News – Page 1629 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Hutchinson officials call new testing availability ’game changer’

info2020-09-23T07:39:59-05:00September 22nd, 2020|

Local health officials called the recent availability of rapid COVID-19 testing at Hutchinson Clinic and the hospital “a game-changer,” but also noted the battle to contain the virus in the community remains an uphill one because that testing came so late. Hutchinson Clinic physician Dr. Scott Pauly told the Reno County Commission that asymptomatic testing of the general population also remains a critical piece in local health efforts to keep spread under control. The free testing at the Hutchinson Clinic will end on Saturday, but the county is expected to announce a plan next week on how to take it over [...]

Reno County agrees to look at creating wind development agreement template

info2020-09-23T07:40:10-05:00September 22nd, 2020|

The Reno County Commission agreed Tuesday to have staff research and develop a draft commercial wind development agreement that could be paired with zoning regulations still under consideration by the Reno County Planning Commission. Commissioner Ron Hirst suggested the move. “It seems to me like a company spending millions and millions of dollars would like to know early on what the basis of the development contract would be,” he said. “That way ... it gets it started on so it covers areas and we’d not have to push so hard and quick to come up with a development contract.” Source: Local [...]

Topeka partners with nonprofit to offer free financial guidance to city residents

info2020-09-23T07:40:36-05:00September 22nd, 2020|

The city of Topeka has partnered with a national nonprofit to offer free remote guidance to local residents dealing with COVID-19-related financial challenges. Topeka has teamed up with the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund to offer a "Financial Navigators" program. Through the program, financial navigators provide over-the-phone assistance, helping Topekans access available services and manage income disruptions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. "We are in unprecedented times that are greatly affecting families and their finances," said Mayor Michelle De La Isla. "This support can help our citizens navigate challenges and stay self-sufficient during the COVID-19 pandemic." Source: Local News | Topeka [...]

After public outcry, Wichita rethinking site for new police station

info2020-09-23T07:40:42-05:00September 22nd, 2020|

Facing opposition from neighbors near Cypress Park, Wichita City Hall is looking to find a different location for a new east-side police station, city officials said. The city had planned last year to build the new station on about 4 acres of parkland next to the site of the undersized and outdated Patrol East station at the corner of Edgemoor and Lexington, just north of Kellogg. But the $7 million plan stalled out at the Planning Commission amid opposition from surrounding residents who complained that it would take up too much parkland and devalue their homes. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Planning continues toward creating Etzanoa attraction near Ark City

info2020-09-23T07:41:28-05:00September 22nd, 2020|

The Etzanoa Conservancy has remained busy in recent months, despite the COVID-19 outbreak earlier this year. Conservancy director Sandy Randel updated the Arkansas City Rotary Club on the organization’s activities during a recent meeting in the Cowley College Brown Center. Plans are under way to develop 80 acres of land north of Arkansas City’s Great Life Golf & Fitness Center, Randel said. The property is in the heart of the footprint of the pre-Columbian settlement of Etzanoa. Source: The Arkansas City Traveler

Reaching Wichita’s hard-to-count communities as census nears end

info2020-09-23T07:41:47-05:00September 22nd, 2020|

The 2020 census count is set to end Sept. 30, a month earlier than originally planned. That’s left census workers and advocates hurrying to get as many households to respond as possible – especially in communities that have historically been undercounted. Kansas is near the top of all states in terms of this year’s census – more than 97 percent of households have been counted. More than two-thirds of all households chose to self-respond, either by mail, phone or online. Source: Derby Informer | Area

Labette Community College gets $200K donation for athletic complex

info2020-09-23T07:42:36-05:00September 22nd, 2020|

The Labette Community College Foundation is the recipient of an anonymous $200,000 donation to support the Pathways to the Future Athletic Complex capital campaign. This gift will help the LCC Foundation more closely attain a challenge grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation of Midland, Texas, toward the construction of a new LCC athletic and wellness complex. “The extraordinary generosity of our donors will make it possible to meet the needs our students and bring our facilities up to the standard of other state community colleges,” said Lindi Forbes, LCC Foundation executive director. “This generous gift brings us within striking [...]

Parsons approves project to use coronavirus relief act funds

info2020-09-23T07:43:10-05:00September 22nd, 2020|

The city of Parsons will spend about $40,000 from a round of coronavirus relief funding to build a barrier for second-floor offices in the Municipal Building. During a regular meeting Monday, city commissioners approved a proposal to build the permanent barrier that will separate the workspace area from the lobby of city offices that include those of several department heads. The barrier will protect employees from diseases such as COVID-19. Five contractors were contacted to supply a design/build proposal. Only one, Koehn Construction Services, submitted a plan that will cost $40,663.85 to build a barrier wall along with two doors with [...]

$825,000 available for UG grant to support small businesses

info2020-09-23T07:43:25-05:00September 22nd, 2020|

As part of the Unified Government’s (UG) CARES Act request, the UG Commission recently approved $825,000 to support the Economic Development Department’s WYCO Loves Local Small Business grants. The WYCO Loves Local initiative was created to encourage continued growth and provide support for small businesses in Wyandotte County. The $825,000 approved by the Board of County Commissioners will provide much-needed support to local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Source: Wyandotte Daily

To help create affordable housing downtown, some Lawrence leaders support redeveloping city parking lots

info2020-09-22T08:00:12-05:00September 22nd, 2020|

Some Lawrence city commissioners say that in order to create affordable housing options downtown, the city might have to repurpose some of its parking lots and other properties. The idea of redeveloping the city’s downtown properties — which include a few buildings and 17 parking lots — was one of several options discussed during a meeting of the Affordable Housing Advisory Board last week that included city commissioners. At the meeting, AHAB Chair Ron Gaches said that the city can’t just wait for the market to provide affordable housing downtown and instead needs to be more directly involved. Several commissioners indicated [...]