How a 276-person town in Kansas is turning an empty school into a business incubator

The residents of Hanston, Kansas, decided to try something new after school consolidation.
…
Jeff Holste loves his commute.

Every day he drives a quiet road to a high school building in Hanston, a small city in western Kansas surrounded by farm fields in all directions. He climbs the stairs to a former English classroom and opens his computer. He never has to wonder about traffic.

Holste works remotely for a national engineering firm, an arrangement that allows him to raise his kids in the rural farming and hunting community where his wife grew up.

“From here, I can be connected to everywhere in the company,” said Holste, whose young family moved from Colorado Springs, Colorado, several years ago.

Hanover to celebrate 150th

Hanover’s 150th is this Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23-24. The event begins at 6 p.m. on Friday with a beer mile run. A backyard grill out will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Main Street, and a hot dog eating contest will be at 7:30 p.m. An ice cream social will begin at 8 p.m., and there will be DJ music from 6 to 11 p.m.

Source: Washington County News.

Ranson Financial2019-08-21T06:42:11-05:00August 21, 2019|News|

KDHE deems Nortonville water clear

The boil water advisory for Nortonville has rescinded, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced Tuesday morning.

Laboratory testing samples collected from the city of Nortonville indicated there is no evidence of bacterial contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination have been deemed resolved by KDHE officials.

(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)

Ranson Financial2019-08-20T21:48:27-05:00August 20, 2019|News|

Franklin County considers $375K in building repairs

Franklin County commissioners heard proposals to repair several buildings during its Monday study session.

Brandon Sands, maintenance director, laid out plans to fix several items in the historic courthouse, the jail roof and the HVAC system in the district court building. Estimated cost for these items would be around $375,000.

“We talked on several occasions about where our reserve balances are at and our capability to take on some of the projects that are past due,” said Derek Brown, county administrator and counselor. “What we have done is come up with a tentative recommendation to the board. We know we can afford it on an appropriate time line.”

(Read more: andoveramerican.com)

Ranson Financial2019-08-20T21:48:01-05:00August 20, 2019|News|

1,040 Kansans ignore school bus stop signs in 1 day

Kansas education officials are expressing concern that many motorists are ignoring a state law that requires them to stop when approaching a stopped school bus that is loading or unloading children.

A recent survey found 1,040 motorists illegally passed school buses in Kansas during a one-day test in April, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported. The survey included only three-fourths of the state’s school districts so the number of violations is likely higher.

Education officials are expected to make recommendations during the next legislative session on ways to reduce the number of school bus violations.

(Read more: Area | derbyinformer.com)

Ranson Financial2019-08-20T21:46:16-05:00August 20, 2019|News|

Barton County surplus property sale set for Thursday

Looking to find a deal on automobiles, shop equipment, office equipment and more? Then be sure to attend the Barton County surplus sale and public auction this Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at the county shop at 7^th and Morphy in Great Bend. The county will be selling surplus equipment, abandoned and seized vehicles and more at the annual sale.

There will be eleven vehicles on the sale block, many that were seized during drug busts over the past year. The vehicles include a 1994 Chevrolet Cheyenne pickup, a 2006 Cadillac CTS, a 2007 Suzuki GSX R600, a 2001 Toyota Camry, a 1999 Buick Park Ave, a 2002 Saturn S Series, a 1999 GMC Jimmy, a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am, a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am, a 2003 Honda Accord, a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado and a Motovox minibike.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Ranson Financial2019-08-20T21:45:48-05:00August 20, 2019|News|

Hays First Care Clinic, Sheridan County to share in $1M grant to Kansas health centers

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Related Agencies – today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is awarding $1,259,650 in Quality Improvement Awards to 18 health centers in Kansas. Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Kansas health centers will use these awards to improve the quality, efficiency and value of the health care they provide.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Ranson Financial2019-08-20T21:44:26-05:00August 20, 2019|News|

Reno County Commission discusses county administrator search

The Reno County Commission is still waiting on one search firm to present a proposal to the county for help in finding a replacement for County Administrator Gary Meagher. Meagher announced earlier this summer that he plans to retire later this year.

Meagher told the commission that the deadline is Wednesday. He expects it to come before the commission for consideration next week.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Ranson Financial2019-08-20T21:42:33-05:00August 20, 2019|News|

Hays USD 489’s $52 million budget includes increase in state money

The Hays USD 489 school board approved its 2020 budget Monday night after a brief budget hearing.

The $52 million budget is up from last school year’s budget, which was $43.9 million. The budget includes an increase in state funding and a slight decrease in the mill levy, which Keith Hall, interim director of finance, attributed to an increase in the district’s assessed valuation.

The total mill levy for 2019-20 will be 42.116 mills, which is down from last year’s 42.792 mills. The capital outlay mill levy remains at 8 mills.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Ranson Financial2019-08-20T21:40:59-05:00August 20, 2019|News|

KCP&L and Westar Energy will launch a customer education campaign

There will be an effort by KCP&L and Westar Energy to introduce the new brand name for the company, Evergy.

The campaign will highlight the utility’s continued focus on communities it serves, which include Junction City and Manhattan.

Westar Energy and KCP&L merged in June of 2018 to form the parent company, Evergy. Initially the advertising in the campaign will let customers know when the name change is coming, and will also communicate when it becomes effective in October.

(Read more: Junction City Post)

Ranson Financial2019-08-20T21:39:32-05:00August 20, 2019|News|

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