News – Page 615 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Kansas counties eager for lawmakers to resurrect property tax relief fund

info2023-09-25T13:45:16-05:00September 25th, 2023|

The Legislature’s perennial failure to invest in lowering local property taxes left Miami County with a budget dilemma this year. The sheriff’s office, competing with higher wages for law enforcement in the neighboring Kansas City metro area, was about 20 deputies short of a full staff. Faced with the prospect of raising property taxes to pay for better salaries, Miami County Commissioner Rob Roberts said the question he had to ask was: “Are we going to have law enforcement in Miami County?”... Roberts joined Bruce Chladny, executive director of the Kansas Association of Counties, on the Kansas Reflector podcast to talk [...]

EPA announces new round of WIFIA loans

info2023-09-25T13:44:21-05:00September 25th, 2023|

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $7.5 billion in available Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) funding. To date, EPA’s WIFIA program has issued $19 billion in loans to help finance 109 projects across the country, creating more than 60,000 jobs. This announcement initiates EPA’s 7th round of WIFIA financing with $6.5 billion available through the WIFIA program and $1 billion available through the State WIFIA (SWIFIA) program, which provides loans exclusively for State infrastructure financing authority borrowers. EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for both WIFIA and SWIFIA loans. Prospective borrowers can also receive technical assistance [...]

Lenexa is building a new $73 million public safety complex

info2023-09-25T13:43:32-05:00September 25th, 2023|

The city of Lenexa is planning another big move. In 2017, the city moved its downtown and city hall to the Lenexa City Center campus at 87th Street Parkway and Renner Boulevard. Next summer, the city’s police department and municipal court will pack up from the 1980s-era complex at West 87th Street and Monrovia Street and head west to the new Lenexa Justice Center, which is now under construction, at Prairie Star Parkway and Britton Street. The new $73 million public safety complex will house the city’s police headquarters, municipal court, and a police training facility. It will also feature a [...]

What’s that smell? Mystery odor pervades in Wichita, but city says air quality is good

info2023-09-25T13:41:57-05:00September 25th, 2023|

Wichitans took to social media on Monday to talk about a mystery odor that apparently started on Sunday. One south Wichita resident on Monday described the smell of oil in a Facebook post comment. “We live in south city and you’re right... it was bad yesterday [Sunday], like an oil spill smell,” the resident said. The city of Wichita said in a Facebook post on Monday that they do not know what is causing the odor, but that it is not negatively affeciting air quality. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

With new round of $3,000 teacher incentives, Topeka USD 501 drops attendance requirement

info2023-09-25T13:37:01-05:00September 25th, 2023|

Topeka USD 501 will offer each employee a $3,000 “incentive” this fall, and the district will drop its controversial condition that staff maintain near-perfect attendance to receive the bonus payment. The incentive is meant to help recruit new teachers and support staff, Topeka USD 501 officials said. Part-time workers will receive pro-rated payments. The payments, which will be made in two installments of $1,500 in October and December for full-time, active staff members, will use $8 million of the district’s $42.2 million in the latest round of federal COVID-19 relief funding. Source: CJonline

Few parents are paying their school fees, and Topeka USD 501 wants to crack down

info2023-09-25T13:36:18-05:00September 25th, 2023|

Topeka USD 501 isn't getting a big chunk of the fees it asks parents to pay to help fund school materials and activities, and the district is looking to clamp down on collecting that money. In a financial overview of the district to the Topeka Board of Education on Thursday, director of fiscal services Gary Menke shared that the district has been having trouble getting parents to pay for those school fees in recent years. While state law generally bars schools charging tuition, it does allow districts to collect fees for such items as textbooks, workbooks, musical instruments, technology and other [...]

Valley Center Fall Festival is back for its 61st year

info2023-09-25T12:57:47-05:00September 25th, 2023|

The 61st annual Valley Center Fall Festival is Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22 and 23. "The Fall Festival is what makes Valley Center feel like home. It's a tradition that you don't see in every historic downtown, especially in the Wichita area," Brent Clark, Valley Center city administrator, said. "I love bringing my kids to all the events and creating those memories that will last a lifetime." Some of the new activities this year include a pickleball tournament and the Fastest Hook in Valley, which is a crocheting competition. Source: KSN-TV

Baxter Springs faces job losses as two companies close their doors

info2023-09-25T11:56:34-05:00September 25th, 2023|

In 10 days, National Safety Apparel, formerly known as King Louie, will close its doors in Baxter Springs, leaving over 70 people without jobs. But this isn't the only blow to the local workforce. Just a few weeks ago, Yellow Corporation, a trucking company, also ceased operations in the same city, resulting in more than 30 people losing their employment. Teresa Humphrey, have been working for NSA for more than 35 years and is among those facing this uncertain future. "It's sad, makes me want to cry. It's emotional. I'm scared because I don't know what to expect. I'm just going [...]

Parsons residents seek brick souvenirs from Washington School

info2023-09-25T13:16:43-05:00September 25th, 2023|

There's quite the demand for bricks, right now, in Parsons. We've brought you the story before about the demolition of the old Washington School building on Stevens Avenue. Folks want the bricks as keepsakes. The problem -- they've been showing up at the site -- and keeping crews from doing their work. That demo process began last week. District officials understand the emotional ties so many people have with the building -- so they've set some aside for those people to pick up at the district office. "A lot of people went to school there, have good memories there when they [...]

Delia school mural celebrates Potawatomi culture

info2023-09-25T11:41:47-05:00September 25th, 2023|

On the east wall of the former Delia Grade School in southwestern Jackson County is a painted mural that features a depiction of two young members of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Knowee Potts and Kiwe Miller, performing a Native American dance — a mural that was recently completed by Rossville High School art teacher Garrett Larson. On Sunday afternoon, a crowd composed mainly of Potawatomi and Delia residents gathered in front of the mural to watch Potts and Miller dance in front of the mural that celebrates them and their people. “It brought back memories of being there as a [...]