A difficult decision from the Hillsboro City Council

Today, the City Council voted to close the municipal swimming pool for the 2020 summer season. “This was not an easy decision” said Mayor Lou Thurston. “My heart says one thing, my head says another. In the end, it doesn’t appear that we can keep the pool open and keep social distancing and the CDC/Kansas Parks & Recreation Association cleaning guidelines to keep pool employees and the public safe. Safety of our children and their families is more important than the risk of opening the pool.” We realize this may not be a popular decision and regret it had to be made. We recognize since the closing of the school session in mid-March, kids have been adhering to shelter in place guidelines to protect their heath. Marci Cain, pool manager and teacher, said “the decision to close schools was made because social distancing was not practical in the school setting. Social distancing is no better in the swimming pool setting.”

(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)

Ranson Financial2020-05-27T20:24:46-05:00May 27, 2020|News|

Rock River Rapids in Derby opens on June 8 with safety measures

The Rock River Rapids Aquatic Park in Derby is slated to open on Monday, June 8. City and recreation officials made the announcement in a joint news release Wednesday. “Given the risks of COVID-19, a great deal of preparation has occurred to ensure the park is as safe as possible and meets or exceeds all CDC guidelines, state orders, and Kansas Recreation and Parks Association (KRPA) recommendations,” the release said.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-27T20:20:35-05:00May 27, 2020|News|

Anonymous donor helps 41 residents in Kansas town pay their water bills

Residents in a small Kansas town don’t have to worry about their past due water bills after someone anonymously paid all of their balances. Julie Roller Weeks with the Abilene Convention & Visitor’s Bureau said Friday’s donation was for $2,000. The donor told her that he and his wife did not need the coronavirus stimulus money they received and wanted to do good with it. “The act of kindness is something very positive that has come from something very unsettling in this pandemic,” Weeks said. The donation helped 41 local residents to become current on their water bills, nearly one third of the total of past due bills in Abilene.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-27T20:18:51-05:00May 27, 2020|News|

Counties respond to governor’s action on coronavirus response

Sedgwick County commissioners plan a special meeting Wednesday afternoon to decide on next steps after actions taken by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday. The governor vetoed a bill from the legislature to limit the governor’s powers on disaster and emergency declarations. She has transitioned the state reopening plan to guidance only, leaving decisions up to counties on the coronavirus response. The governor also called a special session of the legislature for June 3rd to work on a new emergency management bill. Reno County’s health officer was planning an announcement on next steps after the governor’s decision. Harvey County commissioners have voted to remain in Phase Two of the governor’s plan, and limits on mass gatherings will be increased from 15 to 30. Harvey County commissioners will decide on further steps at their next meeting June 2nd.
(Read more: KFDI 101.3)

Ranson Financial2020-05-28T09:17:33-05:00May 27, 2020|News|

Harvey County commissioners vote to keep county in phase 2

The Harvey County Commission voted Tuesday at a special meeting to remain in the second phase of the Harvey County Health Reopening Plan regarding COVID-19 response through June 2. The plan generally follows the guidance included in Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas” outline. The commission agreed to increase mass gathering limits in Harvey County from 15 to 30 people and unanimously approved the decision to revise and adopt the Harvey County Health Reopening Plan. All restrictions previously outlined in the state’s reopening plan remain in place in Harvey County’s local plan. Additionally, Harvey County’s plan restricts in-person visits at long-term care facilities through its first three phases.
(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-05-28T09:18:36-05:00May 27, 2020|News|

Frazer: Most proud of updating Moundridge’s strategic plan

Outgoing City Administrator Randy Frazer said the one project he will point to with pride that he helped to accomplish during his nine-year tenure with the City of Moundridge is updating the city’s strategic plan. Frazer was honored during a come-and-go reception on Thursday, May 21.
(Read more: McPherson Weekly News » Feed)

Ranson Financial2020-05-28T09:19:55-05:00May 27, 2020|News|

McPherson County announces response to reopening

McPherson County announced Tuesday evening its response to reopening after Gov. Laura Kelly made counties decide on how they reopen, instead of reopening as a whole. Effective Wednesday at 12:01 a.m., McPherson County Health Officer Shalei Shea is recommending McPherson County follow the guidelines of Gov. Kelly’s Ad Astra Plan. McPherson County will remain in Phase 2, which allows gatherings of no more than 15. Individuals are encouraged to wear masks in public settings, while maintaining social distancing of six feet.
(Read more: McPherson Sentinel)

Ranson Financial2020-05-28T09:20:36-05:00May 27, 2020|News|

Shawnee expects to lose nearly $500K to open Soetaert pool under COVID-19 restrictions this summer

With Shawnee planning to open the Soetaert pool this summer, city staff anticipate losing nearly half a million dollars by subsidizing 79% of operational costs. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, city staff expect to slash by more than half the number of guests allowed at the Thomas A. Soetaert Aquatic Center at one time. In a follow-up with the city council Tuesday evening, Sean Keenan, aquatics manager, said this will result in significant cuts in anticipated revenue through pool admission and concessions, and zero revenue from pool membership sales…
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-05-28T08:47:58-05:00May 27, 2020|News|

Johnson County Community College announces four-step ‘return to campus’ plan

Johnson County Community College last week released a four-step return to campus plan. The plan will resume on-campus activities and services while protecting the “health and safety of the campus community,” according to JCCC. “Fully restoring campus operations will require patience, careful consideration and deliberate implementation,” the Return to Campus Plan webpage reads. “As the situation is still fluid, some of these details may change.” The community college will only progress to the next step if there is a “downward trajectory of documented cases within a 14-day period,” or if there is a “downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total test” within that same time frame.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-05-28T08:48:12-05:00May 27, 2020|News|

GCCC Utilizing CARES Act Funds for Free Student Laptops

Garden City Community College is offering up to 150 new laptops at no cost to students who need reliable computer access for their studies. The new laptops – Lenovo Thinkpads, valued at just under $500 each – will be made available to degree-seeking students who demonstrate substantial need through an online application. Applications will be reviewed in June, and priority will be given to students who are enrolled in courses for both Summer 2020 and Fall 2020 by June 19, 2020. Students must be pre-enrolled in courses for Fall 2020 to be considered. Summer courses started May 26 and a second summer session of classes begins July 6, 2020.
(Read more: Western Kansas News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-28T08:48:18-05:00May 27, 2020|News|