News – Page 2166 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

KDOT pledges $1 million match for Ellis County Northwest Business Corridor

info2019-04-05T09:57:28-05:00April 5th, 2019|

The Kansas Department of Transportation has pledged to match $1 million in funding for road improvements in Ellis County’s Northwest Business Corridor, contingent on approval of a grant the county has made to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Logan. Rep. Barb Wasinger (R-Hays), 111th District, brought together a coalition of federal, state, county and city leaders in February to see the road first-hand, tour businesses whose operations are affected by the road, and asked all parties to work together for a solution. “I’d like to thank Congressman Marshall, Commerce Secretary Toland and Deputy Transportation Secretary Douglas, as well as Senator Billinger, [...]

City of Newton acts quickly to address stink

info2019-04-05T09:55:22-05:00April 5th, 2019|

South winds, wet ground and a winter’s worth of sludge made for a smelly few days on the south side of Newton. The City of Newton, as it regularly does, distributed a byproduct of its was wastewater treatment plant, what they call “sludge”, on a city-owned field to be used as fertilizer. Normally the sludge, is disced into the field soon after. However, according to city public information officer Erin McDaniel, the field was too wet for the farmer to get into immediately. “That was the issue,” she said. “The wind was coming out of the wrong direction. It’s unfortunate. It’s [...]

Augusta City Council approves request to move “Blessing Box” to city property

info2019-04-05T09:52:46-05:00April 5th, 2019|

Council also approved a request from Heather Holmes, who has been maintaining a Blessing Box near 14th and Ohio Streets, to move the box a short distance across Ohio St. on city property in front of the Community Garden. She explained that the move would make it more accessible and visible to the public. Holmes, along with the Augusta community has kept the free little pantry stocked. People are encouraged to take what they need and leave what they can for others. Anyone can put a donation in the pantry, as well. (Read more: Augusta Gazette)

Former Riley County employee claims he was wrongfully terminated in suit against commission

info2019-04-05T09:50:51-05:00April 5th, 2019|

A lawsuit filed last week in Riley County District Court alleges Riley County Commissioners terminated an employee for speaking out against one of the commissioners. The lawsuit was filed March 27 by former county employee Steven DeHart of Olsburg, who claims the board fired him in 2017 because he continually spoke out against Chairman Ron Wells. DeHart worked for the county as an environmental health specialist. In the petition, DeHart claims he drew the ire of the commission when he reported Wells had a private sewer hookup at his residence that allowed him to receive free service. It was initially a [...]

City of Wellington official release on new plastic policy

info2019-04-05T09:49:37-05:00April 5th, 2019|

On April 1, 2019, the City of Wellington began only accepting cardboard, office paper and plastic #1 and plastic #2. Other materials including plastics #3 through #7 will not be accepted as there is currently little to no market in this region and some materials are being landfilled by material recovery facilities. (Read more: Sumner NewsCow)

County to spend $400,000-plus to replace HVAC systems at 18 buildings

info2019-04-05T09:49:33-05:00April 5th, 2019|

Shawnee County has earmarked $416,275 to replace heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems at 18 parks and recreation buildings it maintains. County Commissioners Bob Archer, Bill Riphahn and Kevin Cook voted 3-0 Thursday morning to approve a project budget authorizing that work to be done over four years between 2019 and 2022. County administrative services director Betty Greiner said the budget approved Thursday fits in with steps the county is taking to establish and maintain an annual capital improvement budget. (Read more: Political - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Chetopa mayor declines to sign newly passed minimum housing code

info2019-04-05T09:47:08-05:00April 5th, 2019|

After an absence of about five years, Chetopa once again has minimum housing standards. In a March 19 regular meeting the Chetopa City Council approved an ordinance to provide a minimum housing code. The council voted 6-0 in favor the ordinance, but Mayor Terry Robison refused to sign it, bringing discussion on how the council should proceed. According to minutes from the meeting that were recently made available, Council Member Betsy Koontz read from the governing body handbook that an ordinance could become effective without the mayor’s signature. Robison said on Wednesday that as a member of the city council in [...]

Olathe council airs concerns about cost of building code update

info2019-04-05T09:43:35-05:00April 5th, 2019|

A potential building code update for Olathe prompted worries from City Council members that residents and business owners would be the ones stuck with rising costs as a result. Tuesday night’s meeting was the council’s first chance to review possible amendments to the approximately 4,000 pages of material that could affect everything from residential lighting to regulations for fire-proofing both residential and commercial buildings. The codes cover a wide swath, including building, residential, existing buildings, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, electrical, energy conservation, swimming pool, property maintenance and fire codes. Possible changes include requiring new residences to illuminate house numbers and requiring [...]

City seeks input on future of east Douglas Avenue

info2019-04-05T09:42:16-05:00April 5th, 2019|

Two separate meeting times were offered on Wednesday to hear opinions on the future of east Douglas Avenue. Douglas has served as Wichita's "main street" for years and with capital improvement dollars set aside for the area for 2022-2023, developers are seeking opinions on how to make the street a hub for dining, gathering and entertainment. "We're trying to rethink the street as as place for commerce for young people and older adults rather than a highway that cuts through the middle of the city," Jeffrey Tumlin, principal of Nelson/Nygaard Transportation Planning said. There is $6 million in the capital improvement [...]

Where are the lifeguards? Applicants to work at some JoCo pools are dropping

info2019-04-05T09:40:06-05:00April 5th, 2019|

Overland Park aquatics supervisor Renee Reis remembers when cities like hers had to turn down dozens of applicants for summer lifeguards. It was the quintessential summer job — a way for teens and college students to earn cash, work experience and street cred in a position with both fun and responsibility. Not so much anymore, said Reis and staffers from other cities who have watched applicants for such summer jobs dwindle. “Our lifeguard positions have been getting harder and harder to fill over the years,” said Reis, who is responsible for hiring around 225 lifeguards to monitor Overland Park’s indoor and [...]