News – Page 1152 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Western Kansas’ lack of arts opportunities deters young people from living on the plains

info2022-03-27T22:24:55-05:00March 27th, 2022|

Garden City saw a weekend packed with theater performances from the local high school and community college in late February. Audiences were treated to productions of “Godspell” and “Crimes of the Heart”, but they had to choose between the two: Each scheduled Friday and Saturday evening performances and a Sunday matinee. Overlapping show weeks isn’t a new trend with theater in Western Kansas. Smaller districts’ annual plays have been historically slapped into “Buffer Week,” the break between fall and winter sports, as a student’s one chance to perform with friends as a cast. This trend of “feast or famine” when it [...]

Overland Park clears way for $440K in federal funds to improve 4 city parks

info2022-03-28T07:04:03-05:00March 27th, 2022|

Overland Park’s long-term plan will soon include improvements to more than $400,000 worth of improvements to four public parks in the north of the city. At its Monday meeting, the Overland Park City Council approved an amendment to the city’s Community Development Block Grant program, which uses federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on projects targeted toward low to moderate-income areas of the city. The amendment makes way for improvements on four city parks to be included in the CDBG Consolidated Plan for 2020-2024. Source: Prairie Village Post

Wichita Monitoring Multiple Water Leaks, But Says Service is Not Threatened

info2022-03-28T07:04:15-05:00March 27th, 2022|

The City of Wichita said Thursday that it is repairing two leaks near the water treatment plant. The city said there are two leaks in a 42″ water main pipe between the Hess pump station at 1601 Museum Blvd and the current water treatment facility. Public Works and Utilities officials said they have been working around the clock to monitor the leak and water pressure since becoming aware of the issue on March 23rd. The city assured residents that the issue was no cause for alarm, and that they should not experience any service impacts from the leaks at this time. [...]

Fans visiting Wichita for first time with NCAA Women’s basketball tournament

info2022-03-27T22:15:22-05:00March 27th, 2022|

For Becky Lamb, this is her second weekend on the road. Last weekend she was in Waco for South Dakota's upset of Baylor. "We just have a lot of fun." Lamb says one of the perks of traveling to all these cities for the games, she and her friends and family get to experience new cities. "Its fun to find local establishments, we like to find a favorite to go to before or after the game." Source: KAKE - News

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office donates ballistic vests to Ukraine

info2022-03-27T22:14:11-05:00March 27th, 2022|

A call went out and the Douglas County Sheriff's office answered. The office said it donated 20 ballistic vests after the National Guard asked law enforcement agencies for help. The vests will eventually be shipped to Ukraine and given to people who are fighting the Russian invasion. The Sheriff's Office said the vests are past their warranty dates and deputies would no longer be allowed to use them anyway. “In law enforcement we seek to help however we can and when we can. Like the rest of this community, we have felt very helpless and have wanted a way to help [...]

Expanded golf cart use still being considered

info2022-03-28T07:05:38-05:00March 27th, 2022|

Winfield city officials are still gathering information on potentially allowing limited golf cart usage on city streets, Winfield city manager Taggart Wall said Friday. A group of Winfield residents went before the Winfield City Commission in February and requested that the ordinance regarding golf carts be revised to allow limited street usage. Golf cart usage on public streets is currently allowed in a handful of Winfield neighborhoods and at some city-owned properties. Wall said that, once the information is gathered, it will be presented to Winfield’s Access Advisory Board. The board will review the information, then make a recommendation to the [...]

Peace walk shows KCKPD has new direction: ‘Not your grandfather’s police department’ anymore

info2022-03-27T22:05:52-05:00March 27th, 2022|

Karl Oakman was sworn in as Kansas City, Kansas Police Department chief early last summer, and since then he’s made a lot of changes and made good on a promise. Late Saturday morning, Oakman met with about 200 community activists and residents for a short “peace walk,” something Oakman said has been a priority since he was sworn in. He said the purpose of the walk was to bring residents and police officers together and kick off a handful of crime reduction initiatives, which will debut in the spring and summer. “I’ve always been a person based on action, so I [...]

Finance director set to retire after nearly 22 years with Miami County

info2022-03-28T07:06:27-05:00March 27th, 2022|

Steve Lyman loves putting together a good puzzle. That’s how the top finance official for the county approaches the annual budget, with input from more than 20 departments, to present to county commissioners for final approval. Lyman will retire as the county’s finance director on March 31 after spending nearly 22 years with the county. “I enjoy putting the annual budget together for the county, with the input of all the departments,” Lyman said. “It’s kind of a puzzle. It’s kind of fun to put it all together, while making sure we abide by all the statutes that regulate the county.” [...]

Wildfire danger continues to grow: Local officials discuss steps to mitigate

info2022-03-27T08:56:36-05:00March 26th, 2022|

More than a decade ago, a study by a Kansas Forest Service fire prevention specialist identified several areas in Reno County as “high hazard” areas for wildfires because of the number of cedar trees and other accumulated deadwood. ... There have been fire mitigation efforts in recent years, including controlled burns along road rights-of-way and efforts to educate the public about how to protect their homes. But the results have been limited, due to the continuing spread of invasive red cedars and widespread public apathy, officials said. “Reno County is losing a battle against woody plant encroachment, causing high fire danger,” [...]

Pittsburg Fire revives an old tradition

info2022-03-26T09:40:49-05:00March 26th, 2022|

The Pittsburg Fire Department participated in an old tradition dating back to the days of horsedrawn fire engines on Friday. Known as a “push in ceremony,” it recreates the task of returning fire wagons to the station. According to Fire Chief Dennis Reilly, “horses cannot walk backwards under a load, so firefighters had to manually push the apparatus back into the station.” ... the truck was backed into its bay under its own power as city firefighters ceremoniously “pushed” it into the fire station. Once in place, Chief Reilly made the traditional radio call to dispatch, “Rescue Seven is now in [...]