News – Page 1309 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Wichita’s water crisis brings aging water infrastructure issues to a boil

info2021-10-10T22:55:50-05:00October 10th, 2021|

What happened Thursday could have been much worse. And it was no surprise. The water main break that threatened to contaminate the whole system, closing schools and hobbling restaurants was a crisis, but it could have happened at any time. The city of Wichita’s water system has been flirting with disaster for years. This time, the failure of a power pole’s insulator, one of the most common, cheapest and most reliable parts of an electrical system, was the trigger point in a cascade of events that broke a corroded, 52-year-old water main near downtown Wichita. A 2017 assessment found 99% of [...]

Boil water advisories over for most Sedgwick, Butler county areas affected by pipe break

info2021-10-10T22:53:53-05:00October 10th, 2021|

The boil water advisories for most areas in Sedgwick and Butler counties affected by a major water pipe break last week are over. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Sunday lifted advisories for Bel Aire, Derby, Rose Hill, Benton, Kechi, Valley Center, McConnell Air Force Base and Sedgwick County Rural Water Districts 1 and 3. The city of Wichita’s advisory was lifted Saturday. Residents in Sedgwick County Rural Water District No. 2, however, should continue to boil their tap water before drinking or cooking with it until further notice, the KDHE said. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Wichita water passes KDHE test, boil-water advisory over 36 hours after pipe break

info2021-10-10T22:03:27-05:00October 10th, 2021|

In Wichita, it’s safe to drink the water again. A boil-water advisory that closed Wichita’s schools and hampered many of the city’s restaurants has been lifted, about 36 hours after a water main break that had threatened to contaminate the system. The advisory issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Thursday afternoon ended after all the city’s water samples turned up negative for contamination. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Galena makes way for new tradition to benefit city project

info2021-10-10T21:57:52-05:00October 10th, 2021|

Downtown Galena was blocked off on Saturday to make way for a celebration as the first "Bloktoberfest" kicked off on Main Street. Proceeds raised from the event will be going towards the construction of a new splash pad in the city. Organizers from the "Galena Parks and Recreation Committee" also wanted to use Bloktoberfest as a way to bring community members downtown to shop locally. "We have quite a few craft vendors in the park. I think that it's good to have everyone come out, especially on a beautiful day like this and check our stuff out," says Renee Charles, Galena [...]

Utility disconnects for Kansas City, Kansas, residents will resume in November

info2021-10-10T21:56:32-05:00October 10th, 2021|

The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Public Utilities announced it will be lifting the moratorium on disconnects for its utility service for non-payments starting in November. As of Nov. 3, the BPU will start disconnecting those who have yet to pay their utility bill, according to a release. The board will work with customers who are behind on payments to assist them with payment plans. Utility disconnects have been suspended since March 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic began affecting people’s ability to pay their bills, with several businesses closing and others laying off or furloughing workers. Source: KC Star Local News

‘Ready to go to war’: Wind power grows in Kansas and Missouri. Why do some oppose it?

info2021-10-10T21:55:00-05:00October 10th, 2021|

Public officials are fond of pointing out that all of Kansas City International Airport’s electricity is now generated from wind — namely the Cimarron Bend wind farm in Clark County, in far western Kansas. But as wind power development grows across Kansas and Missouri, not everyone is happy. About an hour’s drive north of Kansas City, the Osborn Wind Project has divided neighbors since its 2017 opening. Here, one hears the familiar arguments about wind towers: Some call them eyesores, and some detest the constant noise and flickering red lights at night. Among the strongest opponents has been the nearby Shatto [...]

Saline County Sheriff’s K-9 and deputy win competition

info2021-10-10T10:32:35-05:00October 10th, 2021|

The Saline County Sheriff’s Office announced that its K-9 unit was top dog during a regional competition. Sheriff Roger Soldan said Maggie and her handler, deputy Craig Norris, attended a certification hosted by the Heart of American Police Dog Association in Ankeny, Iowa that ended Oct. 1. “As part of the week that they were there, they had a patrol dog trophy run,” Soldan said. Soldan said Maggie and Norris were among 10 teams to be put through a scenario run of four disciplines. Source: Salina Journal

From Topeka to Bemidji, Minn., localities try to boost populations with offers of cash, free coffee and grandparent stand-ins

info2021-10-10T10:38:22-05:00October 9th, 2021|

Shara Gaona didn’t know much about Topeka when the pandemic struck. But the remote-working United Airlines analyst, untethered from her Chicago office, decided to move to the Kansas capital and collect $10,000 in local government incentives. Topeka is on a growing list of locations—from Bemidji, Minn., to the state of West Virginia—dangling incentives to entice remote workers. Many companies are offering office-free jobs, and some workers are willing to relocate for cash, cheaper housing or other perks. “I’ve had a lot of people ask me, ‘What the hell are you doing in Topeka?’ ” Ms. Gaona said. “Well, they’re giving me [...]

Dodge City supports Amtrak Heartland Flyer rail extension

info2021-10-10T10:21:57-05:00October 9th, 2021|

Dodge City Commissioners passed a resolution in support of extending the Amtrak rail system through the Southwest Chief line with the Heartland Flyer rail line which goes into Oklahoma and other parts of Kansas. According to city officials, the city supports the continuation of Amtrak passenger rail service along the Southwest Chief line, which operates between Chicago and Los Angeles. By approving the resolution, the city feels the Heartland Flyer extension complements the Southwest Chief line as it will likely increase passengers. Source: Dodge Globe

The Pittsburg State University’s Capital Campaign comes to a successful end with 136 million dollars raised

info2021-10-08T09:08:04-05:00October 8th, 2021|

After six years of hard work, Pittsburg State University’s Capital Campaign has come to an end in a big way. Originally the “Proven, Promise, Pitt State” campaign was designed to last only three years and help raise 55 million dollars. It was later extended by another three years and the goal was raised to 100 million dollars. Not only was the goal met, but the university surpassed it, raising 136 million dollars. The money has already been put to good use, helping expand access to PSU with 155 scholarships for incoming students. Source: KSNF/KODE