News – Page 1587 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Small-town dairy successfully sells milk throughout Kansas

info2020-11-09T06:59:52-06:00November 9th, 2020|

While many small dairies across the country are failing, a small Kansas dairy with slightly more than 130 cows is thriving. Although it is still hard work, and the margins remain small, the dairy has remained in the black throughout the pandemic. For Hildebrand Farms, a family-owned business in Junction City, cows make up their livelihood. That’s why they treat the little ladies to home-produced grains and fields where they can romp around all day. Source: Local - The Hutchinson News

Doctors share sobering view of COVID in Reno County; challenge community to respond

info2020-11-09T06:49:44-06:00November 9th, 2020|

In a somber and graphic online “Town Hall” Thursday night, several Hutchinson medical professionals talked about what they are now experiencing as the novel coronavirus surges in Reno County and threatens to overwhelm local hospital resources. “We are staring down the barrel of a disease that has killed 19 people in our community,” said family physician Dr. Scott Pauly. “In none of our lifetimes has influenza killed 19 people in a single year. You have to add up many years, maybe decades to get 19.” And more than half of those have occurred in just the last three weeks. Source: Local [...]

Analysts bolster Kansas revenue projections, envision less dire budget outlook

info2020-11-09T06:48:33-06:00November 9th, 2020|

TOPEKA — Kansas’ official revenue forecasters say economic damage from the COVID-19 pandemic will be far less severe than previously projected for the state’s bottom line. Next year’s budget shortfall now is expected to be $152 million, a considerable upgrade from the $1.4 billion deficit anticipated earlier this year. The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, composed of state analysts and university economists, released revised figures on Friday that include an increase of $477.2 million in revenue for the 2021 fiscal year, which ends in June. J.G. Scott, director of the Kansas Legislative Research Department, said positive economic factors include job gains between [...]

Conservation project aims to restore Ogallala Aquifer through naturally occurring landforms

info2020-11-09T06:47:19-06:00November 9th, 2020|

The future of water availability in western Kansas is receiving support from a multimillion-dollar project aimed at using existing land formations to recharge a major underground water source. Final details of the Groundwater Recharge and Sustainability Project, or GRASP, are being worked out within the offices of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Earlier this year the project received an injection of $1.4 million from NRCS, and another $1.5 million from multiple partnering conservation organizations, including the Playa Lakes Joint Venture and Ducks Unlimited. The plan calls for the restoration and enhancement of playas — natural wetlands that [...]

Hays welcomes new ice skating rink

info2020-11-09T07:04:38-06:00November 9th, 2020|

Three men were hard at work Wednesday morning in downtown Hays piecing together half-inch-thick plastic polymer pieces to form what would soon become an ice skating rink made of artificial ice.That outdoor rink is downtown Hays’ newest attraction. It sits beneath the Downtown Pavilion at 10th and Main Street, and the artificial ice allows it to withstand whatever weather conditions a Kansas fall or winter might throw at it. Source: Leavenworth Times

McLouth, KS boasts unusual road attraction

info2020-11-07T21:14:34-06:00November 7th, 2020|

When the town was being laid out, the boulder couldn’t be moved, so they simply built the city street—aptly named Granite Street—around it. After years of resurfacing, it sticks out of the ground over two feet, with just enough room to drive around it. But what you see in street is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. “It’s said to be at least 30 feet in diameter underground,” said Meador. “It was probably six or seven feet higher than it is now. That's how much we've built the area up.” Source: KCTV.

City of Russell Launches 10-day Community Challenge to Slow COVID-19

info2020-11-06T10:04:51-06:00November 6th, 2020|

The City of Russell is launching a 10-day community challenge in hopes of slowing the spread of COVID-19. The STOMP COVID 10-day Community Challenge begins November 7 and ends November 16. This challenge is in partnership with Russell Regional Hospital and USD 407. “We are experiencing an alarming increase in positive COVID-19 cases in the Russell area”, said Mayor Curt Mader In the latest report from the Russell County Health Department, we now have 242 cases, with 54 people currently in quarantine. There have been 25 hospitalizations and five deaths. Our current positivity rate is 23.7 percent. At the November 3 [...]

Garden City to consider mask mandate

info2020-11-06T08:15:28-06:00November 6th, 2020|

The Garden City Commission considered a petition put forth by Lindsay Byrnes to implement a citywide mask mandate at Tuesday’s regular board meeting. No action was taken at the meeting. However, the commission will hold a special session at 10 a.m. Nov. 11 to consider putting an ordinance in place requiring the wearing of masks. Byrnes is the Finney County medical director, but said she put forth the petition neither as an employee of the county health department nor is she speaking on behalf of the county. She did so as a physician and someone who’s invested in the community. Source: [...]

Younger generation steps up to public service

info2020-11-06T08:14:50-06:00November 6th, 2020|

Bryce Garner, 26, will be sworn in Jan. 13, 2021, as the youngest Stafford County commissioner on record when he assumes office representing District 3 following the 2020 general election. “I’ll be wearing a smile, that’s for sure,” Garner said. “It’s not that I wanted to set a record, but I am pleased that my generation will have a voice in decisions that will impact their futures. “I’m a fifth-generation Stafford County resident and that makes me dedicated to wanting to assure a good future for all Stafford County residents.” With family ties that trace back nearly a century, Garner is [...]

Wichita mayor urges caution; small hospitals under strain

info2020-11-06T08:03:30-06:00November 6th, 2020|

The mayor of Kansas’ largest city is warning the public to take the coronavirus “seriously” as case numbers soar and rural hospitals struggle to find larger facilities with room for their patients. Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple blamed a rise in cases on a “perfect storm” of people becoming fatigued over prevention measures, longing to see their families, and moving events indoors as the weather grows colder. Source: KAKE - News