Overland Park council signals early support for idea of ‘road diet’ on College Blvd.

A lane reduction appears in the cards for a one-mile section of College Boulevard as part of a plan to make the Overland Park corridor a more attractive destination for convention center visitors and nearby office workers.

The city council Monday night gave a favorable nod toward a road diet that would turn the road’s six lanes between Metcalf and Nall Avenues into four and reduce the speed limit to 40 miles per hour from 45.

Board proposes minimum salary in search for new county administrator

A Reno County Commissioner suggested Tuesday that the salary listed in a “recruitment profile” that a consultant plans to disseminate in the search for a replacement Reno County administrator be $120,000.

The salary would be negotiable, Sellers noted, but that amount would be a starting point.

The suggestion was among several Sellers made for the profile, proposing the removal of some and language amended on others before the county posts the document.

Lenexa police host ‘use of force’ workshop for local law enforcement officers

Law enforcement officers across the county recently participated in a workshop to help them gain a better understanding of the science behind the use of police force.

The class, which took place Sept. 18-20, informs law enforcement officers of the physiological effects that use of force can have on them in tense circumstances.

More than 15 agencies participated in the class hosted by the Lenexa Police Department, including roughly seven from Johnson County, and representatives from the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office and Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Ranson Financial2019-09-24T20:35:41-05:00September 24, 2019|News|

Mission calls public hearing on deannexation process along shared border with Roeland Park

The city of Mission is moving forward with next steps to de-annex a small portion of land and allow Roeland Park to annex it in the near future.

The two cities have been in negotiations since December 2018 concerning annexation of seven-tenths of an acre on the northeast corner of Johnson Drive and Roe Boulevard. The subject property is the future site of a medical facility under development; currently, the developer is working with both cities to move forward on the project.

Ranson Financial2019-09-24T20:33:23-05:00September 24, 2019|News|

After beating his stage 4 cancer in less than a year, he’s named as Merriam new police chief

He was told he had terminal cancer.

But now less than a year after his diagnosis, Darren McLaughlin is not only back to the police force, he’s Merriam’s new police chief.

McLaughlin was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkins lymphoma in January. Doctors told him it was terminal.

But McLaughlin beat the odds and is now cancer free.

(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)

Ranson Financial2019-09-24T20:31:31-05:00September 24, 2019|News|

Great Bend trying to figure out priorities for future street repairs

Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC) was assigned by the City of Great Bend to create a digital map of street conditions. The $50,000 project outlines service line locations underneath the streets and also what repairs are needed in the future.

Judging the city streets as a whole, PEC engineer Ben Mabry told the Great Bend City Council that the rating is in the middle of the pack.

While the conditions for every street in town were rated, the assessment was made upon a surface evaluation.

“You are not going to find everything, there may be some potholes,” said Mabry. “To get a 100% accurate representation of the pavement, you would have to go core every street. We did not have the budget to do that for every street.”

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Ranson Financial2019-09-24T20:30:37-05:00September 24, 2019|News|

Transfer station payment still topic for county commission

Delinquent taxes, a lease-purchase idea to pay for transfer station renovations, and buying furniture were the focus of the Sept. 23 commission meeting.

In an effort not to deplete the county’s cash reserves in renovating the transfer station, Commissioner Randy Dallke said he wants clarification on the sales tax from the state legislature.

Commissioner Dianne Novak said her mission between now and the next time the county reviews its annual budget, is to know how to read and comprehend what it all means.

“It’s a complex budget,” she said. “But regarding the transfer station, there is about $500,000 in his capital outlay and in the risk management line item there is another $500,000.”

(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)

Ranson Financial2019-09-24T20:29:33-05:00September 24, 2019|News|

Reno County Sheriff Randy Henderson to retire Dec. 27

In an email to staff and others, Reno County Sheriff Randy Henderson announced Wednesday his plans to retire on Dec. 27.

“After over 43 years in law enforcement, I feel it is time for me to give more time to my family,” Sheriff Henderson wrote. “I have had a blessed career, being mentored by some outstanding officers. I have been fortunate to have the greatest staff around me, that have supported me and made my life and job pretty easy.”

He also talked about his blood family that has stood behind him and supported him in good times and bad. “It is now time for me to give back to them,” Henderson said. “My 98-year-old mother needs more of my time, I have much work to do around our house, make momma happy, and I never want to miss my grandkids sporting or school events again.” He says that makes him happy.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Ranson Financial2019-09-24T20:28:12-05:00September 24, 2019|News|

County Commission will honor longtime employees

The Geary County Commission recognize employees for service milestones attained during 2019 at a ceremony on Sept. 30 beginning at 3 p.m.

Among the many employees that will be honored are Dale Evans, Public Works, 35 years; Diane Briestensky-Leonard, Register of Deeds, Wendy Easley, Attorney and Dennis Lilly, Public Works all for 25 years.

A total of 18 county employees will be honored during the ceremony.

(Read more: Junction City Post)

Ranson Financial2019-09-24T20:25:47-05:00September 24, 2019|News|

Kansas ranked among best states for teachers

A new study put Kansas among the top 15 best states for teachers.

Wallethub ranked states based on average teacher starting pay, average teacher pension and average growth potential. They also looked at opportunity, competition and academic and work environment.

Academic and work environment included student to teacher ratio, overall quality of the state school system, and even average commute time.

Kansas was ranked 13 beating out all of its neighboring states.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2019-09-24T20:09:48-05:00September 24, 2019|News|

Overland Park council signals early support for idea of ‘road diet’ on College Blvd.

Board proposes minimum salary in search for new county administrator

Lenexa police host ‘use of force’ workshop for local law enforcement officers

Mission calls public hearing on deannexation process along shared border with Roeland Park

After beating his stage 4 cancer in less than a year, he’s named as Merriam new police chief

Great Bend trying to figure out priorities for future street repairs

Transfer station payment still topic for county commission

Reno County Sheriff Randy Henderson to retire Dec. 27

County Commission will honor longtime employees

Kansas ranked among best states for teachers

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