With concerns about enforceability top-of-mind, Prairie Village council decides against adopting face mask ordinance

The Prairie Village city council has rejected a proposed ordinance that would have required people to wear a facial covering in stores and other public spaces. The idea, which had been introduced by Ward 1 Councilmember Jori Nelson earlier this month, had drawn passionate response from residents and business owners in the days leading up to Monday’s remote council meeting, with many telling city officials they believed it would be an overreach and difficult to enforce. Others, however, said that with wide lack of adherence to public health officials’ strong recommendation to wear masks in public, the city should put the rule in place to protect the well-being of those within the city limits. In the end, concerns about enforceability and effectiveness were enough to dissuade seven of 12 councilmembers from supporting adoption.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-05-20T08:24:30-05:00May 20, 2020|News|

City of Maize, KS received 8 bids at its temporary note sale yesterday!

To obtain competitive bond bids for your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.

Ranson Financial2020-05-19T07:39:50-05:00May 19, 2020|News|

Are fire hydrants now gray because they reflect the mood of the times?

Here’s what my current life situation has succumb to: I’m wasting time being abnormally curious about why all the fire hydrants in my neighborhood have been painted gray. Is it primer? Is there some kind of new JoCo fire hydrant design initiative where everything in the burbs must adhere to a gray, beige or greige motif? Is it an artistic statement that reflects our current pandemic mood: dreary with a side of blah?
(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-19T07:25:34-05:00May 19, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for May 18, 2020

he 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 Financial2020-05-19T07:24:38-05:00May 19, 2020|News|

Short-term muni yields fall below pre-coronavirus crisis levels

Municipals finished strong Monday as short-term yields again fell to record low levels while long-term bonds steadied. Yields on the short end are now lower than before the March sell-off. The 10-year is creeping lower to fall below 1% while the short end is lower than 0.40%. Benchmarks fell by as much as seven basis points again on the short-end of the curve as the Federal Reserve Board’s Kent Hiteshew spoke to the Government Finance Officers Association and said the Municipal Liquidity Facility is “open” for business while Illinois said it was considering using it for a $1.2 billion note deal.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

Ranson Financial2020-05-19T07:19:11-05:00May 19, 2020|News|

Johnson County crowds line up at salons and gyms on first day of COVID-19 reopening

With a mask wrapped around her face and a book placed on her lap, Gerri Tyandaol sat outside Great Clips in Shawnee for one hour on Monday — then was told it would be at least another hour before she could go inside. “I didn’t realize they were going to be this busy,” she said. “But I don’t want to leave because I really want a haircut.” Dozens of customers visited barbershops, hair and nail salons, tanning studios and gyms on Monday — the first day they were allowed to open in Johnson County. Last week, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced the state would take a half-step forward and move into “Phase 1.5,” of her reopening plan.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-19T07:19:23-05:00May 19, 2020|News|

KDHE emphasizes precautions as state re-opens

The State of Kansas reports that the number of COVID-19 cases rose by 454 over the weekend, with one person who died. Dr. Lee Norman with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said that the one victim’s death was tragic, but it is a sign that virus containment efforts are working. He also said that a lower rate of deaths from coronavirus will be a vital factor in the state’s decision to re-open further. He said at a Monday news conference, that his bigger fear is about potential gatherings over the Memorial Day holiday, and the low rate of mask usage he’s notice in the public.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-19T07:19:30-05:00May 19, 2020|News|

Local gyms re-open under phase 1.5, several precautions put in place

One of the biggest changes phase 1.5 brings is the re-opening of gyms. People started lining up all the way out the door first thing this morning when the Downtown YMCA opened. Not everything at the Y is back open just yet. The locker rooms, the pools, the kid zone and group classes remain closed until more restrictions are lifted by Governor Kelly. Even with some restrictions remaining, Brandi Holmes and her friends say it feels good to be back.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-19T07:19:39-05:00May 19, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County addresses Phase 1.5 reopening plan

Phase 1.5 of Governor Laura Kelly’s reopening plan for Kansas has now begun, and the Sedgwick County Commission discussed some of the questions residents have had about the reopening in their meeting Monday.
Commencement Celebrations:
Commissioners said commencement ceremonies or celebrations are allowed to be held, as long as no more than 10 people gather in one place, and as long as people are able to keep six feet of social distancing between each other.
Courts:
County courts are scheduled to partially reopen next Tuesday, May 26. Anyone visiting the courthouse will need to make an appointment, wear a mask, and pass through a COVID-19 screening upon entering the building. Jury trials are still on hold, and traffic courts will open June 15.
Restaurants and Bars:
Once restaurants stop serving food, they must close. Restaurants and bars are not allowed to remain open to serve drinks once the kitchen has closed.
Testing:
Sedgwick County will test residents from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 23. To make an appointment, call the United Way help line at 2-1-1.
More than 8,000 people have been tested for coronavirus in Sedgwick County, with 60 new tests Monday at the health department. according to the Sedgwick County Commission. Of those tested, 536 people tested positive for the virus, and 362 people have had a “total recovery.”
Statewide, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports 66,882 people have been tested for coronavirus. Of those, 58,650 people tested negative, and 8,340 people tested positive.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-19T07:20:12-05:00May 19, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County elections office navigating logistical challenges with pandemic precautions

The coronavirus pandemic is posing some logistical challenges to the Sedgwick County elections office. Fewer election workers, polling locations and social distancing guidelines are just some of the issues county election commissioner Tabitha Lehman is seeing. Lehman says, over 75 percent of Sedgwick County election workers are in the high-risk categories for coronavirus based on their age alone. So far, the office only has about 30 percent of the workers it needs to put on the election. The elections office is recruiting 16 and 17-year-olds to come work the polls, but that can be a challenge for the November general election which takes place while students are in school. Several polling sites in the county have also backed out, according to Lehman.
(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-05-19T07:20:19-05:00May 19, 2020|News|