News – Page 2023 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Wichita, home of fatal ‘swatting’ case, launches alert system for gamers and police

info2019-08-25T21:26:45-05:00August 25th, 2019|

Wichita police will begin placing alerts on addresses where potential swatting targets could be living, the department announced Friday. The program is voluntary and open to any person who thinks they could fall victim to swatting, a false report to law enforcement meant to draw a large police presence to a particular address. The practice has been growing in popularity on the fringes of the online gaming community, including a case in Wichita that ended in tragedy. In Wichita’s swatting case, police shot an unwitting and unarmed man on his front porch after Tyler Barriss, 26, called from California and reported [...]

Walmart, Gardner community offer ‘cool’ help to homebound couple (part of the Gardner Samaritan Project)

info2019-08-25T21:18:18-05:00August 25th, 2019|

Gardner Mayor Steve Shute is collaborating with community leaders to form the Gardner Samaritan Project, an initiative he outlined in his State of the City address last May to assist people in need. But after a local couple’s air-conditioner quit working as temperatures climbed, city officials tackled the problem in a way that served as a prototype for the larger initiative — which will connect those in need with volunteers and organizations in a position to help. After the couple contacted the city because they couldn’t afford to replace their broken window unit, the city turned to the local Walmart Supercenter, [...]

Fire chiefs detail response to Tyson fire in Holcomb

info2019-08-25T21:15:11-05:00August 25th, 2019|

Two weeks after a fire shut down one of the area’s top job creators, Holcomb and Garden City emergency officials are reflecting on what made their response a success.“The public around Holcomb comes through anytime we ask,” said Bill Knight. “It was the same thing here.”Knight is the chief of the Holcomb Community Fire Department, one of the entities responsible for combating a fire in the Tyson Fresh Meats plant earlier this month. (Read more: News - The Hays Daily News)

Leaders hope new park will stimulate growth in downtown Baldwin City

info2019-08-25T21:14:36-05:00August 25th, 2019|

Construction will start next month on a new park in Baldwin City that local leaders hope will stimulate more development downtown. Earlier this month, the Baldwin City Council approved the design for the so-called Lotatorium, as well as a construction contract not to exceed $670,000. The project will add sidewalks, a stage, a big-screen TV, a splash deck water feature and restrooms to the now-empty lot in the 700 block of High Street, which has long been a site of community events. ... The Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce, the Lumberyard Arts Center, the Baldwin City Academy of Dance and Voice [...]

KCK/WyCo sales tax revenues continue downward trend

info2019-08-25T21:16:47-05:00August 25th, 2019|

Sales tax revenues were down about 8 percent during the second quarter of 2019, according to a financial report Aug. 19 at the Unified Government Economic Development and Finance Committee meeting. According to Debbie Jonscher, UG deputy chief financial officer, revenues were down six-tenths of a percent than the previous quarter primarily because of the sales tax coming in 8 percent below the target. She said the UG now has adjusted the sales tax revenue target down in the amended budget. (Read more: Welcome to Wyandotte Daily!)

Your mega guide to fall festivals: Middle of Map returns, along with beer, chili, art

info2019-08-25T20:40:50-05:00August 25th, 2019|

If it seems that every town must have a fall celebration and every food product deserves its day in the sun, a look at the area’s autumn lineup of fairs and festivals will do little to dispel that belief. Lenexa, Olathe, Overland Park, Lee’s Summit, Liberty and Raymore are just a handful of the region’s municipalities that will be dancing in the streets in the coming months. Meanwhile, there will be events celebrating products from the lowly hedge apple to spinach and chili. And, of course, beer, wine and barbecue will be common themes. (Read more: KC Breaking News, Sports & [...]

City seeks citizens’ input as to Derby’s future

info2019-08-25T20:38:42-05:00August 25th, 2019|

The planning of the city’s future continues. The next event in the Vision Derby 2040 process is what is known as the “design studios” and will be facilitated by city staff and urban planners from RDG Planning and Design, which is handling the project. At the event, participants may have their ideas drawn up and designed for what is being called “the roadmap for the next 20 years.” There will be a series of design studio meetings in September at The Venue at Madison Avenue Central Park. (Read more: DerbyInformer.com - news,news/)

More state funding means more raises for Great Bend teachers

info2019-08-25T20:37:31-05:00August 25th, 2019|

Going inside the numbers from USD 428’s approved budget for the 2019-2020 school year, the charts show the Great Bend school district gave teachers an across the board raise of 4.5 percent. The district was able to give raises despite the mill levy remaining nearly flat from the previous year. USD 428 Assistant Superintendent John Popp says Great Bend received more money from the state this school year. “We have an increase in per-pupil funding from the state,” said Popp. “That should allow us to have more money to pay for raises. The issue always with that is if we have [...]

Butler Community College to offer Volvo curriculum — one of first in U.S.

info2019-08-25T21:20:05-05:00August 25th, 2019|

Butler is expanding its curriculum to include luxury cars. Volvo and Butler Community College officially collaborated in August in an effort to strengthen the auto mechanic workforce and develop a pipeline for the car company. The agreement was made possible in part by Eddy’s Volvo Cars of Wichita, serving as the sponsoring dealership, and Volvo’s Car University Program designed to embed Volvo system technology into top accredited auto tech programs in the country, according to a BCC news release. The collaboration makes Butler Community College one of the first collegiate Volvo Training programs in the country. Butler’s faculty will be trained [...]

Police will start voluntary swatter alert system in Wichita

info2019-08-25T20:18:46-05:00August 25th, 2019|

Wichita police will begin using a system that places alerts on addresses where potential swatting targets could be living. Swatting involves someone making a hoax emergency call to send law enforcement officers, particularly SWAT teams, to a particular address. The program announced Friday is voluntary and open to people who think they might be a victims of swatting. (Read more: Little Apple Post)