News – Page 1640 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Economic leaders looking to pay remote workers to move to Topeka

info2020-09-11T10:11:14-05:00September 11th, 2020|

The Greater Topeka Partnership is looking to pay people who work from home to move to Topeka. The proposal is a part of the economic group’s Choose Topeka program, which received national attention when it was announced. Originally, the program was used to pay people to move to and work in Topeka full-time. People could get $10,000 for renting and $15,000 if they bought a home. Employers had to agree to match 50 percent of the incentive. Source: KSNT News

‘Ghost sign’ restoration recalls Wellington history

info2020-09-11T10:10:35-05:00September 11th, 2020|

For more than 100 years, a sign advertising an early cornerstone business in Wellington had been hidden. Today, through the magic of modern technology, people in other countries have been watching the restoration of the sign on YouTube. The “ghost sign” — 15 feet high, 50 feet long and 36 feet above the ground — on the now vacant building at 120 S. Washington advertised the Jacob Engle Dry Goods Store, opened in 1892 by Jacob Engle, a German immigrant. Source: News - Dodge City Daily Globe - Dodge City, KS

Oktoberfest Hays 2020 revision

info2020-09-11T10:10:03-05:00September 11th, 2020|

Members of the Volga German Centennial Association and organizers of Oktoberfest Hays, announced their 2020 Oktoberfest Hays REVISION plan. Even though the traditional Oktoberfest Hays event in Frontier Park will not occur this year, the format for 2020 will still offer the community some German traditions without the crowds. “I cannot say without a doubt that having a traditional Oktoberfest would be in the best interest of the city of Hays, the Volga German Centennial Association, and for our local community,” said Philip Kuhn, President of Oktoberfest Board. Source: News - The Hays Daily News

Celebrating El Dorado’s History

info2020-09-11T10:09:29-05:00September 11th, 2020|

The city of El Dorado is marking the 150th anniversary of Eldorado’s incorporation as a city. El Dorado incorporated as a city of the third class on Sept.12, 1871. In celebration of this historic occasion, many events are being planned throughout the 150th year which officially begins on Sept. 12, 2020 and extends through Sept. 12, 2021. As part of this year-long event, Everyday El Dorado will be turning back the clock of time on a hunt for history through a podcast series with host Deanna Bonn and co-host Suzanne Walenta. Walenta is the Curator of the Butler County Historical Society [...]

Affordable housing a top concern as Prairie Village drafts new 20-year plan

info2020-09-11T10:38:48-05:00September 11th, 2020|

Prairie Village officials are seeking more feedback on the draft of the city’s comprehensive long-term plan, Village Vision 2.0, that the city council may take up as early as mid-October. It’s been a nearly two-year process developing Village Vision 2.0, but Mayor Erik Mikkelson said Wednesday night during a public meeting that the process, as well as the guiding document itself, are both valuable. The original Village Vision, created in 2007, brought Prairie Village to the place it is at today, he said, including the addition of two brand new parks. Source: Prairie Village Post

‘Open Prairie’ — $500,000 public artwork unveiled at new Johnson County Courthouse

info2020-09-11T10:08:33-05:00September 11th, 2020|

After four years of planning and construction — and having recently reached “substantial completion” after 26 months — officials unveiled a $500,000 piece of public art inside the new Johnson County Courthouse in downtown Olathe Wednesday. The work, entitled “Open Prairie,” hangs in the entryway of the new $193 million courthouse at 150 West Santa Fe Street. Larry Meeker, chairman of the county’s public art commission, said the piece allows each individual who walks beneath it to bring their own story and background to it. Source: Prairie Village Post

Prairie Village city council tamps down on hours allowed for private construction

info2020-09-11T10:08:19-05:00September 11th, 2020|

As the trend of older homes throughout Prairie Village being torn down and replaced with newly-built construction continues, the city council Tuesday worked to address noise concerns stemming from the activity of private construction. The Prairie Village City Council on Tuesday night voted 10 to 1 to decrease the hours private property construction is allowed, with restrictions differing for summer months to accommodate work during cooler periods of the day. The restrictions pertain to work done by homeowners themselves and by construction contractors. Source: Prairie Village Post

Roeland Park to add solar array installations on community center, city hall

info2020-09-11T10:07:57-05:00September 11th, 2020|

Solar power installations are being added to the Roeland Park Community Center and City Hall, following the city council’s Tuesday decision to approve a solar services agreement with Evergy, the electricity company formerly known as Kansas City Power and Light. Roeland Park began discussing solar voltaic energy system installations at the community center and City Hall back in March. The approved agreement opts for solar array installations mounted on the community center and City Hall roofs, as well as on top of a carport to be built and located at City Hall. Source: Prairie Village Post

Strained Rural Water Utilities Buckle Under Pandemic Pressure

info2020-09-11T10:07:35-05:00September 11th, 2020|

Rural water and wastewater systems have largely been left out of federal and state pandemic relief, and yet they play critical roles in local economies. Homes rely on them, of course, but so do small businesses such as eateries and large companies such as manufacturers and processing plants. As the virus stretches further into smaller communities, these systems are fighting for their survival under long-standing economic and structural weights. Of 150,000 public water systems, 97% are in communities of 10,000 residents or fewer, according to the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, a national network of nonprofits whose work includes assistance to and [...]

Kansas audit peels away thin layers of publicly financed lobbying

info2020-09-11T10:05:07-05:00September 11th, 2020|

School districts, cities and counties in Kansas each invested about $250,000 last year in public tax dollars for deployment of registered lobbyists to influence the state’s political process. Sixty-three of the state’s 550 registered lobbyists reported receiving public funding from state agencies, local governments or associations tied to government activities. This cadre of lobbyists disclosed this universe of clients bankrolled by taxpayers paid them nearly $1.3 million in tax dollars during 2019. The Legislature’s division of post audit says the assessment of lobbying with publicly funding was “incomplete” due to limitations of state lobbying law and of requirements to disclose information. [...]