News – Page 2267 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

New county EMS director returns to roots

info2018-12-14T06:33:53-06:00December 14th, 2018|

For the second time since Nov. 14, Marion County has named a new EMS director, this time one with local ties. Travis Parmley comes to the position from Great Bend, but he is originally a resident of Florence. “I’ve been impressed with what’s going on in Marion County,” he said. “I have a lot of friends and family there, so I still have a vested interest in the growth and sustainability of Marion County.” An alumnus from Marion High School’s class of ’98, Parmley got his start as a cadet with the Florence Fire Department. “That’s where I started,” he said. [...]

Sedgwick County pushes for change to allow residents to vote at any site

info2018-12-14T06:32:41-06:00December 14th, 2018|

Voting next year could get easier as Sedgwick County commissioners encourage the state legislature to change the rules when it comes to where you can vote. Currently, voting locations are decided by where registered voters live. Sedgwick County commissioners now encourage lawmakers to allow Kansans to vote at any location within their county on Election Day. "I think that is extremely convenient. It is very important for us to exercise our civil right to vote," Wichita resident Julie Sullivan says. Sedgwick County already has the technology for such a change. "Our voting machines that our taxpayers paid $7 million for just [...]

Topeka online utilities payment system safe for use after cyberattack that may have affected up to 10,000 people

info2018-12-14T06:30:08-06:00December 14th, 2018|

Topeka’s online utilities payment processing payment system is now safe for use by the public after a cyberattack that is now known to have occurred Nov. 1, a city spokeswoman said Thursday. However, that doesn’t change the possibility that as many as 10,000 Topekans may have been affected, said media relations coordinator Molly Hadfield. The city announced Monday that it had been notified of the breach Friday afternoon by its utility billing payment system software vendor, Central Square. Central Square has turned over the information to a forensics investigator, Hadfield said. City staff members worked with the software vendor on Friday [...]

Florence native leads Marion county planning department

info2018-12-14T06:29:14-06:00December 14th, 2018|

A job as administrative assistant at a power plant north of Great Bend prepared Sharon Omstead Box for her current role as Marion County Planning and Zoning director. She moved back to her hometown of Florence in 2013. Her mother, Connie Omstead, lives there. “Working at the power plant was one of my favorite jobs,” Box said, “but I wanted to be close to family, so I moved back.” After a short stint with Marion County Special Education Cooperative at OASIS in Florence, she was hired as assistant planning and zoning director. Emma Tajchman retired in September, and Box became interim [...]

Bomb threat hoax extends across Kansas

info2018-12-14T08:57:13-06:00December 14th, 2018|

Wichita Police say even though they got multiple calls about bomb threats across Wichita on Wednesday, the threats do not appear to be serious."All I can tell you is that we've received phone calls to 911 to reference threats that were made. Bomb threats that were made," said Paul Cruz with Wichita Police. "And at this point we have determined these threats have been unfounded."In Marion County the Hillsboro Community Hospital got a threat. Reno County Sheriff, Randy Henderson says Hutchinson Police are dealing with a bomb threat.The common thread in the calls to 911 include emails where a threat is made. [...]

Manhattan holds off on assessing a 2 percent developer fee for benefit districts

info2018-12-13T07:51:50-06:00December 13th, 2018|

The Manhattan City Commission isn’t ready to proceed with assessing a 2 percent developer fee for benefit districts. The commission discussed the proposed fee Tuesday during a work session. Commissioners didn’t necessarily reject the premise of a fee, but they didn’t show urgency adopting it either.... This year’s retreat led to the goal of providing “options and financial considerations regarding special assessments and options to reduce risk.” Developers can petition the city to establish a benefit district for public infrastructure. A special assessment is added to each lot’s property tax for either the developer or homeowner to pay for the city’s [...]

How the new farm bill impacts Kansas farmers

info2018-12-13T07:13:38-06:00December 13th, 2018|

Legislators released the text of the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Report Tuesday with several changes that will impact farmers. The text of the bill in the conference report is the language of the final bill, taking elements from both the earlier Senate and House versions. The U.S. Senate passed the bill 87-13 Tuesday before it moved to the House. Final passage expected as early as Thursday. Here are changes of significant importance to Kansas: (Read more: Kansas Agland - The Garden City Telegram)

City of Newton, Kemper renew agreement

info2018-12-13T07:12:37-06:00December 13th, 2018|

Kemper Sports and the city commission are working on a new management agreement for the Meridian Center and Sand Creek Station golf course — and the city stands to save money over the course of the next few years. ’This is a two-prong initiative,” said Chris Tuohey, manager of Sand Creek Station. “It is about sustainabitly and what comes next ... for both amazing assets. ... Let’s not talk about what we are going to do tomorrow, but what we are going to do 20 years from now. There needs to be a balance between short term and long term.” Kemper [...]

New city executive jumping into the job in Derby

info2018-12-13T07:10:04-06:00December 13th, 2018|

Derby’s new deputy city manager, Kiel Mangus, is getting reacquainted with the city. Mangus grew up in Mulvane, so he’s familiar with the area, but after being away for a number of years, especially with all the rapid, recent development, it’s a different place. “It’s a good, growing community, but you leave and it changes,” said Mangus, whose first name is pronounced “Kyle.” Mangus started in the job – which is a new position – Nov. 19 and since then, he’s been touring Derby, meeting citizens, council members and department heads. The meetings include top school officials, along with DRC leadership. [...]

New rescue tools for Derby fire department

info2018-12-13T07:08:46-06:00December 13th, 2018|

The Derby Fire Department’s rescue tools will be updated. The City Council approved a request by Fire Chief Brad Smith to replace its hydraulic rescue tools. The 2018 budget includes replacement of a set of 20-year-old rescue tools used to extricate people trapped during vehicle rescues. Smith said firefighters were given the opportunity to do hands-on testing of several brands of battery-powered rescue tools to assess power, versatility, balance and durability. A request for bids was posted and five were received. They ranged from $32,460 to $40,865; however, the lowest bid didn’t meet specifications. Therefore, the city’s Bid Board approved the [...]