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AM updates 3-24

Governor Laura Kelly issued a number of executive orders Monday related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among them are orders extending the state's income tax filing deadline from April 15th to July 15th, following similar action regarding federal income tax returns and waiving late penalties and interest for that period. This order also extends the homestead property tax refund deadline to October 15th. A second order allows for extension of any vehicle registrations, drivers licenses and identification cards deadlines to a point within 60 days of the expiration the state of disaster emergency proclamation. Other resolutions place a moratorium through May 1st on discontinuance of solid waste and recycling services for nonpayment, and modifies an earlier resolution related to barring evictions and foreclosures to sprcify this relief applies only in cases where inability to pay is related to loss of income or increased expended tied to COVID-19 and other changes related to legal actions pending and cases where multi-family units are under forecloure action.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment added two states to the list of those where a mandatory 14 day quarantine applies. Anyone who has traveled to Illinois or New Jersey on or after Monday is now under that mandate, along wth the other four states earlier ordered along with people who have traveled internationally. on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15th, and to four Colorado counties since the week of March 8th. It also applies to those notified as being a close contact of a person with a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19

RCAT is going on a compressed operating schedule as of today. Reno County Public Transportation Director Barbara Lilyhorn says they will be operating on their Saturday fixed route schedule from 8-5 Monday-Friday and from 9-2 on Saturday... Those same hours will be observed for their paratransit routes. County on demand service will run 8-5 Monday through Friday. All vehicles will be observing social distancing for seating passengers and persoming additional disinfection and cleaning practices. Passengers are also asked to observe good hygine with frequent hand washing and responsible resiprator ettiquette such as coughing and sneeding into your elbow bend and limiting physical contact with drivers and other passengers... They are also asking citizens to take trips only for esstemtial medical appointments, groceries and personal business.

The Hutchinson USD 308 Board of Education last night approved a moification of graduation requirements for the Hutchinson High School class of 2020 to cut the number of required units from the district's 26 to the state required 21 units. It also approved an initial preliminary partial continuous learning plan which outlines how distance learning will be provided for the rest of the school year. a final plan will be approved by the board next month to be submitted to the Kansas State Department of Education for a waiver of attendance roles. The Board also approved an agreement with Durham School Services related to payments for the remainder of the school year that assures bus drivers will get paid for the rest of the year.

The Fairfield USD 310 Board of Education will have a special meeting this evening at 7. Sole item on their agenda is approval of the district's Continuous Learning Plan for the rest of the school year. The meeting will be available via a You Tube stream at https://youtu.be/Wfk11NubUjs

The Lyons USD 405 Board of Education will also have a special meeting tonight at 6 from the Lyons High School Cafeteria. This meeting will be a continuation of school shutdown planning from a meeting last week. That meeting will be available through the district's Facebook page.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture Monday issued an order to waive enforcement of a fuel restriction that had the potential to limit supplies of gasoline. Usually fuel retailers have to switch from a winter formulation by April 1st... With the reduction in demand many of them still have subtaintial amounts of that grade in storage, and the time and pipeline capacity required for reformulation could have negatively impacted fuel supplies. With the order winter grade gas can still be sold through the end of April this year.

The Buhler High School Band's Disney Trip has been cancelled. USD 313 Board of Education president Laura Meyer Dick, who has handled a lot of the travel arrangements, said in a message to parents Monday after speaking with administration and the Reno County Health Department they believe its in the best interest of students to cancel the trip. Meyer Dick also said vendors will be giving them a majority of their money back, and they are expecting to be able to refund at least 85 percent of what was paid, hopefully more. She did note Disney has indicated it could take as long as 16 weeks for ticket refunds to be issued.

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New limits on public gatherings coming Tuesday, changes in COVID-19 testing protocol made

Governor Laura Kelly said this afternoon at this point she is not going to issue a state-wide stay at home order, though eight counties have done so... seven in northeast Kansas plus Lyon County in east central Kansas... but she will be issuing a new executive order Tuesday with stricter limits on public gatherings, reducing the number allowed from 50 to 10.

There are now 82 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kansas... 48 of which are in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties and 14 in the counties adjoining those two. No new confirmed cases have been reported as of 10 this morning in mid and south central Kansas with a total number of seven, two each in Reno and Sedgwick Counties and three in Butler County.

Secretary of Health and Environment and State Health Office Dr Lee Norman said at a news conference one good sign so far is we're not seeing a doubling of cases as seen in other states every few days, but he is still expecting to see a sharp rise by month's end with an estimated 300 to 400 cases possible.

