Sedgwick County group limit of 10 remains in effect for churches

One of the biggest church attendance days of the year, Easter, is just around the corner. Combine that with some lawmakers’ concerns about constitutional protections of religious freedom and there’s now a fight at the statehouse over whether Kansas can ban church gatherings of more than 10 people.

It’s a fight Sedgwick County leaders see as partisan bickering that does not apply in their county.

“I don’t think there’s a Democrat virus and a Republican virus,” said Pete Meitzner, chair of the Sedgwick County Commission, at a news briefing Thursday morning. “But it kind of gets that way a little bit federally and, obviously, at the state level. And we’re just trying to do what’s reasonable.”

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-09T21:55:53-05:00April 9, 2020|News|

Meat plants are shutting down as workers get sick

Across the country, major meat processors are starting to shut down plants as employees are getting infected by coronavirus.

Tyson, one of the world’s largest meat processors, suspended operations at its Columbus Junction, Iowa, pork plant this week after more than two dozen workers contracted Covid-19 there. Tyson said it would divert livestock that was headed to Columbus Junction to other pork plants in the region to minimize the impact on its production.

JBS USA, another major meat processor, has stopped operations at its beef plant in Souderton, Pennsylvania with plans to reopen April 16, after two weeks. The company decided to close the facility after several members of the plant’s management team stopped going to work because they were experiencing flu-like symptoms, a company representative explained, adding that all other JBS USA’s plants are still open. Cargill has also paused operations at its protein plant in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, where 900 people typically work.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-09T21:55:02-05:00April 9, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County approves ‘hero pay’ for first responders, support staff

Sedgwick County leaders have approved “hero pay” for first responders and other critical employees working during the coronavirus pandemic.

First responders will get an additional $200 of hazard pay for the next two pay periods and support workers will get an additional $100. It’s retroactive to March 29.

Sedgwick County Manager Tom Stolz said the $200 will go to county law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, corrections workers, van drivers, case managers. He estimated there were 630 employees who fall into that front-facing category.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-09T21:53:49-05:00April 9, 2020|News|

Wichita police distribute hand sanitizer to community members in need

The Wichita Police Department stepped up to make a difference in its community after a local company donated 72 cases of hand sanitizer to the department.

WPD officers turned around and distributed the hand sanitizer to people in need in the community.

“It helps people out if they are unable to get to the store,” WPD Sgt. Bob Gulliver says. “The last few times I’ve been to the store, they’ve been out of the hand sanitizer. I know there are people in need. It’ll help protect them and hopefully their families.”

(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-09T21:51:41-05:00April 9, 2020|News|

City of Mulvane responds to local cruising events, reminds people of ‘stay at home’ order

The City of Mulvane is reminding its citizens of the governor’s stay at home order.

The city says unless you are essential personnel performing an essential duty, are commuting to an essential business or covered under an exemption; you should be at home per the order.

The city says a cruising event took place on April 4 and at some point drivers started speeding and left marks on the street.

“This behavior will not be tolerated, traffic laws and ordinances will be enforced to ensure public safety. Thank you for your cooperation,” said the city.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-09T21:50:28-05:00April 9, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County plans to increase COVID-19 testing capacity

Another threshold reached in Kansas in the effort to respond to COVID-19. More than 10,000 Kansans have been tested for the disease as of Wednesday.

Every county in Kansas has tested at least one person for COVID 19.

It’s a number state health officials wish was higher, but in this fight where success is measured in baby steps, a small increase in testing capacity is a win.

That’s what Sedgwick County plans to start doing Thursday.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-09T21:48:50-05:00April 9, 2020|News|

Cosmosphere cuts jobs, furloughs most staff during pandemic

Shut down by COVID-19 at what is typically the start of its peak visitor season, the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson has permanently laid off four staff and furloughed another 75% of its remaining employees.

“In response to the virus, we decided to shut down operations on March 15,” said President Jim Remar. “It didn’t hit at a good time for any business, but it hit us right when we were getting ready for spring break. Starting with those two weeks, we do a tremendous amount of business.”

That historically carries over into March, April and half of May, when both public and school attendance is high.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-09T21:47:53-05:00April 9, 2020|News|

Council loosens housing down payment program

The Hutchinson City Council this week agreed to amend a program offering assistance with down payments for buying a home in Hutchinson by removing a requirement participants must already live in the county to qualify.

The board on Tuesday also approved the purchase of another plot of land along Cow Creek as part of an ongoing channel expansion project.

The Hutchinson Housing Commission created the Down Payment Match Incentive program in 2017 using $70,000 allocated by the city council for housing initiatives. About $17,000 remains in the fund, according to city planning director Ryan Hvitlock.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-09T21:46:49-05:00April 9, 2020|News|

Mayor De La Isla calls on Topekans to worship from home this weekend

Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla took to Facebook Thursday morning to call on capital city residents to worship from home this Easter weekend.

“I know that many of our Jewish brothers and sisters are celebrating Passover, and I know that throughout the whole Christian community this is a time of holy week,” De La Isla said. “We are getting ready to approach Easter Sunday, as well, and there has been a lot of confusing information going around.”

Ranson Financial2020-04-09T21:39:14-05:00April 9, 2020|News|

Non-essential Wichita businesses violating coronavirus order can expect enforcement: Cops

Non-essential businesses violating the coronavirus stay-at-home order can expect enforcement to pick up, law enforcement and public health officials said.

The news came in a statement issued Thursday by the Wichita Police Department in conjunction with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, Sedgwick County Health Department and Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. The warning to businesses follows reports of alleged violations being filed by people in the community.

Law enforcement officials said educating businesses on the stay-at-home order “has been largely successful.”

(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-04-09T21:38:02-05:00April 9, 2020|News|