News – Page 2087 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

USDA, DHS formalize transition $1.2 billion NBAF research facility

info2019-06-23T23:30:34-05:00June 23rd, 2019|

Two agencies of the federal government signed an agreement outlining the construction-to-operation transition of the $1.2 billion National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility under development in Manhattan, Kansas officials said. Gov. Laura Kelly said Friday the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security completed a memorandum formally spelling out how the departments would transfer the animal research complex from DHS to USDA. Under terms of the deal, DHS is to lead construction and commissioning of the facility. USDA will assume responsibility for operational planning and eventually take over management control of NBAF. Construction is on scheduled and on [...]

Kansas jobless rate at 3.5 percent, up 0.2 percent from year ago

info2019-06-23T23:27:15-05:00June 23rd, 2019|

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Kansas climbed to 3.5 percent in May, a 0.2 percent rise from one year ago. The jobless rate across the state was steady from April to May at 3.5 percent, but above the 3.3 percent mark reported in May 2018. Average monthly job growth in Kansas during the past three months stands at 2,100, based on analysis by the Kansas Department of Labor and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Summer is the deadliest days for teen drivers

info2019-06-23T23:24:13-05:00June 23rd, 2019|

Summer, which officially arrived Friday, is regarded as the deadliest days of the year for teen drivers. Memorial Day to Labor Day, when students are out of school, is a time period known as the 100 deadliest days for young, inexperienced drivers. A study by the American Automobile Association (AAA) shows the average number of deadly teen vehicle crashes climbs 15% during the summer compared to the rest of the year. (Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Kansas A to Z: ‘W’ is for Waterfalls at the Geary County Lake

info2019-06-23T23:22:18-05:00June 23rd, 2019|

GEARY COUNTY — Travel and landscape photographer Mickey Shannon, of Wichita, has visited most of the 80 waterfalls in Kansas on his list. In a 2017 blog on “There’s No Place Like Kansas” website, Shannon ranked Geary Lake Falls No. 1. Located south of Junction City, Geary County Falls is formed by the outlet from Geary State Fishing Lake and is only active in the spring or after a heavy rain. Like most spillway falls in Kansas, when the water is running low, they nearly dry up. (Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Kansas Humanities grant supports Kansas Rural Center Town Halls

info2019-06-23T23:17:02-05:00June 23rd, 2019|

TOPEKA – Humanities Kansas recently awarded $4,000 to the Kansas Rural Center (KRC) in support of the “Kansas Future of Farming & Food Town Halls.” KRC will host a series of five town hall meetings across the state in July and August focused on engaging the public in conversations about the future of food and farming, climate and energy issues, and rural revitalization, using stories from our past and present to address future solutions with a holistic and inclusive approach. “Humanities Kansas supports projects that create dialogue about important issues,” said Julie Mulvihill, Humanities Kansas Executive Director. “This series of public [...]

Lenexa plans to condemn, acquire properties along Sante Fe Trail Drive for road, trail project

info2019-06-23T23:14:56-05:00June 23rd, 2019|

Lenexa is making public improvements to a stretch of Sante Fe Trail Drive and the intersection at West 95th Street. City leaders this week authorized the acquisition and condemnation of land along the project area, which provides easements and rights-of-way for construction and utility work. The project involves the construction of turn lanes, replacing traffic signals, relocating drive approaches, replacing storm and drainage facilities, and constructing a multi-use trail. (Read more: Prairie Village Post - Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)

County, Overland Park agree to extend micro-transit pilot to Farmers Market

info2019-06-23T23:11:57-05:00June 23rd, 2019|

Beginning July 6 people who want to go to downtown Overland Park on Farmer’s Market Saturdays will have a new transportation option. The city and county decided this week to extend a micro transit pilot project to provide Saturday service to the market. Micro transit is a relatively new concept being explored by the county as an alternative to the bigger fixed-route bus service. Basically it works like the Uber or Lyft ride-share programs. Users hail a ride with an app or a phone call and are picked up at a nearby intersection. The difference is that they ride in a multi-passenger [...]

Will they come if you build it?

info2019-06-24T08:07:50-05:00June 23rd, 2019|

For years, (Abilene) parents have told stories of driving teams to towns all across the state for weekend tournaments. They seem to mention they are gone almost every weekend from early May until mid July traveling 1,000s of miles busing kids to either a baseball or softball tournament. Funny thing – they never mentioned staying at home and playing in a tournament. Why is this? In a time when the City of Abilene and the County of Dickinson County are scratching their heads and wringing their hands trying to figure out an economic developmental solution – why not look no further [...]

KDOT approves plan for OCCK to manage Abilene public transportation

info2019-06-24T08:06:00-05:00June 23rd, 2019|

The Kansas Department of Transportation has given its approval of OCCK taking over the city of Abilene’s public transportation, Interim City Manager Jane Foltz told the Abilene City Commission at a study session earlier this week. The city of Abilene primarily provides demand-response transportation as well as curb-to-curb service through the Parks and Recreation Department. Foltz, director of the parks department, said the process of OCCK taking on the public transportation has been a long one. Read more: Abilene Reflector-Chronicle.

Budget proposal to increase city commissioner pay from $9,000 to $38,000 sparks debate among city leaders

info2019-06-21T07:36:45-05:00June 21st, 2019|

City Manager Tom Markus’ recommended budget is proposing the first salary increase for city commissioners in 20 years, but commissioners disagree on how much salaries should go up. Budget and Strategic Initiatives Manager Danielle Buschkoetter told the commission at its meeting Tuesday that the recommended budget would increase salaries for commissioners to $38,000. Buschkoetter said there wasn’t a good benchmark for what other communities paid their elected leaders but that the increase would bring City Commission salaries more in line with what Douglas County commissioners make annually. While most commissioners said they thought the raise was needed so that the commissioner [...]