News – Page 2381 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Businesses both big and small helping little Merriam grow

info2018-08-24T13:22:20-05:00August 24th, 2018|

Thanks to a blend of big-name stores and unique mom-and-pop shops, Merriam is expanding, and city officials hope it continues to do just that. The city of Merriam stretches 4.3 square miles. Located along Interstate 35, it's known for its location within northeast Johnson County and its prominent stores. One of the biggest draws: IKEA. "We have a lot of unique, cool shopping things to begin with, but IKEA definitely brought in a new crowd of people to our community," said Karen Crane with the Merriam Visitors Bureau. With a growing arts scene, a shiny new community center in the works and the expansion [...]

Topeka consider combining committees looking at issues related to homelessness

info2018-08-24T13:21:48-05:00August 24th, 2018|

Topeka governing body members plan Sept. 4 to consider combining two committees that are looking at separate proposals regarding poverty and homelessness.Topeka’s city government posted Thursday on its website the preliminary agenda for that meeting, which includes the proposed creation of the 10-person committee to consider measures regarding camping and traffic/pedestrian safety.The former proposal would ban camping on public property, including sidewalks, ...] (Read more: News - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Lawrence repeals old law on alcohol sale restriction

info2018-08-24T13:21:00-05:00August 24th, 2018|

Lawrence officials have repealed a restriction on alcohol sales that dates back to Prohibition. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the ordinance restricted alcohol sales within 400 feet of a school or church. The rules had rarely been enforced in recent years, but getting around them required city leaders to go through a time-consuming review process each time a request for a waiver was made. (Read more: Politics & Government News |)

Topeka considers combining committees looking at issues related to homelessness

info2018-08-24T13:20:04-05:00August 24th, 2018|

Topeka governing body members plan Sept. 4 to consider combining two committees that are looking at separate proposals regarding poverty and homelessness.Topeka’s city government posted Thursday on its website the preliminary agenda for that meeting, which includes the proposed creation of the 10-person committee to consider measures regarding camping and traffic/pedestrian safety.The former proposal would ban camping on public property, including sidewalks, and on ... (Read more: News - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Hays water director explains ups and downs in city water pressure

info2018-08-24T13:19:20-05:00August 24th, 2018|

City Commissioner Sandy Jacobs said for the past few weeks she’s noticed the water pressure at her house has varied at times. “I keep running outside to make sure I don’t have anything running because I’ve noticed that,” Jacobs said on Thursday night during the regular meeting of the Hays City Commission at City Hall, 1507 Main. City water pressure can vary right now as painting wraps up on the city’s 1-million-gallon water tower in northeast Hays, said Jeff Crispin, director of water resources. (Read more: News - The Hays Daily News)

Hays: Changes in height regs for some fences, accessory buildings approved

info2018-08-24T13:18:42-05:00August 24th, 2018|

Hays city commissioners unanimously approved two ordinances Thursday night to amend regulations regarding the heights of some side yard fences and of accessory structures, such as garages. Jesse Rohr, public works director, said city staff and the Hays Area Planning Commission agreed the items in the Unified Development Code (UDC) were “unnecessarily restrictive.” Commissioner Sandy Jacobs wondered “how that got by us.” The massive UDC was adopted in August 2016, and has been amended more than once. That is to be expected, according to Mayor James Meier. (Read more: Hays Post)

Health needs assessed at town meeting in Cowley County

info2018-08-24T06:58:11-05:00August 24th, 2018|

Community members gathered Tuesday at Winfield Public Library to identify and discuss the county’s most pressing health needs, and things that the county is doing well to ensure people’s health. The Community Health Needs Assessment Town Hall was sponsored by the city-Cowley County Health Department, William Newton Hospital and the Community Health Center in Cowley County. The purpose was to help identify and prioritize the health needs of Cowley County residents. Feedback from the meeting will also be used to fulfill federal mandates. The information provided is also helpful for grant applications, business plans and other uses. The town hall was [...]

Marshall County commissioner proposes offer of $4,000 incentive for start-ups

info2018-08-24T06:54:34-05:00August 24th, 2018|

Providing $4,000 in start-up money to each of five new businesses in Marshall County per year. That is county commissioner Dave Baier’s plan to spur economic development. He outlined his plan Monday during the board’s meeting. “This lets them get their feet wet and get going to help pay utilities, rent and promote their new business,” Baier, board chairman, said. “This may help those ones that are worried about the startup costs. “They know they can make it, but it’s just the startup costs and getting everything going.” Baier said businesses would be eligible for the funds only one time, and [...]

City of Hays to get progress update on $28.4m wastewater treatment plant

info2018-08-24T06:50:43-05:00August 24th, 2018|

Work is 62 days ahead of schedule on the city of Hays’ $28.4 million renovation of its wastewater treatment plant at 1498 E. U.S. Highway 40 Bypass, “which is excellent,” said Jeff Crispin, director of water resources. “We have roughly 388 days to go,” Crispin said Wednesday. Contractors got the go-ahead to start on May 31, 2017, and completion is set for July 15, 2019. Most of the concrete work and installation of pipe in the ground was completed before Hays was hit with heavy rains in April and May, which was fortunate, Crispin said. As a result, the joint partnership [...]

Clay Center City Council approves street sales tax for another five years

info2018-08-24T06:46:37-05:00August 24th, 2018|

In a meeting that lasted less than 10 minutes, the Clay Center City Council approved a couple of major items, including renewing the sales tax for streets another five years. The ordinance the council approved for the street sales taxes continues it from April 1, 2019, when it was set to terminated, to run through March 31, 2024, which is the new date for termination. In making the motion to approve the ordinance for the sales tax, Councilman Jim Brown gave “a special thank you” to the citizens of Clay Center “for extending money to pay for streets. (Read more: www.ccenterdispatch.com [...]