There's also going to be a slight change in priorities for testing at the KDHE lab, targeted health care workers and first responders, citing the experience of Spain where around ten percent of their cases involve health care workers.

Potential clusters of unknown respriatory illness, especially in long term care facilities, hosptialized patients with no alternative disagnosis, and persons over 60 with symptoms, and persons having underlying medical conditions will also get priorities. Another thing working in Kansas' favor is spring... coupled with closure of schools last week, in that reducing large group gatherings along with more people outdoors taking advantage of vitamin C through the sun might help with this.

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PM updates 3-23

As of just before noon McPherson County has not had any positive COVID-19 cases. They are continuing to ask people to follow the guidance of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment with social distancing and limiting social gatherings to under 50 people. Their quarantine advisories remain as they have been... including those who have traveled internationally or to the states of California, Florida, New York or Washington State, internatioanlly or have been on a cruise or river trip since March 15th, visited one of the four Colorado counties where the big ski resorts are located... Eagle, Gunnison, Pitkin or Summit... in the week prior to the 15th or after, or have been identified as a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 CASE.

Based on recommendations from the County Health Officer, Rice County Commissioners today announced public access to all applicable county department is now closed until further notice. County employees will be available by email or phone, with standard hours remaining in place. Payments and other business records can be placed in a drop boxc at the south entrance of the courthouse, whcih will be dated for the day you drop them and processed the next day.

One group of people who have been going above and beyond... and getting a certain amount of abuse at times... during the currrent situation are the people working in grocery stores. The Kroger Company announced Saturday their are going to provide one time bonuses to all hourly front line grocery, supply chain, manufacturing and customer service associates... this covers employees hired on or before March 1st and on the payroll between March 8-28 with the bonus to be paid April 3rd. Kroger, the parent of Hutchinson-based Dillons, also is expansing their COVID-19 emergency leave guidelines to including paid time off for self-isolation and symptoms as verified by accredited health care professionals in addtion to those diagnosed with or placed under quarantine due to COVID-19.

An old tradition many of a certain age will remember is being brought back in a form Tuesday evening in Hutchinson. A community-wide Main Street Drag will take place... With a theme of "From A Distance" keeping in mind social distancing limitations, the Hutchinson St. Vincent de Paul Group will have a number of pickups set up along Main marked with American flags where you can drop off food donations for local food pantries, which can really use donations of non-perishable food items, diapers, cleaning supplies, and even that extra roll of toilet paper a few of you do have to spare. As they put it be a little crazy but not rowdy.

The Hutchinson Planning Commission has cancelled their scheduled meeting Tuesday evening due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their next meeting as things now stand will be Tuesday April 14th.

H&B Communications is offering assistance to people in their service area who are working from home or transitioning to an online learning platform. The Holyrood based company is allow current customers to boost their speed at no addtiional charge for 60 days, and is allow new internet customers who are working from home or having a student online to have free installation and no charge service for 60 days. Information on the program can be found at www.hbcomm.net.

The McPherson Housing Coalition will continue to provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic... Although their office is closed to the public right now, they can be reached by phone, e-mail or social media as they work with families who are the most vulnerable and without their services can't shelter in place. They have also announced postponement of Brush Up Mac until the crisis has passed or they can change the way the event is held. Updates as we get them.

The Messiah Festival of the Arts in Lindsborg has announced changes to their plans for this year, including postponment, cancellation and modiciations of activities. Many of the planned Holy Week events have been re-scheduled to take place during Bethany College Founders Day Weekend October 15-18. As of this time are planning to still have the Easter Sunday performance of The Messiah April 12th, with a 24 singer chorus and small orchestra in a "chamber" versiion of the Handel work. A live stream of this performance is being planned. Also, they are planning another performance Friday June 19th as part of the Midsummer's Festival. Additional information can be found at www.messiahfestival.org.

South Hutchinson Municipal Court cases set for Tuesday have been continued with one exception... If you have a payment agreement with the court you WILL BE REQUIRED to make an appearance Tuesday afternoon at 2. If you have questions contact the municipal court clerk at 560-6251.

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Marion County imposes restrictions

Marion County Health Department Director and County Health Officer Diedre Serene today issued an order banning gatherings of more than ten people, both indoor and outdoor, excepting for governmental and judicial functions and thosed deemed essential industried by US Homeland Security, and ordering closure as of 8 AM Tuesday through April 7th of all restaurants, bars and any other public gathering locations or special events in Marion County except that carry-out, drive-through and delivery food and beverage services can contnue. Exceptions are also allowed for funerals and other religious activities with social distancing restrictions of at least six feet.

