info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Pittsburg Arts District is a win-win

info2022-12-21T07:42:57-06:00December 19th, 2022|

This fall, Pittsburg officially established an arts district. Some residents have probably not heard about this. One reason for that may be that people often pay more attention to bad news than good news, and there is no downside to speak of in designating such a district. As Deputy City Manager Jay Byers pointed out shortly before the city commission approved creating the Pittsburg Arts District in late October, establishing the district cost local taxpayers nothing, and didn’t commit the city to any specific future obligations. “There’s no legal action here, you’re just declaring a particular geographic area an arts district,” [...]

Wichita to pay landlords who accept housing vouchers

info2022-12-21T07:43:22-06:00December 19th, 2022|

Wichita, Kansas, is launching a new program to create incentives for landlords to lease apartments to people who receive federal rental assistance. Starting Jan. 1, the Wichita Housing Authority's Landlord Assistance Program will provide landlords who accept tenants receiving assistance with a host of incentives, including up to $1,000 in payments, up to $3,500 to cover the cost of damages to a unit, and two months of rent after a tenant is evicted. “The landlord incentive program helps reduce the likelihood of economically disadvantaged individuals or families becoming homeless due to not being able to find rentals that accept housing vouchers [...]

Kansas Water Authority votes to save what’s left of the Ogallala

info2022-12-21T07:44:07-06:00December 19th, 2022|

The board that advises the Kansas governor and Legislature on water policy now says the state needs to dramatically cut farming irrigation to stop draining the Ogallala aquifer. The vote by the Kansas Water Authority on Wednesday signals a call for a major shift in state policy. For the first time, a state entity has stated that Kansas should move away from gradually depleting the aquifer and act to halt the decline of the vital underground reservoir. Kansas Water Office director Connie Owen called the vote a historic step in changing how the state manages the aquifer, which has lost more [...]

State’s Rural Broadband Expansion Project Continues with Additional Funds

info2022-12-19T22:39:04-06:00December 19th, 2022|

Rural broadband expansion continues in Kansas. Gov. Kelly’s office announced this week that an additional $23.1 million will be provided to six service providers that will bring high-speed broadband service to nearly 4,200 homes, businesses, schools, health care facilities, and other institutions in unserved and rural areas of the state. This is the second of three rounds of awards from the Kansas Capital Project Funds (CPF) Grant Program. The program is the result of the U.S. Department of Treasury’s approval of Kansas’ Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF) broadband infrastructure plan. Source: 101.3 KFDI

Nat’l Park Service Names Wichita American WWII Heritage City

info2022-12-19T22:35:57-06:00December 19th, 2022|

The City of Wichita has been designated an American World War II Heritage City by the National Park Service. The American World War II Heritage Cities Program (AWWIIHC) honors the contributions of towns, cities and counties and commemorates the stories of the men, women and children whose bravery and sacrifices shaped the U.S. home front during World War II, and still impact our country today. As the Air Capitol of the World, Wichita gained great attention and accomplishment during World War II for the development and production of military aircraft. Nearly 26,000 plans of various types were produced, and more than [...]

Shake-up at Unified Government limits power of KCK mayor to set agenda

info2022-12-19T22:34:01-06:00December 19th, 2022|

A surprise vote at Thursday night's meeting has led to a major shake-up in how the Unified Government of Wyandotte County conducts meetings. Mayor Tyrone Garner had already moved to adjourn the meeting and wished the crowd a Merry Christmas when a motion was made to suspend the adjournment and add an item to the agenda and a letter began circulating from Commissioner Angela Markley. After several minutes of quiet huddling and a 10 minute recess, Markley announced a proposal to change the way the body conducts meetings, allowing commissioners to add items to agendas and decide what items go to [...]

USDA Grants will help rehab rural Kansas communities

info2022-12-19T22:31:14-06:00December 19th, 2022|

The USDA has approved grants that will help rehabilitate housing and community centers in rural Kansas communities. The Rural Development grants total $255,662 and are part of a nationwide program to help rural communities in 47 states and American Samoa. In Kansas, the grants will be distributed in 5 counties: A $59,200 grant will help rehabilitate the exterior of the Independence Historical Museum. Located in the historic post office building, the museum celebrates the community’s culture through history, arts, and activities. Source: KSN-TV

Sneak peek: Concept for future of downtown Merriam

info2022-12-21T07:46:07-06:00December 19th, 2022|

A Merriam Drive makeover is on the horizon. The heart of downtown Merriam — Merriam Drive from Johnson Drive to West 55th Street — is looking at nearly $4.7 million’s worth of improvements. New curbs and gutters, sidewalks, pavement and bike lanes are all part of the improvement project. Project Coordinator Todd Veeman said the project should go out to bid in January, with construction potentially starting in April 2023. Source: Prairie Village Post

‘I will leave:’ Teachers, parents fight KCK district plan to add cameras in classrooms

info2022-12-21T07:46:37-06:00December 19th, 2022|

Parents, students and teachers are urging the Kansas City, Kansas, school board to reject a proposal to spend nearly $6.8 million in federal COVID relief dollars to add cameras to classrooms. District officials are proposing the idea as a stopgap measure during ongoing staff shortages. They say that adding the cameras would make it easier to livestream and record lessons to classrooms that are staffed with long-term substitutes or teachers who are not qualified in the subject area. Source: KC Star Local News

Unlike most jails in Kansas, Douglas County has found a way to lock up fewer mentally ill inmates

info2022-12-19T22:21:40-06:00December 19th, 2022|

In November 2020, Brandon Scrimsher was sentenced to three months in the Douglas County jail. The prospect of more time in jail was disheartening. Scrimsher, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, said his mindset and mental health sank. “I really kind of got … the attitude of, you know, this really sucks and why try,” Scrimsher said. “Nothing's ever gonna get better.” Despite his skepticism, Scrimsher found hope at the Douglas County jail. Case managers stationed inside the jail insisted he prepare for life outside — connecting him to mental health workers, classes and even housing when he was released. [...]

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