Lawrence City Commission to discuss possible transition to 100% renewable energy

City leaders will soon discuss whether to commit to running on all renewable energy in the coming years.

As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will receive a recommendation from the Sustainability Advisory Board to adopt a policy committing to 100% renewable energy for city operations and, ultimately, the entire community.

Lawrence-Douglas County Sustainability Director Jasmin Moore said cities have some of the largest utility accounts and can therefore lead by example when it comes to energy use.

Riverfront Legacy group moves forward with a plan that tears down Century II

Century II has been eliminated from Wichita’s skyline in a redesign of the east bank of the Arkansas River in downtown Wichita, replaced by mixed-use buildings and a large “programmable green space” that connects new performing arts and convention centers with the river.

That’s the direction the Riverfront Legacy Master Plan coalition wants to go, the group of downtown and business booster organizations decided Monday. The decision was based on months of public engagement and years of studies, group members said.

But local elected officials, who would be charged with approving the plan and then figuring out how to fund it, are divided on the issue. Outgoing Mayor Jeff Longwell said Tuesday that he disagrees with the way the group reached its conclusion.

(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2019-12-17T19:16:57-06:00December 17, 2019|News|

Emporia Public Library looks to future upon celebrating 150th birthday

The Emporia Public Library celebrated a major milestone Saturday.

The day marked exactly 150 years since, on Dec. 14, 1869, a group of Emporia citizens recognized the need for a library in the 12-year-old community. A year of special events, speakers and more culminated with a 150th birthday party. Library staff, board members and advocates along with local politicians and patrons helped mark the occasion.

Emporia Public Library Director Robin Newell said it is the longest continuously operating library in Kansas.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Ranson Financial2019-12-17T19:16:09-06:00December 17, 2019|News|

Kansas fourth-grader rescues another student at lunch with Heimlich maneuver

It’s always good to have a friend in the school cafeteria – especially when that friend is a hero.

Scott City Elementary School fourth-grader Keller Turner wasted no time leaping into action to save a friend from choking at lunch.

It happened on Friday around 1:30 p.m. in the Kansas school cafeteria. Nicole Turner, the proud mother of the 10-year-old, said the students were having lunch as usual when a friend of Keller’s started choking.

“His face turned red really, really fast, and I knew he wasn’t joking,” Keller said. “I just took action instead of waiting for it.”

(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)

Ranson Financial2019-12-17T19:15:07-06:00December 17, 2019|News|

Hesston council discusses new grocery store possibilities

Hesston Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Megan Smith and the Hesston City Council addressed the need for a grocery store in town during the Monday night council meeting, but didn’t come to any final decisions.

“In the spring of 2019, the Hesston Chamber of Commerce formed a task force whose work would focus on bringing a grocery store back to the community of Hesston,” according to information handed to the council. “This group has worked diligently toward this effort. Activities have included surveying community members, analyzing market needs by utilizing outside resources, engaging with the Kansas State University Rural Grocery Initiative to gain insights into the industry and exploring all possible avenues to bring access to groceries back to the community.”

Smith told council members the old grocery store building will be available soon and that they feel it’s important to bring a grocery store to Hesston sooner than later. If the building is used for a potential grocery store, it uses a pre-existing building in the community, Smith said.

(Read more: Harvey County Now)

Ranson Financial2019-12-17T21:24:13-06:00December 17, 2019|News|

Kansas communities win funds to fuel local change

Kansans from across the state are awarded $43,800 to help strengthen early childhood efforts in their local communities.

A total of 45 Community Action Lab grants will be handed out, which organizations will use to address the question: “What can you create today to help ensure each child in your community has the best possible start in life?”

(Read more: hiawathaworldonline.com)

Ranson Financial2019-12-17T19:12:50-06:00December 17, 2019|News|

Groundbreaking for affordable housing in Valley Center

Advocates for more affordable housing have been sounding the alarm here in the Wichita area. On Tuesday, a sign of progress for people on fixed incomes.

The Mennonite Housing group from Wichita provides affordable homes to hundreds of independent senior citizens on fixed incomes, like Sunflower Gardens in Valley Center.

“They just take good care of us and they love us because they give us good prices and help us out and we help each other,” says Carol King, a resident at Sunflower Gardens.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2019-12-17T19:11:47-06:00December 17, 2019|News|

Kansas Highway Patrol troopers stop to sled with some kids

The Kansas Highway Patrol was busy Monday with the snow that rolled through Kansas.

However, the snow didn’t stop them from having a little fun.

Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Chad Crittenden shared a video of Trooper Mueller and Schnieder stopped to sled with some children between calls.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2019-12-17T19:06:51-06:00December 17, 2019|News|

Finney County administrator picked to lead Reno County

The Reno County Commission voted Tuesday to hire Finney County Administrator Randall Partington as the county’s next administrator, replacing Gary Meagher, who is retiring at the end of the year after a decade with the county.

Partington, 43, is required to give 60-day notice at his current job, so he’ll start with Reno County on Feb. 17.

Reno County Youth Services Director Bill Hermes will serve as interim administrator after Meagher retires at the end of the year, Meagher advised at the end of Tuesday’s county commission meeting.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2019-12-17T19:05:44-06:00December 17, 2019|News|

A business improvement district could bring vibrancy to Douglas, but not without a cost

A proposed Business Improvement District along a stretch of Douglas Avenue could bring significant economic growth to the area, supporters of the initiative say.

They argue it could mean more Wichita businesses are bolstered by organized marketing and programming efforts.

More splashy murals for buildings and alleyways that a decade ago were desolate and colorless.

And, ultimately, a BID could impact the city’s efforts to retain and recruit talent and new business.

“It’s an all-ships-rise sort of philosophy,” said Renee Duxler, executive director of the Douglas Design District, the group spearheading the effort to create the BID. “That when everybody’s successful and growing our economy and increasing jobs and sales tax revenue that everybody benefits from.”
(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)

Ranson Financial2019-12-16T09:32:08-06:00December 16, 2019|News|

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