News – Page 1994 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Seismologists urge Kansans to have a disaster plan for earthquakes

info2019-09-22T18:44:25-05:00September 22nd, 2019|

A couple of earthquakes shook south central Kansas early Saturday morning, one in Oklahoma and one in Kansas. They're the latest earthquakes to shake the region. The Cosmosphere in Hutchinson held a free public presentation on Saturday morning. Hoping to give some answers to locals about why this is happening. "From a scientific perspective, what we're seeing in Kansas is really quite interesting. I think that there are a lot of interesting things that we're still learning," says Dr. Justin Rubinstein. (Read more: KAKE - News)

KPERS explores idea of cutting 7.75% investment return forecast, adding to liability

info2019-09-22T18:43:03-05:00September 22nd, 2019|

Trustees of the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System discussed Friday the possibility of following a national trend by lowering assumptions on long-term investment returns, signaling the state’s taxpayers could be asked to contribute more to a system serving 315,000 people. Nothing is likely to be decided about modifying the current 7.75% return on investment standard for KPERS until completion in January of a lengthy study of economic and demographic trends. “This is obviously one of the most important decisions the board makes,” said Kelly Arnold, the board’s chairman. “We need to make sure we’re making the right decision for the members.” [...]

Kansas’ unemployment rate slips to 3.2% for first time in two decades

info2019-09-22T18:41:55-05:00September 22nd, 2019|

The unemployment rate in Kansas declined to 3.2% in August and the state recorded expansion of 17,800 jobs in the private sector during the past year, officials said Friday. Gov. Laura Kelly seized upon the latest monthly report as evidence of an economy capable of job growth and lowering of the jobless rate. It has been about 20 years since the Kansas unemployment figure moved under 3.3%. “This is good news for Kansas,” she said. “My administration is focused on creating quality jobs throughout Kansas.” (Read more: News - McPhersonSentinel - McPherson, KS)

Library project moves forward

info2019-09-22T18:39:46-05:00September 22nd, 2019|

Following a special meeting of the Newton City Commission and the library visiioning team, a firm was selected for a project to renovate or replace the Newton Public Library. Commissioner Barth Hague moved, and Mayor Kathy Valentine seconded, to accept a contract with HBM Architects subject to City Attorney review. The motion carried 4-1 with commissioner Glen Davis voting against. According to the meeting minutes, due to HBM Architects’ extensive experience with library projects and their detailed ranking process for site-selection, the committee was interested in hiring them. The fund-raising sub-consultant of Swanson House that WDM Architects teamed up with “was [...]

Little Jerusalem State Park opens Oct. 12

info2019-09-22T19:49:45-05:00September 21st, 2019|

The wait is finally over. The Nature Conservancy and Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) have announced that the Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park will open on Sat., October 12. (Read more: Scott County Record RSS)

Hundreds turn out for fourth annual Clean Slate Day sponsored by city of Topeka

info2019-09-22T19:47:39-05:00September 21st, 2019|

Long before the crack of dawn on Friday morning, folks started lining up in front of the Topeka Performing Arts Center for a chance to clear their criminal records during the fourth annual Clean Slate Day, sponsored by the city. For some, it meant setting a court date on an outstanding case, thereby dropping a warrant that had been issued for their arrest. For others, it was a chance to renew a driver's license that had been suspended. (Read more: Local - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Pretty Prairie district gains students

info2019-09-22T19:43:33-05:00September 21st, 2019|

Pretty Prairie USD 311 added students and staff this year. All-day preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds has made Pretty Prairie attractive for young families, said superintendent Randy Hendrickson. Friday was the day Kansas schools counted students, and Pretty Prairie school district's number for K-12 was 287, up from 272 students a year ago. "We're very excited," Hendrickson said. There’s a lot of growth in the elementary grades, Hendrickson said. (Read more: Local - The Hutchinson News)

Scott City adopts new policy on property tax payments

info2019-09-20T08:15:31-05:00September 20th, 2019|

Following the county’s lead, the Scott City Council has adopted a resolution that will aid the county in the collection of back taxes. The city is joining with the county in forcing property owners who are delinquent in their tax payments to either pay their taxes in full or face the prospect of a tax sale in the near future. ... A common practice has been to make “partial” payments. In other words, paying only for those years which will keep property out of a sale, but still being delinquent for the most recent two years. Under the charter ordinance, payments [...]

‘There’s so much love at this theater.’ Chestnut, an Olathe gem, shines after 21 years

info2019-09-20T08:15:34-05:00September 20th, 2019|

It took joy, creativity and a whole lot of support from family to make Chestnut Fine Arts Center the success it has become over the past 21 years. The 102-seat performing arts center in the heart of Olathe has presented 20 seasons of musicals, musical reviews and plays to more than 16,000 audience members each season. Founder and director Brad Zimmerman believes the Chestnut’s success is the result of years of hard work and hands-on family commitment. “After 10 years of teaching music and freelancing as a musical director in Kansas City theaters, I decided to look for a place where [...]

Douglas County Commission hears proposal to change county’s rules for dividing rural land

info2019-09-19T21:40:40-05:00September 19th, 2019|

Douglas County leaders discussed a slate of proposed changes to the county’s zoning regulations on Wednesday, including a measure that would allow for more public feedback before rural land could be divided into residential lots. Zoning Director Tonya Voigt and Planner Mary Miller presented a broad overview of the proposed regulations to the County Commission during a work session. They explained that the regulations would create several new zoning districts that would set guidelines for agricultural, industrial, business and residential land use in the county. Read more: LJWorld.com.