Prairie Village, Roeland Park will not open municipal pools for 2020 season

Saying public health considerations, logistical hurdles and staff certification concerns would make operations difficult if not impossible under COVID-19 restrictions, the city councils of Prairie Village and Roeland Park on Monday voted to cancel their 2020 municipal pool seasons. Administrative staff from both cities made the recommendation to close the pools for the year after working through the statewide phased reopening guidelines released by Gov. Laura Kelly’s office last week.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-05-06T09:04:00-05:00May 6, 2020|News|

Reopening rules “enforcement” discussed by Reno County

Reno County has created a specific email and will continue with its 1-800 phone number to field public calls or questions about enforcement of the governor’s plan for reopening businesses and institutions within the county during the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak. While the governor’s reopening plan carries the force of law, officials plan a “philosophy of education” approach, said Reno County Health Department Director and local Health Officer Nick Baldetti.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-05T08:03:15-05:00May 5, 2020|News|

Walgreens in Arkansas City closing shop after 12 years

The Walgreens store and pharmacy in Arkansas City will close in early June. Store Manager Rachelle Tagg confirmed on Monday the rumors swirling around social media. The store has been at the corner of Summit Street and Radio Lane for 12 years. It opened in May of 2008 and has 16 employees. “We are closing and our last day to be open is June 3,” Tagg said.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Ranson Financial2020-05-05T08:02:36-05:00May 5, 2020|News|

Atchison County starts COVID-19 reopening plan

It is with caution that Chief Health Officer Lori Forge, RN and county health officials presented the four-phase, 12-page reopening plan in wake of the coronavirus pandemic to county commissioners last Friday. “This is our guide now,” said County Chairman Jack Bower of the plan’s Phase one that came effective Monday, May 4. The public can view the plan in its entirety at https://www.atchisoncountyks.org/DocumentCenter/View/2224/Master-Plan-Document-5-1-2020. Atchison County health officials Forge, Medical Director Dr. Bonnie Tackett, MD, of Atchison Hospital, and Emergency Management Director Wesley Lanter devised that plan. All agreed COVID- 19 is a virus is something medical professionals and experts are learning something new about on a daily basis.
(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)

Ranson Financial2020-05-05T08:00:44-05:00May 5, 2020|News|

City of Dodge City Phased Plan to Reopen City Facilities and Operations (English/Spanish)

The City of Dodge City has developed a three-phase plan for reopening city-owned facilities and operations that uses the baseline of Governor Kelly’s Ad Astra Plan to reopen the state. The first phase will begin on May 4 and will see a continuation of the operating procedures followed during the Stay-At-Home order. The re-evaluation date to potentially move into the following phase will also follow the data guidelines set in Governor Kelly’s plan by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Over 14 days the disease spread must be stable or declining, the number of new COVID-19 hospital admissions must decline, and there must be a downward trajectory of COVID-19 deaths within a 14-day period. “We all need to continue to be cautious and work hard to honor the social distancing and health guidelines,” said City Manager Cherise Tieben. “If numbers of cases keep growing, the 14-day timeline could be pushed out. We need help from all of our citizens to flatten the curve. We all want our lives and our work to be back to normal.”
(Read more: Western Kansas News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-05T07:59:35-05:00May 5, 2020|News|

Up Long Before Sunrise, Alta Vista Native Still Going Strong Serving Rural Hometown

It’s four in the morning need to be at work an hour down the road, tire is flat, oil’s low.” No worry Virgil Ziegler is at McDiffett Service on Main Street in Alta Vista ready to help out.
Modern days’ self-service, nearly impossible to get tires fixed, oil checked, gas filled, yet those old traditions do still exist. “I’m up at 3:30, have my oatmeal and here so people with city jobs get there on time,” Ziegler said. Serving his Wabaunsee County hometown has been the life for the energetic, heathy, outgoing 89-year-old most congenially acknowledged as Virgil. “I live in the same house where I was born, never got far from home,” Ziegler smiled. “Worked in the garage business, grocery stores and mowed lawns, it’s been my life.”
(Read more: WIBW News Now)

Ranson Financial2020-05-05T07:59:03-05:00May 5, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for May 4, 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 Financial2020-05-05T08:05:25-05:00May 5, 2020|News|

Muni issuance may fall 3% to 7% this year due to coronavirus pandemic, S&P says

As the human toll and financial fallout from the COVID-19 spreads across U.S. states, counties and cities, S&P Global Ratings Research expects municipal bond issuance to shrink considerably this year. “At this time, we expect issuance [in the public finance sector] to contract between 3% and 7%. We see depressed issuance among the long-term debt we track to continue as we have seen in March and so far in April, at least through the near-term,” S&P said in a report released Friday. “That situation could change if relief passes through Congress, or a major change in the trajectory of the COVID-19 outbreak occurs.” S&P cautioned that its 2020 supply forecast was volatile because “so much depends on how quickly economic activity resumes and where, as well as what aid is made available to state and local governments by the Fed or by Congress.”
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

Ranson Financial2020-05-05T07:55:10-05:00May 5, 2020|News|

Atchison Area Community Foundation announces $100,000 of COVID-19 Recovery Fund grants

In response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, the Atchison Area Community Foundation (AACF) created the 2020 COVID‐19 Recovery Fund. The fund was initiated with a $25,000 matching grant from the Courtney S. Turner Charitable Trust just one month ago and has since received donations from dozens of local businesses and individuals throughout the Atchison area. The 2020 COVID‐19 Recovery Fund received applications from 18 local non‐profits in their relief and recovery efforts. Funds will support things such as emergency food distribution, shelter and long‐term housing, emotional and spiritual care, rental and utility assistance, childcare and mentorship programming, healthcare, and much more.
(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)

Ranson Financial2020-05-05T07:43:19-05:00May 4, 2020|News|

City of Pittsburg limits facility use, cancels events, offers virtual programs this summer

As some area businesses and local government facilities begin to reopen, others are getting creative in finding new ways of offering their services – or having to make the tough decision not to in some cases where doing so while following guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19 would be impossible or impractical. “Our staff has diligently reviewed all possible scenarios to safely host events and open facilities,” Pittsburg Parks and Recreation Director Kim Vogel said in a press release. “The bottom line for us is how to best protect the public and our staff, while following mass gathering guidelines. We encourage citizens to maintain social distancing while visiting parks and utilizing the trail systems, and we will continue to develop new ways to engage the public to keep everyone active throughout the summer.” To align with state and county orders, the Pittsburg Parks and Recreation Department is limiting the use of some park facilities, modifying summer programs and cancelling special events.
(Read more: Community – Morning Sun)

Ranson Financial2020-05-05T07:43:53-05:00May 4, 2020|News|