News – Page 2214 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Manhattan commissioners discuss future of economic development, annual report

info2019-02-14T10:31:15-06:00February 14th, 2019|

Members of the Manhattan business community talked about the future of economic development in the city at Tuesday’s Manhattan City Commission work session. The discussion followed a presentation on the annual economic development report. The city performs an accountability review of all organizations which receive Manhattan Economic Development Opportunity funds — including recipients of funds from the 1994 half-cent city-wide MEDOFAB sales tax as well as the half-cent RICOED Riley County Roads and Jobs sales tax from 2002 and its renewal in 2012. According to their report, economic development funds contributed toward the creation of 1463 jobs since the city’s first [...]

Great Bend Police and Fire closer to utilizing drone technology

info2019-02-14T10:30:27-06:00February 14th, 2019|

Classes have been taken, certification testing has taken place, and now the Great Bend Police and Fire Departments are getting close to having a drone available for use by the respective departments. Great Bend Police Chief David Bailey and Lieutenant Heather Smith along with Chief Luke McCormick and firefighter Mike Smith from the Fire Department are now certified to operate a drone after taking classes at Fort Hays State and then passing their certification test in Salina. Smith will head up the drone program at the Police Department. The Great Bend City Council last year authorized funds to purchase a drone [...]

Cities, counties want to regain control over political signs in Kansas

info2019-02-14T10:29:13-06:00February 14th, 2019|

Cities and counties in Kansas are asking the Legislature to repeal a 2015 law banning local regulations on political signs in public rights of way. They say the law has led to confusion, safety problems and a proliferation of signage in the 45-day period leading up to elections. Further complicating the issue is case law that suggests all types of signs should be allowed all the time in unlimited numbers. Amanda Stanley, attorney for the League of Kansas Municipalities, and Jay Hall, attorney for the Kansas Association of Counties, pleaded with the House Local Government Committee to provide for local control. [...]

Ellis County receiving new fire truck just in time for wildfire season

info2019-02-14T10:26:16-06:00February 14th, 2019|

No matter the emergency, fire crews want to be best prepared with the latest tools and resources. “It’s pretty quick-paced,” Ellis County Fire Department Captain #6 Chris Cline said. “As soon as you hear your pager, drop what we’re doing, we’re running in, putting on gear.” They are difficult to put out and not uncommon for this time of the year. Ellis County firefighters said just in the last three years, there have been a significant amount of wildfires. “There was about 7,200 acres of wildfire that had actually burned,” Ellis County Fire and Emergency Management Director Darin Myers said. “The [...]

City governing body rejects property tax hike for Topeka Metro bus service

info2019-02-14T10:25:07-06:00February 14th, 2019|

A divided Topeka governing body rejected two attempts late Tuesday to raise the property tax that finances the city’s bus service, first by 1 mill, then by 1/2 mill. “This saddens my heart,” said Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz, who was on the losing side both times as Tuesday’s votes were taken before an audience that included dozens of transit service advocates. Ortiz stressed that the TMTA’s levy hasn’t risen since 2010. Supporters only got four “yes” votes — with six needed for approval — as the governing body first rejected a proposed 1-mill hike in the levy assessed by the Topeka Metropolitan [...]

Amid questions, city of Topeka sets public hearing on southwest TIF District

info2019-02-14T06:51:41-06:00February 14th, 2019|

The shopping center formerly known as “Villa West” and owned by developer Kent Lindemuth stands in a “pretty prosperous part of town,” Topeka City Councilwoman Karen Hiller said at Tuesday’s council meeting. She questioned whether it would be appropriate for the city to provide tax-increment financing to help carry out improvements planned for the property at S.W. 29th and Wanamaker Road by the Kansas City developer who bought it last year. “One of the things we’re supposed to look at is whether that (a TIF District) is really needed in terms of attracting an investor,” Hiller said. “Do we subsidize just [...]

Manhattan not expecting to see return on Tallgrass eco-devo investments

info2019-02-14T06:38:37-06:00February 14th, 2019|

Manhattan Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers expects the city won’t see any more return on $317,000 of investments it made in the Tallgrass Brewing Company. He presented the annual economic development report at the city commission work session Tuesday. Tallgrass suspended operations last August after negotiations with new investors languished. Recapitalization efforts seem to have failed for the time being as Hilgers says the company and its real estate is now held by Landmark Bank. “I do believe they’re obviously trying to find a prospective buyer or someone to occupy that space,” Hilgers says. “A lot of rumors around about whether [...]

Lawrence city leaders express support for lowering fine for marijuana possession to $1

info2019-02-13T11:08:09-06:00February 13th, 2019|

One dollar. That’s how much Lawrence city leaders indicated they think those charged with possessing small amounts of marijuana should be fined. As part of its work session Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission reviewed a draft ordinance that proposed reducing the minimum fine, currently $200, for those convicted of possessing 32 grams or less of marijuana. A draft of the changes suggested a minimum fine of $50 for first-time offenders only, but commissioners indicated that they were interested in reducing the fine to $1 for both first- and second-time offenders. Court costs of $63 would remain unchanged. Mayor Lisa Larsen said [...]

Reno County Commission discusses food policy

info2019-02-13T10:56:57-06:00February 13th, 2019|

The Reno County Commission talked Tuesday about a couple of items concerning the Reno County Health Department, including one where the commission would back the food policy council in Reno County. It was originally backed by the South Hutchinson City Council, but when City Administrator Matt Stiles left, that city decided against backing it. The Food Policy Council addresses food disparities and food access issues in the county. Officials say the council is still active, but is not formally recognized by a governing body at this time. It appears to be sustained using grant funding, but some working hours with the [...]

Moran measure to protect Equus Beds recharge project passes Senate

info2019-02-13T10:56:02-06:00February 13th, 2019|

Money to maintain the Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Project for the next decade was included in a bill approved by the U.S. Senate Tuesday. U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, announced the inclusion of legislation he authored is part of the Natural Resources Management Act, a package of over 100 bills relating to public lands, natural resources and water projects, that passed the Senate by a vote of 92-8, and now goes to the House for consideration. “The Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Project has significant consequences not only for Wichita but also for all aquifer stakeholders,” Moran stated [...]