Lawrence City Commission to consider agreement to power city buildings with wind energy

City leaders will soon consider an agreement that would allow nearly all of the energy that powers city buildings to come from renewable sources. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider entering into a 20-year agreement with Evergy Energy, formerly Westar Energy, for 8 megawatts of renewable energy annually. The energy would be generated from the Ponderosa Wind Farm in Beaver County, Okla., and is projected to save the city about $100,000 per year.
Read more: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2020-06-09T08:01:15-05:00June 9, 2020|News|

After 3 decades, Douglas County Public Works director to retire; he ‘really cared about the safety of the traveling public’

A longtime Douglas County public servant who has overseen some of the county’s unsung improvements will soon retire. Public Works Director Keith Browning, 66, will leave the position later this month after having served the county for 31 years over two stints, where he has overseen the maintenance and improvement of the county’s hundreds of miles of rural roads and related infrastructure. Browning, who has been the director for the department’s last 22 years, has also overseen much larger projects, including the reconstruction of the Lone Star Lake spillway and rehabilitation of the bridge over the Kansas River in Lecompton, he told the Journal-World in a recent interview.
Read more: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2020-06-09T08:00:50-05:00June 9, 2020|News|

Lawrence City Commission to discuss changes to controversial sidewalk repair program

City leaders will soon discuss some new ideas for sidewalk repair, including the creation of a sidewalk insurance program and a potential city takeover of maintenance responsibilities. The Lawrence City Commission requested to reconsider the city’s sidewalk maintenance program earlier this year, and the commission will discuss the potential changes as part of its work session Tuesday. Some residents have voiced strong opposition to the program, which generally requires homeowners and other property owners to pay to repair city sidewalks that border their property.
Read more: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2020-06-09T08:00:10-05:00June 9, 2020|News|

Topeka ordering non-union workers to take 5 unpaid days off

The City of Topeka is requiring its 285 non-union employees to take five unpaid days off to help cut the city’s costs in the wake of financial struggles tied to the coronavirus pandemic. City spokeswoman Molly Hadfield told the Topeka Capital-Journal that the employees must take the five days between June 13 and Sept. 18. City Manager Brent Trout last month eliminated the jobs held by the deputy city manager, neighborhood relations director and emergency management coordinator. Trout, the mayor and city council members also cut their own pay by 6%. The city is also considering changes in healthcare coverage for union employees.
(Read more: KSNT News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-09T08:57:53-05:00June 8, 2020|News|

Wichita plans to double emergency fund as COVID-19 expenses near million-dollar mark

Having already spent almost all of the $1 million set aside for Wichita’s response to coronavirus COVID-19, the city is poised to double its emergency fund to fight the disease. A request to put an additional $1 million into the fund will come before the Wichita City Council on Tuesday and Mayor Brandon Whipple said he doesn’t expect any opposition. “The thought moving forward is we’re going to be able to be reimbursed for this money,” Whipple said. “Our staff are conservative enough with their interpretations (of what’s reimbursable) to where we can feel confident about it.
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-06-09T08:58:52-05:00June 8, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County Expands COVID-19 Testing To Better Gauge Community Health

Sedgwick County is using three strategies for COVID-19 testing to get a better sense of disease spread in the community. The county opened up its free testing to people who don’t have any COVID-19 symptoms, began a random testing program and created a mobile testing unit to reach vulnerable populations. Until now, the county health department, working under guidelines set by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), used strict criteria to determine who was eligible for an appointment for testing.
(Read more: RSS Feed)

Ranson Financial2020-06-09T09:02:27-05:00June 8, 2020|News|

Kansas Governor Poised To Trade Some Emergency Powers To Keep Her COVID Orders

A deal forged by the governor and legislative leaders extends the Kansas disaster declaration in response to the coronavirus through September, for now ending what’s become a partisan conflict. The bill lets Gov. Laura Kelly keep some of her powers to respond to the coronavirus, like delaying deadlines for things such as filing taxes or renewing drivers licenses. The plan gives legislators more control over extending the disaster declaration and reviewing new orders. “A compromise position. A position that still allows the governor to operate,” Republican Rep. Fred Patton told the House this week.
(Read more: RSS Feed)

Ranson Financial2020-06-09T09:03:08-05:00June 8, 2020|News|

Butler community reacts to EduCare Center shuttering

The announcement that Butler Community College is terminating its EduCare Center program has been a source of shock and sadness throughout the community. The college announced the closure of the program earlier this month citing unpredictability of service because of COVID-19 and budget difficulties. “This business decision was made with a very heavy heart, but with looming budget cuts and the unpredictability of COVID-19 outbreaks, it was necessary,” Dean of Health, Education and Public Services Christy Streeter said in an email to parents on Monday, June 1. “We realize EduCare has had a positive impact at Butler and on the families and communities we have served over the years and that its closure is a loss for all.”
(Read more: andoveramerican.com)

Ranson Financial2020-06-09T09:19:47-05:00June 8, 2020|News|

Amidst budget concerns, advocates push for medical marijuana legalization

According to the Kansas Division of Budget, the state is expecting to face a $653 million shortfall in fiscal year 2021, this includes a projected $1.3 billion loss in tax revenue. Proponents of legalizing marijuana in the state say marijuana sales tax revenue could help. “With a budget that’s just absolutely destroyed in the state of Kansas, it would be something that would very much help with multiple different things,” said J. Andrew Ericson Sr., President of the Kansas Cannabis Business Association. Ericson points to Oklahoma as a state that the KCBA is looking to emulate with medical marijuana legislation. According to the Oklahoma state government website, the state brought in more than $39 million in medical marijuana revenue so far in June 2020. Colorado, which has legal medicinal and recreational marijuana, brought in more than $300 million in revenue in 2019. The KCBA estimates that Kansas could bring in approximately $200 million in revenue over 5 years.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-06-08T23:11:45-05:00June 8, 2020|News|

Mulvane City Council votes to reopen community venues, reevaluates pool opening

Mulvane City Council’s meeting last week included plans for reopening two community venues and reevaluation of opening the city pool, which the council decided for the second time to keep closed for the year. The council voted to allow the Mulvane Senior Center to open as early as June 8, with reopening plans and dates left up to the director of the senior center. The council said the center should follow “food service industry best practices” and comply with “the Ad Astra Plan guidelines for distancing and serving food” while also taking into account the health safety of volunteers, workers and patrons.

(Read more: Area | derbyinformer.com)

Ranson Financial2020-06-08T16:54:20-05:00June 8, 2020|News|

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