USD 108’s Infinity Project proposal is funded Program will be funded in-part by $450K grant

A 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant will bring $450,000 to USD 108 over the next five years. The program, designed for students in grades 7-12, will begin in September.

21st Century awards were announced last week by the Kansas State Board of Education. The competitive grants are awarded for a period of five years with a minimum award of $50,000 and a maximum award of $100,000 per year.

(Read more: Backroads News)

Ranson Financial2019-06-19T23:26:51-05:00June 19, 2019|News|

Manhattan, USD383 to split costs related to rotating planned middle school rec centers

The City of Manhattan and USD383 will share the costs to re-orient the planned Middle School recreation centers to accommodate planned additions at the schools that include storm shelters. The City Commission approved the decision 4 to 1, Mayor Pro Tempore Usha Reddi opposed.

The cost of the change will be at most $500,000 (a guaranteed maximum price from McCownGordon) — though city administration believes it will total less than that — to be split 50/50 between the district and city. The two recreation centers will be rotated about 45 degrees in order to allow for multiple entry points into the storm shelters. The new additions at Anthony and Eisenhower Middle Schools were planned, but their designs began being crafted after the city’s recreation center designs as the district had to wait for the results of the bond vote.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Ranson Financial2019-06-19T23:24:03-05:00June 19, 2019|News|

El Do commission talks future of splash parks

The future of El Dorado’s splash parks was a hot topic at the most recent city commission meeting — and whether the city can keep the facilities open.

The problem in front of the city is vandalism to both of the city’s splash parks, and at the most recent city commission meeting staff discussed what could happen if the vandalism can not be stopped.

It would mean at least a temporary closure of the North Main Spray Park and the Graham Park Spray Park. Currently both are open 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. No admission fees are charged for the spray parks.

(Read more: andoveramerican.com)

Ranson Financial2019-06-19T23:22:38-05:00June 19, 2019|News|

Director of Communications at KDOT named

Jeanny Sharp has been named the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Director of Communications by Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz. In her new position, she will lead the communication team members at Headquarters in Topeka and at the District offices across the state.

Previously she was Public Affairs/Communications Director for the Kanas Department of Corrections. Before joining the State of Kansas, Sharp was in the print, digital and special event media business. She served as editor and publisher of The Ottawa Herald for more than 16 years. Most recently she was the marketing solutions director for The Hutchinson News as well as Regional Sales Director for GateHouse Media for numerous publications in central and western Kansas.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Ranson Financial2019-06-19T23:18:44-05:00June 19, 2019|News|

SBA grants a disaster declaration for May tornadoes in Kansas

TOPEKA —The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved Governor Laura Kelly’s request for a SBA disaster declaration as a result of the severe storms and tornadoes that occurred May 28, 2019.

Tornado damage in Northeast Kansas photo courtesy Westar Energy

“I am pleased that Kansas has been granted this request by the Small Business Administration,” Kelly said in media release from her office.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Ranson Financial2019-06-19T23:17:36-05:00June 19, 2019|News|

Property rezoned to build possible event center near Great Bend

Great Bend has approved rezoning regulations to allow a potential event center to be built just northeast of city limits.

Randy and Debbie Deutsch entered an agreement to purchase real estate at 154 NE 20 Road and 176 NE 20 Road, just to the southwest of Barton Community College. Deutsch plans to use the site as a business for Distinctive Draperies and as a wedding venue site.

Deutsch wants to turn the single-family dwelling into her offices and storage for weddings, inventory and retail. They plan to rent out the main kitchen to be utilized as a catering kitchen.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Ranson Financial2019-06-19T23:16:28-05:00June 19, 2019|News|

Great Bend votes to terminate contract with Chamber of Commerce

Less than two minutes were spent Monday night going over the decision to terminate the contract the City of Great Bend has with the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce for economic development.

After a brief explanation for the decision from Mayor Joe Andrasek, the City Council voted 6-0 to eliminate the contract that keeps the Chamber in charge of the economic development for Great Bend.

“The committee understands that change can be difficult; however, is not promoting change simply for the sake of change,” said Andrasek.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Ranson Financial2019-06-19T23:15:20-05:00June 19, 2019|News|

Ellis, Osborne, Smith Center, etc each receive $1M grant for new pools

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce is awarding a special series of Community Development Block Grants to 11 communities across Kansas.

The eligible activities in this category included a single pool of water. This can be the construction or reconstruction of a city Neighborhood Center (i.e. pool) and can include a maximum of two diving boards.

Only items necessary for a viable safe facility will be allowed (i.e. bath house, life guard chairs, a few benches/tables, fencing, necessary accessibility items and items needed for cleaning and disinfecting).

(Read more: Hays Post)

Ranson Financial2019-06-19T23:13:20-05:00June 19, 2019|News|

Tax cut could yield same revenue

Cut tax rates but generate the same amount of money. Or keep the mill rate the same and have more tax money to spend.
That’s the confusing but enviable dilemma county commissioners will attempt to resolve next week as they prepare their 2020 budget.

Once they decide whether to preserve rates or revenue and which new spending projects to approve, they’ll decide how much of whatever is left to give to employees as raises.

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Ranson Financial2019-06-19T23:11:57-05:00June 19, 2019|News|

Council authorizes sale of $3.125 million in bonds

With resurfacing of three streets completed, Hillsboro city council members took steps Tuesday to work on nine additional streets.

Council members approved an ordinance to designate as main trafficways Wilson St. from 1st to C Sts., 1st St. from Adams St. east to the city limits, Grand Ave., D St., Washington St. from 1st to 2nd St., Lincoln St. from 1st to 3rd Sts., Jefferson St. from 1st to 3rd Sts., Kennedy St. from A to C Sts., and C St. from Adams to Kennedy Sts. The designation will allow resurfacing work on the streets.

After council members approved the designation, they voted to authorize the sale of $3.125 million in municipal bonds to fund the street work.

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Ranson Financial2019-06-19T23:11:05-05:00June 19, 2019|News|

USD 108’s Infinity Project proposal is funded Program will be funded in-part by $450K grant

Manhattan, USD383 to split costs related to rotating planned middle school rec centers

El Do commission talks future of splash parks

Director of Communications at KDOT named

SBA grants a disaster declaration for May tornadoes in Kansas

Property rezoned to build possible event center near Great Bend

Great Bend votes to terminate contract with Chamber of Commerce

Ellis, Osborne, Smith Center, etc each receive $1M grant for new pools

Tax cut could yield same revenue

Council authorizes sale of $3.125 million in bonds

Services

Company