Kansas lawmakers pass a bill to allow exemptions to vaccine mandates, and the governor will sign it

Republicans in the Kansas Legislature used a one-day special session to pass legislation aimed at circumventing Democratic President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The bill approved late Monday is now headed to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who promised to sign it in a one-sentence statement. The bill makes it easier for Kansans who object to getting the vaccine to claim exemptions from employers covered by the mandates as well as those that implemented their own requirements. The measure also establishes a process for imposing large fines against Kansas employers who deny exemptions. In addition, it makes people who are fired or quit over vaccine requirements eligible for unemployment payments. That drew an objection from a large business advocacy group.
Source: KCUR News

Ranson Financial2021-11-23T01:22:25-06:00November 23, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for November 19, 2021

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.

Ranson Financial2021-11-22T07:03:17-06:00November 22, 2021|News|

Lyon County prepares for possible opioid settlement

Is a big settlement coming with drug companies, the way there once was with tobacco companies? If there is, Lyon County Commissioners want to be part of it. They voted Thursday to sign a Settlement Participation Form, in a class-action lawsuit involving what some consider the national opioid epidemic. “We don’t really have any cases in Lyon County,” Commissioner Scott Briggs said after the meeting. “It left us available for money… The money would go for addiction centers within the county.” That assumes a settlement with “Big Pharma” occurs. Kansas was part of a 21-state agreement on a proposed settlement in July, but it’s not final yet.
Source: Emporia Gazette

Ranson Financial2021-11-22T06:56:32-06:00November 21, 2021|News|

Gardner city council continues downtown snow removal debate

A survey on downtown snow shoveling garnered a low response, Amy Nasta, deputy city manager, said the city had only received eight responses from the November 3 snow removal survey, and 50 percent wanted to keep the 48 hour time frame in place because of the timing of storms happening outside business hours throughout the winter season. 75 percent had not made snow removal arrangements, she said. Traditionally Gardner has kept downtown walkways clear to facilitate pedestrian traffic, but in 2016 a sidewalk ordinance was passed requiring all properties keep walkways clear. However, the city has continued to clear snow until this year when the Gardner Chamber of Commerce notified members Gardner would no longer clear the area.
Source: Gardner News

Ranson Financial2021-11-21T23:37:48-06:00November 21, 2021|News|

City of Lyons hit with nearly a dozen water main breaks

Crews in a central Kansas town are working to repair several water mains after 11 of them broke this week. Lyons City Administrator Chad Buckley said Friday morning that the breaks appeared over a period of several hours earlier this week, but they likely happened all at once. He said there was a problem with a well that caused a “water hammer,” which sent reverberations throughout the water system and broke the mains. The city has so far been unable to maintain water pressure to customers. A boil water order is in effect, and Buckley said the city will soon start testing the water for contaminants.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-11-22T06:58:35-06:00November 21, 2021|News|

Federal grant money has new sirens wailing in Winfield

The USDA invested over $800,000 in rural community infrastructure across 11 Kansas communities. The city of Winfield was one of the beneficiaries of USDA’s investment, receiving just over $125,000. They are using the grant money to buy two new ambulances. Of the five vehicles in their fleet, two were no longer serviceable. This money changed that. There was an electronic wheezing sound coming from the new ambulance when EMS manager Brad Klein shut the back door. When asked to explain, he said that was part of the design. “That’s part of the hydraulic, those hydraulic springs, so liquid springs what they call them. So when we open those back doors, that truck senses those back doors are open, and it will lower to a certain height,” said Klein.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-11-21T23:30:48-06:00November 21, 2021|News|

Appeal has been filed in proposed City of Golden case

An appeal has been filed concerning the proposed city of Golden in northern Miami County. The County Commission voted 3-1 against incorporation of Golden at its Oct. 13 meeting. At their meeting Wednesday, Oct. 27, commissioners voted to approve a resolution adopting the order denying incorporation of the proposed city. Jennifer Williams, who filed a petition April 9 to incorporate about 9 square miles north of Hillsdale Lake into a city to block the march of intermodal warehouses into Miami County, is named as one of the plaintiffs in the case along with Golden supporter Charlie Koch. Williams said the appeal was filed Friday, Nov. 12, by attorney Doug Patterson with The Property Law Firm in Overland Park.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com

Ranson Financial2021-11-22T06:59:50-06:00November 21, 2021|News|

An Indiana city has the most roundabouts in the country. They’ve saved lives and reduced injuries from crashes — and lowered carbon emissions.

It’s getting harder and harder to run a stoplight here, because there are fewer and fewer of them around. Every year, at intersections throughout this thriving city, traffic lights and stop signs have disappeared, replaced with roundabouts. Lots and lots of roundabouts. There is a roundabout decorated with the local high school mascot, a greyhound and another with giant steel flowers. A three-mile stretch of Carmel’s Main Street has 11 roundabouts alone. The roundabout that locals perhaps prize the most features box hedges and a three-tier bronze fountain made in France. In 2016, it was named “International Roundabout of the Year” by no less than the U.K. Roundabout Appreciation Society, which, according to the Carmel mayor, Jim Brainard, is largely made up of “three guys in a pub.” (Their actual membership is six. But, still.)
Source: NYT Science

Ranson Financial2021-11-22T07:01:41-06:00November 21, 2021|News|

Shawnee County Health Department recognizes local district for pandemic response

As American Education Week comes to an end, the Shawnee County Health Department paid a visit to a local elementary school, ringing vaccines and celebrating the achievements of educators county-wide. Friday morning, Meadows Elementary School took advantage of the late start school hours, hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for those 5-11 years old. The Health Department has been making its way around to different school districts over the last week, thanking those who have worked with the department over the last year and a half. Friday morning, they presented USD 501 school board members with a banner signed by the Health Department, thanking them for their support and dedication to student safety.
Source: KSNT News

Ranson Financial2021-11-21T23:26:15-06:00November 21, 2021|News|

Kansas law enforcement officers learn jiu-jutsu to help minimize injuries in arrests

Law enforcement officers from 12 agencies across Kansas completed a one-week certification program to become jiu-jitsu instructors at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. A total of 27 officers were enrolled in the intensive Gracie University jiu-jitsu instructor certification program. “Our mission is to train and equip Kansas law enforcement officers with quality resources to handle potentially dangerous situations minimizing the risk of injury to anyone involved,” said KLETC Executive Director Darin Beck.
Source: KSNT News

Ranson Financial2021-11-22T07:02:04-06:00November 21, 2021|News|