News – Page 1255 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Ark City campaigns against stormwater pollution

info2021-12-13T06:59:30-06:00December 13th, 2021|

The City of Arkansas City is renewing an effort this autumn to raise citizen awareness of the dangers of stormwater pollution and help to prevent it entirely. As part of this campaign, citizens are reminded that loose leaves, brush, and tree trimmings are best disposed of at the F Street Limb Disposal and Compost Site. They should never be placed in the trash. ... Alternatively, residents can hire one of several local contractors to perform this disposal service for them. This stormwater pollution prevention campaign is being directed by the Public Services Department. Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

City of Winfield to start land bank

info2021-12-13T01:04:39-06:00December 13th, 2021|

The City of Winfield is establishing a land bank to help manage distressed properties and provide opportunities for land development. The land bank would allow the city to clear up title issues, set aside land for future development, sell properties, freeze special assessments, remove back taxes and make properties tax exempt until they are sold, according to a copy of the ordinance establishing the land bank. The land bank would be governed by an appointed board of trustees, consisting of the entire city commission as voting members, and one city employee appointed by the commission as a non-voting member. Source: Cowley [...]

Russell, Kansas, bids farewell to its most favorite son, Bob Dole

info2021-12-13T00:59:30-06:00December 13th, 2021|

Bob Dole’s hometown said a proud farewell to the former senator one last time on Saturday. The town of just over 4,000 in central Kansas packed a memorial service at St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. The ceremony happened near the house where Russell’s most famous resident grew up and returned to after suffering wounds in World War II that would challenge him until his death this month. Some of the people who came knew Dole back when he was the boy who lived on Maple Street and was the soda jerk at Dawson’s drugstore. And even after Dole left [...]

FedEx and Pittsburg city leaders discuss potential distribution center

info2021-12-13T00:56:08-06:00December 13th, 2021|

FedEx, and city leaders in Pittsburg are discussing a potential package distribution center in Pittsburg. Not much information is available at this time, but FedEx did send us a statement. “FedEx Ground is engaged in discussions with local officials for the potential leasing of a package distribution center in Pittsburg. A project of this size requires careful planning and close coordination with the developer, city, county and state officials. As a matter of practice, FedEx does not publicly discuss specifics of a project until all aspects have been finalized.” Source: KOAMKOAM

Amtrak says it could cut service over vaccination mandate

info2021-12-13T00:53:49-06:00December 13th, 2021|

Amtrak will need to reduce service in January unless more employees get vaccinated against COVID-19, the passenger rail system’s president says. Stephen Gardner says about 95% of Amtrak workers are at least partially vaccinated. The rest face a Jan. 4 deadline that the Biden administration set for employees of federal contractors. If enough employees resist getting the shots, Amtrak anticipates ‘”proactively needing to temporarily reduce some train frequencies across our network in January,” Gardner told a congressional panel Thursday. Gardner said any service reductions would last until Amtrak is able to fully staff up, which he said could last until March. [...]

Osage County historophiles launch coalition to share ideas, information and resources

info2021-12-13T07:01:14-06:00December 13th, 2021|

The first meeting of a coalition of Osage County historical societies and other interested people was held Wednesday Nov. 10, 2021, at the Lyndon Community Center. The group was created to begin a collaborative union among groups in Osage County interested in preserving the history of our county. Representatives from Osage County Historical Society, Bailey House at Lyndon, Overbrook Historical Society, Overbrook Library, Arvonia Preservation Society, and Osage City were in attendance. Source: Osage County News

Riley County approves new land regulations for unincorporated areas around Manhattan

info2021-12-13T07:01:48-06:00December 13th, 2021|

Riley County commissioners on Thursday approved subdivision regulations in conjunction with the Manhattan city government after both passed new development codes. The commission passed the regulations as part of an interlocal agreement between the county and city governments. The agreement outlines regulations for subdivision, land divisions, administration and procedures in unincorporated areas of Riley County within the Manhattan Urban Area. Chad Bunger, assistant director of community development for the city, said the bulk of the code remains the same. Some language and added engineering requirements were added to the document. Source: themercury.com

Lawrence’s first director of equity and inclusion discusses first year on the job, efforts to address systemic issues

info2021-12-12T09:16:46-06:00December 12th, 2021|

As the City of Lawrence’s first ever director of equity and inclusion, Farris Muhammad began by listening. Muhammad, who recently completed his first year with the city, said that listening to the voices of those who are marginalized in the community was one way he sought to understand the landscape. He said when he asked people about their experiences and their history, a lot of them were candid, saying that Lawrence strives to be progressive, but there is a lot of work that still needs to be done. Source: LJWorld.com.

Baldwin City officials hope to capitalize on city’s selection in Kansas Main Street Program

info2021-12-12T09:15:45-06:00December 12th, 2021|

This coming week, Baldwin City will look to build on recent downtown success as it starts tapping into additional resources associated with its entry into the Kansas Main Street Program. It was announced in March that Baldwin City, Atchison and Junction City were selected as this year’s Kansas Main Street Program cities. Lori Trojan, executive director of the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce and the Baldwin City Main Street Program, said three Kansas Main Street Program representatives, including Director Scott Sewell and business specialist Shelley Paasch, will visit Monday and Tuesday to tour the community and introduce the program to residents. [...]

A small city with a big heart: Local leaders shine a light on Great Bend’s strengths, look toward future

info2021-12-12T09:13:32-06:00December 12th, 2021|

While COVID-19 produced a lot of negative impacts, local officials also say the adversity it brought about highlighted a lot of what makes Great Bend and other rural communities great places to live. “People were craving connection and they weren’t getting that in (cities),” said Great Bend Economic Development Inc. President Sara Hayden. “(In the cities) you don’t have time to really meet your neighbor or get to know your city government personally, and I think that’s where we really excel. You can go downtown on a Friday night, and you’re going to find 10 people that you know, and catch [...]