Winfield celebrates National Teacher of the Year: Tabatha Rosproy

Small town Kansas didn’t look so small Wednesday evening as Winfield held one heck of a party for one of its own — dozens took part in the special drive-by celebration for National Teacher of the Year Tabatha Rosproy. Rosproy’s community came out full throttle to celebrate her recognition with signs, floats, streamers, and a whole lot of smiles. “We just had the best time — it was incredible being named National Teacher of the Year during a pandemic,” Rosproy said. “We weren’t sure there was going to be a celebration, but I know Winfield and they brought it big for me and I couldn’t be prouder to be from here,” she said. Rosproy is the first preschool teacher to win the award and the first Kansan to do so in more than 60 years.
(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:22:20-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Rebuilding America: Local businesses down, but not out

Kevin Rule put on a smile and headed to work like he’d done every day for over 30 years. Ever the optimist, he did his best to get to his business, the Sleep Shoppe and Furniture Gallery in downtown Hutchinson, which he owns with his wife. But it wasn’t just another day of work; his showroom doors had been locked following a stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Laura Kelly in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. “My statement forever has been that I refuse to participate in any economic downturn,” Rule said. “I get out of bed every morning; I’m an optimistic person; I go to work, and I’m the leader of the fun parade within my organization.”
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:20:21-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Kansas public higher education absorbs $90 million financial impact from COVID-19

Kansas’ system of public higher education took a $90.7 million financial hit in the current fiscal year from the spread of COVID-19 that in March abruptly transformed operation of universities and the community and technical colleges. The financial estimate for the year ending June 30 didn’t include disruption of sports and research activities at the seven universities, 19 community colleges and six technical colleges governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. Bulk of the budget problems are at University of Kansas and Kansas State University. The KU and KU Medical Center campuses calculated current fiscal year operational costs of the pandemic at $30.5 million, while K-State put the figure at $22.1 million.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:23:05-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Wichita mayor frustrated with county decision to let everything open during pandemic

The mayor of Kansas’ largest city said he’s frustrated with a decision to lift coronavirus restrictions and wishes cities had more power to drive public health policy during the pandemic. “We actually have no authority to pass stay-in orders or to pass the types of restrictions that let’s say the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, can do,” Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said Thursday. Instead, county governments across the state have assumed responsibility for coronavirus response after Gov. Laura Kelly’s phased-reopening emergency order expired Wednesday.
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:23:20-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

New Dodge City manager to start June 1

Nick Hernandez will officially begin his tenure as Dodge City’s new city manager, effectively replacing current city manager Cherise Tieben on June 1. Tieben will retire on June 16, but between then, will introduce Hernandez to Dodge City community partners and the operational procedures. Hernandez served nine years as city manager for Arkansas City, Kan., but is a Ford County native, having grown up in Spearville for 16 years before moving to and graduating from high school in Ashland.
(Read more: News – Dodge City Daily Globe – Dodge City, KS)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:23:36-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Rebuilding America: Local tourism spots see winds of change

Boot Hill Museum planned to hold a grand reopening after the completion of its initial expansion project, but with the interruptions caused by COVID-19, it was pushed back to fall in line with Gov. Laura Kelly’s plan for a phased reopening of the state. Boot Hill Museum’s Laura Tawater said the museum was then set to reopen sometime in mid-May, but that again was delayed by institution of a new Phase 1.5. Despite these postponements, Boot Hill Museum continues to work on its reopening plan.
(Read more: News – Dodge City Daily Globe – Dodge City, KS)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:24:09-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Ford County gives businesses OK to open at own discretion

On Tuesday, Gov. Laura Kelly issued a declaration regarding the statewide plan for reopening, making the phases more of a guideline than a requirement for all 105 counties. Individual counties would be the ones setting gathering limits, business opening guidelines and other attempts at jump-starting local economies. On Wednesday, Ford County commissioners met in a special meeting to set adjustments for the county based on the governor’s changes.
(Read more: News – Dodge City Daily Globe – Dodge City, KS)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:24:20-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Salina playgrounds, equipment reopened

The City of Salina has reopened playgrounds and equipment for use in city parks. This reopening is set to align with the Saline County health officer’s order that make Phase 2 of the Ad Astra Reopening Plan a local order. Salina Parks and Recreation said picnic shelters will remain closed until further notice.
(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:24:40-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Kansas news deserts leave increasingly fewer reporters to cover the COVID-19 outbreak

During a pandemic, local news coverage means more than keeping tabs on the city council or high school sports. The stories published in a newspaper, broadcast on a network TV affiliate or aired on the radio bring critical information about the public health crisis to communities. People count on reporters in their town or region to let them know about the latest spread of disease, about what’s safe and what’s not — especially in small meatpacking towns that have become coronavirus hot spots. “They’re doing the best they can,” said Angela Labrier, who turns to the Fox News Channel and The Garden City Telegram to stay on top of what’s happening with the coronavirus.But it’s getting harder for local news outlets, just about everywhere.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:25:05-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Mission extends due date for business license fees to Sept. 1 amid COVID-19

Businesses throughout the city, like Sandhills Brewing in downtown, will have until Sept. 1 to pay business license fees. The Mission city council on Wednesday evening approved a resolution to extend the due date for business license fees from July 1 to Sept. 1, in an effort to help businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. City staff has been working on business license renewals with a focus on creating an online form and payment methods to reduce human interactions, City Administrator Laura Smith said. As staff worked on this, Smith said an extension seemed to be a reasonable way to offer businesses — who might be impacted by the pandemic themselves — a couple of extra months.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:25:29-05:00May 29, 2020|News|