Goats to help with vegetation overgrowth in Wichita park

Wichita Park & Recreation announced that it will have Rex and his team of goats from Restoration Grazing, LLC at Oak Park starting Monday. The goats are expected to take up to a month to clear eight acres of overgrown weeds, poison ivy, and vegetation. Wichita Park & Recreation says the goats will not interfere with the disc golf course at Oak Park. “Disc golf players will probably have a lot of spectators 👀🐐😂,” said Wichita Park & Recreation. Wichita Park & Recreation welcomes the public to watch the goats in action. “We’re excited to see everyone out at the park!” said Restoration Grazing, LLC.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2023-11-03T13:21:25-05:00November 3, 2023|News|

City of Wichita Library debuts new Book Bus

The City of Wichita Library debuted its new Book Bus Thursday. According to the City of Wichita Library, it was the Director of Libraries Jaime Nix’s idea to bring library services to areas of Wichita that don’t have quick access to a physical library location. The Book Bus will take to the streets in November to offer outreach programming and services to Wichita’s youngest readers. “The Book Bus will focus on early learning resources for our youngest readers,” said Wichita Public Libraries.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2023-11-03T13:29:53-05:00November 3, 2023|News|

Sales tax increase to be decided by Pottawatomie Co. voters

Pottawatomie County residents will soon vote to approve or deny a retailers’ sales tax to fund projects across the county. On the ballots for this year’s general election, voters in Pottawatomie County will either vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for an additional retailers’ sales tax of 0.25% to be put into place Jan. 1, 2024. This proposed 0.25% retailers’ sales tax is in addition to the existing retailers’ sales tax of 1%.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2023-11-03T13:30:30-05:00November 3, 2023|News|

Proposed sales tax would help Plains grocery store

Voters in Plains, in Meade County, will be voting on a sales tax to help the local grocery store. Grand Avenue Market opened in 2021. The city used a $500,000 federal loan to build the facility, and repayments start in a few weeks. Tuesday, voters consider adding a .5% city-wide special retailers’ sales tax to help pay off that debt. The money would go to the Community Enhancement Foundation of the Plains, a foundation that owns and operates the Grand Avenue Market. Store co-manager Kim Wurdeman said the money from the proposed sales tax will help them keep their doors open.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2023-11-03T13:31:29-05:00November 3, 2023|News|

Ascension Via Christi Emergency department set to close in Fort Scott

The decision to close the emergency room at Ascension Via Christi in Fort Scott, Kansas, has sparked criticism from state leaders and residents alike. The move to cease emergency department operations, effective December 20th, has drawn concerns about the impact on rural healthcare accessibility and emergency services in the area. Ascension Via Christi cited several reasons for the closure, including a steady decline in emergency room visits and economic challenges.
Source: KOAM News

Ranson Financial2023-11-03T13:32:05-05:00November 3, 2023|News|

Emily Randel, Mission’s deputy city administrator, to leave after decade

Emily Randel, the city of Mission deputy city administrator, is leaving at the end of January. Randel has been with the city of Mission for 10 years and has worked her way up from a neighborhood services coordinator, who oversaw code enforcement and managed the grant program, to deputy city administrator over the past decade. Once she hit the 10-year mark in May, she said she saw it as a chance to evaluate next steps. Randel said she believes Mission is poised for a bright future, making it the right time to hand over her responsibilities to someone else.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2023-11-03T13:32:51-05:00November 3, 2023|News|

Marshall Co. voters to see city sales tax question on ballots

Two towns in Marshall County are asking residents to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for the creation of a sales tax to improve city-wide infrastructure. The cities of Waterville and Blue Rapids are asking its residents to vote on a retailers’ sales tax question that will be on the ballots for this year’s general election. Each city is proposing a 0.5% retailers’ sales tax that, if approved, will take effect Jan. 1, 2024, according to information from the Marshall County Election Office. In Waterville, the city will use the funds to reconstruct, repair, maintain and improve the streets, curbs and gutters in Waterville. ….In Blue Rapids, the revenue from the 0.5% sale tax will fund general governmental services that will be provided by the city.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2023-11-03T13:33:46-05:00November 3, 2023|News|

City officially owns Hotel Topeka with a hefty price tag

The City of Topeka has finalized the purchase of Hotel Topeka. A spokeswoman for the City of Topeka announced the Topeka Development Corportation now officially has retained ownership of Hotel Topeka for more than $7.6 million. The hotel is remaining open for business and all services are expected to continue like normal. “We are excited about the purchase being finalized, and steadfast in our desire to see the hotel redeveloped and eventually brought back to private ownership,” Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla, who also serves as president of the corporation’s board of directors, said. “In the coming months, the corporation, board of directors, and staff will be working closely with our asset manager and partners to develop a long-term plan for the hotel so that it can be a staple in our community for many years to come.”
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2023-11-03T12:03:01-05:00November 3, 2023|News|

Derby Planning Commission considering changes for accessory structure regulations

Following discussion among the Derby City Council and an official addition to its list of priorities earlier this year, changes to the city’s zoning regulations for accessory structures came to the Planning Commission for consideration in October. Presenting on the history of zoning regulations, City Planner Scott Knebel said none existed in regards to accessory structures for single-family or two-family dwellings prior to 2022. However, leading up to that, several large, agricultural-style metal garages/barns were constructed on single-family residential lots, which led to “a lot of complaints.” Starting Jan. 1, 2022, the zoning regulations were amended to state that any accessory structure over 120 sq. ft. at a single or two-family dwelling must “be consistent architecturally” with the principal structure on the property.
Source: Derby Informer | News

Ranson Financial2023-11-03T13:35:38-05:00November 3, 2023|News|

Governor Kelly Announces $85M for Two New Water-Related Grant Programs

Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Water Office announced that $85 million over five years will go toward water projects with the launch of the Technical Assistance Fund Grants and Water Projects Fund Grants programs. Both grant programs provide funding for up-front technical assistance and on-the-ground actions needed to address water quantity and quality issues around the state. The grants were made possible when Governor Kelly signed Senate Substitute for HB 2302, a bipartisan bill from the 2023 legislative session that increased funding for the State Water Plan Fund and established these two grant programs.
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas

Ranson Financial2023-11-03T13:36:03-05:00November 3, 2023|News|