News – Page 2130 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Main Street Kansas: Downs does storytelling the old-fashioned way

info2019-05-17T07:30:41-05:00May 17th, 2019|

A Kansas festival is preserving the ancient art of storytelling. Once used to pass the history of one generation down to the next, storytellers are now helping people communicate without their phones. It might be a silly story, an old western or even a comical confession. "She thought about that for a minute, and yelled, 'Little ole boy!'" said Billy Harley, storyteller. "Billy Earp always had, he was a wild, rich kid," said Joe Herrington, storyteller. But most all of the stories get a reaction. "We've always communicated that way, but we're getting away from it, and so I feel the [...]

Newton Commission moves on Sunday booze

info2019-05-16T11:07:46-05:00May 16th, 2019|

When the agenda item of Sunday alcohol sales by liquor stores and retail outlets appeared on the city commission agenda Tuesday, commissioner Glen Davis jumped into the conversation quickly — with some numbers. “We are losing $229,500 a year in sales tax,” Davis said. “We could gain $229,500 if we allow alcohol sales on Sundays. I know some communities call it a sin tax. It goes to certain projects. I have not brought this up to my commissioners, but organizations like the chamber, Grand Central and other organizations that we try to fund ... it would be nice to take some [...]

Residents fight big development north of Wichita State’s Innovation Campus

info2019-05-16T11:11:14-05:00May 16th, 2019|

Sedgwick County has joined City Hall in a plan that discourages, but still allows, commercial development across the street from Wichita State University’s Innovation Campus. The commission took that action after hearing passionate pleas from residents who want to preserve the residential character of their neighborhood – and from a man who has tried twice to build businesses at the site of his late father’s home. At issue were proposed changes to the Northeast Heights Neighborhood Plan that guides development in the one-square-mile area bounded by 21st on the south, 29th on the north, Hillside on the west and Oliver on [...]

Wichita plans to offer 500 city-owned parking spaces to developer of downtown complex

info2019-05-16T11:06:30-05:00May 16th, 2019|

Wichita plans to commit 500 city-owned parking spaces downtown to a developer that wants to open a medical school, culinary arts school, student housing facility and hotel in the heart of the city. The plans are included in a memorandum of understanding approved by the Wichita City Council on Tuesday. The agreement is between the city and Sudha Tokala’s Douglas Market Development LLC. It’s an unofficial agreement that outlines expected development and incentives and can be changed at any time. So far, it provides the most detailed sketch of the project that has been made public. The four buildings that Tokala [...]

Ellis Co., business owners at odds over roads in incorrectly platted addition

info2019-05-16T11:05:17-05:00May 16th, 2019|

Businesses in the L. Kuhn Addition 4 want Ellis County to start maintaining its roads again. However, County Public Works Director Bill Ring said the county stopped maintaining the road about two years ago when he learned the property was not properly platted. This means the roads legally are on private property. According to state statute, the county can’t work on private property. It also risks liability if it sends workers or equipment to the site. (Read more: Hays Post)

Topeka Fire Department shares plans to offer advanced life support

info2019-05-16T11:04:35-05:00May 16th, 2019|

The Topeka Fire Department shared information Tuesday with the Topeka City Council about its plans to transition beginning next year from providing basic life support to providing advanced life support as firefighters respond to emergency medical calls.The department can start that transformation without going outside its existing budget, said Richard Sigle, its emergency medical services chief. (Read more: Local Government - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Sheriff’s office shows off new armored rescue and response vehicle

info2019-05-16T11:01:20-05:00May 16th, 2019|

The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office’s acquisition of a new, heavily armored rescue and response vehicle will enable it to far more safely extract people from dangerous situations, such as school shootings, Sheriff Brian Hill said Wednesday. “If you look in the rear of that, you could get a classroom of kids in there,” he said of the large, green vehicle, which has bulletproof windows. Hill’s office on Thursday showed reporters the new Lenco Bearcat Rescue Vehicle, which it acquired in early April from Lenco Industries Inc. at a cost of $311,826. That was paid using $211,826 in federal forfeiture money seized [...]

Battle over wind farm proposal takes strange turn

info2019-05-16T11:01:00-05:00May 16th, 2019|

Although a proposal to build a wind farm in the southern portion of the county has drawn strong opposition since August, not everyone stands against its construction. Expedition Wind Farm, proposed by National Renewable Resources, would span from Florence to Aulne to north of Peabody. Opponents have contested its construction since August. The opponents, however, are not among the 41 landowners who have 81 contracts with NRS. (Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Common noises louder than wind turbines

info2019-05-16T11:00:11-05:00May 16th, 2019|

A frequent contention among opponents of a proposed wind farm in the southern portion of the county is that wind turbines are noisy. The website consumer.healthday.com reports on a 2018 Canadian government study of wind turbine noise. The study shows that living near a wind turbine can be annoying, but “doesn’t answer questions about how their noise might affect human health.” (Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Allen County checks cost of adding Chanute to 911 service

info2019-05-16T10:59:07-05:00May 16th, 2019|

...after crunching the numbers, Allen County 911 Communications Director Angela Murphy estimates it would cost about $167,000 annually to absorb the city of Chanute into its emergency system. Murphy suggested three more employees would be needed, which would entail additional licensing fees. Chanute currently pays $180,000 for 911 services through Neosho County, but has been unhappy with the results, which have not improved despite 3-5 percent fee increases, Murphy said. Bruce Symes said he was pleased with Chanute’s estimation of Allen County’s services, but was wary of venturing into a “hornet’s nest” between Chanute and Neosho County. (Read more: The Chanute [...]