info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Johnson County saw a 25% drop in suicides. Mental health experts are cautiously optimistic

info2025-01-31T09:22:42-06:00January 31st, 2025|

More people are calling Johnson County’s mental health crisis hotline when they are struggling, according to new data from the county. While that doesn’t always correlate directly with a decrease in suicides, county health experts said it can often be an indicator. The most recent data available, released last week, shows early signs of improvement. In 2023, 93 people died by suicide, down from 122 the year before. The number of people who died by suicide in the county had been climbing since 2020, said county epidemiologist Gabe Hawkins. Source: Johnson County Post

See what 10 northeast JoCo leaders said about state of their cities in 2025

info2025-01-31T09:21:43-06:00January 31st, 2025|

In 2024, cities in northeastern Johnson County gained new police chiefs, made headway on major developments and celebrated 75th birthdays. Last week, mayors and other civic representatives from 10 cities in Johnson County’s northeast corner shared updates with a crowd of more than 100 people at the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center for the 2025 Northeast Johnson County Chamber of Commerce State of the Cities address. Source: Johnson County Post

How Clock Tower Landing, Overland Park farmers market area’s new name, nods to city’s history

info2025-01-31T09:20:54-06:00January 31st, 2025|

Clock Tower Landing is the new official name for the prospective new downtown Overland Park farmers market pavilion and community gathering space around it. The name draws on Overland Park history and also nods to the iconic clock tower that looks over the city’s downtown. On Monday, the Overland Park City Council voted 12-0 to approve the new name. The Clock Tower Landing name will apply to an area generally between Santa Fe Drive and Marty Street covering the new pavilion once it’s built, as well as the existing Clock Tower Plaza and areas adjacent to it. Source: Johnson County Post

Gardner voters to decide on renewing half-cent sales tax for city streets and trails

info2025-01-31T09:20:02-06:00January 31st, 2025|

Gardner voters will be deciding next month whether to renew the city’s sales tax. The half-cent sales tax funds the city’s Pavement Management Program, which pays for improvements to collector and arterial streets, sidewalks, trails, curbs, gutters and other upgrades that would comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The mail-in ballot was distributed to all registered voters within city limits on Jan. 22. Source: Johnson County Post

Report: Fort Riley exceeds $2 billion in economic impact on area

info2025-01-31T09:19:09-06:00January 31st, 2025|

Fort Riley leaders recently released the 2024 economic impact summary. The report shows that the installation, home of the 1st Infantry Division, had a direct economic impact on the area of $2.047 billion in fiscal year 2024, which runs from Oct. 1, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2024. That number includes payroll, contracts and services, construction, intergovernmental agreements, veteran spending and more. Total payroll for Fort Riley, one of the biggest employers in the region, was $1.312 billion. Source: 1350 KMAN

EMS investment, service return a huge deal for Sedgwick

info2025-01-31T09:18:12-06:00January 31st, 2025|

Sedgwick residents will have to pay for most of their new EMS, but their dollars buy peace of mind and probably a few saved lives over coming years. The city received help from the state, about $640,000 in way of a grant, to pay for a $2.4 million fire/EMS building. It’s all a part of the city’s revival of such a service. $2.4 million is an expense for a city the size of Newton. It’s a major expenditure for a town of 1,600. The good part is the cost should be manageable with some of Sedgwick’s bonded debt set to expire [...]

Governor Kelly Orders Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Victims of D.C. Plane Crash

info2025-01-31T09:17:10-06:00January 31st, 2025|

Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags across Kansas to be flown at half-staff until sundown on Thursday, February 6, 2025, to honor those who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash near Washington, D.C., last night. “Today, Kansas mourns a tragedy. I am devastated by the event that unfolded last night and extend my deepest condolences to the victims’ loved ones,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Thank you to the more than 300 brave first responders in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area who were on the scene immediately. This is a sad day for our state and our nation.” Source: KCLY [...]

Abilene to Vote on 0.35% Sales Tax Increase for Recreation Upgrades in Special Election

info2025-01-31T09:16:07-06:00January 31st, 2025|

On Tuesday, February 4th the city of Abilene will hold a Special Election concerning a 0.35% sales tax increase to improve the dated recreational facilities in the city. The tax had previously been rejected by a narrow margin of 675 to 608 during the 2024 Primary election. Kellee Timbrook, Abilene Parks and Recreation Director, said this tax would help generate approximately $3.7 million over 10 years to help fund new multi-use sports fields and other recreation facilities including walking trails, adding pickleball courts and a splash pad in parks, and more. She spoke of the importance of these recreational improvements. Source: [...]

Ouster proceedings underway against McCune councilmember

info2025-01-31T09:15:15-06:00January 31st, 2025|

The McCune, Kansas city council voted to start ouster proceedings against one of its own during a January 14, 2025 meeting. In a document sent to Crawford County Attorney Reina Probert, Mayor Bobby Clark wrote councilmember Jason Han "willfully engaged in misconduct while in office" and "willfully neglected to perform any duty enjoined upon such person by law." Source: KOAM News

Appraisal office considering policy about tax abatement of damaged properties

info2025-01-31T09:13:05-06:00January 31st, 2025|

The Riley County appraisal office is considering changing its approach to granting tax abatements for properties destroyed in disasters. County staff members said Thursday at the Riley County Commission meeting that a state law about tax abatement for residences damaged in an earthquake, flood, tornado, fire or storm allows the county commission to decide whether it should give the owner an abatement. The county commission has no written policy on this, but has not been giving abatements, which officials said was because of concerns about fairness. Source: themercury.com

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