News – Page 2369 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Hospital tax approved in Ark City

info2018-09-07T07:48:29-05:00September 7th, 2018|

A permanent, one-cent sales tax for South Central Kansas Medical Center received strong support among voters during a mail-in vote counted on Thursday. The unofficial results showed 66 percent of the votes cast were in support of the proposal set forth by city and hospital officials to establish a long-term funding source for the financially struggling hospital center, while at the same time lowering overall sales tax going to the medical center from 1.5 percent to 1 percent. Cowley County Clerk Karen Madison reported Thursday afternoon that 1,320 votes, more than 66.3 percent were cast in support of the measure with [...]

Pride, history drive rural community of Alton in Osborne County

info2018-09-07T06:06:39-05:00September 7th, 2018|

Folks who inhabit tiny towns like Alton, population 98, remain viable because of civic pride and a willingness to give back to their community. For this little village, whose greatest claim to fame remains that of being the birthplace of Russell Stover, civic responsibility is just that – an old, established concept that compels people to work, play and live together in harmony. “Our annual celebration affords us the opportunity to bring people of this community and the surrounding towns together,” says Deanna Roach, a lifetime native who farms with her husband, Stanley, south of Alton. “We’re proud of our heritage, [...]

KBI, FBI asked to investigate “preferential treatment” at Hutchinson Police Department

info2018-09-07T06:00:58-05:00September 7th, 2018|

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation – and possibly the FBI – are investigating the Hutchinson Police Department, Reno County District Attorney Keith Schroeder confirmed Thursday. Schroeder said he sought the investigation after hearing “allegations and rumors of preferential treatment.” He declined to go into details on who or what the preferential treatment involved, but said he sought an outside agency to look into the complaints due to “issues of integrity and trust that we need to have resolved.” Schroeder said he didn’t know if the allegations rose to the level of a crime. But he said he wanted to resolved questions [...]

Moundridge finds winning formula for growth

info2018-09-06T10:56:47-05:00September 6th, 2018|

Nearly 82% of Kansas cities lost people over the last decade. That's according to a new report out of KU's Institute for Policy and Social Research. The losses get even worse when looking at towns that started with fewer than 10,000 people. But one town in Central Kansas has found a successful formula when it comes to attracting newcomers. "We offer free land to new business development and investment in our community," said Murray McGee, Economic Development Director for the City of Moundridge. As jobs came, people followed. Unemployment fell to just 3.3% and the city said companies have many job [...]

Split council approves increased paid holidays and vacation days for city employees

info2018-09-06T08:47:12-05:00September 6th, 2018|

The City of Great Bend hired a firm from Kansas City to conduct a compensation study on all city employees. The study found that there were employees, mostly firefighters, which needed their salary increased to meet the market minimum. The Great Bend City Council approved a motion to improve compensation issues starting January 1, 2019. The study also showed Great Bend was behind other comparable-sized cities for vacation days and paid holidays. Human Resources Director Randy Keasling recommended the City Council pass increases to both vacation days and holiday days for city employees. Councilmember Jolene Biggs was against the motion, stating [...]

Hillsboro officials meet about options for internet

info2018-09-06T08:41:52-05:00September 6th, 2018|

“We met with three people,” Hillsboro Economic Development Director Anthony Roy said. “One was from Star Point, and they manage fiber optics and operate them. He was there over the phone. And we had a gentleman from Graybar, which distributes and sells fiber optic equipment. And then the other guy was a representative of potential investors that invest in fiber networks. We knew the guy out of Graybar because he is from Wichita, but the other two we just talked about next steps. So they are just now going to put together a proposal or plan for a fiber build. Definitely [...]

Saluting the forgotten lawn chairs of community festival

info2018-09-06T08:38:53-05:00September 6th, 2018|

They’re the last standing reminders of another fun-filled Roots Festival weekend in Paola. Long after the last act leaves the stage. After the last barbecue team RV pulls out of town. After the last piece of trash is picked up by the Square cleanup crew — they still remain. Much like death and taxes, they’re a fact of life that will likely never go away. They’re the forgotten lawn chairs. (Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Paola police department launches Take Me Home program

info2018-09-06T08:34:45-05:00September 6th, 2018|

Sgt. Ryan Rayzor of the Paola Police Department wants to make sure all local residents are kept safe, especially those dealing with disorders that could potentially lead to misunderstandings with law enforcement. That’s why he has spearheaded the creation of the Take Me Home program at the police department. The program is similar to others across the country that are based on the official Take Me Home program created in 2003 by officer Jimmy Donohoe in Florida. The program is endorsed by the Autism Society, and it was created so that children on the autism spectrum who wander will be returned [...]

Louisburg voters to decide fate of special sales tax in November

info2018-09-06T08:33:33-05:00September 6th, 2018|

The sales tax in Louisburg could rise next year if residents approve its increase on the November ballot. The Louisburg City Council voted Aug. 20 to ask voters to double the current infrastructure improvement sales tax from .25 to .5 of 1 percent, which would increase the total sales tax in the city from 9.25 percent to 9.5 percent. If approved, the sales tax increase would not go into effect until July 1, 2019. The current infrastructure improvement city sales tax of .25 percent was approved by voters in 2010 to be collected for 10 years. That tax is set to [...]

Miami County Commissioners decide fate of old jail

info2018-09-06T08:31:30-05:00September 6th, 2018|

The graffiti was still legible. But the splintered paint on the bars and walls of the empty cells were indications the 1960s-era building that once housed the sheriff’s office and jail had stood vacant for some months in the shadows of the three-story Miami County Detention Center across the street. The 96-bed center was dedicated in November 2017. Miami County commissioners recently toured the old jail as they mulled options for the structure, designed to house 22 inmates. Commissioners discussed several options for the tired building, including renovation for office space or turning it into storage. Another possibility, commissioners said, was [...]