News – Page 1577 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Huge grass fire battled in eastern Cowley

info2020-11-19T06:54:55-06:00November 19th, 2020|

All Cowley County fire departments responded to a large grass fire before noon Tuesday south of Dexter. When the first responders arrived they reported the fire was more than a mile long, according to radio communications. Fire units staged at 241st Road and 266th Road, then created a perimeter from the origin of the fire to U.S. 166 Highway in attempts to keep it from jumping the highway due to high winds. Winds ranged from 15 to 25 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Once water tankers were able to extinguish the fire at U.S. 166, they began moving east [...]

Don’t wait on contact tracers to notify others, official said

info2020-11-19T06:55:18-06:00November 19th, 2020|

With the number of cases under investigation by contact tracers piling up, health officials ask that people who know they have a confirmed case of COVID-19 go ahead and reach out to people they have been in close contact with to let them know. And if waiting on test results due to symptoms, isolate. The county added 93 more positives since yesterday afternoon’s report, pushing the community active case count to 896. Meanwhile, the number of cases under investigation by contact traces, who work to determine the exposure route and notify likely close contacts, has reached 685. Source: Local - The [...]

Wesley CEO says 10% of his COVID patients dying; Sedgwick County leans toward toughening rules

info2020-11-19T06:56:34-06:00November 19th, 2020|

Saying their hospital is overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients — 10 percent of whom will probably die — officials of Wesley Medical Center pleaded with the Sedgwick County Commission to do much more to try to limit the spread of the coronavirus in the community. And it looks like the hospital officials may get much of what they’re asking for, with commissioners urging their health officer to draft an order with more restrictions on businesses and private gatherings. Dr. Lowell Ebersole, medical director for the Wichita area’s second-largest hospital system, presented a list of recommendations to strengthen the county response to the [...]

Gov. Laura Kelly issues new statewide mask mandate, adding teeth to anti-coronavirus directive

info2020-11-19T06:57:42-06:00November 19th, 2020|

Gov. Laura Kelly responded to surging coronavirus infection Wednesday with a statewide executive order on face coverings that grants county commissions the option of accepting the governor’s version, crafting their own standard or rejecting new limits entirely. Counties would have one week to pass their own nuanced ordinance before automatic implementation of Kelly’s mask protocol, which would go into effect the day before Thanksgiving. There is concern among health professionals that gatherings during the holiday could turn into superspreader events, but those same officials insist people wear masks, wash hands and keep their distance if compelled to attend family events. Kansas [...]

With prior order in place, JoCo exempted from Gov. Kelly’s new statewide mask mandate

info2020-11-19T06:57:50-06:00November 19th, 2020|

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly responded to surging coronavirus infections Wednesday with a statewide executive order mandating people wear a mask in public and requiring county commissions to take a public vote if they want to reject the mandate or craft their own measures. Counties have one week to pass their own measure or accept her public-safety directive, which goes into effect the day before Thanksgiving. Kelly signed a comparable mask order in July that lacked instructions for a local government vote, and nearly four of five counties determined masking was unwarranted to stem the tide of COVID-19. Source: Prairie Village Post

Shawnee set to write city’s first long-term plan in 33 years — and officials want residents’ input

info2020-11-19T06:57:58-06:00November 19th, 2020|

Shawnee is seeking public input on a comprehensive plan to update the city’s development guide and vision. Shawnee city staff recently launched a survey as the first step to garner public opinions on things like shopping, entertainment, dining and nightlife; services and city amenities like parks and recreation; and also development of the city’s housing stock. The survey also asks participants to weigh in on critical issues facing the city, including “NIMBYism” and fear of change, a lack of a unified city plan, trust among residents and government and division on the Shawnee City Council. Source: Prairie Village Post

Wichita schools ask city for help as COVID surges among teachers threatens closures

info2020-11-19T06:58:17-06:00November 19th, 2020|

The Wichita school district is calling for help from the city as teachers and school staff are contracting COVID-19 at an alarming pace, causing staffing shortages that could force some school buildings to close. “The District is in the process of considering closing of a number of school buildings due to a shortage of staff at those buildings,” USD 259 leaders said in a letter to the Wichita City Council on Tuesday. “If something in the community does not change soon, the District will have to consider closing additional buildings.” There are more absent teachers and paras than there are substitutes. [...]

Hays chef creates Kansas-made market on Main Street — next door to his new barbecue joint

info2020-11-19T06:55:47-06:00November 19th, 2020|

When Ellis County native Philip Kuhn was 9, he was through with eating grilled cheese and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He decided to start cooking some specialty items for his four siblings. At 33, armed with years of experience, a culinary degree and a successful downtown restaurant, Kuhn is ready to be inventive again. Along with opening a barbecue restaurant, he’s starting a specialty market, which includes meats and homegrown lettuce produced in his basement. Kuhn learned how to make bierocks from his great-aunt Vi and how to fry bacon from his grandmother. After graduating from Hays High School, he [...]

Local entities teamed up to entice the business to locate in Humboldt

info2020-11-18T08:06:57-06:00November 18th, 2020|

Murphy Tractor & Equipment, one of John Deere’s largest construction and forestry dealers in North America, is up and running in Humboldt. It’s the company’s 30th location.... Indeed, a variety of players teamed up to entice Murphy to move to Humboldt. Allen County commissioners provided $335,000 to aid Humboldt in extending utilities to the 30-acre industrial tract. B&W Trailer Hitches, Monarch Cement Company and the county also provided in-kind participation, with Humboldt maintenance workers and B&W resources replacing contracted labor. Source: The Iola Register

Fire chief hangs up his helmet

info2020-11-18T08:04:41-06:00November 18th, 2020|

Iola Fire Chief Tim Thyer has seen a lot of changes over the 33 years he’s worked for the department, but the basic mantra remains the same: “Put the wet stuff on the red stuff.” But thanks to technology, Thyer said, “We just have new ways of applying the wet stuff.” Go back to 1987, though, and things were quite a bit different. In January 1987, then-Fire Chief Clarence Hydorn interviewed him for a full-time position, though Thyer wouldn’t actually be hired for another six months. Source: The Iola Register