info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Kansas can enforce COVID-inspired limits on officials’ power

info2021-08-25T07:00:54-05:00August 25th, 2021|

People who oppose mask requirements or restrictions on public gatherings imposed by Kansas counties can challenge them in court and obtain a ruling within 10 days — at least for now — because of a decision Tuesday by the state's highest court. The Kansas Supreme Court's ruling could discourage counties from imposing mask mandates to deal with the two-month surge in COVID-19 cases tied to the more contagious delta variant. Most local school boards aren't directly affected but could hesitate to act as well. The court's ruling also came the morning after Wichita's school board voted to require anyone age 3 [...]

Wichita budget sets $15 minimum wage for city workers

info2021-08-25T06:52:34-05:00August 25th, 2021|

The Wichita City Council finalized its $670 million annual budget Tuesday, setting a $15 minimum hourly wage for city employees and putting the Century II Performing Arts Center and the city’s golf system squarely on the path to privatization. The approval came after a final hearing where union leader Esau Freeman and Mayor Brandon Whipple traded shots over wages, and Save Century II activist Celeste Racette accused Whipple of being too deferential to developers and acting like a character from a Harry Potter novel. City staff originally projected a $10 million to $11 million shortfall because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for August 24, 2021

info2021-08-25T06:47:52-05:00August 25th, 2021|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.

Most of Kansas’ top 10 cities grew in population over decade

info2021-08-25T01:43:12-05:00August 25th, 2021|

Eight of the 10 largest cities in Kansas grew in population over the past decade and now are home to nearly half of the state's residents. New census figures show that 1.34 million of the state's 2.9 million residents live in the 10 largest cities, or nearly 46%. That's up 87,021 people or 7% from the 2010 population of 1.25 million. The two large cities that didn't grow were Topeka, which lost 0.7% of its residents, down to 126,587, and Salina, where the population dropped 1.7% to 46,889. Topeka dropped from No. 4 to No. 5 in size, while Salina remained [...]

Limits to Kansas governor, health officials’ emergency powers restored — for now

info2021-08-25T07:01:57-05:00August 25th, 2021|

Major revisions to the Kansas emergency management law, ruled unconstitutional last month by a Johnson County judge, will remain in place while the state Supreme Court considers an appeal. The Kansas Supreme Court on Tuesday granted Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s request that district court judge David Hauber’s ruling be stayed until the higher court made its decision. The stay follows more than a month of uncertainty in Kansas as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise and the power of local health officials and Gov. Laura Kelly was uncertain. Source: Wichita Eagle

State of Disaster Emergency issued for western Kansas wildfire

info2021-08-25T01:26:00-05:00August 25th, 2021|

Governor Laura Kelly issued a State of Disaster Emergency for a wildfire in Clark County. The Kansas Forest Service has been at the scene of the fire, and an agricultural pilot is helping with fire suppression over rough terrain. “Wildland fires can cause widespread destruction and present a very real threat to life and property,” Gov. Kelly said. “They destroy crops and grazing land, and may threaten homes and lives. This declaration will allow the state to use whatever resources we have available to mitigate the risks and respond to fires in support of local emergency responders.” “Our wildland fire staff [...]

After 50 COVID cases, 200 quarantines, Johnson County district toughens mask mandate

info2021-08-25T01:24:03-05:00August 25th, 2021|

The Gardner-Edgerton district began the school year last week with a mask requirement for younger students, but not high schoolers. Now 50 students and staff have tested positive for the virus, and more than 200 have been required to quarantine. After one week of classes, the district is facing staffing issues due to a substitute teacher shortage, said Jody Marshall, human resources director. Given the trends in COVID-19 transmission, the school board voted 4-1 Monday night to mandate masks for all grade levels. “Last week reflects the worst COVID-related absenteeism, or positives and quarantines, since the first week in January. So [...]

Roeland Park Becomes Second City In Johnson County To Require Masks Indoors

info2021-08-25T01:17:21-05:00August 25th, 2021|

Roeland Park is now the second Johnson County city with a citywide mask mandate, following Prairie Village, which instituted a similar measure that took effect Tuesday. The Roeland Park City Council unanimously approved a mask resolution at its Monday night meeting, effective Tuesday, Aug. 24, and currently set to expire Oct. 19. The order requires masks for all people indoors in public places or in crowded outdoor public places, with some exceptions. Roeland Park started complying last summer with Gov. Laura Kelly’s mask mandate, which took effect July 3, 2020. The city changed its mask mandate in April to “strongly recommend” [...]

Want to race the Wichita police? Now you have a chance

info2021-08-25T01:13:03-05:00August 25th, 2021|

Do you want to race the Wichita Police Department? You will now have your chance this Friday night. Wichita police and Mel Hambelton are teaming up to provide an opportunity in a controlled and safe environment at the Kansas International Dragway. According to Wichita police, drag racing has become a problem here and nationwide. Officer Paul Cruz said so far in 2021, two deaths in Wichita have been related to street racing. "We are excited to bring this together. As much as the street racing is an issue, we want to bring this community back together where the street racers are [...]

Sheriff’s Office seeks assistance in purchasing drone

info2021-08-25T01:10:40-05:00August 25th, 2021|

The Brown County Sheriff is requesting assistance from the public for purchasing a drone for the Sheriffs office. Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said that last week, two boys were lost in a cornfield near Fairview. "With the aid of a drone, they could have been located in a more timely manner," Sheriff Merchant said. "With high temperatures and humidity, dehydration could have set in within a short amount of time." In the situation with the lost boys, Sheriff Merchant said a local farmer assisted and with information obtained from the dispatcher who stayed on the phone with the boys - [...]

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