News – Page 1938 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

‘We’re not going to let them die’

info2019-11-18T20:36:54-06:00November 18th, 2019|

Rural Kansas has a storied past, but decades of population decline stand poised to turn many once-vibrant places into ghost towns. The struggle for survival reveals itself in emptied Main Streets, shuttered factories and tired-looking neighborhoods dominated by houses built before World War II. An exodus that started more than 100 years ago and gained momentum during the Great Depression has now thinned the population of most of the state’s 105 counties to fewer than 10 people per square mile. “Quite a few counties peaked in the 1890 census in terms of total population and have never recovered,” said Kansas historian [...]

Hospital sales tax defeated by 2 votes

info2019-11-18T20:38:23-06:00November 18th, 2019|

The half-cent sales tax question to benefit the Hiawatha Community Hospital on the Nov. 5 ballot was defeated by 2 votes. That became official after canvassing 40 provisional ballots by the Brown County Commission Monday morning revealed the final count: No-1,285 to Yes-1,283 to a packed room that included Hiawatha and Horton city officials, along with representatives from Hiawatha Community Hospital. Assisting with the vote canvassing were County Clerk Melissa Gormley, Deputy Clerk Dawn Boyles and Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill, who advised the commissioners on state statutes for reasons to dismiss a provisional ballot. On election night, Tuesday, Nov. 5, [...]

Wind farm fight moves into Kansas courts

info2019-11-18T20:38:54-06:00November 18th, 2019|

"The wind farm fight is far from over," Nick Egli said Sunday night. Reno County landowners opposed to a wind farm are organizing again as the company takes its case to court. It's a fight over who has the right to say yes or no to wind energy development in Reno County, a fight some thought was over this summer but now is dragging on into the state's courts. This latest development in a story ... is once again pitting dozens of landowners who want the wind turbines against their neighbors, who don't. (Read more: KAKE - News)

Wichita police to ask ‘what more can we do’ in public discussion on criminal justice

info2019-11-18T20:05:30-06:00November 18th, 2019|

The Wichita police chief and other officials working in various roles in the criminal justice system will ask the public “what more can we do” in a community conversation on Saturday. The event, titled “What’s Going On and What More Can We Do,” will be hosted by the Wichita Police Department. The event will consist of panel and round-table discussions with local criminal justice officials “focusing on where criminal justice is succeeding, identifying areas needing improvement, and moving forward.” “Criminal justice involves many moving parts and can be difficult to navigate at times,” Police Chief Gordon Ramsay said in a statement. [...]

Lenexa hires Scott McCullough as new community development director

info2019-11-18T19:53:51-06:00November 18th, 2019|

Lenexa has hired Scott McCullough as the city’s new community development director. McCullough replaces Beccy Yocham, who had served as community director since 2011 before the city council appointed her as city manager in April. Tim Green, deputy community development director, had been leading the department in the interim while city leaders looked for Yocham’s replacement. McCullough’s first day on the job in Lenexa was Nov. 4. Yoccham introduced him to the city council Nov. 5. (Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)

Greensburg wins tourism awards

info2019-11-18T19:48:05-06:00November 18th, 2019|

Greensburg City Administrator Stacy Barnes and Director of Tourism Caitlin Matile attended the Kansas Tourism Conference awards banquet on October 23 at the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, where Visit Greensburg won two awards presented by Kansas tourism professionals. “These awards highlight the vital role of dedicated individuals and organizations in growing the tourism industry in Kansas,” said Bridgette Jobe, KDWPT Director. “Through their partnership, Kansas tourism will continue to be a significant part of the state’s economy. A recent economic impact survey indicates tourism has grown to an $11.3 billion industry in Kansas, one of the fastest growing industries in [...]

Augusta to revisit NRP proposal

info2019-11-18T20:36:24-06:00November 18th, 2019|

The next step for Augusta’s Neighborhood Revitalization Plan is set for Monday. The city council will host a public hearing 7 p.m. before its regular meeting. The current plan expires at the end of the year, and city officials have been at work re-structuring the existing plan to fit the mold for Jan. 1, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2022. The current plan has been in place since 2016. Cody Sims, Augusta assistant city manager, outlined some key points for the NRP, including changing the date for residential properties to qualify for 10-year tax rebates from 1970 to 1990. (Read more: andoveramerican.com)

Leveled By A Tornado, A Small Kansas Town Dreamed Big And Got Even Smaller

info2019-11-17T21:24:49-06:00November 17th, 2019|

The massive tornado that leveled this town in 2007 pretty much defines disaster. Eleven people dead. The place in ruins. Yet without the tragedy, Greensburg wouldn’t have had the chance to transform itself into “the greenest community in America.” It now runs on renewable energy wired into buildings and homes designed with the latest in conservation technology. (Read more: Rural Messenger)

New signs will highlight U.S. Bicycle routes

info2019-11-17T21:22:23-06:00November 17th, 2019|

Some new signs will be popping up along roadsides in Kansas — designating two different bicycle routes. One of those, U.S. Bicycle Route 76, also known as the TransAmerica Trail, passes through Harvey County as it connects the east and west coasts. “Thousands of cyclists ride these routes through Kansas every year, offering great tourist opportunities for the over 30 communities they pass through, especially rural towns,” said Jenny Kramer, Kansas Department of Transportation bicycle and pedestrian coordinator. “Many towns take advantage of this opportunity for economic growth and development by making their towns more bicycle-friendly and creating attractive resting and [...]

What do the Riverfront Legacy Master Plan designs mean for Century II?

info2019-11-17T21:18:56-06:00November 17th, 2019|

“How do we honor our past and move forward at the same time?” asks Evan Rosell with the greater Wichita Partnership. This is the question of debate for the Riverfront Legacy Master Plan. Thursday Nov. 14, Project Wichita, released five potential designs. They have been working on these designs for five months. Of those options many include removing the old Central Wichita Library and Century II buildings. “Even though we’re sort of removing something, an iconic thing from the city. We are giving something back,” said Amber Luther, Senior Associate for Populous design firm. (Read more: KSN-TV)