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USD 308 calls special meeting

The Hutchinson USD 308 Board of Education is having a special meeting this evening at 6 to deal with some matters related to the Continuous Learning program along with some routine consent agenda items. The meeting will be available on Facebook LIve at www.facebook.com/USD308/

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Late night severe storms possible

There is a slight risk for severe storms tonight over mid and south central Kansas. Storms are expected to develop late evening and primarily impact areas along and south of the US 56 corridor with the strongest storms priducing up to golf ball sized hail and winds to 60 miles an hour. A very slight tornado risk exists, but that will mainly be closer to the Oklahoma border.

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Union Valley principal to interview for USD 313 superintendent position

The first of three candidates for the supertintendent of school position in Buhler USD 313 is an in-house candidate. Dr. Paul Erickson is in his 5th year as principal of Union Valley Elementary School. Prior to coming to UV he was a classroom teacher and principal for eight years in Inman and taught for three years in Hutchinson USD 308. Dr. Erickson will have his interview with the board tonight in an executive session. Other candidate interviews are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.

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Lyons USD 405 item pickup plan

The following information is from Lyons USD 405 regarding their pickup of student items, which will take place Thursday and Friday

Parents should accompany their children because final business in the school office will need to be conducted, including paying fees such as shop, art, computer, lunches, etc. The parents of students with a credit balance on their meal account will need to tell the secretary how to handle the balance – whether to apply it to next year or issue a refund.

Students will be permitted to pick up their personal property from their lockers and desks according to the schedule below based on the first letter of the student’s last name. This is to limit the number of people in the building at the same time. Our buildings have all been cleaned and disinfected. Students should bring a bookbag or other bag, go directly to their locker or desk and retrieve their personal property without touching other items. Textbooks do not need to be taken home.

Don’t forget to pick up:

Personal belongings from lockers and desks Park Elementary 620-257-5624

Bookbags and coats Central Elementary 620-257-5612

PE clothing and shoes Lyons Middle School 620-257-3961

Class projects (art, shop, FACS) Lyons High School 620-257-5114

Musical instruments

Medication

School-issued computer

Pickup and checkout times for students with last names beginning with

A - G, Thursday, March 26, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

H – M, Thursday, March 26, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

N – S, Friday, March 27, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

T – Z, Friday, March 27, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

If there are children with different last names, all supplies from all school can be picked up at the same time to limit the number of trips a family has to make.

If you cannot make it during your scheduled time, please call your child’s school on Thursday or Friday to make other arrangements.

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Monday AM updates

Statewide the number of cases of COVID-19 is now at least 64, up nine from Saturday. 42 of the cases are in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties with nine more in nearby counties in Northeast Kansas. This does NOT include the new Reno County case which was not confirmed until after the 10 AM cutoff for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's daily update.

Hutchinson Regional Medical Center announced last night it has closed the hospital to all visitors. Any exception to that will be considered on a case by case basis with provisions possible for pediatrics and end of life situations. The Emergency Department entrance remains open and is restricted to physicians and patients seeking emergency care. Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System President and CEO Ken Johnson said the COVID-19 Virus poses an unprecedented threat to the health of our community, and acknlowedges this will be stressful to patients and their families but is necessary to protect the health of patients, providers, and staff. During this ime Johnson asked everyone to treat others with patience and grade as they overcome these challenges.

Rice County Commissioners are meeting this morning, and their agenda primarily comprises weekly and quarterly departmental updates including an executive session on non-elected personnel in two departments. They also will hear a presentation on what is going on with the court system which has on state-wide basis largedly curtailed nearly all operations.

One of the items on this morniing's McPherson City Commission agenda is directly related to COVID-19... a request from CK Pharmacy to reserve two parking places along Marlin just east of Main for curbsite pickip. Commissioners will also deal with a couple of other street related matters, make a library board appointment, attend to two matters involving a new housing grant, and at the end of the meeting will discuss COVID-19 matters. The City will have a video of this meeeting up later today on their You Tube page.

Details are set for the Lyons USD 405 grab and go meal distributon starting Monday. Distribution will take place at Central Elementary School... on the east side bus zone with entry from Douglass at the old middle school drive, and at Park Elementary School on the south side pickup zone. They will be serving from 11 until 12:30... and as long as you are between 1-18 you get the meals... you don't have to attend USD 405 or live in the district

Meal distributios also begin today in many other school districts around the area... For those districts that were scheduled to be on spring break this week many are not offering meals this week due to USDA regulations regarding this special program. This includes Hutchinson USD 308... but many districts including Buhler USD 313 are making meals available this week through their programs. USD 308 when they resume next week will be adding additional distribution points to the two they had in place last week.

