News – Page 373 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Debate over homeless shelter at Lenexa hotel has echoes of past dispute

info2024-09-04T09:51:37-05:00September 4th, 2024|

The current debate raging over a proposed county homeless shelter at a repurposed Lenexa hotel has echoes of a legal battle the city had over a previous homeless shelter. On Monday night, a Lenexa Planning Commission meeting centered around a Special Use Permit to turn the site of a La Quinta Inn and former Denny’s into a county homeless shelter featured frequent references to a previous controversy over Project 1020, the only other homeless shelter in the city serving single adults. “I love our city and county, but I think we’ve turned a blind eye to our homeless for way too [...]

Overland Park names its new police chief, the first woman to lead the department

info2024-09-04T09:48:28-05:00September 4th, 2024|

Overland Park has named Doreen Jokerst, leader of the University of Colorado Boulder Police Department, as its next police chief. She will be the first woman to run the department. Jokerst, who has served for six years as the assistant vice chancellor for public safety and chief of police overseeing the Boulder campus, will replace former Overland Park police chief Frank Donchez, who resigned last year. The city spent several months conducting a national search for a new leader for the department, which included hearing from community organizations and neighborhood groups. “Doreen brings vast experience to our team, with service and [...]

Northwest Kansas needs housing. New funding could spur growth.

info2024-09-04T09:45:55-05:00September 4th, 2024|

A lack of housing is a barrier to growth in northwest Kansas, where about half of the housing stock was built prior to the 1950s. With the region in need of new homes, a fresh funding initiative aims to address regional gaps. The Kansas Legislature passed a budget for fiscal year 2025, which began in July, that includes a provision to transfer $7.3 million from special revenue funds to the Northwest Kansas Housing Economic Development Fund. That money will be spread across a few construction projects: The City of Atwood will receive $750,000 for residential infrastructure improvements along South 7th Street. [...]

Arma City Library plans to upgrade building

info2024-09-04T09:42:25-05:00September 4th, 2024|

The Arma City Library is trying to upgrade its building. Its more than a place to borrow books, the library allows for internet access, obtaining food from their pantry, and provides a meeting place for local residents. “It became a rather expensive adventure for the city itself,” said Bette Lessen, City Clerk. The library building was a bowling alley in the past and Brenda Banks, the library director, says the building is approximately 100 years old. The building has experienced mold problems in the past and the removal of the mold has led to having to repair the walls and sheet [...]

Ellis County opening winter shelter in Hays

info2024-09-04T09:40:58-05:00September 4th, 2024|

Ellis County is opening its first winter shelter this year at Hays First Baptist Church. The Ellis County Ministerial Alliance will operate the shelter, which will open when the temperature drops to 20 degrees or lower and when there is a need, including for stranded travelers. The Ellis County Ministerial Alliance is recruiting volunteers to run the shelter. The first meeting is Sept. 10 at the Hays First Baptist Church. Source: KSN-TV

Great Bend schools get $15,000 grant to help homeless students

info2024-09-04T09:39:57-05:00September 4th, 2024|

USD 428 in Great Bend has secured a $15,000 grant that will help homeless students in the school district. The money comes from the McKinney-Vento Homeless grant, which Director of Teaching and Learning JoAnn Blevins helped secure for the school district. The McKinney-Vento grant comes from the U.S. Department of Education. Its purpose is to remove barriers from unhoused children and youth so everyone has equal access to free and public education “We applied for the max amount that we could apply for, which was $15,000, and so that’s what I applied for, and that’s what we were lucky enough to [...]

Dodge City facility addresses mental and addiction together

info2024-09-04T09:37:55-05:00September 4th, 2024|

The recovery community has built a sturdy foundation throughout the state, and a western Kansas mental health facility is seeing that addressing both mental health and addiction simultaneously in young people can help prevent future battles. Compass Behavioral Health in Dodge City is utilizing its employees to help people start their journey. “There was an opening for a peer support specialist, so I was like, you know, I’m going to get into that field and give back to people,” Seth McGinnes, a peer support specialist, said. The facility provides support for mental health and addiction and aims to give young people [...]

Why flags will be at half-staff on Wednesday

info2024-09-04T09:34:42-05:00September 4th, 2024|

Governor Laura Kelly has directed flags to be flown at half-staff throughout Kansas on Wednesday, Sept. 4, in honor of Arkansas City Firefighter Trevor Rusk. Rusk died while off-duty on Aug. 24. However, since it was less than 24 hours since his last shift, it is considered a line-of-duty death. Rusk served the Arkansas City Fire Department since June 5, 2023. The ACFD said a visitation service will be held tonight, Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. at First Assembly of God, 3125 N. Summit St., Arkansas City. The memorial service will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 4, at [...]

‘Goat on the lam’: Lawrence police wrangle goat causing traffic problems

info2024-09-04T09:33:08-05:00September 4th, 2024|

A local goat who’s been “on the lam” for the last few days, frightening Lawrence drivers and bystanders, was detained by the Lawrence Kansas Police Department (LKPD). On Thursday, the LKPD shared body camera footage of the tussle. The footage shows a goat pinned in an alleyway between two houses. A Lawrence police officer lassos and tackles the goat before returning it to its rightful owner. “It turns out when it comes to lasso skills, we have a GOAT of our own here at LKPD — and not the kind that eats hay,” the LKPD wrote on YouTube. You can watch [...]

Backhoe operators from all over Kansas compete in Wichita

info2024-09-04T09:31:10-05:00September 4th, 2024|

On Wednesday, 700 backhoe operators were in Wichita, showing off the skills necessary to do the job. The Backhoe Rodeo tests the skills of equipment operators, and it’s timed and judged on performance. “It just gives the operators a chance to come out and demonstrate their skill or get on a new piece of equipment that might be different from what they’re used to operating at home,” said Dan Defore, the water superintendent for the City of Winfield. This battle is part of a conference for people working in water and wastewater management. “There is education on drought preparedness, and there’s [...]