info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Amidst budget concerns, advocates push for medical marijuana legalization

info2020-06-08T23:11:45-05:00June 8th, 2020|

According to the Kansas Division of Budget, the state is expecting to face a $653 million shortfall in fiscal year 2021, this includes a projected $1.3 billion loss in tax revenue. Proponents of legalizing marijuana in the state say marijuana sales tax revenue could help. “With a budget that’s just absolutely destroyed in the state of Kansas, it would be something that would very much help with multiple different things,” said J. Andrew Ericson Sr., President of the Kansas Cannabis Business Association. Ericson points to Oklahoma as a state that the KCBA is looking to emulate with medical marijuana legislation. According [...]

Mulvane City Council votes to reopen community venues, reevaluates pool opening

info2020-06-08T16:54:20-05:00June 8th, 2020|

Mulvane City Council’s meeting last week included plans for reopening two community venues and reevaluation of opening the city pool, which the council decided for the second time to keep closed for the year. The council voted to allow the Mulvane Senior Center to open as early as June 8, with reopening plans and dates left up to the director of the senior center. The council said the center should follow “food service industry best practices” and comply with “the Ad Astra Plan guidelines for distancing and serving food” while also taking into account the health safety of volunteers, workers and [...]

Pittsburg gives update on facility restrictions, event cancellations including July 4 fireworks

info2020-06-08T16:34:10-05:00June 8th, 2020|

Although Gov. Laura Kelly’s stay-at-home order and phased reopening plan are no longer in effect statewide, and Crawford County has not issued a countywide order to replace them, local municipalities have the authority to implement their own coronavirus safety measures. The City of Pittsburg released an update Monday on its current plans. While many public spaces are reopening, the City of Pittsburg is suspending access to some city facilities and cancelling large-scale events, including the city fireworks display and July 4th Celebration in Lincoln Park. “The City of Pittsburg has and will continue to operate regardless of the circumstances,” according to [...]

Sedgwick County looking at antibody testing for coronavirus

info2020-06-08T16:31:39-05:00June 8th, 2020|

Sedgwick County commissioners have delayed a decision on whether to provide antibody testing for the coronavirus. The county’s health officer, Dr. Garold Minns, told commissioners that he has talked with other health officials in Wichita and Kansas City and they have no confidence in the testing. He said it’s not known how they would be used, and the tests cannot determine if someone has immunity from COVID-19. Dr. Minns said the tests have not been validated by independent labs, and it would not be a good use of taxpayer money to fund a test where doctors would not know what the [...]

Counties still following Ad Astra Plan move into Phase 3 Monday

info2020-06-08T06:40:24-05:00June 8th, 2020|

Governor Laura Kelly said those still following the state’s Ad Astra Plan for reopening can move into Phase 3 tomorrow – meaning gathering limits can increase to 45. This comes as reopening decisions have been placed on individual counties and many, including Sedgwick, have only issued guidance and not hard rules. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management is keeping track on each county's reopening plan with a website. The website shows that 42 counties are still following the governor’s plan. (Read more: KWCH News)

Local bars reopen as Shawnee County enters phase 3 of reopening plan

info2020-06-08T06:39:02-05:00June 8th, 2020|

On Monday, phase three of the reopening plan will begin in Shawnee County and local bars can once again allow customers to come back through their doors for a cold one. Topeka’s Speck’s has been closed since March 18th, a tough challenge to take on for any small business but they’ve made it through and now will start getting things back to normal. Shawnee county is keeping the restriction on people, up to 50% capacity or 45 people total, and the owners say that masks will be work by employees at all times as well as temperature checks before their works [...]

Superintendent says goodbye to Goessel community

info2020-06-08T06:38:22-05:00June 8th, 2020|

Most people who live in Goessel and those who have attended the Goessel Unified School District 411 in the last 24 years know who John Fast is. The soft-spoken man who clearly loves all things education as well as the town of Goessel, has spent most of his career teaching and being an administrator in the small town. Fast worked in education for 38 years. He started his career teaching fourth-grade science in Wichita and taught there for two years. Fast then went to Halstead for 12 years teaching elementary and middle school science and working as a curriculum director. In [...]

$3.75M federal grant will help City of Lawrence purchase its first zero-emission buses

info2020-06-08T06:31:50-05:00June 8th, 2020|

Lawrence transit officials say a federal grant to purchase the city’s first fully electric buses is a step in the right direction for the city’s sustainability goals and for eventually converting the city’s fleet of diesel buses. The Federal Transit Administration has awarded the city a $3.75 million federal grant to purchase zero- or low-emission buses. Transit and Parking Manager Adam Weigel said the grant, which requires a local match of $2.2 million, would enable the city to replace five diesel buses with zero-emission electric buses, purchase charging stations and work with the nonprofit Center for Transportation and the Environment to [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for June 5, 2020

info2020-06-08T06:24:57-05:00June 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.

The City of Merriam Enters Phase 3 on June 8

info2020-06-08T06:20:29-05:00June 7th, 2020|

The City of Merriam will enter Phase 3 of the state’s Ad Astra reopening plan on Monday, June 8. All City facilities, playgrounds, and sports courts will reopen to the public. The Irene B. French Community Center will remain closed as the City prepares to open the Merriam Community Center later this month. Phase 3 of the Ad Astra plan recommends gatherings of 45 people or less. Residents are encouraged to wear masks inside City buildings and at playgrounds, practice physical distancing of 6 feet or more, use hand sanitizer if unable to wash hands with soap and water, and to avoid touching [...]

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