News – Page 2213 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Seward County partners with community college for firefighter-resident program

info2019-02-15T12:06:13-06:00February 15th, 2019|

With a shortage of volunteers for local fire departments, students at Seward County Community College are stepping in to fight fires when they're not in class. The Seward County Fire Department partnered with the college to start the student-resident firefighter program. They say the goal is to be out the door in two minutes. "We can get three engines, a 3,000-gallon tanker out the door within two minutes basically at any time now. Before that, you were looking at 10 – 15 minutes by the time the page call person got back," said Seward County Fire Chief Andrew Barkley. The fire [...]

Small hospital, clinics in southeast Kansas will close

info2019-02-15T12:02:48-06:00February 15th, 2019|

A hospital in a small southeast Kansas town is closing immediately, in part because it doesn't have enough money to pay employees. The board of directors of Oswego Community Hospital announced the decision Thursday. The board said the Oswego Community Hospital, the Oswego Community Clinic and the Chetopa Community Clinic will all close. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the hospital is one of three Kansas hospitals owned by EmpowerHMS, which has struggled to pay its bills at rural hospitals across the country. Its other two hospitals in Kansas are in Horton and Herington. The board also said Kansas officials' refusal to expand [...]

Labette to fill Oswego hospital closure void

info2019-02-15T12:04:39-06:00February 15th, 2019|

Labette Health is moving swiftly to fill the gap in medical services left by the abrupt closure of Oswego Community Hospital, the company said Thursday. “We’ve already hired some of their staff, so things are moving pretty fast,” said Kerri Beardmore, marketing director for Labette Health. The company said it is working with Oswego’s mayor, as well as private citizens, to ensure that medical services remain available and “to meet the needs of Oswego, Chetopa and the surrounding area.” Oswego Community Hospital, along with the affiliated Oswego Community Clinic and Chetopa Community Clinic, unexpectedly announced closure of the facilities Thursday. (Read [...]

🎥 ‘It’s time we get it done.’; Hays frustrated with delays in R9 Ranch water project

info2019-02-15T11:57:25-06:00February 15th, 2019|

Nearly four years ago, the cities of Hays and Russell filed applications with the state of Kansas requesting the transfer of water from their jointly-owned R9 Ranch in Edwards County to Hays in Ellis County. They’re still waiting. At the end of Thursday night’s Hays city commission meeting, Mayor Henry Schwaller read a brief historical statement about the project to acquire a long term water supply. He acknowledged “the process is long.” The Water Transfer Act, which takes water from one water basin to another, has never been triggered in Kansas. Schwaller said the city has had a good working relationship [...]

Kansas bill setting minimum setbacks for commercial wind turbines to have hearing next week

info2019-02-15T11:56:04-06:00February 15th, 2019|

Legislation that would set minimum setbacks for commercial wind turbines in Kansas at 1 ½ miles from residential homes is scheduled to be heard by a House committee next week. HB 2273, dubbed the Wind Generation Permit and Property Protection Act, was introduced by Rep. Randy Garber, R-Sabetha, on Tuesday and referred to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications. That committee, chaired by Joe Siewert, R-Pretty Prairie, will take testimony on the bill starting 9 a.m. Tuesday. The Climate and Energy Project sent out an email alert about the bill Thursday afternoon, calling the proposed setbacks “prohibitive,” and the bill [...]

Smaller JoCo cities passing laws protecting LGBTQ residents. Why not Olathe, OP?

info2019-02-15T11:54:37-06:00February 15th, 2019|

More than two years ago, advocates for gay, lesbian and transgender individuals urged the Olathe City Council to adopt protections against discrimination for the LGBTQ community. Equality Kansas representatives and others realize Olathe isn’t Johnson County’s only big city. They have recently talked to officials in Overland Park and Shawnee. Those cities also have yet to act. Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland was not available for an interview. In a statement late Thursday to The Star, he said the city has been presented with a great deal of information, but questions remain. “We will not simply create an ordinance without the capacity [...]

Public contest asks for Manhattan city flag designs

info2019-02-14T11:33:17-06:00February 14th, 2019|

The city government is looking to adopt a new flag and is asking for the public’s help. Officials on Monday announced an open contest asking people to submit possible designs either online at cityofmhk.com/flag or in person to City Hall, 1101 Poyntz Ave. by 5 p.m. March 29. Vivienne Uccello, city public information officer, said officials have discussed the idea of a new flag in the office for a while now, but additional support from commissioner Jerred McKee helped start the process. Read more: The Mercury.

Newton eyes blight measures

info2019-02-14T10:41:42-06:00February 14th, 2019|

This week the city commission got a first look at what it would cost residents to bring back a form of free bulky item pickup — a service the city started charging individual fees for three years ago. The city commission is looking at how to bring back bulky item pickups — at one time a service offered free to utility customers in the city. For three years those who needed a large item disposed of — beds, furniture, tree limbs and others — have paid a $10 fee for the city to pick up those items. That $10 is added [...]

Lawrence considering sharp reduction in marijuana penalties

info2019-02-14T10:37:10-06:00February 14th, 2019|

Lawrence city commissioners appear open to a proposal to significantly reduce the fines for possession of small amounts of marijuana in the city. During a work session Tuesday, the commission reviewed a draft ordinance that proposed reducing the minimum fine for possessing 32 grams or less of marijuana from $200 to $50 for first-time offenders. The Lawrence Journal-World reports commissioners indicated they were interested in reducing the fine to $1 for first- and second-time offenders. Court costs would remain $63. Mayor Lisa Larsen said she is in favor of doing anything to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. And commissioner [...]

Lenexa addresses aging aquatics facilities, considers closing Ad Astra Pool

info2019-02-14T10:33:44-06:00February 14th, 2019|

The Lenexa council is considering future options for the city’s aging aquatics facilities. One of those options involves demolishing Ad Astra Pool on Maurer Road, just east of I-435. Nothing was officially decided last night at the Lenexa committee of the whole meeting. Recognizing that the city’s neighborhood pools are “distinctly Lenexa,” councilmembers discussed making future plans that address the needs of the city’s aging pools. The city hired Lenexa-based Waters Edge Aquatic Design — the same company working with Roeland Park on its aquatics options — to conduct a study of those needs as well as user statistics. Indian Trails [...]