News – Page 485 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Book power: Johnson County program helps children in courthouse ‘feel not alone’

info2024-06-07T15:35:32-05:00June 7th, 2024|

Going to a courtroom can be scary, especially for children at the center of custody cases. Getting a small gift can help to take some of the fear out of the experience. That’s where Courtroom Assisted Reading Encouragement (CARE) comes in to help. Those in charge of the program maintain a small book collection in the Johnson County Courthouse in Olathe, and any child who comes through Judge Kathleen Sloan’s courtroom gets the opportunity to pick a volume to take home and keep. “They get to end their day that probably started in the courtroom with entering this room and experiencing this very [...]

Rules for backyard chickens in Johnson County keep evolving. Which cities allow them?

info2024-06-07T15:34:31-05:00June 7th, 2024|

When the weather heats up and people in Johnson County start looking for new projects, questions about backyard chickens start popping up. In Johnson County, the rules for owning backyard chickens varies from city to city, which can cause confusion for both residents and city officials. For example, the City of Leawood strictly prohibits the ownership of backyard chickens, while officials with the City of Shawnee look at it as something that encourages empathy and responsibility. “We’ve had awesome luck with it,” said Scott Hunter, community service officer for the Shawnee Police Department. In Lenexa, livestock and poultry are permitted in three zoning districts — Agricultural [...]

New education center in Southeast Kansas aims to transform lives

info2024-06-07T15:32:50-05:00June 7th, 2024|

A new Southeast Kansas education center is looking to provide more resources for students and young adults struggling with behavioral issues. "I just can't imagine the feeling of no one being there, no one supporting you, no one loving you, knowing no one believing in you. And I really felt like my heart led me to the Second Chance Education Center," said Mandy Monroy, Second Chance Education Center owner. The Second Chance Education Center in Parsons aims to help kids who have been suspended, who are bouncing around from district to district for behavioral reasons, or young adults who previously dropped out. "In [...]

Lenexa is launching a pilot property tax rebate program

info2024-06-07T15:32:04-05:00June 7th, 2024|

Lenexa is planning to launch a pilot program that will provide $100,000 in property tax relief for older homeowners in the area. On Tuesday, the Lenexa City Council unanimously approved a Governing Body Finance Policy for a Property Tax Rebate Program intended to provide property tax relief for eligible homeowners. The program is intended to provide property tax relief for eligible older homeowners and lessen the tax burden resulting from rising home values. The program has been in talks for about a year. “This is great,” said Councilmember Courtney Eiterich. “I know we’ve hashed through a lot of different scenarios on this, and I’m [...]

Wichita Police Department Mounted Unit welcomes new Clydesdale

info2024-06-07T15:31:14-05:00June 7th, 2024|

The Wichita Police Department Mounted United has welcomed Bobbi, a 3-year-old Clydesdale mare. Bobbi was able to be acquired thanks to a collaboration between the WPD, Wichita Police & Fire Foundation, Cowskin Creek Clydesdales, and a local donor. "Their support has made it possible for Bobbi to join our ranks and contribute to our mission of ensuring the safety and security of our community," said the WPD. Bobbi will start her journey with the WPD by going through comprehensive training. "... she will learn the essential skills required to serve alongside her fellow officers," said the WPD. Bobbi will play a crucial role in enhancing [...]

Survey work begins for next phase of East Kellogg expansion

info2024-06-07T15:26:58-05:00June 7th, 2024|

The Kansas Department of Transportation says a geological field survey has started for the next phase of the East Kellogg expansion project in Wichita. The survey is focused on the section of Kellogg from the K-96 interchange to 159th Street East (Andover Road), and it should be completed by August. Survey activities will include coring the roadway and base material for analysis. Traffic control measures will be taken while crews are drilling for the assessment. Drivers should expect temporary single lane and shoulder lane closures, and they’re advised to stay alert and watch for survey workers and expect delays. Source: 101.3 KFDI

Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $4M Awarded through Broadband ADOPT Program

info2024-06-07T15:21:06-05:00June 7th, 2024|

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that seven organizations will receive a combined $3.9 million in grants through the Advancing Digital Opportunities to Promote Technology (ADOPT) program. ADOPT supports the Kelly administration’s work to connect more Kansans to high-speed internet by making public Wi-Fi accessible and distributing devices in underserved areas. “Kansans rely on technology for work, school, health care, and connecting to each other,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The ADOPT grants support community organizations in our shared mission to connect more people to the internet and critical digital skills.” The program helps organizations serving Kansans move forward by ensuring that communities can access public [...]

Sedgwick County expects report soon on solar regulations

info2024-06-07T15:20:02-05:00June 7th, 2024|

Sedgwick County Commissioners heard an update Wednesday on the process of adopting regulations governing large-scale solar energy projects, and they voted to delay action until early August. The county has hired a consulting team with expertise on solar power issues to work with staff and gather insights and perspectives on proposed changes to the Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Zoning Code. Justin Constantino with the Metropolitan Area Planning Department said a draft document is expected from the Berkley Group later this month or in July. Commissioners approved a moratorium on utility or commercial solar projects until September 13th. Constantino said it’s expected that staff will have [...]

City Commission establishes new downtown parking program

info2024-06-07T15:18:21-05:00June 7th, 2024|

The Manhattan City Commission approved a resolution Tuesday night that establishes the Downtown Convention Parking Program for this year. Starting August 1st, the city will begin charging parking fees for the downtown garage. The action Tuesday will allocate transient guest tax, TGT, money to annually cover parking for conventions held in downtown Manhattan through the end of 2028. The approved resolution will allocate $115,000 to the Chamber’s Convention and Visitors Bureau and the commission has authority to change that amount every year. Although the resolution passed unanimously, some noted they want to meet with Chamber officials next month to possibly amend the program [...]

Overland Park plans to make all of its operations sustainable — but how?

info2024-06-07T15:17:15-05:00June 7th, 2024|

Overland Park is among a small group of cities selected to be in the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Cities Local Government Leadership Program 2024 cohort. LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green building rating standard that’s been used on thousands of structures in the U.S. in the public and private sectors, though some reports suggest the standard is imperfect. The building council also offers a certification program for judging jurisdictional sustainability beyond just physical structures, which is what Overland Park is currently undergoing this year. Previously, the LEED for Cities program was called the STAR Community Rating System. Lara Isch, [...]