USD 405 Lyons has also announced their schedule for pickip of supplies and checkout, which will happen Thursday and Friday. Parents should accompany their children in order to take care of any final business of the year including payment of remaining fees ans such. Parents of students will remaining credit balances on their meal account need to inform school secretaries how to handle that balance... issue a refund or carry over that credit to next year. Pickups Thrusday will be from 8-11 for last names beginning A-G and 1-4 for those with last names starting H-M. Friday it will be from 8-11 for N-S and 12-3 for those with last names T through Z. In cases where children have different last names all supplies can be picked up at the same time, and if you can't make your scheduled time call your child's school to make other arrangements. Students should bring a book bag or other bag to retrieve their items from lockers and/or desks and not touch anything else... Textbooks do not need to be taken home.

McPherson Urgent Care at 823 North Main is now temporarily closed... It's part of McPherson Center for Health, formerly McPhrerson Hospital., and they did this for patient safety and consolidate resources. Urgent care assessments can be done by phone by calling 241-7400 between 8-5 weekdays and you'll be advised as to how to proceed.

The Boys and Girls Club of Hutchinson announced Sunday their sites will remain closed for the duration of the school year. Their website, bgchutch.com, has more information on this or you can contact Skip WIlson at 665-7171 extension 103. They have also announced their annual Great Futures Golf Tournament has been postponed from May 18th... as things now stand they plan to have the tournament Friday June 19th.

With community engagements in the traditional sense halted, the Hutchinson Fire Department is taking to alternative means to provide educational programming for children. Starting Monday afternoon at 3 HFD will be offering a 15-30 minute education program on their Facebook page. The program will include live streaming and such things as tours of HFD's six stations, where children will learn about the equipment used by firefighters, how to use a fire extinguisher, and how to help with mom cooking in the kitchen safely along with other topics. Hutch Fire's facebook page is www.facebook.com/Hutchinson-Fire-HFD.

Reno County Commissioners will be hearing a COVID-19 update at the start of their meeting Tuesday morning at 9. The one action item on their agenda is action on the Planning Commission's recommendation to expand the zoned area of the county to include that area of far southeast Reno County generally south of Fountain Green Road and east of an existing three mile zoned area around Cheney Lake. They will also consider authorization to purchased a used vehicle for Community Corrections and a Public Transportation Commission appointment on their consent agenda along with formal action on the state of local disaster emergency signed last week. There will only be limited seating available for the meeting, whcih can be viewed online at renogov.org... there is a direct link to the meeting page on the left side of the home page, from which you can access the meeting once it starts.

One group of people who have been going above and beyond... and getting a certain amount of abuse at times... during the currrent situation are the people working in grocery stores. The Kroger Company announced Saturday their are going to provide one time bonuses to all hourly front line grocery, supply chain, manufacturing and customer service associates... this covers employees hired on or before March 1st and on the payroll between March 8-28 with the bonus to be paid April 3rd. Kroger, the parent of Hutchinson-based Dillons, also is expansing their COVID-19 emergency leave guidelines to including paid time off for self-isolation and symptoms as verified by accredited health care professionals in addtion to those diagnosed with or placed under quarantine due to COVID-19.

The Hutchinson Planning Commission has cancelled their scheduled meeting Tuesday evening due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their next meeting as things now stand will be Tuesday April 14th.

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IdeaTek adds drive-up wifi in area towns, more coming

IdeaTek has announced drive-up WIFi access points will be available in a half dozen area cities. Sites include he Buhler City Library and the IdeaTek Offices, Bentley at 150 S. Wichita, in Inman at the Library and Miller Cycle Shop on South Main, at Rendezvous Adventure and Raymer Society for the Arts in Lindsborg, and at Carriage Crossing in Yoder. Each site can accommodate up to 50 devices at a time with a 250 feet line of site range, and IdeaTek is asking you prioritize use for school, work or other important online obligations during peak use times. Sites are also in the process of being set up at Haven, Mt. Hope, Andale, Moundridge and Goessel.

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Second COVID-19 case confirmed in Reno County

A second positive case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Reno County. Reno County Health Department Director Nick Baldetti says the second patient is a male in their 40's who had recently traveled out of state to a known communual transmisson state. No further information is being released at this point as case contact remains under investigation. The other Reno County case involving a woman in her 60's was announced Friday night. This announcement comes after Baldetti issued an order Saturday prohibiting mass gatherings of more than ten people in Reno County and ordering a 14 day mandatory quarantine for those who have traveled to Johnson or Wyandotte County, Kansas or Jackson County, Missouri... basically the Kansas City metro area core counties.

