News – Page 1676 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Kansas hopes sewage will provide advance warning of future COVID-19 surges

info2020-08-03T07:49:15-05:00August 3rd, 2020|

Want to know if the novel coronavirus is in your town? The answer might be in the sewers. Researchers at the University of Kansas are teaming up with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to track the coronavirus pandemic by measuring virus particles in wastewater. The technique, called wastewater surveillance, may provide an early warning system to give Kansas communities advance notice of future COVID-19 surges. Wastewater surveillance also helps fill in gaps in COVID-19 clinical testing, which can be limited, costly, and plagued by slow turnaround times. “The amount of positive cases that are reported understate the actual extent [...]

Leavenworth County vs. Copeland: Analysis of Length of Municipal Contracts

info2020-08-02T09:31:38-05:00July 31st, 2020|

In 2016, the Leavenworth County Board of Commissioners approved a five-year employment contract with ... the county's human resources director. After a change in commissioners, the board filed an action in the Leavenworth County District Court to have the contract declared void. The board later terminated the HR director, and she counterclaimed to enforce the contract's exceptionally generous severance package. The district court found the contract to be unenforceable as a legally impermissible attempt by one elected composition of the board to bind a later composition of that board. Copeland has appealed. The district court correctly applied settled Kansas law to [...]

Wyandotte County to continue in Phase 3 of reopening plan

info2020-07-31T08:08:08-05:00July 31st, 2020|

Wyandotte County will continue in Phase 3 of the Ad Astra reopening plan, according to Dr. Allen Greiner, chief health officer of Wyandotte County. Dr. Greiner made his remarks at the 5 p.m. July 30 meeting of the Unified Government, a remote meeting held on Zoom. “The 7-day positive rolling average has come down in the past week,” Juliann Van Liew, Unified Government Health Department director, said about the COVID-19 positive rate. The trend is very encouraging, she said. Jackson and Johnson counties are seeing different trends, with their rates not coming down like Wyandotte County’s has in the past few [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for July 30, 2020

info2020-07-31T08:04:15-05:00July 31st, 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.

Kansas allocates $254M in federal virus relief funds

info2020-07-31T08:02:30-05:00July 31st, 2020|

The Kansas State Finance Council has allocated more than $254 million of federal coronavirus relief funds mostly toward efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and boost the state’s economy. The group’s unanimous approval on Wednesday slated the federal funds for public health, education and economic development proposals as recommended by the executive committee of the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas task force. More than $100.9 million is going toward public health. Economic development proposals will get $78.6 million, and education will receive about $74.9 million. Read more: LJWorld.com.

Parsons discusses disregard for mask ordinance

info2020-07-31T08:00:14-05:00July 31st, 2020|

“Blatant noncompliance” has been the only problem with an ordinance that requires most people to wear face masks in buildings open to the public in Parsons. The city commission approved the ordinance in a July 6 meeting to help fight the spread of COVID-19, and it took effect on July 9. The ordinance included a two-week education period when it wasn’t enforced, but since July 23 individuals not wearing masks in indoor places of public access can face a fine. Violators at first will be warned, followed by a ticket that could be forgiven by paying a $15 processing fee. Upon [...]

Roeland Park to host socially-distant family bingo night

info2020-07-31T07:58:27-05:00July 31st, 2020|

Roeland Park and the Johnson County Park and Recreation District are hosting a socially distant family fun bingo night on July 31 at 6 p.m. The event, normally held inside the Roeland Park Community Center at 4850 Rosewood Drive, will be held on the front lawn and families are to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. Masks are required for the event, and dinner is to be served at 6 p.m. (Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Lawrence sanitation workers file petition to unionize

info2020-07-31T08:03:25-05:00July 31st, 2020|

Citing concerns about pay and working conditions, City of Lawrence sanitation workers have taken a step toward unionization, and other employee groups may follow. Teamsters Local 696 recently filed a petition with the City of Lawrence on behalf of the sanitation workers, whose duties include handling trash, recycling and yard waste collection, asking that the city conduct a union election. Matt Hall, secretary-treasurer and business agent for the Teamsters, told the Journal-World that more than 90% of the 70 sanitation workers supported the petition. Hall said the sanitation workers have multiple concerns, including pay and working conditions, such as work rules [...]

Manhattan to highlight businesses pledging to follow health, safety guidelines

info2020-07-31T07:53:26-05:00July 30th, 2020|

A new local campaign aims to promote health and safety conscious behavior in Manhattan and the Flint Hills region. The safe and open campaign highlights businesses, organizations and individuals who have pledged to abide by recommended public health practices such as physical distancing, frequent hand washing and wearing face coverings in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. Officially launched as of Thursday, July 30, eight businesses have already signed the pledge committing to follow federal, state and local guidelines. Those that have pledged will receive a badge and other marketing materials that can be displayed on windows or inside their [...]

KSHSAA executive board votes to proceed with fall activities

info2020-07-31T07:53:41-05:00July 30th, 2020|

The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) has announced that fall activities and athletics will proceed as planned. A motion to push back the start date was rejected by the executive board. The vote failed 5-4. All fall activities and athletics will now be able to proceed as scheduled on Monday, Aug. 17. Additional safety protocols, including fan participation, will still come. KSHSAA did say that those decisions will be made by local health officials. (Read more: The Miami County Republic)