News – Page 2198 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Hutch City Council will be asked to reject park pavilion bids for second time

info2019-03-04T08:47:19-06:00March 4th, 2019|

For a second time, the Hutchinson City Council will have to address the proposed pavilion at Rivers Banks Orchard Park during Tuesday’s agenda session. It was back in August of last year when the council rejected bids for the pavilion when they came in more than $700,000 over estimated costs. At that time, Landmark Architects offered to go back to the drawing board on its own nickel and try to create something more financially sound. But after putting the matter up for bid, three contractors came back with numbers more than $500,000 over the estimate. City Manager John Deardoff says the [...]

Parsons City Commission eyes changing tobacco 21

info2019-03-04T08:43:52-06:00March 4th, 2019|

At the request of a couple of local convenience store owners, city commissioners will considering repealing or more likely modifying an ordinance that pushes the legal age to buy tobacco and vaping liquid in Parsons to 21. The tobacco 21 ordinance that was approved on April 2, 2018, includes a grandfather clause that allows anyone 18 and over at the time the law was approved to continue buying tobacco and vaping liquid. That means anyone born on or before April 2, 2000, can continue buying tobacco even if they’re not yet 21. Anyone who was born after that date must wait [...]

Developer to ask Wichita City Council for $12 million to begin developing downtown buildings for possible medical school

info2019-03-04T08:41:07-06:00March 4th, 2019|

Sudha Tokala's idea of a medical school in downtown Wichita appears to be taking its first major step. Tokala, who owns five downtown buildings in close proximity, including the former Finney State Office Building, will ask the City Council on Tuesday for $12 million in special assessments as part of the city's facade improvement and asbestos remediation program. The city's Office of Economic Development is recommending approval of Tokala's requests after a March 19 public hearing. The city's analysis of the proposal says the five buildings would be "part of an overall plan redevelop the area for a medical- and trade-school [...]

Century II advisory plan gains Downtown Wichita approval

info2019-03-04T08:39:03-06:00March 4th, 2019|

The board of nonprofit group Downtown Wichita has voted to support the recommendation for a new performing-arts facility in Wichita. The group said in a press release that the vote puts the organization in agreement with the findings of the Century II citizens advisory group, which after a year-long process made its recommendation to the Wichita City Council that a new, $155 million venue be built downtown. “The Downtown Wichita Board commended the work of the Century II citizens advisory committee in gathering information, input, exploring options, and thoughtful consideration regarding the future of our community and region when it comes [...]

County approves emergency spending of $375K to seal crumbling taxiway at Johnson County Executive Airport

info2019-03-04T08:38:28-06:00March 4th, 2019|

No doubt about it, February has been murder on all types of paved surfaces. And none more so than the runways at Johnson County Executive Airport, where the harsh weather has caused a crumbling “concrete cancer” that has made one taxiway too dangerous to use. County Commissioners approved emergency spending of $375,000 out of the airport’s reserves Thursday to quickly seal up the surface of Taxiway Alpha. Not doing so could result in the entire airport eventually being shut down, said Larry Peet, deputy director of the airport commission. (Read more: Prairie Village Post - Neighborhood news and events for Prairie [...]

First there were podcasts, now ‘Coffee and Chat’; City of Leavenworth reaching out to public in new ways

info2019-03-04T08:37:38-06:00March 4th, 2019|

Local residents will have the opportunity to meet with Leavenworth’s mayor and city manager this weekend. Mayor Jermaine Wilson and City Manager Paul Kramer will be available to answer questions during the city’s first Coffee and Chat program. The event will take place from 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Leavenworth Public Library, 417 Spruce St. Wilson said the event will allow people to meet with city leaders outside of a City Commission meeting. “This is just providing the neutral ground,” he said. He said there will be no agenda for the event. He said the discussion will be guided by people’s [...]

Leavenworth County rehires former public works director

info2019-03-04T08:35:55-06:00March 4th, 2019|

A former public works director for Leavenworth County is getting ready to step back into his old job. Mike Spickelmier has been hired as the county’s new public works director. He is scheduled to begin his new duties March 20, according to County Administrator Mark Loughry. Spickelmier previously served as the county’s public works director, but he was terminated from the position in 2016 by a 2-1 vote of the Leavenworth County Commission. The action later resulted in a finding by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office that commissioners had violated the state’s open meetings law. None of the commissioners who were [...]

Gardner’s mayor says future continues to be bright

info2019-03-04T08:34:46-06:00March 4th, 2019|

This past year was a momentous time for the City of Gardner. We celebrated the start and completion of a number of significant projects that enhanced the quality of life for our residents and addressed the diverse needs of our community. Our robust economic development strategy allowed us to strengthen Gardner’s economy, securing $105 million of private investments in 2018 alone. This is due to the addition of 13 new businesses that have opened or are in the development process. Some of the new establishments we welcomed include the Hampton Inn, Excelligence Learning Corporation, Scooters, First Point Urgent Care, Enterprise Leasing, [...]

Salina residents concerned about North Ninth Street traffic

info2019-03-04T08:33:12-06:00March 4th, 2019|

Several North Salina residents expressed concerns about the safety of pedestrians, especially children, who cross North Ninth Street, during a meeting at the St. John’s Military School library Thursday evening. Public Works Director Jim Kowach said Salina officials are considering adding crosswalks and lowering the speed limit on North Ninth Street from 40 to 35 miles per hour. Kowach said a speed study determined most people generally drive 40 mph or less, but that some people go much faster during the early morning and late evening. About 7,500 vehicles drive along North Ninth Street on an average day. In an interview [...]

Wichita plans to sell riverfront property near new ball park for $1 an acre

info2019-03-04T09:01:11-06:00March 4th, 2019|

After agreeing to build a $75 million stadium to lure a minor-league baseball team to Wichita, city officials now plan to sell the land around the stadium to the team owners for $1 an acre. Wichita Riverfront LP, a partnership that was created to develop the area around the stadium, would buy 24 acres west of downtown for $24, or a dollar less than a city parking ticket. The sale would include 3.5 acres of riverfront property on the west bank of the Arkansas River that has not been appraised. The rest of the property is valued at $805,600, according to [...]