Many bars staying closed despite dropped restrictions, but Old Town clubs ready to party

Sedgwick County commissioners decided on Wednesday to allow all businesses in Wichita to reopen, meaning that Wichita bars and nightclubs — among the close-quarter businesses that had so far been ordered to stay closed amid coronavirus concerns — are no longer bound by those restrictions. In Wichita, many Old Town night clubs, which have been shut down since the start of coronavirus restrictions in March, are preparing to welcome party crowds back this weekend and are now trumpeting drink specials and cover charge lifting on social media. One even reopened for party-seekers on Wednesday, just hours the commissioners decided no restrictions on businesses or social distancing were necessary. Meanwhile, many popular bar and brewery owners say they’re not quite ready to go yet, and they’re not sure how long it will be until they are.
(Read more: Dining With Denise Neil |)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:25:41-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Essential hearings only in the courthouse in Kiowa County

Even in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the the Kiowa County courthouse is a hub for county department activity and for legal cases. But the courthouse, like everything else, has had to reorganize its operations to confirm with the most current mandates from the state and judicial system. Legal cases in Kiowa County have been delayed. The Kansas Supreme Court has ordered that no jury trials take place in Kansas for now and when that will change is unknown, said Chief Judge Leigh Hood of the 16th Judicial District. Kiowa County has not had a docket day but are conducting hearings as necessary. The situation changes day to day but plans are to hear cases on a regular basis starting the second week in June, Hood said.
(Read more: Kiowa County Signal)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:26:33-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for May 27, 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 Financial2020-05-28T09:28:51-05:00May 28, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County’s new coronavirus plan: advice but no rules, everything can open

A day after Gov. Laura Kelly shifted responsibility for coronavirus prevention to the counties, Sedgwick County shifted it to the business community and individual residents. The county commissioners opted Wednesday not to place any rules or restrictions on business or personal activity to control the spread of COVID-19. “I think it’s time to trust our citizens,” said Commissioner Jim Howell.
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-05-28T09:27:54-05:00May 28, 2020|News|

City leaders plead for COVID-19 regulation after Johnson County makes it voluntary

More than 20 city council members from across Johnson County have signed a letter urging county leaders to adopt coronavirus restrictions that can be enforced. After Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced she has shifted responsibility for COVID-19 prevention to counties, Johnson County health officials said they would not impose their own restrictions. Instead, the county is leaving it up to businesses and residents to follow recommendations laid out in Kelly’s phased approach to reopening the economy.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-28T09:27:25-05:00May 28, 2020|News|

Cowley County keeping state limits in place

Cowley County will follow the state’s reopening plan after Gov. Laura Kelly this week rescinded her statewide order and let local officials determine their own coronavirus restrictions. Public Health Officer Thomas Langer issued a press release late Wednesday afternoon announcing the decision. The order he issued, effective at 12 a.m. Wednesday, essentially holds in place the current limitations people were being asked follow until a special session of the Legislature starting June 3 that could provide more clarity on how things will move forward, the release states.
(Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com – RSS Results)

Ranson Financial2020-05-28T09:26:51-05:00May 28, 2020|News|

Park City officers honored for stopping man who was going to jump off bridge

Two Park City officers were recognized this week for preventing a man from jumping off a bridge. Officers Gary Palmer and Jordan Whitfield received the Life Saving Medal during Tuesday’s Park City Council meeting for their efforts to save a 45-year-old man from jumping off the 61st bridge above Chisholm Creek on Jan. 25. The officers responded to a welfare check of the man at around 8:15 p.m. and found him standing on the sidewalk in the middle of the bridge.
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-05-28T09:26:25-05:00May 28, 2020|News|

KDHE anxious about ’experimentation’ as counties take charge of COVID-19 response

The state’s top health officer urged county officials Wednesday to follow Gov. Laura Kelly’s plan for gradual reopening of the economy — downsized from mandatory to advisory — to minimize opportunities for resurgence in spread of COVID-19. Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said placing ownership of coronavirus decisions with the state’s 105 county commissions and health officers wasn’t without risk. He predicted some counties would fare well in terms of infection management, while others would fare poorly.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-28T09:26:02-05:00May 28, 2020|News|

Shawnee County nearing ‘slow trickle’ reopening plan

Shawnee County’s COVID-19 response team has released a five-tier working document it will use to reopen Shawnee County. The guidelines were released Thursday afternoon and will begin as soon as the state’s stay-at-home order lifts. The working document is based off a best-case scenario and is subject to change. Tiers will be broken down into 14-, 20- and 30-day increments, Shawnee County Emergency Management director Dusty Nichols said Thursday morning at the Shawnee County commission meeting.
(Read more: Local Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-05-28T09:24:18-05:00May 28, 2020|News|

Sales tax numbers up as of April, but city preparing for drop

As of April, sales tax revenues for Newton remain ahead of last year, but the city is preparing for a decrease in revenue in the coming months. “Boy, they were sure shopping in March,” Newton Finance Director Donna Pickman said, explaining that it wouldn’t be till May or June when the city would have a better idea of how the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak would affect the city budget. “It’s kind of hard to know right yet,” she said. “We’re just holding the line.” As a whole, compared to 2019, total revenues for the first four months of the year totaled $1,762,000. That’s $44,000 higher when compared to the past year.

(Read more: Harvey County Now)

Ranson Financial2020-05-27T20:29:28-05:00May 27, 2020|News|