News – Page 1632 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Leavenworth’s mayor addresses concerns about Uniform Public Offense Code

info2020-09-21T08:25:50-05:00September 21st, 2020|

Leavenworth's mayor said the city will not be granting additional authority to the county health officer by approving a provision in the 2020 Uniform Public Offense Code for Kansas Cities. "The city of Leavenworth has no authority to grant power to the county health officer," Mayor Mike Griswold said. ... Leavenworth Police Chief Pat Kitchens reviewed changes to the UPOC with commissioners last week. He noted that the 2020 version includes language he said clarifies a law enforcement officer's authority to enforce a public health order.... Griswold also mentioned sections of the Uniform Public Offense Code that the police chief has [...]

Erie moves closer to buying grocery store

info2020-09-18T09:23:14-05:00September 18th, 2020|

The owners of a grocery store will get another look at a proposed contract for the sale of their business to the city of Erie. Slight changes were made to the agreement for the city to buy Stub’s Market after input from the Erie City Council. The contract was ready for approval at the council’s Monday evening meeting, but City Attorney Seth Jones told the council that David “Stub” and Shirlene Mahurin should look at the changes before the council votes on the agreement. City Clerk Cindy Lero said Jones wanted to make sure the Mahurins didn’t want to suggest any [...]

Lawrence City Commission approves ordinance to make violating pandemic health orders a municipal offense

info2020-09-18T07:23:43-05:00September 18th, 2020|

City leaders have voted to approve an ordinance that gives Lawrence police more power to enforce local health orders put in place to deter the spread of COVID-19. As part of a special meeting Thursday, the Lawrence City Commission voted 4-1, with Mayor Jennifer Ananda opposing, to approve an ordinance that makes endangering the public health, safety, or welfare against municipal code. The ordinance uses existing state public nuisance law to give Lawrence police the authority to issue up to a $500 ticket to those who violate health orders, which include limits on public gatherings. Source: LJWorld.com.

Municipal Bond Trends for September 17, 2020

info2020-09-18T07:12:23-05:00September 18th, 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.

Johnson County extends COVID-19 mask mandate, following pleas from school leaders

info2020-09-18T07:08:03-05:00September 18th, 2020|

The Johnson County Board of Commissioners narrowly voted on Thursday to continue requiring face masks in public, after leaders of all six county school districts urged them in a letter to keep the order in place. The 4-3 decision was made after a marathon, over-three-hour discussion where more than 50 residents spoke both for and against the mandate. Several residents, many of whom were not wearing masks, crowded outside of the room. Whether to require masks — which health experts emphasize are proven to help mitigate spread of COVID-19 — has been a contentious debate since before they were first mandated [...]

New 911 tech comes to Sedgwick County

info2020-09-18T07:07:30-05:00September 18th, 2020|

Sedgwick County is unveiling new technology they say will make it easier to contact 911 in an emergency. “So one of those is the ability for 911 dispatchers to send out a text versus only being able to respond to text so previously if you texted in and that text is just to 911 those three digits, very simple. We could respond back but we couldn't initiate that text conversation," said Elora Forshee, Emergency Communications Director. The county has used text to 9-1-1 but just recently had the ability to initiate contact with people. Source: KAKE - News

Coronavirus remains plague on Kansas’ tourism, entertainment and winery industries

info2020-09-18T07:04:57-05:00September 18th, 2020|

Damage to the Kansas tourism economy during the COVID-19 pandemic can be illustrated by impact of closing the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene. The largest attraction in Abilene has been closed for months, blocking access to the $9 million exhibit space opened in August 2019 after an eight-month renovation. Nearly 150,000 people visited the museum last year. That was expected to double in 2020, said Kelly Peetoom, president of the Travel Industry Association of Kansas. “The 2020 travel season was predicted to be Abilene’s best year in a long time. In contrast, it is Abilene’s tourism industry’s worst,” Peetoom [...]

Rethink your recycling: Shawnee County partners with Ripple Glass to keep glass out of landfills

info2020-09-18T07:04:05-05:00September 18th, 2020|

If every Shawnee County resident changed the way they recycle glass, they could keep more recycling out of landfills and save the Shawnee County Solid Waste Department up to $5,500 a month. Bill Sutton, director of Shawnee County Solid Waste, cited the statistic when he talked about starting his position last August. Recycling glass more efficiently has been his priority, prompting him to partner with Ripple Glass, a glass recycling company based in Kansas City, Mo. ... Source: Local Government - The Topeka Capital-Journal

Sedgwick County health officer eases curfew after bars openly ignored it

info2020-09-18T07:03:29-05:00September 18th, 2020|

Responding to a weekend of late-night and early-morning revelry across the Wichita area, Sedgwick County health officer Dr. Garold Minns eased the county curfew on bars and nightclubs aimed at fighting the spread of COVID-19. Minns moved the curfew from 11 p.m. to midnight at the recommendation of the Sedgwick County commissioners, who voted unanimously Wednesday to request the change. On a call with a small group of bar and club owners Thursday afternoon, there was broad consensus by commissioners that they want to do away with the curfew entirely and as soon as possible, as early as next week if [...]

Eisenhower Memorial in D.C. opens Friday, highlights Kansas roots

info2020-09-18T07:03:02-05:00September 18th, 2020|

A new memorial opening Friday should be of high interest to Kansans. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial is finally opening after a delay due to the coronavirus pandemic; it was supposed to in May to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the Allies’ defeat of Nazi Germany. The memorial, meant to honor his legacy as the supreme allied commander in World War II and the 34th U.S. president, has actually been more than 20 years in the making since Congress commissioned it in 1999. A dedication happened Thursday before the memorial opens to the public. Source: News - Butler County Times [...]