Merriam Visitor’s Bureau compiles virtual tours, local take-out options during stay-at-home orders

The Merriam Visitors Bureau list of online activities and tours includes a livestream of penguins from the Kansas City Zoo. Photo courtesy of Kansas City Zoo. Physical travel may be off limits during the coronavirus stay-at-home orders, but that doesn’t mean a trip to a United States National Park is out of the question. The Merriam Visitors Bureau over the last few weeks has been compiling virtual tours for residents to view from the comfort of their own homes. Executive Director Karen Crane said although there are many negative impacts stemming from the global pandemic, there are also “glimmers of hope” while communities come together to exchange and create online experiences.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Ranson Financial2020-04-30T08:52:27-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

City of Russell Extends Utility Disconnection Moratorium to May 31, 2020

The City of Russell suspended utility disconnects for non-payment until May 1, 2020, as customers and the community faced potential hardship from coronavirus.
With the uncertainty of the coronavirus and the financial difficulties some customers may face during this time, the suspension of utility disconnects for non-payment is extended to May 31, 2020. This temporary moratorium ensures that the City of Russell’s utility customers will not be disconnected for non-payment.

Ranson Financial2020-04-29T13:54:39-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for April 28, 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 Financial2020-04-29T07:44:39-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

JoCo Recovery Planning Task Force approves four-phase approach to reopening local economy

The special committee on reopening Johnson County ended its work Tuesday with a fanfare of self doubt about whether people will follow its recommendations but few major changes to the rough draft on how business should phase back in from the stay-at-home order in place since March 24. The 14-member committee ended an hour-and-a-half session in a somewhat contentious disagreement over what authority government should have in policing business during a major public health crisis, with members saying the rules were either too vague or too restrictive. It was the end of about fifteen hours of discussion over the course of a week.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-04-29T07:42:31-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

Jim Schmidt was trailblazer in Kansas emergency management

Mr. Schmidt, 71, who as a Rose Hill paramedic was one of the first to arrive at the devastation in Andover left behind by a massive tornado on April 26, 1991, is being remembered as a trailblazer in Kansas emergency management. He died of cancer on April 14. Services are pending. Mr. Schmidt earned a reputation as a “magnet” for his knack of being close to major events when they happened, and he was on the ground floor of many milestones in Wichita-area emergency services.
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-04-29T07:41:29-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

Economic developers pitch Elon Musk on Wichita area for Tesla Cybertruck Gigafactory

Economic developers and business recruiters in Kansas are pitching billionaire businessman Elon Musk on locating Tesla’s new Cybertruck Gigafactory in the Wichita area.
The Greater Wichita Partnership tagged Tesla and Musk, the company’s CEO, in a tweet on Monday marketing the Wichita area for the electric pickup factory. Musk had announced in a tweet last month that he was scouting locations for the Cybertruck Gigafactory, which he said will be in the central United States. “The most geocentric metro in the nation, 800-acre site with access to two Class I railways and the #1 manufacturing-skilled workforce in the nation. A @Tesla Cybertruck Gigafactory location can’t get any better than this, @Elonmusk. http://CybertruckDreamSite.com #TeslaInWichita”
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-04-29T07:40:54-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

Reno County discusses taskforce’s reopening draft

On Tuesday, the Reno County Commission read over an initial draft of the local plan for a phased reopening of the county. The Economic Recovery Taskforce and the commission will approve a final draft of the plan in coming days. Gov. Laura Kelly’s stay-at-home order expires May 3 with no plans to renew, so the county is approaching how to reopen businesses safely during the novel coronavirus pandemic starting Monday.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-29T07:40:20-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

Dodge City meatpacking plants beef up protocols; Ford County maintains high recovery rate

With two national meatpacking plants in the county’s jurisdiction, Ford County is increasing its testing and the plants are beefing up COVID-19 protocols. The numbers for Ford County have increased to 544 individuals who have had or still have the coronavirus as of April 28. This amounts to 1.6% of the county’s population. But, according to J.D. Gilbert, a spokesman for the county, 90% of those infected have recovered. No deaths from COVID-19 have been reported in Ford County. Statewide, the deaths from the virus are at 124, or four deaths per 100,000 individuals.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-29T07:39:40-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

Bourbon County delays county tax sale

Bourbon County Commissioners on Tuesday decided the time is not right following the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak to hold a tax sale in 2020.
Commissioners were to discuss opening bids for title work for a tax sale sometime this year, but elected to delay a tax sale after talking with Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks. The meeting took place in the emergency operations center in the basement of the Bourbon County Courthouse, and was open to the public through the county’s website and Facebook page.
(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Ranson Financial2020-04-29T07:33:07-05:00April 29, 2020|News|

The $3.8 trillion municipal bond market, rocked by the coronavirus, looks to Washington for help

The $3.8 trillion market for funding state and local governments, airports, schools and hospitals faces a test this week as New York City’s transit agency offers bonds to the market for the first time since the coronavirus emptied its subways, trains and buses.
Investing in the roughly $900 million offering from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will be a leap of faith on the part of investors who will will have to imagine a healthier, post-shutdown New York economy, where commuters return to work, students go back to school and tourists come to see Broadway shows again.
That’s the same story for many issuers, as states and cities grapple with how to fill a sudden budget hole and move forward, in an environment of uncertainty about what the economic rebound will look like and how it will impact future revenues.
(Read more: Bonds)

Ranson Financial2020-04-29T07:33:39-05:00April 28, 2020|News|

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