Wellington City Manager Shane Shields said estimated flood damage and repair to city-own property is right now at $140,108.07

Sumner Newscow report — Wellington City Manager Shane Shields wrote in the June 7 City of Wellington newsletter, the initial estimate of flood damage and repair to city-owned property, turned into the Sumner County Emergency Management was $140,108.07.

“This is only an estimate and there will be additional expense to add after all the repairs are done,” Shields wrote.

According to data collected by the K-State Water Data Library, Wellington received 23.03 inches of rain according to the gauge at the Wellington C0-0p and 21.8 on three miles west of Wellington – both are records.

(Read more: Sumner NewsCow)

Ranson Financial2019-06-10T10:06:28-05:00June 10, 2019|News|

State leaders coming to Ark City for community input on early childhood programs

Leaders from across the state’s early childhood system will be in Arkansas City collecting feedback as part of a series of Community Engagement Sessions being held across Kansas.

Sessions are being held now through the end of July.

The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund, the Kansas Department for Children and Families, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Kansas State Department of Education, and early childhood partners are seeking information from Kansans to develop a statewide strategic plan for early childhood.

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Ranson Financial2019-06-10T10:05:17-05:00June 10, 2019|News|

Both sides of wind project make pitches

ERIE – Opponents and supporters of the proposed Neosho Ridge Wind project made their pitches Thursday evening before commissioners, who later approved agreements on the plan.

Most of the people who addressed the commission during the public comment portion spoke against the project; two were in favor and one urged the commission to put it to a vote.

“The only good thing they can say about this is money,” Kim Norris said. She also said people critical of the plan have not been treated fairly.

“We’ve been painted as these radicals,” she said. “It’s all on us.”

(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

Ranson Financial2019-06-10T10:03:09-05:00June 10, 2019|News|

Boom in electric scooters nationwide leads to more injuries, fatalities

Andrew Hardy was crossing the street on an electric scooter in downtown Los Angeles when a car struck him at 50 miles per hour and flung him 15 feet in the air before he smacked his head on the pavement and fell unconscious.

The 26-year-old snapped two bones in each leg, broke a thighbone, shattered a kneecap, punctured a lung and fractured three vertebrae in his neck, in addition to sustaining a head injury.

“My brother thought I was dead,” said Hardy, who wasn’t wearing a helmet.

Doctors told Hardy he’d likely be paralyzed for life. Five months later, he has learned to walk again. But he says he’ll never ride another scooter.

“These scooters should not be available to the public,” Hardy said. “Those things are like a death wish.”

Robot reports for duty with Pratt County law enforcement

A new robot is on duty at the Pratt County Sheriff’s Office and is ready to provide a safe alternative in dangerous situations. The new Transcend Tactical robot can go in areas unsafe to send people because of dangerous surroundings or dangerous people. Water and food can be strapped onto the unit and delivered to someone that might be trapped in a collapsed building, said Pratt County Sheriff Jimmy White.

Ranson Financial2019-06-07T07:47:04-05:00June 7, 2019|News|

McPherson’s early days detailed at public library

The City of McPherson can lay claim to a long and colorful history ever since its founding in 1872, but how exactly was it founded? And why? Myths and misinformation about early McPherson history have taken on a life of their own over the years and have obscured the facts.

On Monday, June 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the McPherson Public Library, Steve Read and Jennie Hall will take you back in time for a front row seat to view the founding and raucous early days of the city in a program titled “The Founding of McPherson: What Really Happened.”

Ranson Financial2019-06-07T07:46:24-05:00June 7, 2019|News|

Kansas A to Z: ‘H’ is for Boot Hill Museum

Boot Hill Cemetery, in which its museum rests, started in 1872 as an unofficial burial ground for various drifters who died in Dodge City. Most of these people died suddenly, with "their boots on" giving the name "Boot Hill" to the cemetery. None of these people had the money required for a proper burial; many were know only by their given name and no official records were kept of the burials.

Ranson Financial2019-06-07T07:46:00-05:00June 7, 2019|News|

Over 800 biking enthusiasts to visit Hays Monday; Moundridge city administrator Randy Frazer among them

It has been 17 years since riders from the annual Biking Across Kansas tour stopped in Hays, taking in the sights and sounds of the city.

Even then it was only a portion of the amount of riders.

This time, the full group of over 800 biking enthusiasts will take up residence for a night in the city as the tour rolls into the area Monday.

“Hays is welcoming Biking Across Kansas with the red carpet,” said Stefanie Weaver, BAK executive director.

“We will just feel like we are being treated like kings and queens when we come to Hays,” she said.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Ranson Financial2019-06-07T07:44:47-05:00June 7, 2019|News|

Newton to consider housing incentives

The initial incentive program would have the city set aside $100,000 to act as a safety net for licensed builders.

A builder participating in the program would be reimbursed for the interest the builder paid on the construction loan for the building between the time the city cleared the building for occupancy until the time it sold for a maximum of $10,000.

The housing study, as well as the group, stated that newly constructed homes stay on the market longer in Newton than in surrounding markets, discouraging builders from taking an additional risk in Newton.

“We looked at it from what’s the incentive to get the builder to put in a house,” Ron Lang, who was a part of the housing work group, said of the program. “If it should sit on the market for six months, how would that risk be offset for the builder?”

(Read more: Newton Now)

Ranson Financial2019-06-07T07:41:08-05:00June 7, 2019|News|

Wind farm decision delayed

After two lengthy evenings of testimony on the merits of a wind farm proposal — and reasons not to permit it — county planning and zoning commissioners tabled any decision until they meet again Monday evening.Each of the two nights of testimony lasted 31/2 hours. More than 100 people testified, including officials with National Renewable Solutions, developers of the Expedition Wind project.The planning commission is considering the company’s application for a conditional-use permit.Many objectors rehashed the same concerns they had voiced at an earlier public hearing as well as at county commission meetings. They were balanced by a nearly equal number of supporters.
Some objectors made no bones about their stance.“Only over my cold, dead body will those things cast a shadow on the ground that I walk on,” said Peabody farmer Randy Eitzen.

(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)

Ranson Financial2019-06-07T07:36:12-05:00June 7, 2019|News|

Wellington City Manager Shane Shields said estimated flood damage and repair to city-own property is right now at $140,108.07

State leaders coming to Ark City for community input on early childhood programs

Both sides of wind project make pitches

Boom in electric scooters nationwide leads to more injuries, fatalities

Robot reports for duty with Pratt County law enforcement

McPherson’s early days detailed at public library

Kansas A to Z: ‘H’ is for Boot Hill Museum

Over 800 biking enthusiasts to visit Hays Monday; Moundridge city administrator Randy Frazer among them

Newton to consider housing incentives

Wind farm decision delayed

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