News – Page 2337 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Garden City airport eyeing new terminal

info2018-10-03T21:46:33-05:00October 3rd, 2018|

The Garden City Commission unanimously approved a request for the consideration of funds for the construction of a new terminal at Garden City Regional Airport, a project that would result in an larger, updated facility that would allow the airport to accommodate larger aircrafts. The request, the Federal Aviation Administration Supplemental Appropriation Project Request for fiscal years 2018-2020, potentially could secure $20 million for the $26.85 million terminal construction project. Should the city receive the funding, it still must finance or find outside payment for the remaining $6.85 million, said Rachelle Powell, director of aviation at Garden City Regional Airport. Mayor [...]

Harvey County trying new approach to limit health costs

info2018-10-03T21:45:26-05:00October 3rd, 2018|

The Board of Harvey County Commissioners approved changes Monday morning to the Harvey Healthy Rewards wellness program designed to get higher participation among county employees. Health Department Director Lynnette Redington said changes made by the wellness team encouraged more physical activity. She suggested allowing employees’ spouses to join the program. “That is a huge addition this year,” she said. Commission Chairman Randy Hague said spouses should be on the plan because their health affected the county’s insurance. County Administrator Anthony Swartzendruber said staff talked about possible changes that could limit the cost of health care. He said larger counties had clinics [...]

Miami County courthouse to undergo repairs to water-damaged plaster

info2018-10-03T21:42:54-05:00October 3rd, 2018|

A plaster restoration expert who helped restore Kansas City’s historic Midland Theater has been contracted to repair plaster damage in the stairwells, the courtroom and two offices of the Miami County Courthouse. Miami County commissioners voted unanimously Sept. 26 to hire Brad Bruce of Kansas City, Kan., to complete the restoration for $13,420. During a study session earlier that day, County Administrator Shane Krull described water damage to the plaster on the third-floor ceiling of the west and east stairwells. Plaster from the east stairwell fell three floors to the ground level. The damage occurred on a weekend, and no one [...]

Lawrence City Commission voices concerns about validity of community survey on police

info2018-10-03T07:10:28-05:00October 3rd, 2018|

While some Lawrence city commissioners said the results of a survey gauging the community’s interactions with and perceptions of Lawrence police were important to consider, they also expressed disappointment and frustration with the consultant’s methodology in conducting the survey. The city hired Allegro Training & Consulting and paid the firm $20,000 to complete the survey. Vice Mayor Lisa Larsen said she is a big believer in looking at statistics, but pointed out that one version of the consultant’s own report states that the survey is not statistically valid because it doesn’t have a representative sample of the population. “I want to [...]

Reno County Commission considering changes to economic policy

info2018-10-02T22:19:18-05:00October 2nd, 2018|

The Reno County Commission is considering a policy that would require businesses to meet certain conditions if they want incentives from the county. This policy would also apply to businesses that create five to nine jobs. County Administrator Gary Meagher told the commission Tuesday that, for those companies, they would pay 50 percent of what the county pays companies that plan to create 10 or more jobs. In every case, the minimum wage criteria and cash incentives per job created would apply. Some on the commission didn’t like limiting small businesses or those in a small community from only getting 50 [...]

Garden City commissioners, city staff wonder about future of the Big Pool

info2018-10-02T22:18:05-05:00October 2nd, 2018|

The City of Garden City will look to the public for direction on preliminary decisions regarding the future of the Big Pool, as costly structural problems continue to weigh on the local landmark. Assistant City Manager Jennifer Cunningham presented a report on the pool to the Garden City Commission Tuesday, outlining a summer that cost significantly more in labor with similar rates of sales. Pool staff increased on all fronts, Cunningham said, causing the cost of labor at the pool to be over $82,000 more in 2018 than in 2017. Certain structural issues continue to be a problem, Cunningham said. Several [...]

Topeka makes changes regarding property maintenance codes

info2018-10-02T22:15:03-05:00October 2nd, 2018|

Topekans accused of violating the city’s property maintenance codes are, to a large extent, fixing those violations, city manager Brent Trout told the city council Tuesday evening. Topeka Municipal Court Administrative Judge Lori Dougherty-Bichsel often finds she doesn’t need to penalize those people because they’ve taken care of the problems involved, Trout said. “So I think we are on the right track relative to people taking responsibility for the condition of the homes,” he said. That body discussed the proposals at meetings on June 12, June 19, July 17 and Sept. 4. The revisions to the code are aimed at addressing [...]

Controversial hog farm in Potwin awaits state approval

info2018-10-02T22:11:35-05:00October 2nd, 2018|

There is tension in the small Butler County town of Potwin. Tuesday, neighbors and representative with the state department of health gathered to talk about a proposed hog farm being built. Earlier this year, farmer Doug Claassen opened a hog facility four miles from Potwin. Now, he wants to expand it by building a new facility two miles north of the town. It would house 3,000 head of swine. Residents and the town's mayor say their biggest concern is odor seeping into town. The KDHE will be reviewing the public comments from Tuesday's meeting. It will decide whether to allow the [...]

Kansas City police get $700K innovation grant

info2018-10-02T22:09:14-05:00October 2nd, 2018|

The Kansas City, Kan., police department has received a $700,000 grant designed to support innovative policing programs, a federal prosecutor’s office announced on Tuesday. According to U.S. Attorney for Kansas Stephen McAllister, the grant was made to the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kan.. McAllister said the grant comes from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhood program, which is a centerpiece of the Justice Department’s strategy for reducing violent crime. This week marks the one-year anniversary of the revitalized Project Safe Neighborhood program. “This money will help police test promising crime prevention strategies aimed at reducing [...]

Saline County Commission accepts two grants

info2018-10-02T21:49:00-05:00October 2nd, 2018|

The Saline County Commission accepted two grants Tuesday morning. The commission approved the purchase of a wireless headset system for Rural Fire District 3 from Weis Fire & Safety Equipment for $2,700. Weis Fire submitted the lowest out of four submitted bids. The commission also accepted a Kansas Forestry Grant, which will cover half of the cost of the wireless headset system. The commission accepted a $2,300 grant from the Greater Salina Community Foundation that will completely cover the cost for one Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). Senior Services Director Rosie Walter said the AED will be stored on the first floor [...]