RCPD looking to phased implementation of proposed department pay scale changes

Riley County Law Board members Monday reviewed a proposed new pay scale for Riley County Police Department employees, the adoption of which RCPD leaders say is imperative to department recruitment and retention. “Just within the next five years, we have the potential of losing 30 employees due to retirements alone,” says Human Resources Manager Christine Robinson. “Doesn’t mean everybody’s going, it’s just that that potential is there. “Adopting the salary survey is really going to be critical to not just filling our current vacancies, but it’s also going to be critical in relation to attracting good and quality employees to fill the upcoming vacancies as well.”
Source: 1350 KMAN

Ranson Financial2022-03-21T22:39:24-05:00March 21, 2022|News|

McConnell AFB strengthens ties with Mulvane

Colonel Nate Vogel, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, got the chance to present to community leaders during a recent presentation to the Mulvane Chamber of Commerce. Building and maintaining connections with people who live and work near military bases is key to mission success. Addressing the dozens of Mulvane citizens and community leaders provided a chance to express these goals, including what airmen contribute to the different communities they live in. Additionally, the discussion detailed how living in a stable, connected community is good for airmen and their families. The visit was intended to spark a more in-depth relationship with the town of Mulvane, military leaders and the support of both the airmen and their communities.
Source: Derby Informer | Area

Ranson Financial2022-03-21T22:37:24-05:00March 21, 2022|News|

Thousands of acres burned in Sunday’s wildfire in Cowley County

According to fire crews, approximately 2,000 acres burned in Sunday’s wildfire in Cowley County. In a statement released by the Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department, at approximately 4:20 p.m. Sunday, several agencies responded to a grass fire in the area of 191st Road and 292nd Road, east of Arkansas City. Due to the “red flag” conditions present, the Cowley County task force was deployed. The task force consisted of the Arkansas City, Atlanta, Burden, Cambridge, Dexter, Udall, and Winfield fire departments. Units from Belle Plaine, Elk County and Sumner County also assisted the task force. Assistance also was requested from the Kansas Forest Service, which dispatched a tanker unit. The Cowley County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol closed U.S. 166 due to heavy smoke conditions crossing the highway. The Cowley State Fishing Lake was also evacuated as a safety precaution. In total, 30 ground units and one air unit were on the scene for almost four hours battling the fire, which burned approximately 2,000 acres.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2022-03-21T22:32:34-05:00March 21, 2022|News|

USD 259 students return to classroom with masks optional, first time since August

Students in USD 259 are returning to the classrooms Monday morning where masks are optional. The removal of the mask mandate officially happened March 11, the Friday before Spring Break. The mandate had been in place since August 2021. The Wichita School Board voted in late February to remove the mask mandate as positive COVID-19 cases are down in Sedgwick County. Stan Reeser, Wichita School Board president, said fewer masks are being seen around the community and the district is reflecting that. “We spent two years trying to make sure that our students, our buildings could stay open,” Reeser said. “We spent two years trying to make sure that learning continued and our staff and our educators and our parents and our students really rose to that challenge.” Reeser said they will continue to monitor the number of positive COVID cases and make adjustments as necessary.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2022-03-21T22:30:55-05:00March 21, 2022|News|

Kansans claim $125M in rental assistance, funds still available

Funds are still available for Kansans who are facing eviction through the Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA) program. According to the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC), funds are available to help households that have experienced financial hardship during the pandemic with rent, utility and internet assistance. “More than a third of Kansans rent their homes, and many have struggled to cover rent and utility bills since the pandemic began,” Ryan Vincent, Executive Director of the KHRC, said. “The financial repercussions are far from over for our most vulnerable families. This crucial assistance is still available to keep Kansans safely housed throughout our economic recovery.”
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-03-21T22:28:27-05:00March 21, 2022|News|

Part of McPherson street closed due to sinkhole

The City of McPherson closed part of South Maxwell Street Monday due to a sinkhole. According to the City of McPherson Public Works Department, the sinkhole developed over the weekend near the Turkey Creek Development. The hole is approximately eight feet deep and 6 feet wide. The road will remain closed until repairs can be completed. Barricades will stay in place around the hole. Residents are asked not to move the barricades and to avoid the area.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-03-21T22:26:33-05:00March 21, 2022|News|

Now playing in Savonburg

Savonburg Mayor Aaron Wilson watched children slide, swing and climb around the equipment at the city park’s new playground on Sunday. He smiled. “That’s what it’s supposed to be. That’s the goal,” he said. It’s taken years for the playground to take shape, but the equipment is now in place with a rubber-mulch base. Volunteer crews have marked the path of a new walking trail and are spreading crushed limestone along the quarter-mile path. Still to come are benches and picnic tables. Next month, the community will have a ribbon cutting along with a recycling event.
Source: The Iola Register

Ranson Financial2022-03-21T22:23:44-05:00March 21, 2022|News|

JoCo cities are boosting lifeguard pay but still struggling with shortages

Pool operations across Johnson County could once again look different this summer due to some cities’ ongoing shortage of lifeguards. At the same time, some other cities that experience lifeguard shortfalls last summer have been boosting pay in an effort to avoid that situation again. Following limited operations in both 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some local municipalities — including Roeland Park, Prairie Village and Shawnee — adjusted summer pool hours in 2021 because of lifeguard shortages and other pandemic-related limitations. This summer, some cities say they are still struggling to fully staff pools, while others are on track to have enough staff with adjusted pool operations, extended time for applicants increases in pay rates.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Ranson Financial2022-03-22T08:27:49-05:00March 21, 2022|News|

Grocery stores in St. Paul, Iola and Mildred featured on CBS News [VIDEO]

Millions of Americans are facing a growing problem of so-called food deserts. With America’s rural population shrinking, grocery stores in many of those areas are closing. At least 40 million Americans live in food deserts nationwide. In rural areas, that means residents live at least 10 miles from a grocery store and 20% are low-income. Unlike many grocery stores in rural America, St. Paul, Kansas has one that will never shut its doors. James and Kelly Voorhies run the only local market, but the city owns it — a unique arrangement to keep food available.
Source: CBS News

Ranson Financial2022-03-21T21:37:13-05:00March 21, 2022|News|

Downtown Hutchinson continues to grow

About a decade ago, downtown Hutchinson had more empty buildings than full, with at least every other storefront without a restaurant, office space or retailer. Today, only a few buildings remain vacant or underdeveloped, with more than 50 new businesses moving in since 2017. The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce and multiple small businesses worked to continue the success of downtown, bringing out of town traffic and locals into their shops. “It’s been a great experiment in leveraging local support from the city. Our Chamber resources and partnerships who want to be part of making a vibrant place that people want to visit,” said Debra Teufel, president and CEO of The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce.
Source: Hutch News

Ranson Financial2022-03-21T07:43:21-05:00March 21, 2022|News|