News – Page 2080 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

An exit interview with departing Lawrence City Manager Tom Markus

info2019-07-02T11:01:56-05:00July 2nd, 2019|

We are really nice but not that rich. That is one takeaway I had from my final interview with Lawrence City Manager Tom Markus as he ended his tenure at City Hall last week. Markus noticed the Lawrence friendliness in the grocery store and other places where he was out and about around the community. Markus, who has been in public administration since 1973 and most recently came to Lawrence after serving in the top spot at Iowa City, said he had less anonymity in Lawrence than he did in the other communities he’s served. People would come up to him [...]

Early success of Cyrus Hotel helping build momentum for downtown Topeka

info2019-07-02T11:00:29-05:00July 2nd, 2019|

Business has been brisk at the Cyrus Hotel since it opened in late January in downtown Topeka.Buoyed by a flurry of five-star customer reviews on the TripAdvisor website, many out-of-town guests are finding the Cyrus to be their hotel of choice for overnight stays in the capital city. Local residents also are availing themselves of the Cyrus and its many offerings, whether for a company meeting, a staycation in one of the expertly appointed rooms or for dinner or a drink ... (Read more: News - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Country Stampede required coordinated effort

info2019-07-02T11:00:02-05:00July 2nd, 2019|

When the city of Topeka and Shawnee County found out Country Stampede would be moving to Topeka due to flooding at Tuttle Creek State Park in Manhattan, it had three weeks to organize an event that usually takes a year to plan.Despite the short notice, Shawnee County Emergency Management director Dusty Nichols said the process wasn't hectic, but focused and deliberate."We made sure we had all the pieces that we needed put together and got it done," Nichols said. (Read more: Local - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Downtown Topeka leaders take steps to increase culinary tourism, hope to contribute to restaurants’ success

info2019-07-02T10:59:44-05:00July 2nd, 2019|

When Greg Fox in 2007 opened RowHouse Restaurant, an upscale establishment focusing on American-fusion cuisine in downtown Topeka, he was the only one working on such a concept.Twelve years later, Fox has more competition, but he is grateful for it.“You have to work harder for the dollars and now there’s someone running right behind you,” Fox said. (Read more: Local - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

KDA seeks Marketing Advisory Board members

info2019-07-01T23:37:16-05:00July 1st, 2019|

MANHATTAN — The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s agricultural advocacy, marketing and outreach team is seeking talented Kansans to serve on the Marketing Advisory Board. The mission of the KDA marketing division is to serve all Kansans through innovative programming and deliver solutions designed to create an environment that facilitates growth and expansion in agriculture while increasing pride in and awareness of the state’s largest industry — agriculture. The Marketing Advisory Board will advise the program team on a variety of topics through the following sub-programs: agricultural business development, international agricultural development/trade, From the Land of Kansas, local foods and affiliated programs, [...]

Board finds Johnson County overtaxed Walmart by millions

info2019-07-01T23:23:47-05:00July 1st, 2019|

Johnson County overtaxed Walmart and Sam’s Club by millions of dollars by overstating the value of the retailers’ property, the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals found. The ruling on Friday could be more costly than it appears for the county, because Walmart isn’t the only large retailer that has protested appraised valuations, The Kansas City Star reports. Target and Home Depot are among other big-box retailers challenging Johnson County tax appraisals going back a couple of years. (Read more: Kansas City Business Journal - The Business Journals)

Bajillion, ActionCOACH and MotoVike share their goals and plans for the future of downtown Topeka, their businesses

info2019-07-01T23:09:08-05:00July 1st, 2019|

When Bajillion Agency decided to make its third move in three years due to a growing company, it knew it wanted to be where the community was at work doing great things. “Downtown had the character that we wanted for our creative team,” said Andrea Engstrom, president of Bajillion, “and also, we were just really inspired by what’s happening in NOTO and what’s happening in downtown and said, ‘Let’s be part of that excitement in our community and the momentum that’s happening with the investment in downtown and the grassroots growth of NOTO.’ ” Bajillion Agency, ActionCOACH and MotoVike Films celebrated [...]

Top Kansas court: Cities can raise age for buying tobacco

info2019-07-01T22:56:33-05:00July 1st, 2019|

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas' highest court ruled Friday that cities can raise the age for buying tobacco products even though state law sets it at 18, bolstering a public health movement driven in part by concerns about teenagers' use of e-cigarettes. The state Supreme Court's unanimous decision allows the city of Topeka to enforce an ordinance setting the age to buy tobacco products, e-cigarettes or liquid nicotine at 21. A company operating two local businesses, Vapebar Topeka and Puffs 'n' Stuff, sued just before the ordinance took effect in January 2018, and a lower-court judge blocked it. The ruling had broader [...]

Wind farm company doubts protest is valid

info2019-07-01T22:38:50-05:00July 1st, 2019|

Developers of a proposed wind farm in the southern half of the county believe a protest petition filed at the county clerk’s office won’t be validated. Pat Pelstring, CEO of the company developing Expedition Wind Farm, said the protest petition, with signatures of 64 people, does not appear to meet required criteria. “We have reviewed the petition, and our analysis is that it does not meet the 20% standard to qualify as a valid protest petition,” Pelstring said. “We understand the county is also working to confirm whether the petition is valid.” (Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Police, fire departments busy as summer heats up

info2019-07-01T02:13:59-05:00July 1st, 2019|

County and local law enforcement along with area fire departments have had a busy first few days of summer responding to many fire, medical, vehicle-accident and criminal calls in Cowley County. Ark City Fire Chief Bobby Wolfe said they have responded to many calls in the past week but luckily none of them have been major events. “I’m really grateful at how few of grass fires for this time of year we’ve had to respond to, this being probably the fewest in seven years,” due to the amount of moisture keeping the vegetation green. (Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)