info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Topeka officials want change in response to vacant house fires

info2022-10-21T07:42:52-05:00October 21st, 2022|

After two vacant house fires yesterday, city officials are eager to bring change to Topeka. Councilwoman Karen Hiller and Christina Valdevia-Alcala have been working to create the "Changing our Culture of Property Maintenance" committee to improve city maintenance. Hiller says one way of preventing vacant house fires is to secure these vacant properties and monitor them to make sure no one is using them illegally. Source: KSNT 27 News

Topeka gives away 200 free weatherization kits

info2022-10-21T07:43:04-05:00October 21st, 2022|

Up to 200 free weatherization kits will be distributed to local residents this weekend. The Kansas Gas Service and the City of Topeka worked together to provide these free weatherization kits to help local residents prepare their homes for the coming winter. The kits will be distributed to those who signed up for them on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 215 SE 7th St. in downtown Topeka. “In anticipation of winter, Kansas Gas Service is proud to provide weatherization kits to our Topeka neighbors," said Lindsay Freeman, State Manager of Community Relations for Kansas Gas Service. "Weatherizing your home helps you save [...]

Changing Our Culture initiative gets lawn mowed in Topeka

info2022-10-21T00:10:47-05:00October 21st, 2022|

A new initiative in Topeka, called "Changing our Culture' is designed to improve the quality of structures and premises in Topeka, so that structures and premises violations are the exception rather than the rule. Owners are motivated to take care of properties before city departments are even called. "We got involved because the city of Topeka gets complaints about overgrown lawns of substandard property and the issue is what do we do about it. We decided about a year and a half ago to take on the whole thing. We came up with a five year goal to only have 500 [...]

Topeka mall demolition leads to new opportunities

info2022-10-21T07:43:30-05:00October 21st, 2022|

The construction fence is coming down as demolition at the former White Lakes Mall comes to a close. District 5 Council Member Brett Kell says there is already interest in this area by three businesses. With talk of business moving into south Topeka, businesses that are already here are eager to see what's to come. Jay Ives, president of the Blind Tiger, says that this will be a good thing to Topeka. "It's about time that something is done with the White Lakes mall," said Ives. "So, now that the building is down and the developer, we hear is ready to [...]

Mission weighs new regulations for e-cigarette retailers

info2022-10-21T07:44:11-05:00October 21st, 2022|

The city of Mission is weighing new regulations on shops that sell e-cigarettes and other vaping products. ... The regulations would impose a limit on vape shops from opening up within a certain distance from schools, daycare centers, churches or colleges. The idea is modeled off similar limits already in place in Shawnee, Mission City Administrator Laura Smith told the finance committee on Oct. 12. Shawnee currently does not allow e-cigarette and tobacco retailers within 200 feet of schools. Source: Prairie Village Post

Medical marijuana advocates press legislators to change law over objections by Kansas police

info2022-10-21T07:45:36-05:00October 21st, 2022|

Medical marijuana has long been a controversial topic in Kansas, with many advocating for the drug as a pain relief substitute that is less addictive than opioids. Ahead of the 2023 legislative session, the committee is trying to address areas of concern about legislation to legalize medical marijuana. Kansas sheriffs and police officers have objected to legalizing medical marijuana, writing that they would never be “supportive or even neutral” about legalization in Oct. 12 testimony submitted to the committee. The testimony was submitted by the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, Kansas Sheriffs Association and Kansas Peace Officers Association. Source: The [...]

What’s in a name? A free trip to Florida for 100 lucky Tampa, KS residents

info2022-10-20T16:03:05-05:00October 20th, 2022|

An all-expense paid trip to Tampa, Florida, is up for grabs for 100 Tampa residents. “Visit Tampa Bay,” a tourism promotion group is offering the trips, complete with bus transportation from Tampa, Kansas, to Kansas City International Airport; a charter flight to Florida; rooms in a downtown Tampa, Florida hotel; and a welcome reception with dignitaries, including the mayor. Tickets to area attractions will be provided, but transportation to the events will not. Meals will be at travelers’ expense. Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Making a difference keeps deputy going

info2022-10-20T16:04:31-05:00October 20th, 2022|

A deep-seated desire to help people who needed it led deputy Joel Womochil to his 16 years in law enforcement. “I wanted to be a cop since I was 6 years old,” Womochil said. Growing up in Abilene, he liked to tag along with his grandfather who cleaned the police station. Womochil liked the atmosphere of the police department. ... Womochil has been with Marion County sheriff’s office since 2020 and became Burns police chief in February. He also has been a part-time Peabody officer. Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Hiawatha mural is talk of the town

info2022-10-20T16:06:17-05:00October 20th, 2022|

Quite simply, it states “Welcome to Hiawatha, Kansas.” But the meaning behind these simple words is expressed in each letter. This is exactly what the owners of the old Maple Lanes Bowling Alley building wanted with the new mural that was finished this week by 5 artists that hail from as far away as Los Angeles and Arkansas, but have settled in the Kansas City area. Wendy and Andy Pederson purchased the building earlier this year and have been working on renovating it. Andy Pederson said that while the purpose of the building for his family — or company Pederson Seed [...]

Lawrence & Douglas County eco devo leaders create position to capitalize on Panasonic; new hire says addressing housing woes is critical

info2022-10-20T07:40:06-05:00October 20th, 2022|

Rob Richardson knows a thing or two about speed, given that a good part of his professional career has involved overseeing new development around the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. Richardson, who for 17 years was the director of planning for Kansas City, Kansas, and Wyandotte County, has been hired by local economic development leaders to fill the new position of “Panasonic Opportunities Manager.” That title, of course, refers to the pending $4 billion, 4,000-job Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant in nearby De Soto that is expected to create both challenges and opportunities for Lawrence and Douglas County. Source: LJWorld

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