Hutchinson extends suspension of utility disconnections to June 1

Disconnections for city utilities have been suspended since late March due to the coronavirus. That suspension was set to expire on May 15, but the city announced this week it is extending that grace period to June 1. Those who prefer paying with a check can use the drop box on the west side of City Hall, 125 East Ave. B, or mail their payment to the same address. There has been an understandable spike in delinquent accounts, but the city hopes that residents will communicate with them to work out a payment plan before falling too far behind. To apply for a pay agreement, go to hutchgov.com/pay-agreement to download an application. You can talk with a customer service representative at 620-694-2621 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-30T08:52:53-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

Commissioners mull how to reopen Marion County

With Kansas’ “stay at home” order set to expire May 3, county commissioners are turning their attention to how to relax county health department regulations put in place to combat COVID-19. County health nurse Diedre Serene told commissioners she doesn’t expect a new stay-home order to be issued unless something happens during the next week. However, Marion County might look very different from other counties in the state.
(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)

Ranson Financial2020-04-30T08:41:51-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

Firm hired to help Moundridge find new administrator

A consulting firm has been hired to assist the Moundridge City Council in finding a replacement for City Administrator Randy Frazer, who resigned to take a similar post for the City of Arkansas City. Council members formally approved a contract with Osenbaugh Consulting, from Derby, during a special meeting on Tuesday, April 28, at city hall. “I think the extras we’ll be getting is worth the cost,” Councilman Kirk Stucky said.
(Read more: McPherson Weekly News » Feed)

Ranson Financial2020-04-30T08:42:59-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

Utah company moving to Moundridge

Scott and Angie Hagerman like the idea of moving into a smaller community like Moundridge. They plan to move here in early May. Currently residing in a suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah—with a population of 30,000 people—Scott Hagerman said he was looking forward to moving his family and business to south central Kansas. The couple own Black Canyon Home and Body, which manufactures and sells (wholesale and retail) beauty products, such as body lotions, hand sanitizer, perfumes, bath salts, shampoo and other hair products.

(Read more: McPherson Weekly News » Feed)

Ranson Financial2020-04-30T08:43:20-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

Committee Chairman says muni provisions will be included with state, local aid

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal reaffirmed Wednesday his support for reinstating Build America Bonds and the use of private activity bonds as part of a larger package of aid to state and local governments. Neal, D-Mass., assured members of the U.S. Conference of Mayors that he is working closely with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin to include major infrastructure provisions in what members of Congress are calling CARES Act 2. “You are likely to see the details of what we propose in the next few days and certainly within the next week,” Neal said.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

Ranson Financial2020-04-30T08:48:04-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

Junction City transitions back to utility disconnections

On March 17th Governor Laura Kelly issued Executive Order No. 2005 that temporarily prohibited utility and internet disconnects until May 1st. As this order expires, the City of Junction City will allow a transition period before disconnections of water service is done. For those in Cycle 1, accounts located south of Sixth Street or having an account number beginning with digits of 01-12, will be disconnected if the account is not paid in full by 4:30 P.M. on Monday, June 15th. For those in Cycle 2, accounts located north of Sixth Street of having an account number beginning with digits 14-30, will be disconnected if the account is not paid in full by 4:30 P.M. on Monday, June 29th.
(Read more: Junction City, KS – News Flash)

Ranson Financial2020-04-30T08:49:34-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

Chanute strategic in providing essential services

Even with officials in these tricky times spread out at individual tables in the Memorial Building Alliance Room, updated reports and recommendations were made at Chanute’s City Commission meeting on Monday night. This included a suggestion to not open the city pool this summer. In a landscape that has presented varying outcomes due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, City Manager Jeff Cantrell addressed city employees in his report to the commission. “Operationally, we’re kind of a tricky animal as you guys well know. We can’t just send people home, we have very essential operations, we have to be kind of strategic as to how we do that, if we do that,” Cantrell said. “In the weeks to come, I’m sure management is going to have barometers to move forward as you go forward for recommendations that will follow that. …”
(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

Ranson Financial2020-04-30T08:50:37-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

‘I need a haircut.’ Sedgwick County moves to give business control over reopening

Sedgwick County took steps Wednesday to encourage a quick end to coronavirus control orders with an eye toward letting businesses make most of their own decisions on how to reopen the economy.
“It’s time for us to move back toward freedom and I need a haircut,“ said Commissioner Jim Howell. “We all need haircuts at this point. It’s time for us to get the businesses back open and if they can do this in a way that mitigates risk, then we ought to let them speak to that and if it makes sense, we ought to let that be our next step.”
Acting as the Board of Health, the County Commission passed a motion by Howell urging Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly not to extend her stay-at-home order — which shuttered thousands of businesses — past its current scheduled expiration date of May 3. Kelly is scheduled to announce details of her plan at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-04-30T08:50:54-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

JCCC asking faculty to prepare for primarily online instruction this fall, though hands-on training will be conducted in person

JCCC began informing faculty this week that the college is preparing for a fall semester where instruction will be delivered primarily online, though campus will be open and many hands-on classes will be delivered in person. Johnson County Community College administrators this week began informing faculty that they are planning for a fall semester where instruction will be delivered primarily online, though campus will be open and several hands-on classes will be taught in person. Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications Chris Gray said plans for delivering courses while reducing unnecessary in-person contact were still in their formative stages, but that the college was keeping safety as a top priority.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Ranson Financial2020-04-30T08:51:22-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

JoCo health officer recommends putting off reopening of non-essential businesses until May 11

Johnson County should put off reopening non-essential businesses for a week to protect the county from a possible wave of new infections caused by people traveling from other metro counties with continuing outbreaks, county health officer Joseph LeMaster, MD, MPH, said today. LeMaster told county commissioners Wednesday that although the county has shown a downward trend in cases and hospitals are not overwhelmed, the commission should consider delaying a phased reopening until May 11. That would bring it closer to the May 15 date Kansas City, Mo., has planned.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Ranson Financial2020-04-30T08:51:54-05:00April 29, 2020|News|