News – Page 1934 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Lawrence to host public meeting regarding proposals to ban or charge for plastic and paper bags

info2019-11-21T20:59:09-06:00November 21st, 2019|

The City of Lawrence is seeking public input on a proposal to ban or charge a fee for single-use plastic and paper bags. The Lawrence Sustainability Advisory Board previously recommended that the city charge a 16-cent fee for disposable plastic and paper bags, but it has since updated that recommendation to indicate it would also support a ban, as the Journal-World recently reported. The Lawrence City Commission has indicated it is interested in either a fee or a ban. Read more: LJWorld.com.

Topeka leaders reject term limits, approve vacant property registry

info2019-11-20T21:05:21-06:00November 20th, 2019|

Topeka's mayor and city council voted late Tuesday against giving Topekans a November 2020 ballot question vote on whether to impose term limits upon the mayor and council. In a separate vote, the council established a registration program for owners of properties that are foreclosed, or chronically vacant and underutilized. Each of the 10 members of the city's governing body — consisting of the mayor and the nine council members — had a vote on the term limits [...] (Read more: Local - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Manhattan removes full ban on smoking, vaping on patios in combined law

info2019-11-20T20:56:24-06:00November 20th, 2019|

Manhattan’s newly combined smoking and vaping ordinance will not completely ban nicotine consumption on bar and restaurant outdoor patios. It passed by 3 to 2 vote. The City Commission Tuesday changed course on the regulations following outreach from multiple area business owners after having previously passed a first reading of an ordinance that extended the ban to patios and would have applied on golf courses as well. The amended version of the law still prohibits smoking and vaping within 20 feet of access points such as doors and open windows — even on patios — in all Parks and Recreation facilities [...]

Historic Big Boy steam locomotive chugs through Manhattan

info2019-11-20T20:54:40-06:00November 20th, 2019|

Union Pacific’s steam locomotive 4014 is trekking across the country to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad. Ed Dickens is the senior manager of Union Pacific’s Heritage Operations and helped lead restoration on the 7,000 horse power, 135 foot long, 605 ton locomotive. “Nothing gives a testimony better than someone’s firsthand experience watching this thing go by. We try to tell people to please stay back but people want to be up close. They don’t usually get a good picture because half the time they drop their phones,” Dickens said. Big Boy No. 4014 traveled the rails from 1941 [...]

Sewer rate hike at Lake Fort Scott on hold

info2019-11-20T20:51:02-06:00November 20th, 2019|

The Fort Scott City Commission Tuesday night tabled a proposed 3 percent increase in rates for sewer customers at Lake Fort Scott. Commissioners tabled the matter after hearing from lake residents who are concerned about the proposed increase, and remarks from city staff about the reasons for the rate hike. (Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

City to handle animals on its own

info2019-11-20T20:50:07-06:00November 20th, 2019|

City Administrator Joe Turner asked the council for feedback as he presented a report on the animal control services for the city and recommended that Sedgwick terminate its contract with the City of Halstead and Animal Control Officer (ACO). The agreement began about twenty years ago, allowing up to $14,000 annually to be paid to the ACO and $5,000 in annual miscellaneous expenses. “Over the last few years for a variety of reasons, ACO duties which once included proactive patrolling have transitioned to an as needed, per call basis,” Turner wrote in his report to the council. “Consequently, the cost per [...]

USDA invests in Horton water and wastewater infrastructure

info2019-11-20T20:49:05-06:00November 20th, 2019|

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Community Programs Director in Kansas, Dan Fischer, announced that three Kansas communities - including Horton - are receiving $23 million in financing to improve water and wastewater infrastructure. USDA is funding the projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. “USDA provides communities with affordable financing for water and wastewater infrastructure projects that are vital to the health and safety of rural communities,” said Fischer. “It requires a large investment in infrastructure to maintain essential services for rural residents, and USDA is committed to partnering with rural communities to help bring [...]

HCC employees give back to Doniphan County for Thanksgiving

info2019-11-20T20:48:09-06:00November 20th, 2019|

On Nov. 20, Highland Community College employees donated enough food to provide 15 Doniphan County families in need with a Thanksgiving meal. The effort was spearheaded on campus by a group of employees called The Hamper Committee which includes, Theresa Grossman, Laura Young, Shelley Smith, Pamela Fulbright, Amy Foley and Kristin Woodruff. "We want to thank the people of Highland Community College for their tremendous generosity," said Laura Young, business and economic instructor at HCC. "Not only were we able to increase our basket numbers from last year but also help feed HCC students staying on campus over break." (Read more: [...]

‘Anyone But’ rates among top write-ins

info2019-11-20T20:47:01-06:00November 20th, 2019|

Write-in candidates up-ended ballot-listed candidates in three contested races and won several other contests for which no candidate had filed in this month’s election. But the most interesting write-ins — including “Anyone But” — were not necessarily winners. Former county commissioner Dan Holub received not only 51 votes from Gale Township and Marion South to finish fourth in the race for 4th District commissioner, won by David Crofoot. (Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Hillsboro Community Hospital sold to its onetime operators

info2019-11-20T20:46:08-06:00November 20th, 2019|

A Wichita bankruptcy court judge Thursday approved the sale of Hillsboro Community Hospital after learning that no objections had been filed to the proposed sale and no qualifying competing bids had been made. The hospital was sold to a company with officers who formerly operated the hospital under the company name Rural Community Hospitals of America and filed bankruptcy in 2011. (Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)