News – Page 1999 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

This JoCo district wants to tear down and rebuild more schools. Why not just renovate?

info2019-09-16T17:09:53-05:00September 16th, 2019|

In the past couple of years, the Shawnee Mission school district has torn down five grade schools and constructed six new ones. Now officials are eyeing which ones to rebuild next. In Johnson County, it’s an issue that doesn’t come up as much in the newer school districts to the south and west, where buildings are generally decades younger than the half-century-old schools that were recently demolished across Shawnee Mission. Districts such as Blue Valley and Olathe are either constructing brand new schools are updating and refreshing existing buildings. But in Shawnee Mission, it’s simply more cost effective to knock down [...]

Hundreds convene on JCCC campus for first-ever Metro KC Climate Action Summit

info2019-09-16T17:08:12-05:00September 16th, 2019|

Hundreds of local officials and residents came together on the campus of Johnson County Community College on Saturday for the inaugural Metro KC Climate Action Summit, which brought together elected leaders and climate experts to discuss ways the region can take action on climate change. “We hope that people obviously leave inspired,” said Mike Kelly, Roeland Park mayor and Climate Action KC co-founder, of the event. “We hope they can understand a little bit more about what they can do in their own sphere of influence — whether that is in their home, in their business or in their city — but [...]

Newton Fire/EMS receives grant

info2019-09-16T17:07:09-05:00September 16th, 2019|

After several attempts to secure grant funding for new equipment, the Newton Fire Department was successful in getting an Assistance to Firefighters Grant that will mean new breathing equipment. Newton Fire/EMS has received a $154,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The grant will be used to purchase National Fire Protection Association-compliant self-contained breathing apparatus, spare bottles and masks. Newton’s application was one of more than 8,400 in a competitive process. Chief Steve Roberson gave credit to the department’s budget support team for their diligence in pursuing grant funding. (Read more: Newton Kansan)

Reduction in homeless shelter capacity raises question: Where can people legally sleep?

info2019-09-16T20:31:17-05:00September 16th, 2019|

For Lawrence’s homeless with nowhere to go at night, their new beds consist of a park gazebo, the dry concrete next to a building or a patch of ground along the Kansas River. Others opt not to sleep at all. “Some walk the streets to stay awake, for safety, because they don’t want to lie down to go to sleep,” said Loring Henderson, director of a downtown drop-in center for the homeless at 10th and Kentucky streets. Those homeless people, Henderson said, opt to take short naps during the day because they fear being assaulted or having their possessions stolen if [...]

Fair board’s group chat conflicts with KOMA

info2019-09-16T20:27:49-05:00September 16th, 2019|

The Kansas State Fair Board has been using a group chat for the past two years to communicate with its members during the fair. While the conversations were “inconsequential,” State Fair general manager Robin Jennison said, he acknowledged its use is likely a violation of the Kansas Open Meeting Act. Max Kautsch, an attorney who advises for the Kansas Press Association, said use of such an app or group chat is clearly a violation of the law. “It’s a classic example of why the Open Meeting law exists and is interpreted the way it is: to prevent a body from doing [...]

Citizens help seek the direction for Derby’s future

info2019-09-16T20:27:10-05:00September 16th, 2019|

Derby resident Lisa O’Hair spent a bit of a recent afternoon examining concepts for the city’s future at the Vision Derby 2040 Design Studios event. She said it was time well spent and got to make a point of wanting to make the city a more environmentally friendly one. “We love Derby but it’s not that ‘green,’” she said. advertisement O’Hair said she and her family, who have lived here for 4-1/2 years, would like to see more emphasis on the environment, including opening up space for community gardens and additional stress on recycling. (Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)

UTVs soon will be allowed on Paola city streets

info2019-09-16T20:26:09-05:00September 16th, 2019|

The ordinance defines a UTV as any vehicle designed for off-highway use which has: a width no less than 48 inches; an overall length, including the bumper, of not more than 135 inches; four or more wheels; low pressure tires; side-by-side seating; a steering wheel; non-straddle seating; manufacturer-provided foot controls for throttle and braking; occupant restraints and rollover protective measures. Under the revised ordinance, which council members unanimously approved, UTVs will be allowed on city streets with posted speed limits less than 45 miles per hour. There are a number of conditions listed, including the fact that the UTV must be [...]

Derby passes conditional smoking ban in parks

info2019-09-16T06:35:38-05:00September 16th, 2019|

It’s going to be tougher to smoke in Derby’s parks. At its Sept. 10 meeting, the City Council approved an ordinance banning smoking and vaping from outdoor gathering areas and within 20 feet of those spaces. The ordinance also added e-cigarettes to Derby's Clean Indoor Air Ordinance and put the same restrictions on vaping as smoking. That part, however, didn’t spark the same examination as the subject of smoking in the parks. (Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)

Reno County administrator input session draws just one

info2019-09-16T06:32:52-05:00September 16th, 2019|

Just one person showed up Friday for a public input session with the group helping Reno County select its next county administrator. The resident emphasized a need for experience and someone with the ability to communicate at all levels... The man, who Commissioner Ron Hirst said was a former volunteer with the Reno County Health Coalition, also suggested a need for someone able to coordinate equally well with department heads and elected officials, someone who has clear leadership ability and who can direct projects and staff. (Read more: Local - The Hutchinson News)

Parsons talks about plan to check on rentals

info2019-09-16T06:31:23-05:00September 16th, 2019|

The first step in a rental inspection program in Parsons likely will be creation of a registration list, which could begin as early as January. Rob Gartner, city building inspector and code enforcer, talked to city commissioners about the research he has done in other cities’ programs Thursday during a work session. After years of intermittent discussion, the city of Parsons took a step toward instituting a rental inspection program to ensure units in town are safe for tenants. The commission approved a 2020 budget in August after adding money for a part-time building inspector with the goal of starting inspections [...]