USDA to give $150 million to aid communities

The United States Department of Agriculture is providing $150 million in disaster grants through its agencies community facilities program.

FEMA has issued three major disaster declarations for Kansas this year: for storms, straight-line winds, and flooding Feb. 24; for tornadoes and flooding May 29; and for severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, and landslides and mudslides on June 19. Nearly 71 of the state’s counties, including Marion, are eligible major disaster declarations.

Cities, public bodies and nonprofit organizations with populations of fewer than 20,000 are eligible for funding.

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Ranson Financial2019-10-09T20:05:51-05:00October 9, 2019|News|

USD 364 candidates talk superintendent search, special ed and ag complex

Special education, a new ag complex, vaping and the search for a new superintendent were discussed by Marysville USD 364 Board of Education candidates during last Thursday’s candidate forum at Marysville City Building.

School board Position 1 candidates Catherine Ray and Brenda Arntt, who is the incumbent; Position 3 candidate Melissa Borgerding; and Position 7 candidate Michelle Reinhart attended the forum. Not present were Position 3 candidate Susan Pacha, Position 7 candidate Chris Ridey and Position 2 candidate Lanny Carpenter, who is the incumbent.

The board has begun its search for a new superintendent after the resignation last school year of Superintendent Bill Mullins.

(Read more: The Marysville Advocate)

Ranson Financial2019-10-09T19:54:10-05:00October 9, 2019|News|

Lawrence City Commission voices strong support for developing sanctuary city policies

Lawrence city leaders expressed strong interest Tuesday in moving forward with sanctuary city policies that ensure local police are not used to enforce noncriminal immigration matters.

At a study session, the Lawrence City Commission discussed potential policies regarding how Lawrence police handle requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and how police and other city staff otherwise interact with undocumented immigrants. Though the city has some practices in place, all four commissioners present said they wanted to further discuss written policies to ensure immigrants feel safe in Lawrence.

Mulvane, Derby partnering on hike and bike path

A new project between governments in Sedgwick County, Mulvane and Derby hopes to connect the two cities via bike path.

Approximately two miles of bike path will be added alongside Rock Road between Mulvane and Derby. The project adds on to the more than 25 miles of bike and walking paths already inside Derby, and the sprawls of bike paths in the rest of the county.

Eighty percent of the project’s budget was covered with federal dollars through the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO). Sedgwick County, Mulvane and Derby each chipped in a third of the remaining 20 percent of the project’s funding — about $57,000.

Ranson Financial2019-10-08T20:47:02-05:00October 8, 2019|News|

Kansas Aviation Museum Seeking Sedgwick County Funding

The Kansas Aviation Museum in Wichita is asking Sedgwick County for more financial support.

Museum executive director Tim Norton requested $50,000 from the county to help stabilize the nonprofit museum and take it to the next level.

“Right now it’s a one-time ask to give me a little breathing room to do the things that I think need to be done,” Norton says.

Norton, a former Sedgwick County commissioner, made his case during a county staff meeting on Tuesday.

(Read more: RSS Feed)

Ranson Financial2019-10-08T20:20:30-05:00October 8, 2019|News|

Floodplain changes may affect Ellis County residents

Some Ellis County residents in the coming weeks will get notified that the floodplain classification for their property may be changing.

The change is being made based on new maps developed with digital technology for determining elevation, according to Mason Ruder, environmental planning supervisor for Ellis County.

“FEMA and the Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Water Resources started a project a few years ago on updating our paper maps that are currently from 1986 for the floodplain,” said Ruder, speaking Monday evening to the Ellis County Commissioners during their regular meeting at the Ellis County Administrative Center, 718 Main St.

Using three-dimensional elevation information captured with LiDAR, or light detection and ranging technology, FEMA and state officials have developed new maps considered more precise than the current ones, Ruder said.

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Ranson Financial2019-10-08T20:18:05-05:00October 8, 2019|News|

Hutchinson Regional Medical Center awarded again

Another award has come to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. This time the American Heart Association presented a Quality Achievement Award to the Primary Stroke Center as a tribute to the hospital’s successful treatment of stroke patients.

