News – Page 2447 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Main Street Main-ia comes to downtown Newton

info2018-06-18T06:49:35-05:00June 18th, 2018|

Main Street Mainia, the traditional sidewalk sales downtown, did not get off to the start some were hoping for. “We don’t have as much foot traffic,” said Phil Anderson, owner of Anderson Book and Supply. “We do not have as much retail. Of course, we remember the old days.” Anderson said there is not as much retail in downtown, meaning fewer sales to attract possible customers. That could be one reason the annual sales were down for him. But there could have also been wilting for another reason — heat. When the sale kick off party started on Thursday night, the [...]

Salina City Commission to discuss county perimeter roads

info2018-06-18T06:37:18-05:00June 18th, 2018|

Salina City Commission to discuss county perimeter roads Salina city commissioners will meet with Saline County commissioners to discuss county perimeter roads when they meet in a study session at 2:30 p.m. Monday in the Saline County Health Department conference room. The Kansas Court of Appeals recently issued a ruling in a lawsuit the county filed against the city concerning annexation of county roads primarily used by city residents, and city and county commissioners have said they are anxious to come to an agreement. (Read more: News - Salina Journal)

Garden City cautions against use of unlicensed contractors

info2018-06-18T06:35:37-05:00June 18th, 2018|

The City of Garden City is cautioning residents against the use of unlicensed contractors for home or business remodels and repairs. According to Garden City staff, unlicensed contractors are often uninsured, meaning homeowners may end up paying for any injuries or damage to property. In addition, unlicensed contractors often lack professional training and certification, are unfamiliar with applicable building codes, and are not regulated by local authorities. Neighborhood & Development Services Director Kaleb Kentner said it is illegal for an unlicensed person to perform contracting work on any project. (Read more: News - The Garden City Telegram)

Hutch City Council to hold first evening meeting

info2018-06-18T06:30:29-05:00June 18th, 2018|

There’s always been discussion about the Hutchinson City Council moving meetings to the evening hours so more residents can attend. After discussion, the council decided to move the last meeting of the month to evenings for a trial period. That experiment begins Monday as the council will hold its regular agenda session Tuesday. Tuesday’s meeting of the Hutchinson City Council begins at 5:30 p.m. in the city council chambers. (Read more: Hutch Post)

Hospital tax vote meeting coming in Ark City

info2018-06-18T06:28:43-05:00June 18th, 2018|

Arkansas City commissioners, acting in their new role as trustee board for South Central Kansas Medical Center, met Tuesday with hospital staff to discuss a number of issues, including how to educate the public on an upcoming sales tax vote for the medical center. The vote will take place by mail in September. Discussion centered on the need to quickly institute an effective program to educate and inform the public about the benefit of the proposed one-cent sales tax, and the consequences to be faced if the vote should fail. Commissioners said they were planning to conduct a number of town [...]

Hays OKs hotel tax increase

info2018-06-18T06:22:27-05:00June 18th, 2018|

The Hays City Commission on Thursday unanimously approved a 2-percent hike in the city’s transient guest tax to pay for street improvements along the Vine Street corridor. The current plan is to construct three roundabouts there in efforts to improve traffic flow. The transient guest tax is currently at 5 percent. Commonly known as a hotel bed tax, the rate only is paid by those who stay overnight in any of the city’s hotels. The Vine Street project is eligible for those funds because the improvements would benefit travelers, City Manager Toby Dougherty said. “City staff made the suggestion that part [...]

Boy ‘hugged’ $132,000 sculpture at Overland Park community center; Mom says city’s insurance is seeking damages

info2018-06-15T08:36:47-05:00June 15th, 2018|

After a 5-year-old accidentally toppled a sculpture displayed at Overland Park’s Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, his mom was stunned to receive an insurance company letter seeking to recover damages to the $132,000 artwork. “It’s clear accidents happen and this was an accident,” Sarah Goodman said Thursday about the incident May 19 at the community center that involved her 5-year-old son. “I don’t want to diminish the value of their art. But I can’t pay for that.” The city responded that its insurance company is contractually obligated to reach out to the responsible party when public property is damaged. The artwork was [...]

Briefly noted: Prairie Village leaders discuss challenges of teardown-rebuild trend

info2018-06-15T07:28:48-05:00June 15th, 2018|

Prairie Village Mayor Laura Wassmer and councilmembers Serena Schermoly and Tucker Poling were guests on KCUR’s Up To Date on Wednesday to discuss the challenges of preserving the city’s original neighborhood aesthetics with the demand for newer, larger homes. [Prairie Village Home Teardowns Rankle Residents — KCUR] (Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)

Hays city commission OKs ‘creative funding’ of roundabouts; Can be challenged by voters

info2018-06-15T07:28:01-05:00June 15th, 2018|

Hays city commissioners voted unanimously Thursday night to approve a charter ordinance which will increase the Transient Guest Tax (TGT) rate 2% to fund improvements to the north Vine Street traffic corridor, estimated at more than $7.6 million. “City staff suggested a significant part of the project could be funded with Transient Guest Tax dollars, due to the fact the improvements would make it better for visitors, pedestrians, people that are staying in the area, and not just for people that live here,” explained Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty. The Hays 5% TGT is lower than most of its peer cities [...]

Salina Community Economic Development Organization gets inside look at Great Plains

info2018-06-15T07:21:06-05:00June 15th, 2018|

Linda Salem, president of Great Plains Manufacturing, wants to figure out a way to sell Salina. The city has many good things to offer, she said, but no mountain and no seashore, which makes it more difficult to attract the employees Great Plains needs. Great Plains has about 1,500 employees, but like many manufacturers, it could use more skilled workers, she said, particularly machinists, draftsmen and engineers. Not enough students are graduating from Salina Area Technical College to fill the needs, she said Thursday, after an hour-and-a-half tour for the Salina Community Economic Development Organization board of directors and guests. Mitch [...]