Clapp Golf Course to close after 106 years

WICHITA, Kan. (WBJ) –

Clapp Golf Course will close Aug. 2 after 106 years, as the Wichita City Council authorized its Park Department on Tuesday to continue to look at ways to transform the southeast Wichita land into redesigned green space.

A year ago, the Council voted to keep the course open while a transformation committee began to look at uses for the property at 4611 E. Harry.

“This is probably one of the most difficult things I’ve had to tackle in my years on the Council,” said James Clendenin, who represents District 3 in which Clapp resides.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2019-06-19T23:09:57-05:00June 19, 2019|News|

Wichita considering 6-level parking garage in downtown Delano District

WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) –

The Wichita city council is concerned about parking downtown with the addition of the new baseball stadium and tomorrow morning the council will apply for a federal grant to help build a parking garage.

Jack Kellogg owns Hatman Jacks and his shop has been in the Delano District for years. He like many business owners says a parking garage will definitely be needed when the new baseball stadium is finished.

“I certainly think that parking garages are very adequate to supply certain needs, such as the ballpark, i think it’s great,” says Kellogg.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2019-06-19T23:08:31-05:00June 19, 2019|News|

Wichita and Sedgwick County Fire departments consider merger

SEDGWICK COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW) – There is a new move to join the Wichita and Sedgwick County Fire Departments.

The idea is something that has been in the works for a few years now, some of the benefits mentioned are cost savings and efficiencies when responding to calls.

Today, veteran firefighter Brad Crisp was named Deputy County Fire Chief for Sedgwick County Fire District One.

He will be leading a review of county fire services and the feasibility of consolidating the two departments.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2019-06-19T23:07:04-05:00June 19, 2019|News|

Grants Awarded for Community Pools in 11 Cities

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).

The city should consider an appropriate size based on population and ability to maintain. Facilities may be designed to allow for extra features in the future but cannot be part of the application (for example: If a slide is wanted that the application does not allow, the Neighborhood Center can be designed to allow the installation after the project is closed).

Grants are being awarded to the following communities:

The City of Baxter Springs will receive $960,000 in CDBG funds to rebuild the city swimming pool and provide ADA improvements to the bathhouse. Matching funds will be provided in the amount of $640,000 in city funds.

The City of Blue Rapids in Marshall County is awarded $763,411 in CDBG funds. The City will use $508,942 in bonds for their matching funds. The funds will be used to demolish and rebuild a zero-entry swimming pool.

The City of Caldwell is being granted $961,000 in CDBG funds to construct a fundamental pool. The City will supply $672,143 in matching funds secured with bonds.

The City of Caney will receive $1,000,000 in funds from the CDBG program. Bonds will be used by the city to provide $1,208,000 in matching funds. The city has chosen to construct their almost 4,000 square foot neighborhood center to include a bathhouse.

The City of Clyde is granted $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to assure the bathhouse complies with ADA, as well as, the construction of a zero-entry pool. The City employees will demolish the existing structure with force account labor estimated at $16,620 and $682,980 in bonds will be used to complete the project.

The City of Conway Springs will create their 19,250 cubic feet neighborhood center through a CDBG grant for $892,121. Also, matching funds in the amount of $594,748 will be made available. This improvement includes a diving board, lifeguard chairs and ladders.

The City of Ellis in Ellis County will receive $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to construct a new basic swimming pool with one diving board and fencing. The City is also contributing $850,500 of their local funds.

The City of Moundridge will use $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to establish their 4,000 square feet neighborhood center. The City will provide $1,375,768 in bonds to match the grant funds.

The City of Osborne is being awarded $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to construct a pool with benches and shade canopies. The City will provide matching funds in cash for $22,000. The total of $1,108,109 was collected from fundraisers, donations and other grants. In addition, the city employees will supply force account labor estimated at $23,977.

The City of Smith Center will receive $1,000,000 in CDBG funds and provide $700,206 in matching funds from the city. The monies will be used to demolish and reconstruct a 125,000 gallon zero-entry pool.

