‘SPARK’ task force works to distribute $1 billion to Kansas counties

Governor Kelly’s ‘Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas’ (SPARK) Task Force met for the first time on Tuesday to determine the best way to distribute more than one billion dollars in federal funding.The committee is made up of local and state leaders from across Kansas. The federal money will be passed out based on population size and need, depending on the number of coronavirus cases and the economic impact in each county. The committee chose to distribute the money in phases. “This fair, impactful and timely distribution of funds to county governments will strengthen our health, speed the reopening of our economy and help our state remain open for business,” said Cheryl Harrison-Lee, Executive Director of the Recovery Office.
(Read more: KSNT News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-03T08:47:27-05:00June 3, 2020|News|

Roundabout done near St. John

The safety factor when traveling on U.S. 281 and U.S. 50 has increased where those highways intersect in Stafford County three miles south of St. John. After months of work starting in 2019, a new $5.2 million roundabout is completed and traffic is flowing through this intersection that had a history of injury and fatal accidents.The roundabout features an inner circle for regular traffic and a permanent detour outer diamond shape to accommodate oversize loads.
(Read more: Newton Kansan)

Ranson Financial2020-06-03T08:47:34-05:00June 3, 2020|News|

Ark City, Winfield announce resumption of recycling program

The City of Arkansas City and City of Winfield implemented new changes to the recycling programs in each community which began Monday as recycling service resumed. As has been publicized, Ark City and Winfield recently agreed to changes in the way the two cities provide recycling efforts. In response to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, both cities recently put a pause on their recycling collection efforts until the new program that began Monday. For both communities, the shared Arkansas City/Winfield Recycling Center, at Seventh Avenue and D Street in Strother Field, will be open for community drive-through drop-off from 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays and Saturdays, starting Friday.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Ranson Financial2020-06-03T08:47:57-05:00June 3, 2020|News|

After 15-year delay, Mission Gateway in Johnson County on hold again due to financing

After 15 years of delays, it seemed that progress was finally being made on the long-vacant site of the former Mission Mall in Johnson County. But just as the Mission Gateway development was taking shape, the coronavirus pandemic brought it to yet another halt. Now leaders in Mission expect to see construction equipment leaving the site, as developers continue to face financial challenges. Construction on the $225 million project, highly visible for commuters along Shawnee Mission Parkway, will not resume as planned this summer. “The development team has been transparent about their challenges with the project,” Mission Mayor Ron Appletoft said in a news release. “This is not where we hoped to be, but we have to respond to the realities in front of us. The city team is committed to exploring options, while continuing to protect the city’s financial interest in the project.”
(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-03T08:48:19-05:00June 3, 2020|News|

Which Wichita area pools are open this summer?

Want to go swimming this summer but not sure what pools are open? Here’s your guide to what pools are and aren’t planning on opening. Rock River Rapids plans to open June 8. The park will be limited to 750 guests per day – a third of its normal maximum capacity. Tickets are only available for purchase online. Lounge chairs won’t be available, concession stands are closed, and there will be no complimentary tubes or lifejackets throughout the park. Some slides will be closed. There will be no shower curtains in bathrooms, so guests are asked to come dressed in their swimsuit. Staff members will have their temperatures taken.
(Read more: Area | derbyinformer.com)

Ranson Financial2020-06-03T08:48:55-05:00June 2, 2020|News|

Derby STAR bond goals readdressed with new amendment

If you build it, will they come? That seemed to be a prevailing question among the Derby City Council at a special meeting May 28 focused on further expansion of the city’s STAR bond project. Primarily, the council questioned if a new project phase (including construction of a proposed rock climbing gym) would bring Derby closer to meeting the original goal of expanding regional tourism numbers and additional business development. “For Derby, it was more about trying to get attractions here that are family fun so our residents can enjoy them, and it adds to the quality of life for people who are thinking about the metro area,” said city manager Kathy Sexton.
(Read more: DerbyInformer.com – news,news/)

Ranson Financial2020-06-03T08:51:21-05:00June 2, 2020|News|

Cooped up by COVID-19, residents of this Johnson County city want backyard chickens

Prairie Village could become the latest city in the Kansas City metro to let residents keep backyard chickens. “In the current environment that we find ourselves in right now, there’s a growing feel for people wanting to be more self-sufficient,” said Councilwoman Inga Selders, who proposed the idea, she said, after receiving about 100 messages from residents wanting their own chickens. “This year, we’ve seen a renaissance of people planting their victory gardens, keeping bees, composting their food waste and wanting the ability to raise hens for fresh eggs.”
(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-03T08:51:32-05:00June 2, 2020|News|

Circle USD 375 partners with Farms to Families to provide boxes of food to communities

Circle USD 375 has partnered with Farms to Families to provide boxes of food to communities. The distribution will be Wednesday, June 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Circle High School located at 905 Main Street in Towanta. There will be a drive-through pickup, and it is free for anyone who needs it. Food boxes will be first come, first serve.
(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-06-03T08:51:41-05:00June 2, 2020|News|

Police in riot gear clash with demonstrators overnight in north Wichita

The Wichita Police Department says two people were arrested and three officers suffered minor injuries after a protest turned violent Monday night. Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay says when the disruption occurred Monday night near 21st Street and Arkansas, people were told to clear the area, but 50 to 70 people refused to leave and began throwing rocks, cinder blocks, water bottles and other debris. Police say people began to gather for a demonstration near 21st and Arkansas at about 7 p.m. Monday. At about 11:30 p.m., the front glass of the Metro PCS store in the 700 block of West 21st Street was vandalized after police say “random shots began to occur.”
(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-03T08:52:58-05:00June 2, 2020|News|

Baldwin City, Eudora collecting more in local sales taxes during pandemic

Residents of Baldwin City and Eudora appear to have done more of their shopping close to home since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the latest sales tax figures from the Kansas Department of Revenue suggest. Both communities collected more revenue from their local sales taxes in March of this year than in March 2019. And Baldwin City Administrator Glenn Rodden and Eudora City Manager Barack Matite say that’s because many people were staying put in the bedroom communities during the pandemic. Many Baldwin City and Eudora residents who work in larger urban areas like Lawrence and Johnson County either lost their jobs or started working from home in March, the two city leaders said. That and safety concerns provided an incentive to shop at the local businesses that traditionally provide the city governments with most of their sales tax revenue.
Read more: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2020-06-02T08:44:08-05:00June 2, 2020|News|