Ranson Financial, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

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

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: Shawnee Mission Post)

Ranson Financial2020-06-26T09:10:20-05:00June 26, 2020|News|

The Big Well reopens

The Big Well Museum in Greensburg reopened June 1, after being closed down since March 18 due to COVID-19. The museum is now open for regular business hours but safety precautions are in place in the form of signs to encourage social distancing. Many visitors wear masks as well. “All the visitors have been respectful of the signs we have up,” said Caitlin Matile, Manager of the Big Well Museum. During the shutdown, Matile was able to do some maintenance around the museum. She painted the stairs and deep cleaned the entire building. Although Matile was able to tackle some projects during the shut down, she was excited to be able to see her staff as well as museum visitors.
(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-26T07:49:51-05:00June 26, 2020|News|

Idea for pocket park in downtown Parsons is blossoming

A group dedicated to the beautification of Parsons hopes that the city commission will look favorably on a proposed downtown pocket park. Rod Landrum, representing SEK Point of Pride, has been working with city staff to develop the empty lot where the Parsons Theatre stood before it was destroyed by a fire. The city-owned property is on the south side of the 1800 block of Main Street, just east of a Commercial Bank building.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Ranson Financial2020-06-26T07:49:32-05:00June 26, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for June 25, 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.

Ranson Financial2020-06-26T07:34:58-05:00June 26, 2020|News|

After demands for reform, Wichita police chief addresses policy changes

Organizations with demands for Wichita police reform had mixed feelings about Thursday’s announcement of changes at the Police Department. The Wichita Racial Profiling Advisory Board and Project Justice ICT were two of the groups that submitted demands to the Wichita Police Department in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. Floyd died after a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes last month. Floyd’s death has led to widespread protests and demands for police reform. On Thursday, Police Chief Gordon Ramsay announced the department’s response to demands by the groups. The 16-page document, available at wichita.gov/wpd, addressed 16 demands.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)

Ranson Financial2020-06-26T07:33:57-05:00June 26, 2020|News|

Kansas communities see dramatic spikes in coronavirus cases

A spike in reported coronavirus cases has prompted a northeast Kansas community to take a step back in reopening its economy and led the commanding general of a nearby U.S. Army post to restrict soldiers’ visits to a popular bar and restaurant district. Riley County’s health officer this week issued an order reimposing a 50-person limit on public gatherings, limited bars and restaurants to 75% capacity and mandated that they screen employees for coronavirus symptoms daily. Those restrictions are set to remain in place through July 6. But an even more dramatic increase in Crawford County in southeast Kansas tied to an outbreak at a bacon-processing plant isn’t prompting local officials to go back to previous restrictions.
(Read more: Politics & Government News |)

Ranson Financial2020-06-26T07:33:25-05:00June 26, 2020|News|

‘Napa Valley of the Midwest’ at Somerset Ridge in Paola

Surrounded by thousands and thousands of grapevines, Somerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery boasts being the “Napa Valley of the Midwest.” Believe it or not, the Midwest has a rich history of producing wine, and you’ll want to come out and taste it for yourself. “We had customers in last weekend, and they sent a note to their friends in California saying, ‘Sorry, you can’t be with us. We’re out in Ka-Napa!’ And what a great name is that? Ka-Napa!” said owner Cindy Reynolds. “Ka-Napa” may seem new, but the Midwest has a rich history of producing wine.
(Read more: KSNT News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-26T07:29:38-05:00June 26, 2020|News|

Reno County eligible for rural development funding

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Rural Development has announced $2.7 million in funding for Kansas counties affected by natural disasters through the agency’s Rural Communities Infrastructure and Equipment program. “President Trump and USDA Secretary Perdue continue to prioritize rural America through resources and funding opportunities to help communities rebuild,” said U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall. “These grant dollars will be valuable tools for our municipalities and nonprofits to support community growth and recovery efforts.” Reno County is eligible for grant funding that will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis in grants of up to $50,000. Funding will be provided on a graduated scale; smaller communities with the lowest median household income are eligible for a higher proportion of grant funds. More than 100 types of projects are eligible for funding and must be in eligible rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
(Read more: Kansas Agland – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-26T07:23:52-05:00June 25, 2020|News|

Johnson County Election Office prepares for in-person voting with PPE, hand sanitizer, disposable pens

On Election Day — Aug. 4 for the primaries and Nov. 3 for the general — in-person voting will look different, Schmidt said. All 170 polling places will be open, but social distancing will play a factor in ballot-casting. Poll workers — who are currently going through small-group election training — will be given personal protective equipment kits that includes masks, face shields and gloves. Additionally, hand sanitizer will be available at several points, Schmidt said. Voters will be given the option to choose a paper or digital ballot. No matter which they decide, they will be given a double-ended writing utensil that has a pen on one end and a stylus on the other. The ink pen will be used for those who fill out paper ballots and the stylus end will be used to sign in and vote on the touchscreen.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-06-26T07:24:00-05:00June 25, 2020|News|

Wichita releases draft document on police reform issues

The city of Wichita has released a 16-page document outlining a response to recent protests and calls for reform after fatal officer-involved shootings across the country. Mayor Brandon Whipple, city council members and police chief Gordon Ramsay talked about the document at a city hall news conference Thursday. Mayor Whipple said it’s a response to demands and grievances from several community groups on policing policies. The mayor said he, the council and Chief Ramsay are united in addressing the wishes of the various groups and there will be more discussions. He said the council is not necessarily in full agreement with every response in the document, and he said the goal is to have more dialogue, more action and more listening.
(Read more: KFDI 101.3)

Ranson Financial2020-06-26T07:26:05-05:00June 25, 2020|News|

About Ranson Financial

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

The Big Well reopens

Idea for pocket park in downtown Parsons is blossoming

Municipal Bond Trends for June 25, 2020

After demands for reform, Wichita police chief addresses policy changes

Kansas communities see dramatic spikes in coronavirus cases

‘Napa Valley of the Midwest’ at Somerset Ridge in Paola

Reno County eligible for rural development funding

Johnson County Election Office prepares for in-person voting with PPE, hand sanitizer, disposable pens

Wichita releases draft document on police reform issues

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