Statewide the number of cases of COVID-19 is now at least 64, up nine from Saturday. 42 of the cases are in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties with nine more in nearby counties in Northeast Kansas. This does NOT include the new Reno County case which was not confirmed until after the 10 AM cutoff for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's daily update,

Details are set for the Lyons USD 405 grab and go meal distributon starting Monday. Distribution will take place at Central Elementary School... on the east side bus zone with entry from Douglass at the old middle school drive, and at Park Elementary School on the south side pickup zone. They will be serving from 11 until 12:30... and as long as you are between 1-18 you get the meals... you don't have to attend USD 405 or live in the district.

McPherson Urgent Care at 823 North Main is now temporarily closed... It's part of McPherson Center for Health, formerly McPhrerson Hospital., and they did this for patient safety and consolidate resources. Urgent care assessments can be done by phone by calling 241-7400 between 8-5 weekdays and you'll be advised as to how to proceed.

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USD 313 Superintendent interviews still on with changes

Buhler USD 313 will continue with Superintendent interviews next week as planned with a few changes. According to Board Clerk Wendy Neill, facility tours will take place only if the candidate chooses. Also, due to the pandemic and limitations on public gatherings they will not have the candidate meet and greets. Interviews with the finalists to succeed retiring superintendent Mike Berblinger will take place Monday, Wednesday and Thursday... names of the finalists will be released the morning of their interview.

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Full version of Reno County health orders

This is the full order issued last night by Reno County Health Officer and Health Department director Nick Baldetti related to COVID-19 including restrictions on gatherings of more than ten people and mandating home quarantine for people visiting the Kansas City metro area, the epicenter of the outbreak in Kansas.

Now on this 21st day of March, 2020, I Nicholas Baldetti, D.B.A., M.B.A., M.S., the duly appointed Health Officer and Director for the Reno County Health Department, make the following order, pursuant to K.S.A. 65-119, in an effort to mitigate the spread of the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Reno County, Kansas.

  WHEREAS, the local Health Officer is authorized and required, pursuant to K.S.A. 65- 119 and K.S.A. 65-129b to immediately exercise and maintain a supervision over known or suspected cases of any infectious or contagious disease during its continuance, and to issue orders seeing that all such cases are properly handled and that the provisions of the Kansas public health laws as to isolation, quarantine and disinfection are duly enforced; and

WHEREAS, the local Health Officer is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners and is authorized to prohibit public gatherings when necessary for the control of any and all infectious diseases, pursuant to K.S.A 65-119; and

WHEREAS on the 12th day of March 2020, the Governor of the State of Kansas, Laura Kelly, found that a disaster had occurred, or the threat thereof was imminent as a result of the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the confirmed outbreak and person-to-person spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19, a respiratory disease that spreads easily from person to person and may result in serious illness or death, has been confirmed in Kansas, resulting in serious illness and at least two deaths to date in Kansas; and

WHEARAS, such conditions endanger health, safety and welfare of persons and property within the border of Reno County, Kansas; and

WHEREAS, to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Reno County Local Health Officer, all recommend implementation of community mitigation strategies to increase containment of the virus, including cancellation of large gatherings and social distancing in smaller gatherings; and

WHEREAS, the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 and the resulting epidemic in the United States and in Kansas continue to threaten the life and health of our citizens and visitors as well as the economy and remains a public disaster affecting life, health, property and the public peace.

WHEREAS, violation of state or local mandates constitutes the crime of “violation of a disaster emergency proclamation”, pursuant to K.S.A. 48-939, a class A non-person misdemeanor.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED by the Local Health Officer, pursuant to the above authorities, that:

1. Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2020, all public or private mass gatherings as defined below, are prohibited within the border of Reno County. a. The phrase “mass gathering” as used in this order means any planned or spontaneous, indoor or outdoor, public or private event or convening that will bring together or is likely to bring together 10 or more people in a confined or enclosed space at the same time. b. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, mass gatherings at: auditoriums, theaters, movie theaters, museums, stadiums, arenas, conference rooms, meeting halls, exhibition centers, taverns, health and fitness centers, recreation centers, and licensed pools.

