Pottawatomie County continuing draft plan for solar farm regulations

Pottawatomie County planning officials are slowly working toward developing a publicly available draft for solar farm regulations. A joint meeting was held last Thursday between the three Pottawatomie County commissioners and the 10-member Planning Commission. County Planner Stephan Metzger tells KMAN that coming to consensus on a plan has not been easy. “The one thing that they all agree on is that they don’t really have a consensus on just about anything yet on this, not because of individual disagreements, just because it’s a complicated issue and we’re all trying to learn basically from the ground up,” he said. Because Pottawatomie County doesn’t have anything on the books governing solar farms, a number of questions have been raised over property rights as well as the visual, environmental and land use impacts. Commissioner Greg Riat applauds the planning commission for its work on drafting the guidelines thus far, and says it has led to “spirited discussion” from both sides.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Ranson Financial2022-01-25T23:54:49-06:00January 25, 2022|News|

El Dorado names Mike Holton as the city’s next police chief : ‘I’m deeply honored to serve El Dorado’

After a five-step process that has gone on since Oct. 22, 2021, El Dorado and its police department have announced that Mike Holton will be their next police chief. Holton will be replacing Police Chief Curt Zieman, who’s set to retire on March 23. “I’m deeply honored to have the opportunity to serve the city of El Dorado as your next police chief,” said Mike Holton. “I’m equally as honored to have the opportunity to step into the shoes of a man who served this community for over 40 years.” Holton served Butler County and El Dorado for 33 years, including 20 years under Police Chief Zieman. The Circle High School graduate is currently serving as the Lieutenant of the El Dorado Police Department. “I truly look forward to serving this community by building relationships with community groups, community organizations, and the citizens of El Dorado,” said Holton. “I look forward to serving El Dorado along with outside agencies in an effort to keep El Dorado a safe place to live, work, and play.”
Source: Andover American

Ranson Financial2022-01-25T23:53:15-06:00January 25, 2022|News|

Sedgwick County, Wichita leaders pledge review, changes in juvenile justice system

Sedgwick County commissioners and Wichita City Council members appeared at a news conference Tuesday to show unity and determination in working for changes in the juvenile justice system after the in-custody death of a teenager last fall. 17-year-old Cedric Lofton died last September after he was restrained in a struggle with staff members at the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center. County Commission chairman David Dennis called the death of Lofton heartbreaking and tragic, and he said the city and county will work together “to do what it takes to support, drive, and dedicate the resources needed to make sure that something that is as tragic as Cedric’s death does not happen to any youth again. County Commissioner Sarah Lopez said more than 15 agencies have agreed to work on a community task force that will look at policies and practices at JIAC, as well as system standards and practices from the Kansas Department of Corrections, and the physical layout of local facilities. Lopez said Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is setting up a review of Cedric Lofton’s case with the Kansas Department for Children and Families, and the county will work with state officials on that review. Lopez said “we must do better to address the growing mental health needs within our juvenile corrections system, and we will.”
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2022-01-25T23:51:17-06:00January 25, 2022|News|

Mulvane sales tax issue for city enhancements passes

Residents of Mulvane voted in a special election Jan. 18 on whether to implement a new sales tax to help fund multiple improvement projects. Based on the official results recently announced by Sedgwick County, the new sales tax passed by a slim margin (183-162) and will go into effect on July 1. The tax is scheduled to automatically sunset after five years. City Manager Kent Hixson noted many of the projects to be funded through the sales tax – including improvements to Rock Road, stormwater drainage and city parks – have been in Mulvane’s capital improvement plan for years.
Source: Derby Informer | Area

Ranson Financial2022-01-26T07:34:27-06:00January 25, 2022|News|

Mayor’s new focus addresses homelessness, reform in KCK

Unified Government Mayor Tyrone Garner announced the formation of seven new committees to focus on everything from homelessness to arts and culture. Garner said each committee will be made up of Unified Government Commissioners and other community leaders. “In light of the number of persistent challenges facing our Community, I want to reassure our residents that we are unwavering in our commitment to make Wyandotte County and Kansas City, KS a great place to live, work and raise a family,” Garner said. One of those committees will address making sure people actually have places to call home. The Neighbors in Need/Unhoused Residents committee will address homelessness and housing costs. It will also look at the need for warming stations, shelters and food insecurity.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

Ranson Financial2022-01-25T23:45:58-06:00January 25, 2022|News|

Spring Hill City Council remains deadlocked over councilman’s absence

The Spring Hill City Council remains in a political stalemate following the seventh consecutive meeting without a quorum. While the council attempted to meet Tuesday afternoon, the governing body could not conduct formal business due to the absence of Councilmember Steve Owen. On Jan. 10, newly elected council members Brian Peel and Joe Berkey were sworn into office. Shortly after the council voted for Berkey to take over the role of mayor following the resignation of former city council member and Mayor-elect Tyler Graves. Immediately after Berkey was seated, Owen left the meeting and has not returned. That night Owen left behind a letter voicing his concerns over what he felt was a lack of public transparency in the election of the new mayor.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

Ranson Financial2022-01-25T23:42:40-06:00January 25, 2022|News|

White Lakes Mall gets demolition timeline from Topeka leaders

Topeka’s newly elected mayor, Mike Padilla, and interim City Manager Bill Cochran held their first press conference of 2022 at city hall Tuesday morning. Cochran said the city is moving forward with the demolition of White Lakes Mall. Padilla said the process of knocking down the mall completely will take about three months, with asbestos removal being the top priority. “We want to do it right,” Padilla said. Padilla touted the latest report that showed Topeka crime statistics are dropping. Topeka saw a 25% decrease in overall crime in 2021, a 27% decrease in property crime, and a 13.5% decrease in violent crime, according to the Topeka Police Department. Those numbers come from the Topeka Police Department’s 2021 year-end report.
Source: KSNT News

Ranson Financial2022-01-25T23:39:51-06:00January 25, 2022|News|

Osage County voters to decide sales tax question for law center and jail

At a special election Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, local voters could determine whether future duties of the Osage County Sheriff’s Office will include operating a 120-bed detention center proposed to be built in Lyndon. On the ballot is a special question, which if approved would establish a 1/2 cent countywide sales tax to pay costs to “design, construct, equip and furnish a new law enforcement and public safety center …” The tax would pay for the startup costs of a proposed $20 million county jail and law enforcement center, and initial payments on bonds issued to finance the project.
Source: Osage County News

Ranson Financial2022-01-26T07:38:16-06:00January 25, 2022|News|

Overland Park approves pilot program making it easier for residents to keep backyard chickens

Backyard chickens finally can become a reality for Overland Park homeowners, as long as their properties are at least a quarter acre. In the culmination of months of fine-tuning, councilmembers gave the final okay Monday to a two-year pilot program that will do away with a time-consuming process residents have for years undergone in order to keep chickens on their property. “I have heard from numerous residents in my ward and in other parts of the city that they’re very interested in urban agriculture and setting up backyard hens. I think this is a good compromise to get us started,” said Councilmember Logan Heley.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2022-01-25T23:36:58-06:00January 25, 2022|News|

Senate committee advances economic incentives for $4 billion project

A Senate committee early Tuesday night signed off on a new development incentive to help sway a $4 billion economic development prospect that’s eyeing the state for a 3-million-square foot manufacturing plant. The committee sent the package of incentives to the full chamber even as some of its more conservative members tried to slow the down process and provide more oversight of the potentially lucrative incentive.
Source: Sunflower State Journal

Ranson Financial2022-01-26T07:38:45-06:00January 25, 2022|News|