Brie Pringle, Heart Walk development director for the AHA, said the organization is proud to recognize HRMC’s dedication to providing the highest quality care for all patients who sought treatment for stroke symptoms.

The award signifies that the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center Primary Stroke Center met achievement measures at 85% or higher and quality measures at 75% or higher for two consecutive years.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Ranson Financial2019-10-08T20:11:08-05:00October 8, 2019|News|

City looks at expanding Human Relations Commission’s powers

A Topeka City Council committee will look at potentially authorizing the Topeka Human Relations Commission to conduct investigations while adding “gender identity and sexual orientation” to the list of protected classes covered by city code provisions regarding discrimination and fair housing.

The city’s mayor and council voted 9-0 Tuesday evening to approve city manager Brent Trout’s recommendation that they “refer certain chapters contained without the Topeka Municipal Code to the council policy and finance committee for its evaluation, review and subsequent recommendation to the full governing body.”

Members of that committee are Tony Emerson, Brendan Jensen and Jeff Coen, according to the city website.

Ranson Financial2019-10-08T20:07:52-05:00October 8, 2019|News|

Peabody Community Foundation offers grants to district teachers

In an effort to be supportive of teachers in USD 398, Peabody Community Foundation (PCF) is currently running a grant cycle for needs and/or opportunities that are outside of the school district’s annual budget. Student groups working in collaboration with a teacher may also apply. Up to ten $250 projects will be funded. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 17 and may be found online at centralkansascf.org under the “apply” tab.

Grants will be awarded at the fourth annual #GivingTuesday/Winterfest event from 5-8 p.m. on Dec. 3 at Peabody-Burns High School. The evening is jointly sponsored by Peabody Community Foundation (PCF) and USD 398.

Leading up to #GivingTuesday the school district is partnering with PCF for community-wide activities on the Tuesdays in November. On Nov. 5, thank-you cards will be sent to volunteer fire fighters, police, city council members, and others who serve the community. On Nov 12 personal care items will be collected for the community’s care facilities. On Nov. 26, food items will be collected for the Food Pantry at Peabody’s United Methodist Church. Collection points will be the elementary and junior/senior high school buildings, Peabody Market, and Vintage Bank. On Tuesdays throughout the month, students will be cleaning up the community after school.

(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)

Ranson Financial2019-10-08T20:02:27-05:00October 8, 2019|News|

Sen. Moran: Trade agreement between U.S. and Japan is a win for Kansas farmers

Today, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) released the following statement applauding the president’s signing of the US-Japan Trade Agreement:

“The trade agreement between the United States and Japan is a win for Kansas farmers and ranchers. Japan is the second largest export market for agricultural products from Kansas and this agreement will result in even greater market access for beef, wheat, sorghum and pork, and put American producers on a level playing field with our foreign competitors. It will also benefit Kansas dairy producers by expanding cheese exports, and will eliminate tariffs on certain types of ethanol. As farmers and ranchers continue to struggle with low commodity prices, we must continue to find new export opportunities for the food, fuel and fiber produced in Kansas. I commend President Trump, Ambassador Lighthizer and Ambassador Doud for their leadership in securing this much-needed victory for our producers.”

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Ranson Financial2019-10-08T19:59:42-05:00October 8, 2019|News|

USDA to give $150 million to aid communities

USD 364 candidates talk superintendent search, special ed and ag complex

Lawrence City Commission voices strong support for developing sanctuary city policies

Mulvane, Derby partnering on hike and bike path

Kansas Aviation Museum Seeking Sedgwick County Funding

Floodplain changes may affect Ellis County residents

Hutchinson Regional Medical Center awarded again

City looks at expanding Human Relations Commission’s powers

Peabody Community Foundation offers grants to district teachers

Sen. Moran: Trade agreement between U.S. and Japan is a win for Kansas farmers

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