News – Page 2291 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

‘I cannot explain it’: Hand recount shows drop in votes in S.E. Kansas county commission race

info2018-11-19T06:51:36-06:00November 19th, 2018|

The official results of a hand recount for the District 3 Crawford County Commission race show Democrat Jeremy Johnson defeating Republican Chad Ulepich by a margin of 25 votes. It was a much different scene on Friday when the Crawford County Board of Canvassers met to carry out their duties on the results of Thursday’s hand recount of the District 3 Crawford County Commission and District 2 Kansas State Representative races, The Pittsburg Morning Sun reported. The room that was packed to capacity for Tuesday’s canvass was practically empty and neither candidate was present. “It was a lengthy process,” County Clerk [...]

Moody’s draws attention to Kansas’ positive economic indicators

info2018-11-19T06:48:36-06:00November 19th, 2018|

The revised revenue forecast recently released for the state of Kansas, along with other positive economic indicators, led Moody’s Investors Service on Thursday to make a “credit positive” statement about the state. Although a credit positive declaration doesn’t carry the weight of a rating or outlook change, it is indicative of the effect of a distinct event or development as one of many credit factors affecting the issuer, said David Jacobson, Moody’s spokesman. The greater-than-expected revenue growth in Kansas, particularly from state income taxes, will reduce the burden of increasing education funding and also enable the state’s flexibility to improve reserves, [...]

Derby sales tax dispute settled

info2018-11-19T06:46:58-06:00November 19th, 2018|

Attorneys for the city of Derby and the Kansas Department of Revenue have reached an agreement on terms to settle a dispute over how the state has been distributing revenues from the half-cent Derby Difference sales and use tax. The parties filed a request Nov. 15 in Shawnee County District Court for a consent judgment and final order to ensure the state begins in December 2018 to remit all revenues collected from the Derby tax to the city instead of remitting a considerable portion of those revenues to Sedgwick County. In 2013, the 0.5 percent tax was approved by Derby voters [...]

City of Humboldt, Ks hires a new Police Chief

info2018-11-19T06:44:51-06:00November 19th, 2018|

The Humboldt City Council appoints Shannon Moore as the new Chief of Police. Moore grew up in Humboldt and has served in law enforcement for 23 years, including 13 years in an administrator capacity. "I am extremely honored to be able to serve my hometown and look forward to leading our department into the future, alongside the community, schools, businesses and other law enforcement agencies. It takes all of us working together to succeed and provide the best law enforcement possible for this community," says Moore. Chief Moore graduated from Wichita State University with a degree in criminal justice and a [...]

Draft affordable housing plan includes new ideas, including buy-back program for certain old rentals in Lawrence

info2018-11-19T06:43:34-06:00November 19th, 2018|

Many older homes in Lawrence’s core neighborhoods have long since been converted to rental properties, with some physically divided into apartments. Now, the city could consider a program that would undo some of those changes. The city’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board is reviewing the first draft of a plan to address specific deficiencies identified by a recent housing market study. The approximately 50-page draft plan, called the Lawrence Housing Toolkit, includes various options the board will consider to address the city’s housing issues, including zoning changes, funding assistance and a program to purchase and renovate certain rental properties and convert them [...]

Survey: Rural economy being hurt by tariffs, low prices

info2018-11-19T06:43:06-06:00November 19th, 2018|

For the first time this year, a monthly survey of bankers in parts of 10 Plains and Western states indicates the regional rural economy is shrinking. The overall index of the Rural Mainstreet survey for November sank to 49.9, the first time it's dipped below 50 since January and down from October's 54.3. Any score above 50 suggests a growing economy in the months ahead, while a score below 50 indicates a shrinking economy. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the farm sector continues to be weakened by tariffs and low commodity prices. (Read more: KOAM - Local News)

Marketing firm: Wichita should focus talent search on four U.S. metro areas

info2018-11-19T06:40:42-06:00November 19th, 2018|

With a talent attraction and retention challenge continuing in Wichita, workforce leaders are attempting to take their efforts to the next level. Earlier this year, the Greater Wichita Partnership, a regional economic development organization, began working with Development Counsellors International in an effort to begin work on the design of a multi-faceted marketing campaign to draw people to Wichita. "Talent is the key commodity now," says Andrew Nave, the GWP's executive vice president of economic development. "I've been doing economic development for 15 years. Workforce promotion and talent promotion has always been a key criteria, but now it's now not only [...]

Gardner city council establishes land bank

info2018-11-19T06:36:04-06:00November 19th, 2018|

The Gardner City Council has established a land bank in a renewed push to revitalize blighted parts of the city and give potential landowners a chance to purchase land without inheriting delinquent taxes on the properties. The council, during its Nov. 5 meeting created the land bank which will allow the city to acquire property sold at tax sale without having to pay the delinquent taxes. “If a city is a successful bidder at a tax sale, the city is required to pay delinquent taxes. In contrast, when a land bank acquires property, the county treasurer must remove from the tax [...]

Lenexa’s Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park is going to be lit for the holidays

info2018-11-19T06:33:21-06:00November 19th, 2018|

Every year for the past 25 years, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park lights up for the holiday season. Jeff Carlson, parks and recreation facility maintenance supervisor, said his crew decorates 80 to 90 trees in the park with dozens and dozens of stringed lights. Some of the trees are pretty large, about 70 feet tall, so they require tall lifts to hang up the lights. And all of the lights are different: traditional C9 and C7 bulbs and modern LED, traditional Christmas colors of red and green and unique colors from all over the rainbow. “There’s a big oak tree out here in [...]

Spring Hill hires Assistant City Administrator

info2018-11-19T06:31:41-06:00November 19th, 2018|

At the Nov. 8 City Council meeting, the Governing Body approved Mayor Steven Ellis’ appointment of Jose Leon to Assistant City Administrator of Public Works, Community Development and Physical Plant. “The City of Spring Hill is very excited to have Mr. Leon join the team,” Jim Hendershot, Spring Hill City Administrator, said. “His experience, knowledge and leadership will be an asset to this community, our residents and City staff.” Leon previously worked for the City of Roeland Park as the Public Works Director and the City of Overland Park Public Works department. Leon also served seven years in the private sector [...]