info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Newton adjusts operations in response to COVID-19 cases

info2020-07-09T07:55:46-05:00July 8th, 2020|

Because of a recent increase in local COVID-19 cases, the city of Newton made some operational changes beginning Monday, July 6. That rise included a single-day increase of eight cases last week — the largest individual day on record for Harvey County. Newton City Hall remains open to the public, but residents are encouraged to pay bills and do other business online or over the phone to limit in-person exposures. Visitors to City Hall are encouraged to wear face masks when social distancing is not possible. The Newton City Service Center will be closed to the public. Requests for service should [...]

Southwest Kansas says ‘NO’ to mandating masks

info2020-07-09T07:56:12-05:00July 8th, 2020|

Masks, across much of Kansas, are now required to be worn in public. However, some counties are taking a different approach to the governor’s order. On this map of the southwest part of the state, you can see the counties that are enforcing the governor’s order. Many are not requiring the wearing of masks, but instead are recommending them. So far, every county in southwest Kansas has shot down the governor’s mask order by not mandating them in public. While a select few counties are still waiting on their county commissions to vote on the matter. (Read more: KSN-TV)

City mask ordinances are constitutional, Kansas Attorney General says

info2020-07-09T07:56:21-05:00July 8th, 2020|

Wichita’s mask ordinance is allowed by the Kansas Constitution, according to a statement from the Kansas Attorney General’s Office. Attorney General Derek Schmidt has dismissed the idea that the governor’s mask mandate is enforceable by police. But Tuesday his office confirmed that cities have the authority to enforce mask ordinances. “To the best of our knowledge, the Legislature has not enacted state law that prohibits cities from enacting local ordinances that regulate the wearing of facemasks,” Kansas Attorney General’s Office spokesman Clint Blaes said in a statement. (Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)

Prairie Village to consider amendment that would allow mayor to override certain county decisions on health orders

info2020-07-09T07:56:53-05:00July 8th, 2020|

The Prairie Village City Council this week voted unanimously to direct its attorney to draft an amendment to the city’s emergency ordinance that gives the mayor temporary authority to enforce local, state or federal health orders in the city. The decision to draft an amendment was prompted by the Johnson County Commission’s debate on whether or not to abide by Gov. Laura Kelly’s July 2 executive order requiring face masks. Prairie Village and the county commission are abiding by the governor’s order. But if the county had chosen not to implement Kelly’s order, Mayor Eric Mikkelson would have had no “clear [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for July 7, 2020

info2020-07-08T07:55:26-05:00July 8th, 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.

Prairie Village inches forward in discussion to allow backyard hens, but homeowners associations would have final say

info2020-07-08T07:53:37-05:00July 8th, 2020|

The Prairie Village City Council on Monday night voted 8 to 4 to amend the city’s animal ordinance to allow residents to keep backyard hens — an incremental step in a process that would also have to include amending the city’s zoning code. The council can’t implement the ordinance until after the city’s planning commission meets Aug. 4 and considers a zoning amendment to allow for chickens. Monday’s ordinance included the following restrictions: - Limits the number of chicks on any one lot to eight, regardless of the number of dwellings on a lot, - Limits to six the number of [...]

Victoria cancels Herzogfest

info2020-07-08T07:51:43-05:00July 8th, 2020|

Victoria’s annual Herzogfest to celebrate the Volga German culture of the city has been canceled for 2020 by the Herzogfest Committee. As many as 2,000 people attend the annual event, which normally runs from Friday evening through Sunday, including a community Catholic mass on one of the town’s grassy public lawns, as well as car show, and a vendor, food and game area in the street. This would have been the 38th year for the event, usually held the first weekend of August. (Read more: News - The Hays Daily News)

Face masks not mandated in Finney County

info2020-07-08T07:51:03-05:00July 8th, 2020|

Finney County won’t require people to wear face coverings in public. Commissioners approved a resolution 5-0 stating that people are not required to wear face coverings in public spaces at the commission’s regular monthly meeting Monday. The resolution comes after Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order 20-52 on July 2 requiring the use of face masks in public spaces. Within the executive order there is a provision for counties to make adjustments to fit the needs of their community (Read more: News - The Garden City Telegram)

Wichita City Hall slams the brakes on a huge car show because of COVID-19 pandemic

info2020-07-08T07:50:13-05:00July 8th, 2020|

Concern over coronavirus has put the brakes on one of Wichita’s biggest car events of the year. The City Council on Tuesday denied an appeal that would have allowed the Automobilia Moonlight Charity Car Show to have rolled forward on Saturday. Automobilia organizers had expected to draw 20,000 car enthusiasts to a closed-down section of Douglas this weekend. In addition to cars, organizers promised five live bands, three food courts, a live auction and a drag down Douglas after the show. (Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)

Shawnee County Health officer issues updated restrictions for restaurants, bars, night clubs

info2020-07-08T07:49:29-05:00July 8th, 2020|

Shawnee County’s health officer has issued an updated emergency order placing some restrictions on restaurants, bars and night clubs. According to a news release, the latest emergency order is set to take place at 12:01 a.m. Thursday and was crafted by Shawnee County health officer Gianfranco Pezzino, in consultation with local bar and restaurant owners to minimize economic impact and preserve public health goals. According to the emergency order, restaurants, bars and night clubs in Shawnee County are allowed to operate between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and between the hours of 6 [...]

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