News – Page 2462 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Neosho County discusses effect of Neighborhood Revitalization

info2018-06-04T06:41:42-05:00June 4th, 2018|

Neosho County’s budget forecast looked mixed after Appraiser Bob McElroy gave county commissioners the preliminary valuation figures Friday morning. The overall taxable property is up $2.7 million, but that does not count the impact of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program. McElroy said a lot of the new construction is under the Neighborhood Revitalization Program, and that worried Commissioner David Bideau. He said the NRP might cause a net decrease in the tax base. “We’re underwater,” he said. The Neighborhood Revitalization Program provides development incentives by rebating a percentage of the tax increase caused by improvements. The county collects the increase, then refunds [...]

Hays City Band to kick off summer season under new director

info2018-06-04T06:23:13-05:00June 4th, 2018|

The Hays City Band is organizing for the summer season on the direction of new Fort Hays State University professor Peter Lillpopp. The band accepts community members high school age and older of all skill levels. The band will play a range of music, including Sousa marches, jazz, movie scores and tunes from Broadway musicals. “I really like it when I go into to communities and they have something going on downtown, and if it is great music, even better,” Lillpopp said during an interview this week on the KAYS Morning Show. “It really showcases the community and community pride. It [...]

Salina city manager takes job in Springfield

info2018-06-04T06:17:28-05:00June 4th, 2018|

The longtime city manager in Salina will take over the top administrative job in the city of Springfield, Missouri. Gage has been city manager in Salina for 13 years. Before that he was city manager in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and De Soto, Missouri. Gage is a graduate of Missouri Southern State College in Joplin. He has a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. The Springfield News-Leader reports that the selection of Jason Gage as city manager was announced Friday. (Read more: The Salina Post)

Cowley County Administrator gets new job contract

info2018-06-04T05:33:46-05:00June 4th, 2018|

Cowley County commissioners on Tuesday approved a four-year contract for Cowley County Administrator Lucas Goff ... Goff said his previous contract was for two years, but he requested this one be for four years because “I didn’t want to go anywhere. I think a lot of good things can be done. Four years is security for the board and for me.” The four-year contract does not include a pay increase but has some minor changes to it, Goff said. He was hired in January 2017, replacing former administrator Jeremy Willmoth, who is now city manager of Winfield. Commissioner Wayne Wilt said [...]

Salina to hear proposed changes to incentive districts

info2018-06-04T04:59:41-05:00June 4th, 2018|

Salina city commissioners will hold a public hearing on whether to adopt changes to the Neighborhood Revitalization Area when they meet in regular session at 4 p.m. Monday in Room 107 of the City-County Building. Changes include some boundaries and the addition of a new classification, Projects of Exceptional Community Significance. That classification would allow the developers of Lee Hardware Lofts to take advantage of additional tax incentives. (Read more: News - Salina Journal)

Law enforcement is family tradition for new Emporia ACO

info2018-06-04T03:57:40-05:00June 4th, 2018|

“I’m just kind of testing the waters,” Emporia Police Department Animal Control Officer Reagan McClellan said. Growing up, the Lyon County native said she wanted to be a game warden, but had many family members in law enforcement. She has a degree in Criminal Justice, so finding herself working for her hometown police department is not a huge twist in her life story. For about two months now, McClellan has been training as an animal control officer with Lyon County Sheriff’s Deputy Felipe Perez and Emporia Police Officer Jaffar Agha. “Through college, I always talked about becoming a cop or something [...]

Black bears sighted in Southeast Kansas

info2018-06-01T07:25:24-05:00June 1st, 2018|

Black bears have been spotted in Southeast Kansas in recent years and most recently in southern Crawford County. Crawford County Sheriff Dan Peak announced this week that the public recently turned in multiple sightings of a black bear in the county. He reported that black bears have been seen in neighboring counties as well. Peak said the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism indicates these sightings are likely to increase. He said his office will respond to sightings but will not take action unless the bear poses a serious threat to public safety or property. Matt Peek, a surveyor biologist [...]

Sears to close Topeka store as part of national plans

info2018-06-01T07:20:45-05:00June 1st, 2018|

Sears Holdings Corp. plans to close its store in Topeka as part of a nationwide reorganization. The store is expected to close in September. That will leave the Wichita store as the only remaining traditional Sears store in Kansas. (Read more: KOAM - Local News)

Construction to start soon on children’s golf campus at Wichita golf course

info2018-06-01T07:18:15-05:00June 1st, 2018|

A $1.5 million addition to the western edge of MacDonald Park Golf Course will be a new hub for children's golf in Wichita. The project should take about a year to finish. The planned campus is being created by The First Tee of Greater Wichita, which aims to give children the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of golf while building character. The children’s campus will include a driving range with a 10,300-square-foot practice tee, 17 all-weather tees, a 6,000-square-foot putting green, a 3,000-square-foot chipping green, and a practice bunker. Although the campus will be open to the general public, Compton said [...]

City of Augusta celebrates pool re-opening

info2018-06-01T07:11:02-05:00June 1st, 2018|

The Augusta Municipal Swimming Pool is officially ready and open for the summer season following some needed improvements. City officials, staff and residents attended a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday evening. Augusta Mayor Mike Rawlings spoke briefly before cutting the ribbon. (Read more: Augusta Gazette)