Ranson Financial, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Wichita hospitals remain ‘critical’ with full ICUs as Kansas COVID case counts improve

Wichita hospitals continue to have no available beds in their intensive care units, despite improving COVID-19 numbers locally and statewide. The Sedgwick County Health Department on Monday reported all approximately 208 ICU beds remain full at Ascension Via Christi and Wesley Medical Center hospitals. It marks the 13th straight week of full ICUs. Both hospitals have been managing through contingency operations, the health department has said. The hospital status remains “critical,” though the term has not been defined by county officials.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2021-01-26T07:58:08-06:00January 25, 2021|News|

Bracing for yesterday’s storm in Russell

As parts of Kansas wait for the snow dump to come, drivers are doing their best to get out of the storm’s way before it has a chance to close any Kansas roads. “That’s a lot of snow,” Nathan Rowe said. The threat of as much as 14 inches of snow in Russell has long haul truck drivers like Rowe, and other travelers, scooting out of town faster than they drove in, trying to get out of the storm’s cross hairs before the snow starts coming down. Others, like Rick Eiser, aren’t as concerned, saying storms like the one bearing down on Kansas are just part of winter driving. Eiser says he just came to Kansas from Buffalo, NY, where they had 10 inches of snow in a single storm.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-01-26T07:59:43-06:00January 25, 2021|News|

Some students return to classroom as USD 259 begins blended model

“There is without doubt, energy in the air. Energy from the teachers, energy from the students and excitement in the air.” That was the sentiment felt by Northwest High School Principal Eric Hofer-Holdeman as students return to the halls of his school for the first time in months. Monday was the first day of the district’s new blended on site learning model for middle and high school students. Of the nearly 60% of students who opted into coming back inside, half will be at school today and tomorrow and remote the rest of the week. The other half is flipped, meaning they are in school on Thursday and Friday.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-01-26T07:59:54-06:00January 25, 2021|News|

Fort Scott names Jeremy Frazier as new City Manager

A Southeast Kansas community announces a new city manager. Jeremy Frazier has been named City Manager for the city of Fort Scott. City commissioners say Frazier brings over a decade of public sector experience, most recently as Assistant City Manager of El Reno, Oklahoma. Frazier has a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Oklahoma, and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. He will begin his new post February 1st.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-01-26T08:01:02-06:00January 25, 2021|News|

Officials discuss general fund, budget at 2021 City of Manhattan retreat

Jason Hilgers, City of Manhattan deputy city manager, suggested to the Manhattan City Commission at a retreat last Friday that they consider a five-year plan for the general fund. The general fund, which is around $31 million this year, has stayed about the same the past five years. Hilgers says increasing it by a few percent each year could help the city keep up with operating expenses. “Those two, three, four percent increases allow us to keep doing our jobs – what’s expected of us,” Hilgers said. “When we go zeros or we’re expected to just use what we had last year, it’s a negative. We have to cut to do that. Costs go up.”
Source: 1350 KMAN

Ranson Financial2021-01-26T08:03:38-06:00January 25, 2021|News|

Gov. Kelly signs bill extending disaster declaration

Governor Laura Kelly today signed Senate Bill 14 into law, extending the State of Disaster Emergency Declaration to March 31, 2021, and allowing for the continuation of certain resources, support, and regulations critical to Kansas’ COVID-19 response efforts. “Extending the current disaster declaration is essential for our state’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, allowing us to keep Kansans safe and healthy, keep our economy open, and get our kids back in school as quickly as possible,” Governor Laura Kelly said. Among other resources and support, the disaster declaration allows Kansas to provide community-based COVID-19 testing, provide support to food banks and pantries, and provide hospitals and first responders with Personal Protective Equipment.
Source: Atchison Globe Now

Ranson Financial2021-01-26T08:04:03-06:00January 25, 2021|News|

Wichita City Council to discuss ethics policy

Wichita city council members will talk about a proposed ethics policy during a workshop meeting Tuesday. Mayor Brandon Whipple said a policy has been one of his top goals since taking office. Mayor Whipple said the policy would set up an independent board to investigate allegations of unethical behavior against an elected official, and it would set up due process to allow an official to provide a defense. He said a chairman would be appointed by the mayor and vetted by the city council, and this person would be someone from the fields of law or academics. A six-person board would be made up of members from city advisory boards. Whipple said there would be penalties if someone is found guilty, and they would range from censure to a fine up to $1,000. There would also be limits on gifts that elected officials could accept.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2021-01-26T08:05:11-06:00January 25, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for January 22, 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.

Ranson Financial2021-01-25T07:06:02-06:00January 25, 2021|News|

Barton County: 300 vaccines administered in 2 hours

In Barton County, it took health care staff only two hours to administer their 300 doses of the vaccine. Previously, the county has held two drive-thru vaccine clinics, but this time, it was first come, first serve. It was also the first time with no appointments needed. The staff had to turn residents away two hours before the drive-thru opened. Don Harrison was the first person to line up, at 7 am. He said he waited 8 and a half hours to get the vaccine. “It is so I can get back to work,” said Don Harrison. “I feel better now that I got it.”
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-01-25T06:58:00-06:00January 25, 2021|News|

Thousands preregistered, doses on the way as Ellis County sets up mass vaccination clinic

As phase two vaccinations roll out, Ellis County announced it will be taking steps toward vaccinating the masses both efficiently and effectively. The first phase of vaccines brought struggles of staffing, space, flow, and parking to many in the Ellis County medical community. “It was having a negative impact on staffing our clinic and as well as trying to administer doses, and so we knew that wasn’t sustainable,” said Bryan Brady, CEO of First Care Clinic. To overcome those obstacles in phase two, the local medical community — Ellis County Health Department, First Care Clinic, HaysMed, part of the University of Kansas Health Systems — along with Big Creek Crossing Mall have partnered to open a large-scale vaccination site where the entire county can get vaccinated as doses become available.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-01-25T06:58:10-06:00January 25, 2021|News|

About Ranson Financial

Wichita hospitals remain ‘critical’ with full ICUs as Kansas COVID case counts improve

Bracing for yesterday’s storm in Russell

Some students return to classroom as USD 259 begins blended model

Fort Scott names Jeremy Frazier as new City Manager

Officials discuss general fund, budget at 2021 City of Manhattan retreat

Gov. Kelly signs bill extending disaster declaration

Wichita City Council to discuss ethics policy

Municipal Bond Trends for January 22, 2021

Barton County: 300 vaccines administered in 2 hours

Thousands preregistered, doses on the way as Ellis County sets up mass vaccination clinic

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