Topeka to consider banning use of ’no knock’ search warrants

Local elected officials plan this coming week to consider banning the use of “no knock” search warrants in Topeka and extending a Shawnee County state of disaster emergency. … The city’s mayor and council plan to consider Councilman Spencer Duncan’s proposal to ban the use of no knock warrants while also putting in place requirements regarding the use of body cameras during the execution of search warrants and the retention of data recorded by those cameras. The Topeka Police Department has not used no knock warrants “for a long, long time,” Police Chief Bill Cochran said in a recent Topeka Capital-Journal podcast.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-07-13T07:56:29-05:00July 12, 2020|News|

Shawnee County: Some restaurants may still offer dine-in service between 2 and 3 p.m.

The Shawnee County COVID-19 Response Team announced a revision late Friday afternoon to a restriction that took effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday requiring bars and restaurants that serve food to stop offering dine-in service between 2 and 3 p.m. to enable them to carry out deep cleaning. Such establishments may still offer dine-in service if “deep cleaning and sanitation can be performed safely without interrupting” that, COVID-19 Response Team incident commander Dusty Nichols said in a news release.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-07-13T07:58:05-05:00July 12, 2020|News|

Wichita’s nearly $1 billion water and sewer overhaul could be finished by 2027

Wichita is moving dirt for a new water treatment facility and planning to upgrade its sewage treatment plant by 2027 in a nearly $1 billion infrastructure overhaul. The Northwest Water Treatment Facility — near the Sedgwick County Zoo at 21st and Hoover — is still being designed by Wichita Water Partners, a group of contractors awarded the project in a controversial selection process. The new plant is needed to replace the city’s existing plant, which is 80 years old and has a high risk of failure, city officials have said.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)

Ranson Financial2020-07-13T07:58:40-05:00July 12, 2020|News|

Decision expected Monday on whether Kansas will have a state fair this year

The Kansas State Fair Board will meet on Monday to reconsider its decision to hold this year’s event after a large number of vendors indicated they will not participate in September. “What happened is after the board made the decision, some of the vendors who previously told us they were a go for this year indicated they are seriously reconsidering it,” Kansas State Fair general manager Robin Jennison said. “We had a number of vendors call and say they weren’t going to come,” Jennison said. “It was getting to the point we were not going to be a fair that people expected for the state fair.”
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)

Ranson Financial2020-07-13T07:59:20-05:00July 12, 2020|News|

Fire district board to remain in control for now

The question of who is the governing body of the Leavenworth County Fire District No. 1 has been answered for the moment in Lansing, at least while a lawsuit is pending in District Court. District Judge David King announced Tuesday that he was issuing an order to preserve what he called the status quo until he can have a hearing on a petition for a declaratory judgment. This order requires the governing of Fire District No. 1, which provides fire department services to the city of Lansing and Delaware and High Prairie townships, to remain under the control of its existing board of trustees. In a petition was filed last week on behalf of Leavenworth County commissioners, the commissioners argued an interlocal agreement concerning Leavenworth County Fire District No. 1 expired Tuesday and control of the fire district should now shift to the county commission.
(Read more: McPherson Sentinel)

Ranson Financial2020-07-13T07:59:44-05:00July 12, 2020|News|

Roeland Park adopts ad hoc committee, professional services for police policy review

The Roeland Park City Council on Monday evening took further steps to conduct a review of police policies. The council approved an Ad Hoc committee and an agreement with Lexipol, which provides public safety policy and training solutions for law enforcement and first responders. The public safety policy service will guide the committee through its review process and update the department’s current policies, according to city documents.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-07-13T08:00:05-05:00July 12, 2020|News|

Merriam Town Center becomes destination for Wyandotte County RideKC microtransit line

The Merriam Town Center is now an eligible destination for the RideKC 199 microtransit service area, previously servicing only Wyandotte County. The expansion offers riders a connection between Johnson and Wyandotte Counties, in addition to “access to jobs, healthcare, education, grocery and retail,” according to RideKC’s website. It went into effect beginning July 6, and is a bi-county collaboration. “This is a cooperative effort between Wyandotte and Johnson Counties to provide access to affordable, convenient public transportation,” the website reads.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-07-13T08:00:24-05:00July 12, 2020|News|

Plans moving forward with Whimmydiddle in Scott City

Worried that local officials might not allow the annual Whimmydiddle arts and crafts show to proceed this year, members of the Alpha Omega sorority were assured by Scott County commissioners they could proceed with the event as normal. But, the commission added a caveat. “It’s hard to predict what will happen between now and September, but for now you can go forward,” said Commission Chairman Jim Minnix. Sorority member Nora Burnett noted that the arts and crafts event makes it possible for them to award about $25,000 in scholarships annually. The organization was concerned about their ability to do that next year, along with providing financial assistance for other needs in the community. She said they have already received a number of vendor applications so needed to know what to tell those wanting booths.
(Read more: Scott County Record)

Ranson Financial2020-07-13T08:00:52-05:00July 12, 2020|News|

Handwashing, masks among fall guidelines for Kansas schools

Draft safety guidelines for school this fall from the Kansas State Department of Education say students, teachers and staff should wear masks, but that students up to fifth or sixth grade shouldn’t be required to wear them unless local officials mandate it, the Kansas City Star and Wichita Eagle are reporting. The draft guidelines about how to reopen schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic were shared with superintendents this week and are expected to be formally presented to the State Board of Education next week. The guildlines say everyone should wash their hands when arriving at school and every hour afterward. Space should be made in classrooms to allow social social distancing. Locker use is discouraged and staggered transition time between classes is recommended for those schools that choose to use them.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Ranson Financial2020-07-13T08:01:00-05:00July 12, 2020|News|

Save Century II petition delivered to Mayor Brandon Whipple

A petition with 17,000 signature to Save Century II was delivered Friday morning to Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple. It comes after a rally on Wednesday to get signatures for the petition. Now the Save Century II petitiion is in the hands of officials. One of a few things could happen. “They could accept it immediately and just say this is what our constituents wanted, so of course we should accept we’re elected by them or they could wait and put it on the November ballot, or they could hold a special election but because money is tight and we have a $50 million deficit, it makes sense to put it on the November ballot if they’re not going to accept it right away,” said Celeste Racette, Save Century II.
(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-07-13T08:01:07-05:00July 12, 2020|News|