The City of Yates Center in Woodson County is being awarded $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to complete a new swimming pool and bathhouse. This facility will meet all accessibility requirements and is located at 310 West Chellis. The City will provide matching funds in the amount of $729,155.

Source.

Ranson Financial2019-06-19T08:12:42-05:00June 19, 2019|News|

T-Mobile sues Wichita to force City Council to allow Riverside cell tower

International telecommunications titan T-Mobile is suing the Wichita City Council, seeking a federal court order that would force the city to allow a cell phone tower in the Riverside area.

The suit alleges that the city violated the federal Telecommunications Act by rejecting two attempts to place a cell tower at two different sites in Riverside.

Both tries resulted in a public outcry from residents, who say a cell tower would harm aesthetics and reduce property values in their historic neighborhood.

In the filing, T-Mobile and tower builder APC Towers III claim that Wichita’s rulings have been unreasonable.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Ranson Financial2019-06-19T08:07:59-05:00June 19, 2019|News|

Mission Hills adopts non-discrimination ordinance with legal protections for LGBTQ individuals

Mission Hills on Monday became the seventh city in the Shawnee Mission area to pass a non-discrimination ordinance that provides legal protections for individuals on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Mission Hills passage of the ordinance comes a month after Westwood Hills adopted its own non-discrimination ordinance.

The ordinance applies to any employers in the city with four or more employees, city hall and related city boards, and any city contractors.

Ranson Financial2019-06-19T08:07:35-05:00June 19, 2019|News|

Sedgwick County considers discount card program for country’s heroes

It’s a way to give back to our country’s heroes. Sedgwick County Commissioners will consider a discount program for veterans and active military personnel.
The program will provide a discount card, similar to a driver’s license, which could be used at participating businesses.

According to officials, the county plans to partner with veteranbargains.com — a website ran by a Wichita veteran.

There are more than 120 businesses that already offer discounts to heroes. If the program is approved, the county plans to go to each listed business to confirm it is willing to participate in the discount card program.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2019-06-19T08:06:38-05:00June 19, 2019|News|

Seward County employees reward students with scholarships

Monday, two local students were given some financial help with their higher education.

The Seward County Employee Committee rewarded its annual scholarship in the amount of $400 each to two of this year’s six applicants.

Deja Webber and Kyle Benton were this year’s recipients. Webber is the daughter of Demetria Ward and Darell Webber and granddaughter of Steven Bailem from the Seward County Sheriff’s office.

(Read more: Liberal First)

Ranson Financial2019-06-18T23:15:34-05:00June 18, 2019|News|

Commission wants uniformity in NRPs

OSWEGO — The city of Oswego may revisit its neighborhood revitalization plan in the coming weeks after Labette County commissioners asked about making NRP plans uniform across the county.

Commissioners discussed the plan that provides property tax rebates for improvements to residential and commercial structures within certain areas of Parsons, Oswego and Chetopa. These three communities are the only ones in Labette County that have NRP programs in place.

The city of Parsons has four neighborhood revitalization plans. One works for commercial properties in the northern part of the city in the area of the U.S. 400 and U.S. 59 junction. The older program will expire this year and allows commercial and residential property owners in specific areas to get 90% tax rebates on additional property tax tied to improvements. The third and fourth programs relate to historical structures. The NRP encourages property owners to build new structures or add to existing structures by giving them tax relief for five years.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Ranson Financial2019-06-18T23:13:46-05:00June 18, 2019|News|

Topeka City Council approves 1 cent sales tax for development of Villa West Shopping Center

Topeka’s mayor and city council voted Tuesday evening to levy a 1 cent sales tax increase upon customers of the planned Sherwood Crossing redevelopment at the site of the former Villa West Shopping Center.

The mayor and council also voted to allow a second shift to be put in place for city water division employees while granting them pay raises for a three-year period totaling 17 percent instead of the 11.5 percent suggested by the city’s administration.

Mayor Michelle De La Isla and the nine council members voted 10-0 to form the Sherwood Crossing Community Improvement District, for which the additional 1-cent sales tax will be levied in the shopping center at the northwest corner of S.W. 29th and Wanamaker.

Ranson Financial2019-06-18T23:09:14-05:00June 18, 2019|News|