2. The following activities or facilities are exempt from the prohibition of this order:

  a. Operations of the United State Government;

b. Religious Gatherings, as long as attendees engage in appropriate social distancing;

c. Funeral or memorial services or ceremonies;

d. Public, private, or charter schools for instructional purposes, for non-instruction; purposes – such as medication pickup, childcare services, providing meals – and when operating polling places;

e. Childcare locations (including those that operate within a facility that is otherwise subject to the prohibition of this order), residential care centers, and group homes;

f. Hotels and motels, as long as the restaurant and bar guidelines, listed below in subparagraph q, are followed;

  g. Military and National Guard facilities;

h. Law enforcement, jail, or correctional facilities, including any facility operated by the Department of Corrections;

i. Any facility being used as part of a government or community response to a natural disaster;

  j. Food pantries and shelter facilities, including day centers, established sexual assault and domestic violence centers, established homeless and transitional housing for individuals and families;

k. Detoxification and recovery housing facilities;

l. Apartment or other multi-family residential buildings, except that the prohibitions of paragraph 1 apply to any non-residential facilities, rooms, or operations in such buildings subject to any other exceptions listed in paragraph 2;

m. Shopping malls and other retail establishments where large numbers of people are present but are generally not within arm’s length of one another for more than 10 minutes;

n. Hospitals, medical facilities, and pharmacies;

o. Long term care and assisted living facilities, as long as the facility follows all current Department of Health Services Recommendations for Prevention of COVID-19 in Long- Term Care Facilities and Assisted Living Facilities per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;

p. Senior Centers, but only for the service of meals and only if the requirements listed below are followed: i. Preserve social distancing of 6 feet between tables, booths, bar stools, and ordering counters; and ii. Cease self-service of unpackaged food, such as in salad bars or buffets;

  q. Restaurants and bars, but only if the requirements listed below are followed; i. Preserve social distancing of 6 feet between tables, booths, bar stools, and ordering counters; and ii. Cease self-service of unpackaged food, such as in salad bars or buffets;

  r. Retail food establishments (grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, truck stops) as long as the requirements listed below are followed: i. Preserve social distancing of 6 feet between tables, booths, bar stools, and ordering counters; and ii. Cease self-service of unpackaged food, such as in salad bars or buffets;

s. Office spaces and government service centers;

t. Manufacturing, processing, distribution, and production facilities;

  u. Public transportation;

v. Utility facilities;

w. Job centers; and

x. Facilities operated by the Kansas Legislature and Kansas Court System.

3. All public gatherings that bring together or are likely to bring together 10 or fewer people in a single room or confined or enclosed space at the same time should: a. Preserve social distancing of 6 feet between people, and b. Follow all other public health recommendations issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and all local county and municipal health codes.

4. Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2020, travel to Kansas City and/or Johnson County, Wyandotte County and Jackson County, Missouri will require a mandated 14-day home quarantine. ___________________________ Nicholas Baldetti, D.B.A., M.B.A., M.S. Director and Health Officer The Reno County Health Department.

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Second death reported from COVID-19, additional case in central Kansas

A second death has been reported in Kansas from COVID-19. That death, in Johnson County, was announced today by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The other death was reported earlier in Wyandotte County. 55 positive cases have now been reported in Kansas, including the one case in Reno County announced Friday evening. In addition to Reno County, there has now been a positive case in Mitchell County of north Central Kansas. The bulk of the cases continue to be noted in far northeast and east central Kansas, with 3/4ths of them in the Kansas City metro area.

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TEFAP distribution Sunday with changes

The March TEFAP commodity distribution will take place Sunday afternoon from 2:until 3:30 at the former Dillon Living Center on the east side of the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center Campus. One change being made for this month is it will be a drive-up distribution with sign-ins at your vehicle...nobody will be allowed in the building. The program is for low income perople of all ages who meed income requirements, and boxes are distributed on a first come-first serve basis... you also can't pick up boxes for anyone other than yourself.

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Saturday morning updates

One thing we want to add from our earlier reports on Buhler USD 313's plans for continuous learning.. They are urging parents NOT to go out and purchase a device for their students, as they are currently working on securing devices for those who don't have them.

The City of Lyons has closed their offices as of Friday until further notice. Employees will still be present to accept payments through the drop box and answer questions over the phone. If there is anything the city can do to accomodate you with, don't hesitate to give them a call at 620-257-2320.

The Hutchinson Zoo closed down late Friday afternoon for the duration to help protect their staff... who will be available to take questions from 10-5 weekdays and on an as available basis on the weekends. The zoo's Wildcare Wildlife Rehabilitation Center will continue to admit injured or orphaned animals, but they are asking you to call or message prior to animals being brought in so they can set up an appointment to have a staff member ready to meet you outside the zoo.

With community engagements in the traditional sense halted, the Hutchinson Fire Department is taking to alternative means to provide educational programming for children. Starting Monday afternoon at 3 HFD will be offering a 15-30 minute education program on their Facebook page. The program will include live streaming and such things as tours of HFD's six stations, where children will learn about the equipment used by firefighters, how to use a fire extinguisher, and how to help with mom cooking in the kitchen safely along with other topics. Hutch Fire's facebook page is www.facebook.com/Hutchinson-Fire-HFD.

