Reno County limits mass gatherings after spike in COVID-19 cases

The Reno County Health Department issued its first COVID-19 emergency public health order since March, prohibiting mass gatherings of 100 or more people after a big spike in new cases. “It’s crazy. Like, I thought Hutch, well, it’s pretty small. You know what I’m saying, I didn’t think we’d have to do this again,” said Stephfon Hunter, a Hutchinson resident. Since October 4th, Reno County’s 14-day positive test rate jumped from 14.7% to 17.3%.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2020-10-15T07:33:27-05:00October 15, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for October 13, 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 Financial2020-10-14T06:39:26-05:00October 14, 2020|News|

Lawrence City Commission moves forward with draft strategic plan that will guide city budget decisions

City leaders are moving forward with a draft of the strategic plan that will guide budget decisions for the next two years, and more detailed discussions about how to accomplish the plan’s goals are forthcoming. As part of its work session Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission discussed key pieces of the strategic plan, which will update a plan created by the last commission in 2017. City officials said the plan would play an important role in the city’s budget process and prioritization of the city’s funding. “This is not meant to be a nice, pretty plan that we adopt and sit on the shelf,” Budget and Strategic Initiatives Administrator Danielle Buschkoetter said. “This is really intended to be the plan that really drives our day-to-day work, and everything that we do should be able to be tied back to the strategic plan.”
Source: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2020-10-14T06:36:32-05:00October 14, 2020|News|

Overland Park ranks among top 50 cities for millennials

Millennials represent the largest segment of the U.S. workforce, and as these young professionals assess where they might want to build a career and a life away from the office, a number of factors can shape their decisions. If you’re one of those young workers already living and working in Overland Park, this report says you’re in one of the top 50 cities for millennials. If you’re perhaps looking to take your talents to a new city, this research might help you find one that’s best for you. … Among the factors considered in the ranking are local public schools, crime, housing, nightlife, diversity, jobs, weather, cost of living, outdoor activities and commuting.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal – The Business Journals

Ranson Financial2020-10-14T06:29:18-05:00October 13, 2020|News|

Reno County imposes new gathering restrictions due to COVID-19

Reno County officials agreed Tuesday to allow the re-imposition of a mass gathering limit within the county of a maximum of 100 people, based on a recommendation by local health officials. The Reno County Commission didn’t vote on the gathering limit – which includes multiple exceptions – but allowed an order proposed by Interim County Health Officer Karen Hammersmith to be stand. There was no discussion on Tuesday of implementing a local mask ordinance that is criminally enforceable, though various officials – from the hospital to clinics to schools superintendent to county commissioners – all pleaded with the public to wear them.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News

Ranson Financial2020-10-14T06:29:45-05:00October 13, 2020|News|

Newton to move high school online; Hutchinson to welcome back some sports fans

Newton Public Schools will move into an orange zone in its gating criteria next week, meaning students in seventh through 12th grade will move to remote learning and sports can continue, but now without fans. Limited fans will still be allowed at home games this week. The move is due to the increased spread of COVID-19 in the community, according to school officials. Pre-kindergarten through sixth grade will go from on-site to hybrid next week.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2020-10-14T06:30:13-05:00October 13, 2020|News|

More than 80% of Kansas counties now reporting COVID-19 case rates in the red zone

More Kansas counties had so many new cases of COVID-19 over the past two weeks that they moved into the red zone of one key state benchmark for closing schools during the coronavirus pandemic. A map from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment showed 88 of 105 counties in the red zone of the incidence rate as of Monday. That’s 13 more counties than last week and 23 more than two weeks ago. The measurement compares the number of new cases of COVID-19 over two weeks with the population, expressed as the rate of new cases per 100,000 people. It is one of five school reopening indicators established by the Kansas State Department of Education. The KDHE releases information by county for three of the five indicators.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2020-10-14T06:30:20-05:00October 13, 2020|News|

JoCo residents financially impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for free skills training at JCCC

Johnson County residents and businesses who’ve been financially impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for free workplace skills training at Johnson County Community College’s Continuing Education branch. The federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is funding the program, which seeks to provide training and skill building for those who may have experienced job loss, cut wages or reduced revenue due to the pandemic. Those interested should be committed to completing their short-term training program by December 30, 2020. “From training in computer software, to business leadership, to the trades, these courses provide individuals with the opportunity to learn new skills and build on those they already use in the workplace,” said Elisa Waldman, Dean of Continuing Education at Johnson County Community College.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2020-10-14T06:30:27-05:00October 13, 2020|News|

Governor Kelly updates testing strategies in Kansas

Kansas is planning to spend $53 million to expand coronavirus testing. The federal coronavirus funding was allocated by the Kansas SPARK Task Force to be used for testing in the state. Communities can submit proposals to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment on why they need the extra money for testing. That money can be used for testing supplies, additional staff among other necessities that expand testing in the community. “We’re now that much closer to getting these funds out the door and into the communities and facilities that need them the most,” said Governor Laura Kelly. The recipients of the funds will be announced sometime in the next couple of weeks. The money will then be sent to those communities as soon as possible, according to the Governor.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2020-10-14T06:30:38-05:00October 13, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County puts up $1.9 million to support local workforce hurt by Covid-19

The Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners last week voted to distribute roughly $1.9 million that will go toward helping Wichita’s workforce negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Most of the funds will go toward upskilling laid off workers and those most at risk of being laid off. Commissioners approved funding agreements with WSU Tech, the Workforce Alliance of South Central Kanas and Friends University.
Source: Wichita Business Journal

Ranson Financial2020-10-14T06:31:07-05:00October 13, 2020|News|