News – Page 761 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Marion council leery of container homes

info2023-04-20T13:51:45-05:00April 20th, 2023|

Two Marion City Council members said Monday that they wouldn’t want to see a shipping container home go up next to their own houses. That was in response to a plan by Elite Container Homes to build a home out of two shipping containers at 201 N. Freeborn St. Felix Ramirez, who owns three shipping container homes in Hillsboro that he rents on Airbnb, is one half of Elite Container. His partner, Dustin Burke, joined him at the council meeting. ... A zoning change would be necessary because current regulations don’t allow people to live in shipping containers in Marion, according [...]

Marion hires new city administrator

info2023-04-20T13:48:46-05:00April 20th, 2023|

Marion has hired a new city administrator — Brogan Jones, a Lyons building and code inspector ... City council members voted unanimously Monday to approve a contract that Jones signed ahead of the meeting. His signature was on a copy of the contract included in agenda packets. Jones, who grew up in Sterling, will start May 1. “I’m just excited to get going,” he said after the council meeting. He expects his first week to be filled with meetings — staff, community leaders, business owners, and others. “It’ll be a busy week,” he said. Council member Zach Collett said he and [...]

Top Fed Official Signals Support for May Interest-Rate Increase

info2023-04-20T13:56:48-05:00April 20th, 2023|

A top Federal Reserve official said the central bank had more work ahead to bring down inflation, suggesting another interest-rate increase would be warranted at the Fed’s meeting in two weeks. “Inflation is still too high, and we will use our monetary policy tools to restore price stability,” said New York Fed President John Williams in a speech Wednesday night to a group of financial-industry professionals in Manhattan. Investors see a greater than 80% chance that the Fed will raise rates by a quarter point at its May 2-3 meeting, according to CME Group. Mr. Williams, a close ally of Fed [...]

Wichita City Council looking at strengthening city code on rental property conditions to fight bad apartment conditions

info2023-04-20T11:08:12-05:00April 20th, 2023|

For almost a week now you’ve seen the conditions inside both vacant and occupied apartments at Emery Gardens in South Wichita. However, Councilman Brandon Johnson says this was just the latest in a string of bad conditions at rental properties across Wichita. "I've seen it in multiple apartment complexes, that's just not acceptable. We need to be able to do more about it.” Johnson says he and other council members like Mike Hoheisel, who toured Emery with him last week, have been working with the MABCD and other city staff on changes to city code to better help inspectors deal with bad apartments. [...]

What counties have the most historic sites in Kansas?

info2023-04-20T11:05:20-05:00April 20th, 2023|

Kansas has a rich history stretching back more than a hundred years, with more than a thousand historic sites standing in testament to those that came before. The Sunflower State is home to numerous historic sites recognized by the Kansas Historical Society (KSHS) and the National Register of Historic Places. These are scattered among Kansas' 105 counties, but they are concentrated in some areas more than in others. Source: KSN-TV

Wabaunsee deputies perform intentional collision

info2023-04-20T11:02:43-05:00April 20th, 2023|

Wabaunsee County deputies were helping a driver on I-70 south of Paxico when they saw a sedan racing toward oncoming traffic. Around 4 a.m., deputies heard tires screeching and saw semi-trucks swerving to avoid crashing into the sedan, according to the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies crashed into the car to stop the driver, according to WCSO. The vehicle came to a stop in the middle of the highway. The suspect ignored deputies' commands, according to WCSO. Deputies apprehended the driver and moved the vehicle into the median. Source: KSNT 27 News

Local fire department talks controlled burn safety

info2023-04-20T10:59:22-05:00April 20th, 2023|

April is the height of grass season, and local landowners are burning off last year's field to make room for Kansas' famous native grasses. However, such controlled burns can quickly get out of hand. In addition to property damage, injury is always a concern when fire is involved. Sometimes even the most experienced farmers and landowners find themselves in undesirable situations when setting controlled burns. Kansas wind combined with low humidity levels can cause fires to get out of control, even if it's unintentional. Source: KSNT 27 News

Emporia leaders cut ribbon on new electric vehicle charging station

info2023-04-20T13:53:11-05:00April 20th, 2023|

The City of Emporia’s newest electric vehicle charging station is open for business. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Wednesday for the new station at 1005 Mechanic Street. The new station was made possible through a partnership between the Emporia Natural Resources Advisory Board and Evergy nearly two years ago. Daphne Mertens of the NRAB says the new station is a great resource both for residents and the thousands of visitors that pass through the city each year. Source: KVOE Emporia Radio

Johnson County residents should ‘fully expect’ another property tax cut

info2023-04-20T13:53:32-05:00April 20th, 2023|

Another rollback in Johnson County’s property tax rate appears likely, now that county officials have had time to absorb the news of a second consecutive year of double-digit property value increases. County commissioners and administrators are only beginning their consideration for a 2024 budget that is presenting challenges on multiple fronts: inflation, a workforce shortage and persistent fears of a possible recession. Source: Prairie Village Post

Shawnee’s Don Cawby heads to Leawood

info2023-04-20T13:55:24-05:00April 20th, 2023|

Don Cawby, Shawnee’s city finance director, has resigned, taking a job in another Johnson County city. He is the latest in a string of recent high-profile departures from Shawnee City Hall, including former city manager Nolan Sunderman, who is now the chief strategy officer in Olathe. Shawnee recently hired Doug Gerber to be the new permanent city manager. More recently, city communications manager Julie Breithaupt also left and is now working in the private sector. Cawby’s final day with the city of Shawnee will be Tuesday, May 2. He said he will start his new job in the city of Leawood on [...]