info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Andover City Council opts against mandating face masks

info2020-07-16T08:40:40-05:00July 15th, 2020|

The Andover City Council voted 1-5 against enacting an ordinance mandating the wearing of facemasks in public during their last meeting on Tuesday, July 14. The ordinance mirrored what the Wichita City Council passed on Friday, July 3. Council Member Shelby Carselowey was the only one who voted in favor of the ordinance. “I don’t feel like we are, in our city, in such a state that we should require [a mask mandate],” Council Member Troy Tabor, who voted against the ordinance, said at the meeting. “I really have confidence in our business owners, we don’t have nearly as many businesses [...]

Kingman County Places Limits on Mass Gatherings

info2020-07-16T08:40:59-05:00July 15th, 2020|

Kingman County Health Department director Mary Schwartz cited the growing number of cases of COVID-19 in Kingman and surrounding counties on Monday when she issued an order to limit mass gatherings to 45 until Aug. 1 The order was passed by the Kingman County Commissioners with a unanimous vote, 3-0. Schwartz also talked about a potential shortage of capacity in Wichita hospitals, as well as staff shortages. She said she was concerned if Kingman County had an outbreak and needed to transfer patients to Wichita and whether there would be room or not. (Read more: Kingman County News)

A number of Wichita restaurants reconsider plans in light of rising COVID-19 cases

info2020-07-16T08:41:57-05:00July 15th, 2020|

Wichita restaurants started reopening in early May when all the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders were lifted. But since then, cases have surged locally, and many restaurateurs are rethinking their plans. Over the past week or so — as several restaurants have closed after COVID-19 exposure among staff members — others have been making adjustments and discontinuing dine-in, delaying reopening plans or re-closing the doors. Here’s a roundup of the latest: CLOSING AGAIN Side Pockets, 600 S. Tyler: Owners of this popular west side pool hall, bar and restaurant decided late last week to close again “until further notice.” The rise of COVID-19 [...]

Governor Kelly shares update from Kansas Department of Labor

info2020-07-16T08:42:19-05:00July 15th, 2020|

The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) has been working with a team of specialists from Accenture for just over two weeks as they provide operational and technological assessments to improve the delivery of unemployment services. “We know there have been major issues and missteps, we’ve hit the reset button and are focusing on the future,” Governor Kelly said. “Accenture is reviewing and providing recommendations to improve the stability of our systems to make sure they are readily available to support Kansans.” While the assessment is still underway, improvements are already being implemented. Since the pandemic began, KDOL has delivered $1.2 billion [...]

Pottawatomie County Fair to go on with adjustments

info2020-07-16T08:42:26-05:00July 15th, 2020|

The Pottawatomie County Fair will go on, but with some adjustments due to COVID-19. The Fair Board, in consultation with the County Extension Office and recommendations with the Pottawatomie County Health Department announced plans Tuesday with some modifications. It will be open to the public July 30 through August 2. Some activities will be reduced to maintain safe social interaction. The fair board is asking attendees to check schedules carefully as some events have changed. Among them, the open class is restricted to just Pottawatomie County residents. All rabbit competitions have been canceled due to a rabbit disease outbreak. (Read more: [...]

Masks now required by law in Reno County

info2020-07-15T08:37:38-05:00July 15th, 2020|

The Reno County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday morning to restore the governor’s order requiring masks or other face coverings to be worn in public. The Tuesday vote rescinds an earlier resolution to not uphold a state of Kansas executive order. As a result, the state order is now in effect in all of Reno County. “We’re trending in the wrong direction,” Nick Baldetti, the county’s health department director, said at the meeting. “From my perspective, I’m really concerned. “Every individual has the responsibility to do their part to make sure everyone is safe.” This latest development makes not wearing a [...]

If mask mandate doesn’t get it done, what’s next for Sedgwick County, Wichita schools?

info2020-07-15T08:36:42-05:00July 15th, 2020|

A Sedgwick County commissioner signaled Tuesday that the county may have to take stronger action to contain the coronavirus with the start of the school year about a month away. In a weekly update on COVID-19, commissioners got a grim report from County Manager Tom Stolz: rising coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, percentage of positive tests — a litany of data trending in the wrong direction. “I don’t want to shut anything down, but I want my child to go to school and be safe,” said Commissioner Lacey Cruse, who’s pushed for stronger action than the county’s largely voluntary response to virus prevention. [...]

Wichita City Council approves $250,000 in HVAC, plumbing upgrades for Century II

info2020-07-15T08:36:08-05:00July 15th, 2020|

Century II is getting some upgrades. The Wichita City Council on Tuesday voted 7-0 to spend $250,000 to install a new a heating, ventilation and air conditioning rooftop unit on Expo Hall, replace hot and cold water circulation pumps through the building, and fix other mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural problems. The repairs — which are paid for using transient guest tax, or hotel “bed tax” funds — are part of maintenance backlog at the Century II complex. The city has earmarked $250,000 annually for the next 10 years to tackle the projects. (Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)

Municipal Bond Trends for July 14, 2020

info2020-07-15T08:34:46-05:00July 15th, 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.

Wichita board endorses historic preservation status for Century II, former library

info2020-07-15T08:28:55-05:00July 14th, 2020|

The Wichita Historic Preservation Board on Monday nominated the Century II Performing Arts building for state and national historic status, despite separate requests to delay the decision from the city manager and from local business interests that want to tear down and replace it. The board also nominated the former Central Wichita Public Library building for historic status, which could serve as a roadblock to tearing down the buildings and allow them to receive state and federal preservation grants. The action came three days after activists seeking to save the round, blue-roofed structure from demolition presented more than 17,000 signatures on [...]

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