info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Pott. County jobs expert talks impact of COVID-19 on local businesses

info2020-06-17T08:04:15-05:00June 16th, 2020|

Jack Allston, executive director of the Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation, presented to the Pottawatomie County Commission Monday the results of a survey showing how COVID-19 has impacted local businesses. Of the businesses that responded to the survey, about 15 percent closed and are now open, about 4 percent closed and are still closed and the rest have remained open. As for how job numbers have changed, Allston says there is good news. According to Allston, event-based companies have been negatively impacted the most while those involved in food service and childcare are also seeing cash-flow problems. Pottawatomie County has a [...]

Sedgwick County Commission considers township road maintenance policy

info2020-06-17T08:06:51-05:00June 16th, 2020|

While Sedgwick County Commissioners agreed local township roads are generally well maintained, discussion at a June 3 staff meeting and June 10 commission meeting addressed what could be done in the rare scenarios where that is not the case. Typically, townships are responsible for their own road maintenance, but a statute does exist (K.S.A. 68-124) that allows counties to take over maintenance work – to be billed to the township in question – if those roads are not being maintained. As it stands, the county can get involved if a township board neglects, refuses or fails to comply with the provisions [...]

Harvey County moving to Phase Out reopening stage

info2020-06-17T08:07:17-05:00June 16th, 2020|

Harvey County is moving into the Phase Out stage of its reopening plan tomorrow. This means there will not be any recommended limits on gatherings. Nursing home visits will not be allowed until June 24. “These past few months have been challenging for everyone in our communities. We appreciate the patience and understanding the people of Harvey County have shown,” said Health Department Director Lynnette Redington. “COVID-19 will continue to remain a concern for the foreseeable future. We will be intently watching and ready to react if our circumstances change.” Individuals and business owners are encouraged to continue to follow national [...]

USD 259 Schools to spend $24 million to get laptops and devices to every student

info2020-06-17T08:07:42-05:00June 16th, 2020|

Next year USD 259 schools wants to give every student in the district a laptop or electronic device with internet service. On Monday the school board voted unanimously to pay $24 Million to make it happen in the first semester of the next school year. “They will supply always-on internet capability,” said Chief Information Officer Rob Dickson. “We’ve worked closely with the vendor of choice and they have assured that they will have the right supply chain to get those in place.” Dickson talked with school board members in a special session of the board on Monday. When it came time [...]

Dodge City public transit fees waived through June 2021

info2020-06-17T08:09:10-05:00June 16th, 2020|

The city of Dodge City announced that all passenger fees for public transportation will be waived through June 30, 2021. According to Ernestor De La Rosa, city of Dodge City assistant city manager/legislative affairs, the decision to waive fees was made possible by funds made available through the state’s public transportation program to help local governments and other agencies to match aid under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Fees will resume on July 1, 2021. “The Dodge City Public Transportation program is funded through the Federal Transportation Administration, Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Public Transportation Program and [...]

Prairie Village cancels 2020 JazzFest citing COVID-19 concerns

info2020-06-17T08:10:50-05:00June 16th, 2020|

The Prairie Village City Council on Monday night voted unanimously to cancel this year’s JazzFest because of public health concerns about COVID-19 and economic hardships caused by the pandemic. Mayor Eric Mikkelson called the council’s action “another very tough decision to cancel a very popular and tremendous event 10 years running in Prairie Village … but ultimately … in my opinion, the right decision.” (Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Alligator dies after being caught in trap near Kansas creek

info2020-06-17T08:28:22-05:00June 16th, 2020|

An alligator that was recently spotted near a Kansas creek has died after being caught in trap. The 5-foot (1.5-meter) alligator is believed to be one of two stolen from a pet store in the northeastern Kansas city of Manhattan earlier this month. The pet store, Manhattan Reptile World, said the alligator drowned after getting caught in the trap that was set out for the animal. (Read more: KAKE - News)

Sedgwick County traffic court being held in tents

info2020-06-17T08:28:33-05:00June 16th, 2020|

Traffic court is back in session for Sedgwick County, but in a new way. The traffic court room is usually packed, bringing up to 100 people into one room, making social distancing nearly impossible. So, the county went to the drawing board on how to resume court while remaining safe. It’ll be business as usual, but held in tents right outside of the county courthouse. (Read more: KAKE - News)

New medical examiner’s office will put Johnson County on cutting edge of autopsies

info2020-06-17T08:28:43-05:00June 16th, 2020|

In 2016, voters of Johnson County passed a Law Enforcement Sales Tax that’s paying for a new courthouse and a medical examiner’s office. It’s a one-of-a-kind facility that will serve not only Johnson County, but eventually, the region. Johnson County Medical Examiner Dr. Diane Peterson has been working to build, staff and develop policies for this state of the art medical examiner’s office for a year and a half. Slated to begin operation at the end of July, it will be the first time in the county’s history it hasn’t relied on a private coroner for autopsies. It’s one of few [...]

Congress approves $356M to expand federal penitentiary in Leavenworth

info2020-06-17T08:29:22-05:00June 16th, 2020|

The federal penitentiary in Leavenworth is set to receive $356 million to construct a new Federal Correctional Institute and a satellite Federal Prison Camp. According to a Monday release from U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran's office, Congress appropriated $175 million for the project in fiscal year 2019 and another $181 million in fiscal year 2020, which is set to end on Sept. 30. (Read more: Kansas City Business Journal - The Business Journals)

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