Johnson County health department updates school gating criteria

The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment has updated their school gating criteria after some districts opted out of following previous guidance, saying it was too strict. The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment will now include the incidence rate category, or the number of new COVID-19 cases added per 100,000 people over the prior two-week period, as well as the positive percentage rate in the county. The new guidance comes after several districts opted out of previous guidance to move students to in-person learning and allow extracurricular activities, like sporting events.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

Ranson Financial2020-10-02T07:18:09-05:00October 1, 2020|News|

Kansas has $73 million tax surplus; official still sees uncertainty

Kansas reported Thursday that it collected nearly $73 million more than expected in taxes in September but its top revenue official said the economic outlook in coming months remains uncertain because of the coronavirus pandemic. The state Department of Revenue said Kansas collected nearly $729 million in taxes last month, when it expected to take in $656 million. The surplus of 11% for the month was tied largely to better-than-expected income tax collections. The September collections allowed the state to finish the first three months of the 2021 budget year that started July 1 with $108 million more in tax collections than anticipated. The state collected $2.25 billion during those three months, 5.1% more than projected.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2020-10-02T07:18:38-05:00October 1, 2020|News|

NEJC communities receive grants to improve walkability, major corridors

Projects in Overland Park, Merriam and Westwood that address walkability and improvements to major corridors have earned grant funding from the Mid-America Regional Council. “It is exciting to see local governments focus on planning for and creating vibrant assets for their residents,” said Beth Dawson, a senior land use planner at MARC. MARC’s Board of Directors and Total Transportation Policy Committee approved $877,825 in grant funding for 14 projects in the Greater Kansas City area, including eight in Kansas and six in Missouri. The grant funding is directed at efforts to create sustainable development.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2020-10-01T07:24:05-05:00September 30, 2020|News|

Near-zero interest rates may be needed for up to 3 years, says Dallas Fed’s Robert Kaplan

Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan told CNBC on Wednesday that it is likely appropriate to keep interest rates anchored near zero for up to three years to aid the U.S. economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. “I think we’re going to need to keep the Fed funds rate at zero for the next probably 2½ to three years years,” Kaplan said on “The Exchange.” ” It could be that long that until we get on track, to have weathered the crisis and are on track to meet our full employment and price stability goals.” Earlier this month, the Federal Reserve’s policymaking committee voted to keep short-term rates targeted at 0%-0.25%, where they have been for the last six months, and indicated they would remain there until inflation rises consistently. Kaplan was one of two Federal Open Market Committee members to vote against the policy action, but he stressed Wednesday it is due to his desire for the central bank to have more leeway to its monetary approach.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2020-10-01T07:24:38-05:00September 30, 2020|News|

Cowan appointed Assistant City Manager in Independence

During a special Independence City Commission meeting Wednesday evening, City Manager Kelly Passauer announced the appointment of long-time City leader David Cowan as Assistant City Manager. Prior to this promotion, Cowan served as the City’s Director of Safety and Code Enforcement. In his new role, Passauer explained, Cowan, who is now in his 34^th year of service, will oversee the operations of Fire/EMS, Park & Zoo, Public Works, Utilities, the Building Department, Code Enforcement and Memorial Hall – some of which have already been under his supervision for several years. “David is a hard worker, is passionate about the City and has excellent customer-service and problem-solving skills. I am excited to see David in his new role,” Passauer said.
Source: Independence, KS – News Flash

Ranson Financial2020-10-01T07:25:22-05:00September 30, 2020|News|

Governor Kelly orders flags at half-staff in honor of Rep. Leonard Mastroni

In accordance with Executive Order 20-30, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff at all state buildings, grounds, and facilities beginning today, Wednesday, Sept. 30, until the day of interment, in honor of Kansas Rep. Leonard Mastroni. Mastroni, La Crosse, has represented Kansas House District 117 since 2017. “I was saddened to hear of the passing of Representative Mastroni, who was a dedicated public servant during his tenure in the Kansas House of Representatives,” Governor Kelly said. “I respected and admired his commitment to working with his colleagues in the Legislature to improve the lives of his constituents. I offer my sincerest condolences to his wife, Linda, their four children, and all of his friends and loved ones during this difficult time. Leonard will be missed on the House floor, and throughout his district.” Representative Mastroni graduated from Fort Hays State University, and in 1981 was elected as a District Court Judge for the 24th Judicial District. After retirement he served as a Rush County Commissioner for six years before being elected as State Representative. He and his wife, Linda, lived in La Crosse for over 40 years.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Ranson Financial2020-10-01T07:25:30-05:00September 30, 2020|News|

Wichita police launch new program to catch drivers running red lights

Wichita police have launched a new program in hopes of reducing the number of drivers running red lights at a high-accident intersection. Capt. Brent Allred said Wednesday that the Blue Light Crash Reduction Project was funded by a grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation. Here’s how it works. WPD installed six blue lights on traffic signals at Kellogg and Rock Road. When a traffic light turns red, its corresponding blue light illuminates. That lets nearby officers in the area know that the traffic light is red and they can see who, if anyone, is running it. Capt. Allred said it’s difficult for officers to minor at the intersection because of its complexity and traffic volume.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2020-10-01T07:25:41-05:00September 30, 2020|News|

Peabody seeking new logo design

Peabody will be taking contest entries for an updated city logo, and councilman Lindsay Hutchison is wasting no time getting the ball rolling. Entries are due by Dec. 15 to be approved by the council Dec. 28, and the new logo will be rolled out in January, according to Hutchison’s proposed plan. “It would have been great to do that in March when everybody was stuck at home and they could just color pictures for the whole day,” she said. “We don’t necessarily have to retire the logo we have currently but we need something that has fewer colors and less fine detail.”
Source: Marion County RECORD

Ranson Financial2020-10-01T07:26:01-05:00September 30, 2020|News|

Merriam seeks information about names found in time capsule at old community center

The city of Merriam is searching for interesting stories about — or living relatives of — the names found in the Irene B. French Community Center’s 1911 cornerstone time capsule. The city of Merriam is seeking information about names found in a time capsule at the Irene B. French Community Center. Denton Excavating crews stumbled upon the time capsule in the 1911 cornerstone when demolishing the old community center last month. Now, the city is looking for any information — interesting stories or living relatives — about the names of students and Merriam residents.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Ranson Financial2020-10-01T07:26:23-05:00September 30, 2020|News|

New energy crucial to a town’s survival

Heather Horton has a few pandemic messages for her fellow Kansans. “Don’t give up. Take each day as it comes,” she says, which is good advice in any situation. But also: “Think about the people, not the profit margin, because that’s what matters in the end.” Horton and her husband, Roger, co-own two small businesses in Pittsburg. They opened Sweet Designs Cakery, where they bake party-type desserts, in 2009. A block away is Toast, which they opened last October, with a concept that was unusual for Pittsburg.
Source: The Iola Register

Ranson Financial2020-10-01T07:26:45-05:00September 30, 2020|News|