News – Page 1823 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

First Sedgwick County presumptive-positive coronavirus patient is in home isolation

info2020-03-20T08:41:49-05:00March 20th, 2020|

The first presumptive-positive case of the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, has been confirmed in Sedgwick County. Officials said Thursday evening that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has confirmed the test results. “We knew that eventually we were going to have a positive case,” said Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Pete Meitzner. “... It has been a blessing that it has not happened earlier.” In a news release, county officials said the patient is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and is quarantined at home. The patient is a Wichita woman over the age of 60. (Read more: Local [...]

Johnson County removes exemption for weddings, funerals, religious activities on 10-person attendance limit

info2020-03-20T08:40:31-05:00March 20th, 2020|

As the number of Johnson County COVID-19 cases climbs, county officials have removed an exemption for weddings, funerals and religious activities from the attendance limit of up to ten people. Meanwhile the county’s top public health officer urged residents to limit their public exposure. “We recognize that it’s quite difficult for people to maintain,” said Dr. Joseph LeMaster, chief public health officer. “We’re hoping, praying that we will not have to go to more draconian measures such as sheltering in place.” “I will not promise you that we will not come back to you and make that sort of order even [...]

With ‘community transmission’ established in Johnson County, KDHE says it will allocate testing resources elsewhere

info2020-03-20T08:39:30-05:00March 20th, 2020|

With 11 presumptive positive cases as of Wednesday, Johnson County accounts for more than half of the COVID-19 infections in the state. And the fact that a number of those cases have been attributed to local transmission — that is, people who contracted the virus from someone in the county who already had it as opposed to during travel elsewhere — has prompted the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to limit the number of tests it will deploy here. In a series of new directives issues Wednesday, KDHE set guidelines for how the state will use the limited number of [...]

SEK counties teaming up to get grant funding

info2020-03-20T08:37:16-05:00March 20th, 2020|

Labette County is partnering with a neighboring county for a grant that could lead to healthy projects in their communities. Labette County is partnering with Montgomery County in applying for a Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways To A Healthy Kansas Community Grant. The $200,000 administrative grant would span four years with $50,000 being paid to the counties each year. The program has several healthy pathways to choose from and could incorporate everything from healthy foods in schools to building trails and recreational opportunities in the community. (Read more: KSNF/KODE – FourStatesHomepage.com)

City of Topeka closes all city buildings, including Topeka Zoo

info2020-03-20T08:36:58-05:00March 20th, 2020|

The City of Topeka closed all city buildings, including the Topeka Zoo, Thursday afternoon. In a statement, city leaders said their decision is in response to the Emergency Public Health Order issued by the Shawnee County Health Department Wednesday. The Topeka Zoo remained open to visitors until Thursday, but buildings were closed to guests. Zoo staff will continue to go to work and take care of animals during this time. Dr. Shirley Lizzo, the zoo veterinarian, said they are working hard to keep animals and staff healthy. (Read more: KSNT News)

Shawnee County commission meetings no longer open to public because of coronavirus

info2020-03-20T08:36:35-05:00March 20th, 2020|

Shawnee County officials are changing the way their meetings are held to help limit the spread of germs during the coronavirus pandemic. All department heads called in to Thursday morning’s county commission meeting at the courthouse unless they had a presentation to show in person. They did this to keep the number of people in the room limited and allow for 6 feet between each person. The public is no longer allowed at meetings and will have to address commissioners through letters. (Read more: KSNT News)

Topeka police limit public interaction amidst coronavirus concerns ‘until further notice’

info2020-03-20T08:36:05-05:00March 20th, 2020|

Police officers in the capital city won’t go to the scene of non-injury crashes during the coronavirus outbreak, and changed their interaction procedures at their headquarters, the Topeka Police Department said Thursday. Topeka police spokeswoman Gretchen Koenen has now asked the public to call 785-368-9551 to make non-emergency reports, including non-injury crashes. They will still allow public visits to the Law Enforcement Center, but visitors will make a report to officers behind the front desk glass in accordance with social distancing guidelines. (Read more: KSNT News)

Municipal Bond Trends for March 19, 2020

info2020-04-16T08:06:28-05:00March 20th, 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.

Jackson County resident tests positive for COVID-19

info2020-03-20T08:42:33-05:00March 20th, 2020|

A Jackson County resident has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Jackson County Health Department. This is the first confirmed case of the coronavirus in the county. Angie Reith, Jackson County Health Officer, said her office was notified last night (Wednesday) by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment that a county resident had tested positive for the virus. The individual is in isolation and following the recommendations of health officials. (Read more: Holton Recorder)

Congress considers requiring Fed to buy muni bonds for coronavirus fight

info2020-03-20T08:31:23-05:00March 19th, 2020|

Congress is considering authorizing the Federal Reserve to purchase municipal bonds as one of the ways to support local and state efforts to address the coronavirus pandemic. A memo circulated Wednesday by House Financial Service Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters, D-Calif., suggests that the next wave of federal legislation authorize the Fed to support state, territory, and local debt issuance in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The Waters memo also suggests a blanket waiver for state or local governments to provide a local contribution as a requirement for receiving certain federal grants. President Trump on Wednesday signed the second emergency bill to [...]