Overland Park committee approves no-bid purchase of police body cameras

The City of Overland Park is one step closer to equipping police officers with body worn cameras.
The Overland Park Public Safety Committee voted Wednesday night to approve the police department’s plan to spend $430,000 on body cameras without a bidding process.
The measure is expected to be heard and voted on by the full City Council next week.
If approved, Overland Park Police Chief Frank Donchez said he expects the cameras to be ready for use by the end of the year.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Ranson Financial2019-07-11T01:27:47-05:00July 11, 2019|News|

‘It has been an honor’: KCK Police Chief Terry Zeigler announces plan to retire

Kansas City, Kansas, Police Chief Terry Zeigler said he plans to retire later this year in an announcement shared on social media Wednesday.

Zeigler, who has been the police chief for four and a half years, serving 29 years total with the department in his law enforcement career, said his retirement will go into effect Sept. 11.

“It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Kansas City, Kansas, and the men and women of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department for the last four and a half years as Chief of Police,” Zeigler said in a statement.

Read more here: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article232510437.html#storylink=cpy

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Ranson Financial2019-07-11T01:18:26-05:00July 11, 2019|News|

Commission chair addresses all sides

The chair of the Neosho County Commission addressed her fellow commissioners, critics of a proposed wind project and its developer in comments at Tuesday’s meeting.

Gail Klaassen said she has been told people are drawing up papers to file suit over the planned Neosho Ridge Wind project, a development to generate 300 megawatts of electricity in the southwest portion of the county. She told residents there the county has signed agreements and she will stand by them.

She also asked people to send her information from primary sources instead of social media. She asked Commissioner David Orr not to use her name, picture or video on social media and asked he take down a site since it is not an official county site.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Ranson Financial2019-07-11T01:13:13-05:00July 11, 2019|News|

Topeka Metro receives $1.3 million in grant funding from KDOT

The Topeka Metro bus service announced Wednesday it was recently awarded three grants totaling more than $1.3 million from the bus and bus facilities program maintained by the Kansas Department of Transportation.

But the grants won’t affect Topeka Metro’s day-to-day operational structure because all are “one-time capital grants,” said Jim Ogle, chairman of the board for the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority, which oversees Topeka Metro.

Each grant announced Wednesday requires a partial match in funding from Topeka Metro to carry out the program involved, with the matching money coming from funds set aside through depreciation, Ogle said in an email.

Ranson Financial2019-07-11T01:08:58-05:00July 11, 2019|News|

Leawood preparing a second bike loop south of I-435

Bicyclists may be familiar with Leawood’s North Loop, an 11-mile route designated by green wayfinding signs that guide cyclists along residential streets in the older part of the city while largely avoiding busy thoroughfares like 95th and 103rd streets.

Now Leawood is creating a similar-sized loop that will go south to 133rd Street, and it should be ready this fall. Part of the route follows the Tomahawk Creek Streamway Trail.

“To my knowledge, these recommended recreational riding loops are kind of unique in our metro,” said Brian Anderson, the city’s superintendent of parks. “(There are) lots of trails and bicycle lanes intended for commuting, but these loops — intended for recreational exercise — are a bit different.”

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2019-07-10T23:18:57-05:00July 10, 2019|News|

$500M arts campus would put hotels, apartments and amphitheater near Kansas Speedway

Kansas City developers envision students and seniors living together on a sprawling $500 million mixed-use campus with an arts and entertainment theme.

The 180-acre Bonner Crossing development is planned for the southwest corner of State Avenue and Speedway Boulevard in Bonner Springs, near Village West and the Kansas Speedway.

Developers presented their latest plans for the concept to the Bonner Springs City Council Monday evening. While the city has not yet reached a final development agreement on the project, the council on Monday approved the last zoning change needed to move forward.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Ranson Financial2019-07-10T23:15:36-05:00July 10, 2019|News|

Topeka officials consider adding e-scooters

In September 2017, the market for public transportation changed exponentially when e-scooters hit the streets — first in California, then in communities all over the world.Now local officials are exploring the possibility of bringing dockless scooter-sharing vendors to the capital city.“We are definitely pro-scooter,” said Bill Fiander, director of planning and development with the city of Topeka. “We were very proactive in trying to get them here…

Ranson Financial2019-07-10T23:13:08-05:00July 10, 2019|News|

Johnson County Chair Ed Eilert looks at the history of the current structure of JoCo government

The current structure of Johnson County Government was formed as a result of a Home Rule Charter passed by the Kansas Legislature. The Johnson County Charter Commission was formed in 1999 and convened in May to study the structure of Johnson County Government and to make recommendations for improvement. In May 2000, the Charter Commission submitted its report and proposed Home Rule Charter for Johnson County with two alternative provisions.

Johnson County voters approved and adopted the charter on Nov. 7, 2000 along with the two alternative provisions. The charter provisions became effective on the second Thursday of January 2001.

Ranson Financial2019-07-10T23:13:58-05:00July 10, 2019|News|

Wind farm approved in part

Commissioners approved a conditional use permit for development of a wind farm, but took no action on a development plan submitted by the company Monday.
Audience members had been told earlier there would be no public comment at Monday’s meeting because meetings were earlier held for people to voice their opinions.
Commissioners Randy Dallke and Kent Becker voted in favor of the application. Dianne Novak voted against.

(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Ranson Financial2019-07-10T23:14:58-05:00July 10, 2019|News|

‘She’s my hero’: Silver Lake city council president remembered for dedication to job, city

The Silver Lake city council president is being remembered for her dedication to her job as well as being the “epitome of a team player,” according to Silver Lake Mayor Mack Smith.

Nancy Bryant, 67, died June 29 of cancer.

Family and friends gathered 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Silver Lake United Methodist Church for a memorial service.

Bryant, who served as a Silver Lake councilwoman for 20 years, worked in public service for several years, said Suzette Smith, a friend of Bryant.

Ranson Financial2019-07-10T00:10:40-05:00July 10, 2019|News|

Overland Park committee approves no-bid purchase of police body cameras

‘It has been an honor’: KCK Police Chief Terry Zeigler announces plan to retire

Commission chair addresses all sides

Topeka Metro receives $1.3 million in grant funding from KDOT

Leawood preparing a second bike loop south of I-435

$500M arts campus would put hotels, apartments and amphitheater near Kansas Speedway

Topeka officials consider adding e-scooters

Johnson County Chair Ed Eilert looks at the history of the current structure of JoCo government

Wind farm approved in part

‘She’s my hero’: Silver Lake city council president remembered for dedication to job, city

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