Frankfort neighbors upset over company installing wind turbines

A group of neighbors in Frankfort are trying to bring attention to what they said is an eye sore for many. They’re concerned about a company called NextEra installing more than 100 wind turbines near their city. Gayla Randel said they weren’t informed the company was looking to build in their area, and only heard through the talk of the town. “We’re considered a non-participating land owner that means we don’t have enough land to be considered so we are not seen as people that need the information – even though we will be impacted,” Randel said.
(Read more: KSNT News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:18:10-05:00June 18, 2020|News|

Lenexa employee in self-quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 virus

A Lenexa city employee is self-quarantined after testing positive for the COVID-19 virus. Denise Rendina, city spokeswoman, said the city was informed Sunday morning that an employee who works out of Lenexa City Hall tested positive for the coronavirus. “The employee does not have a role that interfaces with the public,” Rendina said. “The employee began feeling symptoms last Wednesday and has been quarantined since then.”
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:37:11-05:00June 18, 2020|News|

K-State announces another round of emergency furloughs

Kansas State University says eight employees in Information Technology Services will be furloughed beginning June 28. Doing so will save the university more than $100,000. The emergency action comes following 430 employee furloughs since May due COVID-19 impacts. The university estimates in total, it has saved nearly $2.75 million. K-State’s Division of Human Capital Services is working with affected employees on federal and state health benefit options. Furloughed employees may qualify for state unemployment benefits.
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:07:39-05:00June 17, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County Commission considers township road maintenance policy

While Sedgwick County Commissioners agreed local township roads are generally well maintained, discussion at a June 3 staff meeting and June 10 commission meeting addressed what could be done in the rare scenarios where that is not the case. Typically, townships are responsible for their own road maintenance, but a statute does exist (K.S.A. 68-124) that allows counties to take over maintenance work – to be billed to the township in question – if those roads are not being maintained. As it stands, the county can get involved if a township board neglects, refuses or fails to comply with the provisions of the statute to repair, place and keep in “condition for travel” any public roads or highways under the township’s jurisdiction. County Commissioner Jim Howell, representing District 5 (including Derby and Mulvane), brought forth a draft policy at the June 3 staff meeting which laid out a more official way for the county to implement K.S.A. 68-124. The policy included measures for official county review of the road in question, methods to notify the townships and channels for official action by the county commission (including a billing timeframe).
(Read more: Derby Informer | News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:07:55-05:00June 17, 2020|News|

Wichita asking businesses to sign up for free program giving teens summer work

The Wichita Sedgwick County Community Action Partnership is hosting its 9th annual Way To Work program this summer, giving jobs to teens. But they’re facing extra challenges this year. It works by businesses partnering with the city and agreeing to have the kids work for them over the summer. However, with the coronavirus pandemic, they need extra help to make it happen. “My true passion in life is always to remind a kid that you are somebody,” said Na’shell Williams, WSCCAP Program Coordinator. Williams oversees the Way To Work program. She said this year’s been tough. “Due to the COVID, we had a lot of youth who were looking for jobs who have not been able to find jobs because a lot of businesses have been closed,” said Williams. The city pays their wages, so all the business has to do is agree to give them the opportunity to learn important skills. Usually, it’s things like answering phones, organizing, and cleaning. But this year, for the first time in Wichita, some of the kids will be learning a unique skill.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:08:46-05:00June 17, 2020|News|

State and local impact if Kansas State fair is canceled

Plans are underway at the Kansas State Fairgrounds to continue work as usual for the upcoming 2020 season. Along with the fair being a fun place to take the family it also brings in huge revenue for Reno county. Right now, the Kansas State Fair is still waiting on the final decision on whether or not it will go on this year because of COVID-19. “Everything else is in place for the Kansas state fair, with the exception of the final decision which will be up to our board,” said Robin Jennison, General Manager for the Kansas State Fair. Fair organizers start planning for this year’s fair almost a year in advance, getting sponsors and selling tickets.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:09:11-05:00June 17, 2020|News|

KC construction firm could receive millions to relocate to Kansas

Kansas City-based BlueScope Construction Inc. is among grandfathered companies in the economic border war and could receive more than $20 million to relocate to Kansas. Negotiations on potential incentives started before Kansas and Missouri signed a truce in August to end the use of state incentives to lure businesses from one side of the metro to the other without a sizable net increase in the metro’s workforce. Missouri could contribute as much as $5.6 million if BlueScope Construction opts to keep its West Bottoms facility at 1540 Genessee St. and add 90 jobs over six years, The Kansas City Star reports. The company is part of BlueScope, a Australian-based supplier of steel products that employs more than 14,000 people throughout 18 countries.
(Read more: Kansas City Business Journal – The Business Journals)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:10:12-05:00June 17, 2020|News|

Kansas lawmakers approve more than $400 million in funding for counties

Lawmakers on the Kansas State Finance Council approved more than $400 million in federal coronavirus funding. Kansas was given more than one billion dollars in federal funding to be used for coronavirus-related expenses, but the distribution of that money must be approved by the State Finance Council. The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Task Force was formed by Governor Kelly to come up with a plan to distribute federal money to Kansas counties. The task force decided to send the money to counties based on population size, coronavirus cases and unemployment numbers. The money must be spent by December 30, 2020, otherwise it will be taken back by the Federal Government.
(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:10:51-05:00June 17, 2020|News|

Regal reopening its Wichita theaters next month

Regal has announced plans to reopen its move theaters next month, including its Wichita locations. The company says on its website that reopening will begin July 10 and will come with a host of safety measures that include contactless payment options, including for concessions, social distancing and occupancy restrictions in line with any state or county regulation still in place. Staff will also increase sanitization of “high-contact points” and will use ULV foggers to treat each auditorium after every showing.
(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:11:32-05:00June 17, 2020|News|

Kansas site gets $180M defense job

The Kansas operations of General Electric Co.’s aviation division are getting a new corporate boss fresh on the heels of a major defense award that will help support work in Winfield. GE Aviation earlier this month was awarded a $180.6 million contract through the U.S. Navy that, according to a notice of the award from the Department of Defense, will cover engine repair and overhaul on multiple helicopter models. The work will be done at the Kansas facility, with funds obligated at the time of individual orders through June 2025. The GE (NYSE: GE) division employed around 750 people in Winfield and Arkansas City in Cowley County prior to the impact of Covid-19, but the company, like most of its counterparts in aerospace, has been shedding jobs due to the virus.

(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-06-18T08:14:10-05:00June 17, 2020|News|

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