Topekans can get help covering basic needs through city program

Topekans struggling to pay housing bills during the pandemic can schedule an appointment with the city to help cover some costs. Operation COVID-19 Basic Needs Assistance program is a $1.5 million CARES Act fund to help Topekans cover the cost of rent, mortgage payments or utility bills. The 45-minute to hour-long appointments can be scheduled by calling (785) 233-1365, or by walking in and scheduling the next available time. “The City of Topeka knows how much our neighbors are struggling during these difficult times,” said City Manager Brent Trout in a Monday press release. “The Operation COVID-19 Basic Needs Assistance program is designed to keep our neighbors housed and with their utilities on so they can focus on other needs this year.”
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Ranson Financial2020-11-24T07:49:19-06:00November 24, 2020|News|

Experts say jails can be superspreaders. The Shawnee County Jail is trying to prevent that.

Jails weren’t designed for a pandemic. Experts say a lack of airflow, overpopulation and bunk beds make jails the “perfect setting” for the coronavirus to spread. “It’s not a secret at all to know … that COVID is a huge challenge,” said Brian Cole, director of the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. “Not just in Shawnee County, but across the United States when it comes to COVID.” COVID-19 cases are up across the country and have been increasing exponentially in Shawnee County, with 1,027 cases reported between Nov. 8-14.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Ranson Financial2020-11-24T07:50:05-06:00November 24, 2020|News|

Butler County Courthouse closed due to COVID

Those headed to the Butler County Historic Courthouse Monday to do business found a locked door — the building was closed to the public. “Many Departments within the Courthouse cannot serve our public at the level our public expects and we have made the decision to close the Historic Courthouse to the public through the Thanksgiving Holiday,” said Will Johnson, county administrator. “The closure will give our employees who are currently off work time to finish their quarantines and those currently experiencing any illnesses time to get healthy so they may return to work.” Beginning Monday the Butler County Historic Courthouse was restricted from public access — and will remain that way through the Thanksgiving holiday. The county intends to reopen the buildng to the public on Nov. 3.
Source: andoveramerican.com

Ranson Financial2020-11-24T07:50:24-06:00November 24, 2020|News|

Gov. Kelly Requests Extension Of Federal Authority Enabling Use Of State National Guard For COVID Response Efforts

Governor Kelly announced Monday that she sent a letter to President Trump, requesting that he approve an extension of Title 32–which allows the state to continue using the Kansas National Guard to help combat the spread of COVID-19. Title 32 allows governors to mobilize the national guard in their state so that it can respond to natural disasters and other emergencies. Kelly said that by authorizing utilization of the Kansas National Guard pending President Trump’s approval, the extension will enable Kansas to maintain community-based testing and continue to distribute critical medical supplies; which would ensure that Kansas can remain open.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2020-11-24T07:50:55-06:00November 24, 2020|News|

Parsons firefighters train with new tool

Parsons firefighters recently received an addition to their current “Jaws of Life” vehicle extrication equipment arsenal and are training on its capabilities and what it can do in the field. Firefighters will be at Parsons Auto Parts on 24000 Road east of Parsons for the next few days working on stabilizing and lifting vehicles that have been involved in auto accidents. Jordan Stice of Parsons Auto Parts donated the vehicles and space for the training. “It is part of our civil duty to have our local firefighters be able to train on their equipment in a non-emergency setting before the real thing happens and our citizens need them,” Stice said.
Source: Parsons Sun

Ranson Financial2020-11-24T07:52:18-06:00November 24, 2020|News|

Topeka’s St. Francis critical care capacity at 111%

St. Francis Campus hospital’s critical care capacity is at 111%, and Stormont Vail is considering sending patients to other hospitals. “This is a very fluid situation and can change minute by minute,” said CEO of Stormont Vail Robert Kenagy in a Monday email. “We may come off of this status throughout the day, but then may return to it as patient acuity changes and our staffing changes.” In the email, Stormont Vail is asking anyone qualified to apply so the hospital can address its staffing needs. Kenagy said the 103 COVID-19 patients is stretching staff thin.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Ranson Financial2020-11-24T07:52:50-06:00November 24, 2020|News|

Montezuma museum display features prairie towns

A special photographic exhibit is on display at the Stauth Museum in Montezuma until Saturday, Nov. 28. “Considering the Commonplace: Prairie Towns Through the Lens of Bob Regier” is organized around eight themes: elegance, entrances, light and shadow, locomotion, sacred space, sentinels, signs and lines, windows and walls. This exhibit features digital photographs by Kansas artist Bob Regier, Bethel College professor emeritus of art and Kauffman Museum senior design consultant. For twenty years, the artist/teacher of North Newton, KS, traveled the main streets and backroads of Kansas with his wife, Vernette, and friends, Keith and Aldine Sprunger.
Source: News – Butler County Times Gazette

Ranson Financial2020-11-24T07:53:52-06:00November 24, 2020|News|

Arkansas City announces ‘Crushing COVID’ partnership

Arkansas City is joining other partners in Cowley County in a public health awareness campaign, “Crushing COVID in Cowley County.” It is a joint collaboration of the cities of Arkansas City and Winfield, the City-Cowley County Health Department, the Community Health Center in Cowley County, Cowley County, Cowley County Emergency Communications, Cowley County Emergency Management, Cowley First, Legacy Foundation, RISE Cowley, South Central Kansas Medical Center, Southwestern College, USD 465, USD 470, William Newton Hospital, and the Winfield and Arkansas City area chambers of commerce. “The central theme of ‘Crushing COVID’ is that it is ‘Up to You,'” said Mayor Karen Welch. “We cannot do this as government alone. We need each and every Arkansas City resident to voluntarily do what they can to slow the spread of COVID. Only together can we keep our teachers healthy and put our kids back in school classrooms, keep our businesses open, and prevent our local and regional hospitals from overflowing, not to mention protect our vulnerable neighbors from severe disease or even death.”
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2020-11-24T07:54:13-06:00November 24, 2020|News|

Gardner city’s toilets to be touchless

All city buildings in Gardner will have touchless toilets and lavatories, after the Gardner City Council approved an additional $6,100 at their Nov. 16 council meeting. At the Nov. 2, 2020, regular council meeting, $42,985 plus a ten percent contingency was approved for installation of touchless flush toilets and lavatories and was approved by Johnson County for reimbursement through CARES funding. The agreement was for the conversion of manual lavatory fixtures to touchless fixtures utilizing automatic eye technology, and included the removal and replacement of 29 stool flush valves and spuds, five urinal flush valves and spuds, and 34 lavatory faucets.
Source: Gardner News

Ranson Financial2020-11-24T07:48:50-06:00November 24, 2020|News|

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Three New Openings in Program to Revitalize Downtown Corridors, Strengthen Economic Development

Governor Laura Kelly today announced the Kansas Main Street program will be accepting applications for up to three new communities in the state interested in joining. The Main Street program – designed to develop and strengthen downtown corridors – has been a proven success for rural communities throughout the state…. Communities wishing to submit applications will be required to first attend an application workshop, scheduled for 2 p.m., Thursday, December 10. This virtual workshop will explain the Main Street Approach, and the process for successfully completing the application. To register for this workshop, visit this link. Applications must be submitted no later than January 29, 2021, and new communities selected as part of a competitive process will be announced in mid-February.
Source: KDOC.

Ranson Financial2020-11-24T07:56:55-06:00November 23, 2020|News|