News – Page 1737 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Shawnee County nearing ‘slow trickle’ reopening plan

info2020-05-28T09:24:18-05:00May 28th, 2020|

Shawnee County’s COVID-19 response team has released a five-tier working document it will use to reopen Shawnee County. The guidelines were released Thursday afternoon and will begin as soon as the state’s stay-at-home order lifts. The working document is based off a best-case scenario and is subject to change. Tiers will be broken down into 14-, 20- and 30-day increments, Shawnee County Emergency Management director Dusty Nichols said Thursday morning at the Shawnee County commission meeting. (Read more: Local Government - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Sales tax numbers up as of April, but city preparing for drop

info2020-05-27T20:29:28-05:00May 27th, 2020|

As of April, sales tax revenues for Newton remain ahead of last year, but the city is preparing for a decrease in revenue in the coming months. “Boy, they were sure shopping in March,” Newton Finance Director Donna Pickman said, explaining that it wouldn’t be till May or June when the city would have a better idea of how the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak would affect the city budget. “It’s kind of hard to know right yet,” she said. “We’re just holding the line.” As a whole, compared to 2019, total revenues for the first four months of the year [...]

A difficult decision from the Hillsboro City Council

info2020-05-27T20:24:46-05:00May 27th, 2020|

Today, the City Council voted to close the municipal swimming pool for the 2020 summer season. “This was not an easy decision” said Mayor Lou Thurston. “My heart says one thing, my head says another. In the end, it doesn’t appear that we can keep the pool open and keep social distancing and the CDC/Kansas Parks & Recreation Association cleaning guidelines to keep pool employees and the public safe. Safety of our children and their families is more important than the risk of opening the pool.” We realize this may not be a popular decision and regret it had to be [...]

Rock River Rapids in Derby opens on June 8 with safety measures

info2020-05-27T20:20:35-05:00May 27th, 2020|

The Rock River Rapids Aquatic Park in Derby is slated to open on Monday, June 8. City and recreation officials made the announcement in a joint news release Wednesday. "Given the risks of COVID-19, a great deal of preparation has occurred to ensure the park is as safe as possible and meets or exceeds all CDC guidelines, state orders, and Kansas Recreation and Parks Association (KRPA) recommendations," the release said. (Read more: KAKE - News)

Anonymous donor helps 41 residents in Kansas town pay their water bills

info2020-05-27T20:18:51-05:00May 27th, 2020|

Residents in a small Kansas town don't have to worry about their past due water bills after someone anonymously paid all of their balances. Julie Roller Weeks with the Abilene Convention & Visitor's Bureau said Friday's donation was for $2,000. The donor told her that he and his wife did not need the coronavirus stimulus money they received and wanted to do good with it. "The act of kindness is something very positive that has come from something very unsettling in this pandemic," Weeks said. The donation helped 41 local residents to become current on their water bills, nearly one third [...]

Counties respond to governor’s action on coronavirus response

info2020-05-28T09:17:33-05:00May 27th, 2020|

Sedgwick County commissioners plan a special meeting Wednesday afternoon to decide on next steps after actions taken by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday. The governor vetoed a bill from the legislature to limit the governor’s powers on disaster and emergency declarations. She has transitioned the state reopening plan to guidance only, leaving decisions up to counties on the coronavirus response. The governor also called a special session of the legislature for June 3rd to work on a new emergency management bill. Reno County’s health officer was planning an announcement on next steps after the governor’s decision. Harvey County commissioners [...]

Harvey County commissioners vote to keep county in phase 2

info2020-05-28T09:18:36-05:00May 27th, 2020|

The Harvey County Commission voted Tuesday at a special meeting to remain in the second phase of the Harvey County Health Reopening Plan regarding COVID-19 response through June 2. The plan generally follows the guidance included in Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas” outline. The commission agreed to increase mass gathering limits in Harvey County from 15 to 30 people and unanimously approved the decision to revise and adopt the Harvey County Health Reopening Plan. All restrictions previously outlined in the state’s reopening plan remain in place in Harvey County’s local plan. Additionally, Harvey County’s plan [...]

Frazer: Most proud of updating Moundridge’s strategic plan

info2020-05-28T09:19:55-05:00May 27th, 2020|

Outgoing City Administrator Randy Frazer said the one project he will point to with pride that he helped to accomplish during his nine-year tenure with the City of Moundridge is updating the city's strategic plan. Frazer was honored during a come-and-go reception on Thursday, May 21. (Read more: McPherson Weekly News » Feed)

McPherson County announces response to reopening

info2020-05-28T09:20:36-05:00May 27th, 2020|

McPherson County announced Tuesday evening its response to reopening after Gov. Laura Kelly made counties decide on how they reopen, instead of reopening as a whole. Effective Wednesday at 12:01 a.m., McPherson County Health Officer Shalei Shea is recommending McPherson County follow the guidelines of Gov. Kelly’s Ad Astra Plan. McPherson County will remain in Phase 2, which allows gatherings of no more than 15. Individuals are encouraged to wear masks in public settings, while maintaining social distancing of six feet. (Read more: McPherson Sentinel)

Shawnee expects to lose nearly $500K to open Soetaert pool under COVID-19 restrictions this summer

info2020-05-28T08:47:58-05:00May 27th, 2020|

With Shawnee planning to open the Soetaert pool this summer, city staff anticipate losing nearly half a million dollars by subsidizing 79% of operational costs. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, city staff expect to slash by more than half the number of guests allowed at the Thomas A. Soetaert Aquatic Center at one time. In a follow-up with the city council Tuesday evening, Sean Keenan, aquatics manager, said this will result in significant cuts in anticipated revenue through pool admission and concessions, and zero revenue from pool membership sales... (Read more: Prairie Village Post)