StoryWalk sure to be fun for all ages in Greensburg

Kiowa County Library has partnered with another county organization to bring the first StoryWalk(R) to Kiowa County. The event will run from May 5 through May 31. The StoryWalk(R) is a literacy and exercise activity for children and families. Pages of a children’s book will be displayed in the windows of local businesses on Main Street. The book for May will be “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak. The route begins at Kiowa County Schools (710 S. Main, Greensburg) and continues north. Families are encouraged to read the book as they walk the route.
(Read more: Pratt, KS – Pratt Tribune)

Ranson Financial2020-05-12T08:05:32-05:00May 11, 2020|News|

Stay-cation takes local bicycler to Stafford County and to Quivira wildlife

Kansas residents may need to re-imagine this year’s vacation, especially if the COVID-19 pandemic lingers into the summer. Since, outside of a few hot spots, Kansas has numerous locations where the pandemic hasn’t been raging (at least based upon current figures), perhaps this is a good year to consider a stay-cation. Some may even want to base their destination on the KDHE map of COVID-19 cases. Here’s my experience from a recent, one-day staycation.
(Read more: Pratt, KS – Pratt Tribune)

Ranson Financial2020-05-12T08:05:35-05:00May 11, 2020|News|

Kansas receives grant to transform the Kansas early childhood system

Governor Laura Kelly and other early childhood leaders from across Kansas announced today that an $8.9 million grant from the Administration for Children and Families has been awarded to continue efforts to strengthen the early childhood system in Kansas. The funding is the first installment of a 3-year renewal of Kansas’s Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) initiative. “These funds will be imperative in helping to keep up our current momentum as we work to improve our state’s early childhood system,” Governor Kelly said. “This grant is particularly welcome now, as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an additional degree of stress on early childhood in Kansas. With it, we will continue to fight for the health and safety of children and families in our state.”
(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)

Ranson Financial2020-05-12T08:05:51-05:00May 11, 2020|News|

Brown County hears update on virus topics

The Brown County Commission heard updates Monday morning on county-related COVID-19 coronavirus issues. County Emergency Planning Coordinator Don Pounds advised the commission that he had additional supplies ordered to ready the courthouse for reopening, but there were issues with some supplies. While masks were ordered and have arrived, there were issues with gloves that led him to canceling the order and asking for a refund. In addition, the disinfectants and hand sanitizers needed are in high demand and he is still trying to get all of those ordered and on it’s way.
(Read more: hiawathaworldonline.com)

Ranson Financial2020-05-12T08:06:33-05:00May 11, 2020|News|

Hiawatha joins with HFED to offer CDBG grants

The Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development (HFED) and the City of Hiawatha will be accepting applications for a special round of KS Department of Commerce CDBG grants. The two groups have been informed the State of Kansas will receive $9,029,815 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CDBG-CV funds will be available for non-entitlement Cities and Counties, with awards being made for issues triggered by the COVID-19 virus where no other funds are available. Proposed activities will be grants to micro-businesses (up to 5 employees) and small businesses (6 to 50 employees). There will also be grants available for non-profit clinics and hospitals for Personal Protective Equipment, as well as grants for Meal Programs.
(Read more: hiawathaworldonline.com)

Ranson Financial2020-05-12T08:06:58-05:00May 11, 2020|News|

Wichita begins new water conservation rebate program

The city of Wichita is again offering rebates to residents who purchase water-saving appliances. The program has been offered since 2013, and the city council has authorized $100,000 to fund the program for 2020. It offers rebates to people who have purchased water-saving toilets, dishwashers, washing machines and other devices. The rebates are offered in the form of water bill credits. Penny Feist with the city’s public works department said the program has helped the city meet its water conservation goals. She said customers are limited to five rebates a year, and a list of the eligible appliances is on a city web site, savewichitawater.com
(Read more: KFDI 101.3)

Ranson Financial2020-05-12T08:18:13-05:00May 11, 2020|News|

Municipal market gains clarity from Fed lending facility news

After more than two months of extreme volatility, the municipal market gained clarity as to the Fed’s intentions with its news that it would charge a large premium on issuers who choose to access its Municipal Liquidity Facility. Instead, investors turned their heads to the stock market in hopes that strength in equities will continue and governments will start to reopen. Triple-A benchmark yields fell two or three basis points in thin secondary trading. The Fed on Monday essentially said it was standing 10 feet back from the market, allowing it to manage the pandemic-driven crisis itself. Triple-A issuers can use the traditional means of accessing the exempt and taxable markets; however the Fed gave the nod that it is there if needed. The dealer community also said it was on hand to manage the market. “The pricing for the facility is above market under current conditions,” the Bond Dealers of America said. “However, the Fed has said that the facility is intended as last-resort financing, and it is priced as such. We hope the Fed is able to bring the facility online soon.” SIFMA said it was evaluating the proposal and the “dealer community stands at the ready to facilitate where we can be helpful.”
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

Ranson Financial2020-05-12T08:03:10-05:00May 11, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for May 8, 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 Financial2020-05-11T08:31:03-05:00May 11, 2020|News|

Reno County surprised by latest COVID-19 case count

A jump of 11 cases in Reno County’s COVID-19 late Friday afternoon took local health officials by surprise. “Apparently KDHE (the Kansas Department of Health and Environment) went back into the database and reallocated another eight as probable cases,” said Reno County Health Department Director Nick Baldetti. That brings to 11 the county’s “probable count,” added to 41 confirmed by testing, for a total case count reported by the state for Reno County of 52.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-11T08:20:46-05:00May 11, 2020|News|

Rising case count could delay Shawnee County’s move to phase two of reopening

Because of the number of new COVID-19 cases in Shawnee County, local officials can’t guarantee the county will move to phase two of its reopening plan on May 18. That is the date presented in Gov. Laura Kelly’s statewide reopening plan, which was adopted by the county, with a few caveats, on May 1. In phase two, businesses such as casinos, theaters, museums, fitness centers, nail and hair salons, and bars and nightclubs would be allowed to reopen — but that may not happen as early as expected. According to Shawnee County health officer Gianfranco Pezzino, there was a “sharp increase” in new cases reported last week — double the number of new cases reported the week before, he said. “We are likely to end the week just about at the same level as where we were last week,” Pezzino said. “It was pretty bad last week, and it’s still pretty bad now.”
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-05-11T08:21:07-05:00May 11, 2020|News|