Hutchinson’s Smallville events growing in popularity

Talks have already started on how to capture the growing footprint of Hutchinson’s Smallville events.The sixth annual Smallville Con saw a dip in its attendance during the two-day event celebrating comic book heroes at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. However, the second annual Smallville Festival on Thursday prior drew enough to cover the attendance loss and then some. More businesses seemed to join the effort this year, as well.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2019-07-09T21:28:05-05:00July 9, 2019|News|

Overland Park police may get body cameras

Overland Park police may soon join the ranks of law enforcement agencies using body cameras.

A city committee will vote Wednesday on whether to approve the police department’s plan to use $430,000 in allocated funds to buy the cameras.

The police department is also seeking approval to skip the bidding process and negotiate a price with WatchGuard, the company that currently supplies dash cameras for Overland Park police vehicles.

The proposal will be heard by the Overland Park Public Safety Committee at 7 p.m. Wednesday night. If it is approved, it will likely be heard by the full city council next week, according to committee chair Paul Lyons.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Ranson Financial2019-07-09T21:28:37-05:00July 9, 2019|News|

Wichita launches new tool to connect residents with city’s resources, services

The City of Wichita Monday launched an online tool meant to connect residents with the city’s resources and services, and to allow them to easily report non-emergency issues or concerns.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2019-07-09T21:27:26-05:00July 9, 2019|News|

The Tool That Local Economic Developers Should Rely On

There’s little doubt that the use of taxpayer-funded incentives will remain the subject of intense disagreement among public officials, researchers and the public. Regardless of the larger debate, however, local economic developers are often expected to offer incentives to attract and retain businesses. How can you provide them in a fiscally responsible way?

The local government’s elected body sets a vision for the type of economic activity the community desires. Policies then need to be written stating when and what types of incentives can be used. At this point, economic developers need a good fiscal tool to ensure that incentives are being offered wisely.

(Read more: GOVERNING.com)

Ranson Financial2019-07-08T23:00:45-05:00July 8, 2019|News|

Pottawatomie County Administrator announces retirement

Longtime Pottawatomie County Administrator Robert Reece has announced his retirement.

Pottawatomie County Commissioners unanimously accepted his resignation during Monday’s regular meeting. Commissioner Dee McKee “reluctantly” seconded the motion from Chairman Travis Altenhofen.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Ranson Financial2019-07-08T22:57:37-05:00July 8, 2019|News|

New Johnson County playground aims to include all children

A brand new park aimed at including children of all ages and abilities opened Saturday in Shawnee Mission Park. This is the second all-inclusive park to open in Johnson County.

It looks like a typical park but it has one big exception. This park centers around acceptance. The $1.2 million playground lets children play together without any physical or social barriers.

Casey and Amanda Connealy brought their four children to the playground.

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

Ranson Financial2019-07-08T22:53:28-05:00July 8, 2019|News|

Kansas in shrinking minority of states without measles cases

The national measles outbreak has not hit Kansas yet, but it has come close with cases reported in neighboring Oklahoma, Missouri and Colorado.

Kansas health officials say they think a case in Kansas looks nearly inevitable given that more than 1,000 measles cases have been reported so far across the nation. Kansas is in a shrinking minority of states without cases.

KCUR-FM reports that the state’s annual survey of kindergartener vaccination rates suggests some counties do better than others at getting children their potentially life-saving shots. Though Kansas requires shots against illnesses such as measles, whooping cough and polio for school attendance, 15% of kindergartners last year weren’t up to date on those.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Ranson Financial2019-07-08T22:48:22-05:00July 8, 2019|News|

Wichita getting national help amid high violent crime rate

WICHITA — A violent crime rate about twice the national average has prompted Wichita law enforcement officials to join a national program that aims to drive down crime.

The Wichita Eagle reports the city is among 10 selected this year to participate in the U.S. Department of Justice National Safety Partnership.

Wichita cited the latest figures published by the FBI and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation in its application for the program.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Ranson Financial2019-07-08T22:44:28-05:00July 8, 2019|News|

Two things might be shrinking number of teacher vacancies in Kansas

Education officials in Kansas are taking a two-pronged approach to reducing teacher shortages: raising pay and fast-tracking teaching assistants and other professionals to the front of the classroom.

Last year, Kansas schools had more than 600 vacant positions. Many of the openings were concentrated in rural areas and the state’s most urban districts.

Low pay has been blamed for much of the trouble attracting and retaining teachers. But education officials believe they have an opportunity to tackle that with the recent boosts to state funding.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Ranson Financial2019-07-08T22:39:36-05:00July 8, 2019|News|

Zebra mussels found in Lyon State Fishing Lake

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has confirmed the presence of invasive zebra mussels in Lyon State Fishing Lake in Lyon County. Routine samples collected by KDWPT Aquatic Nuisance Species staff to detect zebra mussels were found to contain zebra mussel larvae (also called veligers). Upon finding the veligers, staff returned to the lake and located an established population of adult zebra mussels. Similar sampling is conducted by KDWPT at more than 100 waterbodies across the state.

The 135-acre lake is located 12 miles north and two miles east of Emporia on Rd 270. Lyon State Fishing Lake is owned and operated by KDWPT. The lake and surrounding wildlife area are popular destinations for fishing, hunting, hiking, and a variety of other outdoor-related activities.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Ranson Financial2019-07-08T22:35:16-05:00July 8, 2019|News|