News – Page 1779 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Leavenworth County discusses next steps for COVID-19 response

info2020-04-24T08:49:44-05:00April 23rd, 2020|

When they met Wednesday, Leavenworth County commissioners were briefed on a process that will be followed as county officials look to begin lifting or modifying restrictions related to the coronavirus. County Administrator Mark Loughry said there will be a slow reopening. But before that can begin, there needs to be adequate testing for the coronavirus. There also needs to be 14 days of a decline in new cases, he said. “I believe our numbers are starting to trend down,” Loughry said. (Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Lenexa cancels 39th Great Lenexa BBQ Battle, citing health concerns during COVID-19 pandemic

info2020-04-24T08:52:03-05:00April 23rd, 2020|

Lenexa this week decided to cancel the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle due to health and safety concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally planned for June 26-27 at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, the event attracts thousands of barbecue enthusiasts with more than 185 pitmasters, chefs and teams from the region, as well as more than 250 volunteers. “Unfortunately, we’ve reached the determination that it is necessary at this time to cancel the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle,” said City Manager Beccy Yocham to the city council Tuesday evening. “With so many of the decisions that we make, there’s no way to know what the [...]

With many unknowns still lingering, Johnson County task force begins difficult process of sketching out reopening plans

info2020-04-24T09:16:10-05:00April 23rd, 2020|

The Johnson County COVID-19 Recovery Planning Task Force on Wednesday took the first steps toward developing an outline for a phased reopening of parts of the local economy, though county leaders noted that much uncertainty lingered about when and how stay-at-home orders impacting the county could safely be lifted. The 14-member group, which includes representatives from the health care sector, the business community, city government, law enforcement and public health officials, convened for the first time via a Zoom meeting. The group discussed the state of community spread, what containment strategies will need to be in place for the economy to [...]

Governor signs two Executive Orders as part of her administration’s ongoing COVID-19 response

info2020-04-24T09:18:51-05:00April 23rd, 2020|

Governor Laura Kelly signed two executive orders to help the state’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic Wednesday. Executive Order No. 20-26 temporarily waives physician supervision or collaboration requirements for certain medical licensees, including advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants and licensed practical nurses. ... Executive Order No. 20-27 allows the sale of alcoholic beverages for carryout consumption and permits the sale of liquor in a container that is not the original container for any establishment holding a class A club license, class B club license or drinking establishment license. “I understand how many Kansas restaurants rely on the sale of [...]

Louisburg council extends resolutions to aid local commerce

info2020-04-24T09:19:26-05:00April 23rd, 2020|

The Louisburg City Council has unanimously approved extending temporary moratoriums to assist the city in managing the stay-at-home orders issued by federal, state and local authorities in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and to ease the burden on local commerce affected by the coronavirus. During a meeting broadcast on Zoom to maintain social distancing on Monday, April 20, council members extended the temporary moratorium on granting permits for solicitors, canvassers and peddlers (including food trucks) to temporarily prevent these activities and services from taking place inside the city limits. The council also extended temporary moratorium on the restrictions for temporary [...]

Olathe plans 2-week furloughs for nearly all city employees to supplement budget deficit

info2020-04-24T09:20:36-05:00April 23rd, 2020|

The city of Olathe is planning widespread two-week furloughs for hundreds of employees over the next few months. It’s the same move other metro governments across the metro face with tax revenues falling. About half of Olathe’s revenue comes from sales tax. With restaurants, shopping centers and hotels closed, Olathe is looking at an $18 million deficit for 2020. The multi-million dollar question is: How does the city meet that financial challenge during this pandemic? (Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF)

Health officials open up more testing options in KCK as virus devastates Wyandotte County

info2020-04-24T09:20:46-05:00April 23rd, 2020|

Statistics show Wyandotte County is Kansas’ most vulnerable region to coronavirus’ relentless spread. Free walkup COVID-19 testing is being offered at the Wyandotte County Health Department office on Ann Avenue in KCK. Testing is available every weekday from 1-5 p.m. Health officials at that office told FOX4 they’re even welcoming clients who have no health insurance. Walk-up testing began on Monday morning, while drive-thru testing is still available as well. More testing options are meant to make testing available to more people. The virus’ spread is devastating in Wyandotte County, when compared to neighboring areas. (Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 [...]

Shawnee County releases five-tier reopening plan

info2020-04-24T09:23:16-05:00April 23rd, 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)

EPA awards $460K to Kansas schools to replace old diesel buses and reduce pollution

info2020-04-24T09:23:41-05:00April 23rd, 2020|

Several Kansas school districts, including six in the Wichita area, are receiving federal funding to replace aging buses. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced in a Thursday news release that 18 school districts in Kansas will get $460,000 to replace 24 older diesel school buses. The new buses will lower diesel emissions and reduce pollutants linked to health problems, such as asthma and lung damage, EPA officials said. “We believe protecting the health of our children and youth is one of our primary missions,” said Jim Gulliford, EPA Region 7 administrator, in a statement. “Removing old diesel-engines from our roads and [...]

In court filing, attorney says 1994 referendum shouldn’t give county ‘carte blanche’ on financing projects

info2020-04-24T09:33:35-05:00April 23rd, 2020|

An attorney for a local activist group is arguing that Douglas County’s use of a 1994 sales tax referendum to expand the county jail without a public vote would give the county the ability to debt-finance projects whenever it wants. William Skepnek, an attorney for Justice Matters, said in a court filing Tuesday that the county’s belief in that authority is “frankly fantastical.” Skepnek made the argument in his response to the county’s request to have the group’s lawsuit against the jail expansion dismissed. The county’s argument for dismissal is that the 1994 vote provides the county legal grounds to issue [...]