News – Page 1766 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Wichita expected to lose twice as many jobs as in Great Recession, forecast shows

info2020-05-06T09:00:20-05:00May 6th, 2020|

In 2020, the Wichita area will lose nearly twice as many jobs as during the 2008-10 recession, according to a new WSU economic forecast. On Tuesday, Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research released a forecast that shows Wichita will lose roughly 44,000 jobs from 2019. That’s nearly twice as many jobs from the Great Recession. The Wichita area is expected to see a roughly 30% drop in nonfarm employment during the second quarter before bouncing back to end the year at a 14.6% decline in employment from 2019, the forecast shows. The statewide projection is a 10.2% [...]

Wichita’s Towne East mall is open, but most stores aren’t yet

info2020-05-06T09:00:39-05:00May 6th, 2020|

Wichita’s big shopping mall — Towne East Square at Kellogg and Rock — reopened on Monday after an almost seven-week shutdown that started on March 18 amid coronavirus concerns. But shoppers who are returning to the mall are finding it full of new safety protocols but light on shopping options. Only about 20 percent of the stores inside the Simon-owned mall were open as of Monday, though mall manager Stephanie Satrape says that number should steadily increase. Among the biggies that remain closed are anchors Dillard’s and JCPenney, neither of which have shared reopening dates yet, Satrape said. (Read more: Local News |)

Columbus Public Library now offering curbside services

info2020-05-06T09:01:03-05:00May 6th, 2020|

The Columbus Public Library is now offering curbside service to get books and movies out to residents. Restrictions set by the state still don’t allow the library to operate at full capacity, so offering this option will allow them to still offer services. In the meantime, library staff will be prepping for when they can reopen, like setting chairs and computers six feet apart. But until they can start allowing people inside again, they hope they can make their curbside service easy to do. Lauren Dainty, Director at Columbus Public Library, says, “They would contact us either over the phone, they [...]

Monday marks 13 years since tornado devastated Greensburg

info2020-05-06T09:01:12-05:00May 6th, 2020|

Monday (May 4) marks 13 year since a deadly storm ripped through the small Kiowa County town of Greensburg, killing 10 people in the community. The EF5 tornado destroyed about 95 percent of the community, leaving the center of town to resemble a bomb site. The powerful storm killed two other people, one in Pratt County and one in Stafford County. The tornado that devastated Greensburg remained on the ground for about 65 minutes,traveling more than 28 miles and measuring nearly 1.7 miles in width. The reconstruction effort that followed took years and the population dwindled to about 800 people, approximately [...]

Labette County to appeal gas, oil well ruling

info2020-05-06T09:01:47-05:00May 6th, 2020|

Labette County commissioners will ask the Kansas Supreme Court to review an appellate decision that could result in counties collecting less property tax revenue from gas and oil wells statewide. Labette County joined with Wilson and Neosho counties in arguing a tax issue with the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals. River Rock Energy Co. has 2,150 gas wells in these counties and disputes the values set by appraisers, totaling $13,552,670. BOTA ruled in favor of the counties and the appellate justices reversed some BOTA rulings and returned the case to BOTA. (Read more: Parsons Sun)

Salina Staff and Operations Affected by Economic Impact of COVID-19

info2020-05-06T09:02:54-05:00May 6th, 2020|

The City of Salina has recently made numerous changes to its budget, staffing schedules and operational hours. The most-recent budget adjustments were made through a combination of work-hour reductions, temporary furloughs, not filling 30 existing vacancies, and suspending hiring numerous seasonal part-time employees pending further review of seasonal program offerings. The full economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) for the City is unknown at this time, but it is clear that a major portion of the City’s operations and services will be affected. The April stay-at-home order issued by the Governor along with local, regional, and national economic trends in these [...]

Olathe business owner defies Johnson County stay-at-home extension, opens store

info2020-05-06T09:03:13-05:00May 6th, 2020|

Life is slowly getting back to normal for many Kansans, as the statewide stay-at-home order was lifted over the weekend. However, Johnson and Wyandotte counties are still on lockdown until next Monday. But one Olathe business owner isn’t waiting. An additional week of mandated shutdown means another week of struggling to stay afloat for many non-essential businesses. That’s why Rebecca Shipley at Olathe Home Decor opened her store’s doors on Monday. (Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF)

This Johnson County city may require everyone to wear masks inside public places

info2020-05-06T09:03:35-05:00May 6th, 2020|

As businesses prepare to reopen, the Prairie Village City Council is considering requiring everyone to wear facial coverings inside public spaces. At a meeting Monday night, Councilwoman Jori Nelson asked staff to draft an ordinance that would require people to wear masks inside businesses and indoor facilities. After a 90-minute debate, the City Council voted 11-1 to move forward. At its next meeting on May 18, the council will likely vote on an ordinance. “One of our primary responsibilities is protecting our residents and our businesses,” said Councilwoman Piper Reimer, who is a registered nurse. “It’s clear that one of the [...]

GCCC to Distribute Over $640,000 in CARES Act Funds to Students

info2020-05-06T09:03:46-05:00May 6th, 2020|

Garden City Community College will distribute $641,003 in federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to qualifying students in order to alleviate financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The disbursement from the U.S. Department of Education is intended to reach as many students as possible and assist with expenses related to the pandemic and disruption of classes this semester. Eligible students are not required to complete any application or paperwork to receive CARES Act funding and will be identified by the institution automatically if they have filed a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student (FAFSA) and [...]

Prairie Village, Roeland Park will not open municipal pools for 2020 season

info2020-05-06T09:04:00-05:00May 6th, 2020|

Saying public health considerations, logistical hurdles and staff certification concerns would make operations difficult if not impossible under COVID-19 restrictions, the city councils of Prairie Village and Roeland Park on Monday voted to cancel their 2020 municipal pool seasons. Administrative staff from both cities made the recommendation to close the pools for the year after working through the statewide phased reopening guidelines released by Gov. Laura Kelly’s office last week. (Read more: Prairie Village Post)