info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Kansas Receives Nearly $5.7M to Expand Equitable Broadband Access

info2022-12-27T14:12:59-06:00December 27th, 2022|

Governor Laura Kelly today announced 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 Laura 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.” “The Internet [...]

Atchison calls for voluntary water conservation — UPDATE: Now Mandatory

info2022-12-27T14:44:41-06:00December 27th, 2022|

Update: City of Atchison now implementing mandatory measures On December 20, 2022, the City became of aware of an ice jam in the river moving this direction over the next few days. The Army Corps of Engineers control the water management upriver that determines our river levels and manages the removal or dislodging of ice jams. The ice jam making its way from Nebraska is causing the river to back up and we anticipate we will experience another one and-a-half-foot drop in river levels over the next 48 hours. This creates a unique and unprecedented situation with the convergence of several [...]

Kansas asks U.S. Supreme Court to let states limit how long trains can block crossings

info2022-12-27T14:18:28-06:00December 27th, 2022|

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has joined 18 other state attorneys general in asking that the U.S. Supreme Court restore the rights states and local governments once had to regulate how long trains can block railroad crossings. Absent that power, the public is put at risk, the attorneys general say in their brief. Countless people have died when emergency vehicles were delayed at rail crossings, The Star reported this month in an investigation of railroad safety lapses. The problem has only gotten worse in recent years for many communities across the country, The Star reported, as the rail industry’s practices have [...]

Mulberry PD reaches out for help . . . and Angels appear

info2022-12-27T14:19:09-06:00December 27th, 2022|

Since becoming Mulberry’s chief of police, Joe Adelman has made it his mission to serve the people of his small town, and its surrounding area. It is not always easy in the poverty-stricken town, especially in today’s economy. Adelman and his officers spent much of the summer passing out food and water to those who needed it, and continue doing the same over the winter. But Adelman says he doesn’t have the resources necessary, so he recently asked for help from an unlikely source. In a letter to rap artist Izzy White, founder of a Maryland-based charity dedicated to helping anyone [...]

Sirens have long and storied history

info2022-12-27T14:21:04-06:00December 27th, 2022|

The ubiquitous sound of tornado sirens on a clear Monday has been around for generations, but when the warning devices were first installed in the early 1950s, inclement weather was an afterthought. Harvey County Communications Director Don Gruver said when the sirens were first installed, their purpose was to warn residents of a nuclear attack from America’s old nemesis, the Soviet Union. Wichita became the first city to use the civil defense sirens to warn of an approaching tornado in June 1958. He said cities used also them for other purposes – a lunch whistle at noon and to alert volunteer [...]

Lawrence assistant city manager Diane Stoddard stepping down next month, accepts position as Leawood city administrator

info2022-12-27T14:21:54-06:00December 27th, 2022|

Assistant Lawrence City Manager Diane Stoddard is leaving her position effective Jan. 13, according to a city news release Wednesday afternoon. She has accepted a position as city administrator in Leawood, according to the release. Stoddard’s role with the city manager’s office began in October 2007, according to the release. She also served as the interim city manager from June 2015 to March 2016. “It has been an honor to serve as both Assistant City Manager and, on one occasion, Interim City Manager for Lawrence over the last 15 years,” Stoddard said in the release. “As my hometown, Lawrence will always [...]

Edgerton mulls possible own police department

info2022-12-27T14:35:29-06:00December 27th, 2022|

Law enforcement services with Johnson County were renewed for the next year. However, at the Thursday, Dec. 15 Edgerton city council meeting, Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden said because of Edgerton’s continuing growth the city might want to consider expanding its services and needing their own police department might be in their future. “Edgerton is growing like crazy,” he said. Hayden said they should “explore some stuff” and consider assigning a lieutenant or a consistent group of officers to assist current Sheriff’s Department officer Brad Johnson for consistency with local citizens. He said knowing everyone in town helps officers serve a [...]

Russell PRIDE receives $52K grant

info2022-12-27T09:54:41-06:00December 27th, 2022|

Russell PRIDE Inc. in Russell County has received a $52,000 grant to revitalize a dilapidated downtown building, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Friday. Gov. Kelly announced the recipients of the fall 2022 Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants to revitalize under-used and dilapidated downtown buildings and turn them into economic drivers in Kansas communities. A total of 15 projects from across the state are receiving almost $773,000 in matching fund grants. HEAL was created in 2021 as a partnership between the Patterson Family Foundation and the Department of Commerce. The first round of HEAL grants resulted in 32 commercial buildings being rehabilitated. [...]

Abilene unveils world’s largest belt buckle

info2022-12-27T09:50:14-06:00December 27th, 2022|

Designed by local artist, Jason Lahr, Fluter’s Creek Metal Works, the buckle features Dwight D. Eisenhower, Wild Bill Hickok, Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, Historic Seelye Mansion, C.W. Parker carousel horse, C.L. Brown telephone, a racing Greyhound and Chisholm Trail longhorn inlaid with blue quartz. “Whether you enjoy Cowboy history, art, fun photo opportunities, or the world’s largest things, make sure to add the World’s Largest Belt Buckle to your Kansas I-70 road trip,” said Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Julie Roller Weeks. The project is funded by a Kansas Tourism Attraction Development Grant and from donations from 100 businesses [...]

Fort Scott interim City Manager named

info2022-12-27T14:37:31-06:00December 27th, 2022|

The Fort Scott City Commission announced their pick for the City Manager position. The commission's choice of Brad Matkin to take over the role was confirmed Tuesday in a unanimous vote. He will replace current City Manager, Jeff Hancock. Hancock will stay on for three months to help make it a smooth transition. Previously, Matkin worked for the city's public works department from 1989-1990. He returned to the city as the Human Resources Director in August of 2021 and has served as Assistant City Manager since September. “I’ve been a lifelong resident of Fort Scott and I’m passionate about making our [...]

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