News – Page 1861 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Shawnee County Public Works says new trucks will help increase efficiency

info2020-02-14T08:10:41-06:00February 14th, 2020|

Shawnee County Public Works is hoping to save money and increase their work efficiency with the next snowfall. Public Works will get two new dump trucks that will allow them to do more work. The department says one of the trucks is a traditional style dump truck with a snowplow and sander, while the other is a “hook, lift, and load” truck that can be used for a number of different things like fixing potholes. (Read more: KSNT News)

Fact finding hearing reveals McPherson teachers are under compensated

info2020-02-14T08:16:06-06:00February 13th, 2020|

A sea of red filled the audience during the fact finding hearing for USD 418 certified staff salaries. Teachers, students, parents and concerned community members filled the seats, many dressed in red to show their support. In front of a standing room only audience the McPherson Education Association and the Board of Education presented their cases to a fact finder. One thing both parties agreed on – McPherson teachers do not have adequate salaries. (Read more: McPherson Weekly News » Feed)

City begins to lay out footprint for water treatment facility in NW Wichita

info2020-02-14T08:16:23-06:00February 13th, 2020|

The architectural plans for Wichita's new water treatment facility are starting to take shape. It won't be long before crews begin the groundwork, according to the Wichita Business Journal. The $553 million project — which has been funded mostly by federal and state loans — will replace the city's current facility, which is 80 years old. Wichita Water Partners, the design-build group contracted to do the work, completed design plans and submitted loan applications to secure the funding for the project. (Read more: KAKE - News)

City of Hillsboro announces new 1-gigabit speed internet plan

info2020-02-14T08:16:38-06:00February 13th, 2020|

Hillsboro high school students attended Tuesday’s city council meeting where they heard about plans for faster and more reliable internet. On Tuesday, Feb. 4 the Hillsboro City Council meeting was full of exciting news about the council moving forward in an agreement with Tri County Wireless (TCW) to provide Hillsboro residents and businesses with up to 1-gigabit speed. They will develop a fiber network to serve Hillsboro customers. This is big news for the town that currently struggles with reliable internet service. (Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)

Proposal would ban vaping flavors, raise smoking age to 21 in Kansas

info2020-02-14T08:17:00-06:00February 13th, 2020|

Severe restrictions proposed on vaping and smoking in Kansas met widespread opposition Thursday from advocacy groups, retailers and individuals divided on whether the bill goes too far or not far enough. The sweeping legislation would conform to federal standards by raising the legal age for tobacco products to 21, which would protect $12 million in federal grant money. The legislation also contains a public indoor vaping ban and outlaws the sale of all vaping flavors except menthol. The legal age for vaping also would be 21. (Read more: Local - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Task force: Homeless in Topeka tent city to be displaced

info2020-02-14T08:17:24-06:00February 13th, 2020|

Homeless people living in tent city will soon be forced out, according to a news release Thursday from the Homeless Task Force. The release said the task force has been made aware that railroad-owned properties in the areas adjacent to N.E. Curtis Street will be enforcing a Kansas statute regarding trespassing on railroad property. Enforcement of the statute is expected to start March 2 and the task force estimates about 60 people will have to move their camps. (Read more: Local - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

NLC: New Principles of Home Rule

info2020-02-14T08:18:00-06:00February 13th, 2020|

Home rule is a longstanding legal principle that gives us the power to decide which services we provide, the policies we implement, and the ways we solve problems locally. In 1953, the American Municipal Association (AMA) — which became the National League of Cities (NLC) in 1964 — published the last comprehensive proposed reform of home rule, sparking a wave of state constitutional change in the years that followed. However, much has changed about the state-local relationship in the intervening six and a half decades. NLC partnered with the Local Solutions Support Center (LSSC) to release the first update in almost 70 [...]

Overland Park takes first step toward creation of mental health task force

info2020-02-14T08:18:59-06:00February 13th, 2020|

A mental health task force was not exactly what Overland Park transparency advocate Sheila Albers originally asked for. But she said Wednesday she is pleased that the city council’s public safety committee took the first steps toward a group that will invite diverse public participation on city policies pertaining to mental health. The added transparency is important, she said, “because with that transparency we are able to identify where systems have not worked for people.” Albers, whose son died in a police shooting, added that she was glad that Councilmember Faris Farassati asked that police use of force be included among [...]

Columbus schools closed after staff member dies from flu

info2020-02-14T08:19:37-06:00February 13th, 2020|

Columbus Schools USD 493 announced Wednesday that a paraprofessional at Park Elementary had passed away on Sunday. It was learned that her brother is in intensive care for similar symptoms. The only confirmed diagnosis for each of them at this point is influenza type b, the announcement said. A disease specialist is further investigating any underlying causes of their illness. Due to the fact that this can take 48 hours to get results back, it was decided to close schools for Thursday and Friday to ensure that the proper steps to keep students safe and protected are taken. (Read more: www.chanute.com)

The stop light debate: City and KDOT disagree about intersection of US 56 and Old US 81

info2020-02-14T08:20:16-06:00February 13th, 2020|

When it comes to the intersection of US 56 and Old US 81 Mayor Tom Brown has some real concerns. “I don’t want anyone to die out there,” Brown said in a meeting regarding the intersection Monday. The city has received up to $1 million to improve the intersection, mainly to remove and replace deteriorated pavement and make safety improvements. Currently, the intersection is not well marked and serious wrecks have occurred. (Read more: McPherson Weekly News » Feed)