Edgerton’s Intermodal enjoys seasonal gains

This is an extremely busy time of year for Edgerton’s LPKC as most companies are dealing with “peak” season. “As you can imagine most of the online e-commerce fulfillment center we have at here see a surge in activities around the holidays,” said James Oltman, president ElevateEdgerton! “Amazon, Walmart.com and UPS are three examples of companies that hire a large amount of seasonal help to assist them with the increase in business they see through the holidays. Of course that also means there is usually increased container movement through the BNSF intermodal facility as well.” “Not only would this time of year cause increased demand from these retailers it’s even more pronounced with the effects of the COVID pandemic and more and more people doing their shopping online to avoid going out in public,” said Oltman.
Source: Gardner News

Ranson Financial2020-12-14T07:17:07-06:00December 13, 2020|News|

State-of-the-art, solar greenhouses feed rural America with both food and internet service

Two native Kansans are manufacturing a state-of-the-art farm facility on very little land. By building solar-powered greenhouses, the pair hope to revolutionize farming – and technology – in Kansas. In addition to growing all types of fruits and vegetables for local consumption, these solar-powered greenhouses will build up energy to power a 5G data center, bringing fast-speed internet to rural Kansas. “It’s the first of its kind,” said David Hinson, an electrical engineer and president of TSO Greenhouses. TSO is working with Kansas Freedom Farms to build these properties.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News

Ranson Financial2020-12-14T07:17:14-06:00December 13, 2020|News|

Does Kansas owe businesses for mandating they close? A new lawsuit says yes.

The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic overturned society as we know it, shutting down the state’s economy in a virtually unprecedented way. Business owners have had to grapple with keeping the lights on, scrounging up government aid and taking precautions to keep customers and employees safe. But can those enterprises demand compensation from a state or local government for having to shut their doors? Increasingly, businesses across the country are saying yes to that question and filing legal challenges accordingly. That trend has now reached Kansas.
Source: State Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal

Ranson Financial2020-12-14T07:17:21-06:00December 13, 2020|News|

New traditions start in St. John

Christmas is being celebrated in St. John with new traditions to thwart the COVID-related disappointments of established Christmas celebrations, including a newly installed mail drop at the southwest corner of First and Main streets that has a direct link to Santa’s workshop. No postage is required and when a self-addressed (and hopefully stamped) envelope is included in the letter, a reply comes directly from Santa and Mrs. Claus. St. John USD 350 Junior-Senior High School principal Blake White, who is rumored to have close ties to Santa, reports Christmas is alive and well in St. John, a sentiment he said he shares with his wife, Becky.
Source: State News – Morning Sun

Ranson Financial2020-12-14T07:17:41-06:00December 13, 2020|News|

Rural hospitals in Kansas facing surge in coronavirus cases

Rural areas were spared the worst in the beginning of the pandemic, but that is no longer the case. Many rural hospitals in Kansas are starting to see a spike, and its putting a major strain on their health systems. It took Wilson County about seven months to reach 60 cases, now they’re seeing 60 new cases every week. Dr. Jen McKenney is one of only five doctors at the Fredonia Regional Hospital. Staff is scarce, and the right resources are too. Rural hospitals typically do not have ICU beds, which have been necessary for COVID-19 patients.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2020-12-14T07:18:07-06:00December 13, 2020|News|

Presentation explores rich history of Mexican immigration to Kansas

The first of several special programs in connection with “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” at Kauffman Museum will be held Sunday, hosted virtually in line with COVID-19 protocols. Gene T. Chávez, of Shawnee, will present “Flour Power/El Poder de la Harina” via Zoom and Facebook Live at 3 p.m. Sunday. This free event is sponsored by Humanities Kansas. “Hispanic culture has influenced our way of life in so many ways,” Chávez said. “It is important to understand the contributions Hispanics have made to Kansas and to the nation.” Kauffman Museum is partnering with Humanities Kansas and the Smithsonian Institution to bring “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” to the museum through Jan. 17.
Source: Newton Kansan

Ranson Financial2020-12-14T07:18:38-06:00December 13, 2020|News|

With safety complaints up, Newton eyes sidewalk program

Due to COVID-19, people are staying home more — and they are going for more walks. At least that is the working theory at city hall as Newton city staff deal with an influx of sidewalk safety complaints. “We have had a plethora of sidewalk complaints come in that we did not have,” said Kelly McElroy, city manager. “They are home, they are out and walking in their neighborhood for the first time in (perhaps) many years. They are excising, and we love that piece of this.” The numbers are shocking. This year there have been 98 complaints, factoring in the 11 from Wednesday. In 2019, there were 22. In 2017 and 2018 combined, there were 25.
Source: Newton Kansan

Ranson Financial2020-12-14T07:18:59-06:00December 13, 2020|News|

Leavenworth celebrates completion of Thornton project

Leavenworth officials gathered Friday to celebrate the completion of a $4.89 million street project. “This project has been a long time coming to fruition,” Leavenworth Public Works Director Mike McDonald said. His remarks came during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a Thornton Street improvement project. The ceremony took place at the Municipal Service Center, which is located on Thornton Street. The project resulted in the reconstruction of Thornton Street between Fifth Street and 10th Avenue. McDonald said the length of that stretch of Thornton Street is about 1.5 blocks short of a mile.
Source: Leavenworth Times

Ranson Financial2020-12-14T07:15:01-06:00December 13, 2020|News|

BCC K-9 Haxo receives body armor

K-9 Officer Haxo of Butler Community College’s Department of Public Safety has received a bullet and stab protective vest, thanks to a charitable donation from nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc. Haxo’s vest was embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Gabo, Jonesboro, AR EOW 1/16/20.” Haxo is Butler’s first K-9 officer. Lt. Tim Harder spent two months earlier this year training Haxo at American K-9 Interdiction in Virginia. He lived in a dorm and spent his days focused on turning Haxo into a narcotics detection officer, finishing the intensive program in June. Haxo is now trained on six types of drugs.
Source: News – The Hutchinson News

Ranson Financial2020-12-11T09:07:54-06:00December 11, 2020|News|

Shawnee homeowners can now plant trees between sidewalk and street next to property

Shawnee homeowners and landowners are now allowed to plant trees within public right-of-ways, the areas between the street or curb and their adjacent private property lines. The Shawnee City Council voted 5-2 to approve new city code and regulations that give city staff administrative discretion to allow, prohibit and/or relocate proposed street trees. The new codes apply to residential properties for both new and existing homes.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2020-12-11T09:07:22-06:00December 11, 2020|News|