info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

With skyrocketing COVID-19 cases, Johnson County in ‘red’ per school opening guidance

info2020-11-04T06:59:17-06:00November 4th, 2020|

Johnson County is once again reporting an exponential rise in the number of new COVID-19 cases, pushing it into the “red” zone, according to the health department’s school reopening criteria. Last week, the county reported 1,251 new coronavirus cases — a 75% increase from the preceding week, officials said. On Friday, health officials reported 287 new COVID-19 cases, which was the highest number of confirmed infections in a single day so far in the pandemic. The surge in new cases puts the county in the “red” zone according to its guidance on when and how to safely operate schools. In that zone, the health [...]

Wichita hospitals have ICU space to meet need for now, but call Covid trends ‘concerning.’

info2020-11-04T06:59:28-06:00November 4th, 2020|

He says "the numbers that get reported are a specific snapshot of a moment in time. Those change day to day, they also change hour to hour.” Both hospitals have already implemented emergency protocols to expand the number of ICU beds they have, so as to be able to accommodate their patients. Because of that, Carla Yost from Ascension Via Christi, says the number to worry about right now is not ICU bed capacity. She says “there is a concern about the number of hospitalizations. No, about three weeks ago, we had 70. A week ago, we had 90 now we're [...]

Project to fix one of Wichita area’s biggest traffic concerns moves forward

info2020-11-04T06:59:33-06:00November 4th, 2020|

The project to help mitigate traffic concerns and wrecks at one of the worst bottlenecks in the Wichita area has taken another step forward after the Wichita City Council approved roughly $3.77 million in funding on Tuesday. The junction of I-135 and I-235 in north Wichita causes one of the worst traffic jams in the city during morning and evenings on workdays. The Sedgwick County Commission had previously approved its half of roughly $7.55 million. The Kansas Department of Transportation will pay 75% of the roughly $30.22 million project. The junction was built roughly 50 years ago. Source: Local News | Wichita [...]

With COVID quarantines rising, Wamego High may be forced to shift instruction mode

info2020-11-04T00:29:30-06:00November 4th, 2020|

Wamego High School may be forced to switch its mode of teaching and learning if it can’t slow the spread of COVID-19 in its building. In a letter to USD 320 families Monday, Superintendent Tim Winter said the district has reached a COVID-19 crossroad after the number of quarantined students at the high school grew from 13 to 62 from Friday to Monday. The increase in quarantines is a direct result of just three positive students cases within the high school. Winter says approximately two dozen students were reportedly feeling ill Monday. The current number of quarantined students (62) is 14 [...]

Johnson County voters overwhelmingly repeal liquor law requiring food sales

info2020-11-04T07:00:27-06:00November 4th, 2020|

With three-fourths of the vote, Johnson County residents have voted to repeal what many called an "outdated" liquor law. The Johnson County ballot question asked voters if they wanted to get rid of a law that requires establishments serving alcohol to have food make up 30% of their sales. According to unofficial Johnson County election results, 253,808 voters, or 75.52%, voted "yes" on the ballot question, compared to the 72,581 who voted "no." Local businesses like bars and breweries have said complying with the law has been a challenge. Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF

City approves $267M state loan agreement to help finance new water treatment facility

info2020-11-04T07:01:15-06:00November 4th, 2020|

The city put into motion Tuesday a $267-million loan agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to fund nearly half the cost of the new water treatment facility planned for northwest Wichita. The loan, through the State of Kansas Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, is expected to finance 48% of the plant's construction costs, while a federal loan from the Environmental Protection Agency will cover 49%. Revenue bonds and earnings from a 5% water and sewer rate increase approved in December will cover the remaining 3%. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the loan agreement, which technically won't [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for November 2, 2020

info2020-11-03T07:05:46-06:00November 3rd, 2020|

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.

Rural towns seeing a decline in population, local community seeks to keep their ‘own at home’ through offering future career opportunities

info2020-11-03T07:04:07-06:00November 2nd, 2020|

The USDA found that rural communities have seen declining populations over the past decade. In southwest Kansas, every county has seen a decrease in population. Some counties have seen up to a 20% population loss. However, one group is looking to change those statistics by offering a future for the younger generations of their communities. “We love southwest Kansas and we know people will if they are exposed to it,” said Joe Coles, Independent Education Consultant. It’s an initiative that started out focused on Gray County students alone. First referred to as the Gray County Consortium, it has now expanded its [...]

Landfill increase vote delayed after community concerns

info2020-11-03T07:01:19-06:00November 2nd, 2020|

County commissioners delayed a vote to increase the Rolling Meadows landfill after homeowners in the area voice their concern about increasing the height. "I’m not sure I feel comfortable making a decision on this today," Commissioner Aaron Mays said at the meeting... The proposal would add 25 total feet split between two "towers" of garbage, or an average of 12.5 feet per tower. A waterway would be added between the two piles to comply with FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Map. Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Augusta downtown park plan revealed

info2020-11-03T07:01:47-06:00November 2nd, 2020|

The Augusta City Council will be asked to make a decision more than a decade-and-a-half in the making on Nov. 2 — a new master plan that will make changes to the city’s downtown business district. Specifically, plans for new park space that will coincide with a new pedestrian trail that follows old railroad rights of way. “I think it will be an amazing addition to the downtown. It has been a long time coming," said Josh Shaw, city manager for Augusta. Source: Pittsburg Morning Sun

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