News – Page 1772 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Sedgwick County Election Commissioner shares contingency plan for this year’s election cycle

info2020-05-01T08:35:24-05:00April 30th, 2020|

Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman on Wednesday provided three goals for a contingency plan for this year’s election cycle — including protecting workers from the spread of COVID-19, protecting voters from being disenfranchised, and protecting the integrity of the election. When asked if the upcoming election can be switched to ‘all by mail’ — Lehman said, “The answer right now is Kansas law restricts any election that has a candidate on the ballot from being conducted solely by mail, so the answer is no.” Lehman explained they normally send out an advance mail flyer in September to encourage people to [...]

Covid-19 presenting recruitment challenges for PSU

info2020-05-01T08:35:37-05:00April 30th, 2020|

Covid-19 has brought some challenges for Pittsburg State when it comes to recruitment. Scott Donaldson, Director of Admission, PSU, said, “We’ve talked to kids constantly and the very first thing they tell us is that campus visit really sealed it for us.” While it may be too soon to say if enrollment numbers at Pittsburg State are down for the upcoming Fall semester, students not being able to tour campus is having an impact. “In fact, when we ask students, what’s the number one reason you chose to come to Pitt State or really any college, most of them will tell [...]

Local meat markets busy as ever during pandemic

info2020-05-01T08:35:50-05:00April 30th, 2020|

Many meat packing companies have closed across the United States due to the coronavirus and customers are noticing a resultant meat shortage in grocery stores. It’s all about farm to table these days. So, Coal Valley Marketplace is keeping its supply stocked, so residents can have meat at the dinner table. Dale Helwig, Cherokee County Ag & Natural Resources Extension Agent, said, “Last part of March, first part of April when the Coronavirus hit the packing plants and it slowed down production, prices have dropped about 20% in the livestock industry.” (Read more: KSNF/KODE – FourStatesHomepage.com)

Saving Main Street: Why State and Local Governments Are Vital for Its Survival

info2020-05-01T08:36:40-05:00April 30th, 2020|

The storefront signs read, “Closed.” Nobody is walking by on the sidewalks. And profits have plummeted or are nonexistent. This is the new norm for Main Street businesses in the era of Covid-19. Since the first stay-at-home orders went into effect, independent small businesses have borne the brunt of the economic hardship brought on by the pandemic. The nearly 31 million small businesses in the United States are the backbone of the U.S. economy. They make up approximately 44% of economic activity, create almost two-thirds of new jobs and employ almost half of the U.S. workforce, according to the Small Business [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for April 29, 2020

info2020-04-30T09:11:22-05:00April 30th, 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.

Riley County Clerk encourages voting by mail, sees a decrease in poll worker numbers

info2020-04-30T08:36:37-05:00April 29th, 2020|

Riley County will still hold in-person polling this election season, but officials encourage residents to vote by mail in anticipation of congestion. Riley County Clerk Rich Vargo says he has no authority to run the 2020 primary and general elections entirely by mail amid public gathering concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the State of Kansas has not made any exceptions to the laws requiring them to open polling places. Even so, Vargo says the county will be “proactive” in sending out personalized vote by mail applications to all registered voters to encourage them to participate in the upcoming [...]

Tyson remains largest cluster for COVID-19 in Lyon County

info2020-04-30T08:36:46-05:00April 29th, 2020|

Emporia’s Tyson facility continues to remain a focal point of the local outbreak of COVID-19 according to the latest cluster data released by Lyon County Public Health Tuesday evening. Of the 215 local reported cases, there are 95 cases associated with the meat packing plant. Six of those cases are listed as recovered. “We have been, and continue to, follow CDC guidelines throughout this situation,” Tyson Communications Manager Liz Croston said in an email. “We are working closely with our local health officials.” (Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Marion Historical Museum director remembered for enthusiasm, caring

info2020-04-30T08:40:27-05:00April 29th, 2020|

Teresa Mills, who died Saturday, didn’t necessarily match what the board of Marion Historical Museum was looking for when choosing a new director two years ago. The board was hoping for someone from the community who had a few computer skills and grant writing experience. Mills was a registered nurse from Washington State who answered a newspaper ad for what she thought would be an interesting job. (Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Johnson County hair salons, gyms, shops, restaurants might open as early as next week

info2020-04-30T08:40:54-05:00April 29th, 2020|

Worried about reopening businesses ahead of neighboring counties, a Johnson County health official on Wednesday recommended extending the coronavirus stay-at-home order another week, through May 10. After that, the county could begin a phased reopening of the economy, starting with hair salons, gyms, shops and restaurants — with social distancing restrictions. The Johnson County Board of Commissioners is expected to vote later this week on the order extension as well as a four-phase reopening plan recommended by a task force studying how the county should emerge from coronavirus shutdowns. (Read more: Joco 913 News)

Hutchinson extends suspension of utility disconnections to June 1

info2020-04-30T08:52:53-05:00April 29th, 2020|

Disconnections for city utilities have been suspended since late March due to the coronavirus. That suspension was set to expire on May 15, but the city announced this week it is extending that grace period to June 1. Those who prefer paying with a check can use the drop box on the west side of City Hall, 125 East Ave. B, or mail their payment to the same address. There has been an understandable spike in delinquent accounts, but the city hopes that residents will communicate with them to work out a payment plan before falling too far behind. To apply [...]