News – Page 2300 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Derby names new deputy city manager

info2018-11-08T06:29:30-06:00November 8th, 2018|

Kiel Mangus has been selected from a competitive pool of candidates to be Derby’s deputy city manager, a newly created position. The city received 55 applications for the position during the application process in August and September. That group was narrowed to the best 12 qualified candidates and of those, five were interviewed by a team of City Manager Kathy Sexton, City Attorney Jacque Butler and Police Chief Robert Lee. “The quality of the applicant pool was exceptional,” said Sexton. “Selecting from the best of the best was a challenge.” Magnus, who starts his job on Nov. 19, has a strong [...]

Beyond Agriculture: Kiowa, Kansas Makes Hay Out of Becoming a Manufacturing Hub

info2018-11-07T09:55:26-06:00November 7th, 2018|

With just more than 1,000 residents, the agricultural city of Kiowa is known for its wheat, milo and canola crops. In fact, according to City Administrator Lou Leone, Kiowa has such a bountiful crop yield, the State of Kansas uses the town’s crops as a gauge to tell how the harvest is fairing in the entire state. But agriculture isn’t the only business Kiowa wants to be known for. According to Leone, the city is hoping to attract more manufacturing jobs, such as ammunition manufacturing, telecom or even a data center. “We have at least three locations that would be good [...]

Reno Commission may take up wind moratorium later this month

info2018-11-07T06:54:57-06:00November 7th, 2018|

The Reno County Commission in a couple of weeks will likely consider issuing a moratorium on the development of wind farms in Reno County, Commissioner Dan Deming advised. “I think it will be granted,” Deming said of a proposed moratorium. “The question is its length.” The commission previously agreed more regulation needs to be in place to protect the entire county during wind development and tasked the Reno County Planning Commission with drafting proposed regulations. Less than half of the county is currently zoned, so existing zoning regulations can only control development in those parts of the county. A consultant helping [...]

Topeka citywide half-cent sales tax for streets passes by significant margin

info2018-11-07T06:51:15-06:00November 7th, 2018|

Topeka voters by a significant margin Tuesday evening approved a 10-year extension of a citywide, half-cent sales tax used to finance the maintenance and improvement of existing streets. Complete, unofficial results showed 26,117 voters, or 61.51 percent, cast ballots in favor of the proposal while 16,346, or 38.49 percent, voted against it. “It’s a good day for Topeka, to get this thing passed,” said Jim Parrish, chairman of the nonprofit group Future Forward, which ran an advertising campaign to promote passage of the question. No groups were formed to actively campaign against it. Parrish said the margin of victory suggested that [...]

Liquor-by-the-drink passes in Bourbon County

info2018-11-07T06:49:29-06:00November 7th, 2018|

A liquor-by-the-drink ballot question passed by more than 1,200 votes...according to unofficial results of Tuesday’s general election. The ballot question, which deals with requirements for food sales in public drinking establishments, passed with 2,949 “yes” votes and 1,725 “no” votes tallied. The question passed 63 percent to 37 percent. (Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

County clerk assumes role of Ness Co. sheriff after resignations

info2018-11-07T06:47:46-06:00November 7th, 2018|

The Ness County Sheriff’s Office is in a state of upheaval Tuesday, as the majority of the department turned in their resignations. According to a social media report, the undersheriff, three deputies and a dispatcher resigned as of 10:50 a.m. Tuesday. With a vacancy in the sheriff’s position after former Sheriff Bryan Whipple resigned following federal firearms charges, and Undersheriff William Sutton’s resignation today, the position of sheriff falls upon Ness County Clerk Renee Kerr. “Due to the resignation of the undersheriff and the majority of the department, County Clerk Renee Kerr has assumed the duties of sheriff, per KSA 19-804a,” [...]

McPherson County nixes wind turbines indefinitely

info2018-11-07T06:46:52-06:00November 7th, 2018|

All three McPherson Country commissioners voted earlier this week for a moratorium on applications for conditional-use permits that would allow the construction of wind turbines in the county. No applications for conditional-use permits in connection with commercial wind turbine projects will be accepted for an indefinite period, said Rick Witte McPherson County Administrator. The move was done to allow a comprehensive review of the impact commercial wind turbines may have on the county’s new E-911 emergency system that is being installed as a replacement for EDACS. Witte said the commission wanted to be sure the county’s new emergency system would work [...]

Lawrence commission votes to eliminate longevity bonuses for future employees, decrease amounts for existing employees

info2018-11-07T06:44:48-06:00November 7th, 2018|

City leaders have voted to no longer offer bonuses based on seniority for future city employees and will be making changes to longevity payment amounts for existing employees beginning next year. At its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted, 4-1, with Commissioner Leslie Soden opposed, to adopt a new policy for the city’s longevity bonus that will tier and cap the amount paid to qualifying employees beginning in 2019 and eliminate the payments for employees hired after Jan. 1, 2019. City management recommended that the difference between the two payment structures for 2019, estimated to be $64,000, be diverted to [...]

A place to PLAY: Moundridge moves forward to give pups their own park

info2018-11-07T06:44:09-06:00November 7th, 2018|

When Moundridge resident Lori Frazer moved from a house with a big yard to an apartment with no yard, she realized her city needed a dog park. When she jokingly mentioned the idea to Moundridge City Administrator Randy Frazer (who is also her brother-in-law), he encouraged her to take action. “I formed a committee...and we took it to city coucil,” Lori said. Amy Stinchcomb, owner of Pawsitive Pet Styles, is also a member of the dog park committee. She said the project will benefit all Moundridge residents, not just pet owners. “It keeps the dogs out of the regular park so [...]

Andover Mayor issues second veto for Butler Community College expansion

info2018-11-07T06:42:43-06:00November 7th, 2018|

On Tuesday, November 6, Mayor Ben Lawrence issued a veto on Ordinance 1685. This Ordinance was to create a Special Use Permit for the expansion of the Butler Community College campus at 715 East 13th St. The City Council will consider the Mayor’s veto at their Nov.13, 2018 City Council meeting at 7 p.m. at the Andover City Hall, 1609 E. Central. (Read more: Augusta Gazette)