News – Page 775 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Abilene home to World’s Largest Belt Buckle

info2023-04-10T16:21:36-05:00April 10th, 2023|

Whether on a cross-state road trip or just looking for a unique stop in central Kansas, the small town of Abilene has a new roadside activity to make your list. Last December, Abilene unveiled its latest addition to artwork to honor its cowboy history. Its latest piece is now known as the World’s Largest Belt Buckle. “It’s just something that makes people smile,” said Julie Roller Weeks, director of the Abilene Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. “It’s been so fun to see people’s reactions.” The World’s Largest Belt Buckle was designed by an Abilene local artist Jason Lahr with Fuller’s Creek Metal [...]

Kansas could have new state park featuring clear lake, miles of trails

info2023-04-10T16:19:29-05:00April 10th, 2023|

Rural southeast Kansas could soon be home to a new state park if lawmakers approve a gift of former industrial land that has been redeveloped into a lake and trail hub. The proposed Lehigh Portland State Park would be on the site of a former cement plant and quarry near Iola, known locally as Elks Lake. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks currently maintains 28 state parks, and the agency supports Lehigh Portland becoming the 29th. The property’s nearly 360 acres contain a 138-acre lake, 300-foot-long cave, woodlands, native prairie and more than 2.5 miles of wide gravel trails and [...]

CCMFOA Clerk of the Year is Jami Downing (Stafford)

info2023-04-10T13:49:39-05:00April 10th, 2023|

Jami Downing, City Clerk, City of Stafford, Kansas, was selected as the recipient of the 2023 Mildred Vance City Clerk/Finance Officer of the Year for the State of Kansas. In October, Downing will again be recognized for this award at the League of Kansas Municipalities (LKM) Annual Conference in Wichita, Kansas.

Past resolution would allow farm animals at Newton schools

info2023-04-10T10:10:00-05:00April 10th, 2023|

According to a city memo to be discussed at the April 10 Newton City Commission meeting, the Newton School District would be able to host an agricultural-based program, similar to the one at Walton Rural Life Center, within the City of Newton. The memo follows Board Member Luke Edwards asking the city if it would be able to change its animal ordinances in the future, in case the district would want to start a program with livestock at one of its schools located in the city. Source: Harvey County Now

Harvey County planning commission leaning toward an outright ban

info2023-04-10T12:13:21-05:00April 10th, 2023|

The Harvey County Planning Commission began the process of documenting reasons why wind turbines were not a good fit for the county at its meeting Tuesday. After planning commissioners and Planning and Zoning Director Karen Rothe disclosed what research they had done since the Board of Harvey County Commissioners adopted a six-month moratorium on renewable energy projects, Vice Chairwoman Lynne Vigil listed four distinct reasons for banning wind turbines: groundwater; airports and weather radar; setback distances; and search and rescue flights by emergency crews. Source: Harvey County Now

These small Kansas towns are rising again by tapping a new market: Craft beer

info2023-04-10T12:15:38-05:00April 10th, 2023|

One might also assume that Courtland, with just 294 residents, is the smallest town in Kansas that can boast its own brewery. But Sylvan Grove, about 45 minutes west, is smaller and is home to Plainsmen Brewing Co., which operates inside the popular Fly Boy restaurant. And an hour north, in Washington (population: 1,065), Kansas Territory Brewing Co. is home to a taproom and high-tech production facility that will likely soon be the largest in the state. As it turns out, the thirst for craft beer isn’t confined to city drinkers: Seven breweries in Kansas are open, or are soon to [...]

De Soto plans ahead for 3,000-acre solar farm near Panasonic construction

info2023-04-10T10:04:32-05:00April 10th, 2023|

Nearly a third of the 9,035-acre Astra Enterprise Park could become De Soto’s first utility solar farm. De Soto has worked with Savion LLC, a Kansas City-based solar developer, since late 2021 to evaluate and assess a prospective project. Back then, officials said utility solar wouldn’t be in the cards for at least five years because of regulatory approvals. However, they anticipated that a solar project would generate significant electric franchise fees and local property taxes. Source: Kansas City Business Journal

Kansas Senate says yes to state park in Iola

info2023-04-10T12:16:32-05:00April 10th, 2023|

A proposal to create a new state park in Iola took another big step forward Thursday when Kansas senators voted overwhelmingly in favor of what would become Lehigh Portland State Park. The Senate’s passage means the bill goes back to the Kansas House of Representatives — perhaps as early as Thursday evening — for a final vote before the measure would go to Gov. Laura Kelly. The Senate’s bill differed slightly from a similar bill approved previously by the House in that it was combined with another bill granting free permanent hunting and fishing licenses to disabled veterans. Sen. Caryn Tyson, [...]

Kansas Legislature packages new flat tax rate with quicker end to food tax

info2023-04-10T12:16:54-05:00April 10th, 2023|

Kansas lawmakers passed a tax cut package in the early Friday morning hours that fuses a flat tax rate for individual income with an accelerated reduction in the state sales tax on food, corporate tax breaks and residential property tax relief. The policies assembled into Senate Bill 169 add up to $1.3 billion in decreased state tax collections over the next three years, with more than half of the cost associated with the flat tax. The bill eliminates the sales tax on food at the start of next year. “To me, it’s always a priority to get it back to taxpayers [...]

Progress continues on Justice Center in Great Bend

info2023-04-10T12:17:42-05:00April 10th, 2023|

The City of Great Bend’s new Justice Center slated for completion in August and the long-standing Expo I and II buildings that were just transferred to city ownership by the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce are on the forefront for city officials. As for the Justice Center at 12th and Baker, it is starting to take shape, both inside and out, Interim City Administrator Logan Burns said. The brickwork around the entrance area is underway and window installation will start Monday. Source: Great Bend Tribune