Prairie Village mayor declares local state of emergency, giving city authority to close businesses if necessary

Prairie Village Mayor Eric Mikkelson on Monday declared a local state of emergency for the city in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The declaration will prompt the closure of city hall and the public works administration building to the public starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Additionally, it gives the city the authority to order business establishments, including bars and restaurants, to close temporarily; and to enforce the governor’s recently announced statewide restriction on gatherings of 50 or more people.
The city council will convene at a special session Wednesday afternoon to discuss the length of the emergency declaration.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Ranson Financial2020-03-17T07:42:38-05:00March 16, 2020|News|

Millions across the US wake up to massive shutdowns to curb spread of coronavirus

Americans face increasing stringent guidelines about social distancing and group gatherings and some governments are now telling residents not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary.

A day after the CDC urged all gatherings of 50 or more people to be canceled or postponed for the next eight weeks, the White House offered even more stringent guidelines.

The Trump administration says people should not gather in groups of more than 10 and asked Americans to stay away from bars, restaurants and food courts for the next 15 days, and to not travel if possible.

(Read more: Andover Leader)

Ranson Financial2020-03-16T21:18:09-05:00March 16, 2020|News|

Despite Fed cut, global markets roiled; short-end munis face pressure as investors seek cash

Even after the Fed cut rates to near zero, the stock market plunged Monday, setting off automatic circuit breakers that shut down trading. Short-end munis were being blown out with yields rising as much as 20 basis points on the short end as investors seek cash.
The globe is facing a pandemic that is testing what financial markets, governments, and individuals can reasonably handle.
The municipal finance industry is dealing with minute-by-minute news of state-wide school closures, shuttered restaurants, curfews and canceled events. New issues are increasingly being put on the day-to-day calendar.
Governments are trying to assess the financial impacts on their budgets and planning how they deal with the very real lost revenues from this virus. New York City noted that it will likely see a $3.2 billion decline in less revenue over the next six months.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

Ranson Financial2020-03-17T07:40:17-05:00March 16, 2020|News|

Eleven coronavirus cases found so far in Kansas, 6 in Missouri. Experts expect more.

Since early March, cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 have been reported in Kansas and Missouri. Worldwide there have been more than 170,000 confirmed cases, with at least 3,700 reported in the United States.
As the number of confirmed cases in the Kansas City region continues to grow, state and local leaders have issued emergency declarations. In an effort to limit the spread of the virus, municipal, state and federal leaders have place restrictions on the number of people allowed to gather in a location.
On Monday, Johnson County health officials announced they had eight confirmed cases. Missouri has reported seven cases.
(Read more: Kansas City Breaking News, Crime & Sports |)

Ranson Financial2020-03-17T07:38:20-05:00March 16, 2020|News|

Topeka’s ‘tent city’ moving indoors after securing $100,000

The City of Topeka has secured $100,000 that will allow homeless residents of a tent city to move to indoor housing if they want to.
The money came from Valeo Behavioral Health Care in Topeka, according to their CEO, Bill Persinger, Jr. He said that the organization gave the $100,000 to the city to finance housing vouchers for the homeless after receiving an extension on an existing grant. Valeo is among several city, state and private organizations that make up Topeka’s Homeless Task Force.
(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-03-17T07:40:45-05:00March 16, 2020|News|

US tells older people to stay home, all ages to avoid crowds

The White House on Monday urged all older Americans to stay home and everyone to avoid crowds and eating out at restaurants as part of sweeping guidelines meant to combat an expected surge of coronavirus cases.
President Donald Trump and the coronavirus task force released the guidelines as the U.S. government moved to try to blunt the impact of the virus, racing to bolster testing and aid even as financial markets fell and Americans scrambled to reorder their lives.
Among the new recommendations: Over the next 15 days, Americans should not gather in groups of more than 10 people, schooling should be at home and discretionary travel and social visits should be avoided. If anyone in a household tests positive for the virus, everyone who lives there should stay home.
(Read more: Local Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-03-17T07:40:58-05:00March 16, 2020|News|

Could Wichita-area schools last into June because of coronavirus?

Most Wichita-area school districts are on spring break this week, but parents already are asking what comes next if schools close because of concerns about coronavirus and COVID-19.
The Kansas Department of Education so far hasn’t issued any directive to close schools. But Sedgwick County on Monday declared a state of local disaster emergency and banned gatherings of 50 people or more.
Education Commissioner Randy Watson said widespread school closures could mean a longer school year for students and teachers, among other options.
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-03-17T07:41:03-05:00March 16, 2020|News|

City of Wichita announces closures and schedule changes

The City of Wichita announced Monday that they will be closing a number of public facilities and cancelling some City events for the next two weeks. The City will also be taking additional preventative measures to protect City Hall visitors and City employees.
(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-03-17T07:41:26-05:00March 16, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County declares state of emergency, limits gatherings to 50 people

In response to the growing public health concerns related to COVID-19, Sedgwick County officials Monday declared a local state of local disaster emergency and announced that public gatherings larger than 50 attendees are prohibited in the county until further notice.
The local disaster emergency was activated because of an imminent threat from contagious disease. The declaration gives the county government the flexibility to manage operations in a rapidly changing environment and will make federal and state assistance available. The county’s Local Emergency Operations Plan has also been activated, allowing for collaboration between public safety organizations, local health officials and other community stakeholders.
(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2020-03-17T07:41:54-05:00March 16, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County postpones most traffic court cases until April 6

The Sedgwick County District Court is postponing traffic court to April 6. or until further notice.
There will be no morning or afternoon traffic walk-in dockets until April 6th, 2020 or until further order of the court, per Chief Judge Jeffrey Goering.
The traffic docket includes traffic court cases set for disposition or an appearance on a summons.
If you have a traffic case, you will have thirty (30) days from the date that traffic court resumes to appear on your case.
If the court extends this notice beyond April 6, 2020, additional notices will be posted by the court.
(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2020-03-17T07:42:06-05:00March 16, 2020|News|