News – Page 2134 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Chanute continues discussion on fiber optic

info2019-05-14T08:36:08-05:00May 14th, 2019|

Chanute city commissioners will continue discussion about fiber optic expansion at a June work session after covering the issue at Monday evening’s regular meeting. The commission tabled a draft letter to be sent to potential residential customers to gauge interest in the project, and scheduled a work session for 5:30 pm June 10, before the regular commission meeting. Commissioner Tim Fairchild said fiber would be a good subject for a work session. The city is considering a discounted rate of $75 per month for early sign-up and $100 per month afterwards, with a two-month deposit and two-year commitment to get a [...]

‘We just want to get help where help is needed’: Sedgwick Co. looks to hire bilingual call takers

info2019-05-14T08:34:35-05:00May 14th, 2019|

It could be the difference between life and death. Sedgwick County dispatch says it needs bilingual call takers. The longer the positions sit empty, the longer people in need have to wait. Right now there are no bilingual call takers or dispatchers in Sedgwick County. When someone calls for help who does not speak English, they rely on a third party translator service. There are about 100 of those calls a month in the county. "When we get the call to 911, we have to we have to get that interpreter onto the line with us," said Elora Forshee, director of [...]

City of Wichita launches new budget simulator

info2019-05-14T06:50:59-05:00May 14th, 2019|

The City of Wichita wants to give you a chance to weigh in on how tax dollars will be spent on the upcoming budget. You can decide if the budget for the should be increased or decreased by 10 percent in both directions. If you add five-percent to the fire and medical response budget, this will open a new station in an under-served area. Go five-percent the other way and you'll save money, but 22 positions will be eliminated and a station will close. "We want taxpayers to feel like they have a say in the budget decisions that we make, [...]

Small Sunday earthquake reported in Rooks County

info2019-05-14T06:49:27-05:00May 14th, 2019|

Several earthquakes shook Rooks County over the weekend. According to the Kansas Geological Survey, the two largest were magnitude 3.8 at 9:06a.m. Saturday and a magnitude 3.4 at 3:13a.m. Sunday. The United State’s Geological Survey also reported a 2.6 magnitude quake centered 8 miles northwest of Plainville on Sunday. (Read more: Hays Post)

Downtown Overland Park controversial murals move closer to reality with commission OK

info2019-05-14T06:48:19-05:00May 14th, 2019|

Some opponents of a downtown Overland Park mural project may have decried its bold, bright colors and multiracial themes as contrary to the community’s history. But the city Planning Commission signaled Monday that it was time to embrace new traditions. Planning commissioners paved the way for the city’s first major multi-mural project when they approved zoning exemptions for the outside of four buildings. “I see a lot of rejuvenation with downtown Overland Park, which is great, and I think this adds to that,” commissioner Kip Strauss said. “It creates its own new history.” The murals, part of a downtown art project [...]

Labette County moves toward greater courthouse security

info2019-05-14T06:36:06-05:00May 14th, 2019|

Labette County commissioners agreed Monday to spend over $20,000 for design of a project to beef up security at the courthouse. “We’ve talked about this a long time. I think it’s time to pull the trigger and get this moving,” Commission Chairman Doug Allen of Parsons said. The commissioners agreed to enter into a contract with Design Group Architects, Ltd., Bolivar, Missouri, for design of a security system throughout the building. Allen said he walked through the building with Design Group Architects about a month ago along with department heads, who gave their input on security needs for their offices. Allen [...]

Topeka police place delay on radio traffic broadcast online

info2019-05-13T09:32:04-05:00May 13th, 2019|

The Topeka Police Department in about mid-March placed a 15-minute delay on its radio traffic broadcast free of charge at Broadcastify.com, police Chief Bill Cochran said this past week. That move means online listeners hear conversations 15 minutes after they take place. But people using police radio scanners continue to hear Topeka police traffic in a manner that is not delayed or encrypted, Cochran said. He said the 15-minute delay for the online traffic provides “the best of both worlds,” balancing public safety and transparency by continuing to give the public access to police radio traffic but providing officers more time [...]

Finney County gives final OK to Wind River Grain tax abatement; completed storage bin to hold 1 million bushels of grain

info2019-05-13T09:31:06-05:00May 13th, 2019|

Nearly two years after giving preliminary approval for a 10-year, 20-percent tax abatement for Wind River Grain to construct a nearly $3.29 million grain storage bin, the Finney County Commission on Monday gave the project final approval. In August 2017, the commission gave the preliminary go-ahead for the abatement so that Wind River could begin construction of the storage bin. With the $3,286,860 bin now complete, the company came to the commission at its most recent meeting to get final approval of the tax abatement. The commission held a brief public hearing, at which time no one from the public spoke, [...]

Bourbon County looking at formal agreements to share services, resources

info2019-05-13T09:28:11-05:00May 13th, 2019|

Bourbon County Commissioners on Tuesday reviewed a statute that would allow them to share services with other entities in an effort to save taxpayers money. County Counselor Justin Meeks said there has been discussion about an inter-local agreement between the county and city of Fort Scott to work on roads. "I know there has been a push in the community for cooperation and looking at consolidation or shared services," Meeks said. "Actually, there's a law already in place to do that. If it's in the best interest of both parties, it can be done." He cited Kansas State Statute Article 29, [...]

Fort Scott city commissioners agree to sewer line repairs

info2019-05-13T09:21:33-05:00May 13th, 2019|

The Fort Scott City Commission on Tuesday approved a motion to move forward with repairs to several sanitary sewer lines, which, according to city officials, will save money for the city in the process. Public Utilities Director Michael Mix appeared before commissioners with a review of sewer repairs in 2018 and to request approval to use the 2019 Joplin Toolbox for repairs and rehabilitation to several sewer lines at an amount not to exceed $300,000. Mix showed vidoes of sewer improvements done in 2018 as well as current issues with pipes that are deteriorating due to age, as well as deposits [...]