JoCo parks system giving e-bikes a trial run

Electric bicycles — the kind that work only when the rider is pedaling — are now permitted on the recreational trails operated by the Johnson County parks system.

Reversing a position taken late last year against e-bikes, the county’s Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners voted last month to permit electric bikes on trails for a six-month trial period that runs through the end of the year.

A primary goal is to promote fitness by getting more people on bicycles and exercising, even those who are limited by age, physical infirmity or excess weight. They are particularly useful in helping riders scale the Kansas City area’s many hills.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2019-07-06T23:02:54-05:00July 6, 2019|News|

Flooding in central Kansas forces evacuations in small town

Flooding in central Kansas has forced evacuations in a small town along the rain-swollen North Cottonwood River.

The flooding resulted from heavy rains Thursday morning. Parts of Saline County received more than 8 inches of rain, while 6 inches fell in Marion County.

KAKE-TV reports that about 10 homes in Durham in northwest Marion County along the North Cottonwood had to be evacuated. Mayor Mike Sorensen said the downtown in the community of about 110 residents was under 3 feet of water.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Ranson Financial2019-07-06T23:01:44-05:00July 6, 2019|News|

Gadner police department reunites cat, owner

When Gardner Police Department’s Animal Control Officer Alexis Rivera was called to pick up a wandering cat, she followed her normal process of taking the wandering animal to the city shelter for found dogs and cats.
Rivera noticed how happy and healthy the cat appeared, and she decided to scan it for a microchip. The cat had previously had a microchip injected just under the skin.
Rivera contacted the microchip company and learned the name of the owner that had purchased the microchip originally. She then began attempting to contact the owner.
At the same time, the microchip company sent a text message to the registered owner, telling them the Gardner Police Department had located their cat. Thanks to the microchip implant, ACO Rivera was able to unite the cat with its owner after being missing for three years.

(Read more: Gardner News)

Ranson Financial2019-07-06T23:00:59-05:00July 6, 2019|News|

Topeka Metro Bikes program nears end of road

A lack of available funding has the Topeka Metro bus service planning to end its Topeka Metro Bikes bicycle sharing program effective Dec. 1, says the chairman of the board for the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority, which oversees that agency.That program is among casualties of cuts included in the budget the seven-member TMTA board approved for its fiscal year that began Tuesday and runs through June 30, 2020….

Ranson Financial2019-07-06T22:59:23-05:00July 6, 2019|News|

Frontenac approves legal action against Pittsburg over disputed road

dispute between the cities of Pittsburg and Frontenac over a section of Wild Red Road connecting to East Atkinson Ave near the Pittsburg Highlands housing development continues to escalate, despite a recent offer from Pittsburg attempting to resolve the issue.

…Frontenac City Attorney Tim Fielder … said Kansas cities have control over their own territory under what is known as home rule. The construction of the disputed section of road “constitutes both a trespassing and a taking, … The trespass was contemplated by Pittsburg as early as November 28, 2017, when it allowed the platting of Pittsburg Highlands.”

(Read more: Pittsburg Morning Sun)

Ranson Financial2019-07-06T23:10:51-05:00July 6, 2019|News|

City of Lawrence welcomes new city manger Craig Owens

The City of Lawrence has officially welcomed new City Manager Craig Owens aboard.

Owens began his employment with the city on Monday, and Tuesday was his first City Commission meeting. Owens replaces Tom Markus, 68, who retired after about three years as the city’s top administrator.

Mayor Lisa Larsen opened Tuesday’s commission meeting with a brief recognition for Owens.

“It’s just great to have you aboard,” Larsen told Owens. “It’s something we’ve been obviously waiting for for some time. I know it’s been a lot going on for you, trying to transition, but we’re really looking forward to it.”

‘It’s putting everybody here at risk’: Residents and City of Wichita urging property owners to clean up blight homes

The City of Wichita is asking some property owners to clean up or pay up. A total of 13 property owners have until July 12 to get their homes and land in order or could be taken to court and face a fine. It’s an effort to cut down on blight and nuisance properties in the area.

Blight is the term for land that is unsightly, unsafe, and in dilapidated conditions.

“We always do our best to combat blight and focus on areas in need given the resources available to us,” said Chris Labrum, Director with the city’s Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2019-07-03T08:04:04-05:00July 3, 2019|News|

Recycling contamination causing issues in Harvey County

Waste Management and Harvey County are renegotiating contracts, looking closely at recycling services in the county.At issue, according to county administration, are not only the fees charged but also how much material that is not recyclable is winding up in recycling bins.The current county ordinance prohibits grass clipping, leaves and household hazardous waste from being placed in the waste stream. It also prohibits recycling materials in the waste stream.

Ranson Financial2019-07-03T07:59:17-05:00July 3, 2019|News|

Garden City discusses changes to food truck license fees

Garden City’s Neighborhood and Development Services staff on Tuesday broke down proposed changes to its local itinerant business licenses, permits that determine whether food trucks, door-to-door contractors and other mobile businesses can legally operate within city limits.Garden City’s current policy offers separate itinerant business licenses for non-local and local businesses, the latter defined as a business that has operated a 1,000-square-foot permanent physical …

Ranson Financial2019-07-03T07:59:03-05:00July 3, 2019|News|

Prairie Village, YMCA and JoCo Library looking to field feasibility study on community center idea

The city of Prairie Village, the YMCA of Greater Kansas City and the Johnson County Library have agreed in principle to jointly field a high level feasibility study on a possible community center project, Prairie Village Mayor Eric Mikkelson announced Monday.

In remarks at the city council meeting last night, Mikkelson said he expected that city staff would have a memorandum of understanding between the three parties to present in the coming weeks, perhaps as soon as the next council meeting. The agreement would authorize the expenditure of up to $50,000 on a market study with the cost split among the three parties.

(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2019-07-03T07:58:47-05:00July 3, 2019|News|

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