News – Page 478 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

From toxic sludge to lush park? Johnson County weighs cost of taking over old factory

info2024-03-25T11:04:05-05:00March 25th, 2024|

Tucked away in southeastern Johnson County, a wooded path curves around the Blue River. The quiet pocket of nature has become a makeshift bike trail for some, and a tempting after-school hangout for nearby Blue Valley students. But abandoned since the 1990s when it was the site of a multi-million-dollar environmental cleanup, the land also has seen explorers get injured, and a fatal crash at the railroad tracks near it. Now, conservationists and some local officials are urging Johnson County to take over the 35-acre site near 164th Street and Mission Road. They want the county to turn it into a [...]

City of Goddard plans to build pedestrian bridge across highway 54

info2024-03-25T11:02:35-05:00March 25th, 2024|

The Goddard city council has approved plans to build a pedestrian bridge going over highway 54 in order to give citizens a safe way to cross from the north side to the south side. Walking across highway 54 is dangerous with lots of cars driving through at all hours of the day. There are already signs telling people not to cross but people do it anyway. That's why people who live in Goddard want a pedestrian bridge to go across the highway. "We've lived here for almost 11 years and it's always a topic of conversation either within the city or [...]

Roofing manufacturer bringing 150 jobs to Newton

info2024-03-25T11:00:55-05:00March 25th, 2024|

Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that GAF, a Standard Industries company and North America’s largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, will invest more than $300 million in Newton by constructing a new shingle plant. The estimated 275,000-square-foot facility will create more than 130 high-skilled manufacturing jobs in management, engineering, and operations. GAF has more than 4,800 employees and operates in 30 locations across the U.S. producing commercial and residential roofing and waterproofing products and services for customers throughout North America. The Kansas Logistics Parks in Newton will be the company’s first location in Kansas. With one in four homes in the United [...]

German company to join Panasonic mega development in De Soto with $110M battery plant

info2024-03-25T10:59:14-05:00March 25th, 2024|

A German company is joining the massive Panasonic development in De Soto, to work on site producing containers for the company’s electric vehicle batteries. H&T Recharge leaders say the company will be a supplier for Panasonic’s battery plant, working in De Soto through a “factory-in-factory approach.” Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced the development this week, saying the company is expected to invest $110 million and create 180 new jobs in De Soto. “My administration is dedicated to making Kansas the best place for businesses to start or grow,” Kelly said in a news release. “H&T’s decision to co-locate with Panasonic is [...]

Geographic wonders: Sign up for poster project and illustrate beauty of JoCo’s parks

info2024-03-25T10:56:44-05:00March 25th, 2024|

If you have artistic talents and want a place to show them off, Johnson County Park & Recreation has a project for you. It’s gearing up for its second annual poster project promoting local parks. Applications to be part of it are due March 26. Styled after the Works Progress Administration posters for national parks of the late 1930s and early 1940s, this year’s batch of posters will feature Antioch Park, Ernie Miller Park, Mill Creek Streamway Park and Stilwell Community Park. The idea is to make sure the parks “represented geographic diversity across Johnson County, some of our older parks [...]

Pittsburg adopts stricter lawn parking rules

info2024-03-25T10:55:00-05:00March 25th, 2024|

Pittsburg city commissioners approve a measure keeping vehicles off of lawns. At a commission meeting earlier this month, an ordinance banning the parking of vehicles on lawns, grass, or landscaped areas was adopted by commissioners. City leaders say several factors led to the move, including vehicle safety, environmental concerns, and the impact on city infrastructure and utilities. "When there are vehicles, whether they're inoperable or they're operable, they're running vehicles, or they're used daily parked in the front of a home, in the yard, you know, that's going to be where your utilities are running. That's not meant to have a vehicle on [...]

Bourbon County’s sales tax vote approaches

info2024-03-25T10:53:49-05:00March 25th, 2024|

In less than two months, Bourbon County residents will head to the polls to decide the fate of a county-wide sales tax. "We want the public involved in this. We want them to help make this decision. That's why we put it to a vote," said Jim Harris, Bourbon County Commissioners Chairman. The one-quarter cent tax would be used to establish and operate an emergency department in Bourbon County. "We're negotiating today with health care providers. We've got to show that we will have some funding to sign agreements with them because they're not going to come here and $750,000 a year just because [...]

Governor Kelly Announces More than $76M Investment by Marvin, Creating 600 Jobs in Kansas City, Kansas

info2024-03-25T10:52:28-05:00March 25th, 2024|

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that Marvin, a premium manufacturer of windows and doors, has selected Kansas City, Kansas, as the future home of its latest manufacturing facility. Marvin is investing $76.5 million to build a 400,000-square-foot facility in the Scannell 435 Logistics Center. Upon completion in 2025, Marvin anticipates employing approximately 100 team members in full-time positions across its manufacturing, fabrication, and assembly divisions to produce the company’s industry-leading fiberglass window and door solutions. With progressive annual growth, Marvin expects to employ a 600-person workforce in Kansas City by 2028. “Marvin’s investment emphasizes that my administration’s approach to attracting business into [...]

Gamblers excited for Golden Circle casino opening in Park City next year

info2024-03-25T10:49:40-05:00March 25th, 2024|

This week, the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission gave an update on when to expect the highly anticipated Golden Circle to open in Park City. "Just the thrill of it all, you know. Just the unknown. Not knowing if you're going to win or lose," said Kim Craig. People who enjoy spending time and money at slot machines have different reasons for why they do it. For Craig, it's about more than just the thrill. "Just the getaway. It's a getaway. It's like, you don't have to think of anything else while you're in there," said Craig. That's why she was [...]

Wichita breaks ground on new wastewater facility

info2024-03-25T10:43:02-05:00March 25th, 2024|

On Friday, the City of Wichita broke ground on a new wastewater center, which is part of the Biological Nutrient Removal program (BNR). The BNR is the second-largest infrastructure investment in the city’s history, costing $357 million. The project is expected to be completed by 2027. The project is focused on improving the Arkansas River water quality, rehabilitating critical infrastructure and addressing the strong odor that has plagued the southside of Wichita for years. "The smell gets like stronger and stronger depending on like the week, and it gets like I'm just so nose blind, I don't really smell it anymore, but I see [...]