PANTHER STADIUM OVERHAUL: USD 260, architect reveal schematic designs

The first phase of Panther Stadium renovations was presented to the USD 260 school board on Monday, July 8. The schematic designs were unveiled for discussion with the board, putting July 22 as the approval date to move forward to the next phase of the project.

The schedule provided by McCownGordon Construction gave an estimated start date of Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. The stadium renovations would be completed by Friday, August 28, 2020, and the start of the 2020-21 school year.

Current USD 260 estimates for the Panther Stadium project sit at $6,545,193. That includes the addition of $129,856 in owner contingency funds.

(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)

Ranson Financial2019-07-17T19:37:49-05:00July 17, 2019|News|

USDA: Only 40% of transferred ag researchers will move to Kansas City

The Department of Agriculture says fewer than 40% of the researchers whose jobs are being transferred from Washington, D.C., to Kansas City will make the move to the Midwest.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced in June that the USDA would move more than 550 jobs in two research agencies to Kansas City. A USDA spokesperson told The Star Tuesday that 145 workers will follow their jobs to Kansas City, while 250 will leave the agency, meaning about 37% accepted the transfers.

The USDA says the figures may fluctuate. Employees can change their decision until they are expected to report to Kansas City on Sept. 30.

Members of the Kansas and Missouri congressional delegations and the states’ governors praised the USDA’s move when it was announced, saying the agencies are a good fit for the region. But critics argued that moving them will make it harder for federal policymakers to get objective research that might raise questions about President Donald Trump’s policies.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Ranson Financial2019-07-17T19:31:28-05:00July 17, 2019|News|

Land Bank has a deal for USD 475 employees

Junction City Commission ( Land Bank Board ) and staff

The Land Bank Board has approved an option for Geary USD 475 employees to purchase a vacant lot. City Manager Allen Dinkel said lots will be offered to employees of the school district. “Not just teachers but employees at $1,000 plus closing costs.”

The Land Bank lots are primarily on the northwest side of the city.

(Read more: Junction City Post)

Ranson Financial2019-07-17T19:25:22-05:00July 17, 2019|News|

Wichita Police Department enforcing electric scooter rules

Tuesday was day two of scooter mania in Wichita. The Wichita Police Department is enforcing the rules of the scooters, but say most aren’t following them.
Wichita Police officer, Larry Carlson was on patrol Monday when electric scooters rolled out. He says day two doesn’t look much different than day one.

“It’s day two and it’s madness…I seen at least 15 scooters in operation, and I don’t believe anybody was really legal,” says Carlson.

It didn’t take long to find more rule breakers.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2019-07-17T19:23:36-05:00July 17, 2019|News|

About 2,000 rides taken in first 24 hours of electric scooters in Wichita

Within the first 24 hours of nearly 500 electric scooters rolling out in downtown Wichita, people took about 2,000 rides.

In the last two days almost 3,000 people downloaded the Spin app,which you need in order to ride one of the city’s new scooters. In just a couple steps, people can unlock the scooters and begin to ride, making new means of transportation convenient and user-friendly.

Riders say there are a a few regulations they’d like the city to reconsider. Among those is the rule that you can’t ride the scooters on sidewalks.

Zagster provided the first few hundred scooters available in downtown Wichita. Two other companies will bring scooters to the city in the near future. Eventually, this means there will be more than 1,000 electric scooters available for rent throughout the city

(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2019-07-17T19:19:52-05:00July 17, 2019|News|

Reno County administrator announces retirement plan

Reno County Administrator Gary Meagher announced in an email late Tuesday that he plans to retire at the end of the year.

Meagher, 67, has been administrator since June 2009, becoming only the second person to fill the post after the county commission agreed to hire a professional manager in 1999.

He also became the second local municipal manager to announce his retirement this month. Hutchinson city manager John Deardoff revealed his retirement plans on July 9.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2019-07-17T19:17:02-05:00July 17, 2019|News|

Wind farm approval process might change

Future wind farms — and one with an approved conditional use permit — were discussed at Monday’s county commission meeting.

Commissioner Randy Dallke said he’d listened to enough discussion about, and opposition to, development of Expedition Wind Farm, and said some of the comments made by opponents should perhaps be considered in future wind farm propositions.

Although Expedition’s proposal was processed according to current planning and zoning regulations, Dallke said perhaps the plan should be reconsidered so more steps are taken during the planning commission’s consideration.

(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Ranson Financial2019-07-17T19:14:21-05:00July 17, 2019|News|

Electric car charging stations introduced at turnpike service areas

Electric vehicle drivers will be able to travel the entire 236-mile length of the Kansas Turnpike without ever having to exit to recharge their car’s batteries, thanks to the addition of “fast-charging” stations at the Topeka, Lawrence and Towanda service areas.

The announcement came during a news conference Wednesday morning at the turnpike’s Topeka Service Area, located just east of the capital city along Interstate 70.

Gov. Laura Kelly, who spoke at the news conference, called the charging stations “a game changer” for electric vehicle drivers.

Ranson Financial2019-07-17T19:08:14-05:00July 17, 2019|News|

Winfield wins Battle of the Badges drive

The Battle of the Badges blood drives in both Winfield and Arkansas City had great turnouts despite the low appointment numbers.

Winfield collected 89 units and Ark City collected 86. Congratulations to Winfield.

Those 175 units will help up to 525 patients.

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Ranson Financial2019-07-17T21:56:04-05:00July 17, 2019|News|

Paola City Clerk honored for service

Dan Droste began his tenure as Paola city clerk under difficult circumstances after the untimely and sudden passing of City Clerk Jill Holmes in 2004.

“That was a very difficult chapter in Paola’s history, and a very big challenge for me,” Droste said.

During the past 15 years though, Droste has established himself as one of the most reliable and essential components of Paola City Hall.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Ranson Financial2019-07-16T21:52:19-05:00July 16, 2019|News|

PANTHER STADIUM OVERHAUL: USD 260, architect reveal schematic designs

USDA: Only 40% of transferred ag researchers will move to Kansas City

Land Bank has a deal for USD 475 employees

Wichita Police Department enforcing electric scooter rules

About 2,000 rides taken in first 24 hours of electric scooters in Wichita

Reno County administrator announces retirement plan

Wind farm approval process might change

Electric car charging stations introduced at turnpike service areas

Winfield wins Battle of the Badges drive

Paola City Clerk honored for service

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