Shawnee wants to boost code enforcement but must find funds to do it

The Shawnee City Council earlier this month unanimously agreed to advance new citywide efforts to improve infrastructure in residential areas, enhance proactive code enforcement and create closer communications with residents. However, the governing body decided against exploring financial options to add an employee to support those efforts, and City Manager Nolan Sunderman said it’s “not possible” to pursue the city council’s directive to move forward with those efforts unless they can add staff to do so
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2020-11-13T07:56:06-06:00November 13, 2020|News|

Governor Announces New Rural Economic Development Program

Governor Laura Kelly today announced the creation of the Kansas Main Street Affiliate Community Program, an initiative designed to introduce more Kansas communities to the resources and technical assistance offered through Kansas Main Street. The new Affiliate Community Program is a membership-based program that invites representatives from participating communities to attend training and technical service sessions normally reserved for only the 25 designated Main Street program communities in the state. This allows those communities not involved fully with Main Street to still reap significant benefits from the program.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2020-11-13T07:55:10-06:00November 13, 2020|News|

Shawnee County tightens restrictions aimed at slowing spread of COVID-19

In response to what he called a “skyrocketing” incidence of COVID-19 here, Shawnee County health officer Gianfranco Pezzino announced Thursday afternoon he was temporarily tightening restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of that disease. Pezzino was among five officials from local hospitals and government entities who spoke at a Zoom news conference in which they expressed significant concern about the spread here of COVID-19, which they said is taxing the capacity of local hospitals. “The only solution, the only way out of this crisis, is to reduce community transmission,” Pezzino said. “There is no other way.”
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Ranson Financial2020-11-13T07:54:19-06:00November 13, 2020|News|

With COVID-19 transmission uncontrolled in Shawnee County, USD 501 moves online

Topeka Unified School District 501 will return to remote learning following a surge in COVID-19 cases in the community, district officials announced Thursday afternoon. Students will remain in remote learning through the Thanksgiving holiday, officials announced, since high rates of positive COVID-19 cases in both the district and at-large community have affected USD 501’s ability to safely teach students. The transition to remote learning comes after a second consecutive week of uncontrolled community spread of the virus, as measured by the Shawnee County Health Department’s weekly COVID-19 scorecard. USD 501 schools are not in session Thursday or Friday for parent teacher conferences.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Ranson Financial2020-11-13T07:53:25-06:00November 13, 2020|News|

Well built, OP. Thompson Park wins an Excellence in Construction award

The recently revamped Thompson Park in downtown Overland Park has received an Excellence in Construction award from the local chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors of America. The park prevailed over other Kansas City area projects in the “heavy infrastructure” category, the city said in a news release. The park, previously known as Santa Fe Commons, was renamed for retired car dealer Frank Thompson and his late wife Evangeline, who donated $1 million toward the upgrade. Improvements to the 4.8-acre park, which reopened earlier this year, include two shelters, restrooms, a performance stage, seating areas, an outdoor working space with Wi-Fi, a playground and a small splash pad.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2020-11-13T08:01:51-06:00November 13, 2020|News|

Wichita Mayor: City Will Enforce New County Health Order

Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple says the city will take action against businesses that openly defy a new county health order meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Speaking Thursday during his weekly media briefing, Whipple says the city will try to educate businesses first about following the new guidelines. But if that doesn’t work, it will report the violations to Sedgwick County, which is in charge of enforcing the mandate. “I think we’re looking towards the type of businesses that bring people into a room and make a lot of money … and are doing so knowing full well that they are putting those people at risk and putting our entire community at risk,” Whipple said.
Source: KMUW

Ranson Financial2020-11-13T08:39:03-06:00November 13, 2020|News|

Manhattan city leaders say recent sales tax vote will help with pandemic relief

Manhattan city leaders said the recent sales tax vote will help with coronavirus pandemic relief soon. Voters approved a city-wide, half-cent sales tax that will go into effect in 2023. This is replacing a Riley County sales tax that is expiring. Jared Wasinger is the assistant to the city manager. He said the city was holding money aside for future projects and debt. However, now that they know this sales tax will be going into effect, they can use that money now to address the pandemic.
Source: KSNT News

Ranson Financial2020-11-13T08:38:11-06:00November 13, 2020|News|

City leaders split on enforcement of Sedgwick county health order fines

As day one of Sedgwick County’s new health order is in effect, cities in the county are debating whether or not to help enforce it. As part of the new health order, the county commission passed a resolution 3-2 to fine violators of the order $500. However for the resolution to be enforced, the county must enter a formal agreement with each city inside of it. This would allow said offenses to go to county court.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2020-11-12T07:13:02-06:00November 12, 2020|News|

‘Get your plans in place’: Shawnee Mission warns of imminent return to online classes

Shawnee Mission district officials warned families Tuesday night that a shortage of teachers and substitutes could soon force schools to transition back to online-only classes. An unusually high number of staff members have resigned or retired this year, and as COVID-19 cases continue to soar in Johnson County, dozens of others are out after being exposed or testing positive, Michael Schumacher, interim associate superintendent for human resources, told the school board during a special meeting. Officials worry that a shrinking pool of substitute teachers will soon make it too difficult to keep classrooms open.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2020-11-12T07:13:13-06:00November 11, 2020|News|

Kansas lawmakers call for ‘serious debate’ on marijuana

It’s an issue some lawmakers can’t seem to agree on, but as more evidence on the benefits of marijuana is made available, marijuana supporters in Kansas may finally see some change. “It’s taken a long time to build up the familiarity, education and inform the public about it,” said Wichita Representative Gail Finney, who introduced a bill on legalizing medical marijuana in 2009. While the bill died in committee, Finney is one of few lawmakers who have made the push for legalizing some form of marijuana in Kansas, despite an increased level of support for legalizing the drug across the state.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2020-11-12T07:13:37-06:00November 11, 2020|News|