News – Page 1704 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Shawnee County mulls creating infectious disease division manager’s job

info2020-06-29T07:58:43-05:00June 29th, 2020|

The Shawnee County Health Department’s capacity has been stretched to its limits by the COVID-19 pandemic, says director Linda Ochs. She is asking county commissioners to create a job in her department for an infectious disease division manager... That move would mark the first step in creating a health department division devoted to infectious diseases, Ochs told commissioners in a recent memorandum. She said the job’s salary and benefits would be paid “with various potential grants for COVID-19 response and health department reserve funds.” (Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)

Wind farm expansion begins

info2020-06-29T08:01:46-05:00June 29th, 2020|

Enel Green Power started construction on the 199-Megawatt expansion of the Cimarron Bend wind farm, on June 18. At an investment of over $281 million, the 74 turbines expansion is set to increase the wind farm’s capacity from 400 MW to 599 MW, making it the largest wind farm in Enel’s North American portfolio. “As Kansas’ wind leader, Enel Green Power is proud to step forward to generate new jobs and economic growth for Kansas during this challenging time,” said Georgios Papadimitriou, Head of Enel Green Power in the U.S. and Canada. “Most importantly, we remain firm in our commitment to [...]

Minneola Artist Repaints Fire Station Flag

info2020-06-29T08:03:23-05:00June 29th, 2020|

Local artist Galen Rankin, recently finished repainting a picture of the American flag, emblazoned on the door of the Minneola fire station. Considered an unofficial landmark, the original rendition of the flag was painted 20 years ago, by the local 4-H Club led by Margo Rakes and was enjoyed by local citizens and travelers driving on Highway 54. Over the years though, the weather and the passage of time had taken its’ toll on the flag, constituting its’ faded state. In response the Minneola city leadership, approached Galen Rankin, and commissioned him to repaint the flag, which he accepted. “Carol Sibley [...]

Six Riley County EMS employees test positive for COVID-19; nine firefighters in quarantine

info2020-06-29T08:03:36-05:00June 29th, 2020|

Riley County health officials have confirmed an outbreak of at least six positive cases of coronavirus at Riley County Emergency Medical Services. Three additional tests were pending as of Sunday. According to the health department, positive cases have been confirmed at two out of four EMS stations in the county, with a third likely. All emergency medical and fire services are said to be fully supported and operational. There have been no changes in response posture for the community. The initial infections have been tracked to community spread, and not from exposure to patients served by EMS. The health department says [...]

About half the nation’s State Fairs called off due to COVID-19 so far

info2020-06-29T08:03:49-05:00June 29th, 2020|

Oklahoma and New Mexico on Friday joined 23 other states that have canceled state fairs for this year. Research by The News found 16 states, including Colorado, Arkansas and Missouri, that according to press reports or postings on the fair websites, were still planning to have their events in some form, though many of those are later in the year. Another half-dozen states -- including Kansas and Nebraska -- are pending decisions. The Kansas State Fair Board will discuss on Tuesday whether to go forward with this year’s fair, scheduled for Sept. 11 to 20, and if so, how. (Read more: [...]

ACPD officer shortage leads to critical operations

info2020-06-29T08:06:29-05:00June 28th, 2020|

The annual DARE Camp and National Night Out in Arkansas City are being canceled due to a shortage of police officers, Chief Dan Ward told city commissioner on Friday, and school resource officers are needed on patrol. Ward said he doesn’t have the staff resources to support those programs this year. ... “We are facing a staffing shortage, and that is increasing daily,” Ward said. Ward said he has 16 patrol officers but six are currently unavailable, or 37.5 percent of the local force. Three officers are in training at the academy and will not return to patrol until late October. [...]

Univ. of Kansas Hospital Authority vs. Franklin County: Whether a government agency has an obligation to pay a person’s medical expenses

info2020-06-26T09:49:28-05:00June 26th, 2020|

SYLLABUS BY THE COURT 1. K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 22-4612 requires certain government agencies to pay the medical expenses incurred by persons in their custody. 2. K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 22-4612 conveys the legislature's intent to hold government agencies liable for medical costs incurred for the treatment people receive while in their custody. This statute, in conjunction with K.S.A. 22-4613, is rooted in the principle that government agencies have a duty to treat people in their care humanely. 3. The test for determining whether a government agency has an obligation to pay a person's medical expenses is whether a person is in the [...]

Columbus celebrates addition of new bicycle park

info2020-06-26T09:11:04-05:00June 26th, 2020|

After months of planning and generous donations from the community, the city of Columbus is celebrating a brand new addition to Reeves Park. Dozens gathered today for the unveiling of Ian’s Place, a state-of-the-art bike park. The addition features an elevated tunnel, obstacle cones, a custom-made sunflower sculpture, and even musical equipment. The project was a collaborative effort between city and community leaders to bring a safe and fun place for kids to ride their bikes in town. Daniela Rivas, Columbus City Administrator, said, “I really hope it bring community. Columbus is an amazing, an amazing community um and we find [...]

As local cases rise, Johnson County looks to stockpile 3 months of personal protective equipment

info2020-06-26T09:10:20-05:00June 26th, 2020|

As COVID-19 cases spiked this week, the Johnson County Commission gave its blessing to an effort to stockpile a three-month reserve of personal protective gear. The commission unanimously agreed to set aside up to $14.9 million of its $116 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to build up its supply of masks, gowns, face shields and other protective gear. At the same meeting, Public Health Director Sanmi Areola, PhD, reported an increase in cases that he said cannot be attributed to a higher testing rate. (Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

The Big Well reopens

info2020-06-26T07:49:51-05:00June 26th, 2020|

The Big Well Museum in Greensburg reopened June 1, after being closed down since March 18 due to COVID-19. The museum is now open for regular business hours but safety precautions are in place in the form of signs to encourage social distancing. Many visitors wear masks as well. “All the visitors have been respectful of the signs we have up,” said Caitlin Matile, Manager of the Big Well Museum. During the shutdown, Matile was able to do some maintenance around the museum. She painted the stairs and deep cleaned the entire building. Although Matile was able to tackle some projects [...]