Sedgwick County shuns doctor’s coronavirus advice to keep buffets, playgrounds closed

Sedgwick County ignored its top doctor’s advice Friday to close Wichita-area buffets, self-service fountain drinks and playgrounds while the county gradually reopens some businesses and activities that were shuttered under Gov. Laura Kelly’s stay-at-home order set to expire Monday. Garold Minns, the county’s health officer and dean of the KU School of Medicine in Wichita, said he largely agrees with Kelly, who announced that her statewide stay-at-home order would end but suggested Friday that the Sedgwick County Commission adopt further restrictions to help keep the spread of the virus contained. “We do feel like there should be two additional things we would place on the governor’s order (that are) more restrictive,” Minns told the commission during a special meeting Friday to go over the reopening plan.
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-05-04T08:49:40-05:00May 3, 2020|News|

Derby making budget adjustments amidst pandemic

Given the specifics of the current situation, the first measures taken by the city of Derby staff to address COVID-19 focused on safety and security. After addressing the immediate needs, though, attention soon turned to finances – with city staff reporting on the current budget situation to the Derby City Council at its April 28 meeting. Derby has a history of being conservative, City Manager Kathy Sexton noted, so it remains in a good financial position even as staff are projecting a $1.6 million revenue shortfall (on an annual budget typically around $40 million) due to the coronavirus.
(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)

Ranson Financial2020-05-04T08:50:06-05:00May 3, 2020|News|

Lyon County adds provisions, restrictions to statewide reopening plan

Lyon County Public Health announced the addition of several provisions and restrictions to the local implementation of a statewide reopening plan Friday. “We spent the day talking with partners about what this looks like for our community, and what this looks like in our own community,” Emergency Manager Jarrod Fell said. “We encourage everyone to follow the state plan — that is the foundation moving forward — however, we do have some added restrictions in our public health order dated May 1, 2020.” In addition, all dine-in services at restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food are prohibited. Food may be served for consumption off-premises, through such means as in-house delivery, third-party delivery, drive through, carryout and curbside pick-up. Self-service food and beverage services are prohibited.
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Ranson Financial2020-05-04T08:50:17-05:00May 3, 2020|News|

Johnson County leaders debating when, how to safely reopen businesses

Johnson County is debating when and how it will reopen. With declining new positive COVID-19 test results and fewer hospitalizations, some county leaders think reopening should go on as scheduled May 4. “The goal was to prevent the surge. We’ve accomplished the task. There is hospital capacity should there be a dust up of this again,” Johnson County Commissioner Mike Brown said. But one of the county’s top doctors insists with neighboring areas like Kansas City, Missouri, holding off on reopening a few extra days, reopening across the state line too soon could lead to a wave of new cases, possibly even worse than what’s happened so far.
(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)

Ranson Financial2020-05-04T08:50:26-05:00May 3, 2020|News|

Edgerton, Gardner cities tentatively plan reopening in May

Currently the COVID-19 statewide quarantine is scheduled to be lifted May 3, unless Governor Kelly extends it. Due to the March 17 “stay at home” order, only businesses deemed essential have remained open, with others struggling to adapt to a flailing economy. School buildings have been closed, and classroom education has been replaced with virtual meetings and lessons. Locally Johnson County government has furloughed more than 250 employees, and Olathe and Overland Park have announced layoffs. At this point, neither Edgerton or Gardner has furloughed employees, although Edgerton has postponed filling existing vacancies.
(Read more: Gardner News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-04T08:52:12-05:00May 3, 2020|News|

Jackson County reopening strategy mirrors governor’s plan

Jackson County’s plan for reopening its economy closely mirrors the plan issued on Thursday by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly for the state. But the county plan, issued on Friday by Jackson Health Officer Angela Reith, adds two specifics for businesses that serve “prepared food or drink,” including restaurants, bars and convenience stores. The state plan allows for most businesses to reopen on Monday, May 4 – when Gov. Kelly’s statewide “stay at home” order expires – following guidance by the state of Kansas, with businesses prohibited from opening listed in the state’s guidance document.
(Read more: Holton Recorder)

Ranson Financial2020-05-04T08:53:03-05:00May 3, 2020|News|

Roeland Park residents start petition to get additional protections for essential store workers

A group of Roeland Park residents — who say they are frustrated with limited response from city, county and state leaders — have started a petition to secure protections for grocery store and big box store workers during the coronavirus pandemic. These residents decided to fight for essential worker protections after members of a Roeland Park neighborhood group on Facebook began sharing reports of conditions at essential stores, group member and resident Stephanie Iser said. Iser said while the group has noticed condition improvements since initially reaching out to city, county and state leaders, the lack of a protective order from the county and state puts essential store workers in unsafe conditions daily.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-05-04T08:53:26-05:00May 3, 2020|News|

Essential employees keep city services running smoothly in Pratt

Even with COVID-19 restrictions in place, Pratt city employees are continuing to provide all essential services Pratt City Manager Bruce Pinkall assured Pratt City commissioners at their regular meeting Monday, April 20. The meeting was conducted via Zoom video conferencing session. “I’m very proud of how they’re working. They’re setting a good example,” Pinkall said. “Without them, things would come to a screeching halt.” Pinkall said that, despite playgrounds and restrooms being shut down, city parks were being used.
(Read more: Pratt, KS – Pratt Tribune)

Ranson Financial2020-05-04T08:53:36-05:00May 3, 2020|News|

Arkansas City commission reviews opening plans

The Arkansas City Commission met in a special study session Friday to discuss Governor Laura Kelly’s four-phase plan and the city’s effort to return to normal operation. City Manager Nick Hernandez said that under Phase I, everything would continue much the same, with only a few changes. He said that some businesses will be allowed to reopen, but will have to comply with several restrictions. “Ten individuals or less in a group, six feet apart for restaurants, plus cleanliness and the ability to have face masks and hand sanitizer,” he said.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Ranson Financial2020-05-04T08:54:04-05:00May 3, 2020|News|

Neosho County cautious, urges residents to be responsibile

Neosho County Commissioners took steps Friday to lift restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Gov. Laura Kelly announced a three-phase plan Thursday to reopen the state economically, and Neosho commissioners followed Friday morning by rescinding a stricter county order and opening the Erie courthouse on Monday, May 4. The governor’s action also takes effect Monday and lifts statewide stay-at-home orders while keeping some restrictions in place until at least May 18.
(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

Ranson Financial2020-05-04T08:54:46-05:00May 3, 2020|News|