Lawrence City Commission votes to develop long-term version of downtown outdoor dining program; fees, design and parking to be considered

With considerations given to issues such as aesthetics and parking, the City of Lawrence will look to develop a long-term version of a program that has allowed downtown businesses to construct patios and outdoor dining areas in parking stalls during the coronavirus pandemic. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted 5-0 to authorize the development of a long-term “parklet” program and directed staff to consider elements such as fees, design standards, safety and parking in the new regulations. The city has waived permit fees for the temporary program, and Mayor Brad Finkeldei said while it may not make sense for some businesses, he expected others would continue using the program under new regulations, and that developing those as quickly as possible was important.
Source: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2021-11-10T07:05:40-06:00November 10, 2021|News|

The people running Kansas prisons have never seen a staffing crisis this bad

By 8 p.m. on a Friday, David Gorges has already clocked 48 stressful hours counseling and guarding inmates at the state prison in town. His work week isn’t over. He’s working security at The Alley, an arcade and bowling alley in Hutchinson. He takes on extra work so he can be debt-free when he retires, though he said he is close to paying off his farm. “I don’t go out and drive a Corvette,” Gorges said. “My wife doesn’t have a Cadillac Escalade, or anything like that. We live a humble lifestyle. We don’t go on these lavish trips out of state. We just believe in good hard work.” He needs the extra job because his checks from the Kansas Department of Corrections aren’t big enough.
Source: KCUR News

Ranson Financial2021-11-10T00:26:27-06:00November 10, 2021|News|

Fort Scott CC announces termination of football program

Fort Scott Community College has terminated its football program, according to a release from the school on Monday night. The release reads: “The termination of the historic and legendary FSCC football program was a difficult and emotional decision. A competitive football program at FSCC is not sustainable due to the cumulative effect of limited resources, changes in Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) football eligibility rules in 2016, and the changing ethos of football in general. We simply do not have the resources to maintain a football team that would be competitive in the Jayhawk Conference.
Source: KOAMKOAM

Ranson Financial2021-11-10T00:17:28-06:00November 10, 2021|News|

Baxter Springs converts old substation into new Liberty Park for residents to enjoy

An area community and the utility that provides it’s electricity team up to provide a green space for residents and visitors to enjoy. What used to be called Substation 291 in Baxter Springs, is now known as Liberty Park. The substation, located near the fire department, dates back to the 1940’s. But Liberty built a new, more modern substation just west of the old one. So instead of leaving the spot bare, Shelby Stinnett says the utility decided to make the location into a new green space. “We worked in collaboration with the city to present this nice sitting area to the community so they can stop and have a picnic or take a walk around the trail or enjoy the pollinator plants that we planted, there are 400 in total that will soon bloom and kind of take over the area in green lush,” said Shelby Stinnett, Strategic Projects, Liberty Utilities.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-11-10T00:12:25-06:00November 10, 2021|News|

“Imagine Pittsburg” website launched to attract new residents and businesses

An area community is taking to the internet and social media to attract new business, residents and encourage former residents to come back home. Imagine Pittsburg has launched a new website designed to promote the city. The website is dedicated to sharing positive stories about the people who made the community what it is today. Joe Dellasega is on the Imagine Pittsburg committee and says the goal is to create a consistent narrative about the positive things happening in the town. “We needed to be thinking about our story and what our story was, one of the things we said was we can really get better about telling our story, and one of the things is just helping our own citizens learning how to tell the stories, so that was when we started thinking about how do we do that, that’s when we conceived this a new uh this idea of a website that would just help focus on telling our story,” said Joe Dellasega, Imagine Pittsburg Committee.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-11-10T00:10:31-06:00November 10, 2021|News|

ARPA funds will be used to fix Osawatomie water line project

The city of Osawatomie will seek to use some of Miami County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to help fix the water distribution system that supports Osawatomie Middle School. The Osawatomie City Council on Thursday, Oct. 28, approved an interlocal agreement with the county to use up $200,000 of the county’s ARPA funds to fix 100-year-old water lines that are failing to provide adequate water pressure to half of the school building’s fire suppression system. The County Commission is expected to take action on the agreement at its meeting Wednesday, Nov. 3. City Manager Mike Scanlon, Mayor Mark Govea, and USD 367 Superintendent Justin Burchett appeared before county commissioners in September to request the ARPA funding.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com

Ranson Financial2021-11-10T07:00:15-06:00November 10, 2021|News|

Topgolf requests exemption from airport regulation to build in Wichita

You can’t hit a golf ball in Wichita without coming across something related to aviation, including if hitting golf balls is your business. Topgolf has a request on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting of the Wichita City Council in which it is asking for an exemption from height regulations of structures in the vicinity of an airport that will allow the company to build its nets to planned specifications. The company has plans to build a golf entertainment complex on 22 acres …
Source: Wichita Business Journal

Ranson Financial2021-11-10T07:00:54-06:00November 10, 2021|News|

Of Johnson County’s large districts, only one is left with high school mask mandate

The Blue Valley school district will drop its mask mandate in high schools after Thanksgiving. After the neighboring Olathe district made the same move last week, the Blue Valley school board on Monday voted 6-1 to make masks optional for grades nine and above, including for high school staff and visitors. The change will go into effect on Nov. 29. Shawnee Mission is now the only larger district in Johnson County that has yet to change its mask mandate in high schools. Officials said the decision was made in response to declining spread of COVID-19, including in schools, as well as a higher number of students and adults receiving the vaccine.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2021-11-09T23:58:38-06:00November 9, 2021|News|

Infrastructure bill aids broadband expansion in Kansas, boosts potential for Amtrak line in Wichita

3.4 Billion dollars will be coming to Kansas as part of the President’s infrastructure bill. The majority of which will be going to roads, but 100 million will be going to broadband expansion, something Tiya Tonn is incredibly excited about. “Just giving that opportunity. So the rural communities are on a level playing field with the rest of the world.”
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-11-09T23:54:24-06:00November 9, 2021|News|

License plate readers continue to be utilized; Derby police next to install

New license plate readers are making waves across the Wichita area. When the new Flock cameras are installed in Derby, the city will be one of over 1,400 to use them. Flock says their safety cameras are shown to reduce crime by up to 70%. “It’s going to help solve crime for Derby residents and that’s our number one goal,” Captain Sarah Oldridge with Derby PD said. “Not only does the Flock camera pick up the license plate, but it can also allow us to search or obtain information by a vehicle description.” The City of Derby won’t be installing them for another six to eight weeks, but they can currently team up with surrounding departments that already have them, like Wichita PD, to fight crime.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-11-09T23:52:41-06:00November 9, 2021|News|