News – Page 1270 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

City of Lyons hit with nearly a dozen water main breaks

info2021-11-22T06:58:35-06:00November 21st, 2021|

Crews in a central Kansas town are working to repair several water mains after 11 of them broke this week. Lyons City Administrator Chad Buckley said Friday morning that the breaks appeared over a period of several hours earlier this week, but they likely happened all at once. He said there was a problem with a well that caused a "water hammer," which sent reverberations throughout the water system and broke the mains. The city has so far been unable to maintain water pressure to customers. A boil water order is in effect, and Buckley said the city will soon start testing the [...]

Federal grant money has new sirens wailing in Winfield

info2021-11-21T23:30:48-06:00November 21st, 2021|

The USDA invested over $800,000 in rural community infrastructure across 11 Kansas communities. The city of Winfield was one of the beneficiaries of USDA's investment, receiving just over $125,000. They are using the grant money to buy two new ambulances. Of the five vehicles in their fleet, two were no longer serviceable. This money changed that. There was an electronic wheezing sound coming from the new ambulance when EMS manager Brad Klein shut the back door. When asked to explain, he said that was part of the design. "That's part of the hydraulic, those hydraulic springs, so liquid springs what they [...]

Appeal has been filed in proposed City of Golden case

info2021-11-22T06:59:50-06:00November 21st, 2021|

An appeal has been filed concerning the proposed city of Golden in northern Miami County. The County Commission voted 3-1 against incorporation of Golden at its Oct. 13 meeting. At their meeting Wednesday, Oct. 27, commissioners voted to approve a resolution adopting the order denying incorporation of the proposed city. Jennifer Williams, who filed a petition April 9 to incorporate about 9 square miles north of Hillsdale Lake into a city to block the march of intermodal warehouses into Miami County, is named as one of the plaintiffs in the case along with Golden supporter Charlie Koch. Williams said the appeal [...]

An Indiana city has the most roundabouts in the country. They’ve saved lives and reduced injuries from crashes — and lowered carbon emissions.

info2021-11-22T07:01:41-06:00November 21st, 2021|

It’s getting harder and harder to run a stoplight here, because there are fewer and fewer of them around. Every year, at intersections throughout this thriving city, traffic lights and stop signs have disappeared, replaced with roundabouts. Lots and lots of roundabouts. There is a roundabout decorated with the local high school mascot, a greyhound and another with giant steel flowers. A three-mile stretch of Carmel’s Main Street has 11 roundabouts alone. The roundabout that locals perhaps prize the most features box hedges and a three-tier bronze fountain made in France. In 2016, it was named “International Roundabout of the Year” [...]

Shawnee County Health Department recognizes local district for pandemic response

info2021-11-21T23:26:15-06:00November 21st, 2021|

As American Education Week comes to an end, the Shawnee County Health Department paid a visit to a local elementary school, ringing vaccines and celebrating the achievements of educators county-wide. Friday morning, Meadows Elementary School took advantage of the late start school hours, hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for those 5-11 years old. The Health Department has been making its way around to different school districts over the last week, thanking those who have worked with the department over the last year and a half. Friday morning, they presented USD 501 school board members with a banner signed by the Health [...]

Kansas law enforcement officers learn jiu-jutsu to help minimize injuries in arrests

info2021-11-22T07:02:04-06:00November 21st, 2021|

Law enforcement officers from 12 agencies across Kansas completed a one-week certification program to become jiu-jitsu instructors at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. A total of 27 officers were enrolled in the intensive Gracie University jiu-jitsu instructor certification program. "Our mission is to train and equip Kansas law enforcement officers with quality resources to handle potentially dangerous situations minimizing the risk of injury to anyone involved,” said KLETC Executive Director Darin Beck. Source: KSNT News

City commission pleased with Parsons’ new comprehensive plan

info2021-11-22T07:02:34-06:00November 21st, 2021|

The city of Parsons has a new playbook for the next decade. And the Parsons City Commission is pleased with it. “My opinion is it’s a great road map to plot out the city for the next 10 to 15 years,” said Leland Crooks, Parsons city commissioner. “As we learn how to use this as our playbook, that is a success story in itself. It’s all there and it’s all transparent,” Commissioner Jeff Perez said. Source: Parsons Sun

Hutch Schools opens its doors

info2021-11-21T07:57:17-06:00November 21st, 2021|

On Thursday, Hutchinson Schools opened its doors — warts and all — to more than one dozen community leaders — including this reporter. The district wanted to get its message out — to let the community know both its challenges and successes. USD 308 decided to become part of the national Educator for a Day event hosted by school districts around the country in celebration of American Education Week. This event occurs during the week prior to Thanksgiving. Because of the day’s success, Hutchinson Schools is going to make this an annual event. Source: Hutch News

Four Topeka fire stations don’t meet today’s building codes

info2021-11-21T07:49:09-06:00November 21st, 2021|

Topeka should consider decommissioning four of its 12 fire stations, says a consultant report created for the city government. Those stations "are beautiful historic landmarks in the Topeka community, but they have served their purpose," said the report produced by Schwerdt Design Group and PKMR Engineers … All are more than 80 years old and unable to meet current building codes, design standards and community needs, the report said. "The mechanical and electrical systems in these four stations need a lot of replacement to make them even serviceable in the next few years," it said. Source: CJonline

USDA Invests Over $800,000 in Rural Community Infrastructure in 11 Kansas Communities

info2021-11-19T10:41:05-06:00November 19th, 2021|

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting State Director for Rural Development Kansas Dan Fischer today announced that USDA is investing $803,700 toward 11 community facility projects, serving 29,333 Kansans. “Community facilities like schools and first responder equipment help communities thrive,” Fischer said. “USDA Rural Development puts rural people at the forefront of investment and opportunity. With these improvements Kansas towns will be better able to serve their residents and their communities will be safer and more efficient.” Background: These 11 Kansas investments are part of a larger national investment of $132 million in 44 states through the Community Facilities Direct [...]