Human rights group sues Johnson County leaders, says jail withheld COVID-19 info

A national nonprofit is suing Johnson County leaders for allegedly withholding mail, some of which contained information on the new coronavirus, from jail detainees. The Human Rights Defense Center filed a lawsuit Friday against the Johnson County Board of Commissioners and Sheriff Calvin Hayden, accusing them of censorship and of violating free speech rights. Since July, staff at the Johnson County New Century Adult Detention Center have “refused” to deliver at least 58 pieces of mail from the nonprofit, including magazines, handbooks and brochures informing inmates of their legal and civil rights, the lawsuit said.
Source: KC Star Local News

Ranson Financial2020-09-17T07:51:56-05:00September 17, 2020|News|

Iola woos window manufacturer

Council approves incentives that would help Peerless Products acquire the old Haldex Brake facility. The Fort Scott-based company wants the facility to focus on a new line of commercial windows. Iola has taken a “big” step forward in attracting a window manufacturer to town. Iola City Council members approved Monday a series of incentives that would assist Peerless Products in acquiring the old Haldex Brake facility on North State Street.
Source: The Iola Register

Ranson Financial2020-09-17T07:51:06-05:00September 17, 2020|News|

As COVID-19 cases in Kansas rise, state is a step closer to ramping up testing

Kansans may soon see widely expanded COVID-19 testing after a state task force Wednesday approved a plan for the distribution of millions of dollars in leftover federal pandemic aid. Gov. Laura Kelly’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas, or SPARK, task force’s proposed strategy for the $290 million in remaining CARES act funding emphasized three areas of need: public health, essential needs and services, and workforce support. “I think there are still a lot of needs out there in business and health and we can make really good decisions about where we spend everything, but it needs to go out and get spent and help our economy right now,” said Sen. Tom Hawk, a Manhattan Democrat. “Sometimes, we can’t make the very best decision because we don’t have the luxury of the time to go through our normal legislative paralysis of analysis.”
Source: Kansas Reflector

Ranson Financial2020-09-17T07:50:30-05:00September 17, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County and law enforcement communities remember Sheriffs’ Deputy Robert Kunze

This Wednesday marks two years since a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputy lost his life in the line of duty. The community and those that knew Deputy Robert Kunze remember the man, the peacekeeper, and ally. Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Kunze died September 16 2018 after sustaining gunshot wounds after responding to a suspicious character call in northwest Sedgwick County on a rural stretch of road near Garden Plain. In a fantastic display of effort, the fatally wounded 41-year-old deputy managed to get himself to his feet to pursue his assailant, firing his weapon and taking the suspect down before the deputy collapsed, according to the National Sheriff’s Association. Kunze’s efforts may have also saved the lives of two eyewitnesses who reported the incident and followed the suspect until law enforcement arrived.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2020-09-17T07:49:54-05:00September 17, 2020|News|

City of Wichita cites 4 bars over mask mandate

The mask ordinance due to COVID-19 has been in effect for more than two months in the county and the city of Wichita. It requires everyone in the city to cover their mouth and nose in public. Mayor Brandon Whipple says not everyone is complying. This week, Whipple said the city cited four more bars because staff and patrons were not wearing masks. “The way I view this is protecting people from COVID is just like protecting people from food poisoning, protecting them from other bacteria, protecting them from anything else that could be out there right now,” said Mayor Whipple. Whipple says tickets are the last resort. Officers will try to educate people on why masks are important.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2020-09-17T07:49:28-05:00September 17, 2020|News|

Kechi Mayor and wife rallied by the community as they fight COVID-19

Community Kindness is keeping the Kechi Mayor and his wife’s spirits up as they battle Coronavirus. The same virus, but different symptoms. For John Speer, the virus left him with no energy and struggling to breathe for several days. It was far more serious for his wife. Speer said there were moments doctors didn’t think she would pull through. “It was life threatening,” said Mayor John Speer. For the past nine days, Speer’s wife was in the ICU fighting for her life, but Tuesday afternoon she was brought to the hospital’s COVID-19 unity and has stabilized.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2020-09-17T07:48:59-05:00September 17, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County moves to ease bar and club curfew after weekend of defiant after-hours revelry

Following a weekend of defiant late-night and early morning revelry across the Wichita area, Sedgwick County commissioners moved Wednesday toward easing an 11 p.m. curfew placed on bars and nightclubs to fight the spread of COVID-19. The commission voted unanimously to recommend to County Health Officer Dr. Garold Minns that he move the curfew to midnight for bars, clubs and restaurants that serve alcohol. The curfew was originally set at midnight in July for restaurants serving alcohol. Minns moved it to 11 p.m. in mid-August when he also lifted an order that had closed bars and nightclubs entirely.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2020-09-17T07:47:09-05:00September 17, 2020|News|

Battle of the badges blood drive spurs healthy competition in McPherson

Now in its 17th year, the Battle of the Badges blood drive to benefit the Red Cross is spurring healthy competition between the McPherson Sheriff’s Department and the McPherson Fire Department. Last year, the McPherson Fire Department knocked out the competition and claimed the traveling trophy.
Source: McPherson Weekly News » Feed

Ranson Financial2020-09-17T07:46:49-05:00September 17, 2020|News|

Proposed development prompts debate about Paola community garden

For the past eight years the Paola Community Garden has sat on city-owned land in the Paola Industrial Park, but garden volunteers have always known they may need to move the amenity if a developer was ever interested in the property. Over time the garden’s footprint has grown along with its produce, and it now features a bridge, picnic table, shelter, shed and a butterfly garden that includes a memorial tree in memory of Regan Johnson, a 16-year-old Paola High School junior who took her own life in December 2017. Her death led to the creation of the Shifting Gears for Regan suicide prevention organization.
Source: The Miami County Republic

Ranson Financial2020-09-17T07:45:56-05:00September 17, 2020|News|

Independence Appoints Kelly Passauer as City Manager

The Mayor and City Commissioners are proud to announce the appointment of Kelly Passauer to the position of City Manager effective immediately. Over the last several months, the Commission discussed the specific needs of Independence, realizing there is a need to develop a long-term direction for the community. In doing that, they interviewed various candidates for the position and discussed the new direction with all finalists. The Commission felt that it would be necessary for the City to move in a new direction, breaking the traditional model that has been a guide in the past. The new model would develop a strong team between the Commission and the City Manager that would look beyond the typical relationships and consider Independence as a regional community.
Source: Independence, KS – News Flash

Ranson Financial2020-09-17T07:45:34-05:00September 17, 2020|News|