternoon with a high of 75. In contrast, the past few days featured a two-inch snowfall, [...]

Ignite Emporia attempts to forge path to state-wide changes in childcare

info2022-12-28T01:43:01-06:00December 28th, 2022|

Amid a childcare crisis in Kansas, Ignite Emporia is making great strides to address the needs of Lyon County families — and helping those throughout the state. Sherry Harrison started her new position as Ignite Emporia director in June of this year. Early into her role, Harrison conducted in-depth questioning around Emporia and Lyon County, especially about the lack of housing. Within that research, another problem arose: the lack of childcare. “We started hearing from employers that they had people that would like to come to Emporia and work but they could not find housing that they were happy with,” Harrison [...]

‘Tiny Jails’: Historic Kansas lockups may be endangered

info2022-12-28T01:42:09-06:00December 28th, 2022|

The Kansas Preservation Alliance’s annual list of the state’s Most Endangered Buildings includes six specific locations and a statewide category called “Tiny Jails.” Several of these lockups can be found in the Golden Belt. Most were built in the 1880s through 1920s and were used merely as “holding tanks” in later years of operation, according to the KPA website. By the 1960s, more were retired and then forgotten about. The “bear cage” jail cell that is alleged to have belonged to the City of Claflin is now located at the Barton County Historical Society Village and Museum. It provides a fun [...]

Gary Demel retires after 51 years

info2022-12-28T01:41:00-06:00December 28th, 2022|

The question Gary Demel has heard most for the past month is, “What are you going to do when you retire?” Demel’s last day as Superintendent of the Barton County Road and Bridge Department was Dec. 1. He’d worked for the county for 51 years, with some time off to serve in the U.S. Army. “I’ve been busier than ever since I retired,” he said. His wife Renee’s father passed away and they’ve been taking care of selling his property in Trousdale, and Gary also takes Renee’s grandchildren to and from school. Then there’s the Demels’ rural property in the Walnut [...]

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