info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

State leaders, educators discuss safety and logistics of teaching during COVID-19

info2020-06-30T00:47:01-05:00June 30th, 2020|

In a roundtable conversation with Gov. Laura Kelly, Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers and Rep. Cindy Holscher, educators across the state of Kansas outlined the shortfalls and successes of the 2019-2020 academic year and discussed support mechanisms they’ll need to continue teaching through the pandemic. In March, Kansas was the first state in the country to shift all K-12 schools online as the COVID-19 crisis escalated. Kendra Preston, a middle school teacher in the DeSoto School District, said the decisive action allowed educators to act with certainty as they prepared for online instruction. “Yes, it was a challenge, but it allowed districts [...]

City of Topeka to resume utility disconnections

info2020-06-30T08:39:26-05:00June 30th, 2020|

The city of Topeka announced Monday it is resuming utility disconnections starting next week. According to a news release from Molly Hadfield, the city’s media relations director, utility accounts not in good standing may be subject to disconnects. The city encourages customers who are having trouble paying bills or who would like to make payment arrangements to call the utility department’s customer service line at 785-368-3111. The city has several resources available for those struggling to make payments, according to the news release. (Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)

Even Overland Park feels pandemic’s economic pain. Will it force change on taxes?

info2020-06-30T08:39:53-05:00June 30th, 2020|

If any city were immune to the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, you might think it would be Overland Park. The city proudly noted in its 2020 budget document that Money magazine in 2018 named it one of the Best Places to Live, “based on great schools, low crime, shopping and restaurant options, healthcare access and a strong job market.” In 2018, the city boasted $800 million in public and private investments, a record, and 2019 wasn’t far behind. (Read more: KC Star Local News)

Kansas town bans fireworks due to dry conditions

info2020-06-30T08:40:07-05:00June 30th, 2020|

A small town in southwest Kansas has banned the discharge of fireworks due to dry and windy conditions. The City of Liberal said in a release Monday the city and Seward County "have experienced extremely dry and windy conditions throughout the entire month of June." The forecast of continued hot, dry and windy conditions led to the decision to ban shooting off fireworks of any kind within the city limits. Violations are punishable by a fines of $100 to $1,000. (Read more: KAKE - News)

Municipal Bond Trends for June 26, 2020

info2020-06-29T08:08:41-05:00June 29th, 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.

As local cases rise, Johnson County looks to stockpile 3 month supply of personal protective equipment

info2020-06-29T08:07:48-05:00June 29th, 2020|

As COVID-19 cases spiked this week, the Johnson County Commission gave its blessing to an effort to stockpile a three-month reserve of personal protective gear. The commission unanimously agreed to set aside up to $14.9 million of its $116 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to build up its supply of masks, gowns, face shields and other protective gear. At the same meeting, Public Health Director Sanmi Areola, PhD, reported an increase in cases that he said cannot be attributed to a higher testing rate. (Read more: Prairie Village Post)

KDHE deploys mobile unit to assist with COVID-19 testing for underserved populations

info2020-06-29T08:07:29-05:00June 29th, 2020|

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly on Friday announced that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has deployed a Mobile Testing Unit to assist communities with COVID-19 testing for underserved populations. “In order to combat the spread of COVID-19 and safely reopen Kansas, our public health experts must be able to track the scale and scope of this virus,” Governor Kelly said. “Working with local communities and public health officials, this mobile unit helps us reach the vulnerable populations that are experiencing barriers to testing access.” The KDHE is working with local health departments and other health organizations to identify places throughout [...]

Kansas Supreme Court: Suit against Capitol Police officer may proceed

info2020-06-29T07:56:44-05:00June 29th, 2020|

The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that a man and a woman may move ahead with legal action they are pursuing against a Capitol Police officer seeking damages for injuries suffered in 2010 in Topeka when a car he was chasing struck the pickup truck they were in. The high court announced Friday that in a 4-3 vote it had approved that ruling regarding lawsuits filed by Scott E. Bennett and Shelby Montgomery after both were hurt when a car driven by Robert R. Horton struck a pickup being driven by Bennett, who had Montgomery as a passenger. Horton was fleeing [...]

Wyandotte County orders people to wear masks in public

info2020-06-29T07:57:26-05:00June 29th, 2020|

Wyandotte County has ordered people to wear masks in public, beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 30. The mandatory health order was issued to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Wyandotte County, according to the Unified Government Health Department. Wyandotte County is currently in Phase 3 of the Ad Astra reopening plan, at least until July 6. There is no end date on the mask-wearing order, but it will be up to local health officials to decide when to lift it. “The seven-day rolling average of positive cases continues to be on the upswing,” said Dr. Allen Greiner, chief medical officer of [...]

Shawnee County mulls creating infectious disease division manager’s job

info2020-06-29T07:58:43-05:00June 29th, 2020|

The Shawnee County Health Department’s capacity has been stretched to its limits by the COVID-19 pandemic, says director Linda Ochs. She is asking county commissioners to create a job in her department for an infectious disease division manager... That move would mark the first step in creating a health department division devoted to infectious diseases, Ochs told commissioners in a recent memorandum. She said the job’s salary and benefits would be paid “with various potential grants for COVID-19 response and health department reserve funds.” (Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)

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