News – Page 2319 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

City of Hays expecting lower rates for employees’ health insurance

info2018-10-19T06:58:59-05:00October 19th, 2018|

Some unusually good news for the city of Hays as it comes time for the annual renewal of the employees’ health insurance policy. Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood said the 2019 Blue Cross Blue Shield premium is actually a decrease based on the city’s expected enrollments. “We got really good bids this year. It’s actually a reduction of 2.46%, which in the current healthcare market is pretty good. So, we’re pretty excited about that,” Wood said. (Read more: Hays Post)

Chetopa council wants park curfew set

info2018-10-19T06:55:35-05:00October 19th, 2018|

The Chetopa City Council has directed an ordinance to be drafted to set a curfew for Veterans Park. During an Oct. 2 meeting, council member Geraldine Castle recommended more police patrolling of the park at night as there have been kids on top of the shelter houses. She also was concerned about the increased potential for vandalism. Debbie Yost of Chetopa said she was told that the free Wi-Fi in the park has encouraged drug deals there. The comments led to discussion on a possible park curfew, and the council agreed that an ordinance should be drafted that would close the [...]

Junction City Moves Forward on Rathert Field Turf Improvements

info2018-10-19T06:52:51-05:00October 19th, 2018|

The Junction City Commission has approved an interlocal agreement with Geary County and USD 475 for improvements to Rathert Field. They include a new artificial turf for the infield, foul areas and warning track. Parks and Recreation Director Ed Lazear explained the project will help alleviate rainout problems. The bid was awarded to Hellas Construction of Austin, Texas for $424,715. City Manager Allen Dinkel explained the project will be paid for via a $200,000 commitment from the county from the transient guest tax that was initially put in place for a sports complex. We have a private donation of $100,000. ” [...]

Tonganoxie City Council hears more plans for former TES land

info2018-10-19T06:49:38-05:00October 19th, 2018|

Plans for the rest of the land at the former Tonganoxie Elementary School campus were discussed in more detail at Monday’s City Council meeting. The Tonganoxie City Council took steps forward at the last meeting with regards to the new library’s future on the south end of the former TES site. On Monday, Kelley Hrabe of Prairie Fire Development in Kansas City presented to the council. Hrabe told the council about potential plans for 36 residential units on the property. Though the property might not be exclusively for retired residents, it’s expected to have many of its residents fit that demographic. [...]

Manager search gets help in Winfield

info2018-10-19T06:48:02-05:00October 19th, 2018|

A contract with Osenbaugh Consulting, of Derby, for assistance with the Winfield city manager search was approved Monday by the city commission in a 3-0 vote. The contract specifies a flat fee of $8,000. This money will go toward consulting services and includes three trips to Winfield by Osenbaugh consultants, according to a copy of the contract. Additional trips will cost the city $1,000 each. The contract states Osenbaugh Consulting’s duties include discussing the parameters of the search with commissioners, composing and positing a help wanted ad, reaching out to potential candidates, reviewing and organizing résumés, participating in candidate interviews, creating [...]

Kansas Opportunity Zone Forum Taking Place on Oct. 25

info2018-10-19T08:35:10-05:00October 19th, 2018|

The Kansas Department of Commerce will host a community forum for Opportunity Zones from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 25th, at the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, Kansas. Opportunity Zones are part of a federally-led tax incentive program intended to localize private investment in economically distressed Kansas communities. Individuals or businesses that choose to invest in these designated areas may take advantage of preferential tax incentives. There are 74 designated Opportunity Zones in Kansas, representing 39 communities. This forum will provide communities with designated Opportunity Zones information on how they work and the funding resources and opportunities available. Attendees [...]

Rural economy growing again, says economist

info2018-10-19T08:33:57-05:00October 19th, 2018|

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index shows continued growth across the Midwest. “The overall index for October was above growth neutral for the ninth straight time,” said economist Ernie Goss. “Agriculture is not doing as well. In other words, we’re still seeing farm equipment sales declining.” There are strong sectors in the rural areas, particularly when it comes to finishing some of those agricultural goods. (Read more: WIBW News Now!)

KCK police officer running marathon in full uniform to honor fallen officers

info2018-10-19T08:34:47-05:00October 19th, 2018|

One runner at the KC Marathon might stand out in the crowd Saturday. Kansas City, Kansas Police Officer Carlos Mena has run the marathon before, but never like this. He'll be running in full uniform. He's doing it to honor recent fallen officers, including one who trained him. For more than a month, this seven-year veteran of the KCK Police Department has been running a 2-mile track near the police academy. Officer Mena originally planned to train for next year's marathon, but after the deaths of Wyandotte County Sheriff's Deputies Theresa King and Patrick Rohrer earlier this year, he decided now [...]

Derby’s newest park opens this weekend — after flooding recedes

info2018-10-18T07:52:34-05:00October 18th, 2018|

With recent heavy rains, Derby’s newest recreational resource, Warren Riverview Park, experienced high water levels rising up over its access area to the Arkansas River, putting it several feet under water. Not a worry for Robert Mendoza, the city’s public works director who is heading up the park’s design and construction. “If you play by the river, you’re going to expect to get wet,” he said. The flooding was an ideal “stress test” for the park before it opens to the public on Oct. 20, he said. The river went up to its 12-foot flood stage and unlike times when it’s [...]

Lawmakers concerned on rural broadband

info2018-10-18T07:48:39-05:00October 18th, 2018|

The two U.S. senators from Kansas, along with all four U.S. representatives from the state, on Monday wrote a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai urging that he “restore sufficiency and predictability” to the Universal Service Fund High Cost program. The program helps provide funding to companies working to increase broadband capability to parts of the country with little or no access. “These services are necessary if rural communities are to compete in a global economy,” the lawmakers wrote to the FCC head. “The insufficient and uncertain USF budget continues to hamper rural providers’ efforts to invest in rural [...]