info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Hospital staffing and capacity a concern for Kansas communities as COVID-19 multiplies

info2020-10-15T07:45:04-05:00October 15th, 2020|

Concerns are growing about adequate staffing levels and bed capacity at Kansas hospitals and nursing homes strained by rising COVID-19 cases. Hospitals in southeast Kansas already are struggling with capacity issues. Ascension Via Christi Hospital announced this week it would implement its surge plan and cease all elective surgeries because of a spike in cases in Crawford and Bourbon counties. Kansas Department of Health and Environment secretary Lee Norman said Tuesday most hospitals he has spoken with are staying ahead of the virus. He said as case numbers rise in a community, however, so will the strain on hospital staff. Source: [...]

Wichita auto enthusiast travels long road through City Hall to start a tiny car lot

info2020-10-15T07:35:22-05:00October 15th, 2020|

The Wichita auto enthusiast won City Council approval Tuesday to open a small car-sales lot near Central and West, after a lengthy stop-and-start process that’s been going on since July. The council action clears the way for up to four cars at a time to be sold on the parking lot at 4231 W. Central. Currently, that parking lot is shared by an automotive shop and a car upholstery business. The car lot will be separately operated from the other businesses by applicant Jeremiah Leathers, who’ll be leasing four parking spaces along with a small office in the upholstery shop. Source: [...]

Reno County limits mass gatherings after spike in COVID-19 cases

info2020-10-15T07:33:27-05:00October 15th, 2020|

The Reno County Health Department issued its first COVID-19 emergency public health order since March, prohibiting mass gatherings of 100 or more people after a big spike in new cases. "It's crazy. Like, I thought Hutch, well, it's pretty small. You know what I'm saying, I didn't think we'd have to do this again," said Stephfon Hunter, a Hutchinson resident. Since October 4th, Reno County's 14-day positive test rate jumped from 14.7% to 17.3%. Source: KAKE - News

Municipal Bond Trends for October 13, 2020

info2020-10-14T06:39:26-05:00October 14th, 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.

Lawrence City Commission moves forward with draft strategic plan that will guide city budget decisions

info2020-10-14T06:36:32-05:00October 14th, 2020|

City leaders are moving forward with a draft of the strategic plan that will guide budget decisions for the next two years, and more detailed discussions about how to accomplish the plan’s goals are forthcoming. As part of its work session Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission discussed key pieces of the strategic plan, which will update a plan created by the last commission in 2017. City officials said the plan would play an important role in the city’s budget process and prioritization of the city’s funding. “This is not meant to be a nice, pretty plan that we adopt and sit [...]

Overland Park ranks among top 50 cities for millennials

info2020-10-14T06:29:18-05:00October 13th, 2020|

Millennials represent the largest segment of the U.S. workforce, and as these young professionals assess where they might want to build a career and a life away from the office, a number of factors can shape their decisions. If you're one of those young workers already living and working in Overland Park, this report says you're in one of the top 50 cities for millennials. If you're perhaps looking to take your talents to a new city, this research might help you find one that's best for you. ... Among the factors considered in the ranking are local public schools, crime, [...]

Reno County imposes new gathering restrictions due to COVID-19

info2020-10-14T06:29:45-05:00October 13th, 2020|

Reno County officials agreed Tuesday to allow the re-imposition of a mass gathering limit within the county of a maximum of 100 people, based on a recommendation by local health officials. The Reno County Commission didn’t vote on the gathering limit – which includes multiple exceptions – but allowed an order proposed by Interim County Health Officer Karen Hammersmith to be stand. There was no discussion on Tuesday of implementing a local mask ordinance that is criminally enforceable, though various officials – from the hospital to clinics to schools superintendent to county commissioners – all pleaded with the public to wear [...]

Newton to move high school online; Hutchinson to welcome back some sports fans

info2020-10-14T06:30:13-05:00October 13th, 2020|

Newton Public Schools will move into an orange zone in its gating criteria next week, meaning students in seventh through 12th grade will move to remote learning and sports can continue, but now without fans. Limited fans will still be allowed at home games this week. The move is due to the increased spread of COVID-19 in the community, according to school officials. Pre-kindergarten through sixth grade will go from on-site to hybrid next week. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

More than 80% of Kansas counties now reporting COVID-19 case rates in the red zone

info2020-10-14T06:30:20-05:00October 13th, 2020|

More Kansas counties had so many new cases of COVID-19 over the past two weeks that they moved into the red zone of one key state benchmark for closing schools during the coronavirus pandemic. A map from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment showed 88 of 105 counties in the red zone of the incidence rate as of Monday. That’s 13 more counties than last week and 23 more than two weeks ago. The measurement compares the number of new cases of COVID-19 over two weeks with the population, expressed as the rate of new cases per 100,000 people. It is [...]

JoCo residents financially impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for free skills training at JCCC

info2020-10-14T06:30:27-05:00October 13th, 2020|

Johnson County residents and businesses who’ve been financially impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for free workplace skills training at Johnson County Community College’s Continuing Education branch. The federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is funding the program, which seeks to provide training and skill building for those who may have experienced job loss, cut wages or reduced revenue due to the pandemic. Those interested should be committed to completing their short-term training program by December 30, 2020. “From training in computer software, to business leadership, to the trades, these courses provide individuals with the opportunity to [...]

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