info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Ellinwood awarded construction funds for new hospital

info2022-11-04T06:56:09-05:00November 4th, 2022|

Ellinwood’s work to secure funding for a replacement hospital through the USDA has proven to be worth the hard work and efforts. The Ellinwood Hospital District Board of Trustees has been notified that the $25 million in requested funding has officially been obligated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Construction of a new hospital and clinic and is expected to begin late this year or early in 2023, CEO Kile Magner stated in a news release. “This has been quite a process to say the least, and we are thrilled that all of the team’s hard work has paid off,” Magner [...]

KDOT shortages could hinder efforts this winter

info2022-11-04T06:56:34-05:00November 4th, 2022|

The Kansas Department of Transportation is committed to keeping the highways cleared when inclement weather impacts the state, but staffing shortages continue to affect the agency with not enough snowplow operators in many areas. These ongoing shortages could affect KDOT’s ability to clear snow and ice from highways in a timely manner, said Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz. “We want motorists to know ahead of time – it’s not a matter of if the highways will be cleared this winter, but when,” Lorenz said. “KDOT crews will be proactive by shifting crews and pretreating surfaces whenever possible but having fewer employees could [...]

Schwan’s to build new distribution center in Salina, bring more jobs

info2022-11-04T01:47:33-05:00November 4th, 2022|

Schwan’s Company announced Thursday it plans to build a 140,000-square-foot refrigerated distribution center at its pizza-manufacturing facility in Salina. Company leaders joined government and civic officials in Salina to share details of the new project and thank the Salina and greater Kansas community. The distribution center is a new project in addition to the 400,000-square-foot expansion currently underway, the company said. The project, which is expected to begin in 2023 and be completed in early 2025, will expand the total distribution center space to 245,000 square feet. The new distribution center space will be used to store food produced by employees [...]

Wichita Superintendent Alicia Thompson plans to retire at end of school year

info2022-11-04T06:57:13-05:00November 4th, 2022|

Alicia Thompson, the first woman and first Black superintendent of Wichita Public Schools, will retire at the end of the school year, district officials said on Thursday. Thompson, 53, has held the top position for the state’s largest school district since 2017. She has worked for USD 259 for 31 years, starting as a kindergarten teacher at Ingalls Elementary School. In a letter sent to parents on Thursday afternoon, Thompson said she will be eligible to retire through KPERS — short for Kansas Public Employees Retirement System — at the end of the school year. Source: Wichita Eagle

Parsons voters to decide fate of public safety sales tax increase

info2022-11-04T01:39:55-05:00November 4th, 2022|

Next week Parsons voters will decide the fate of a public safety sales tax. Parsons voters will be asked to increase the current half-cent sales tax to a one-penny sales tax that would go into effect on January 1st, 2024. This will provide money for both the Parsons Police Department and the Fire Department for things like ensuring competitive wages to retain staff, modernizing and replacing old equipment, as well as house fire and police together in a new modern facility. "The sales tax, again it is critical for police and fire this year that an increase will help us to [...]

Osage City has new highway: K-31 opens after monthslong closure

info2022-11-04T06:58:36-05:00November 4th, 2022|

Kansas Department of Transportation announced yesterday through social media that state Highway 31, between Osage City and U.S. Highway 75, has been reopened, as of Nov. 2, 2022. KDOT reports work will continue along the sides of the highway, with the project expected to be completed in January. Source: Osage County Online

Parsons Police to participate in No Shave November, preparing for Shop with a Cop event

info2022-11-04T06:59:04-05:00November 4th, 2022|

In past years, No Shave November was observed by members of the Parsons Police Department. With the COVID-19 pandemic and mask mandates for officers, that tradition was halted. This year, officers can choose to participate in this tradition. Officers and staff members allowed to participate in this year’s No Shave November event will contribute to the department’s Shop with a Cop program, which helps support underprivileged children in the community. Working in conjunction with the Duke Mason Band and other community members and organizations, the department, with the help of Labette County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, Parsons Fire Department and [...]

John Brown’s Underground is proposing a change to Lawrence city codes on downtown liquor sales. The bar’s survival depends on it

info2022-11-04T01:12:52-05:00November 4th, 2022|

John Brown’s Underground, a speakeasy-inspired craft cocktail lounge in downtown Lawrence, has made a creative addition to the local bar scene since it opened in 2014. But a city code that was designed to limit liquor sales downtown is now threatening the business’s future. This rule requires establishments with liquor licenses to derive no more than 45% of their sales from liquor. Passed in 1994, the rule allowed exemptions for 29 existing locations, including Louise’s and Harbour Lights. The code still exempts new bars that open in the same buildings as any of those original 29. Source: The Lawrence Times

Kansas might let homes take more toddlers amid child care shortage. Critics worry about safety

info2022-11-04T01:10:58-05:00November 4th, 2022|

Corinne Carr has about a half dozen seven parents the waiting list to enroll their children in her home day care business. Changes pending with state regulators would let her take in more children, but she’s not headed in that direction. “I don’t feel that it’s safe for the children,” she said. Currently, a child care operation with two workers can take in four children younger than 18 months. Now the state is looking at loosening the rules so that family child care providers with just one worker could look after up to four toddlers, or children under 12 months old, [...]

Planners begin to outline Chanute’s 150th celebration

info2022-11-04T07:00:21-05:00November 4th, 2022|

Planners for Chanute’s 150th anniversary celebration will meet next Thursday to begin their work. Chanute Area Chamber of Commerce & Office of Tourism Director Jane Brophy told members of the Tourism Committee at Wednesday’s meeting that the 150th anniversary committee will meet at 5:15 pm Thursday, Nov. 10, at the office of Main Street Chanute, which is partnering with the Chamber to take the lead on the anniversary celebration. Brophy shared the results of a survey of proposed events, which the committee will review, she said. It will also set a year-long timeline for events, and plans to be on the [...]

About info