News – Page 2307 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Hutchinson’s assistant police chief fired

info2018-10-31T10:13:45-05:00October 31st, 2018|

Hutchinson Police Department’s Capt. Troy Hoover, the department’s assistant chief for more than a decade and a veteran of more than 30 years, was fired on Monday afternoon by the city’s new police chief. Hoover and City Manager John Deardoff both verified the firing. The News was unable to reach Chief Jeffrey Hooper, who started in the job less than two weeks ago. Deardoff said there would be a press conference Wednesday afternoon about the firing. (Read more: News - The Hutchinson News)

As Shawnee Mission’s first tax increment financing districts expire, evidence that things don’t always go as planned

info2018-10-31T10:11:23-05:00October 31st, 2018|

The promise was there, twenty years ago, as cities began to dabble in a new way of raising money for hard-to-develop land. Cities, the county and school districts would forgo revenue from higher property values on newly improved land. Instead that money would go to developers for their costs. After a couple of decades, those costs would be paid and that revenue would be a boon to be reclaimed by the schools and cities. It was called tax increment financing, and back in the 1990s, only a few Johnson County cities were brave enough to dip in a toe to an [...]

Kansas communities may apply now for designation as an Opportunity Zone

info2018-10-31T09:23:30-05:00October 31st, 2018|

On Tuesday, Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. announced that the Kansas Department of Commerce is now accepting proposals from communities to designate eligible low-income census tracts as Kansas Opportunity Zones under the new Federal Opportunity Zones program. Opportunity Zones are a new economic development tool enacted by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 designed to encourage long-term investments in low-income urban and rural communities. Based upon the number of low-income communities identified by the Federal Census, the Governor can designate 70 census tracts in Kansas as Opportunity Zones. Census tract eligibility is based upon population and income. Information about census [...]

Voters to decide on commission expansion in Leavenworth County

info2018-10-31T09:21:57-05:00October 31st, 2018|

In this year’s general election, voters will decide whether the Leavenworth County Commission should be expanded from three members to five. A group known as Give Me Five collected the necessary signatures to have the question placed on the ballot for the November election. Janette Labbee-Holdeman, who helped spearhead the effort, argued that expanding the commission to five members will provide better representation to southern Leavenworth County. “To me, that has not been well represented,” she said. She said a lot of people are moving into Basehor and Tonganoxie. Currently, both communities are represented by one county commissioner. (Read more: Leavenworth [...]

Designers detail features of new Johnson County courthouse set to open in 2021

info2018-10-31T09:19:33-05:00October 31st, 2018|

The new Johnson County Courthouse will open in early 2021 with 24 finished courtrooms, up-to-date accessibility and an entry-way sculpture of multi-colored chains by Los Angeles artist Benjamin Ball, according to a presentation by design team members to the county commission. Designers and county officials are working on final details of the building’s interior as they prepare to set the next round of guaranteed maximum price limits on the building. The entire courthouse building project is expected to cost about $175 million. Once the details are nailed down, work will begin early next year, with the building to be enclosed by [...]

Reno County will cover insufficient postage on mail ballots

info2018-10-31T09:16:21-05:00October 31st, 2018|

Reno County advance mail ballot voters are advised in the mailing from the county to put $1.21 in postage on the envelope when mail back the ballot. A U.S. Postal Service Forever stamp currently costs 50 cents and many voters are putting three such stamps on the large envelope, measuring 14 and a half inches by 9 and one-quarter inches, according to Reno County Clerk and Election Officer Donna Patton. But if a voter puts insufficient or no postage on the envelope, it still will be delivered to the Reno County clerk’s office. The Postal Service will not send it back [...]

Wichita firefighters give out coats to students ahead of the cold

info2018-10-31T09:15:06-05:00October 31st, 2018|

As temperatures begin to drop, more people will pull out their winter coats. But for some families, it's more of a challenge being able to afford clothes to keep warm. Those who protect and serve the community, helped ease some that burden for local kids Monday afternoon. For the third year in a row, Wichita firefighters, in partnership with Operation Warm, are handing out brand new coats to children from low income families. There were a lot of smiles at Colvin Elementary Monday, as students were given the winter essentials. "It's getting kind of wintery out," said Christopher, a student at [...]

Andover City Council decision could delay construction on new high school

info2018-10-31T09:13:55-05:00October 31st, 2018|

The Andover City Council Tuesday met to address the future of Butler Community College as it pertains to the college's planned expansion in the city. Andover Mayor Ben Lawrence made it clear in Tuesday's meeting that he has a lot of reservations with Butler's expansion plans moving forward. He said he wanted to see a plat from the the planning commission detailing proposed changes. Previously, Lawrence vetoed the special use permit for the expansion of Butler at its campus on East 13th Street. In a letter to the city council he said, "This property is not suitable for current zoning. I [...]

Edna firefighters get $2,000 grant

info2018-10-31T09:11:59-05:00October 31st, 2018|

The Edna Volunteer Fire Department received a $2,000 grant for firefighting gear from Frontier Farm Credit’s Working Here Fund. The department’s new turnout gear will improve the safety of first responders as they answer emergency calls. Edna Volunteer Fire Department is one of 16 organizations to receive a Working Here Fund grant in the third quarter of 2018. Frontier awarded $24,035 during the latest cycle. The Edna Fire Department provides Edna, Elm Grove and surrounding townships, with first aid and fire protection. The department has 20 volunteer firefighters. Jason Myers is fire chief. (Read more: Parsons Sun)

City of Shawnee names new community development director

info2018-10-31T09:09:28-05:00October 31st, 2018|

Shawnee City Manager Nolan Sunderman has announced the promotion of Doug Allmon to Community Development Director. Allmon has nearly 25 years of municipal planning experience and has spent the last 19 years at the City of Shawnee. In his previous role as deputy community development director, Allmon served as the lead in the development process, working closely with developers, city staff, planning commission members and board of zoning appeals members. “Doug has proven himself to be an expert in the field. He’s flexible in his work approach and a leader in the department,” said Sunderman. “I am excited to see what [...]