News – Page 63 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

‘She walked where only men had’: Johnson County mourns longtime leader Annabeth Surbaugh

info2024-09-06T09:31:02-05:00September 6th, 2024|

A citizen activist, Surbaugh started pushing leaders to do something, regularly showing up to meetings of the then-rural water board. Deciding she would need to sit on the board to enact the changes she wanted to see, Surbaugh joined in 1988, becoming its first female member. It was the start of a long career of firsts. She led the merger of the rural district with the county’s much larger public water utility. She later became the first woman to serve as chair of the WaterOne board. In 1992, she won a seat on the Johnson County Commission, and years later became [...]

Wyandotte County approves $1 million plan to treat tuberculosis outbreak, prevent spread

info2024-09-06T09:29:45-05:00September 6th, 2024|

As diagnosed tuberculosis cases in Wyandotte County this year have eclipsed those seen across all of Kansas in 2023, local public health officials are putting forward a roughly $1 million plan to deal with the outbreak and prevent further spread of the disease. Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, commissioners on Wednesday evening greenlit a months-long health department program that will use leftover federal COVID-19 pandemic relief money to stem the rising number of cases. Under the plan, public health officials plan to work with schools and employers to advise precautionary measures. Another component would involve routine, one-on-one [...]

‘Burden’ or ‘benefit’? KCK Mayor Garner floats selling the BPU to address cost concerns

info2024-09-06T09:28:37-05:00September 6th, 2024|

Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor Tyrone Garner is calling on city leaders to join him in taking a critical look at Wyandotte County’s publicly owned utility — suggesting the local government should consider selling its nonprofit electric and water provider. Citing concerns over the cost of utility bills, the mayor says he’s heard from some Wyandotte County residents who think owning the Board of Public Utilities is “a burden” and “should be more of a benefit” than it is. “I think it’s time that we take a hard look at that,” the mayor told The Star by phone Friday, “to see what [...]

Pig verdict rendered, appeal could be in the works

info2024-09-06T09:26:33-05:00September 6th, 2024|

Ginger the pig must be out of Newton within 30 days, pending an appeal. Judge Kelly Schodorf rendered the verdict after a trial of an hour and 20 minutes. “Ms. Grigoreava shall become compliant with the city code within 30 days of the order,” Schodorf said. “If the defendant remains uncompliant to the city code, the animal shall be confiscated and ownership transferred to the City of Newton.” The trial involved the city attempting to convince the court that Jessica D. Grigoreava harbored a pig. City ordinances do not allow residents to have pigs.For evidence, the city presented four body camera [...]

Hillsboro to take over bowling alley

info2024-09-06T09:24:17-05:00September 6th, 2024|

The Hillsboro City Council met on Tuesday, Aug. 20 where they approved an agreement for the city to take over the bowling alley. “As we have discussed since spring, Hillsboro Development Corporation wants the city to take over ownership of the bowling alley to ensure that the operations continue. In the agreement the city would receive the bowling alley, all the equipment and existing bank accounts for the sum of $1. There are no outstanding liabilities against the property or operation. The value of the accounts is likely to be more than $20,000 which will be used to support operations at [...]

County hears wind farm concerns

info2024-09-06T09:23:01-05:00September 6th, 2024|

The Marion County Board of Commissioners heard concerns about wind energy expansion from Goessel residents led by Brian Stucky. He explained that in October 2023, a story appeared in the Marion County Record to say that the Orsted Energy company was now looking to expand to the west part of the County, in the townships of West Branch, East Branch, Menno and Liberty. “Now we face the real possibility that 500-foot tall wind turbines will be near Goessel. There are positives and negatives. There are some who see wind turbines as a good thing, but there are some who absolutely do [...]

Olathe approves flat tax rate, higher utility rates, expanded rebate program for 2025

info2024-09-06T09:21:02-05:00September 6th, 2024|

Olathe has adopted a budget for 2025 that keeps the municipal property tax rate flat but raises city utility rates. That new budget — valued at roughly $611 million — will keep the property tax, or mill levy, rate static at 23.356. It is also expected to add about $10 a month to the average utility cost in the city for residents who use all of Olathe’s utilities. Ultimately, the 2025 budget passed 4-2 Tuesday, with councilmembers Kevin Gilmore and Robyn Essex voting no. Councilmember Matt Schoonover was absent. City leaders, including Mayor John Bacon and Chief Mike Butaud, marked the [...]

Petitions rattled Prairie Village last summer. Kansas appeals court will now hear the case.

info2024-09-06T09:19:32-05:00September 6th, 2024|

Last year’s hotly-discussed Prairie Village petitions are headed before a panel of three appellate judges next month. After nearly a year in the Kansas Court of Appeals, three much-discussed petitions — circulated by PV United, also known as Stop Rezoning Prairie Village, a group of residents who opposed zoning changes — are scheduled for a hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 16. City Administrator Wes Jordan told the Post via email on Wednesday that he anticipates both sides will be able to share “their perspectives of the case and be prepared to answer questions the Court may have.” Stop Rezoning PV’s [...]

City of Columbus announces new demolition grant program

info2024-09-06T09:17:10-05:00September 6th, 2024|

The City of Columbus announces the beginning of a new Demolition Grant Program, made possible by a generous donation. This program offers a valuable opportunity for local business owners and residents who need to remove abandoned commercial or residential structures, as well as outbuildings like garages and sheds. Through this program, eligible property owners can have these structures demolished at no cost, helping to enhance the community's appearance and safety without incurring expenses. To apply for the Demolition Grant Program or to get more information, interested parties can access the application form on the city's website: Demolition Grant Program Application. Source: [...]

The City of Pittsburg officially launches city trash service

info2024-09-06T09:16:16-05:00September 6th, 2024|

The City of Pittsburg hopes to help resident's trash concerns with the official launch of a city run trash service starting the week of Sept. 2nd. This comes after many residents have reported issues with services like CARDs Recycling & Waste Management (also known as CARDs) frequently not picking up trash while still charging customers. "We've stuck with (CARDs) until we get the Pittsburg one," says one Pittsburg resident. "The city's always been in trash. We've always been in the trash business. what we're doing is just getting a little better equipment and assigning some personnel," says Daron Hall, City Manager. [...]