Shawnee to draft Tobacco 21 ordinance, regulate locations of future vape stores within city limits

The Shawnee city council has directed city staff to draft a Tobacco 21 ordinance that would raise the age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21.

Shawnee is one of the last cities in northeast Johnson County not to have passed a Tobacco 21 ordinance. Proponents and opponents alike noted that as a result, Shawnee has become a safe haven for tobacco and vape users between the age of 18 and 21 and the businesses that cater to this age group.

(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2019-12-05T22:10:15-06:00December 5, 2019|News|

A Shrinking Kansas Town Pins Its Hopes For Growth On The Promise Of Free Tuition

The Emporia Community Foundation and staff at What’s In Outdoors understand that college can be expensive – that’s why they’re inviting high school seniors to apply for the What’s In Outdoors Scholarship.

The $1,000 scholarship is available to any graduating high school senior in the state of Kansas planning to attend a Kansas college or university. Applicants must plan to make a career in conservation in some capacity and take classes pertaining to wildlife, nature, photography, journalism, communications, or any other related fields.

Successful applicants will receive $500 per semester after showing proof of full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 credit hours). The second semester payment will be sent after grades from the first semester are received.

(Read more: Rural Messenger)

Ranson Financial2019-12-05T19:53:47-06:00December 5, 2019|News|

Junction City hires new chief of police from Florida

A new police chief is taking over in Junction City.

It was announced at Wednesday’s city commission meeting that John Lamb is replacing the recently retired Dan Breci. For 26 years, Lamb has served the Jacksonville, Florida Sheriff’s Department. He most recently served as Police Lieutenant over the Patrol and Community Affairs Unit and was an Assistant Chief in the department.

Lamb said in a release it’s been a long-term goal of his to serve as Police Chief in a community like Junction City, committed to its police department.

A start date for Chief Lamb has not been announced.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Ranson Financial2019-12-05T19:52:41-06:00December 5, 2019|News|

Wichita approves contract for new water treatment facility

Wichita is on track to develop a second water treatment facility after the city council approved a $500 million contract.

The council voted unanimously on Tuesday to give the biggest contract in the city’s history to Wichita Water Partners. The group’s relationship with Mayor Jeff Longwell came under scrutiny after a report by The Wichita Eagle alleged he steered the water contract toward the group to benefit his friends and political donors.

City officials wanted to continue to work with Wichita Water Partners out of fear of losing federal funding or not finding another company to bid on the project, The Eagle reported.

(Read more: Area | derbyinformer.com)

Ranson Financial2019-12-05T19:51:09-06:00December 5, 2019|News|

Seward County approves communications project

Seward County commissioners unanimously approved three agreements and a resolution Monday in an effort to move forward with a cooperative project with the City of Liberal with a new radio system.

A memo from the Joint 911 Communications Board to the commission said the county and the city have worked together to bring this project together in the most cost effective means possible.

“This new system will allow us an effective and interoperable radio system for our community into the future,” the memo said.

The memo added Monday’s vote came after work by the communications board, a heroic effort from Liberal City Counselor Lynn Koehn and Seward County Counselor Nathan Foreman and support of both the city and county commissions, which made a complete proposal to the county commission possible at Monday’s meeting.

(Read more: Liberal First)

Ranson Financial2019-12-05T22:08:18-06:00December 5, 2019|News|

City of Topeka receives over $70,000 in grant money

The City of Topeka has received more than $70,000 in grant money from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program, and will split up between the city and Shawnee County.

The money is part of more than $376 million in awards announced Wednesday by the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, according to a news release.

The City of Topeka received $71,199, and according to city spokeswoman Molly Hadfield, the money will be divided up among the city and county.

Ranson Financial2019-12-05T19:45:20-06:00December 5, 2019|News|

Arkansas City Commissioners plan to step away from hospital duties

The South Central Kansas Medical Center is asking the Arkansas City Commission to get out of the hospital governing business.

Medical Center board chair Dan Jurkovich asked the commission Tuesday to draft an ordinance to eventually separate the two boards.

He said it was time to think about how the trustee board should operate in the future.

“I feel there is enough stability that we could get something more formalized that says how our board is going to be,” he said.

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Ranson Financial2019-12-05T22:08:33-06:00December 5, 2019|News|

Wichita to close different public golf courses weekly to save money

Golfers will have one less public course to play on each week in Wichita.

Auburn Hills Golf Course in west Wichita was closed this week. It’s a part of something new the city is trying called the golf winter rotation.

From now through February, one of the city’s golf courses will close to allow for maintenance and cut expenses.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2019-12-05T22:11:50-06:00December 5, 2019|News|

Olathe adds LGBT protections

Wichitans who live near 37th and Woodlawn are saying “not in my neighborhood” about a proposed event center. Thursday they had a chance ask the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission to stop the development before it begins.

Developers Levi Bond and Jake Hartman want to build what they call a wedding venue on the property along 37th St. The location backs up to natural wetlands and is surrounded by residential neighborhoods.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2019-12-05T22:11:26-06:00December 5, 2019|News|

Moundridge Receives Housing Grant

The City of Moundridge has been awarded a housing grant to help construct several new homes. The $281,748 grant from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation will be used to construct seven homes north of the Meadow View Addition.

$141,748 will go towards helping build streets and install utilities for the expansion of the new subdivision and $140,000 will go towards a home buyer assistance program to be disbursed at closing when the homes are sold.