News – Page 1174 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Commissioners have ‘no appetite’ for truck route

info2022-03-06T23:16:40-06:00March 6th, 2022|

County commissioners have made it clear they do not want a truck route in Miami County. “There is no appetite in this room to put in a truck route – anywhere,” Chair Rob Roberts said during the commission’s study session Wednesday, March 2. At a recent commission meeting, several northern Miami County residents spoke out against establishing a truck route in the county. The residents said intermodal truck traffic has damaged their property, blocked their roads and created safety hazards. The County Commission’s recent discussion about a truck route should not be misinterpreted as a sign commissioners want to establish one, [...]

Three wounded at Olathe East after student and school resource officer exchange gunfire

info2022-03-06T23:10:40-06:00March 6th, 2022|

Gunfire erupted between an 18-year-old student and a school resource officer at Olathe East High School, leaving three people wounded Friday morning. The school resource officer, identified as Erik Clark, responded to the school’s main office at 10:38 a.m. to what police described as an administrative matter with the student. Shots were exchanged after the student displayed a handgun, said Sgt. Joel Yeldell, a spokesman for the Olathe Police Department. The officer, a school administrator and the student were injured in the shooting. According to audio captured by Broadcastify, the officer radioed into dispatchers, saying, “I’ve been shot.” Source: Local News [...]

Manhattan to finalize STAR bond district expansion March 15

info2022-03-06T23:07:07-06:00March 6th, 2022|

Manhattan City Commissioners unanimously approved expanding the Downtown sales tax and revenue (STAR) bond district on first reading at their Tuesday meeting, and now look to March 15 to finalize approval. If approved on second reading, commissioners will see the topic before them again in April to review the proposed project plan. “It isn’t often that we have an opportunity like this,” says Mayor Linda Morse. “Most people with their projects come to the city and say […] we want you to give us money to do this. This is an opportunity where a local investor is coming forward for the [...]

Camp removal highlights issue of homelessness

info2022-03-06T23:04:46-06:00March 6th, 2022|

A homeless encampment that was cleared last week from the Winfield Fairgrounds had already been abandoned by the time it was removed, officials said this week. Winfield City Manager Taggart Wall said the campsites, consisting of two tents and two campers, were cleared Feb. 25 from the Pecan Grove at the Winfield Fairgrounds after several notices were given to the occupants for non-payment of camping fees. The campers left the fairgrounds and relocated elsewhere, leaving behind items that were then disposed of by city staff. “When the campers left, they left items behind. We removed (the items),” Wall said. Wall said [...]

Lyon County valuations indicate ‘inflationary trend’

info2022-03-06T23:02:43-06:00March 6th, 2022|

The Lyon County Appraiser’s Office has completed the annual revaluation of all real estate property in the county. Lyon County appraiser Ryan Janzen said 2022 Change of Valuation notices began going out on Feb. 25. A study of the residential and commercial real estate market indicated an overall inflationary trend. “For 2022, residential and farmstead properties in Lyon County saw a median valuation increase of 9% compared to their 2021 valuation,” the report read. “Eighty-nine percent of residential and farmstead properties saw an increase in property valuation from 2021 to 2022. Source: Emporia Gazette

Lawson leaving Ark City for Manhattan post

info2022-03-07T07:48:51-06:00March 6th, 2022|

Andrew Lawson, public information officer and special projects coordinator for the City of Arkansas City, is leaving that job to become the public information officer for the City of Manhattan, Kan. Lawson said in an email Friday that he will leave effective March 22, and City Manager Randy Frazer will handle public information duties until a new spokesperson is found. Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

KDOT announces aviation projects selected for funding

info2022-03-06T22:58:00-06:00March 6th, 2022|

Thirty-six projects have been selected for Kansas Airport Improvement Program (KAIP) funding for the purpose of planning, constructing or rehabilitating public use general aviation airports. KAIP receives $5 million annually through the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, known as IKE, and requires airport sponsors to share in the project costs by paying between 5% and 50% of the total project. The Kansas Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation, which manages the program, considered 145 project applications this year with a combined total project value of over $78 million. Among those projects selected was Rose Hill’s Cook Airfield, which will receive $87,120 for [...]

Commissioners debate charging business license fee

info2022-03-06T22:56:00-06:00March 6th, 2022|

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday had a lengthy debate about whether the city should require a business license fee. Local business owner Angela Simon said she believes the county should be able to recoup some tax revenue from business that are operating illegally. She said one way to do that is for the city to require business licenses. Source: Fort Scott Tribune

Drought persists in southwest Kansas as fire season begins

info2022-03-06T22:54:09-06:00March 6th, 2022|

Spring is nearly here and there is drought in Finney County and across southwestern Kansas. Jonathan Finch, Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Dodge City, said extreme western Finney County is in D3, extreme drought, from Garden City moving east it’s in D1, moderate drought, and in between its D2, severe drought. Source: Garden City Telegram

Peabody residents working to renovate only performing arts theater in town

info2022-03-06T22:48:25-06:00March 6th, 2022|

A group in Peabody is working to renovate a local building into a performing arts theater. Members of the Sunflower Theatre Committee say the arts in their rural community are underserved, so they're working to change that. The Sunflower Theatre was built in the 1920s, but was later turned in to a bowling alley, which later closed. The building has been vacant for a few years now. The committee is working on the $1.6 million renovation project to restore it. They've already received an $85,650 Heritage Trust Grant from the Kansas Historical Society. The committee is working to raise the rest [...]