Wichita Fire Department issues 88 fireworks citations over holiday weekend

The Fourth of July weekend was popping for many people, but it kept both the Sedgwick County Emergency Management and the Wichita Fire Department busy. “There was a lot more fireworks going on,” said Denise Bashline. “Just quite a bit of fireworks. A lot of fireworks going up in the air and a lot of individuals have a lot of fun,” Nicholas Bennington. An explosive end to a Fourth of July weekend after the COVID-19 pandemic stunted celebrations in 2020 and Wichitans noticed a boom in fireworks popping off.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-07-06T23:45:06-05:00July 6, 2021|News|

Allowing minors to attend late-night events: Wichita approves first reading of measure

On Tuesday, the Wichita City Council approved the first reading of a measure that allows minors to attend late-night events where alcohol is served. The measure will be placed on first reading and still needs final approval. “This creates a category that allows us to work within our business model,” said Jessie Hartke, operating partner at WAVE. Qualifying venues must provide entertainment, have a capacity of at least 850 people, provide a stage, and allow minors to be on the premise until midnight. If an event goes past that time, they must ask minors to leave. Businesses must provide advance notice to Wichita police of any event that caters to more than 500 people. “This will help by just allowing all members of our community to be able to come out and enjoy the culture and the arts,” said Hartke.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-07-07T07:04:55-05:00July 6, 2021|News|

Local leaders, state officials connect on broadband needs

City, county and school district officials stressed that affordable broadband infrastructure is critical to continued growth when they met with Lt. Gov. David Toland during his recent visit to Miami County. “We’re in an extremely good pattern of growth right now in Spring Hill, and we’re very excited about it, but broadband is a critical part of that growth. It’s as important as water,” said Jim Hendershot, Spring Hill’s retiring city administrator. He was joined by other city and county officials, school superintendents, and local service provider MoKan Dial for a meeting with Toland and state broadband officials June 17 at Louisburg City Hall. The roundtable discussion was organized by Miami County Economic Development Director Janet McRae.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com

Ranson Financial2021-07-06T23:37:37-05:00July 6, 2021|News|

In Wichita, more fireworks tickets & complaints but fewer ER visits this July 4

Emergency and medical crews in Wichita saw a mixed bag in the week leading up to and on the July 4 holiday, with fewer people reportedly visiting local emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries but more citizens receiving citations for banned items and more nuisance complaints phoned into 911 dispatchers compared to last year. It was also a better year for house fires during the nine days fireworks could be legally discharged in the city, with fewer than half the number reported in 2020. Fire crews monitoring the city for illegal fireworks over the July 4 holiday weekend wrote a total of 88 citations and confiscated several items banned under local ordinance, Wichita Fire Department Battalion Chief Jose Ocadiz said Tuesday during an afternoon news briefing held at downtown’s Fire Station No. 1. Mortars and artillery shells were confiscated most often, he said. Some illegal fireworks taken had been discharged while others were unopened.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2021-07-06T23:35:29-05:00July 6, 2021|News|

Mission residents to vote on citywide sales tax increase in special mail-in election this September

The city of Mission will ask residents to increase the current one-quarter cent sales tax to a three-eighths cent sales tax with a special election in September. Why it matters: The city uses the current one-quarter percent sales tax for budget items related specifically to transportation, according to city documents. Mission residents have repeatedly identified streets and maintenance as a top priority, prompting the conversation about a sales tax renewal, according to the city. Background: Mission’s quarter-cent sales tax will sunset in March 2022 and is currently used to pay off previous street improvements.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2021-07-06T23:33:09-05:00July 6, 2021|News|

As Shawnee’s western half grows, resident-led group aims to preserve city’s open spaces

Shawnee resident Jim Magaziner has started an advocacy group dedicated to conservation efforts and preserving open space in his growing city. His group, Shawnee Open Space, urges city leaders to consider implementing ordinances that support “Conservation Subdivision,” a design concept that, in general, advocates for developers to dedicate part of their project sites — up to 50% of more in some cases — to natural, open space. The result would preserve the natural beauty of Shawnee’s countryside, protect wildlife and allow space for a comprehensive trail system throughout the city’s neighborhoods, Magaziner says. The main point of “Conservation Subdivision” is to shrink the size of each plat in a residential subdivision, and dedicate the extra space to preserve the natural landscape and allow contiguous green spaces throughout the city.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2021-07-06T23:29:26-05:00July 6, 2021|News|

Wichita passes anti-discrimination ordinance after marathon hearing on religious liberty

For the second time in three weeks, the Wichita City Council has approved an anti-discrimination ordinance by the barest of majorities, after five hours of debate and dozens of residents saying it would infringe their religious liberty. The ordinance is designed to prevent discrimination within city limits on the basis of “age, color, disability, familial status, gender identity, genetic information, national origin or ancestry, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other factor protected by law.” It bans discrimination in employment, housing and businesses that serve the general public. The new ordinance would replace an anti-discrimination law that mysteriously disappeared from the city code in 1999.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2021-07-07T07:06:15-05:00July 6, 2021|News|

New brewery opens in downtown Great Bend

Although Kevin Burkey and Ryan Fairchild have brewed beer for years, last month the two men took a gigantic step and opened a brewery, Dry Lake Brewing, on Main Street in Great Bend. They wanted to open the brewery last year, but because of COVID-19, the opening was postponed. After visiting breweries around the state, ripping up carpet, drilling into the concrete to make drains, and building a kitchen in the town’s old shoe store, the two were ready to go. … Burkey and Fairchild wanted to open their brewery in downtown Great Bend. Staying local and becoming an anchor was crucial to their business plan. Along with breweries in the main hubs of Lawrence, Manhattan, Topeka, Wichita and the greater Kansas City area, these hometown businesses can be found in Beloit, El Dorado, Ottawa, and Pittsburg.
Source: Salina Journal.

Ranson Financial2021-07-07T07:11:42-05:00July 6, 2021|News|

Wichita drops mask mandate in City Hall, libraries, rec centers and other facilities

In a sign of a continuing return to normalcy, the city of Wichita on Friday dropped the mask mandate that has been in effect in municipal facilities since early in the COVID pandemic. “City employees and members of the public who have been fully vaccinated by one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines and are not otherwise at-risk, are no longer required to wear a mask within City of Wichita facilities,” the new policy states. Masks will still be “strongly encouraged” for the unvaccinated, but “there’s not an outright mandate, City Manager Robert Layton said.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2021-07-06T08:05:35-05:00July 6, 2021|News|

Mapping out a vision for Paola’s future

A vibrant downtown shopping area with family-friendly restaurants… a bustling town Square full of apartments and businesses… a variety of entertainment options ranging from bowling and miniature golf to a movie theater. These are just a few of the things on the wish lists of Paola residents who attended an interactive workshop Tuesday, June 29, to help the city update its comprehensive plan. The update process has been dubbed “Planning Paola 2050,” and city leaders are working with the consulting firm Confluence to map out a vision that will help guide the city’s growth and development over the next three decades.
Source: The Miami County Republic

Ranson Financial2021-07-06T08:04:59-05:00July 6, 2021|News|