News – Page 1523 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Sedgwick’s new fire truck now in service

info2021-02-04T07:23:31-06:00February 4th, 2021|

The City of Sedgwick purchased a 2009 LaFrance fire engine from the city of Whitewater toward the end of last year. The vehicle now has Sedgwick’s name on it and has been on one run so far, according to Fire Chief Zane Hansen. Hansen learned of the truck through a co-worker who works with the Whitewater fire department. The truck has only 600 hours and Sedgwick purchased it for $80,000. The cab is custom built and the truck has been in service for a few weeks now. Source: Harvey County Now

House panel endorses fewer restrictions on sales of weak liquor in Kansas

info2021-02-04T07:18:17-06:00February 3rd, 2021|

The pandemic has been good for liquor store business, a lobbyist told a House panel Wednesday, but the industry is concerned the boost in sales will be temporary. Amy Campbell, executive director of the Kansas Association of Beverage Retailers, said the state has 35 fewer liquor stores than it did in 2017 because of a 2019 change in state law that allows grocers and convenience stores to sell beer. The boost in sales is connected to people staying away from drinking establishments, and the restrictions some counties have placed on the hours of operation for bars and clubs. More Kansans have [...]

Sedgwick Co. will allow restaurants, not serving alcohol, to remain open to in-person dining without limits

info2021-02-04T07:20:21-06:00February 3rd, 2021|

Sedgwick County Commissioners voted to amend the health order to allow restaurants, not serving alcohol, to remain open to in-person dining without any limitations on hours of operation. All other provisions within the Minns order will remain. The order requires people must still be masked and maintain six feet of social distancing. Businesses and organizations are responsible for ensuring that individuals comply with the order’s mask-wearing, mass gathering, percentage of fire code capacity limitations, and social distancing requirements. Businesses are expected to make efforts to comply with fire code capacity limitations included. Source: KSN-TV

Kansas unveils online map to guide residents to COVID-19 vaccine providers

info2021-02-04T07:20:29-06:00February 3rd, 2021|

Kansas officials on Wednesday unveiled an online map designed to help people figure out who to call and where to go to get a COVID-19 vaccine. The map is part of a larger website that also provides information about the current phase of vaccine rollout and who is currently eligible to get the vaccine. Doses are currently reserved for people ages 65 and older, individuals in prison and other congregate settings, and critical workers. The anticipated rollout of the “Find My Vaccine” platform arrives amid a six-week decline in new cases of COVID-19. Still, the pandemic remains a serious threat. On [...]

Atchison City Hall to reopen

info2021-02-04T07:21:23-06:00February 3rd, 2021|

With COVID numbers trending in a slightly better direction and vaccinations now occurring, Atchison City Hall will be reopened to the public, but just for access to the customer service and police records windows. The building doors will be unlocked during normal business hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) beginning on Monday, Feb. 8. Even with the doors open, if residents or visitors need access to any other departments or offices, those will be done by appointment only. Source: Atchison Globe Now

Governor reports progress in COVID-19 vaccine efforts

info2021-02-04T07:22:09-06:00February 3rd, 2021|

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said Wednesday the state has vaccinated 198,350 residents for COVID-19, and that represents almost seven percent of the state’s population. At her weekly news conference at the Statehouse, the governor said the state is expecting to get 18,525 first doses of the Pfizer vaccine next week, along with 18,525 second doses. Moderna is planning to provide 25,700 first doses and 17,800 booster doses. She said that adds up to 80,550 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, compared to the 45,000 doses that the state was getting a couple of weeks ago. Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Emporia moves forward with pickleball court project, Flint Hills Crossing CID

info2021-02-04T07:22:34-06:00February 3rd, 2021|

After reviewing information on the project last week, city commissioners officially approved Wednesday a memorandum of understanding with the Emporia Country Club allowing the construction of a public pickleball facility on the premises. The six-court facility (which will be considered a city park upon completion) will be on the current site of the country club’s unutilized tennis courts, directly adjacent to its parking lot. Additional ingress and egress easements have been approved by the ECC as part of the agreement, giving the city additional access (and maintenance obligations) for nearby sidewalks and one or more ECC parking stalls for public use. [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for February 2, 2021

info2021-02-03T08:15:13-06:00February 3rd, 2021|

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.

Johnson County city could ban people from some medians. Would it push out panhandlers?

info2021-02-03T08:02:37-06:00February 2nd, 2021|

Merriam officials could ban pedestrians and panhandlers from medians at the city’s busiest intersections, citing safety concerns. The City Council is considering an ordinance that would prohibit pedestrians from standing or sitting on medians at nine high-traffic intersections, other than to legally cross the street. Police Chief Darren McLaughlin said the city has noticed more people and groups standing or collecting money at the intersections — where more than half of the city’s crashes occur each year. McLaughlin said the law aims to cut down on car crashes and generally ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists. Source: Joco 913 News

No longer ‘critical’: Wichita hospital status upgraded as COVID patient count drops

info2021-02-03T08:02:46-06:00February 2nd, 2021|

The coronavirus pandemic status is no longer “critical” at Wichita’s two major hospitals as the number of COVID-19 patients has dropped to its lowest level in three months. The Sedgwick County Health Department on Monday changed its area hospital assessment status to “cautious.” It had previously been listed as “critical” since early November, when intensive care units became filled to capacity and hospitals were forced into contingency operations. County officials have not defined either “critical” or “cautious,” so it is unclear exactly what led the status to be upgraded. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle