info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Sedgwick County approves ‘hero pay’ for first responders, support staff

info2020-04-09T21:53:49-05:00April 9th, 2020|

Sedgwick County leaders have approved "hero pay" for first responders and other critical employees working during the coronavirus pandemic. First responders will get an additional $200 of hazard pay for the next two pay periods and support workers will get an additional $100. It's retroactive to March 29. Sedgwick County Manager Tom Stolz said the $200 will go to county law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, corrections workers, van drivers, case managers. He estimated there were 630 employees who fall into that front-facing category. (Read more: KAKE - News)

Wichita police distribute hand sanitizer to community members in need

info2020-04-09T21:51:41-05:00April 9th, 2020|

The Wichita Police Department stepped up to make a difference in its community after a local company donated 72 cases of hand sanitizer to the department. WPD officers turned around and distributed the hand sanitizer to people in need in the community. "It helps people out if they are unable to get to the store," WPD Sgt. Bob Gulliver says. "The last few times I've been to the store, they've been out of the hand sanitizer. I know there are people in need. It'll help protect them and hopefully their families." (Read more: KWCH News)

City of Mulvane responds to local cruising events, reminds people of ‘stay at home’ order

info2020-04-09T21:50:28-05:00April 9th, 2020|

The City of Mulvane is reminding its citizens of the governor's stay at home order. The city says unless you are essential personnel performing an essential duty, are commuting to an essential business or covered under an exemption; you should be at home per the order. The city says a cruising event took place on April 4 and at some point drivers started speeding and left marks on the street. "This behavior will not be tolerated, traffic laws and ordinances will be enforced to ensure public safety. Thank you for your cooperation," said the city. (Read more: KWCH News)

Sedgwick County plans to increase COVID-19 testing capacity

info2020-04-09T21:48:50-05:00April 9th, 2020|

Another threshold reached in Kansas in the effort to respond to COVID-19. More than 10,000 Kansans have been tested for the disease as of Wednesday. Every county in Kansas has tested at least one person for COVID 19. It's a number state health officials wish was higher, but in this fight where success is measured in baby steps, a small increase in testing capacity is a win. That's what Sedgwick County plans to start doing Thursday. (Read more: KWCH News)

Cosmosphere cuts jobs, furloughs most staff during pandemic

info2020-04-09T21:47:53-05:00April 9th, 2020|

Shut down by COVID-19 at what is typically the start of its peak visitor season, the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson has permanently laid off four staff and furloughed another 75% of its remaining employees. “In response to the virus, we decided to shut down operations on March 15,” said President Jim Remar. “It didn’t hit at a good time for any business, but it hit us right when we were getting ready for spring break. Starting with those two weeks, we do a tremendous amount of business.” That historically carries over into March, April and half of May, when both public and [...]

Council loosens housing down payment program

info2020-04-09T21:46:49-05:00April 9th, 2020|

The Hutchinson City Council this week agreed to amend a program offering assistance with down payments for buying a home in Hutchinson by removing a requirement participants must already live in the county to qualify. The board on Tuesday also approved the purchase of another plot of land along Cow Creek as part of an ongoing channel expansion project. The Hutchinson Housing Commission created the Down Payment Match Incentive program in 2017 using $70,000 allocated by the city council for housing initiatives. About $17,000 remains in the fund, according to city planning director Ryan Hvitlock. (Read more: Local - The Hutchinson [...]

Mayor De La Isla calls on Topekans to worship from home this weekend

info2020-04-09T21:39:14-05:00April 9th, 2020|

Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla took to Facebook Thursday morning to call on capital city residents to worship from home this Easter weekend. “I know that many of our Jewish brothers and sisters are celebrating Passover, and I know that throughout the whole Christian community this is a time of holy week,” De La Isla said. “We are getting ready to approach Easter Sunday, as well, and there has been a lot of confusing information going around.” (Read more: Local - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Non-essential Wichita businesses violating coronavirus order can expect enforcement: Cops

info2020-04-09T21:38:02-05:00April 9th, 2020|

Non-essential businesses violating the coronavirus stay-at-home order can expect enforcement to pick up, law enforcement and public health officials said. The news came in a statement issued Thursday by the Wichita Police Department in conjunction with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, Sedgwick County Health Department and Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. The warning to businesses follows reports of alleged violations being filed by people in the community. Law enforcement officials said educating businesses on the stay-at-home order “has been largely successful.” (Read more: Local News |)

Fed rolls out $2.3 trillion to backstop ‘Main Street,’ local governments during crisis

info2020-04-09T07:46:07-05:00April 9th, 2020|

The U.S. Federal Reserve on Thursday rolled out a broad, $2.3 trillion effort to bolster local governments and small and mid-sized businesses in its latest move to keep the U.S. economy intact as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic. The Fed said it would work through banks to offer 4-year loans to companies of up to 10,000 employees and directly buy the bonds of states and more populous counties and cities to help them respond to the health crisis. Read more: Reuters, WSJ, CNBC.

Municipal Bond Trends for April 8, 2020

info2020-04-16T08:06:24-05:00April 9th, 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.

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