The McPherson County Jail has ceased inmate transit except by court order as they deal with COVID-19. In a statement last night Jail Admiistrator Captain Arlo Blevins said facility-wide restrictions were put in place the first week of March that included legal visits and facility programs which they are evaluating on a daily basis including a facility-wide disinfection schedule they have firmly adhered to and will continue to do.

McPherson USD 418 is making a modification to their free meal program for children... in addition to the midday distribution from 11 to 1:15 at McPherson Middle School and at Lincoln and Roosevelt Elementary Schools, they will be adding an evening distribvution from 5:30 until 7 at Washington Elementary School with the pickup on the north side of the building. Children will get lunch for that day and breakfast for the next at all four site, and children must be present for meals to be provided.

Haven USD 312 has announced it will be offering free child breakfast and lunch distribution weekdays from 11-noon. Their distribution points are the Haven and Yoder Grade Schools, the former Partridge School, and Kids Depot in Mt. Hope. There, lunches will be passed out in the parking lot of the 400 building by the ball field.

The Rice County Learning Center's ESl Classroom and Playroom will now be closed until August. Students will be able to continue workig courses online, and these will be graded and unlocked daily. They also indicated they will have a ceremony at some point for those who graduate the program.

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Reno County office closings, restrictions updated

The following information on Reno County Facilities was released Friday by County Administrator Randy Partington

Reno County government offers essential services to the citizens and visitors of Reno County. The County will continue to provide these services as best as possible, with the limitations put on us by the concern of the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning Monday, March 23rd for two weeks, some Reno County public facilities will be closed to the public/restricted. Both the open and closed facilities will have various restrictions to allow for us to serve the citizens in a safe manner. Below is information regarding the facilities and how to contact the county at each location that is either closed or has restricted access.

• Appraiser’s Office: Phone: 620-694-2915 o Please call to make an appointment. o Appeal Hearings – if you are scheduled for an appeal hearing, or need to be schedule one, please contact call 620-694-2915. o Personal Property – please call Shayna Johnson at 620-694-2986 for any questions regarding personal property.

• Community Corrections: Phone: 620-665-7042 o The Community Corrections office is closed to the public. o Probationers are still required to check in with their officer as directed. Please contact your officer for reporting instructions.

• County Clerk’s Office: Phone: 620-694-2934 Email: clerksoffice@renogov.org o Voter registrations may be completed online at https://www.ksvotes.org/. o Applications for Advance Ballot by Mail may be obtained at https://www.ksvotes.org/. Please fill out the form and mail to Reno County Clerk’s Office, 125 W. 1st Avenue, Hutchinson, KS 67501. o Candidate Filings – Please call 620-694-2904 to set up an appointment to come in.

• County Administration: Phone 620-694-2929 o For any appointments with the County Administrator, County Counselor or County Commission, call 620-694-2929. These offices are open but adhering to the KDHE and CDC social distancing guidelines. o County Commission meetings are open to the public with limited seating. • Department of Aging: Phone 620-694-2911 o Please call the office with any questions. If it is determined you need to come to the facility, an appointment will be set.

• District Attorney’s Office: Phone: 620-694-2715 Email: renoda@renogov.org o Appointments will have to be scheduled for persons wanting to meet with our Diversion Coordinator or Victim/Witness Coordinator at the above phone number and/or email.

• District Court: Phone: 620-694-2558 Email: district.court@renogov.org o Office is closed to the public. Please call or e-mail with any questions you may have.

• Emergency Management: Phone: 620-694-2975 Email: eoc@renogov.org o Office is closed to the public. Please call or e-mail with any questions you may have.

• Health Department: Phone: 620-694-2900 o Basic Health Services – Seeing clients o WIC – Seeing clients o FP/MCH – Seeing clients o OAS – Seeing clients o Environmental – Seeing clients / screening before going out into the homes o Health Education – focusing on supporting COVID – 19 overflow

• Human Resources: Phone: 620-694-2982 Email: personneloffice@renogov.org o Job Applications may be completed online at https://www.renogov.org/712/Job-Openings

• Public Works: Phone: 620-694-2976 Email: pwemployees@renogov.org o The Public Works building is closed to the public. Please utilize the drop box in front of the building at 600 Scott Blvd., South Hutchinson, KS 67505 and then call 620-694-2976 to notify us that you have placed a document in the drop box. o Utility Payments: Either mail in to 600 Scott Blvd., South Hutchinson, KS 67505 or utilize the drop box in front of the building. o Planning & Zoning: Contact Mark Vonachen at 620-694-2978 or mark.vonachen@renogov.org and utilize the drop box in front of the building.

