Reno County adopts language on sport prohibitions

With lots of confusion and debate around what youth recreational activities might be allowed under the governor’s “reopening” order concerning the novel coronavirus, the Reno County Commission on Tuesday agreed to adopt language recommended by the county’s health officer for local enforcement. Health Department Director Nick Baldetti noted that a “frequently asked questions” sheet put out by the governor’s office on the issue specifically stated that organized sporting activities, including practice, are prohibited. That, however, Baldetti said, does not restrict “outdoor play,” such as playing tennis or catch, as long as social distancing rules can be followed. “There’s been a lot of conversation around this, with a lot of questions,” Baldetti said, including a “robust discussion” during an Economic Recovery Task Force meeting on Monday that lasted nearly an hour.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T08:59:50-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Wichita expected to lose twice as many jobs as in Great Recession, forecast shows

In 2020, the Wichita area will lose nearly twice as many jobs as during the 2008-10 recession, according to a new WSU economic forecast. On Tuesday, Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research released a forecast that shows Wichita will lose roughly 44,000 jobs from 2019. That’s nearly twice as many jobs from the Great Recession. The Wichita area is expected to see a roughly 30% drop in nonfarm employment during the second quarter before bouncing back to end the year at a 14.6% decline in employment from 2019, the forecast shows. The statewide projection is a 10.2% reduction in labor from 2019.
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T09:00:20-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Wichita’s Towne East mall is open, but most stores aren’t yet

Wichita’s big shopping mall — Towne East Square at Kellogg and Rock — reopened on Monday after an almost seven-week shutdown that started on March 18 amid coronavirus concerns. But shoppers who are returning to the mall are finding it full of new safety protocols but light on shopping options. Only about 20 percent of the stores inside the Simon-owned mall were open as of Monday, though mall manager Stephanie Satrape says that number should steadily increase. Among the biggies that remain closed are anchors Dillard’s and JCPenney, neither of which have shared reopening dates yet, Satrape said.
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T09:00:39-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Columbus Public Library now offering curbside services

The Columbus Public Library is now offering curbside service to get books and movies out to residents. Restrictions set by the state still don’t allow the library to operate at full capacity, so offering this option will allow them to still offer services. In the meantime, library staff will be prepping for when they can reopen, like setting chairs and computers six feet apart. But until they can start allowing people inside again, they hope they can make their curbside service easy to do. Lauren Dainty, Director at Columbus Public Library, says, “They would contact us either over the phone, they could e-mail us, or message us on Facebook. [They would] let us know the kinds of materials they would like to request, and we’ll prepare their items. Then, they give us a phone call when they are ready to pick up, and we’ll meet them outside, drop the items off in their car, and they’re on their way.”
(Read more: KSNF/KODE – FourStatesHomepage.com)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T09:01:03-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Monday marks 13 years since tornado devastated Greensburg

Monday (May 4) marks 13 year since a deadly storm ripped through the small Kiowa County town of Greensburg, killing 10 people in the community. The EF5 tornado destroyed about 95 percent of the community, leaving the center of town to resemble a bomb site. The powerful storm killed two other people, one in Pratt County and one in Stafford County. The tornado that devastated Greensburg remained on the ground for about 65 minutes,traveling more than 28 miles and measuring nearly 1.7 miles in width. The reconstruction effort that followed took years and the population dwindled to about 800 people, approximately half of the town’s pre-tornado population.
(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T09:01:12-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Labette County to appeal gas, oil well ruling

Labette County commissioners will ask the Kansas Supreme Court to review an appellate decision that could result in counties collecting less property tax revenue from gas and oil wells statewide. Labette County joined with Wilson and Neosho counties in arguing a tax issue with the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals. River Rock Energy Co. has 2,150 gas wells in these counties and disputes the values set by appraisers, totaling $13,552,670. BOTA ruled in favor of the counties and the appellate justices reversed some BOTA rulings and returned the case to BOTA.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T09:01:47-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Salina Staff and Operations Affected by Economic Impact of COVID-19

The City of Salina has recently made numerous changes to its budget, staffing schedules and operational hours. The most-recent budget adjustments were made through a combination of work-hour reductions, temporary furloughs, not filling 30 existing vacancies, and suspending hiring numerous seasonal part-time employees pending further review of seasonal program offerings. The full economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) for the City is unknown at this time, but it is clear that a major portion of the City’s operations and services will be affected. The April stay-at-home order issued by the Governor along with local, regional, and national economic trends in these unprecedented times have been continually monitored by City leadership and management.
(Read more: Salina KS News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T09:02:54-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Olathe business owner defies Johnson County stay-at-home extension, opens store

Life is slowly getting back to normal for many Kansans, as the statewide stay-at-home order was lifted over the weekend. However, Johnson and Wyandotte counties are still on lockdown until next Monday. But one Olathe business owner isn’t waiting. An additional week of mandated shutdown means another week of struggling to stay afloat for many non-essential businesses. That’s why Rebecca Shipley at Olathe Home Decor opened her store’s doors on Monday.
(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T09:03:13-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

This Johnson County city may require everyone to wear masks inside public places

As businesses prepare to reopen, the Prairie Village City Council is considering requiring everyone to wear facial coverings inside public spaces. At a meeting Monday night, Councilwoman Jori Nelson asked staff to draft an ordinance that would require people to wear masks inside businesses and indoor facilities. After a 90-minute debate, the City Council voted 11-1 to move forward. At its next meeting on May 18, the council will likely vote on an ordinance. “One of our primary responsibilities is protecting our residents and our businesses,” said Councilwoman Piper Reimer, who is a registered nurse. “It’s clear that one of the most effective, manageable and available things to all of us is to wear a face covering of some sort when we are out in public spaces indoors, in a business, restaurant or grocery store.”
(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T09:03:35-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

GCCC to Distribute Over $640,000 in CARES Act Funds to Students

Garden City Community College will distribute $641,003 in federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to qualifying students in order to alleviate financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The disbursement from the U.S. Department of Education is intended to reach as many students as possible and assist with expenses related to the pandemic and disruption of classes this semester. Eligible students are not required to complete any application or paperwork to receive CARES Act funding and will be identified by the institution automatically if they have filed a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student (FAFSA) and are deemed eligible for federal aid.
(Read more: Western Kansas News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T09:03:46-05:00May 6, 2020|News|