Kansas schools now allowed to petition state for flexibility from key mandate

Schools will have more flexibility in opting out of a key mandate requiring them teach a certain number of hours per year under a proposal approved by the State Board of Education Tuesday. Under state statute, districts must offer at least 1,116 of instruction per year for most students, a measure designed to ensure uniform levels of schooling across the state. But the state elected in March to give districts the option of waiving the attendance requirements for schools, with many forced to cancel classes or offer online instruction in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. State education commissioner Randy Watson said that most schools across the state are back offering in-person instruction, although some of the larger districts are still offering online or remote instruction.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Ranson Financial2020-12-09T08:04:37-06:00December 9, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for December 8, 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.

Ranson Financial2020-12-09T08:01:58-06:00December 9, 2020|News|

Cox giving internet access to nearly 600 Kansas homes in broadband expansion project

Cox Communications is giving nearly six hundred homes across Kansas internet access. Representatives for Cox made the announcement in a meeting with the state’s Special Committee on Economic Recovery on Tuesday. “We know that this is a difficult time for all Kansans, and hopefully by connecting everyone together, and providing more connectivity, we can make things just a little easier,” said Megan Bottenberg, Cox Communications Manager of Kansas Government Affairs. During the meeting, Bottenberg spoke about the impact lack of broadband access has had on families across the state. The average population without broadband access is 15%. Rural areas are struggling with getting internet access the most, but low-income families in urban areas are also affected, 5% of the population in urban areas in Kansas are without options, versus 4% nationally.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2020-12-09T08:06:59-06:00December 9, 2020|News|

Community recreation center construction nearing completion in Manhattan

The series of recreation buildings being built in Manhattan are almost complete. Collaborations have been made with Douglass, Anthony, and Eisenhower middle schools to build recreation centers that are open to both the middle school students and the residents of Manhattan. Wyatt Thompson, Manhattan Parks and Recreation Assistant Director, says all three projects are moving right along. He adds that the Douglass Center is starting to feel complete. They installed the basketball goals last week,” Thompson says. “So when you walk in, it looks different with paint on the walls and the goals there. You can really now tell that it is indeed, going to be a rec center and that gymnasium space just really changed when they put the goal up.”
Source: 1350 KMAN

Ranson Financial2020-12-09T07:54:31-06:00December 8, 2020|News|

KDHE announces clarifications on new COVID quarantine periods

After receiving further clarification from CDC on the shortened quarantine periods, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is issuing more information concerning the shortened quarantine periods counties may opt in to. The clarifications are regarding the date quarantine periods may end. For the 7-day period with a test, the quarantine period will end after the full seven days, on Day 8. For the 10-day period without a test, the quarantine period will end after the full 10 days, on Day 11. Individuals should check with their local health departments regarding the quarantine recommendations specific to their county.
Source: Atchison Globe Now

Ranson Financial2020-12-09T07:55:30-06:00December 8, 2020|News|

Butler County reopens historic courthouse building

Butler County has reopened its Historic Courthouse building after closing it to public access for two weeks. The building was closed November 23rd because of a number of COVID-19 illnesses and staff shortages resulting from close contact quarantines of employees. The building reopened Monday morning and visitors are asked to continue to wear masks and follow social distancing. They are also urged to continue good hygiene practices with hand washing or the use of hand sanitizer. Butler County Commission meetings will now be open to the public, but the meetings are still available by livestream through the county’s web site.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2020-12-09T07:55:52-06:00December 8, 2020|News|

Kansas ambulance agencies slammed by COVID-19 suffer staff shortages, heavy patient load

In the words of a Kansas ambulance service director, surging demand from COVID-19 patients and a shortage of EMS personnel to handle calls “is about to get critical.” Another responding to a statewide EMS survey said this of the pandemic in Kansas: “Very concerned if there are serious trauma events or patients with critical time-sensitive illness, there will be no options for these patients to receive critically needed care.” And, one more piece of insight: “I am concerned that we will be in situations very soon where we will not be able to find a receiving hospital for our patients.”
Source: Kansas Reflector

Ranson Financial2020-12-09T07:59:45-06:00December 8, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County commissioners receive an update on COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution

Sedgwick County commissioners on Tuesday were updated on plans for COVID-19 testing and vaccines. The commissioners were informed the Edgemoor drive-thru testing will be demobilized by Dec. 31. Instead, a new site will open later this month at 21st and Ridge at the Sedgwick County Extension Office. The new site will be in the 4-H hall where there will be a mix of appointment and walkup sampling opportunities. More details will be released soon. Commissioners were also informed that Well Health, an ancillary by the Kansas Department of Health, will be opening four collection sites in the county on Dec. 10. The capacity for tests can reach 2,000 a day through appointments, walkup, and drive-thru. The testing will be saliva and a PCR test. Most results will be released within 48 to 96 hours by a patient portal. For more information, go to gogettested.com/kansas.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2020-12-09T07:58:17-06:00December 8, 2020|News|

Ottawa County Municipal Court will end all in-person appearances

The Ottawa Municipal Court will cease in-person appearances effective immediately until February 3, 2021. The move was made due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement released by the court on Tuesday, Dec. 8, the court said it will continue to resolve cases during this time by phone or mail. As to outstanding warrants, the court gives discretion to all law enforcement officers that they may execute the warrant and have the person taken into custody, or in the alternative, may obtain from the individual their current address and phone number, provide that information to court staff, and court staff will notify the court, have the warrant withdrawn, and send the individual a notice to appear for a date after February 3, 2021.
Source: KSNT News

Ranson Financial2020-12-09T07:58:29-06:00December 8, 2020|News|

Topeka City Council to consider adding additional sales tax to Downtown Ramada

The Topeka City Council will hear a proposal Tuesday night to turn the Downtown Ramada Hotel into a Community Improvement District. This would add an additional two percent sales tax to the hotel. According to city documents, the hotel is looking at starting $4 million worth of improvements. These include things like replacing windows, improving parking lots, replacing sprinkler systems and upgrading elevator controls. The plans also include converting 50 hotel rooms into apartments. City Manager Brent Trout said the hotel’s owners will having their own financing for the project. The sales tax funds would help offset that cost as the money comes in.
Source: KSNT News

Ranson Financial2020-12-09T07:58:44-06:00December 8, 2020|News|