Bond-Market Strains Keep Traders on Edge

The global scramble for cash is putting immense pressure on bond markets, raising concern about whether they are functioning well enough to effectively distribute funds to communities and businesses.
In recent days, long-term Treasury securities have suffered significant price declines alongside large stock-market retreats, an unusual dual downturn that has raised alarm among traders. A stampede into dollars is pushing up the U.S. currency’s value overseas, adding to repayment woes for companies and governments that borrowed in dollars.
In the U.S., corporate issuance has been largely off limits to all but the bluest chips. State and local governments are facing sticker shock as steep declines in demand for their securities force rates much higher in some instances, while the market for short-term corporate loans has become surprisingly fragile, some market participants said.
(Read more: WSJ.com: Markets)

Ranson Financial2020-03-20T08:45:17-05:00March 20, 2020|News|

First Sedgwick County presumptive-positive coronavirus patient is in home isolation

The first presumptive-positive case of the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, has been confirmed in Sedgwick County. Officials said Thursday evening that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has confirmed the test results.
“We knew that eventually we were going to have a positive case,” said Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Pete Meitzner. “… It has been a blessing that it has not happened earlier.”
In a news release, county officials said the patient is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and is quarantined at home. The patient is a Wichita woman over the age of 60.
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-03-20T08:41:49-05:00March 20, 2020|News|

Johnson County removes exemption for weddings, funerals, religious activities on 10-person attendance limit

As the number of Johnson County COVID-19 cases climbs, county officials have removed an exemption for weddings, funerals and religious activities from the attendance limit of up to ten people. Meanwhile the county’s top public health officer urged residents to limit their public exposure.
“We recognize that it’s quite difficult for people to maintain,” said Dr. Joseph LeMaster, chief public health officer. “We’re hoping, praying that we will not have to go to more draconian measures such as sheltering in place.”
“I will not promise you that we will not come back to you and make that sort of order even as early as next week. So I want to really encourage people to do their very best to stick with this,” he said during an update to the county commission Thursday.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)

Ranson Financial2020-03-20T08:40:31-05:00March 20, 2020|News|

With ‘community transmission’ established in Johnson County, KDHE says it will allocate testing resources elsewhere

With 11 presumptive positive cases as of Wednesday, Johnson County accounts for more than half of the COVID-19 infections in the state. And the fact that a number of those cases have been attributed to local transmission — that is, people who contracted the virus from someone in the county who already had it as opposed to during travel elsewhere — has prompted the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to limit the number of tests it will deploy here.
In a series of new directives issues Wednesday, KDHE set guidelines for how the state will use the limited number of tests currently at its disposal. In areas without established community transmission, KDHE says, catching early cases through testing is more likely to stem the spread of the virus.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Ranson Financial2020-03-20T08:39:30-05:00March 20, 2020|News|

SEK counties teaming up to get grant funding

Labette County is partnering with a neighboring county for a grant that could lead to healthy projects in their communities.

Labette County is partnering with Montgomery County in applying for a Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways To A Healthy Kansas Community Grant.

The $200,000 administrative grant would span four years with $50,000 being paid to the counties each year.

The program has several healthy pathways to choose from and could incorporate everything from healthy foods in schools to building trails and recreational opportunities in the community.

Ranson Financial2020-03-20T08:37:16-05:00March 20, 2020|News|

City of Topeka closes all city buildings, including Topeka Zoo

The City of Topeka closed all city buildings, including the Topeka Zoo, Thursday afternoon. In a statement, city leaders said their decision is in response to the Emergency Public Health Order issued by the Shawnee County Health Department Wednesday.

The Topeka Zoo remained open to visitors until Thursday, but buildings were closed to guests. Zoo staff will continue to go to work and take care of animals during this time. Dr. Shirley Lizzo, the zoo veterinarian, said they are working hard to keep animals and staff healthy.

(Read more: KSNT News)

Ranson Financial2020-03-20T08:36:58-05:00March 20, 2020|News|

Shawnee County commission meetings no longer open to public because of coronavirus

Shawnee County officials are changing the way their meetings are held to help limit the spread of germs during the coronavirus pandemic.

All department heads called in to Thursday morning’s county commission meeting at the courthouse unless they had a presentation to show in person.

They did this to keep the number of people in the room limited and allow for 6 feet between each person.

The public is no longer allowed at meetings and will have to address commissioners through letters.

(Read more: KSNT News)

Ranson Financial2020-03-20T08:36:35-05:00March 20, 2020|News|

Topeka police limit public interaction amidst coronavirus concerns ‘until further notice’

Police officers in the capital city won’t go to the scene of non-injury crashes during the coronavirus outbreak, and changed their interaction procedures at their headquarters, the Topeka Police Department said Thursday.

Topeka police spokeswoman Gretchen Koenen has now asked the public to call 785-368-9551 to make non-emergency reports, including non-injury crashes. They will still allow public visits to the Law Enforcement Center, but visitors will make a report to officers behind the front desk glass in accordance with social distancing guidelines.

(Read more: KSNT News)

Ranson Financial2020-03-20T08:36:05-05:00March 20, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for March 19, 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 Financial2026-10-22T10:29:40-05:00March 20, 2020|Finance|

Jackson County resident tests positive for COVID-19

A Jackson County resident has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Jackson County Health Department. This is the first confirmed case of the coronavirus in the county.
Angie Reith, Jackson County Health Officer, said her office was notified last night (Wednesday) by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment that a county resident had tested positive for the virus.
The individual is in isolation and following the recommendations of health officials.
(Read more: Holton Recorder)

Ranson Financial2020-03-20T08:42:33-05:00March 20, 2020|News|