Pawnee Mental Health receives USDA grant to expand telemedicine and rural access to mental health

Rural access to mental health care is expanding in Kansas thanks to a $42.5 million US Department of Agriculture grant announced last week.

Those dollars are being invested in 133 distance learning and telemedicine projects including Manhattan-based Pawnee Mental Health Services. Executive Director Robbin Cole says Pawnee was awarded nearly $500,000 to expand video conferencing services to Jewell, Mitchell and Washington counties in north-central Kansas.

“With this grant, we’ll be able to place equipment in those offices as well as the county health departments in those counties to enable residents to receive the mental health services that they need five days a week,” Cole said.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Ranson Financial2019-11-25T18:27:29-06:00November 25, 2019|News|

2019 local consult meetings wrap up in Liberal and Colby

This was the takeaway message from the local consult meetings in Liberal and Colby this week. With the completion of these two meetings, KDOT has now hosted 16 local consult meetings across the state this summer and fall. And, it is fitting that more than 200 western Kansans concluded the discussions by expressing their support for these meetings to continue every two years.

KDOT used the input gathered at the first round of Local Consult meetings in August to shape not only the public input sessions currently underway, but also the next major state transportation plan— known as FORWARD. The second round of meetings are designed to make sure we are on the right track with FORWARD’s design – and help us better understand regional priorities for highway expansion and modernization projects.

The power of these meetings was on display in Liberal when participants began their breakout discussion stating that the region did not need a transit program, but upon further conversation, realized not only does the region benefit from existing transit service – it could use more in the future.

(Read more: Kansas Transportation)

Ranson Financial2019-11-25T18:24:50-06:00November 25, 2019|News|

Derby residents concerned about littering from free newspapers left in yards

The City of Derby says The Wichita Eagle’s free newspaper, Neighbors, is distributed to approximately 6,800 households each week.

Some residents, like Nick Sharp, are concerned that the paper is causing littering in the city.

“It’s just accumulating more trash, you know. You got plastic bags that aren’t recyclable,” Sharp said.”Its just more stuff going to the landfill that nobody wanted in the first place.”

(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2019-11-25T22:08:52-06:00November 25, 2019|News|

UG Commission approves up to $100 million in IRBs for PQ plant expansion

The Unified Government Commission, on an 8-0 unanimous vote, approved issuing up to $100 million in industrial revenue bonds for the PQ Corp. on Thursday night.

PQ-Zeolyst is expanding its industrial operations at 1700 Kansas Ave., in Kansas City, Kansas. The company makes catalysts that are used by other companies to help the environment, according to UG information.

During a public hearing continued from the last UG Commission meeting, only two persons spoke, the same who appeared last week, Janice Witt and Tscher Manck. Witt opposed the IRBs, stating basically the same thing as last week.

(Read more: Welcome to Wyandotte Daily!)

Ranson Financial2019-11-25T22:01:48-06:00November 25, 2019|News|

The Troubling Decline in City Revenue Growth

The most startling conclusion of The National League of Cities’ new fiscal conditions report was that revenue growth “stalled” last year and that this trend has continued—creating real problems for city budgets.

This came as a particular shock to us because gross domestic product from coast to coast continues to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, “Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in all fifty states in the first quarter of 2019.”

So, the question emerges: While the economy has remained healthy, why are so many cities experiencing revenue growth stagnation or even declines? Columbia, Missouri (population 122,000), for example, saw annual growth in sales tax revenues of 5.8 percent in 2011, but just 1 percent growth in 2018. The city’s budget report last year noted, “Sales tax growth has been historically low for the last four years. These revenue challenges appear to be long term problems.”

(Read more: Route Fifty – All Content)

Ranson Financial2019-11-25T22:05:13-06:00November 25, 2019|News|

Kansas college hopes to grow wine industry within state

A community college in Kansas hopes to promote the winery industry in the state by providing space and resources for small wineries getting started in the business.

Highland Community College at Wamego opened a wine incubator called 456 Wineries last month. Director Scott Kohl said Highland received a federal grant in 2016 to start it.

Kohl said 456 Wineries is a part of the school’s viticulture or grape-growing program and enology or wine-making program.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2019-11-24T21:45:21-06:00November 24, 2019|News|

Southeast Kansas lags behind state unemployment average

The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released preliminary October unemployment rate estimates this week, noting they reached a new low. In southeast Kansas, however, unemployment remains higher than the statewide average.

“Kansans can recognize two important milestones this month. The unemployment rate fell to 3.1 percent in October, the lowest rate in 40 years. April 1979 was the last month the unemployment rate was 3.1 percent,” Kansas Secretary of Labor DelÍa GarcÍa said in a release. “Additionally, October established a record high level in the number of Kansans working.”

While Kansas’ overall unemployment rate may be declining, among 15 counties in the southeast corner of the state — Greenwood, Coffey, Anderson, Linn, Woodson, Allen, Bourbon, Elk, Wilson, Neosho, Crawford, Chautauqua, Montgomery, Labette and Cherokee — the average unemployment rate was closer to 3.5 percent.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Ranson Financial2019-11-24T21:42:42-06:00November 24, 2019|News|

State sues trailer park owner for violating drinking water regulations

State health officials have filed a suit in Reno County District Court seeking enforcement action against the owners of Western Acres Mobile Home Park for failing to properly treat the public water supply system in the trailer park northwest of Hutchinson.

The property at 4718 Nickerson Boulevard has been under a “boil water advisory” for more than 15 months as the owner, Justin Whitt, doing business as Premium Management LLC, 322 N. Main, has repeatedly ignored orders from the state.

A Shawnee County judge in June issued a journal entry ordering Whit to comply with a May 2018 Administrative Order from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2019-11-24T21:40:52-06:00November 24, 2019|News|

Topeka JUMP, others show support for the city’s SOTO Ride-To-Work Program

Deborah Vance’s son, Marcus, has used Topeka’s SOTO Ride-to-Work Program for almost three months. Because of the program, he’s never missed or been late to a regularly-scheduled shift.

Vance’s son works at the Target Distribution Center in southwest Topeka, but he lives near the Wanamaker corridor. If it weren’t for the SOTO program, he wouldn’t have a way to get to work, as the city’s bus lines don’t run far enough south.

“He has chronic asthma and one kidney, and he’s not able to ride a bike,” Vance said. “So for him to be able to get here through SOTO ensures that he’s able to keep his job.”

Ranson Financial2019-11-24T21:39:03-06:00November 24, 2019|News|

County commission to consider move regarding Family Park

The Shawnee County Commission on Monday will consider taking a step toward developing a comprehensive master plan for the Family Park the county plans to create just south of S.W. 21st and Urish Road.

That proposal is among items on the agenda when Commissioners Bill Riphahn, Kevin Cook and Aaron Mays meet at 9 a.m. in their chambers in Room B-11 of the County Courthouse, 200 S.E. 7th.

The Topeka City Council won’t meet this coming Tuesday because it will be the fourth Tuesday of the month, and the council only meets on the first three Tuesdays.

Ranson Financial2019-11-24T21:37:27-06:00November 24, 2019|News|

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