Destination Kansas: Discover the hidden gems of Hutchinson with Cosmosphere and Strataca

Hutchinson has been home to salt mines since 1887 and has earned the nickname “Salt City” offering visitors the opportunity to go back nearly 280 million years to explore what’s beneath the surface. “It’s a great way to get away from daily life,” said Tonya Gehring, Strataca operations manager. “When we take you underground, it’s 650-feet underground where it’s 68 degrees, and while we do have WiFi, phones stop ringing. We don’t pipe in music. It’s very quiet, very calm and we take you back through geological timeframes.” The salt mine is like a time capsule, which lets you see the salt beds that were left behind from a time when Kansas was underwater.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

Ranson Financial2020-09-04T08:17:04-05:00September 4, 2020|News|

Cedar Vale to host ‘Let’s Celebrate!’ 150th birthday

This year marks the 150th birthday of Cedar Vale. Founded in 1864 and recognized as a city in 1870, the theme of this year’s 108th annual Labor Day celebration will be “Let’s Celebrate.” Labor Day events will run from Saturday through Monday.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Ranson Financial2020-09-04T08:22:21-05:00September 4, 2020|News|

City updates sidewalk enhancement policy

City of Emporia commissioners approved amendments to the city’s existing sidewalk enhancement policy during a brief action session Wednesday afternoon. Originally drafted in 2012, the document provides guidance to area businesses on the temporary placing and permanent affixing of “enhancements” — such as displays, signs, tables, benches, bike racks and more — on sidewalks, right-of-ways, streets, and private/public parking spaces so as “not to impede traffic or pedestrian movements. “[The amendments] are proposed in order to offer additional options and flexibility for local businesses …
Source: Emporia Gazette

Ranson Financial2020-09-04T08:20:39-05:00September 4, 2020|News|

Heritage groups unite to preserve history of Haviland

The Haviland Heritage Foundation and the Southwest Kansas Antique Engine and Thresher Association announced the merger of the two groups … HHF President Jean Jones and SWKAET Association president Andy Kimble signed a merger agreement to make it official. “This merger will unite the two groups to carry on the history of Haviland, and provide the community and the county a beautiful place to gather and hold events,” Jones said.
Source: Leavenworth Times

Ranson Financial2020-09-04T08:20:00-05:00September 4, 2020|News|

Public art installed and Goddess of Justice in place. New JoCo Courthouse nearly open

After two years of construction, the new Johnson County Courthouse is substantially complete and on track to open to the public on Jan. 4 in downtown Olathe. The certificate of substantial completion was dated Aug. 21 for the seven-story courthouse in downtown Olathe, which contains 28 courtrooms. Public art has been installed, and the Goddess of Justice statue has been relocated to the lobby. This is the third courthouse to house that statue, according to a county news release.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2020-09-04T08:18:19-05:00September 4, 2020|News|

‘Game-changer’: Johnson County schools to get thousands of saliva COVID-19 tests

Johnson County is purchasing thousands of COVID-19 saliva tests for schools to use as many students return to classrooms next week, said Sanmi Areola, county public health director. During a virtual town hall meeting hosted by the Shawnee Mission school district on Wednesday, Areola announced the plan and said within the next couple of weeks, students, teachers and staff could start getting tested. Areola said that increasing testing is critical to mitigating the spread of coronavirus and keeping schools open. He said districts can test students and staff in elementary schools — many of which open next week — along with those participating in sports and activities, for example.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2020-09-04T06:59:26-05:00September 3, 2020|News|

Council members say ‘there was no greater cheerleader for Olathe’ than Mayor Mike

The first 30 minutes of Tuesday night’s Olathe City Council meeting were devoted to two pieces of business: remembering the late Mayor Michael Copeland and swearing in new leadership. Copeland died Aug. 19 at age 58. He was Olathe’s longest-serving mayor, serving for 19 years. “This isn’t an easy day for Olathe. It’s the first city council meeting in 27 years without Mike Copeland as a part of this council,” said John Bacon, former City Council member and the new mayor of Olathe. “I felt fortunate and proud to live in a city with Mike as my mayor and count it a privilege to have been able to work alongside him on this council for so many years.”
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2020-09-04T06:59:44-05:00September 3, 2020|News|

All Haysville students to receive free meals

The pandemic has meant tough times for area families. USD 261 is working to make sure every one of their students still receive meals during the school year. “As a school district we’re really excited to be able to provide this resource for them at least through the rest of this year because it alleviates a lot of pressure off parents. During this time and we know that it’s been a lot for our students as well as our staff,” commented Adia Ludwig, communications director for Haysville Public Schools. The free meals begin September 10th on the first day of school. It is made possible through a special grant from the USDA.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2020-09-04T06:59:56-05:00September 3, 2020|News|

Wichita police create 150th-anniversary duty badge to commemorate the department’s founding

The Wichita Police Department has created a 150th-anniversary duty badge to commemorate the founding of the department. Officers now have the option to wear 150th-anniversary commemorative badges instead of the current badges issued. The badges can be worn until the end of 2021. The department was established on April 13, 1871, and the commemorative badge honors one of the first badges issued to WPD marshals, who were the first law enforcement officers in the city.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2020-09-04T07:00:04-05:00September 3, 2020|News|

Skilled Kansas manufacturers attract ground-breaking tech upstart

After years of research, including one-on-one conversations with farmers, a businessperson from Kansas invented a new type of fertilizer toolbar. Although he grew up in diverse pockets of the world, Daniel Rauchholz, president of the newly formed Farmada, married a woman from Kansas and decided to make the Sunflower State home. Rauchholz previously traveled the world as an export manager for a top agricultural equipment company. Then, last year, he took the step to branch out on his own. Unfortunately, COVID-19 hit, but Rauchholz plowed ahead and opened his Assaria-based company, just south of Salina, this spring.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News

Ranson Financial2020-09-04T07:01:08-05:00September 3, 2020|News|