News – Page 1912 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Retiring Farmers Union president: Family farms still viable

info2019-12-16T00:31:59-06:00December 16th, 2019|

As Roger Johnson prepares to step down after 11 years leading the National Farmers Union group, he’s well aware of the many challenges facing its members: a painful trade war, the effects of climate change and the march of farm consolidation. But Johnson, a North Dakota native, believes smaller operators can still find a way to carve out a living. Here’s a look at Johnson’s thoughts on agriculture and the future of farming: (Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Cottonwood Falls firefighters turn up the heat in new calendar

info2019-12-16T00:28:31-06:00December 16th, 2019|

The Cottonwood Falls Fire Department has turned to an unlikely method of raising funds for outdated equipment — modeling. Firefighters from Chase County will be on display the entire year in 2020, after the department teamed up with Rosebud Studio for its take on the traditional sexy firefighters calendar. Geneva Cahoone, wife of firefighter Kevin Cahoone, sprung the idea when the fire department began discussing ways to raise funds without having to ask the city or county commission. (Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Millions spent to accommodate overflow in Kansas prisons

info2019-12-16T00:24:48-06:00December 16th, 2019|

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas prisons have exceeded their operating capacity and it will cost the state millions of dollars to move hundreds of inmates to a privately owned prison in Arizona. A one-year contract with the Kansas Department of Corrections and CoreCivic was announced this month, KCUR-FM reports. Acting Corrections Secretary says it’s the best option available at this time to accommodate the rise in prison population. (Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF)

Registration fees for electric and hybrid vehicles in Kansas to increase in 2020

info2019-12-16T21:37:32-06:00December 16th, 2019|

Electric and hybrid vehicle owners in Kansas are set to see an increase in their registration fees in 2020. This year, Kansas lawmakers passed House Bill 22-14, which approves the price hike in fees for these vehicles. Registration fees for electric hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles will increase to $50. (Read more: KSNF/KODE – FourStatesHomepage.com)

Chief Justice Lawton Nuss retires from Kansas Supreme Court

info2019-12-16T00:21:33-06:00December 16th, 2019|

Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss retired Friday before a crowd of supporters who packed the ground floor of the judicial building in Topeka. Nuss told the crowd that serving on the high court was the greatest privilege of his 37-year legal career, which began with two decades of law practice in Salina. Republican Gov. Bill Graves appointed Nuss to the Supreme Court in 2002, and Nuss has served as chief justice of the court since 2010. Nuss said it was an honor to work with the 2,000 dedicated employees of the judicial branch in Kansas. (Read more: News - [...]

Hutch public art projects eyed

info2019-12-16T00:19:34-06:00December 16th, 2019|

The first mural chosen for the Chester I. Lewis Plaza, across from the entrance to the Historic Fox Theatre, 18 E. 1st Ave., is slated to be painted in spring 2020, depending on the weather. Wichita muralist Josh Tripoli’s postcard-style design for Hutchinson has been revised during the planning process, with yellow replacing green as a backdrop color. “I definitely like it better than the green,” Hutchinson’s director of parks and facilities Justin Combs told the Public Art and Design Council on Thursday at City Hall. (Read more: News - The Hutchinson News)

Fired health chief, Pawnee County settle suit

info2019-12-16T09:23:49-06:00December 16th, 2019|

Hours of mediation this month produced a resolution in a federal lawsuit brought by fired Pawnee County Health Administrator Robin Rziha against the Pawnee County Board of Commissioners and County Attorney Douglas McNett. She had charged retaliation for accusing the county of misappropriating health-related grant dollars to supplant general county funds, alerting county and state officials and auditors of her concerns. The case was settled at a mediation session that ran six and a half hours, according to a court document filed last week. (Read more: News - The Hutchinson News)

Grant for PSU’s Nature Reach will fund new kindergarten program

info2019-12-16T00:08:36-06:00December 16th, 2019|

It was only fitting that a diverse collection of animals — a pair of tortoises, a family of hissing cockroaches, a 4-year-old possum — were able to witness a key grant presentation Friday morning on the Pittsburg State University campus. A check for $10,000 from the Evergy Foundation will help the university’s Nature Reach program establish a summer day camp targeting kindergarten-aged children next year. Not only will the new camp introduce local children to about 50 different animals and insects that call PSU home, but officials hope it also will spark empathetic feelings toward animals of all shapes and siz [...]

Sedgwick County crews prep hundreds of miles of roads ahead of winter weather

info2019-12-16T00:07:04-06:00December 16th, 2019|

The roadways in Sedgwick County go for miles and miles. “Sedgwick County maintains 600 miles of roadway,” says Daniel Schrant, Construction Engineer for the Sedgwick County Public Works Department. Hundreds of miles of roads the county does its best to cover. “They have been doing that this week in preparation for the snowstorm,” says Schrandt .”Then, obviously, when the snow is here we do the plowing and salt and sand operation right behind the truck" (Read more: KSN-TV)

Seneca works to increase school safety

info2019-12-16T00:05:34-06:00December 16th, 2019|

A local school district adds an extra layer of protection when school is over and its time to pick-up the kids. The Seneca School District is using a web system called Kid Account for the students in Pre-K through 6th grade. It helps the school keep track of visitors leaving and entering the school. (Read more: KSNF/KODE – FourStatesHomepage.com)