News – Page 2262 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

City land sale will square up lot

info2018-12-20T07:44:47-06:00December 20th, 2018|

The City Council approved the sale of a small portion of park land to a private party. Mark Fritze and his wife, Kourtney Fritze, asked to buy 3,600 square feet of city-owned land at the very east side of the Woodland Valley Park, which is adjacent to their residential lot at 1231 N. Wild Turkey. The sale price is $1,800, or 50 cents a square foot. “While the city does not generally favor selling its park lands, because this particular piece of the park is an odd shape, selling this small area would be of little to no consequence to the [...]

Development needed says city manager, but planning and zoning board vote against senior development

info2018-12-20T07:38:59-06:00December 20th, 2018|

In the coming month, the City of Newton Commission will face a vote to override its planning and zoning board and allow for the development for senior citizens, but actual details on the proposed development are short. Redwood Developments, out of Joplin, Mo., is in the early stages of working on a development of a 6.7 acre retirement development, available for those 55 years and older that would be built near Sand Creek Golf Course along S. Anderson Drive and north of Summer Drive. To make the development happen, the zoning of the property needed to be changed from single family [...]

Garden City to change practice with repeat offenders

info2018-12-19T07:37:34-06:00December 19th, 2018|

The Garden City Commission on Tuesday directed the Garden City Police Department to revise its existing practices regarding “Own Recognizance,” or OR, bonds for people who have violated the city’s code of ordinances, changing the language relating to repeat offenders. Suspects issued an OR bond are released with only explicit instructions to appear in court at a certain date and time, rather than posting a payment or other surety. Since July 2016, the GCPD has released people arrested on non-warrant arrests for municipal charges on an OR bond almost immediately, unless they are considered a danger to the community or under [...]

Topeka Mayor, city manager hold final joint news conference of 2018

info2018-12-19T07:34:33-06:00December 19th, 2018|

Mayor Michelle De La Isla and city manager Brent Trout conducted their final joint monthly news conference of 2018 on Tuesday morning at City Hall, discussing accomplishments that have taken place over the past 12 months and challenges awaiting the city next year. Early in her comments, De La Isla noted the city had balanced its budget this year. She said the city also has enjoyed a smooth working relationship with Shawnee County, something she said hasn’t always been the case. She praised the Topeka Police Department for its role in “some really difficult conversations in our community,” particularly in the [...]

North Newton residents now can get leak credits

info2018-12-19T07:33:39-06:00December 19th, 2018|

North Newton City Administrator John Torline told council members on Monday night one resident had a huge water bill because of a leak, and there was nothing he could do to help that person pay for the water bill. He said the leak was between the meter and the structure, which resulted in the large water bill. He said his response was to say, “Sorry, we don’t give a leak credit.” “We think it’s time to amend the policy,” Torline said. The council agreed, voting unanimously to give a “50-percent adjustment to the cost associated with the leak” if the leak [...]

Barton County set to welcome new County Counselor

info2018-12-19T07:32:10-06:00December 19th, 2018|

In addition to having a new County Attorney, Barton County will also soon have a new County Counselor who will assist Commissioners on legal issues. Current Counselor Carey Hipp will soon be leaving to become a District Judge in the 20th Judicial District after winning that spot in the November general election. Commissioners voted 5-0 Monday to name Pat Hoffman with Sherman, Hoffman and Hoffman from Ellsworth to take over the position. That is the same law firm that Carey Hipp worked with during her time as Counselor. Commissioner Alicia Straub said she liked the idea of having an outside voice [...]

Dispatchers detail highs, lows of being first contact in emergencies

info2018-12-19T07:31:37-06:00December 19th, 2018|

Sitting in a dim room lit by the glow of several computer screens, the communications center at the Riley County Police Department bustled with activity as dispatchers took nonstop service, officer and 911 calls. Stationed with five monitors before her, Ryan Francis, a dispatcher of two years, handled the main radio frequency for all working police officers. Each screen displayed a different function — radio channels, maps of the counties, locations of officers and more. When the center received a service call, Francis was responsible for assigning officers to cases. Read more: Manhattan Mercury.

Prairie Village council passes LGBTQ measure to applause, cheers

info2018-12-19T07:29:39-06:00December 19th, 2018|

The Prairie Village City Council on Monday approved an ordinance that shields LGBTQ individuals from many types of discrimination within the city. It’s a decision that culminates more than three months of sometimes contentious public debate on the issue and paves the way for other Johnson County municipalities considering similar legislation. The measure passed by a unanimous vote, which was greeted by applause and cheering from a council chamber filled mostly with supporters of the ordinance. “I’m hopeful that the vote we take tonight will emphatically say to everyone in the LGBTQ community that we see you, we love you and [...]

After test, Liberal makes hours change permanent

info2018-12-19T07:28:34-06:00December 19th, 2018|

After much discussion and a multi-month trial period, it has recently been confirmed there will be permanent changes with the City of Liberal. In response to complaints from the public earlier this year, new hours of operation for Liberal City Hall and the Liberal Municipal Court facilities (7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays) were tried out beginning in September and due to the extremely positive response, those hours will now be made permanent. “It's been completely positive. People can get in here at 7:30 a.m. and pay their bills before work if they need [...]

Great Bend staying more informed of Chamber’s activity with new contract

info2018-12-19T07:28:06-06:00December 19th, 2018|

In September, the City of Great Bend gave the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce its notice of intent to renegotiate the agreement for economic development services. City staff worked with the Chamber over the past few months to develop a contract that better outlines the scope of services. The Great Bend City Council approved the new contract that started December 18, 2018 and ends December 31, 2019. City Administrator Kendal Francis says one change from the new contract will include monthly goal progress and prospect reports. The Chamber will also establish measurable goals and develop action plans to achieve those goals. [...]