News – Page 1273 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Newton recycling program in jeopardy

info2021-11-18T06:57:45-06:00November 18th, 2021|

The future of recycling in Newton is unknown, but expect it to be an item of debate in the coming months. The use of the program has decreased. And, recycling tipping fees that the city will have to pay are expected to increase. “I don’t know where we’re going to land with it, but we will have to have a discussion on recycling in 2022 and if we’re going to continue,” Newton City Engineer Suzanne Loomis said. At the start of 2020, the city moved to an optional recycling program, thanks to Waste Connections penalizing cities if they didn’t have a [...]

Money available for Amtrak expansion. Now what?

info2021-11-17T23:59:05-06:00November 17th, 2021|

The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has become law. It contains money for long-distance Amtrak routes. Amtrak has plans to connect Oklahoma City to Wichita and Newton, making Newton a hub between the proposed route and the Southwest Chief. The expansion has long been discussed as a goal for the state, Amtrak and locally in Newton. “The good news is there are now funded programs (to pay) for it,” Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari said of the line expansion. But, as the dust settles and more information becomes available, it appears there’s more work to be done before work [...]

Kansas casino early partnership with ‘DraftKings’ in anticipation of legalization of sports gambling

info2021-11-17T23:55:22-06:00November 17th, 2021|

Early Tuesday, the Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Dodge City pushed forward with their partnership with a mobile sports gambling company. All of this before lawmakers have even signed the dotted line on any regulations to legalize sports betting in Kansas. While it's still illegal here in Kansas, the ability to bet on your favorite live sports might soon be a reality. Which Kansans like Kyle Ricklefs say could be a game changer. "I think it would be awesome. I think it'd be really good for the economy, it'd be something fun for people to do,” said Ricklefs. Source: KAKE [...]

Will the infrastructure bill lead to Amtrak in Wichita?

info2021-11-17T23:51:59-06:00November 17th, 2021|

Rail service returning to Wichita is now a possibility since President Biden signed the massive infrastructure bill. Leaders in Kansas are hoping it will happen, as the state will get 272 million dollars for public transportation. Chairman Chip Westfell, of the Harvey County Commission, said the signing of the bill has greatly improved the possible extension of the Heartland Flyer from Fort Worth, Tex. to Newton, Kan. He said it is not a done deal yet. "I was excited, enthused for all the rail fans. But, I am enthused for Kansas, enthused for everyone on the route," said Commissioner Westfall. Sedgwick [...]

‘Artie has left the building’

info2021-11-17T23:49:33-06:00November 17th, 2021|

It would likely be hard to find a Paola resident who didn’t recognize the name and face of Paola Mayor Artie Stuteville. After all, she’s lived in the community since 1969. She’s served on the Planning Commission and City Council before becoming mayor in 2005. She’s owned a local laundromat and taxi service for more than 40 years. And she’s also hard to miss thanks to being blessed with a lot of height. But after 28 years of public service, Stuteville decided not to run for reelection in November, and she is passing the leadership torch to Paola City Council member [...]

All Kansas adults can now get COVID booster shots

info2021-11-18T07:00:13-06:00November 17th, 2021|

All fully vaccinated Kansans over the age of 18 are now eligible for COVID-19 booster shots, state health officials announced Wednesday. Before, Kansas followed federal guidelines, that booster shots should be available only to people over 65, with underlying health conditions or at risk because of their jobs or living conditions. But like governors in several other states, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said she didn’t want to wait. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Manhattan gives initial approval to Manhattan Development Code

info2021-11-18T07:01:04-06:00November 17th, 2021|

After years of working on updating and replacing zoning and subdivision regulations, commissioners on Tuesday approved the first reading of the Manhattan Development Code. John Adam, Manhattan senior planner, presented the first reading of the code, which will replace the current zoning and subdivision regulation with a unified set of regulations. Source: themercury.com

Kansas opens vaccine booster to all eligible adults

info2021-11-17T23:37:45-06:00November 17th, 2021|

The State of Kansas has announced that it’s opening vaccine boosters to all eligible adults. We spoke with the Crawford County Health Department about the announcement. On Wednesday, Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced the COVID booster shots will be open to all vaccinated Kansans ages 18 and up. Teddi Van Kam with the Crawford County Health Department says “It puts the decision you know, to the individual themselves, for them to kind of assess what their, what they feel like their exposure risk is at home, at work, out in the community.” Source: KOAMKOAM

Parsons to remove pit bull ban

info2021-11-18T07:03:15-06:00November 17th, 2021|

Parsons city commissioners plan to revoke the city’s ban on pit bulls. Commissioners on Monday unanimously agreed to remove the section of the animal ordinance that states pit bull dogs are prohibited. “This is something that’s been brought up a time or two over the past several months. … My hope is, anyway, that we could remove the breed-specific ban on pit bulls,” said Mayor Tom Shaw at the beginning of the discussion. Source: Parsons Sun

All Ark City schools will close to quell COVID outbreaks

info2021-11-17T07:45:18-06:00November 17th, 2021|

Arkansas City schools will take a 10-day wellness and mental break, hoping to slow the spread of COVID-19 throughout the district. At a special meeting Tuesday night, the school board approved adding Friday, Monday and Tuesday to the Thanksgiving break starting Wednesday (Nov. 24). All school sports and activities can continue as normal. Students will return to class Nov. 29. Superintendent Ron Ballard said the extended break would be the equivalent of the standard 10-day quarantine. “We have COVID going on at a pace that takes us all the way back to last year, and perhaps above in terms of the [...]