News – Page 2124 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Hutchinson City Council approves grant application for Woody Seat interchange improvements

info2019-05-22T09:16:01-05:00May 22nd, 2019|

The Hutchinson City Council approved funding a grant proposal for the Woody Seat interchange project during Tuesday’s meeting. The city recently received the results of a study on how to deal with the traffic on the interchange and the two aging bridges over Avenues A and B. The application will be done by WSP USA at a cost of $42,686. The move comes as Public Works is working on $2.2 million dollars worth of needed maintenance on the bridges over Avenues A and B. If the city were to get the transportation grant, the interchange project would total about $6 million. [...]

Geary County to consider authorizing funding help for Sundown Salute

info2019-05-22T09:14:09-05:00May 22nd, 2019|

The Geary County Commission received a request Monday to provide funding help for the annual Fourth of July celebration, Sundown Salute. Commission Chair Charles Stimatze reported that Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Director Michelle Stimatze is seeking $20,000 for Sundown Salute. He confirmed the governing body has not yet made any decision on the request. A shortfall in fundraising is the issue. “Shortfall in fundraising. Everybody knows, and it’s not just Sundown Salute. I think it’s all organizations are having a hard time. because all the local businesses are getting hit up for it.” If the funding is approved the money would [...]

After being barred from covering Digital Learning Task Force, Shawnee Mission Post will file open meetings complaint against SMSD

info2019-05-22T09:00:50-05:00May 22nd, 2019|

On Monday, the Shawnee Mission School District explicitly barred the Shawnee Mission Post from attending a meeting of the Digital Learning Task Force that is reviewing the district’s multi-million dollar 1:1 technology initiative, which provides an iPad or Macbook to every student. In 2014, the board of education approved the expenditure of approximately $20 million on the devices on the recommendation of then-Superintendent Jim Hinson — and the district has spent millions and millions more in the intervening years to update and replace them. Administrators at the time extolled the virtues of the initiative, saying it would provide boundless learning opportunities [...]

Shawnee voters soundly reject property tax increase for community center

info2019-05-22T08:57:29-05:00May 22nd, 2019|

Shawnee voters sent a clear message in the mail-in ballot election that wrapped up today: No property tax hike for a community center. Unofficial final results posted by the Johnson County Election Office early this afternoon showed the electorate roundly rejecting the proposal put before them, which would have raised the property tax rate by 2.919 mills to fund construction of a $38 million community center with indoor sports facilities, a pool and meeting rooms, among many other features. Of the approximately 20,000 votes cast, 72.12% of voters rejected the ballot proposal. Just 27.88% supported it. In a statement issued shortly [...]

Lawrence to consider exceptions for sexual assault intervention training for businesses that serve alcohol

info2019-05-22T12:55:49-05:00May 22nd, 2019|

City leaders will consider creating exceptions to a proposed ordinance that would require managers at businesses that serve alcohol to undergo sexual violence intervention training. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission deferred adopting an ordinance requiring the training for on-site managers as a condition of drinking establishment licenses, which are required for bars, restaurants and other businesses that serve alcohol. Read more: LJWorld.com.

Lawrence proposes entry fees for recreation and community centers

info2019-05-21T10:28:51-05:00May 21st, 2019|

Some Lawrence residents could soon have to pay as much as $48 per year to use the city’s recreation centers, which are currently free and provide access to cardio equipment, weights, basketball courts and other activities. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will review a proposal to begin charging entry fees at the Prairie Park Nature Center and the city’s four recreation centers: the Community Building, East Lawrence Center, Holcom Recreation Center and Sports Pavilion Lawrence. Fees would vary depending on age, ranging from $5 for children for an annual entry card to $48 annually for some [...]

Flooding expected on Wildcat Creek, Manhattan advises residents to prepare

info2019-05-21T09:26:29-05:00May 21st, 2019|

The National Weather Service is predicting Wildcat Creek will experience moderate flooding, cresting Tuesday morning. As of 4 p.m. Monday, May 20, rainfall quantities between 1.5 to 4 inches are possible through Tuesday evening. A flash flood watch is in effect in Riley, Pottawatomie and Geary Counties through 7 p.m. Tuesday and a flood warning has been declared for Wildcat Creek as well as Fancy Creek near Randolph, Lyon Creek near Junction City and the Kansas River at Manhattan. Manhattan Floodplain Manager Chad Bunger says current projections have Wildcat Creek topping out at 22.5 feet. Last week’s minimal flooding crested around [...]

New round of flooding begins in Reno County, across region

info2019-05-21T09:23:31-05:00May 21st, 2019|

The rains came... and came.... and came again. According to the National Weather Service, widespread heavy rains will continue here through Tuesday and then -- after a brief lull later in the day and into Wednesday -- will return, with chances of precipitation through the rest of the week. As heavy thunderstorms caused localized flooding in and around Hutchinson Monday morning, the rainfall total for May came close to swamping the city’s average rainfall amount for the entire first five months of the year. (Read more: Local - The Hutchinson News)

Merriam city leaders name rooms in new community center after historical figures, places

info2019-05-21T09:22:54-05:00May 21st, 2019|

Merriam city leaders are naming rooms in the new community center at Vavra Park after historical figures and places of the city’s history. The new community center will have seven rooms available for the public to rent. Anna Slocum, Merriam parks and recreation director, said some rooms will be named after a person who has been an integral part of the city’s history. “A discussion that started with staff was base the room names on our history, similar to what we’ve done today in the Irene B. French Community Center, and in the rooms, provide a history lesson as to what [...]

Kearny County Hospital pays for summer intern with CEO’s speaking fee

info2019-05-21T09:22:13-05:00May 21st, 2019|

Benjamin Anderson, chief executive officer of Kearny County Hospital, Lakin, said he will not personally be accepting the speaking fee to be paid for his June 11 appearance in Hutchinson. “Several months ago, I offered to do this talk in exchange for a $2,000 gift to the Kearny County Healthcare Foundation. We will be using those funds to help pay for a paid summer internship we sponsor annually, focused on the social determinants of health,” Anderson wrote this week in an email response to The News. (Read more: Local - The Hutchinson News)