News – Page 1931 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

2019 local consult meetings wrap up in Liberal and Colby

info2019-11-25T18:24:50-06:00November 25th, 2019|

This was the takeaway message from the local consult meetings in Liberal and Colby this week. With the completion of these two meetings, KDOT has now hosted 16 local consult meetings across the state this summer and fall. And, it is fitting that more than 200 western Kansans concluded the discussions by expressing their support for these meetings to continue every two years. KDOT used the input gathered at the first round of Local Consult meetings in August to shape not only the public input sessions currently underway, but also the next major state transportation plan— known as FORWARD. The second [...]

Derby residents concerned about littering from free newspapers left in yards

info2019-11-25T22:08:52-06:00November 25th, 2019|

The City of Derby says The Wichita Eagle's free newspaper, Neighbors, is distributed to approximately 6,800 households each week. Some residents, like Nick Sharp, are concerned that the paper is causing littering in the city. "It's just accumulating more trash, you know. You got plastic bags that aren't recyclable," Sharp said."Its just more stuff going to the landfill that nobody wanted in the first place." (Read more: KWCH News)

UG Commission approves up to $100 million in IRBs for PQ plant expansion

info2019-11-25T22:01:48-06:00November 25th, 2019|

The Unified Government Commission, on an 8-0 unanimous vote, approved issuing up to $100 million in industrial revenue bonds for the PQ Corp. on Thursday night. PQ-Zeolyst is expanding its industrial operations at 1700 Kansas Ave., in Kansas City, Kansas. The company makes catalysts that are used by other companies to help the environment, according to UG information. During a public hearing continued from the last UG Commission meeting, only two persons spoke, the same who appeared last week, Janice Witt and Tscher Manck. Witt opposed the IRBs, stating basically the same thing as last week. (Read more: Welcome to Wyandotte [...]

The Troubling Decline in City Revenue Growth

info2019-11-25T22:05:13-06:00November 25th, 2019|

The most startling conclusion of The National League of Cities’ new fiscal conditions report was that revenue growth “stalled” last year and that this trend has continued—creating real problems for city budgets. This came as a particular shock to us because gross domestic product from coast to coast continues to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, “Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in all fifty states in the first quarter of 2019.” So, the question emerges: While the economy has remained healthy, why are so many cities experiencing revenue growth stagnation or even declines? Columbia, Missouri (population 122,000), [...]

Kansas college hopes to grow wine industry within state

info2019-11-24T21:45:21-06:00November 24th, 2019|

A community college in Kansas hopes to promote the winery industry in the state by providing space and resources for small wineries getting started in the business. Highland Community College at Wamego opened a wine incubator called 456 Wineries last month. Director Scott Kohl said Highland received a federal grant in 2016 to start it. Kohl said 456 Wineries is a part of the school’s viticulture or grape-growing program and enology or wine-making program. (Read more: KAKE - News)

Southeast Kansas lags behind state unemployment average

info2019-11-24T21:42:42-06:00November 24th, 2019|

The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released preliminary October unemployment rate estimates this week, noting they reached a new low. In southeast Kansas, however, unemployment remains higher than the statewide average. “Kansans can recognize two important milestones this month. The unemployment rate fell to 3.1 percent in October, the lowest rate in 40 years. April 1979 was the last month the unemployment rate was 3.1 percent,” Kansas Secretary of Labor DelÍa GarcÍa said in a release. “Additionally, October established a record high level in the number of Kansans working.” While Kansas’ overall unemployment rate [...]

State sues trailer park owner for violating drinking water regulations

info2019-11-24T21:40:52-06:00November 24th, 2019|

State health officials have filed a suit in Reno County District Court seeking enforcement action against the owners of Western Acres Mobile Home Park for failing to properly treat the public water supply system in the trailer park northwest of Hutchinson. The property at 4718 Nickerson Boulevard has been under a “boil water advisory” for more than 15 months as the owner, Justin Whitt, doing business as Premium Management LLC, 322 N. Main, has repeatedly ignored orders from the state. A Shawnee County judge in June issued a journal entry ordering Whit to comply with a May 2018 Administrative Order from [...]

Topeka JUMP, others show support for the city’s SOTO Ride-To-Work Program

info2019-11-24T21:39:03-06:00November 24th, 2019|

Deborah Vance’s son, Marcus, has used Topeka’s SOTO Ride-to-Work Program for almost three months. Because of the program, he’s never missed or been late to a regularly-scheduled shift. Vance’s son works at the Target Distribution Center in southwest Topeka, but he lives near the Wanamaker corridor. If it weren’t for the SOTO program, he wouldn’t have a way to get to work, as the city’s bus lines don’t run far enough south. “He has chronic asthma and one kidney, and he’s not able to ride a bike,” Vance said. “So for him to be able to get here through SOTO ensures [...]

County commission to consider move regarding Family Park

info2019-11-24T21:37:27-06:00November 24th, 2019|

The Shawnee County Commission on Monday will consider taking a step toward developing a comprehensive master plan for the Family Park the county plans to create just south of S.W. 21st and Urish Road. That proposal is among items on the agenda when Commissioners Bill Riphahn, Kevin Cook and Aaron Mays meet at 9 a.m. in their chambers in Room B-11 of the County Courthouse, 200 S.E. 7th. The Topeka City Council won’t meet this coming Tuesday because it will be the fourth Tuesday of the month, and the council only meets on the first three Tuesdays. (Read more: Local - [...]

Shawnee County wins suit alleging it failed to accommodate deaf woman

info2019-11-24T21:36:03-06:00November 24th, 2019|

Shawnee County this month emerged victorious in a lawsuit filed against it in 2016 by a deaf woman who alleged the county arrested her without probable cause and failed to accommodate her disability, the county announced this week in a news release. The lawsuit officially came to a close in the county’s favor with the passing of the Nov. 15 deadline by which plaintiff Carolyn Hans could have appealed a U.S. Court of Appeals ruling in the county’s favor to the U.S. Supreme Court, said Shawnee County counselor Jim Crowl. Hans — who was born deaf, to deaf parents — in [...]