info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

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. [...]

Search for new city administrator begins

info2022-12-19T22:17:07-06:00December 19th, 2022|

The wheels are turning to find a replacement for the resigning Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis. First, the City Council Monday night approved contracting with Selected was Strategic Government Resources of Keller, Texas, to handle the search, and it also approved naming current Assistant City Administrator Logan Burns to fill the post as the interim administrator during the hiring process. Source: Great Bend Tribune

In Kansas’ ‘Little Sweden USA,’ the small-town American dream is still alive

info2022-12-19T09:59:53-06:00December 16th, 2022|

Its nickname is “Little Sweden USA,” and when you pull into Lindsborg, it’s clear why. Pole banners and road signs greet visitors with a friendly “Välkommen.” Many businesses display replicas of Swedish dala horses, the town mascot. The word “SWEDES” is painted in yellow on the blue stands of the Bethany College football field. Wine and spirits are obtained at Swedes Liquor. The street benches downtown possess a distinctly Scandinavian design quality. Umlauts abound. ... Lindsborg, located in a central Kansas region called the Smoky Valley, has long punched above its weight. Settled by Swedes in 1869, it is a town [...]

Wyandotte County commissioners strip mayor of power to remove meeting agenda items

info2022-12-19T10:00:04-06:00December 16th, 2022|

Wyandotte County Mayor Tyrone Garner will no longer be able to unilaterally stop an issue from landing on the agenda of the Unified Government’s full commission meetings, after a Thursday night vote. The move stripped the mayor of autonomy over the meeting agenda, a power that had been a long-held tradition for the local government. The decision came toward the end of Thursday’s Board of Commissioners meeting, when members voted 9-1 to change the government’s rules and procedures so that the mayor cannot add or remove proposals from the agenda without seeking further approval. Source: KC Star Local News

New jobs coming to Topeka

info2022-12-18T12:52:52-06:00December 16th, 2022|

Topeka and Shawnee County’s Joint Economic Development Organization voted Wednesday to award cash incentives totaling up to $368,000 in taxpayer dollars for two projects expected to create more than 50 new local jobs. JEDO board members voted to approve performance-based incentives that will provide as much as $268,000 to Topeka-based Torgeson Electric Company for an expansion project and as much as $100,000 to enable One-Source Distributing LLC to expand by establishing an operation in Topeka. Source: CJonline

City of Emporia announces new skate park to move from Santa Fe to Whittier as project enters ‘input gathering’ phase through January

info2022-12-16T13:18:42-06:00December 16th, 2022|

Plans have shifted somewhat over the past year, however, the City of Emporia is still moving forward with the construction of a new skate park. Original plans were to construct the half-million dollar skate park at Santa Fe Park, however, City Manager Trey Cocking says lease negotiations with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad gave city leaders pause in that endeavor. During discussions with BNSF, it was requested that all lease agreements be adjusted to one-year annual agreements, a departure from the current 99-year agreement in place. Cocking says after a review, the city found Whittier to be the best fit for [...]

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