News – Page 1214 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

10-day isolation order for Cowley County affirmed by court

info2022-01-27T07:25:15-06:00January 27th, 2022|

A district court judge in Arkansas City on Wednesday upheld a health order issued by the Cowley County Public Health Officer last week sticking with a 10-day isolation period for people who test positive for COVID-19. The isolation period is longer than the latest CDC guidance of 5 days isolation, plus 5 days of masking, and two Ark City residents sued Langer claiming he did not have the authority to issue such an order and argued that it curtailed business. Langer said the appointed county health board supported the 10-day period, and that it applies only to people with the virus, [...]

Yes, ARPA can pay for that

info2022-01-27T07:24:23-06:00January 27th, 2022|

Allen County commissioners learned the final guidelines from federal officials on coronavirus relief funds will allow them more flexibility to use the money however they want. They’ll now prioritize county projects when spending the $2.4 million. “Can ARPA pay for that?” has become a common refrain as county leaders debate how to best use $2.4 million federal COVID-19 relief funds. On Tuesday, Allen County Commissioners got the answer: in most cases, yes. They can use ARPA for just about anything. But with requests for the money more than double what the county has, commissioners now want to prioritize county projects over [...]

State legislation seeks to alleviate strain on health care system

info2022-01-27T00:39:15-06:00January 27th, 2022|

Gov. Laura Kelly has signed House Bill 2477 which allows staffing flexibility at health care and long-term care facilities throughout the state to address staffing shortages that continue to strain the health care system, according to the governor's office. The bipartisan bill signed by the governor Friday, Jan. 21, extends provisions in Executive Orders 22-01 and 22-02 until Jan. 20, 2023. “This legislation will mitigate the shortage of health care providers while we deal with the Omicron surge,” Kelly said. “I want to thank the Legislature for their bipartisan support and swift action to get this bill to my desk. Our [...]

Kansas bills eliminating food sales tax offer different approaches to addressing food insecurity

info2022-01-27T00:37:35-06:00January 27th, 2022|

A pair of bills aimed at eliminating the food sales tax on food and groceries in Kansas will help reduce rising food insecurity and aid families in getting food on the table, supporters say. House Bill 2484 would exempt food and food ingredients, including products sold at restaurants, from state retail sales and compensation use tax beginning Jan. 1, 2023. The bill would not include alcoholic beverages or tobacco. The second measure under consideration Tuesday, House Bill 2487, would exempt Kansans beginning July 1. The measure excludes prepared food from the exemption, unlike the first bill, and provides an exemption for sales [...]

Federal Reserve points to interest rate hike coming in March

info2022-01-27T07:20:41-06:00January 27th, 2022|

Facing both turbulent financial markets and raging inflation, the Federal Reserve on Wednesday indicated it could soon raise interest rates for the first time in more than three years. In a move that came as little surprise, the Fed's policymaking group said a quarter-percentage point increase to its benchmark short-term borrowing rate is likely coming soon. It would be the first increase since December 2018. The statement comes in response to inflation running at its hottest level in nearly 40 years. Though the move toward less accommodative policy has been well-telegraphed over the past several weeks, markets in recent days have [...]

Wichita names interim police chief

info2022-01-27T00:34:04-06:00January 27th, 2022|

Deputy Police Chief Lemuel Moore has been announced as the Interim Police Chief for the City of Wichita, starting in March. Chief Gordon Ramsay announced in December that he would be stepping down as of March 1st to focus on family. He had served as chief since 2016. The city is starting an extensive search process to find the next chief. Moore is a 30-year veteran of the Wichita Police Department and he has served in a number of capacities, starting as a beat officer in Patrol East and moving into the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. He became a [...]

Newton sees flurry of industrial sales

info2022-01-27T07:21:10-06:00January 27th, 2022|

The Newton City Commission voted to sell 117 acres to one developer, 15 to an existing company, as well as an airplane hangar, for good measure. Oh, and the ABI building is back on the market. The flurry of activity began with the 5-0 approval of a sale of Kansas Logistics Park property to developer Louis Robelli. Robelli originally requested 180 acres from the city and offered to pay $7,250 per acre. The city office and he negotiated and landed on a sale of 117 acres for $8,000 per acre. According to the city memo tied to the deal, Robelli plans [...]

New project in Parsons park would serve those with physical and sensory needs

info2022-01-27T07:21:31-06:00January 27th, 2022|

An effort is underway in Parsons to create a park that everyone can enjoy. The Parsons State Hospital and Training Center has partnered with the City of Parsons to upgrade Railroad Park. The new project would turn the existing area into an inclusive sensory park for those with physical, sensory, or other needs. Right now the project is focused on generating at least $150,000 in funds through grants and community support. "We'll have to do fundraisers, of course, and private donations will always be accepted. We have volunteer help with the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, I've had churches that are [...]

Dog owner appeals ‘pick up, pay up’ order

info2022-01-27T07:22:20-06:00January 27th, 2022|

A Peabody woman who three times has been accused of letting her dogs run free is appealing a ruling that she pick her dogs up from boarding and not return them to Peabody or else they will be adopted out. Terri Tucker was ordered Jan. 12 to pay $265 for having two dogs at large. She pleaded no contest in exchange for dismissal of two charges of no proof of vaccination and two charges of having dogs with no city tags. Source: Marion County RECORD

Manhattan city government struggles with staffing shortages

info2022-01-27T07:22:35-06:00January 27th, 2022|

The Manhattan city government is struggling with a lack of staff, according to various department leaders. Department heads on Tuesday updated the Manhattan City Commission about the things they accomplished in 2021, challenges to their departments and goals for 2022. They provided updates as a lead-in to the commission’s retreat on Friday. All departments mentioned being short-staffed, and the city is working on updating its compensation package in hopes to retaining and hiring employees. According to exit interviews, human resources director Tammy Galvan said the top five reasons people left were lack of advancement, under compensation, performance evaluation, training and leadership. [...]