Iola blaze prompts water conservation in Humboldt

Humboldt residents are being asked to conserve water while the city supply is tested.

A water conservation notice has been issued for the City of Humboldt and Allen County RWD 9 and 10.

Public Works Director Jeremy Bulk said the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is testing the supply from the Neosho River for chemicals after a fire Wednesday in Iola.

The city is advising residents to conserve water by restricting usage to drinking and sanitary uses and limit non-essential uses such as (laundry, dishwashing, washing cars, watering plants, etc.) until the water supply can be restored. The water system is able to meet demands as they exist. However, lowering the demands will extend the municipal water entity’s ability to meet future demands without significant disruption.

Ranson Financial2020-01-03T02:45:45-06:00January 3, 2020|News|

Louisburg extends housing credit and facade programs

Two Louisburg programs that offer financial assistance to homeowners are being extended into 2020, according to a city of Louisburg news release.

The new home building credit has been renewed for 2020. This credit is for new home construction in the city limits and on average saves a homeowner $1,500 on inspections and related fees, according to the release. …

The Facades of Louisburg Improvement Program (FLIP) has also been extended to 2020. This program offers a grant up to $500 for homeowners and $2,500 for business owners to make improvements to the façade of their home or business.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Ranson Financial2020-01-03T07:02:15-06:00January 3, 2020|News|

Clay County turns down request to grade KDWPT roads

After considerable discussion, Clay County Commissioners agreed Monday not to get involved in grading roads for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) in the Milford Lake Wildlife Area.

Interim Highway Administrator Jeff Germann reported his office received a letter from Milford Wildlife Area Manager Kristen Kloft asking if the county would be interested in preparing a cost per hour for the grading of approximately 22 miles of roads that KDWPT are responsible for, according to the minutes of Monday’s meeting. Currently the roads are being graded four times a year. Germann told commissioners that a private contractor typically does that work.

Ranson Financial2020-01-03T07:01:24-06:00January 3, 2020|News|

Wind farm windfall varies widely in state

Kansas counties are on their own when negotiating payment in lieu of taxes agreements with wind farm companies looking to install turbines in their counties, and payments vary widely from one wind farm to another.

The most recent figures available, from a 2017 study by Flatland, a Kansas City-based public broadcasting system, show payments to counties range from $1,000 to $6,500 per megawatt produced. Marion County’s agreements place it near the bottom for payments for wind farms in the state.

A recently-completed wind farm in the northern portion of the county, Diamond Vista, pays the county $900 per megawatt produced. Diamond Vista is owned by Enel Green Power.
Diamond Vista’s first payment in lieu of taxes to the county, made in December, was $269,325.

(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Ranson Financial2020-01-03T03:52:48-06:00January 2, 2020|News|

2020 will bring a new baseball stadium and plenty of 150th birthday parties

It’ll be a year of birthday celebrations for several familiar local entities: a sesquicentennial for Wichita and Sedgwick County, a quasquicentennial for WSU, a centennial year for Mark Arts, the 85th anniversary of WAM and the 20th anniversary of Exploration Place.

Events marking the sesquicentennial of Wichita and Sedgwick County are still being planned, according to Megan Lovely, the communications and special events manager for the city. So far, only one major event has been announced for the 150th celebration: an Aug. 15 “150 for 150” gala at Koch Arena that will recognize outstanding athletes who got their start Wichita. Hoopster Lynette Woodard, the first woman member of the Harlem Globetrotters, and Olympian Jim Ryun, the first high school athlete to run a mile under four minutes, are confirmed keynote speakers, according to Bob Lutz, executive director of the nonprofit youth baseball League 42, which is helping plan the event. Keep an eye on the event’s Facebook page for more confirmed participants.

(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-01-02T03:14:55-06:00January 2, 2020|News|

New air service from Dodge to Denver takes off in February

SkyWest Airlines announced the schedule for its daily United Express jet service between Dodge City and Denver that will begin Feb. 13.

“Access to reliable local air service means more choice and more convenience for Dodge City travelers,” said Greg Atkin, SkyWest Airlines managing director for Market Development. “We’re excited to connect Dodge City travelers to Denver and beyond starting in February.”

The flight schedule, which is subject to change, includes daily departures from Dodge City at 6:45 a.m., as well as flights every day except Tuesday and Saturday departing Dodge City at 5:44 p.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-01-02T02:59:40-06:00January 2, 2020|News|

New Topeka city flag replaces old one on pole outside City Hall

“This is a great day for our city,” city manager Brent Trout said.

Participants gathered at 12:15 p.m. in a shaded area just north of the city hall building at 215 S.E. 7th, where an American flag flies from a pole just east of the entrance and the city flag flies from a pole just to its west.

During a ceremony that lasted about 14 minutes, a color guard consisting of Topeka police officers and firefighters removed the old city flag and hoisted the new one.

Those present first heard from four speakers: De La Isla, Trout, former Topeka Mayor Joan Wagnon and Angel Romero, chairman of the executive board for Forge, the city’s young professionals organization.

Ranson Financial2020-01-02T02:37:51-06:00January 2, 2020|News|

With stable occupied downtown Newton, energy turns toward making it stronger

Newton’s downtown has a 92 percent occupancy rate.

That’s the result of an unscientific walking survey conducted by Newton Now, looking at some 185 locations in the city’s central businesses district, consisting of Main Street from First to Eighth Street and including the side intersecting streets from Fourth to Seventh Street.

The number represents a small uptick from the 90 percent occupancy found by Newton Now in 2017.

Scott Sewell, director of the state’s Main Street program said a strong downtown represents an important asset for Newton.
“If you look at sales tax, property tax, the number of jobs downtown, I couldn’t guess how many jobs are in downtown Newton, but if you looked at it as a whole, it’s probably as big an employer as any in your community,” he said. “It’s really important as city leaders or community to look at it collectively, then you can start realizing that it’s important for us to support this.”

(Read more: Harvey County Now)

Ranson Financial2020-01-02T06:51:13-06:00January 2, 2020|News|

Hesston committee exploring all ideas to rejuvenate downtown

Hesston faces some unique challenges compared to similar like-sized cities when trying to come up with ways to attract people downtown.

“We essentially have a one-block downtown, or that’s how it appears to people who visit or come to shop,” City Administrator Gary Emry said.

Emry is among about a dozen residents on a downtown revitalization committee who are tasked with formulating ways to attract people to Hesston’s downtown. The group has been meeting since May to figure out how to make downtown vital.

(Read more: Harvey County Now)

Ranson Financial2020-01-02T02:18:41-06:00January 2, 2020|News|

Halstead Main Street sees growth in 2019

There are fewer vacant buildings downtown on Halstead’s Main Street than there were this time a year ago. The city saw a burst of business growth in 2019 with half a dozen new businesses starting up.

Local businessman Cory Harrington was a big part encouraging that growth by working with building owners to negotiate affordable lease rates. Thanks to Harrington’s efforts, Fiesta Mexico Grill came to 221 Main, Henry’s Chase came to 261 Main, and The Twisted Cow and A Marie Studios came to share 230 Main. These represent three buildings that were vacant at the start of the year that now are filled.

Harrington also kept spaces filled at the shared 309 Main building. When the Tortoise Gallery relocated from 309 to 224 in January, Mom Cave Designs quickly filled its old spot. An office at the rear of 309 was filled by SJ Beauty Bar in October after the previous tenant left.

(Read more: Harvey County Now)

Ranson Financial2020-01-02T02:13:28-06:00January 2, 2020|News|