info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

The Kansas Supreme Court rules that police can be liable when their actions injure a bystander

info2022-08-01T08:00:36-05:00August 1st, 2022|

The Kansas Supreme Court has reversed a lower court decision that shielded a Wichita police officer from criminal charges when he shot at a dog and a young girl was injured. Former Wichita police officer Dexter Betts was responding to a domestic disturbance call when a dog lunged at him, his attorneys say. Betts shot at the dog, but missed. Bullet fragments hit someone behind the animal. Betts was charged with reckless aggravated battery in 2018, but prosecution was blocked because a court ruled he qualified for statutory immunity — a provision in state law that protects officers from prosecution for [...]

Lawrence to swap all 15-minute parking stalls for 2-hour stalls

info2022-08-01T08:01:08-05:00August 1st, 2022|

The City of Lawrence will soon convert all 19 of its short-term parking stalls to two-hour spots. The city’s 15-minute stalls have been underutilized compared to the two-hour ones, according to a city news release Friday. “When introduced, the 15-minute time frame was intended to encourage high frequency turnover rates for visitors when picking up or dropping off items at Downtown Lawrence storefronts,” according to the release. “… Because the two-hour parking stalls can also be used for short-term parking needs, the City made the decision to convert all 19 of the current 15-minute parking stalls to two-hour parking stalls.” [...]

Johnson County commissioners approve spending over $4.6 million for retention bonuses

info2022-08-01T00:17:47-05:00August 1st, 2022|

Johnson County commissioners on Thursday approved funding for up to $3,000 in retention bonuses to combat staff vacancies in the sheriff and corrections departments due to a labor shortage. In an unanimous vote, commissioners agreed to spend more than $4.6 million over the next two years to help those agencies retain staff. The money is coming from the Countywide Support Funds reserves. “We are struggling, at least in some areas of the organization, to be able to recruit and retain,” said Maury Thompson, interim director of the human resources department. Source: KC Star Local News

Osawatomie Completes Levee Certification

info2022-08-01T00:14:40-05:00August 1st, 2022|

The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was pleased to announce they have accepted the accreditation materials for the City of Osawatomie levee system! Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. submitted the materials on behalf of the City of Osawatomie and was a tremendous partner in completing the accreditation. Now that the accreditation has completed, FEMA will produce a new countywide Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Miami County, Kansas. The levee will be shown as fully accredited on this future FIRM. Source: City of Osawatomie

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Cybersecurity Company to Move Headquarters to Kansas

info2022-08-01T00:12:53-05:00August 1st, 2022|

Governor Laura Kelly today announced cybersecurity company Novacoast is relocating its corporate headquarters to Wichita from Santa Barbara, California. The company plans to bring 100 new high-tech jobs to the state and help make Wichita a center for cybersecurity training. The announcement comes as Governor Kelly embarks on her “Prosperity on the Plains” economic tour talking with business leaders across Kansas about how to continue her administration’s record-breaking economic success. “I’m thrilled Novacoast is moving its headquarters to Wichita and creating 100 high-tech jobs for Kansans,” Governor Kelly said. “More and more companies are choosing to come to our state [...]

McPherson approves further restrictions on water park

info2022-08-01T08:02:22-05:00August 1st, 2022|

The McPherson City Commission set new hours for the McPherson Water Park for the remainder of the season during their meeting on Tuesday. Staffing issues have persisted at the facility, a joint venture between the city and the McPherson Recreation Commission, notably with regard to lifeguards. It’s a component of an issue that affects aquatic centers all around the country. The water park’s new hours for Tuesday through Friday will be 1 to 5 p.m. The water park will continue to be closed on Mondays to wrap up the season. The park will be open on Saturday from 1 to [...]

Nicodemus, Kansas’ historic Black town, celebrating 144 years

info2022-08-01T08:04:09-05:00July 31st, 2022|

The town of Nicodemus in northwest Kansas is holding a big celebration this weekend and is inviting people to stop and visit. The Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration LLC Committee is holding its annual homecoming weekend to honor its 144 years of heritage and history. As many of the town's initial population has relocated, descendants of Nicodemus come back every July to celebrate the community's history, educate the next generation, and get together with old friends and family. This celebration will feature a parade, food vendors, games, live music, a 5k run/walk, pancake feed, karaoke, and more through July 31. Source: [...]

Parsons PD welcomes their newest member to the force

info2022-07-31T23:47:38-05:00July 31st, 2022|

Officials from a national nonprofit were in Southeast Kansas today to witness their efforts in action. The Parsons Police Department opened its doors to Canines for Cops. Based out of Houston, Texas, this was the first chance its representatives got to see the newest member of the police department, K-9 officer Morgan. The organization played a role in getting her on the force. It reached out following the December murder of a puppy belonging to a Parsons police officer. It also provided more than $12,000 to help purchase and train K-9 officer Morgan. Source: KSNF/KODE

‘Someone could die,’ trains slow response time in Marshall County

info2022-08-01T08:07:43-05:00July 31st, 2022|

The fear in Marshall County is someone could die, a house could burn down, or a first responder could need help, that concern is coming from Sheriff Tim Ackerman following numerous complaints from citizens about blocked train crossings. Ackerman is frustrated. "There's nothing we can do, we are just hoping no one dies, no house burns down because they can't get through," Ackerman told KSNT 27 News. In the past, the sheriff's office would ticket the trains, some up to three miles long, but eventually, the railroad stopped paying the tickets and invoked a federal loophole in the law that let [...]

Emporia’s transient guest tax receipts 15 percent above 2019 record

info2022-07-31T23:43:48-05:00July 31st, 2022|

Emporia’s transient guest tax receipts are doing quite well. Visit Emporia Director LeLan Dains says the 7-percent tax on each room night stay at local hotels has led to some impressive totals as the local economy emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. Dains says it’s important for Emporia to have large-scale events that bring people to the city from a regional, national or international basis. He also says travel numbers are higher than expected with gas prices elevated for at least three months, and that is a good trend for Emporia. Source: KVOE Emporia Radio

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