Gorilla Century bike ride largest yet

On Saturday, people from all across the United States traveled to Pittsburg to bicycle 100 miles, just for fun.

This is the largest group to go on the Gorilla Century bike ride since the event started in 2003.

That morning there was an estimated 600 riders, with over 400 pre-registered and many more who registered the day of the event.

The event, hosted by Tailwind Cyclists’ Roger Lomshek, was created to celebrate Pittsburg State University’s 100th year, hence the name Gorilla Century.

Ranson Financial2019-09-02T23:45:58-05:00September 2, 2019|News|

City of Wichita considers joining legal action against opioid manufacturers, distributors

The Wichita City Council at its next meeting Tuesday (Sept. 3) will consider joining nationwide legal action against opioid manufacturers and distributors, and pharmacy chains, “alleging a variety of civil claims (including but not limited to public nuisance) and violation of federal laws.”

The consideration comes in the form of a resolution on the council’s meeting agenda.

“As plaintiffs, local governments are seeking damages for costs of law enforcement, first responders, courts, jails, etc., that are alleged to be direct results of the prescription opioid epidemic,” the City of Wichita explains.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2019-08-29T21:03:14-05:00August 29, 2019|News|

Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission votes to recommend allowing two houses per lot, but with some restrictions

Lawrence-Douglas County planning commissioners have voted in favor of a proposal that would allow two houses to be built on one lot if both homes are affordable, but they’re recommending the city limit where and under what requirements the so-called density bonus would be allowed.

At its meeting Wednesday, the Planning Commission voted 7-2 to recommend the proposal, which would be the city’s first land use rule to be directly connected to the affordability of homes. The changes, which were originally proposed by the nonprofit organization Tenants to Homeowners, would allow two homes to be built on one lot as long as both are permanently designated as affordable housing.

The density bonus would allow a second home to be added alongside an existing home or two new homes to be built on a single lot.

Sedgwick County adopts energy plan

Over the last year or so, there has been plenty of regional discussion on renewable energy.

Several counties around Sedgwick County have had robust community hearings or have quietly worked out the details and witnessed hundreds of wind turbines pop up. That said, what works in one area may not work great everywhere.

We made the news this week when Sedgwick County unanimously passed an update to the Community Investment Plan along with zoning regulations for commercial wind and solar farms. Over the last year, we have heard quite a bit of opposition from neighbors concerned about the “flicker-effect,” how these turbines kill birds like eagles, and how they emit a low persistent drone and how living near a towering generator will cause property values to plummet. Nearly everyone says they are in favor of renewable energy production. The disagreement comes when we start defining details about where to place these farms.

Ranson Financial2019-08-29T19:28:48-05:00August 29, 2019|News|

A week to go for Great Bend school bond mail-in ballot

The September 5^th deadline to return your mail-in ballots in Great Bend is steadily approaching, and USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton says it has been an interesting summer with getting information to the community about the bond issue.

The combined bond of $44.87 million is asking for facility improvements to address safety, security, early childhood education, and renovations.

The mail-in ballot was sent to all registered voters within the Great Bend school district last week, and Thexton is excited to find out the results next week.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Ranson Financial2019-08-29T19:28:07-05:00August 29, 2019|News|

McPherson College teams with McPherson Hospital to offer new model for rural healthcare

An initiative introduced by McPherson College and McPherson Hospital with a focus on community health sets out to become a new model for community health care in rural areas. It features a new enhanced health science degree at the college with a wide variety of hands-on educational opportunities, thanks to a partnership with the hospital.

Working together toward healthier communities is the goal of the partnership. The partnership will provide opportunities for student learning and community outreach with the intent to create a new model for rural community health in Kansas. There is more to a healthy community than just treating people who are sick, explained McPherson College President Michael Schneider.

“We are looking at this from a holistic, patient-centered approach to health care in rural communities,” President Schneider said. “In small communities, you need to be resourceful uncovering ways to build a healthy community. It includes everything from mentoring at-risk youth to making sure our elderly citizens are safe when they return home from a hospital stay. It also includes solving our challenges to provide good mental health support and treatment for all. This partnership will put our students out in the community working with support from McPherson Hospital to solve these challenges.”

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Ranson Financial2019-08-29T19:27:25-05:00August 29, 2019|News|

Kansas lake is called an ‘oasis on the Plains’

It’s not what you expect to find amid flat farmland.

“The uniqueness of being in the middle of western Kansas and having a lake where a lake probably shouldn’t be,” said Greg Mills, park manager for Historic Lake Scott State Park.

In a wooded canyon with rocky bluffs, Lake Scott is fed by natural springs and is known nationally for its beauty.

“We are recognized as the 23rd most scenic state park in the U.S.,” said Mills. “Previously we were recognized as one of the top 50 beaches in the U.S.”

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2019-08-29T19:25:47-05:00August 29, 2019|News|

KDOT projects population growth for Crawford County

In a recent study by KDOT, Crawford County is the only county in Southeast Kansas expected to grow in population.

Last week, Pittsburg city leaders went to a conference held by the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation.

The conference was held to show how transportation plays a large role in population growth.

The state department predicts Crawford County to grow about 14 percent between 2014 and 2044.

In addition, the study revealed that the county has seen a four percent increase in the number of 20 to 39-year-olds in the area.

Ranson Financial2019-08-29T19:24:17-05:00August 29, 2019|News|

Sedgwick County Commissioners, Wichita’s Police and Fire Chiefs rappel down hotel for good cause

This afternoon, Sedgwick County Commissioners Lacey Cruse and Jim Howell will rappel down the Ambassador Hotel, 104 S. Broadway, as part of the Access the Ledge fundraiser for Project Access. The first 70 fundraisers who raised a minimum of $1,000 in donations for Project Access were allowed to rappel down the building.

Commissioner Cruse was scheduled to rappel at 4 p.m. and Commissioner Howell at 5 p.m.

“This is probably one of the craziest things I’ve ever done but knowing that one in seven residents in this community goes without healthcare is even crazier.” Commissioner Cruse said. “I’m happy to bring attention and awareness to this issue and if it means rappelling of a 14-story building to do so … well so be it!”

(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2019-08-29T19:23:31-05:00August 29, 2019|News|

Wellington police use Facebook memes to reduce theft

If you follow the Wellington Police Department’s Facebook page, you have no doubt seen the memes that show up at 9 p.m., reminding residents to lock their houses, cars and not to leave any expensive belongings in their cars.

“It is another way for us to reach out to our community just to take another reduction out of property crime,” Wellington Police Chief Tracy Heath said.

Seventy to 80% of crime in the city is property theft, Heath said. Living in a small town, people might think they are safe or it’s never going to happen to them, but “we still see the array of crime the big city does,” Heath said.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Ranson Financial2019-08-29T19:22:52-05:00August 29, 2019|News|

Gorilla Century bike ride largest yet

City of Wichita considers joining legal action against opioid manufacturers, distributors

Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission votes to recommend allowing two houses per lot, but with some restrictions

Sedgwick County adopts energy plan

A week to go for Great Bend school bond mail-in ballot

McPherson College teams with McPherson Hospital to offer new model for rural healthcare

Kansas lake is called an ‘oasis on the Plains’

KDOT projects population growth for Crawford County

Sedgwick County Commissioners, Wichita’s Police and Fire Chiefs rappel down hotel for good cause

Wellington police use Facebook memes to reduce theft

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