News – Page 40 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Douglas County is going dark. Law enforcement will soon encrypt emergency radio traffic

info2024-10-02T10:07:01-05:00October 2nd, 2024|

Area law enforcement calls will no longer be broadcast on emergency radios — aka scanners — starting Tuesday, Oct. 15. The change means that for most law enforcement incidents within Lawrence city limits, there will be nowhere for the public to turn for immediate information. That includes media — reporters will not be able to access law enforcement’s radio traffic to cover incidents as they’re unfolding and help inform the public, either. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced the planned change Tuesday morning. Source: The Lawrence Times

Panel to discuss proposed changes to Lawrence city government

info2024-10-02T10:04:10-05:00October 2nd, 2024|

A major change to the structure of Lawrence’s city government is on the upcoming general election ballot, and voters will have a chance to learn more about the potential impact. The discussion is set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 in the Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vermont St. If Lawrence voters approve, the proposal would introduce four district seats and two at-large seats on the Lawrence City Commission, along with a directly elected mayor. A panel will explore the pros and cons of the potential change, featuring former city commissioner Courtney Shipley and former candidate Dustin Stumblingbear, co-hosts [...]

Governor Kelly Announces Applications to Open for $451.7M Internet Initiative

info2024-10-02T10:02:41-05:00October 2nd, 2024|

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that applications will open on Oct. 21 for the National Telecommunications Information and Administration (NTIA) Internet for All initiative. With the launch of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, the Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) will begin taking applications to deploy the $451.7 million allocated to bring high-speed internet to all Kansans. “My administration is dedicated to making Kansas a top 10 state for broadband by 2030,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Our state continues to build on this critical infrastructure, connecting communities and innovators. This historic investment will have a long-lasting impact across [...]

Wichita begins driver’s license reinstatement program

info2024-10-02T10:01:32-05:00October 2nd, 2024|

Wichita Municipal Court has started a new program to help residents get their driver’s licenses back after a suspension. The Wichita Area Restoration Program (WARP) will offer three services to help people who want to get their license back to a legal good standing. Residents can get help by visiting the WARP office at City Hall, 455 North Main. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Source: 101.3 KFDI

County commissioners agree on setbacks for solar developments

info2024-10-02T09:58:13-05:00October 2nd, 2024|

Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday agreed on a recommendation for setback requirements for solar developments the commission signed agreements with in late 2023. Commissioners approved a motion by Commissioner Clifton Beth to allow Chairman Jim Harris to meet with a representative of NextEra Energy Resources to renegotiate setbacks for existing contracts for solar developments in the southwest part of the county. The commission also agreed to allow Harris to discuss the county’s donation agreement with the company. Source: Fort Scott Tribune

Historical Society’s Cemetery Walking Tours return next week

info2024-10-02T09:57:25-05:00October 2nd, 2024|

The Finney County Historical Society and Museum’s Historic Walking Tours of Valley View Cemetery have returned. The tours are back after not being held in 2023. Steve Quakenbush, Executive Director of the Finney County Historical Society and Museum, said they weren’t held last year due to an employee health situation that made it impossible to do the tours. “We would have done them otherwise,” he said. “It wasn’t that we had planned to stop doing them, we just had a health situation that just didn’t allow us to guide and run the tours. So, we’re back.” Two tours will be held [...]

Regulation changes could help child care shortage

info2024-10-02T09:55:35-05:00October 2nd, 2024|

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recently made over 30 updates to the regulations for childcare. Tammy Deppershmidt is a childcare licensing provider for the Reno County Health Department, which is in charge of licensing for Harvey County, as well. Deppershmidt said, in her opinion, the changes were necessary. “The licensing law was outdated for child care,” Deppershmidt said. “It was time to get it up to date with new stuff.” Deppershmidt said the state department reached out to providers for feedback on what changes needed to be made. “The process was started to make it public and to have [...]

Frederick takes over as new Bentley city clerk

info2024-10-02T09:53:32-05:00October 2nd, 2024|

From the thriving, fast-paced, big city life of San Diego then Boise, new Bentley City Clerk Lisa Frederick had no idea the small town Kansas lifestyle was going to come calling. But it did, and the new face in the Bentley City Office has embraced the slower pace. “I am a project manager by trade, which is high stress, quick response, patience to manage many trades, budgets, timelines,” she said. “When this position opened, I thought, ‘Wow, maybe that is something I would be able to do and just down the street from my home. Who could ask for more?’ I [...]

County unveils tentative new comprehensive plan

info2024-10-02T09:51:09-05:00October 2nd, 2024|

After four years of work, the Harvey County Planning and Zoning Department has revealed a new comprehensive plan. “It’s the big picture of what direction the county wants to go,” said Karen Rothe, director of the planning and zoning department. The county is holding a public hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. in the county courthouse. Rothe said this is an opportunity for members of the public to give more feedback before the plan is finalized. “This is a chance for people to speak up and say, ‘I saw this was a goal in here, and I don’t agree [...]

This JoCo city OKs $340K purchase for new police cameras

info2024-10-02T09:48:34-05:00October 2nd, 2024|

The Merriam Police Department is getting new body and patrol car cameras. Last week, the Merriam City Council unanimously approved a $340,000 purchase for new body cameras and fleet cameras from Arizona-based camera and taser company Axon. This comes about five years after the last purchase of new cameras for the police department from a company that was recently bought out. Chief Darren McLaughlin previously told the Post that Merriam first deployed body cameras to police officers in 2009. Source: Johnson County Post