Roeland Park ‘bans the box,’ eliminates criminal history question from employment applications

The Roeland Park City Council last week signaled support for the “Ban the Box” effort and agreed to remove a question about criminal history from employment applications not related to public safety. “Ban the Box” is a movement to level the playing field for applicants with a criminal background, according to city documents. Assistant City Administrator Jennifer Jones Lacy said Johnson County removed the question from job applications in 2016 and former Gov. Jeff Colyer signed an executive order removing it from executive branch jobs in 2018.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-05-27T09:09:58-05:00May 27, 2020|News|

Winfield Aquatic Center to open June 12

The Winfield Aquatic Center will be open to the public beginning June 12 under current timelines released by the State of Kansas. The experience at the facility will be different this year, reflecting changes in operations to adapt to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “One of the best places a person could be this summer is outside in the fresh air and sunshine. At the same time, it is important that we provide a safe environment for both our employees and the patrons who choose to come to the aquatics center. We have developed a plan of action to minimize the risk of COVID-19 at the aquatics center,” said Scott Schoon, facility manager.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Ranson Financial2020-05-27T09:09:31-05:00May 27, 2020|News|

Labette County to discuss business restrictions

Labette County commissioners will meet early Wednesday morning to discuss their response to Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a bill that would have limited her authority to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the issues commissioners will decide is if they want restrictions on businesses and individuals to continue in the county.
(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

Ranson Financial2020-05-27T09:08:54-05:00May 27, 2020|News|

City of Newton appoints Kelly McElroy as city manager

The City of Newton Tuesday named Kelly McElroy as its new city manager. McElroy steps into the leadership role after serving as Newton’s interim city manager since the retirement of Bob Myers at the end of last year, the city says. The city says McElroy served as assistant city manager/development director for Newton since October 2016. “Commissioners, City staff, and community members who have worked with Kelly during her time in Newton know her to be knowledgeable, committed and trustworthy,” Newton Mayor Leroy Koehn says. “During this time of unprecedented challenges, Newton is fortunate to have Kelly leading our City organization.”
(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-27T09:06:54-05:00May 27, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for May 26, 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 Financial2020-05-27T08:56:43-05:00May 27, 2020|News|

AG Derek Schmidt to Congress: Protect rural broadband access as part of any additional COVID-19 relief legislation

Congress should ensure that all Americans have the home internet connectivity necessary to participate in telemedicine, teleschooling and telework as part of any additional COVID-19 relief legislation, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt told U.S. Senate and House leadership in a letter sent last week. “Large portions of rural America, including here in Kansas, currently lack broadband access at a time when many of our critical needs are being fulfilled online,” Schmidt said. “It’s essential that Congress take action to prevent government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic from worsening the existing digital divide and ensure access to work, school and healthcare for all Americans.”
(Read more: Kansas Attorney General News Releases)

Ranson Financial2020-05-27T08:44:23-05:00May 26, 2020|News|

Nearly 75% of COVID-19 patients in Sedgwick County have recovered

Sedgwick County reports that out of the 559 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began, nearly 75% of them have recovered. The county’s website says that as of 4 p.m. Monday, 409 patients have recovered and 21 of them have died. That leaves 129 cases that are still active. The first case in Sedgwick County was reported on March 16. Across the state, data compiled by the Reno County Health Department shows 9,133 total cases with 3,867 recoveries and 207 deaths. However, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports 9,218 total cases and 188 deaths.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-27T08:44:40-05:00May 26, 2020|News|

Gov. Laura Kelly vetoes pandemic bill, hands counties more power and calls special legislative session

Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed Tuesday a bill passed by the Kansas Legislature to snatch from the Kansas governor direct control of $1.25 billion in federal coronavirus relief aid and alter state law to weaken the executive branch’s emergency power during the pandemic. Kelly, a Democrat working with a Republican-led House and Senate, said she would sign a revised, 15-day state of emergency declaration to provide legal footing for a streamlined set of executive orders issued during a pandemic that has killed at least 188 and infected more than 9,200 in Kansas. Officials in all 105 counties will be granted the right to set health, business and mass gathering limits, she said. Her plan to continue with phasing in reopening of economic activity will become advisory to counties, she said.
(Read more: State Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-05-27T08:45:54-05:00May 26, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County health officer encouraged, but would like to see more wearing masks

Medical experts at every level say we are far from out of the woods when it comes to risks associated with COVID-19 and dangers the virus poses. At least locally, there are positive indicators that most are following guidelines to safeguard against COVID-19, but many out in public choose not to wear masks as health professionals at every level recommend. Eyewitness News went out Tuesday and spoke with people about their decisions to either wear a mask or go without. At least Tuesday, the majority of people who spoke with Eyewitness News did so through a mask. This is a positive sign to Sedgwick County Chief Health Officer Dr. Garold Minns, although he says he would like to see more people wearing masks in public. “Now we’ve had another week and again,we haven’t seen any peak, or even significant rise in cases, so it’s reassuring to me,” Dr. Minns says. “Again, I want to hope that’s because of everybody being so obedient about those things we’re asking.”
(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-27T08:46:03-05:00May 26, 2020|News|

Wichita workforce center reopens to public

Unemployment in Kansas hit 11.2% for the month of April. Anthony Newman was one of those that were laid off from their job, in part, due to COVID-19. He is now trying to find a new job with help from the Wichita Workforce Center. Newman said he wants help from the center to get his CDL license. “I came here to not only have a job, but give me a career,” Newman said. The Workforce Center opened its doors Tuesday morning for the first time since the end of March. Workforce Center CEO Keith Lawing said having the ability to meet face-to-face with job-seekers will be a big benefit.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-27T08:54:14-05:00May 26, 2020|News|