News – Page 62 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Hesston City Council adopts strategic plan

info2024-11-13T09:59:32-06:00November 13th, 2024|

After a midweek retreat and work session, the Hesston City Council had a short but effective meeting on Nov. 11. The work session put together a new strategic plan, which covers 2025 to 2029. In the new living document, there are four goals. The first goal is economic development, the second goal is the parks improvement plan to prioritize each park and establish timelines for playground replacement, thirdly, the goal is to address two public facilities for improvements, and the fourth goal is to establish a civic leadership team. The motion to approve the strategic plan, with the addition of a [...]

Harvey County administrator resigns

info2024-11-13T09:54:37-06:00November 13th, 2024|

Harvey County commissioners accepted Administrator Anthony Swarztendruber’s resignation at the end of the county commission meeting Tuesday. After returning from executive session, Commissioner Becky Reimer announced that Swartzendruber was retiring. “We wish him well, and I’ll entertain a motion for someone to accept this letter of resignation,” Reimer said. Swartzendruber will continue working with the county until Dec. 27, 2024. Source: Harvey County Now

Voters reject JCN and JW bond issues

info2024-11-13T09:52:14-06:00November 13th, 2024|

While they got a little help from out-of-county voters, it was registered voters in Jefferson County who last week largely did in the bond issues put forth by Jefferson County North USD 339 and Jefferson West USD 340. For the second time in six months the JCN Board of Education was seeking the authority to issue $5.5 million in bonds to pay for upgraded heating and air conditioning systems, better lighting, a new roof, renovated restrooms, more classrooms, improved security at district facilities, improvements to parking lots, and better access to facilities in accordance with the requirements of the Americans with [...]

Shawnee Mission schools staff will soon have press-button badges to call for help

info2024-11-13T09:50:25-06:00November 13th, 2024|

Staff in Shawnee Mission schools will be getting bluetooth-enabled badges next spring that will allow them to press a button and immediately call for help in emergencies. The school board unanimously approved a five-year contract with Atlanta-based Centegix to supply the alert badges and train staff to use them. The alert system, “has been attributed to saving lives not only in the most tragic of scenarios but also in some of what can be described as daily issues,” said Superintendent Michael Schumacher in recommending the purchase on Monday. The district will pay $2.6 million to cover the installation, training and connectivity [...]

Leawood mulls 5 ideas for what to do with former city hall grounds

info2024-11-13T09:49:26-06:00November 13th, 2024|

Community gathering space was the operative phrase earlier this week as Leawood City Council members reviewed five potential ideas for what to do with the city’s original city hall and fire station. Councilmembers heard the presentations during a special work session that included: park green space, an event space, gallery space for local artists, a splash pad and a demonstration garden and museum space. All of the ideas had some aspect of community gathering elements at their hearts because, the presenters said, that type of space is virtually nonexistent in Leawood. Source: Johnson County Post

PV weighs ‘significant’ increase for next police body cam contract. Here’s what city would get.

info2024-11-13T09:47:58-06:00November 13th, 2024|

Prairie Village police officers may soon get new body cameras, in-car cameras, tasers and more. The Prairie Village City Council during its council committee of the whole session on Monday voted 10-0 to refer a $3.6 million, 10-year contract with Axon for police equipment to the full city council for consideration. Councilmembers Dave Robinson and Ian Graves were absent from Monday’s meeting. Source: Johnson County Post

Federal dollars could help pay for new trails around former JoCo industrial site

info2024-11-13T09:46:51-06:00November 13th, 2024|

A local partnership that has involvement on both sides of the state line is requesting $20 million from the federal government to fund a trail connection that would include the site of now-demolished industrial site in southern Johnson County. The city of Overland Park, the Johnson County Park and Recreation District, Jackson County Parks and Recreation on the Missouri side and the nonprofit Heartland Conservation Alliance have teamed up to request a Federal Community Change Grant for the project. If awarded the full amount, the trail connection would complete a 14-mile linkage that would cross into Missouri and also increase “access [...]

Hutchinson voters will get to decide on $109.5M bond

info2024-11-13T09:45:35-06:00November 13th, 2024|

Voters who live in the Hutchinson school district, USD 308, will have an important choice to make next spring. The USD 308 Board of Education wants them to approve a $109.5 million bond. On Monday night, the BOE unanimously approved putting it to a vote. The anticipated bond vote is set for April 1, 2025. If voters approve it, most of the bond would pay for a new middle school at 23rd and Severance. The school would have a sixth-grade wing, a grass football practice field, and a production kitchen. Source: KSN-TV

WaKeeney’s Iwo Jima Memorial installed at new location

info2024-11-13T09:44:34-06:00November 13th, 2024|

This Veteran’s Day has been extra special for the people of WaKeeney. In addition to the usual celebrations for veterans, the community rededicated its Iwo Jima Memorial, which had been in storage for a couple of years. Many years ago, several WaKeeney citizens came up with the idea for the memorial—a silhouette of the famous World War II image of Marines raising the American flag on top of Mount Suribachi after a hard-fought battle on the island of Iwo Jima. Source: KSN-TV

Saline County residents are asked to take opioid survey

info2024-11-13T09:42:58-06:00November 13th, 2024|

The Saline County Health Department is asking residents for help to tackle the opioid crisis. According to the department, the county’s Opioid Task Force decided the best way to address the issues is with a comprehensive needs assessment, which starts with a survey. All responses are anonymous. The survey takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete and is open to all residents of Saline County. The questionnaire is designed to help the task force better understand how the community views opioids and substance use disorders. The task force also wants to identify service gaps and develop targeted prevention and treatment strategies. [...]