Topeka City Council to consider compromise for camping ban

A Topeka City Council committee met eight times over 18 months to deliberate over a proposal that initially would have banned camping on public property, including sidewalks, and on private property without the owner’s written consent. After a conversation that came to include members of the local homeless community, committee members Sylvia Ortiz, Karen Hiller and Mike Padilla voted 3-0 last month to recommend the council approve a compromise version of that measure.

(Read more: Local Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2019-12-02T21:53:25-06:00December 2, 2019|News|

Shawnee Mission attorneys’ brief in teacher contract dispute says district can’t keep deficit spending

The salary proposal put forth by the National Education Association – Shawnee Mission would force the district to dip into reserves and leave it with less than a month’s worth of operating expenses on hand after three years, according to the attorneys representing the district administration in its contract dispute with teachers.

In a pre-conference brief filed with the Kansas Department of Labor last week, the attorneys lay out the district’s arguments for the two-year contract offer it had on the table when mediated negotiations broke down in September.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)

Ranson Financial2019-12-02T21:53:48-06:00December 2, 2019|News|

Lenexa approves final plans for Stortropolis Self Storage near Falcon Valley Golf Course

Neighboring residents had raised a number of concerns in September about the possible intrusiveness of the project to their neighborhood, including issues with increased traffic and crime and decreased property values.
Since then, the developer, Schlagel & Associates, made a few changes to the architectural design and screening from the neighboring homes. This included slightly lowering the height of one of the buildings, and removed signage and reduced the number of windows on the north side of Building A (the building closest to Price Chopper).

(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2019-12-02T21:52:46-06:00December 2, 2019|News|

Sedgwick County to continue mental health care program

Sedgwick County will continue its Integrated Care Team (ICT-1) program, which had a pilot run from July 30 to Oct. 31.

The care team treated 205 patients within Sedgwick County and spent an average of three hours with each patient during the 90-day period, according to a county release. The team was also able to treat 51 percent of patients in place, transferring 16 percent of patients to a different local resource, such as EMS or law enforcement.

Throughout the pilot program, a total of 329 public safety resources (law enforcement units, fire trucks, and ambulances) were able to respond to other emergencies. The team was able to prevent 114 visits to the COMCARE Crisis Center and 92 trips to the emergency room.

(Read more: Area | derbyinformer.com)

Ranson Financial2019-12-01T18:16:18-06:00December 1, 2019|News|

Crawford County Health Department receives $2,500 grant from the Aetna better health of Kansas partners in community grants program

The Crawford County Health Department was awarded $2,500 from Aetna Better Health of Kansas via the company’s Partners in Community Grant Program.

“We are delighted to provide this grant to the Crawford County Health Department” said David Livingston, Chief Executive Officer, Aetna Better Health of Kansas in a release. “Our Partners in Community Grant Program is designed to empower local organizations and community partners across the state, providing resources for many individuals, including our members.

“As a company, we are committed to continuing work with like-minded organizations including the Crawford County Health Department, encouraging Kansans to live better, healthier lives.”

(Read more: Community – Morning Sun)

Ranson Financial2019-12-01T18:14:18-06:00December 1, 2019|News|

Grant awarded to face opioid abuse in Reno County

The Reno County Health Department and Community Drug Impact Task Force have been awarded a $150,000 federal grant to respond to opioid abuse in Reno County.

The “Overdose Data to Action” grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be spread over three years, starting in 2020.

The grant’s intent is to collect better data on drug misuse and overdoses in the county and develop community responses to support intervention, according to the CDC website.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2019-12-01T18:10:48-06:00December 1, 2019|News|

Why Wichita is building a three-lane bridge on a four-lane street

Wichita is about to build a three-lane bridge in the middle of a four-lane street.

Starting Monday, Harry will be closed to traffic at the Arkansas River for a $4.2 million bridge replacement project.

Where the current bridge has two lanes in each direction, the new bridge will have one lane on each side for through traffic and a center lane for westbound cars turning south onto McLean.

(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2019-12-01T18:08:29-06:00December 1, 2019|News|

County paves way for future Evergy construction

Lyon County Commissioners approved a minor plat application which would allow for future construction of Evergy facilities during an action session Wednesday morning.

City of Emporia Planning and Zoning Officer Joe Foster approached the board with details of the plat, saying it would be located at 1771 Road G just outside the city limits within the Metropolitan Planning Area. As part of the motion, commissioners also agreed to change the area from an agricultural designation to a light industrial designation.

“The Planning Commission did hear the minor plat application and made a change extending the right-of-way from 25 feet to 40 feet,” Foster said. “That will help meet future demands as Road 180 gets improved. The plat itself is an approximately 20-acre single plot that will meet the needs of Evergy/Westar as they are proposing to expand.”

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Ranson Financial2019-12-01T18:06:31-06:00December 1, 2019|News|

Zeeco seeks nine-year tax exemption

Kerri Fallettti, of Cowley County Economic Development, will address county commissioners Tuesday morning about a property tax exemption for Zeeco, Inc./Winfield Industrial Properties LLC.

The company purchased the land and building at 22695 D St., Strother Field and did a complete renovation of the building. The building is currently appraised at $2,268,040.

The building had been vacant for about 12 years; operations began in June 2018 after the renovations were done. About 20 employees work in that building.

Zeeco originally moved into the former Gorden-Piatt building.

The tax exemption, if approved, would be for nine years, 2020-2028. The exemption is projected to be $50,000 a year for a total of $450,000.

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Ranson Financial2019-12-01T18:05:07-06:00December 1, 2019|News|

City receives grant toward Wilson Park splash pad

Arkansas City officials continue to work toward Wilson Park improvements outlined nearly three years ago.

The city was recently awarded a $300,000 grant to help build the splash pad and other phase one projects, City Manager Nick Hernandez said this week.

The city received $300,000 from the Land and Water conservation Fund and has two private funding partners to help fund the $777,192 project.

This part of the Phase One plan includes the addition of new restrooms and a splash pad. Hernandez said it will also include the pumping and filtering equipment for the splash pad, and the construction of structures to provide shade.

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Ranson Financial2019-12-01T18:03:24-06:00December 1, 2019|News|