Pandemic poses new troubles for election planners in Kansas and Missouri

While Chely Scarbrough signed up to work as an election judge in Kansas City this year, she isn’t crazy about the prospect of being in close contact with people in the midst of uncertainty over the COVID-19 virus. “I am worried,” Scarbrough said. “I haven’t been able to hug or kiss my grandson since all this started.” Still, she plans to report for duty for the June 2 municipal election in Missouri. Scarbrough also intends to work Aug. 4 when Missouri holds its primary election, and Nov. 3 when Missourians vote for offices as essential as governor and U.S. president. “I’ll be wearing my mask and I guess wiping down the pens and all the things they need me to do,” she said.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Ranson Financial2020-05-07T08:58:41-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Hillsboro hires new city administrator

Goessel resident Matt Stiles will begin duties as Hillsboro city administrator June 15. The timing will give him two weeks to work with retiring city administrator of 12 years Larry Paine, whose last day on the job will be June 30. Stiles said city inancial planning is at the top of his punch list. “We’re going to have to address the inancial impact of the pandemic irst,” he said. “That will be the top priority right away.” The city’s strategic plan is also high on his list. He also wants to emphasize economic development, growth of new businesses, and expansion of existing businesses. Stiles has been program manager and instructor at Wichita State University’s Public Policy and Management Center for two years. He was city administrator of South Hutchinson for more than seven years, and assistant city manager at Bel Aire for nearly three years.
(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Ranson Financial2020-05-07T09:00:57-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Shawnee County ‘counting on public’ to follow coronavirus safety guidelines during reopening

The Shawnee County COVID-19 Response Team reminded the public the community is counting on everyone to follow all of the guidelines issued by the state for coronavirus prevention. Shawnee County will follow Governor Laura Kelly’s “Ad Astra: A guide to open Kansas,” enacted through Executive Order 20-29, in full. While in phase one of reopening, the county response team reminded the public to practice the follow coronavirus safety measures.
(Read more: KSNT News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-07T09:01:47-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Christina Lucas appointed to Municipal Court Clerks Education Committee

The Kansas Supreme Court appointed Christina Lucas, municipal court administrator for the city of Pittsburg, to fill an unexpired term on the Municipal Court Clerks Education Committee. Lucas will serve until June 30, 2021. Lucas has been the municipal court administrator for the city of Pittsburg since 2015. She previously was office manager for the Crawford County Attorney’s office, where she was instrumental in establishing the victim/witness protection program. Lucas is secretary for the Kansas Association of Court Management and will become vice president in October. The Municipal Court Clerks Education Committee recommends and organizes education and training programs for municipal court clerks and reviews and updates the Municipal Court Clerks Manual.
(Read more: City of Pittsburg)

Ranson Financial2020-05-07T09:01:55-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Riley County reports three days without a positive COVID-19 test

Riley County has gone three days without a new positive COVID-19 test as of Wednesday afternoon. Health and safety officials updated the public online Wednesday. 20 of a total of 55 positive COVID cases remain active and one Riley County resident remains hospitalized. Health Department Director Julie Gibbs says the re-opening process has started smoothly, with most businesses adhering to occupancy, distance and other requirements. “Please keep in mind, those businesses who are following the best practices are far less likely to have a COVID positive case associated with their business,” Gibbs says. “And, therefore, are more likely to stay open.” She encourages the public to continue mitigation efforts, including wearing cloth masks, throughout the re-opening as well. Gibbs says the re-opening process will progress based on local data and following the governor’s guidance, adding that the process could last longer than the minimum 14 day period for some phases. Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Andrew Adams also says they’ve received 4,300 responses to their community survey, 4,100 of who were county residents. The goal of the survey is to get a full picture of the impact of the pandemic on the local community.
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Ranson Financial2020-05-07T09:12:00-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Manhattan approves $2.1 million grant for Manhattan Regional Airport

Manhattan city commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a $2.1 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for the Manhattan Regional Airport to provide economic relief during the coronavirus pandemic. This grant is a part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed by President Donald Trump in March. The grant provides about $10 billion in funds to airports across the United States. The commission also approved tenant agreements to provide three months of free rent in 2020 for Bandit Coffee and Café, Hertz, Enterprise Holdings and American Eagle.
(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)

Ranson Financial2020-05-07T09:12:32-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Grant program introduced for Kansas arts organizations

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced today that nearly $500,000 in grant funding is being made available to provide operational support to Kansas arts organizations experiencing financial difficulties as a result of COVID-19. The Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Creative Industries Arts Commission will distribute CARES Act arts funding through the Short-Term Operational Support (SOS) Program, a grant program developed to assist with immediate financial needs resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, May 4, through May 15, 2020. “COVID-19 has placed unexpected strain on all facets of our economy, including the arts,” Kelly said. “Together, we will ensure no organization is left behind in this emergency.”
(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)

Ranson Financial2020-05-07T09:12:51-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Hiawatha announces wastewater testing reveals COVID-19

The City of Hiawatha issued a press release on Wednesday announcing that COVID-19 coronavirus was detected in the wastewater systems of Hiawatha. This does not affect the drinking water, city officials say. On April 24, the University of Kansas School of Engineering and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) collected samples from 12 wastewater plants, one of which was the City of Hiawatha’s, to determine if the COVID-19 virus can be detected in the wastewater systems of local communities.
(Read more: Hiawatha World Online)

Ranson Financial2020-05-07T09:13:25-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

“Operation America Strong” flies over Wichita, surrounding areas

The Wichita area was treated to numerous flyovers Wednesday. Four massive aircraft zoomed overhead as a part of “Operation America Strong.” The flyover salute from McConnell Air Force Base was a way to say thank-you to all of the healthcare workers and first responders battling COVID-19. “Operation America Strong” started at McConnell Air Force Base and aircraft spent the next hour flying over Wichita and the surrounding cities. The flightpath went above 11 hospitals to show appreciation to all of the healthcare workers and first responders fighting COVID-19.”It just shows that we have a lot of support out here for what we’re doing for not only us but for the community,” said Victoria Arnce, VA Hospital Pharmacy Administrative Officer. “It’s definitely re-energizing. Sometimes it gets kind of tedious and kind of down when you see everything that’s going on and when you see something like this, especially on a beautiful day it makes you feel good.”
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-07T09:13:50-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

As a new stadium sits empty, the full effect of a lost baseball season reaches close to $1 million

Wichita was counting on the debut of the Wind Surge baseball team in many ways. For example, nearby businesses in the Delano district were gearing up for an uptick in foot traffic this spring that would translate to more spending by consumers. Hotels surrounding the ballpark were also excited. They had many rooms booked for visiting teams and spectators. And the city is approaching losses of as much as $932,000 if the Wind Surge doesn’t play this season — money that was expected to help pay for the new stadium’s construction, which cost nearly $75 million.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-07T09:14:24-05:00May 6, 2020|News|