Brew tourism boosting small-town economies, farmers

Nationwide, consumers are making micro-breweries a destination. As more and more people want to support local businesses, they’re heading to micro-breweries – sometimes supporting a farmer in addition to the brewery. Breweries are bringing customers into small towns and cities across Kansas. “It’s not just visiting Sonoma anymore,“ said Bart Watson, chief economist for the Brewers Association. “People are willing to travel to visit a brewery. Brew tours of micro-breweries are big now.” Although dozens of breweries in Wichita and Kansas City garner followers, cities off the beaten path, like Garden City and Scott City, attract “beer tourists,“ as well
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-06-15T07:48:21-05:00June 15, 2020|News|

Support for law enforcement shown at Pratt rally

The sun was hot, the Kansas wind blowing and the gathered crowd small in numbers, but the support felt by Pratt county and city police officers was overwhelming, and they were grateful a community prayer support service Thursday evening in Pratt. “I wanted to do this because I just felt we need unity and peace in our country,” said prayer support service organizer Donna Rawlings. “We are so thankful here, for all of our law enforcement, police, fire, EMS workers. It never hurts to offer prayers for their safety and to let them know, publicly, that we appreciate all that they do on a daily basis.” Pratt Ascension Lutheran Church pastor Dan Chrismer led a group of more than 25 in a prayer of thanks and support, mentioning special protection for all those willing to give their lives for friends known and unknown, every day on the job.
(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-15T07:48:30-05:00June 15, 2020|News|

Hutch Municipal Band celebrating 145th season

The Hutchinson Municipal Band is pleased to announce their 2020 Summer Concert Series beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 16. In light of the threat of COVID-19, performances will move from the Reno County Farmer’s Market to Carey Park next to the Hutchinson Zoo to facilitate social distancing and give patrons with pre-existing conditions and other high-risk categories the opportunity to enjoy concerts from the safety of their cars. “It was so important to perform that even if our season was abbreviated, it was important to provide some normalcy to our community. But we wanted to be smart about it,” said Randy Johnston, the band’s president. Now its 145th year, the Hutchinson Municipal Band continues its longtime service to the community of Hutchinson and Reno County by presenting its free annual Summer Concerts Series featuring the Salt City Jazz Band and the Hutchinson Municipal Band’s Concert Band.
(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-15T07:48:36-05:00June 15, 2020|News|

Wheat harvest 2020 is a go, some fields going at 60 bushels an acre

There’s finally some good news for 2020. The wheat harvest is getting started in Sumner County and it looks good so far. Obviously, the Coronavirus did not affect the wheat and the weather cooperated, and that should make for a good crop this year. Sumner County Extension Agent Randy Hein said the weather provided a good fill period, and it seems dry enough for farmers to get in the fields and begin harvesting. Some have already started in the Caldwell area, as well as Wellington. There are some areas of the county that still have some maturing to do. The extension service cut a plot they had planted for research, it looked good. Hein said he did not have any data yet, but what he saw looked good. “I have heard of some 60 bushels per acre yields and it would not surprise me if there were some fields that had 80 bushels per acre,” he said.
(Read more: Sumner NewsCow)

Ranson Financial2020-06-15T07:48:41-05:00June 15, 2020|News|

Protestors in downtown Ark City call for racial justice

The “Black Lives Matter” chant being shouted across the globe reached Arkansas City, Kansas on Saturday afternoon as protestors against racial injustice packed the corners of a busy downtown intersection. At 1 p.m., Summit Street and Central Avenue began to fill up with residents holding all manner of signs and occasionally shouting “Black Lives Matter” as cars drove by, many of which honked their horns in support. The event was staged near Ben Givens City Center Park, which offered some shade for protester throughout the hot afternoon. Notably, the park is named after a former Ark City mayor and police officer who was African American.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Ranson Financial2020-06-15T07:49:00-05:00June 15, 2020|News|

Winfield Public Library begins curbside service

Winfield Public Library will begin curbside service the week of June 14 for those in the 67156 zip code. Patrons can pick up requested books, Grab & Go Crafts, book club books, Summer Reading Program packets and more. Board games and DVDs are not available for check out at this time. During curbside, patrons can either request items online using WPL’s catalog (found at wpl.org) or can call the library during call hours. For those who are book browsers or aren’t sure exactly which books they want, can call and library personnel will make recommendations. Once ordered books are pulled, patrons will be contacted to schedule a time to drive through and pick up the items.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Ranson Financial2020-06-15T07:49:19-05:00June 15, 2020|News|

Gardner faces revenue shortfall, makes cuts

Gardner’s general fund is projected to have a $1.2 million revenue shortfall, according to Matthew Wolff, Gardner finance director. Councilmember’s discussed the city’s budget at their May 18 meeting. The shortfall is partly due to the impact of COVD 19, community growth and staffing needs, increased operational costs with the new Justice Center and special assessments moved from the bond and interest fund. Revenue sources impacted include city and county sales tax, programming revenues for parks and recreation, municipal court fines and fees. To maintain a general fund balance of 25 percent , the finance staff implemented budget cuts of $1.4 million to departments. Cuts include pushing back purchase of eight police cars, not budgeting merit increases in 2021 and not filling a requested 15.5 positions.
(Read more: Gardner News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-15T07:49:30-05:00June 15, 2020|News|

Defund police? Here’s how much Kansas City area spends as debate rages across U.S.

Erase the thin blue line. Dissolve local police forces and create something new to enforce the laws and help people in a more humane, cost-effective and less violent way. That’s the demand from some across the country in the wake of the Memorial Day police killing of George Floyd. The Minneapolis City Council plans on doing just that. The death of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, not only sparked worldwide protests of police brutality, but also rekindled a movement that’s been smoldering since racial unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, six years ago stirred calls for radical reform of law enforcement.
(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-15T07:49:43-05:00June 15, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County commissioners looking at policy for townships

After hearing complaints and concerns about some rural road conditions in southern Sedgwick County, there are discussions on a policy that would allow the county to step in and resolve problems and issues inside townships. County commissioner Jim Howell says there are some cases where townships have been unable to keep the roads passable. He and other commissioners are looking at a policy that would be in line with state statutes, where the county would fix a problem road and then bill the township for the costs. Howell said “Overall, I think townships do great work, but there are some times where there is an issue that seems to be unsolvable.” He said the statute allows county commissioners to solve the problem, and he’s calling for a policy to provide a framework that will guide the county in situations like this.
(Read more: KFDI 101.3)

Ranson Financial2020-06-15T07:49:55-05:00June 15, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County extends partnership for proposed Northwest K-96 Bypass

Sedgwick County commissioners have agreed to extend a partnership with the Kansas Department of Transportation for a proposed future highway project. The county has been buying right-of-way for a proposed Northwest Bypass that would connect K-96 near Maize with Highway 54 near Goddard. The partnership will be extended another five years, starting in 2021. The county has budgeted $1 million for right-of-way purchases in 2021 and the state has agreed to match that. The county has been buying right-of-way since 2006. Commissioner David Dennis said about one third of the needed property has been purchased. He said the project represents a huge economic development opportunity for Maize, Goddard and west Wichita.
(Read more: KFDI 101.3)

Ranson Financial2020-06-15T07:50:58-05:00June 15, 2020|News|