Proposal would ban panhandling at specific intersections

Banning panhandling at 23 of Topeka’s most dangerous intersections — but not at any others — is the focus of a proposal recommended for approval Monday by a special committee of city officials and community leaders.

Committee members voted 5-0 to recommend the mayor and city council adopt restrictions that would generally prohibit pedestrian interaction with people in vehicles at 23 specific intersections.

Such interaction would continue to be allowed at all other crossings, said assistant Topeka city attorney Luther Ganieany.

Ranson Financial2019-12-09T19:43:42-06:00December 9, 2019|News|

Study: Eliminating most flooding on Buhler Road could cost $4.5 million

A study by a Wichita engineering firm tasked with looking at how to reduce flooding on Buhler Road from the Little Arkansas River pegged the cost at nearly $4.5 million.

That figure includes both raising the roadway by several feet over nearly half a mile in length and rebuilding the river bridge just south of Buhler.

Just raising the road itself would prevent floodwater from a “100-year-storm” overtopping the road, but without replacing the bridge it would also cause floodwaters to back up and potentially impact residences upstream of the bridge, the study by WSP found.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2019-12-09T19:39:30-06:00December 9, 2019|News|

Louisburg considers concept for downtown pavilion

The community might be getting a new downtown public venue.

The Louisburg City Council voted 5-0 on Nov. 18 to move forward with the design of a downtown pavilion that would be built on the empty lot next to the water tower downtown.

The move would advance the proposed steel-topped structure from the conceptual phase to an engineered plan which could be put out for construction bid if the council opts to do so. If the project moves forward, it would be budgeted for 2021.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Ranson Financial2019-12-09T21:06:24-06:00December 9, 2019|News|

Affordable Housing board asks whether portion of sales tax revenue should fund housing vouchers, other social services

The city’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board is asking whether part of the money from the city’s affordable housing sales tax should be earmarked for social services such as housing vouchers.

The board had the discussion at its meeting Monday, following its most recent round of funding. None of the funding, which was the first to use dollars generated from a citywide sales tax for affordable housing efforts, went to fund social services. A few board members asked whether the board should divide the approximately $1 million of annual affordable housing funding into two pots, one for construction or renovation projects and one for social services.

Hutch buys 3 properties for flood control

The city of Hutchinson is buying two houses and one vacant lot in an area east of South Plum Street as part of its strategy to reduce flooding.

The Hutchinson City Council approved negotiated contracts to buy:

• A three-room house in the area of South Plum Street and East Avenue D, owned by Joe and Melinda Richardson. The land and building were appraised by the Reno County Appraiser at $12,430 for 2019. The city agreed to pay $15,000. The house will be demolished.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2019-12-09T01:22:35-06:00December 9, 2019|News|

Topeka group opposes reducing stretch of S.W. 12th to one lane

By planning to rebuild the two-lane S.W. 12th Street as a one-lane street between S.W. Topeka and Gage boulevards, Topeka’s city government is clearly going against the will of most people who would be affected, members of a recently formed grassroots organization said Saturday afternoon.

The 12th Street Reality Coalition revealed at a news conference that among those who responded to a recent unscientific poll conducted on the “Nextdoor” neighborhood social network website, 123 said they opposed that move while only 16 supported it.

“Arrogance and hubris are driving the City’s bulldozer down S.W. 12th and over the wishes of residents and voters,” the coalition said in a news release.

Ranson Financial2019-12-09T06:27:06-06:00December 9, 2019|News|

Wichita proposes longer term limits for mayor and city council

Wichita’s mayor and city council members could decide Tuesday whether they should be able to serve an extra four years.

Under a city law passed by voters in 1991, Wichita’s mayor and council members are limited to two consecutive four-year terms.

The City Council can put the question on the ballot again, if they so choose. But a proposed chartered ordinance on Tuesday’s city council agenda would allow the mayor and city council members themselves to vote on whether to extend that to three terms.

(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2019-12-09T01:16:05-06:00December 9, 2019|News|

‘Hurt our hearts’: Kansas town grieves 4 children killed in Thanksgiving Day wreck

A small town in north-central Kansas is grieving the loss of four children who died Thanksgiving Day when the vehicle they were in overturned and became submerged in a pond.

They were headed with their mother and her boyfriend to a nearby relative’s house when their sport utility vehicle lost control on 30 Road, a gravel route north of U.S. 36 in Republic County.

The SUV rolled upside down. The mother’s boyfriend pulled her out, but they couldn’t get to the children, according to Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Ben Gardner.

(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2019-12-09T01:15:07-06:00December 9, 2019|News|

Mission gears up for change in trash collection provider, with WCA to take over Jan. 1

Be on the lookout, Mission residents: soon enough, garbage bins and trucks with a new logo will be on the streets.

WCA, a Houston-based waste management company, will start as Mission’s new solid waste collection provider starting Jan. 1, 2020. The city’s contract with Waste Management ends Dec. 31, and the city council recently chose to award a new contract to WCA after a competitive bid process.

“We’re looking forward to a relationship with WCA and being able to continue to provide comprehensive solid waste services to all of our residents,” City Administrator Laura Smith said.

Ranson Financial2019-12-09T01:14:09-06:00December 9, 2019|News|

Wichita area’s second-biggest employer announces layoffs

One of Wichita’s largest employers will reduce its staff but the company isn’t saying by how many.

On Thursday, Textron Aviation announced it would lay off “some professional positions” effective Dec. 31.

A Textron spokesperson wouldn’t release any additional information other than the two-paragraph statement.

(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2019-12-09T01:09:51-06:00December 9, 2019|News|