Overland Park hosting conversation on ‘small scale’ housing projects aimed at affordability

City leaders took it to heart when Overland Park residents said they wanted a future city with more moderately priced housing options – ones that would be within the budgets of the janitors, fire fighters, restaurant workers and school aids who work in the city.

On Thursday, residents can find out what it means to make that happen, as the non-profit Incremental Development Alliance holds a public discussion of the benefits of “small scale” development. The presentation will be at 6 p.m. at the Matt Ross Community Center Crown Room.

The meeting is an attempt to explain some of the ways the city can change its planning rules to become more inviting to small projects like courtyard cottages, accessory backyard units and apartments attached above stores and offices, said Matthew Petty, senior faculty member for the training and consulting firm. It is an early-stage effort that could eventually result in changes in zoning and planning guidelines so that more such projects can be approved.

Ranson Financial2019-11-18T20:40:09-06:00November 18, 2019|News|

‘We’re not going to let them die’

Rural Kansas has a storied past, but decades of population decline stand poised to turn many once-vibrant places into ghost towns.
The struggle for survival reveals itself in emptied Main Streets, shuttered factories and tired-looking neighborhoods dominated by houses built before World War II.
An exodus that started more than 100 years ago and gained momentum during the Great Depression has now thinned the population of most of the state’s 105 counties to fewer than 10 people per square mile.
“Quite a few counties peaked in the 1890 census in terms of total population and have never recovered,” said Kansas historian Virgil Dean.
At 2 percent, Kansas’ population growth rate lags far behind the nation’s 6 precent. And it’s uneven. Most of it is concentrated in the state’s urban areas — Kansas City, Wichita, Lawrence, Topeka and Manhattan. A forecast by researchers at Wichita State University projects growth in less than a fifth of the state’s counties over the next 50 years.

(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)

Ranson Financial2019-11-18T20:36:54-06:00November 18, 2019|News|

Hospital sales tax defeated by 2 votes

The half-cent sales tax question to benefit the Hiawatha Community Hospital on the Nov. 5 ballot was defeated by 2 votes.
That became official after canvassing 40 provisional ballots by the Brown County Commission Monday morning revealed the final count: No-1,285 to Yes-1,283 to a packed room that included Hiawatha and Horton city officials, along with representatives from Hiawatha Community Hospital. Assisting with the vote canvassing were County Clerk Melissa Gormley, Deputy Clerk Dawn Boyles and Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill, who advised the commissioners on state statutes for reasons to dismiss a provisional ballot.
On election night, Tuesday, Nov. 5, the final tally after counting all 18 precincts was 1267 No and 1264 yes votes. That Friday, an additional 7 mail-in ballots were counted, which brought the vote to No-1,270 to Yes-1,268 votes.

(Read more: hiawathaworldonline.com)

Ranson Financial2019-11-18T20:38:23-06:00November 18, 2019|News|

Wind farm fight moves into Kansas courts

“The wind farm fight is far from over,” Nick Egli said Sunday night.

Reno County landowners opposed to a wind farm are organizing again as the company takes its case to court.

It’s a fight over who has the right to say yes or no to wind energy development in Reno County, a fight some thought was over this summer but now is dragging on into the state’s courts.

This latest development in a story … is once again pitting dozens of landowners who want the wind turbines against their neighbors, who don’t.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2019-11-18T20:38:54-06:00November 18, 2019|News|

Wichita police to ask ‘what more can we do’ in public discussion on criminal justice

The Wichita police chief and other officials working in various roles in the criminal justice system will ask the public “what more can we do” in a community conversation on Saturday.

The event, titled “What’s Going On and What More Can We Do,” will be hosted by the Wichita Police Department. The event will consist of panel and round-table discussions with local criminal justice officials “focusing on where criminal justice is succeeding, identifying areas needing improvement, and moving forward.”

“Criminal justice involves many moving parts and can be difficult to navigate at times,” Police Chief Gordon Ramsay said in a statement. “The goal of the event is to build relationships and work with the community to provide understanding and clarity and learn where improvements can be made. We appreciate all the partners and their involvement.

(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2019-11-18T20:05:30-06:00November 18, 2019|News|

Lenexa hires Scott McCullough as new community development director

Lenexa has hired Scott McCullough as the city’s new community development director.

McCullough replaces Beccy Yocham, who had served as community director since 2011 before the city council appointed her as city manager in April. Tim Green, deputy community development director, had been leading the department in the interim while city leaders looked for Yocham’s replacement.

McCullough’s first day on the job in Lenexa was Nov. 4. Yoccham introduced him to the city council Nov. 5.

Ranson Financial2019-11-18T19:53:51-06:00November 18, 2019|News|

Greensburg wins tourism awards

Greensburg City Administrator Stacy Barnes and Director of Tourism Caitlin Matile attended the Kansas Tourism Conference awards banquet on October 23 at the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, where Visit Greensburg won two awards presented by Kansas tourism professionals.

“These awards highlight the vital role of dedicated individuals and organizations in growing the tourism industry in Kansas,” said Bridgette Jobe, KDWPT Director. “Through their partnership, Kansas tourism will continue to be a significant part of the state’s economy. A recent economic impact survey indicates tourism has grown to an $11.3 billion industry in Kansas, one of the fastest growing industries in Kansas.”

(Read more: Pratt, KS – Pratt Tribune)

Ranson Financial2019-11-18T19:48:05-06:00November 18, 2019|News|

Augusta to revisit NRP proposal

The next step for Augusta’s Neighborhood Revitalization Plan is set for Monday. The city council will host a public hearing 7 p.m. before its regular meeting.

The current plan expires at the end of the year, and city officials have been at work re-structuring the existing plan to fit the mold for Jan. 1, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2022. The current plan has been in place since 2016.

Cody Sims, Augusta assistant city manager, outlined some key points for the NRP, including changing the date for residential properties to qualify for 10-year tax rebates from 1970 to 1990.

(Read more: andoveramerican.com)

Ranson Financial2019-11-18T20:36:24-06:00November 18, 2019|News|

Leveled By A Tornado, A Small Kansas Town Dreamed Big And Got Even Smaller

The massive tornado that leveled this town in 2007 pretty much defines disaster.

Eleven people dead. The place in ruins.

Yet without the tragedy, Greensburg wouldn’t have had the chance to transform itself into “the greenest community in America.”

It now runs on renewable energy wired into buildings and homes designed with the latest in conservation technology.

(Read more: Rural Messenger)

Ranson Financial2019-11-17T21:24:49-06:00November 17, 2019|News|

New signs will highlight U.S. Bicycle routes

Some new signs will be popping up along roadsides in Kansas — designating two different bicycle routes. One of those, U.S. Bicycle Route 76, also known as the TransAmerica Trail, passes through Harvey County as it connects the east and west coasts.

“Thousands of cyclists ride these routes through Kansas every year, offering great tourist opportunities for the over 30 communities they pass through, especially rural towns,” said Jenny Kramer, Kansas Department of Transportation bicycle and pedestrian coordinator. “Many towns take advantage of this opportunity for economic growth and development by making their towns more bicycle-friendly and creating attractive resting and overnight spots for travelers.”

The TransAmerica Trail brought a world-record holder to Newton in 2014, and cyclists from around the globe competing in the annual TransAm Bike Race since 2014. The next Trans Am Bike Race will launch June 7, 2020. In 2017, a veteran cycling to raise awareness of veteran suicide stopped in Newton.

(Read more: Kiowa County Signal)

Ranson Financial2019-11-17T21:22:23-06:00November 17, 2019|News|