News – Page 2390 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Community Policing Program in Hutchinson put on hold

info2018-08-15T06:19:27-05:00August 15th, 2018|

After efforts to save the Hutchinson Citizens Police Acedemy Program from the budget tax, the police department sent out notice to its officers that the program is being put on hold. Captain Troy Hoover says, the continued shortage of officers has forced the department to postpone the program. Hoover expressed his disappointment over the news, saying that the program provided close interaction between the department and citizens. Hoover says the program isn’t dead and they hope to bring it back once the department can get their numbers up. The officers who were in charge of the program will likely be moved [...]

Water rights are discussed in Pratt County

info2018-08-15T06:16:55-05:00August 15th, 2018|

Some water rights in Pratt County have not been used and could be lost if action is not taken. Pratt leaders met last week with Jeff Lanterman, Department of Agriculture water commissioner, and learned the City of Pratt does have an option to apply for a five year extension on water rights with the chief engineer of the Kansas Department of Agriculture. The 40-year perfection period for water rights in Pratt County will expire on Dec. 31, 2019. At that time, Pratt County could lose some water rights that might be needed for unknown future development in the county. Pratt County [...]

Shawnee County crews removing collapsed 200-year-old tree from park

info2018-08-14T07:19:43-05:00August 14th, 2018|

Crews with Shawnee County Parks and Recreation worked Monday to remove a massive tree, estimated to be about 200 years old, that split and collapsed over the weekend. The tree, a bur oak, stood in the east part of Crestview Park near S.W. Shunga Drive and Gage Blvd. It was never formally measured, but parks officials estimated the tree was as tall as 60 feet before it collapsed. It fell Sunday, said John Day with Shawnee County Parks and Recreation, after struggling with rot problems. As Day touched part of the exposed bark, it crumbled. Day said crews had been out [...]

Shawnee County approves Frito-Lay tax exemption

info2018-08-14T07:17:48-05:00August 14th, 2018|

The Shawnee County Commission approved a resolution exempting certain Frito-Lay property from taxation for economic development purposes. A public hearing was held during the commission meeting Monday with Jim Crowl, Shawnee County counselor, saying the “exemption is an investment in our community.” Frito-Lay plans to purchase vacant land adjecnt to the current facility south of Topeka with plans for a 86,000-square-foot warehouse. The project includes creation of seven new jobs at the facility and retention of six other positions. The tax exemption is not for existing property only the new value of the land, Crowl said. The projected economic impact of [...]

New Great Bend admin eyes city/county cooperation

info2018-08-14T07:16:10-05:00August 14th, 2018|

The Barton County Commission Monday morning took time to welcome a new government officials to town. They were introduced to Kendal Francis, who was appointed recently by the City of Great Bend as the new city administrator, and it could be a cozy connection. “I am excited to be here,” Francis said. “I look forward to serving the City of Great Bend, but also building a relationship with Barton County.” Francis, who was hired by the City Council July 16, has served the cities of Beloit, Lakin and Coffeyville. Historically, he said, he’s enjoyed a good rappot with county officials where [...]

Shawnee community center discussion moves forward

info2018-08-14T07:10:48-05:00August 14th, 2018|

A community center has been on the city of Shawnee’s wish list for well over a decade, and now, the dream is becoming a little more concrete. After months of conducting surveys, public forums and in-depth research, the consultants pieced together a facility encompassing the most desired amenities among Shawnee residents. Financing of the community center would be left in the hands of Shawnee citizens. The city plans to build and maintain the facility using revenue from a proposed mill levy increase, which would be voted on during a spring ballot question, whether by in-person or by mail. The future [...]

Counties get conflicting advice from Kobach, Colyer camps as they begin ballot review

info2018-08-14T07:28:48-05:00August 14th, 2018|

Gov. Jeff Colyer and Secretary of State Kris Kobach turned over squabbling duties to their proxies Monday as counties began tallying provisional ballots, extending Kobach’s lead in the GOP primary to 206 votes. Kobach assistant Eric Rucker and Colyer’s chief counsel, Brant Laue, offered competing views of Kansas law governing provisional ballots completed by unaffiliated voters. The issue is whether votes should count if a volunteer poll worker made a mistake. County canvassing boards are weighing those arguments as they sort through 9,000 provisional ballots this week. They don’t have to finish their work until Aug. 20, but the deadline for [...]

Pratt County Commissioners got a good financial report from the Pratt Regional Medical Center

info2018-08-14T07:04:14-05:00August 14th, 2018|

Finances for Pratt Regional Medical Center are good so far in 2018. Alan Waites, PRMC chief financial officer, reported to the Pratt County commissioners that gross revenue for last nine months was $78.9 million and that is $3.9 favorable for the hospital budget. The net revenue for the last nine months is $2.3 million favorable. “Our revenues have been strong,” Waites said. Susan Page, PRMC president and chief executive officer, reported that sales tax revenues continue to be above predicted levels. May sales tax revenues were $152,000 above the predicted level while the overall sales tax revenue for the new [...]

City comes to agreement with Salina Innovation Foundation

info2018-08-14T06:59:51-05:00August 14th, 2018|

Salina city commissioners on Monday came to a tentative agreement with a representative of the Salina Innovation Foundation to assist with money needed for a roofing project. Michael Schrage, interim city manager, said the city will help with 35 percent or up to $75,000 of the $214,924 needed for the project, whichever is less. Schrage said city staff will draft the agreement, which should be ready for final approval by mid-September. Mary Landes, founder of the Salina Innovation Foundation, said Ryan Roofing submitted the only bid for the roof. Landes said that after speaking with the Kansas Historical Society, funding [...]

Roeland Park police will begin use of speed monitoring trailer in hopes of calming traffic

info2018-08-14T06:56:33-05:00August 14th, 2018|

Motorists traveling through Roeland Park may notice a radar display trailer tracking their car’s speed in the near future. Councilmembers this week gave the Police Department the thumbs up to spend about $5,400 on a new speed sign trailer. The new trailer speed sign is powered through a mix of battery and solar power and can be moved throughout the community. Data from the radar will be used to determine speed problem areas in the community, according to Chief of Police John Morris. Councilmember Tim Janssen said he was definitely in support of the new radar and noted that he [...]