Mask mandate, COVID campaign again Reno County topics

The Reno County Commission indicated it will likely take up a mask mandate again at next week’s regular meeting since the existing state mandate is set to expire that day. The commission Tuesday also received an update on its contract with BowerComm for a COVID-19 education campaign. Interim Reno County Health Officer Karen Hammersmith advised the commission she supports keeping a mandate in place and will propose that if the governor’s mandate is allowed to expire a county mandate replace it.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News

Ranson Financial2020-09-10T08:58:11-05:00September 9, 2020|News|

Topeka Police Chief Bill Cochran to retire Jan. 1

Topeka Police Chief Bill Cochran has decided to retire effective Jan. 1, city manager Brent Trout announced at Tuesday evening’s Topeka City Council meeting. “We’ll have more details in the future regarding how to move forward without his presence,” Trout said. “Obviously I will miss Chief Cochran.” Cochran has been a Topeka police officer since 1987. He has run the department since November 2017, first as interim chief, then as chief.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Ranson Financial2020-09-10T08:58:31-05:00September 9, 2020|News|

$290 million in federal funding still up for grabs

The federal government sent more than $1 billion to Kansas for coronavirus relief through the CARES Act. That money must be spent by the end of the year. The SPARK Task Force was created to assist in making recommendations on how the money should be distributed and spent. Two rounds of funding have already been sent to Kansas counties and now the third and final round of money needs to go out. There is approximately $290 million in CARES Act funding left to be distributed. The Kansas Office of Recovery held a virtual webinar on Friday with members of the SPARK Task Force. Suggestions and proposals were presented on how to potentially spent the remaining money.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2020-09-10T09:01:20-05:00September 9, 2020|News|

Will Shawnee Mission OK fall sports, kids in classrooms? Board sets special meeting

A couple of days into the fall semester, the Shawnee Mission school board will hold a special meeting Wednesday afternoon to discuss its reopening plan and whether to allow fall sports. The other two largest districts in Johnson County, Olathe and Blue Valley, decided last week to allow high school sports and activities to resume. Shawnee Mission is the only district in the county that continues to suspend sports. Four high school golfers sued Shawnee Mission over that decision. The school board will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday, with an agenda of two discussion items: a remote learning update, and activities and athletics.
Source: KC Star Local News

Ranson Financial2020-09-10T09:01:26-05:00September 9, 2020|News|

‘It’s 2020. Let’s fix it.’ Black men share stories on racism, policing in Johnson County

One of Ron Lackey’s earliest memories is of the KKK burning a cross in his yard. Lackey, a worship leader at Legacy Christian Church, shared the story during the “I Am George Floyd” DocuSeries Live Interactive Panel Discussion held by the Advocacy and Awareness Group of Johnson County. Six panelists discussed fighting systemic racism and being Black men in Johnson County during a Tuesday night event. During the panel, they took on topics including racism, police accountability, their personal interactions with police and what has changed after the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
Source: KC Star Local News

Ranson Financial2020-09-10T09:02:05-05:00September 9, 2020|News|

Grant cycle for nonprofit, private school SPARK aid starting next week

Nonprofits and K-12 private schools will be able to apply for COVID-19 relief through rallyreno.org beginning Sept. 15. Reno County SPARK Grants will be funded from a $1.089 million portion of the $12 million in federal CARES Act money allocated to Reno County from Gov. Laura Kelly’s SPARK Task Force. Reno County organizations with IRS nonprofit status and K-12 private schools may apply for aid to offset incurred and planned future expenses or revenue losses related to COVID-19.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News

Ranson Financial2020-09-10T09:02:43-05:00September 9, 2020|News|

Do you want a second dog park in Shawnee County? Parks and Recreation wants citizen input.

Shawnee County Parks and Recreation is looking for input from community members on whether or not they would like to see another dog park in the county. Residents are being asked to fill out a survey that can be found at parks.snco.us and on the parks and recreation’s Facebook page. According to a news release from the parks and recreation department, survey respondents will choose from a list of parks as their preferred location for a new dog park.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Ranson Financial2020-09-10T09:03:54-05:00September 9, 2020|News|

40,000 Topekans haven’t responded to Census

An estimated 40,726 Topekans have not yet responded to the 2020 U.S. Census, with 22 days remaining in which to count residents, the Topeka City Council learned Tuesday. Council members and Mayor Michelle De La Isla heard a presentation at their evening meeting from three Census Bureau employees, one of whom acknowledged that unprecedented challenges and operational disruptions have hampered the Census Bureau’s ability to effectively count everyone. Some residents, particularly racial minorities, don’t understand what the Census is and are afraid to share information with the government, Census Bureau staff members added. They encouraged city officials to team up with local organizations – including those residents trust most, such as schools and churches – to get the word out and encourage Topekans to be counted.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Ranson Financial2020-09-10T09:04:01-05:00September 9, 2020|News|

‘It just takes one person’: KU student tension grows as parties continue amid COVID-19

Some University of Kansas students are taking bets on how many more weeks they’ll be on campus. Junior Derek Dunn said he doubts in-person classes will make it past mid-October. But Dunn, chair of Student Rights and Responsibilities at KU, said he thinks even this is optimistic. As of Sept. 1, 546 members of the campus community had tested positive for COVID-19. The majority are students, with 332 cases coming from Greek life alone. In a video update last week, KU Chancellor Douglas Girod said the Greek community was testing positive at a rate of about 10%.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2020-09-10T09:04:26-05:00September 9, 2020|News|

USDA Invests $14,000 in Community Infrastructure in Effingham, Kansas

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $14,000 to replace the roof of a senior citizens center in the city of Effingham, Kan. … The city of Effingham will use a $14,000 Community Facilities Grant to replace the roof of the senior citizens center. The Effingham senior center provides a hub for public transportation, meals on wheels service and a place for congregate meals for nearly 600 people in Effingham and surrounding townships. This project will ensure the continued viability of the senior center and its efficient service for the community. This civic improvement is made possible because of the partnership with Project Concern Inc. of Atchison County, which is contributing $26,000.

Ranson Financial2020-09-09T15:23:59-05:00September 9, 2020|News|