News – Page 2189 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

City of Topeka reports patching nearly two-thirds the number of potholes as its 2018 total

info2019-03-12T22:45:04-05:00March 12th, 2019|

Topeka’s city government by late February had already repaired two-thirds as many potholes as it did in all of last year. The city had patched 8,395 potholes as of Feb. 26, city media relations coordinator Molly Hadfield said Tuesday. In comparison, the city patched 12,275 potholes in 2018 and 23,302 in 2017, she confirmed. Hadfield attributed the plethora of potholes to Topeka having seen a harsh winter characterized by considerable precipitation. Topeka has recorded 27.1 inches of snow so far this winter compared to 19.6 inches in the previous three winters combined, according to the National Weather Service. “Because of the [...]

Reno County Commission adopts policy eliminating public comment when it considers zoning changes

info2019-03-12T22:41:03-05:00March 12th, 2019|

The Reno County Commission adopted a policy Tuesday that halts public comment at the county commission on zoning and land use issues when the planning commission conducts a public hearing. Instead, the commission will base any decision on zoning changes strictly on recommendations from the planning commission and county staff, as well as any forwarded information the planning board received when it conducted public hearings required by state law. The policy, which includes two exceptions, was prompted by the anticipation of a pending conditional use permit sought by NextEra Energy for a wind farm in southeast Reno County. The policy, however, [...]

Hays looks at design for second waterline under I-70 to north

info2019-03-12T22:37:49-05:00March 12th, 2019|

There is only one 16-inch line providing water to properties north of Interstate 70 in Hays. The city is planning to build another 12-inch water main for redundancy. There were only a few businesses to be served in the area when the 500,000 gallon water tower was built and city water was extended north of I-70 in 1993. Since then, many businesses vital to the economy and daily needs of Hays residents and the surrounding area have located north of I-70, and more new businesses are planned. “The economic impact of being without water service north of I-70 for any length [...]

Butler County participates in review of Hazard Mitigation Plan

info2019-03-12T22:30:10-05:00March 12th, 2019|

Butler County and 10 other counties in South Central Kansas are participating in a project with the State of Kansas to update the Region G Multi-Hazard, Multi-Jurisdictional Mitigation Plan that is expiring on May 30, 2019. The purpose of the plan is look at local hazards and historical disasters and identify ways to lessen or eliminate the impact of future disasters. In addition to having an approved Hazard Mitigation Plan, it makes participating areas eligible to apply for funds under FEMA’s grant program. (Read more: Augusta Gazette)

Sabetha Planning Commission tables decision on extraterritorial jurisdiction expansion

info2019-03-12T22:24:47-05:00March 12th, 2019|

The Sabetha Planning Commission postponed a decision regarding the proposed expansion of the City of Sabetha’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. This comes after the Thursday, March 7, public hearing on the matter, during which members of the Planning Commission heard public comment from 15 individuals. Earlier this year, the Sabetha City Commission prohibited commercial wind generation facilities within its extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction, which at that time extended approximately 1-1/2 miles from the City’s contiguous city limits. This prohibition was recommended following a hearing by the Sabetha Planning Commission. At the Planning Commission’s meeting on that topic, members of the public asked if the [...]

Wichita plans to take steps to ensure e-scooter safety

info2019-03-12T22:19:22-05:00March 12th, 2019|

Wichita could be the next city across the United States to have electric scooters on its streets. City officials are speaking out about safety initiatives after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently launched an investigation in the rise of e-scooter injuries. "Some of the bad issues that have popped up over the last couple of years for scooters is the fact that they've just come into cities, and then dealt with the problems afterwards," said Wichita Transit director Mike Tann. Transit officials want to take a proactive approach when it comes to rider safety. "We're looking at every [...]

City of Manhattan to administer 2019 survey

info2019-03-12T22:14:37-05:00March 12th, 2019|

How do you like Manhattan? You might get a chance to let city officials know as they roll out the 2019 Community Survey. City administration will be randomly sampling about 5,000 households to receive an invitation to participate in the survey — which will ask residents their thoughts about quality of life in the city and how satisfied they are with city services. The survey will be distributed via email, though 1,000 households with no listed email will receive a mailed postcard with the link and residents can also request a paper copy. Surveys will be sent out March 18th, responses [...]

Wichita working to ensure drainage system ready for floods

info2019-03-12T22:11:31-05:00March 12th, 2019|

How is the city working to tackle those drainage issues - and how can you help? Areas like 1st and Bleckley have been problems for years. That area is near Hyde Elementary and Robinson Middle School. The drainage system is meant to help with heavy rain, but people in the area say they still deal with significant flooding. The city says money for drainage projects on Bleckley will be allocated during this year's budget discussions. They say it takes time to come up with funding for a project as large as the one on Bleckley. (Read more: KWCH News)

Kansas tax on groceries among highest in nation. Why that’s not changing anytime soon

info2019-03-12T07:30:28-05:00March 12th, 2019|

Kansas would still tax food more than just about anywhere else in the United States, even if a proposed reduction before the Legislature becomes law. For all the talk among lawmakers this year about taking a bite out of the cost of groceries, the plan closest to passing amounts to a nibble. Annual savings for many families would likely add up to less than $100 — $1.92-per-week. A proposal to cut the food sales tax rate from 6.5 percent to 5.5 percent sits in Senate Bill 22, a large, highly-controversial measure that makes numerous changes to the state’s tax code. The [...]

A really close neighbor: Affordable housing board interested in allowing two homes to be built on single city lot

info2019-03-12T07:22:00-05:00March 12th, 2019|

Members of the city’s affordable housing board want to allow two homes to be built on one lot as long as at least one is designated as an affordable home or rental. As part of its meeting Monday, the Affordable Housing Advisory Board reviewed a preliminary draft of changes to the city’s land use code that would allow two homes to be built on a single lot under certain conditions. One of the homes would have to be permanently designated as affordable housing and both homes would need to meet existing design standards for residential neighborhoods. Planning Director Scott McCullough explained [...]