News – Page 2453 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Reno County Commission debates van purchase for Youth Services

info2018-06-13T10:24:40-05:00June 13th, 2018|

The Reno County Commission, on a split vote, authorized replacing a van at Reno County Youth Services that has only about 70,000 miles on it, while a request from Public Works to buy a high-powered jet sprayer to clean out sewer lines received unanimous support. Youth Service Director Bill Hermes explained his budget includes a 10-year replacement plan on vehicles and so it’s time to replace a van purchased in 2007. Rather than trade in the van, which has about an $8,000 trade value, they’ll sell the vehicle to Reno County Maintenance as a service vehicle, Hermes said. Commissioner Dan Deming [...]

Hutchinson puts new utility billing system in place

info2018-06-13T10:19:48-05:00June 13th, 2018|

The City of Hutchinson has implemented a new billing system that began operation Tuesday. City Manager John Deardoff commented on the software upgrade. To view statements or pay a bill online, residents must sign up on the city’s website at waterbill.hutchgov.com. If residents sign up before Sept. 1, the city will offer a $5 credit. (Read more: Hutch Post)

Reno County nuisance policy being considered

info2018-06-13T10:17:58-05:00June 13th, 2018|

The Reno County Commission wants to come up with something it does not have: a nuisance policy. Nineteen people who live east of town on Zolman Road are complaining about a property there. One of the neighbors in that area has a property that the neighbors feel is bringing down property values. Commissioner Deming brought the issue up and wants something enacted by the end of the year. As for any policy or resolution, Commission Chair Ron Hirst has concerns over what constitutes a nuisance. (Read more: Hutch Post)

Sedgwick County moves to ban vaping at the courthouse

info2018-06-13T10:16:40-05:00June 13th, 2018|

Sedgwick County commissioners are poised to reverse a policy that allows county employees to use e-cigarettes in the courthouse. E-cig use — known by the slang term "vaping" — was approved by the commission in 2106 on a 3-2 vote. But the commission makeup has changed and supporters of the electronic nicotine-delivery devices now to be on the short side of a 3-2 split. "We don't allow smoking in our facilities," he said. "I don't know why we would allow e-cigarettes." (Read more: Politics & Government News |)

Barton County to get more funds to cover flood damage costs

info2018-06-13T10:10:40-05:00June 13th, 2018|

It was a bit of good news. Barton County is eligible to receive more federal dollars to cover damage to roads and bridges following the flooding two years ago this spring, County Engineer Barry McManaman told the County Commission Monday morning. “I think it’s a good deal for the county,” he said. The roughly $8,400 is federal money funneled through the Kansas Department of Transportation. “We can’t say no to more money,” commission Chairwoman Jennifer Schartz said. Barton County experienced damage to various roads and bridges after flooding in May and June, 2015, totalling an estimated $133,635.52. Both the county and [...]

Shawnee approves public finance incentives district for proposed Bellmont Promenade project

info2018-06-13T09:04:53-05:00June 13th, 2018|

Shawnee has taken a significant step to move the proposed Bellmont Promenade project at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Maurer Road forward, approving the creation of a redevelopment district that could ultimately provide the developer with millions in public finance incentives. The Shawnee council voted 6-1 at its Monday meeting to approve establishing the Bellmont Promenade Redevelopment District, a 26-acre stretch of land adjacent to the highly-trafficked I-435 corridor. The council had approved the creation of similar districts last year, but the developer ended up revising the plan. Council member Mike Kemmling voted no. Council member Justin Adrian was absent. (Read more: [...]

Goal is to keep Antioch library branch and new community center together

info2018-06-12T07:08:56-05:00June 12th, 2018|

The city of Merriam and the Johnson County Library will present results of an agreed upon site plan for a proposed shared site with its Antioch branch and the city’s new community center slated to open in 2020. The results come after a joint study in which both parties examined options to co-locate. After listening to the board’s feedback, both parties decided against the first plan and said they were “hopeful” they would find a solution that satisfies the city and the library. The “sticking point” for the plan to work, Casserley says, is that both buildings are adjacent, giving visitors [...]

Pretty Prairie saves small town theater for the future

info2018-06-12T07:03:20-05:00June 12th, 2018|

Five years after the roof of Pretty Prairie’s theater blew off in a storm, it’s back in business and operated by local high school students. For more than 30 years it was known as Pretty Prairie Civic Theatre but has been renamed the Blue Shoes Theatre because the words “Blue Shoes,” were painted on the bricks above the Collingwood General Merchandising store and spotted by Cliff Wray in a historic photograph. It was Wray, from Hutchinson, who restored the building before handing it over to the high school’s entrepreneur, career, and technical management classes. Wray was concerned when he heard talk [...]

Analyst: Wichita must change its thinking to stop decline, start to grow

info2018-06-12T06:59:55-05:00June 12th, 2018|

Wichita has to fundamentally change its approach to growth, or the stagnation that has plagued the city for decades will continue, a Wichita-raised and Harvard-trained economic analyst said Monday. While other cities across the Midwest have grown significantly over the past decade in a thriving economy, Wichita has actually declined, James Chung said Monday during a presentation that drew gasps at times from an overflow crowd at the new Advanced Learning Library. "The market is saying very clearly that the Wichita way is not working," Chung said after his final report on the city's strengths, problems and potential. The city has [...]

WPD reports record low number of arrests at Wichita Riverfest

info2018-06-12T06:49:29-05:00June 12th, 2018|

The 2018 Wichita Riverfestival was the city's best yet, at least when it comes to crime statistics from the Wichita Police Department. At its daily briefing Monday, Wichita police reported taking 14 cases with two arrests made during the festival. WPD Public Information Officer Charlie Davidson says this is a record low for cases and arrests at the Riverfest. He says police assisted with the first arresting case that involved a minor in possession of alcohol and obstruction. Police made the second arrest at the tail end of Riverfest. (Read more: KWCH News)