News – Page 2236 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Point In Time count allocates homeless funding in Kansas

info2019-01-22T09:36:27-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

In the next few weeks, cities across the state of Kansas will do their Point In Time count of the homeless. “Once a year, this point in time count is done, just to kind of get a snapshot of what’s going on just on this particular day,” said Misty Bosch Hastings with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. “Of course, that’s the individuals that we can find.” The purpose of the count is to be able to properly allocate public funds to help the homeless. “This lets us know how much money we can get, statewide, from the federal [...]

Lawrence police expected to have body cameras by summer

info2019-01-22T09:35:40-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

Lawrence police officials say all officers in the department should be wearing body cameras sometime this summer. The Lawrence Journal-World reports 10 officers, with support from four staff members, have been testing the cameras since November. Police Capt. Trent McKinley said the department will evaluate the test results early next month and then select a camera vendor. The cameras are budgeted to cost $462,000. Half of the cost will be funded by a federal grant, and the city of Lawrence will match those funds. The city has also hired a technician to help with the body camera program. McKinley said the [...]

Pratt Volunteer Fire chief would like a training facility

info2019-01-22T09:34:49-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

Pratt Volunteer Fire Department Chief David Kramer would like to establish a permanent training facility in Pratt for his squad of 22 active volunteer firefighters as a solution to the current training program situation which, he said, adds hours of set-up and tear-down time to training exercises. Kramer presented ideas for a facility based on shipping containers to Pratt City commissioners at their regular Monday meeting and received positive responses that fell short of commitment. “I think it’s a good idea,” said commissioner Jason Leslie. Kramer’s presentation included a slideshow of various configurations, suggesting one that would start with five 40-foot [...]

Flint Hills Regional Leaders’ retreat brings regional economic concerns to the forefront

info2019-01-22T09:32:26-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

Business and industry leaders gathered with area political leaders for a two-day conference held in Olathe Friday and Saturday to identify strengths and weaknesses impacting the Manhattan area workforce and economy. One of those key aspects discussed during the Flint Hills Regional Leaders Retreat is the Tri-county Region Reimagined economic strategic plan. The plan involves Riley, Pottawatomie and Geary counties. As it looks ahead to new technology, and a growing number of retiring baby boomers in the workforce, a lot of the conversation is now aimed at attracting talent and retaining those employees in the region. Region Reimagined Program Director Christy [...]

CJOnline Facebook Live event to focus on Shawnee County land use plan

info2019-01-22T09:30:51-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

After more than two years of discussion, Shawnee County commissioners last October approved a comprehensive land use plan to guide decision-making about the physical development of the county’s unincorporated areas and serve as a blueprint for future growth and the preservation of agricultural land. But some residents still don’t quite comprehend what the plan does and what effects it might have. The Topeka Capital-Journal consequently asked County Commissioner Kevin Cook to answer questions during a podcast/Facebook Live event, in which he will appear at noon Tuesday at CJOnline and The Topeka Capital-Journal Facebook page. The Capital-Journal on Monday provided Cook 15 [...]

Study: Kansas strictest in limiting control of food policy

info2019-01-22T09:29:36-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

Kansas goes farther than any other state in limiting state and local agencies from influencing policy about food nutrition labels and portion sizes, according to a recent study. A study published this month by New York University researcher Jennifer Pomeranz found that Kansas does more to limit the authority of local governments on food policy than any of the 13 other states with similar legislation, the Kansas News Service reported. Kansas' pre-emption law, which went into effect in 2016, prevents local authorities from restricting portion sizes, taxing soda and sugary drinks and banning "incentive items," such as toys in a McDonald's [...]

New downtown recycling trailer in Great Bend already deemed a success

info2019-01-22T09:25:12-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

The community’s reaction to the new downtown recycling drop-off site has already exceeded expectations. Organizers had anticipated unloading the trailer twice a month. But it is filling up quickly and the timetable has been moved up to accommodate the amount of collections at 18th and Williams. The trailer was the brainchild of the Barton County Young Professionals (BCYP). “Many of our members had voiced their desire for more recycling opportunities. And Sunflower Diversified Services and the city of Great Bend made it happen,” said Megan Hammeke, steering committee chair. “We are so excited to have this new addition downtown and we [...]

New Sheridan Co. K9 officer ready to begin training for duty

info2019-01-22T09:25:11-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

Sheridan County’s newest member of the sheriff’s department will be arriving soon. Dak, the county’s first K9 officer, will begin training next week in Omaha, Neb., with his partner Deputy Adam Babcock. The department is also accepting donations to help support the K9 program supplies, including such necessities as a dog cage for the patrol vehicle, kennels, veterinarian expenses, food and other necessities. (Read more: Hays Post)

Report: Kansas electricity costs higher than other states

info2019-01-22T09:23:48-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

A report says Kansas customers are paying more for electricity than in neighboring states because of investments in coal and wind power. The Kansas Corporation Commission recently presented its analysis of electricity rates to lawmakers. The commission found that utilities Westar Energy and Kansas City Power & Light spent billions of dollars over the last decade on coal-fired power plants in Kansas. They also spent millions of dollars complying with a now-repealed state rule for 20 percent of energy to come from renewable sources by 2020. Commission Chief Accountant Justin Grady says Kansas decided to invest in coal when it was [...]

New management to take over the hospital in Hillsboro immediately

info2019-01-22T09:22:28-06:00January 22nd, 2019|

Hillsboro Community Hospital is temporarily under new management. This morning, the Marion County District Court approved the Bank of Hays and the City of Hillsboro’s joint request to remove HCH out from EmpowerHMS and appointed a new company to take over the management. As the Free Press previously reported, the Bank of Hays filed a foreclosure action against the current ownership group of the hospital, also known as EmpowerHMS. According to a press release issued early this afternoon by the City of Hillsboro, Cohesive Healthcare Management has been appointed by the court to take possession of the hospital and to operate, [...]