Shawnee County Health officer closes restaurants, bars, theaters

Shawnee County health officer Gianfranco Pezzino on Wednesday ordered the closure of restaurants, bars and theaters, and banned gatherings of 10 or more until further notice.
The order, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, prohibits any dine-in seating but allows for carryout, drive-through and delivery of food and beverages.
Pezzino’s order follows similar measures taken in other counties to limit the spread of COVID-19. So far, no one has tested positive in Shawnee County. Earlier this week, officials said dozens of county residents were under quarantine without symptoms, and others were waiting for test results.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-03-19T08:53:37-05:00March 19, 2020|News|

Laid off school bus drivers looking for new jobs

With the Governor cancelling classes for the rest of the school year, school bus drivers are off the job.
Mike Tuttle is walking away from his school bus facing the unexpected.
He doesn’t blame the company, this is just another devastating impact from the Coronavirus pandemic. And Tuttle is not alone in this right now..he estimates 4700 to 5200 bus drivers in Kansas are now without a job.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-03-19T08:52:09-05:00March 19, 2020|News|

Virus keeps us home — or in the great outdoors in JoCo parks

So what can we do with so much of Johnson County shut down to stop the spread of the sometimes deadly coronavirus?
The answer: Hunker down at home with books, television, calisthenics, hobbies and household projects — or go outdoors for exercise and fresh air.
So much else has been shut down: schools, libraries, theaters, Johnson County Community College, all but critical child care services at the Jewish Community Center, the Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center in Lenexa — and many municipal community centers, including those in Overland Park, Lenexa, Merriam, Mission and Olathe.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2020-03-19T08:51:46-05:00March 19, 2020|News|

Short-Term Bond Market Roiled by Panic Selling

Short-term bonds typically act as a haven in turbulent times. But debt maturing in three years or less has been routed in recent days, punishing investors in markets ranging from corporate bonds to asset-backed debt.

The selloff is the latest example of stressed investors resorting to extreme behavior at a time when the economic outlook is unsettled at best and market liquidity, the capacity to buy and sell quickly without roiling prices, is uneven. Many traders say that high-grade, short-term corporate bonds are being sold…
(Read more: WSJ.com: Markets)

Ranson Financial2020-03-19T08:50:55-05:00March 19, 2020|News|

City of Topeka provides downtown businesses with curbside to-go stalls

In an effort to assist downtown businesses and make sure they are still able to provide meals to customers, the City of Topeka has created curbside to-go parking. This was one of the new initiatives City Manager Brent Trout spoke about Wednesday evening during the Shawnee County Health Department’s daily news conference. According to a news release sent out Wednesday afternoon by the city, there are currently eight downtown restaurants taking part…
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-03-19T08:50:09-05:00March 19, 2020|News|

Kroger hiring 10,000 workers, offering PTO for current workers with COVID-19

While several businesses are closing their doors, others are looking for extra help. Kroger, parent company to Dillon Companies, is hiring an additional 10,000 workers across their retail stores, manufacturing plants and distribution centers amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The grocery store also announced it will pay any current part-time and full-time employees for 14 days that are forced to quarantine at home or have been diagnosed with coronavirus.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-03-19T08:48:47-05:00March 19, 2020|News|

Winfield hospital employee donates 1.75 million

Brandon Sultz washes dishes at the William Newton Hospital in Winfield. The 24-year-old just inherited millions, from someone he barely knew. “I’m still in shock, even today, but I mean, wow. What a blessing.”
But Sultz isn’t keeping it all for himself. He’s donating about 1.75 million dollars to the hospital and he’s not going to quit his job. He says it’s a place where co-workers turned into family. ”I want to pay it forward. I just think that the spirit of giving needs to become contagious and my life long goal is to leave my mark on the world.”
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-03-19T08:48:03-05:00March 19, 2020|News|

Morris Co. Health Dept: 2 people test positive for COVID-19, others at risk in Council Grove area

According to the Morris County Health Department’s Facebook page, two individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in Morris County, Kan.

County health officials said they were notified of the positive tests but did not say who notified them. They also did not clarify whether the two cases were Kansas citizens

Because of the way the Kansas Department of Health and Environment tallies its cases, only Kansans who test positive are counted. The two cases, if confirmed with KDHE, could be the state’s 22nd and 23rd.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-03-19T08:47:30-05:00March 19, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for March 18, 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 19, 2020|Finance|

Wichita’s Towne East Square mall closes at least until March 29

Simon Property Group, one of the country’s largest operators of shopping malls, including Towne East Square in Wichita, is temporarily closing all of its U.S. properties due to coronavirus.
The Indianapolis-based company announced Wednesday that will close all of its retail properties, including its malls, premium outlets and mills in the U.S. This does include Towne East.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-03-19T08:43:21-05:00March 19, 2020|News|