Bill would allow public schools in Kansas to pay for college tuition

Terrell Davis pictures a future where students currently at risk of falling through cracks instead walk across a graduation stage with both a high school diploma and 60 hours of college credit.

Davis, executive director of public affairs for Wichita Public Schools, said the launch this year of the district’s Early College Academy will change the trajectory of 50 students.

These students may come from low-income families, and current state law blocks public schools from paying for higher education classes. Davis said the district is raising funds to help offset tuition costs, but he encouraged members of a Senate panel on Monday to support legislation that would allow schools to use general fund dollars on programs like the one in Wichita.

Ranson Financial2020-02-10T18:26:11-06:00February 10, 2020|News|

Flu taking toll in central Kansas

When flu-like symptoms hit Harold Windholz, 86, of Pratt, last week he knew it wasn’t going to be a good experience.

“It started in my chest; it just got real tight. I could hardly breathe,” Windholz said. “It knocked me out for two days.”

Windholz said he stayed home, didn’t go anywhere, propped himself up while sleeping and just tried to stay warm while drinking plenty of fluids. After two days he was no longer running a fever, and though he felt weak, he ventured out to get himself a newspaper.

Ranson Financial2020-02-10T18:25:21-06:00February 10, 2020|News|

Pratt recognizes Meyer and remembers Gourley

Past Mayor Doug Meyer was honored for his service and city leaders remembered the service of city employee Lane Gourley at their February 3, 2020 meeting in Pratt.

City manager Bruce Pinkall presented Meyer, who stepped down from mayor to a seat on the commission in January, with a plaque honoring his two years of exemplary service to the city of Pratt. Meyer served as mayor from January 2018 to January 2020.

New Mayor Gary Schmidt opened the regular portion of the city meeting expressing sympathy to the family of City Electrical Distribution Superintendent Lane Gourley for their loss. Gourley died unexpectedly at the end of January 2020 from a brief illness.

(Read more: Pratt, KS – Pratt Tribune)

Ranson Financial2020-02-11T06:13:36-06:00February 10, 2020|News|

PSU creates new $1,000 scholarship for grads of Crawford County high schools

The Pittsburg State University Office of Admission announced today the creation of the Gorilla Promise Award for May 2020 graduates of all Crawford County high schools to defray the cost of their first year of higher education.

The award will be in the amount of $1,000, or $500 per semester, a release from PSU said.

In order to qualify, students must be admitted to PSU, graduate from a Crawford County Kansas high school, and be a full-time degree seeking student. Applications for scholarships may be completed at pittstate.edu/admission.

(Read more: Community – Morning Sun)

Ranson Financial2020-02-11T06:13:53-06:00February 10, 2020|News|

Wichita considers banning or taxing plastic bags

The city of Wichita is considering banning plastic bags or implementing a city-wide tax to curb their use.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the City Council voted for a new task force to consider reducing or eliminating single-use plastic bags. Either option would make Wichita the first city in Kansas to pass a plastic bag ordinance. Other cities in the U.S. have banned plastic bags or imposed taxes on them.

The task force is scheduled to meet this month to discuss what such a move could end up costing businesses and the city to implement.

The post Wichita considers banning or taxing plastic bags appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Ranson Financial2020-02-10T17:42:31-06:00February 10, 2020|News|

‘We don’t exist’: In push for Dodge City complete count, Census fears threaten resources

The Hispanic culture in Dodge City fosters a fear of the forthcoming census count and a desire to remain invisible, said Jessica Salas, a graduate of the public high school and community college in Dodge City.

“We just got used to being invisible whether we’re legal or not,” she said. “If we’re not being counted, it’s like we don’t exist.”

Deeply held reservations present a challenge to community leaders who are determined to become more culturally competent in the pursuit of a complete census count. Some members of difficult-to-reach demographics, when informed of the benefits of unlocking federal resources, have committed themselves to the same goal.

(Read more: Dodge City Daily Globe)

Ranson Financial2020-02-10T17:27:39-06:00February 10, 2020|News|

Derby’s park rental picture changes

Revenue from the city’s park rental facilities was down slightly in 2019, due mostly to the way in which a major venue rental was handled.
The city collected a bit more than $191,000 in rental fees in 2019 from sites in Madison Avenue Central Park and Warren Riverview Park. It was $206,000 in 2018.
The figures are part of the Derby Public Library’s 2019 annual report. The library and its staff have charge of the city’s park rental spaces.
(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)

Ranson Financial2020-02-11T06:14:28-06:00February 10, 2020|News|

Gardner’s documentary coming this Spring

A $27,000 documentary approved by the Gardner City Council last year has not yet aired, but should broadcast this spring. It will feature Laurence Fishburne as narrator.
…
The programming, to run under the banner of “great places to live, work and raise a family,” will include a 3-5 minute short documentary. The documentary will bridge the gap between 30-60 minute shows on public television. The videos will also include a 5-6 minute “behind the scenes” documentary that will be emailed to viewers requesting information about great places to live, work and raise a family.
(Read more: Gardner News)

Ranson Financial2020-02-11T06:15:27-06:00February 10, 2020|News|

Pit Bull supporters want Junction City to lift ban

Pit bull supporters are calling for the military town of Junction City to lift its ban of the breed.
The Hays Post reports that Kim Bradney of Legalize Bully JC says the ban forces some people in the community near Fort Riley to choose to live in surrounding communities with friendlier pit bull policies. She said the more than 20-year-old ban has left animal shelters flooded with dogs that aren’t adoptable. She said several other cities in the state already have removed their bans.
Commissioner Ronna Larson asked city staff last week to check into different ordinance options.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-02-11T06:15:40-06:00February 10, 2020|News|

Johnson County looks to cut bus routes, grow microtransit. But not all officials agree

Johnson County leaders are looking to reduce bus routes with low ridership and expand other parts of the public transportation system — including the Uber-like microtransit system, which officials say has been growing in popularity each month.

But some worry the plan will cause more harm than good, eliminating a transportation option for some elderly and disabled residents, as well as low-wage workers. They have concerns that the county isn’t doing enough to build a more robust, effective transportation system to better serve the burgeoning Kansas City suburbs.

“I urge you to not cut these routes until you have a plan in mind to assist all of the individuals whose bus routes you would be removing,” Sheila Styron, a visually impaired Kansas City resident, told the board of commissioners at their Jan. 30 meeting. “These people cannot afford Ubers. They cannot afford taxis. If you don’t have something in place to serve them, I urge you to please keep the bus routes until you do.”

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2020-02-10T17:17:15-06:00February 10, 2020|News|