News – Page 2204 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Barton County awarded more funding for safety improvements at JUCO Road intersection

info2019-02-26T09:09:50-06:00February 26th, 2019|

Following the tragic accident at the intersection of North Washington Avenue and Northeast 30 Road (JUCO Road) last April that took the life of an 18-year old from Olmitz, Barton County Commissioners voted in favor of making changes to increase awareness and signage at the intersection north of Great Bend. The teenager’s vehicle was struck by a cement truck that was traveling north on Northeast 30 Road. Barton County Engineer Barry McManaman noted changes to speed limits and signage were made following the accident. McManaman says the preliminary thoughts are to add flashing warnings, radar speed displays, and active warning devices [...]

Sign up for our free KanCap Elected Officials Training in Beloit (Thursday, March 7)

info2019-02-25T11:13:20-06:00February 25th, 2019|

Water is a business! City Council and rural water district boards have a lot to consider: water pressure, meeting all federal and state regulations and standards, and making rates affordable. In fact, their job is making the right choices about complex managerial, financial, and technical aspects of running a high quality water utility. Yes, it takes time to keep up on the laws, regulations, and rules. However, as a board/council member, you are personally responsible. Water is the foundation of your community’s jobs and future. Like any business, there are risks and options, but is your board/council keeping them in mind? [...]

Lawrence city leaders interested in requiring some bar staff to receive sexual assault intervention training

info2019-02-25T09:54:04-06:00February 25th, 2019|

City leaders have indicated they are interested in requiring that at least some staff at bars and other businesses that serve alcohol be trained to recognize and intervene in sexual harassment and assault. As part of its meeting this week, the commission asked city staff to draft an ordinance that would make sexual assault intervention training mandatory for certain drinking establishment managers, beginning in about a year. The draft will come back for further consideration at a later date, at which time the commission will also discuss the requirements for the training and how the training will be funded. The city [...]

To comply with state law, Mission removes old ordinance that granted police power to seize weapons during emergencies

info2019-02-25T09:26:51-06:00February 25th, 2019|

The city of Mission has taken steps to ensure compliance with state law after discovering it had an outdated ordinance on the books intended to allow police officers to confiscate firearms and weapons during a declared state of emergency. Mission officials believe the ordinance would have been deemed unenforceable under state laws which explicitly protect individuals’ rights to keep legally held firearms. City officials said Mission never used the ordinance before it was taken off the books. Before the council moved to strike it this week, the ordinance had given the mayor the authority to order a law enforcement officer or [...]

NextEra application for Pretty Prairie wind farm detailed; will not use locally built turbines

info2019-02-25T09:15:32-06:00February 25th, 2019|

NextEra Energy filed its long-anticipated application with Reno County on Feb. 15 seeking necessary permits to construct its proposed 220-megawatt Pretty Prairie Wind Energy Center in the southeast quadrant of the county. The application itself is just 21 pages long, though, with maps, notification lists and legal documents, the full application runs about 70 pages. NextEra paid a $300 application fee for the project, which will likely cost around $300 million to build, based on recent public wind turbine construction estimates. A couple of things stand out when studying the project. First is its sheer size. Second is the fact the [...]

Gardner council creates benefit district for residential developments

info2019-02-25T09:08:57-06:00February 25th, 2019|

Gardner City Council adopted a resolution creating a benefit district for an 82 acre multi- phase residential development during its regular meeting January 18. The establishment of the benefit district will enable the city to install a sanitary sewer lift station and other site related improvements on the proposed Tuscan Farms residential development. Tuscan farms will contain 208 single family lots and 56 additional rental units. According to Matthew Wolff, finance director, the home values in the project will start at approximately $250,000. The rental units will be maintenance free. Chad Burkdoll, developer, has provided the city with a $339,000 letter [...]

JOCO home values continue to rise

info2019-02-25T09:06:42-06:00February 25th, 2019|

JJohnson County homeowners who were stunned by skyrocketing property value increases in recent years may breathe a little easier when they receive this year’s appraisal notices in the mail. “The market has cooled somewhat,” Johnson County Appraiser Paul Welcome told The Star. “It’s not at the frenzied pace it was last year.” Last year, many homeowners were shocked by property value increases of 15 percent or more, especially in the particularly desirable northern Johnson County neighborhoods of Prairie Village, Roeland Park and Fairway. Some neighborhoods in Overland Park, Merriam and Mission had 10 percent increases, and parts of Lenexa and southern [...]

County discusses hemp farming in Butler County

info2019-02-25T09:02:53-06:00February 25th, 2019|

Board of Butler County Commissioners held a work session, in which Dana Ladner with Kansas Dept of Agriculture spoke before the Commission to discuss industrial hemp rules and regulations and how the legality of hemp farming affects Butler County. On February 8, applications went live with a short window to apply for the “pilot research program.” March 1st is the deadline for applications, with a fee of $200 due. Once accepted into the program, there is an annual licensing fee which varies by type. The license fee for a Grower is $1000; Distributor is $2000; Processor is $3000. Licensees will also [...]

Project moves utility lines underground in Parsons

info2019-02-25T08:57:13-06:00February 25th, 2019|

Two utility companies have moved their infrastructure while another two are nearing completion of their work to make way for new turn lanes at 16th and Main. Darrell Moyer, director of engineering for the city of Parsons, said Friday that Kansas Gas Service and Cable One have completed their relocation work while Westar Energy and AT&T continue. “Everything is going underground,” Moyer said. The utility relocation work is concentrated on 16th Street (U.S. 59) from Crawford to Belmont. Moyer said the city staff has been working on utility relocation plans for about a year and promoted the underground lines near the [...]

Topeka police ask public to help name newest police dog

info2019-02-25T08:53:40-06:00February 25th, 2019|

The Topeka Police Department is asking the public to help name its newest police service dog. Whoever submits the name that is chosen will get to meet the dog and its handler, if he or she wishes, said police public relations specialist Gretchen Koenen. The new dog is a 15-month-old male Belgian Malinois from the Ukraine, Koenen said. He will be trained in narcotics detection, patrol services and handler protection. The public may submit suggested names on the police department’s Facebook page. Entries will be accepted through March 1. (Read more: Local Government - The Topeka Capital-Journal)