• Register of Deeds Office: Phone: 620-694-2942 Email: deedsoffice@renogov.org o Office access by appointment only from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Please call or e-mail the office to set an appointment. o Record searches may be completed online at http://ks281.cichosting.com/rap/search.aspx (online record searches go back to 1990. o Customers who wish to record their documents in person or drop off documents, please call or e-mail the office to make an appointment. For liability reasons, there will be no drop box. o Copy requests will continue to be fulfilled via email or mail to Reno County Register of Deeds, 125 W. 1st Avenue, Hutchinson, KS 67501. o Funeral homes – please call or email to set an appointment to pick up DD 214’s. o All Recordings will cease at 4:00 p.m.

• Reno County Area Transit RCAT: Phone: 620-694-2913 o Paratransit and Fixed Routes as well as County On-Demand will operate on regular schedule until further notice. ▪ Regular schedule hours are 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 pm. M-F and 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sat.

• Reno County Correctional Facility: Phone: 620-694-2741 o Inmate Visitation – All non-essential and personal visitations have been closed. Attorney visitation will continue.

• Sheriff’s Office: Phone: 620-694-2735 o Offender Registration - No walk-ins allowed. Please call 620-694-1752 to make an appointment. No fingerprints or DNA will be taken, the file will be flagged for those to be done at a later date. PPE protocols have been arranged for those registrations that are taken. o Concealed Carry Applications will not be taken or processed until further notice. o Civil Process – Please call 620-694-2511 or email rnsocivil@renolec.com to make an appointment for services, including delinquent taxes. PFA processes will start at Brighthouse (620-665-3630). Brighthouse will then be in contact with this office and the courts to complete the process.

• Solid Waste (Landfill): Phone: 620-694-2586 Email: megan.davidson@renogov.org o All haulers/businesses/citizens are to stay in their vehicles. The scale associate will come to you to retrieve or deliver any paperwork you may have or need. o Roofers/Constructions Haulers: Work site verification forms are to be filled out prior to coming across the scale. If not, you will be asked to pull off the scale to complete the form and then contact the scale associate. Do not come into the office, the scale associate will come to you. If you need forms, notify the office at 620-694-2586 and the forms will be mailed to you. o Please do not hesitate to contact our office with any questions or concerns.

• Treasurer’s Office: Phone: 620-694-2938 or 620-694-2940 E-Mail: treasurersoffice@renogov.org o No renewals (stickers) will be completed in person. Please renew online (http://ikan.ks.gov); by mail (mail to: 125 W. 1st Ave. Hutchinson, KS 67501); or call us for an appointment if you need title work. You can reprint your vehicle registration notice online under Tags & Taxes/Treasurer on our website www.renogov.org. This includes the pin number needed for online renewals or the amounts for mailing registrations in. Please include a current contact number as well as insurance information (we will return it with your renewal). o For completion of Title work on a vehicle purchase, please call the office at 620-694-2941 or 620-694-2590 for an appointment. We will coordinate with you to make accommodations to complete the title work curbside. Please call regarding refunds on sold/disposed vehicles. o Please follow the link www.kansas.gov/propertytax to pay your CURRENT real estate and personal property taxes online. You may also mail your payment in or drop it off in the box in our front lobby during regular business hours. WE WILL NEED A CONTACT NUMBER ON ANY DOCUMENTATION LEFT IN OUR BOX OR MAILED. (No access will be allowed inside of our actual building.) o Please call the office at 620-694-2938 or 620-694-2940 with questions between 8:00am and 4:55pm. We appreciate your patience in keeping all our community members safe.

• Youth Services: Phone: 620-694-2500 Email: bill.hermes@renogov.org o Office closed to the public. Please call or email with any questions you may have.

The Board of Reno County Commissioners, elected officials and appointed officials will continue to assess the situation and will provide updates and make changes, as necessary. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes the citizens of Reno County; however, the health and safety of our citizens and employees is our priority. Thank you for your cooperation in this ongoing situation.

Reno County Government would like to urge and encourage businesses and citizens to take active steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The health and safety of our community is our top priority. Take simple steps to prevent the spread of disease by COVID-19 by: washing your hands; avoiding close contact with people who are sick; covering your coughs and sneezes; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces; stay home when sick. Stay up to date with COVID-19 information by visiting: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus.

For questions regarding this press release, contact the County Administrator at 694-2929 or randy.partington@renogov.org.