News – Page 1769 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Derby making budget adjustments amidst pandemic

info2020-05-04T08:50:06-05:00May 3rd, 2020|

Given the specifics of the current situation, the first measures taken by the city of Derby staff to address COVID-19 focused on safety and security. After addressing the immediate needs, though, attention soon turned to finances – with city staff reporting on the current budget situation to the Derby City Council at its April 28 meeting. Derby has a history of being conservative, City Manager Kathy Sexton noted, so it remains in a good financial position even as staff are projecting a $1.6 million revenue shortfall (on an annual budget typically around $40 million) due to the coronavirus. (Read more: Derby [...]

Lyon County adds provisions, restrictions to statewide reopening plan

info2020-05-04T08:50:17-05:00May 3rd, 2020|

Lyon County Public Health announced the addition of several provisions and restrictions to the local implementation of a statewide reopening plan Friday. "We spent the day talking with partners about what this looks like for our community, and what this looks like in our own community," Emergency Manager Jarrod Fell said. "We encourage everyone to follow the state plan — that is the foundation moving forward — however, we do have some added restrictions in our public health order dated May 1, 2020." In addition, all dine-in services at restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food are prohibited. Food [...]

Johnson County leaders debating when, how to safely reopen businesses

info2020-05-04T08:50:26-05:00May 3rd, 2020|

Johnson County is debating when and how it will reopen. With declining new positive COVID-19 test results and fewer hospitalizations, some county leaders think reopening should go on as scheduled May 4. “The goal was to prevent the surge. We’ve accomplished the task. There is hospital capacity should there be a dust up of this again,” Johnson County Commissioner Mike Brown said. But one of the county’s top doctors insists with neighboring areas like Kansas City, Missouri, holding off on reopening a few extra days, reopening across the state line too soon could lead to a wave of new cases, possibly [...]

Edgerton, Gardner cities tentatively plan reopening in May

info2020-05-04T08:52:12-05:00May 3rd, 2020|

Currently the COVID-19 statewide quarantine is scheduled to be lifted May 3, unless Governor Kelly extends it. Due to the March 17 “stay at home” order, only businesses deemed essential have remained open, with others struggling to adapt to a flailing economy. School buildings have been closed, and classroom education has been replaced with virtual meetings and lessons. Locally Johnson County government has furloughed more than 250 employees, and Olathe and Overland Park have announced layoffs. At this point, neither Edgerton or Gardner has furloughed employees, although Edgerton has postponed filling existing vacancies. (Read more: Gardner News)

Jackson County reopening strategy mirrors governor’s plan

info2020-05-04T08:53:03-05:00May 3rd, 2020|

Jackson County's plan for reopening its economy closely mirrors the plan issued on Thursday by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly for the state. But the county plan, issued on Friday by Jackson Health Officer Angela Reith, adds two specifics for businesses that serve "prepared food or drink," including restaurants, bars and convenience stores. The state plan allows for most businesses to reopen on Monday, May 4 - when Gov. Kelly's statewide "stay at home" order expires - following guidance by the state of Kansas, with businesses prohibited from opening listed in the state's guidance document. (Read more: Holton Recorder)

Roeland Park residents start petition to get additional protections for essential store workers

info2020-05-04T08:53:26-05:00May 3rd, 2020|

A group of Roeland Park residents — who say they are frustrated with limited response from city, county and state leaders — have started a petition to secure protections for grocery store and big box store workers during the coronavirus pandemic. These residents decided to fight for essential worker protections after members of a Roeland Park neighborhood group on Facebook began sharing reports of conditions at essential stores, group member and resident Stephanie Iser said. Iser said while the group has noticed condition improvements since initially reaching out to city, county and state leaders, the lack of a protective order from the county [...]

Essential employees keep city services running smoothly in Pratt

info2020-05-04T08:53:36-05:00May 3rd, 2020|

Even with COVID-19 restrictions in place, Pratt city employees are continuing to provide all essential services Pratt City Manager Bruce Pinkall assured Pratt City commissioners at their regular meeting Monday, April 20. The meeting was conducted via Zoom video conferencing session. “I’m very proud of how they’re working. They’re setting a good example,” Pinkall said. “Without them, things would come to a screeching halt.” Pinkall said that, despite playgrounds and restrooms being shut down, city parks were being used. (Read more: Pratt, KS - Pratt Tribune)

Arkansas City commission reviews opening plans

info2020-05-04T08:54:04-05:00May 3rd, 2020|

The Arkansas City Commission met in a special study session Friday to discuss Governor Laura Kelly’s four-phase plan and the city’s effort to return to normal operation. City Manager Nick Hernandez said that under Phase I, everything would continue much the same, with only a few changes. He said that some businesses will be allowed to reopen, but will have to comply with several restrictions. “Ten individuals or less in a group, six feet apart for restaurants, plus cleanliness and the ability to have face masks and hand sanitizer,” he said. (Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Neosho County cautious, urges residents to be responsibile

info2020-05-04T08:54:46-05:00May 3rd, 2020|

Neosho County Commissioners took steps Friday to lift restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Gov. Laura Kelly announced a three-phase plan Thursday to reopen the state economically, and Neosho commissioners followed Friday morning by rescinding a stricter county order and opening the Erie courthouse on Monday, May 4. The governor’s action also takes effect Monday and lifts statewide stay-at-home orders while keeping some restrictions in place until at least May 18. (Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

Mayors, the other first responders

info2020-05-04T08:56:45-05:00May 3rd, 2020|

Around here, some mayors have shown strong leadership while others have struggled. Topeka Mayor Michelle de la Isla won national recognition for her response. De la Isla assembled a rapid-response team that meets every morning to assess the latest developments, including one member whose entire focus is to combat false rumors, which mostly spread online. These include one baseless allegation that she was about to place the city under martial law. De la Isla’s task force also monitors supplies of medical equipment, state and national developments, and the latest figures on how the virus is impacting Topekans. (Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com)