News – Page 22 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Commerce Unveils Groundbreaking Overhaul of Community Development Block Grant Program

info2025-02-24T10:04:06-06:00February 24th, 2025|

The Kansas Department of Commerce announced today significant changes to its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – Community Facilities program to allow a rolling application process, lower local match requirements and an expanded scope of eligible projects. The revamped CDBG – Community Facilities program opens the door for projects ranging from emergency sirens and ADA upgrades to new libraries and major park developments. Notably, the transition from an annual competition to a rolling application process means that cities and counties can apply for funding year-round, receiving decisions in a matter of weeks rather than waiting months for a single funding cycle. [...]

El Dorado City Manager says Andover water connection is sustainable

info2025-02-24T10:03:05-06:00February 24th, 2025|

With an increase in water rate usage and the previous summer’s drought, the Andover City Mayor, Ronnie Price, has made his voice clear: he no longer wants to buy water from Wichita for Andover residents. Mayor Price says he’d like to avoid future issues like these by connecting Andover to the El Dorado Lake, but is it sustainable? The City Manager of El Dorado, David Dillner, says yes. When looking at water sustainability and how much a lake has in its reservoir, the equation is much more than what meets the eye when looking at the lake from the outside. The [...]

De Soto OKs deal with KDOT to realign Lexington interchange, build roads at Astra

info2025-02-24T10:02:01-06:00February 24th, 2025|

As Panasonic prepares to come online at Astra Enterprise Park, city and state leaders are teeing up plans to address a key interchange's capacity to handle growing traffic. During the past six months, the Kansas Department of Transportation has been negotiating with property owner Sunflower Redevelopment Group to buy about 1,850 feet of railroad track under the Kansas Highway 10 interchange along Lexington Avenue. Source: Kansas City Business Journal

Some Wichita schools are easing up on recess rules, citing the benefits of ‘risky play’

info2025-02-24T10:01:19-06:00February 24th, 2025|

The scene at Wichita’s Allen Elementary School is pretty typical for a school playground at recess — lots of running, jumping, climbing and screaming. But there’s something different that you might not notice right away. Allen is one of three Wichita elementary schools experimenting with a new kind of recess that eases up on rules and lets kids play more freely. The approach, sometimes called “risky play,” follows research that shows children benefit from climbing high, running fast and testing their physical limits. Wichita decided to try it after some physical education teachers complained that students weren’t getting enough unstructured play [...]

40-year-old woman dies after trying to break up pit bull fight at west Wichita home

info2025-02-24T10:00:07-06:00February 24th, 2025|

A 40-year-old Wichita woman who was attacked while trying to break up a fight between her two pit bulls Saturday died from her injuries Sunday morning, police said. She was identified as Moeshae Thomas, Wichita police spokesperson Aaron Moses said in an email. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Crews monitor downtown Hutchinson area after gas leak, explosion cause evacuation

info2025-02-24T09:58:50-06:00February 24th, 2025|

Officials will continue to monitor the site of a gas explosion that occurred Saturday in downtown Hutchinson. The Hutchinson Fire Department and Kansas Gas allowed some residents back into their homes after being evacuated Saturday. “Currently there is 18 businesses and 1 residential home without gas service,” the Hutchinson Fire Department said Sunday morning. “Kansas gas will continue to have a large presence in this area for the next couple days... to remedy the situation.” Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Legislature revisits local regulations on home-based businesses

info2025-02-24T09:57:58-06:00February 24th, 2025|

The Legislature is revisiting a bill that would limit local government's ability to regulate what is described as a “no-impact” home-based business. The House on Thursday voted 74-49 to approve a bill barring cities and counties from banning “no-impact” home-based businesses but would provide for some regulations. Source: Sunflower State Journal

Senate moves to expand STAR bonds incentives

info2025-02-24T09:57:12-06:00February 24th, 2025|

The Kansas Senate approved a bill late Wednesday expanding one of the state's most powerful tax incentives to help save dying malls. The bill would allow sales tax revenue - or STAR - bonds to be used for redevelopment of malls that are at least half empty. It would require a minimum $10 million investment. Source: Sunflower State Journal

Water grants a boon for Humboldt, LaHarpe

info2025-02-24T09:56:30-06:00February 24th, 2025|

Humboldt will get $3 million and LaHarpe $750,000 in state water grant funds. Humboldt's will go toward the city's planned $13 million water system replacement project; LaHarpe's will pay to replace the city's six sewer lift stations. Source: The Iola Register

Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2025-5: Teacher Contracts

info2025-02-24T08:08:22-06:00February 24th, 2025|

Synopsis: The purpose of continuing contract law is to prevent any uncertainty or controversy regarding the status of a teacher’s continued employment by treating the time between the end of a teaching contract and the beginning of the renewed contract as part of continued employment. Continuing contract law does not apply after a contract’s term ends when the teacher has provided the school with proper notice of nonrenewal. After a contract ends and is not renewed, the teacher is no longer considered employed by the school. The teacher is entitled to receive all benefits from the contract but is not entitled [...]