News – Page 392 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Is Zoning Government’s ‘Most Significant Regulatory Power’?

info2024-10-15T13:14:36-05:00October 15th, 2024|

Eight in 10 Americans live in a city, and zoning determines their daily experience of life in ways that few realize. Sara Bronin, an architect, lawyer, academic and historical preservation expert, has written a book, Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World, to raise awareness of the essential role of zoning in making cities healthy, sustainable and enjoyable places to live. “By and large, people think of zoning as an often-bewildering set of rules enshrined in inscrutable maps and regulations,” Bronin writes. She grew up in Houston, the only large city in the country without zoning, but became a [...]

Sedgwick, Reno, Harvey counties placed in emergency drought status

info2024-10-15T13:12:16-05:00October 15th, 2024|

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has released an updated drought declaration that places three counties, Sedgwick, Reno and Harvey, into an emergency status. Kingman, Harper, Sumner and Cowley counties are in a warning status, while Butler, Rice, McPherson, Marion and Chase counties are in a drought watch. In a statement issued Friday, Governor Kelly said, “Drought conditions have persisted across the state through the summer season, and Kansans are continuing to see the effects. With conditions expected to remain dry throughout the fall, Kansans should consider their water usage and take extra care to prevent wildfires.” The drought declaration placed three counties [...]

Bel Aire files lawsuit over Woodlawn project

info2024-10-15T13:10:57-05:00October 15th, 2024|

The City of Bel Aire has filed a lawsuit against an engineering firm, a planning firm and a construction company over the failure of pavement in a project to improve a section of Woodlawn. The suit claims professional negligence and a breach of contract resulted in pavement failures on a project to improve Woodlawn between 37th and 45th Streets North. The city is looking to recover damages to redesign and reconstruct the road, and the Kansas Department of Transportation has estimated that the cost could be between $3 million and $8 million. The lawsuit names Mid-Kansas Engineering Consultants (MKEC), Pearson Construction [...]

Riley County Fire Department working to protect against wildfires

info2024-10-15T13:09:40-05:00October 15th, 2024|

Local officials are seeking a grant that provides resources to help communities protect against wildfires. Together with the Kansas Forest Service, the Riley County Emergency Management and Fire Department applied for a Community Fire Defense Grant. “That protection plan is a guide for public entities and citizens on practices, techniques, things to keep in mind on how to prepare for or protect your property for a wildfire,” said Russel Stukey, Riley County emergency management director. Source: 1350 KMAN

Ark City set to install new welcome signs

info2024-10-15T13:08:28-05:00October 15th, 2024|

Ark City commissioners will consider a resolution to replace three city entrance welcome signs. If approved, new signs will be installed at the north, east and south entrances with a cost not to exceed $42,474.95. Several contractors would be involved in the project. Silverdale Stone would install the three signs; Sign Solutions would install the lettering on the bridge sign at the west entrance; and Alcon Lighting would install outdoor LED commercial lighting. There will be additional costs for in-house crews setting foundations and troughs along with the electrical work on the west bridge. Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Pawnee County will vote on liquor by the drink 30% rule

info2024-10-15T13:06:30-05:00October 15th, 2024|

With the start of advance voting beginning next Wednesday and the fact that most candidate races were decided at the close of the August Republican primary election, Pawnee County voters may wish to speed through their choices for the general election leading up to Election Day on Nov. 5. But before turning in their ballots, Pawnee County voters are advised to slow down, and check the back. Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett noted that last February, the Board of County Commissioners of Pawnee County determined that voters should be given a choice as to the appropriate restriction to the sale of [...]

Landlord Incentive Pilot Program concludes after two rounds of federal funding

info2024-10-15T13:05:30-05:00October 15th, 2024|

Johnson County’s Landlord Incentive Pilot Program, which was approved by the Board of County Commissioners on June 8, 2023 and launched on July 1, 2023, has successfully concluded. The pilot program provided landlords with financial incentives to rent their units to tenants using federally funded housing subsidy vouchers. The Board approved two rounds of federal grant funding, totaling $400,000, from July 2023 to Oct. 1, 2024. Both rounds of funding were successfully spent. The program was developed through a collaborative effort between local landlords and Johnson County Government. The county conducted surveys, listening sessions and a focus group to build partnerships [...]

Overland Park joins effort helping cities around the globe tackle hate

info2024-10-15T13:03:53-05:00October 15th, 2024|

Overland Park will participate in a pilot program with the Strong Cities Network designed to help communities prevent and combat hate, extremism, polarization and terrorism. Money to support the city’s participation in the pilot comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The city has been putting the pieces together on the pilot program for the past year. City officials plan to soon release a survey seeking to gather information about residents’ experiences with hate, extremism and polarization that have threatened their safety. “We are working to connect with anyone who has experienced hate or extremism to learn how to best [...]

Lenexa explores building new fire HQ on old city hall property

info2024-10-15T13:02:39-05:00October 15th, 2024|

The city of Lenexa is looking at renovating its old city hall property into a new headquarters for the Lenexa Fire Department. Currently home to a one-truck fire station, the city would like to demolish the old city hall building on the site near 87th Street Parkway and Monrovia Street and build a structure that would serve as the new headquarters for the department. “It cuts our response time to the 79th (Street) and Quivira corridor in half,” Lenexa Fire Chief Travis Vaughn said. “We’re in a time-based business where people get sicker or become more hurt and or the fire [...]

Shawnee Mission parents circulate petition calling for ‘phone free’ schools

info2024-10-15T13:01:27-05:00October 15th, 2024|

A group of Shawnee Mission School District parents has followed up their request for cell phone free schools with a petition to the school board. The petition, circulated since last week via Google forms, asks the board to create a clear policy on phones and electronic devices. As of last Thursday, it had 300 signatures, said Allison Brimblecom, one of three signers. The petition springs from an “action meeting” of Shawnee Mission district parents and teachers last Tuesday that was attended by 40 or 50, Brimblecom said. Although it doesn’t give specifics of how the policy should look, “our hope is [...]