News – Page 2316 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

The Supreme Court Cases for State and Local Governments to Watch

info2018-10-23T10:48:10-05:00October 23rd, 2018|

The eight current justices face a quiet docket without any headline-grabbing blockbuster cases. Still, there are several cases with implications for state and local governments. “State sovereignty is a really big issue this term,” says Lisa Soronen, executive director of the State and Local Legal Center. Chuck Thompson, executive director of the International Municipal Lawyers Association, adds that several of this term’s cases “have the potential to expand the amount of litigation against local government.” Here's a rundown of the most important cases for state and local government officials to watch: (Read more: GOVERNING)

Kansas Sheriff pleads guilty to firearms charge, agrees to resign

info2018-10-23T10:45:12-05:00October 23rd, 2018|

The Sheriff of Ness County pleaded guilty Monday to a federal firearm charge and agreed to resign, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister. Sheriff Bryan Whipple, 48, Ness City, pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly selling a gun to a person who was prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm. In his plea, Whipple admitted he arranged to sell a .45 caliber pistol and ammunition to a man he knew was a convicted felon. The plea agreement calls for Whipple to resign his position as sheriff and to surrender his law enforcement certification from the Kansas Commission on Peace [...]

Wellington aviation enthusiasts celebrate a new municipal airport mile-long runway

info2018-10-23T10:44:34-05:00October 23rd, 2018|

With the Wichita band “Soul Injection” singing the song “Celebration”, the City of Wellington, airport authority officials, flying enthusiasts and the community at large were indeed doing just that Saturday. The grand opening and open house of Welington Municipal Airport’s new runway was held during a perfect fall day. After years of planning, bureaucratic red tape, and then a year’s worth of construction, Wellington now has a 5,250 foot runway to accommodate larger private jets. The runway, which was previously 4,000 feet, will put Wellington’s airport on a level playing field with various area airports in providing services for those with [...]

Bird supporters fight back, accuse Wichita board of feral cat favoritism

info2018-10-23T10:43:16-05:00October 23rd, 2018|

As a Wichita city board continues to claw its way toward an ordinance making it easier to be a stray cat, bird lovers are pushing back and accusing the board of feral feline favoritism. Tom Ewert, president of the Wichita Audubon Society, told the board last week he thinks the ordinance would be bad for birds and other local wildlife animals. At the minimum, he said the proposed “community cat colonies” should be banned around 15 parks and open spaces that are designated as wildlife habitats. The Animal Control Advisory Board has been working for months and is nearing completion on [...]

Ark City going for the prize

info2018-10-23T10:36:47-05:00October 23rd, 2018|

The Arkansas City Chamber of Commerce is hoping to raise enough votes to win a $500,000 prize that is being offered by a unique TV show, Small Business Revolution, Main Street Productions. The program picks a community each season to receive a makeover of main street businesses. The winner is determine by the number of votes received through the program’s website. Chamber CEO Paisley Howerton said in early October, a link with information about the contest was shared on the Ark City Ask and Answered Facebook page. She said she saw it as a possible opportunity and everyone quickly started sharing [...]

City of Topeka to take up employment contract, asphalt purchase

info2018-10-22T09:55:36-05:00October 22nd, 2018|

An employment contract with Topeka street maintenance employees and Shawnee County’s emergency purchase of 828 tons of hot mix asphalt are among matters local governing bodies plan to take up this coming week. The city’s governing body, consisting of the nine council members and Mayor Michelle De La Isla, plans to consider entering into a three-year contract covering 2019 through 2021 with city street maintenance employees represented in collective bargaining by Teamsters Local No. 696. The employees involved have approved the contract, which would provide a 1 percent across-the-board pay increase in each of the three years involved, said a document [...]

Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic reports payroll growth, low cost of living, population

info2018-10-22T09:51:24-05:00October 22nd, 2018|

Each quarter the Business & Economic Research Center releases a report called “The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Report.” The third quarter report, recently released, shared the quarter’s income and overall job growth, unemployment, job growth by industry, payroll growth by industry, labor force, taxable sales, residential permits, commercial permits, office space market, commercial and residential land values, retail space market, bankruptcies and more. Director of Business & Economic Research Center Michael Davidsson, Ph.D. said 2017 was a good year for the Pittsburg Micropolitan Area, with bankruptcies declining and the increase of housing infrastructure. (Read more: Pittsburg, KS - Morning Sun)

Outside engineer hired by Crawford County finds little concern about Silverback plan

info2018-10-22T09:49:26-05:00October 22nd, 2018|

A report from an engineer hired by Crawford County said he does not foresee any significant damage on Crawford County property from stormwater runoff in proposed the Silverback Landing Development. Neighboring residents had concerns about water run-off from the development area. After discussion with the City of Pittsburg and the public, the county decided to hire Senior Engineer of Agricultural Engineering Associates Inc. Frank Young to create a report of findings of the Silverback Landing Subdivision. The report was to be completed before the county made a decision on the Rural Housing Incentive District for the Silverback Landing Subdivision during its [...]

Hays taps Russell fire chief for deputy fire chief

info2018-10-22T08:06:49-05:00October 22nd, 2018|

When Shane Preston starts Nov. 13 in his new role as deputy fire chief for the city of Hays, he’ll be assisting Fire Chief Ryan Hagans as well as the department’s 22 full-time firefighters. Preston is currently fire department chief in Russell, where he’s worked as a firefighter for 18 years. “He’s done a lot for the city of Russell, bringing them into a modern fire department,” said Hagans. “He brings in fresh ideas, and he’s a forward thinker and good with public events. He has a lot of what we’d like to bring to Hays.” The deputy fire chief’s role [...]

Coordinated cleanup underway at Pittsburg contaminated site

info2018-10-22T08:06:48-05:00October 22nd, 2018|

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and a southeastern city have partnered to clean up and re-purpose contaminated property for use in future commercial development. The Joplin Globe reports that the coordinated cleanup that's underway in Pittsburg is targeting contaminated soil left behind by a former zinc-smelting plant, Weir City Zinc Works. The plant operated from around 1880 to 1920 and left concentrations of arsenic, cadmium and zinc on the property. Deputy City Manager Jay Byers says the cleanup is the first step for Pittsburg to put the land into productive use. After completion of the cleanup, the city hopes [...]