News – Page 2089 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Arlington community members organize workshops to address food access issues

info2019-06-20T05:47:22-05:00June 20th, 2019|

Food is a necessity. Humans need it to survive. But just because something is a necessity, doesn’t always mean it’s easily accessible. Areas without ready access to fresh fruit, vegetables and other healthful whole foods are defined by the United States Department of Agriculture as food deserts. There is one such area just southwest of Hutchinson, but with the help of grants, community leaders and residents, a group is hoping to turn that around. Kelsi Depew moved to Arlington in 2013 and became increasingly concerned about the city’s access to fresh, healthy food options. “So I helped start a farmers market, [...]

Chetopa City Council’s cleanup efforts continue

info2019-06-20T05:46:53-05:00June 20th, 2019|

City officials are continuing their efforts to clean up Chetopa. The Chetopa City Council in recent months has been cracking down on code violations around town to try to make the city more appealing to people driving through. City Clerk Toni Crumrine said Wednesday city officials want to encourage people to make their properties look nice and neat and in good repair so that visitors don’t get the impression the city is full of run-down properties. (Read more: Parsons Sun)

USD 108’s Infinity Project proposal is funded Program will be funded in-part by $450K grant

info2019-06-19T23:26:51-05:00June 19th, 2019|

A 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant will bring $450,000 to USD 108 over the next five years. The program, designed for students in grades 7-12, will begin in September. 21st Century awards were announced last week by the Kansas State Board of Education. The competitive grants are awarded for a period of five years with a minimum award of $50,000 and a maximum award of $100,000 per year. (Read more: Backroads News)

Manhattan, USD383 to split costs related to rotating planned middle school rec centers

info2019-06-19T23:24:03-05:00June 19th, 2019|

The City of Manhattan and USD383 will share the costs to re-orient the planned Middle School recreation centers to accommodate planned additions at the schools that include storm shelters. The City Commission approved the decision 4 to 1, Mayor Pro Tempore Usha Reddi opposed. The cost of the change will be at most $500,000 (a guaranteed maximum price from McCownGordon) — though city administration believes it will total less than that — to be split 50/50 between the district and city. The two recreation centers will be rotated about 45 degrees in order to allow for multiple entry points into the [...]

El Do commission talks future of splash parks

info2019-06-19T23:22:38-05:00June 19th, 2019|

The future of El Dorado’s splash parks was a hot topic at the most recent city commission meeting — and whether the city can keep the facilities open. The problem in front of the city is vandalism to both of the city’s splash parks, and at the most recent city commission meeting staff discussed what could happen if the vandalism can not be stopped. It would mean at least a temporary closure of the North Main Spray Park and the Graham Park Spray Park. Currently both are open 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. No admission fees are charged for the [...]

Director of Communications at KDOT named

info2019-06-19T23:18:44-05:00June 19th, 2019|

Jeanny Sharp has been named the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Director of Communications by Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz. In her new position, she will lead the communication team members at Headquarters in Topeka and at the District offices across the state. Previously she was Public Affairs/Communications Director for the Kanas Department of Corrections. Before joining the State of Kansas, Sharp was in the print, digital and special event media business. She served as editor and publisher of The Ottawa Herald for more than 16 years. Most recently she was the marketing solutions director for The Hutchinson News as well as Regional [...]

SBA grants a disaster declaration for May tornadoes in Kansas

info2019-06-19T23:17:36-05:00June 19th, 2019|

TOPEKA —The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved Governor Laura Kelly’s request for a SBA disaster declaration as a result of the severe storms and tornadoes that occurred May 28, 2019. Tornado damage in Northeast Kansas photo courtesy Westar Energy “I am pleased that Kansas has been granted this request by the Small Business Administration,” Kelly said in media release from her office. (Read more: Great Bend Post)

Property rezoned to build possible event center near Great Bend

info2019-06-19T23:16:28-05:00June 19th, 2019|

Great Bend has approved rezoning regulations to allow a potential event center to be built just northeast of city limits. Randy and Debbie Deutsch entered an agreement to purchase real estate at 154 NE 20 Road and 176 NE 20 Road, just to the southwest of Barton Community College. Deutsch plans to use the site as a business for Distinctive Draperies and as a wedding venue site. Deutsch wants to turn the single-family dwelling into her offices and storage for weddings, inventory and retail. They plan to rent out the main kitchen to be utilized as a catering kitchen. (Read more: [...]

Great Bend votes to terminate contract with Chamber of Commerce

info2019-06-19T23:15:20-05:00June 19th, 2019|

Less than two minutes were spent Monday night going over the decision to terminate the contract the City of Great Bend has with the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce for economic development. After a brief explanation for the decision from Mayor Joe Andrasek, the City Council voted 6-0 to eliminate the contract that keeps the Chamber in charge of the economic development for Great Bend. “The committee understands that change can be difficult; however, is not promoting change simply for the sake of change,” said Andrasek. (Read more: Great Bend Post)

Ellis, Osborne, Smith Center, etc each receive $1M grant for new pools

info2019-06-19T23:13:20-05:00June 19th, 2019|

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce is awarding a special series of Community Development Block Grants to 11 communities across Kansas. The eligible activities in this category included a single pool of water. This can be the construction or reconstruction of a city Neighborhood Center (i.e. pool) and can include a maximum of two diving boards. Only items necessary for a viable safe facility will be allowed (i.e. bath house, life guard chairs, a few benches/tables, fencing, necessary accessibility items and items needed for cleaning and disinfecting). (Read more: Hays Post)