News – Page 1993 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Finance Director Cindy Ehart Retires After 15 Years with City

info2019-09-23T21:10:54-05:00September 23rd, 2019|

Ehart started working as a part-time accountant for Merriam in 2004 and became the City’s finance director in 2007. She’s responsible for managing the City’s budget and financial reporting. Her department also oversees investments, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. Ehart said Merriam is a location that “can’t be beaten” and said she’s been fortunate to serve the City while doing work she really enjoys. “Merriam is a great place to live, work, and play,” Ehart said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to have served the community.” (Read more: Merriam, KS news)

Motorist who was shot during altercation with Lawrence police officer files lawsuit alleging excessive force

info2019-09-23T21:19:20-05:00September 23rd, 2019|

A motorist who was shot by police after a traffic stop turned violent has filed a lawsuit claiming that police used excessive force against him and that the city failed to properly train its officers. Akira S. Lewis filed the lawsuit in Douglas County District Court against the City of Lawrence, the Lawrence Police Department, the police chief and the two officers involved in the traffic stop. The lawsuit, filed Friday, alleges that the officer who shot Lewis used excessive force and that both officers involved in the stop battered him and inflicted emotional distress through negligence, among other claims. Read [...]

Cyberattacks vandalized Kansas county websites in August, exposing security weaknesses

info2019-09-22T19:44:35-05:00September 22nd, 2019|

Cyberattacks crippled the websites of about a dozen Kansas counties in early August — replacing their homepages with cryptic messages and an image of Mecca. One county, which was conducting an election during the assault, decided against posting results online. The attacks did not affect vote counting but meant citizens didn’t have access to normal government information, such as contacts for local agencies, for several hours. The hacks defaced websites, but did not affect other systems. It does not appear the hacker or hackers took data hostage, as has happened elsewhere in the country. State officials don’t think the hacking was [...]

A Kansas town and Google roll toward the future with Wi-Fi on school buses

info2019-09-22T19:46:48-05:00September 22nd, 2019|

What do you do when you’re stuck for an hour or more on a school bus? In one Kansas school district, you log onto the internet and you do your homework. On Friday, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and other dignitaries came to Council Grove, population 2,079, to celebrate a budding program to equip rural school transportation with Wi-Fi service. (Read more: Local News |)

Commissioner Bob Archer prepares to leave office amid whirlwind of activity

info2019-09-22T19:00:25-05:00September 22nd, 2019|

Bob Archer entered politics here 10 years ago by winning the closest election in Topeka City Council history. Now he’s preparing to leave the Shawnee County Commission amid a whirlwind of political activity. Republican precinct committee members from the district Archer represents are preparing to choose his replacement Friday from between announced candidates Neil Dobler and Aaron Mays, and anyone else who might step forward. (Read more: Local - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

School board presented first look at Manhattan High expansions

info2019-09-22T18:54:03-05:00September 22nd, 2019|

The Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 board of education got their first look at the designs for the Manhattan High School West campus expansions. The hardest challenge for the Manhattan High School West Campus renovations is fitting all the staff and students from the East Campus. This is according to Adam Sterns with Gould Evans as he presented the options. Stern gave somewhat detailed options they have been looking at based on the master plan. “There’s about 70 thousand square feet of additions in both the auxiliary gym and classroom additions, 100 additional parking spots for the incoming students and faculty. So [...]

Tyson plant resumes some operations, provides update on reconstruction

info2019-09-22T18:51:30-05:00September 22nd, 2019|

Tyson representatives posted an update on the reconstruction of the Holcomb meatpacking plant Friday morning, saying the plant is still months away from reopening entirely but has been able to resume limited ground beef and value-added production. Tyson Fresh Meats President Steve Stouffer said in the update that the company appreciates the support from Finney County residents following a fire that heavily took to the harvest floor of the plant on Aug. 9 and 10, caused by a “flash” following welding work near the slaughter area. The plant has since closed temporarily for reconstruction. (Read more: Dodge City Daily Globe)

Edgerton approves condemnation plan

info2019-09-22T18:50:00-05:00September 22nd, 2019|

The Edgerton City Council approved a resolution to acquire through condemnation several private properties along state Highway 56 during a meeting Sept. 12. The properties lie along the proposed route of a multi-use path along the highway which will provide pedestrian and bicycle access from neighborhood residences to the Dollar General store, the elementary school and other future development. Dan Merkh, public works director, told the council that city staff had spoken with all the property owners along the corridor and negotiations for easements are ongoing. (Read more: Gardner News)

Cost to repair, replace spillway balloons to $766,000

info2019-09-22T18:48:34-05:00September 22nd, 2019|

Cost of repairing the Gardner Lake dam has grown to more than $766,000, according to Michael Kramer, public works director. The cost includes the design, permitting and construction of the alternate. In January, 2017, the Gardner City council approved dredging the lake and repairing the dam for a cost of $780,000. Michael Kramer, public works director, said the State Division of Conservation (DOC) had responded to a June 2016 city request for funding and would contribute $280,000 in 2017 to fund the dredging project. Kramer had also said DOC was hopeful that another $200,000 would be available in 2018, in which [...]

Jobless rate in Kansas lowest in 20-plus years

info2019-09-22T18:45:34-05:00September 22nd, 2019|

Kansas is reporting that unemployment in the state dropped to 3.2% in August and was at its lowest rate in more than 20 years. The state Department of Labor said Friday that the state gained private-sector jobs during the month and over the past year. Labor economist Emilie Doerksen said the state has seen broad economic growth, and Gov. Laura Kelly hailed the report as good news for Kansas. The department said the unemployment rate declined from 3.3% in July. It was also 3.3% in August 2018. It was the lowest unemployment rate since May 1999. The rate has been below [...]