News – Page 298 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

‘Time to turn the page’: Attempt to recall Prairie Village mayor after housing saga fails

info2024-08-21T10:02:09-05:00August 21st, 2024|

An attempt to recall Prairie Village Mayor Eric Mikkelson will not move forward after a group — unhappy with the city’s efforts to address its shortage of affordable housing — did not collect enough signatures to place the initiative on the ballot. “Time to turn the page,” Mikkelson said in a statement to The Star. “We move forward best when actually united.” It was a group of residents’ ninth attempt at recalling the mayor in recent months, as the northeast Johnson County city has been embroiled in controversy over officials’ consideration of adjusting zoning laws to allow for a wider variety [...]

City council approves ordinance changes for short-term rentals, purchasing of naming rights

info2024-08-21T09:59:03-05:00August 21st, 2024|

On Tuesday, the Wichita City Council approved the city budget for 2025, as well as several other items, including ordinance changes for short-term rentals and the purchasing of naming rights. The Wichita City Council approved ordinance changes regarding short-term rentals like Airbnbs. The changes make the renter responsible for issues like underage drinking, property damage, and illegal fireworks at a “nuisance party,” defined as “a social gathering of five or more people on a residential property in which certain nuisance-type activities occur.” The council will revisit who is responsible for dispersing parties if the police come during their meeting on Sept. [...]

Parsons PD receives safety tool donation to boost officer visibility

info2024-08-21T09:56:40-05:00August 21st, 2024|

Flashing lights could be the thing that saves a police officer’s life. “During those periods when officers are out working traffic crashes and other incidents in the middle of the night, they need to be seen,” said Robert Spinks, Parsons Kansas Police Chief. Visibility and more safety are a couple of important things the Parsons Police Department will now be able to increase with the help of a new tool. “This is an opportunity where we’re taking custody of enough Guardian Angel devices to equip all of our patrol officers,” said Spinks. On Monday, Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks announced the [...]

Topeka city council urges tax entities to keep rates low

info2024-08-21T09:54:31-05:00August 21st, 2024|

The Topeka City Council unanimously passed a resolution to urge all local tax entities to keep property tax rates as low as possible for homeowners and renters. The resolution was brought by District 8 City Councilman Spencer Duncan last month after the council chose to ignore a tax petition brought by Earl McIntosh. McIntosh is now suing the city over that decision. The Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority (TMTA) is one of several entities that influence property taxes in Shawnee County. Rod Miller, a TMTA board member, presented at the council meeting to explain why their operating costs are forcing them to [...]

Kansans raise concerns over government’s proposed transmission line corridor

info2024-08-21T09:52:00-05:00August 21st, 2024|

A proposed electric transmission corridor that could run through Kansas is prompting questions from Kansans. The Pawnee County community met at the Larned Community Center Thursday evening to ask those questions, share their stories, and share their concerns. “I’m really concerned because this is our house. This is our home,” said one resident who spoke during the meeting. “How long have you known about this going to happen? When did we find out? A lot of us did this week. We didn’t even understand or know anything about this. It hit us in the face. This has been in process. Why [...]

Topeka releases results of new police chief survey

info2024-08-21T09:49:04-05:00August 21st, 2024|

The City of Topeka has released the findings from public sessions as part of the hiring process for a new police chief. From July 22 to Aug. 3, the City of Topeka collected 260 responses to the community survey. Three public sessions were also hosted where citizens could share their thoughts. “The community emphasized the need for a police chief who values communication, transparency, and community engagement, with a focus on reducing crime, improving public safety, and addressing mental health and homelessness,” City Manager Dr. Robert Perez said. “We will use this feedback from community members to make sure we find [...]

Great Bend dealing with trash, dead animals dumped at compost

info2024-08-21T08:09:37-05:00August 21st, 2024|

Issues at the compost site caused the City of Great Bend to release a press release Monday on the proper usage of the site south of town. Permitted by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the compost site is only permitted to take trees, tree limbs, grass and leaves. City Administrator Logan Burns said the compost site has been receiving banned material such as construction material, processed lumber, tires, household trash and even dead animals. Source: Great Bend Post

Report predicts Kansas population will grow by half-million in 50 years

info2024-08-21T08:06:11-05:00August 21st, 2024|

Kansas’ population is expected to grow by nearly 500,000 people in the next 50 years, and non-white residents are predicted to drive that growth, a research center forecasts. A report from Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research said the state is predicted to add more than 469,000 residents by 2072, which will amount to a 16% increase from the state’s 2022 population. Source: Little Apple Post and CEDBR

32-mile stretch of I-70 to close next month despite objections, safety concerns

info2024-08-21T08:01:41-05:00August 21st, 2024|

The Sheridan County Sheriff’s Department said this week that the Kansas Department of Transportation will close a 32-mile stretch of I-70 for one day next month for the removal of the 150th Avenue bridge in Trego County. ... The Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office said the initial plan was to close I-70 from the Levant exit, No. 45, to WaKeeney. Sheridan County objected to the change because it believes part of the detour route on K-23 is unsustainable for heavy traffic because of its numerous hills and lack of shoulders and because no wide loads will be able to travel north or [...]

Derby: Conservation efforts paying off in drought response

info2024-08-21T07:59:44-05:00August 21st, 2024|

In the first two weeks of mandator water restrictions, the City of Derby is among Wichita-area communities reporting a significant water usage reduction. The City of Derby reports a 44% reduction in water usage already. Early this month, the City of Wichita announced that it was moving into Stage 2 of its drought response plan due to lowering levels of Cheney Lake, a main water source for the city. In turn, Wichita water customers, including several surrounding communities, followed suit with restrictions. Derby is Wichita’s largest water customer. Source: KWCH