“Tornadoes are not respecters of codes,” Andover EF-3 Tornado damage sheds light on building codes

After surveying the damage from Friday’s twister, [Lead National Weather Service Forecaster in Wichita, Bradley] Ketcham tweeted concerns. “New construction (2 years old) was shoddy at best. Subfloors were bolted, but walls were just nailed straight into the top of the subfloor. Causing the whole house to lift off like a rocket,” the tweet reads. Butler County Building Inspector Jay Cook says the exterior walls of a home have to be bolted down into the concrete and interior walls just need to be nailed. “The codes become more strict as time goes. However, the material that is used is not necessarily as good quality-wise as it may have been 50-60 years ago,” Cook added. “Tornadoes are not respecters of codes. They are just going to take what they take.” He says the homes he’s seen destroyed by this tornado, were all up to code.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2022-05-04T07:27:33-05:00May 4, 2022|News|

Nearly half of Shawnee tenants are ‘rent-burdened’ with limited housing options, study shows

The city of Shawnee suffers from a lack of affordable housing, according to a study by United Community Services of Johnson County. Nearly half of its tenants are rent-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on rent. Last week, Shawnee’s city council made a change that critics say disadvantage low-income renters further. It voted unanimously to ban “co-living,” which it defines as four or more unrelated adults living together. “Households making under $50,000 who rent have more difficulty finding attainable options than those that can purchase, because of fewer options and rents increasing faster than incomes,” the study found.
Source: KC Star Local News

Ranson Financial2022-05-04T07:18:06-05:00May 4, 2022|News|

Did Shawnee really ban roommates? Here’s what the new ‘co-living’ restrictions mean

Last week, the Shawnee City Council voted unanimously to ban co-living in all of its residential districts. The decision came as a surprise to some, but the city council had been discussing the role of co-living in the city for some time. Some renters concerned about affordable housing have expressed frustration at the council’s move to eliminate an option that allows people to share rent costs. But Shawnee 4th Ward City Councilmember Jill Chalfie said the ordinance is primarily in response to arrangements that treat co-living more as a business and less of a communal space.
Source: KC Star Local News

Ranson Financial2022-05-04T04:19:36-05:00May 4, 2022|News|

Pittsburg reminds residents about it tornado siren policy

The City of Pittsburg would like to remind residents about its policy for activating tornado sirens. The first step towards sounding the sirens requires a tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service. From there, the city may activate the sirens if officials believe the danger is imminent.
Source: KOAMKOAM

Ranson Financial2022-05-04T04:10:47-05:00May 4, 2022|News|

Haven to remove “In God We Trust” from police vehicles

The City of Haven in Reno County will remove “In God We Trust” decals from its police vehicles. During the Haven City Council meeting Monday evening, Council Member Sandra Williams voiced concern over the decals and about the Haven Police Department Facebook page having quotes from Scriptures. Williams said she did not think the police department was the proper forum to be talking about God. According to a draft of the meeting minutes, a “brief exchange occurred” between Williams and Police Chief Stephen Schaffer.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-05-04T07:13:07-05:00May 4, 2022|News|

Galena Police recognized and awarded

A Southeast Kansas community is giving back to its local law enforcement. While many law enforcement agencies across the country have seen difficulties in recruiting and retaining officers — the city wants to show it’s behind the police department. “It’s a tough job and they know what they’re getting into, but it’s nice to have that extra recognition to know that they’re supported, and encouraged, and backed by the community,” said Ashley Groves, Mayor of Galena. The officers at the Galena Police Department were recognized for their hard work at Monday’s City Council meeting. “They’re each going to receive a certificate of appreciation that was on behalf of the city, the Council and the Police Chief Billy Charles and then they’re each receiving a monetary fund,” said Groves.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2022-05-04T04:03:01-05:00May 4, 2022|News|

Kansas fire departments facing volunteer shortage

Many organizations throughout the U.S. are getting used to staffing issues, but here in Kansas, there’s one in particular that can’t afford shortages – the fire department. Specifically, volunteer firefighters are hard to find. Russel Stuckey, the Riley County Emergency Management Director, spoke with County Commissioners to let them know the situation is rough on Monday. He says that the department currently has around 110 volunteers, but the goal is to have between 160 to 170. With the intense fire season, volunteers are seeing burnout with a high level of fatigue. This becomes a major problem when forces are low, especially due to how quickly fires need to be responded to.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2022-05-04T04:01:28-05:00May 4, 2022|News|

Main Street in downtown Parsons achieves full occupancy

Main Street in downtown Parsons is now at 100% occupancy. “I think it’s astounding,” said Mayor Leland Crooks. “… I’d be willing to bet that you can’t find another city in the state that can make that claim. Maybe not in several states. It’s a testament to how hard our city staff has worked in bringing businesses and making things happen downtown.” With the recent opening of three new businesses — Free State Cigars, VR Escape Room Entertainment and Main St. Skin — all storefronts are occupied along Main Street.
Source: Parsons Sun

Ranson Financial2022-05-04T07:14:06-05:00May 4, 2022|News|

Labette County K-9 deputy to retire because of health problems

Gustaw, a 5-year-old Dutch shepherd and K-9 deputy for the Labette County Sheriff’s Office, will be retired in the near future because of his health. Gustaw (pronounced Gustav) began work with the sheriff’s office at age 2 on Dec. 17, 2018. He’s trained and worked with Deputy Charlie Brown. The K-9 has received regular heartworm treatment during his work with the sheriff’s office. Around March he apparently became infected with heartworms. The disease was confirmed with a trip to the vet. The company that made the heartworm treatment is paying for Gustaw’s current treatment regimen, according to Sheriff Darren Eichinger. Eichinger hopes the company will pay for the cost of the Gustaw, which was about $18,000. County Counselor Brian Johnson is getting involved to try to recoup the cost of Gustaw from the company.
Source: Parsons Sun

Ranson Financial2022-05-04T03:53:55-05:00May 4, 2022|News|

Shawnee co-living ban garners national scrutiny

A recent Shawnee City Council decision to ban “co-living” arrangements has drawn accusations of classism, racism and a callous disregard for the people struggling to afford homes and apartments in Johnson County. … But Shawnee councilmembers pushed back forcefully this week, saying that, in fact, they’ve struck a blow to keep home prices from ballooning even faster than they have already. They said their motives for passing the co-living restrictions have been misrepresented.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2022-05-04T07:15:40-05:00May 4, 2022|News|

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