Kansas Municipal News
Johnson County votes to add teeth to COVID-19 rules: Violators could be fined $500
Businesses that violate Johnson County’s new COVID-19 restrictions could face fines of up to $500, the Board of Commissioners narrowly decided Thursday. The board voted 4-3 to enforce the health order, which went into effect on Monday. By the same margin last Friday, commissioners approved the order, which includes a mass gathering limit and midnight curfew on bars and restaurants, in an effort to slow the rapid spread of coronavirus. If a business does not implement social distancing or if a bar refuses to close at midnight, for example, the owner could receive a citation and fine. But officials stressed that they would focus on educating businesses before issuing any penalties.
Source: Joco 913 News
Shawnee County commissioners tighten COVID-19 restrictions
Shawnee County commissioners voted Thursday to close bars and restaurants at 9 p.m. and suspend all organized sports until Dec. 15 in an effort to slow spread of the coronavirus in the community. The county commissioners were voting whether to adopt the health department’s order that limited mass gatherings to 10 people when Gianfranco Pezzino, Shawnee County health officer, amended the health order to include language tightening restrictions on restaurants, bars and sporting events. Pezzino said at a news conference after the commission meeting that the ban on sports doesn’t apply to high school athletics.
Source: Local Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal
New downtown policing team to reduce ‘little nuisance issues,’ boost quality of life
The Wichita Police Department has launched a new community policing team in downtown aimed at reducing nuisance issues and elevating quality of life for area businesses and residents. Community policing is a decades-old program that the department has used in its efforts to address and reduce crime. But it looks slightly different in the city’s core than it does in other areas of town. Residents who live, work and visit the area will soon see officers patrolling not only in cars, but also more on foot, on bicycles and on horseback, police said during a Thursday morning news conference.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Wichita to help county enforce COVID-19 mask mandate, business restrictions
Amid an unprecedented spike in COVID-19 that has stressed local hospitals to the breaking point, Wichita has agreed to help Sedgwick County enforce its orders mandating protective face masks in public settings and putting restrictions on businesses and organized sports. By a vote of 5-2, the City Council approved a resolution that will authorize city police, firefighters and code-enforcement officers to report violations to the county, which plans to take health scofflaws to court if necessary to gain compliance with public-health orders. The county will take the lead role in all citations and prosecutions, with the city acting in support by monitoring and reporting violations, said City Manager Robert Layton.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Main Street remains the heart of the city in Hays and other Kansas towns
As the downtown goes, so does the city. Hays is making certain its downtown continues to thrive. Years ago, Hays was a part of the state’s Main Street program and hopes to join back up with the newly formed affiliate program the governor introduced last week. El Dorado, Garden City and Sterling are other Kansas towns that are part of the Main Street program. Like Hays, Wellington and Larned have expressed interest in becoming affiliates. By introducing more than 14 events each year, including the annual holiday Frostfest, the Downtown Hays Development Corporation, the nonprofit organization responsible for keeping downtown thriving, is helping to not only increase sales but boost enthusiasm. … “People are starting to recognize where the heart and soul in their community is,” said Sara Bloom, executive director of the Downtown Hays Development Corporation. “It’s in their downtown, and they are starting to reinvest in their downtown.”
Source: McPherson Sentinel
Ark City approves virus safety campaign
Through a resolution approved Tuesday, Arkansas City commissioners initiated an education campaign to include several other local agencies to encourage residents to help to stop the fast-spreading coronavirus. The “Squash COVID, it’s up to you,” promotion includes a poster created by public information officer Andrew Lawson urging residents to wear masks, wash their hands and avoid crowds. Those actions can help to slow the spread of the virus and keep businesses, schools and medical offices open. The plan is to post the information throughout the county and through social media and various advertising mediums.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Derby officially proclaimed City of the First Class
A change that has been a long time coming officially took place at the Nov. 10 Derby City Council meeting, with the municipality officially proclaimed as a City of the First Class by Gov. Laura Kelly. Derby is the first city in Kansas to shift to First Class in more than 40 years. Per state statute, cities can choose to transition to a City of the First Class once they reach a population of 15,000 but the change becomes mandatory once it reaches 25,000. With Derby approaching that threshold, city staff decided to pursue First Class status. City Attorney Jacque Butler has been preparing ordinances for the council to adopt with regards to its new status and maintaining normal operations. While Mayor Randy White did note the transition would afford the opportunity for Derby to change forms of government if desired, there are few other potential impacts.
Source: Derby Informer | News
City of Leavenworth approves mask mandate
The Leavenworth City Commission has approved a mask mandate for city beginning Saturday. Masks would be required in public spaces.A total of 3,187 people have been confirmed COVID-19 positive and 27 people have died in Leavenworth County from the beginning of the pandemic in March to Nov. 19. Masks would be required in these situations: Inside, or in line to enter, any indoor public space.
Source: KMBC.com
Many Kansas counties don’t have mask mandates
Many counties in Kansas don’t have mask mandates. In Franklin County, they’re strongly recommended, but there’s no requirement. At Ottawa Bike and Trail, a sign greets customers at the door that masks are required.”With a few exceptions, everybody’s been really good,” said Jonathan Carroll, of Ottawa Bike and Trail. Carroll runs the shop with his brother. He said sales have been up as more people have been active outdoors.
Source: KMBC.com
Osawatomie PRIDE is visible throughout community
City officials, business owners, community members and others have credited Osawatomie PRIDE with already making a positive change in the community. … Vice President Kari Bradley said the PRIDE’s “Be the Change” slogan speaks to what the group is trying to do. “We are a passionate group of people of all ages and backgrounds that want to take care of the community that we live in,” Bradley said. One of the best things about the organization is that it is open to all ideas, to all volunteers, to project suggestions and any amount of time community members are able to give, Bradley said.
Source: The Miami County Republic
Hospitals, health departments at “critical juncture”
The Miami County Health Department, which is investigating a COVID-19 cluster tied to a Nov. 6-8 party in Louisburg, said local health departments and hospitals are becoming taxed as cases continue to increase. “Due to COVID-19, local health departments and hospitals are at a critical juncture between concern and crisis, and with the growing level of community spread, it is imperative that we all do our part to help slow the spread of the virus,” the health department said in the news release issued Monday, Nov. 16. With COVID-19 cases surging in the Kansas City metro area and holiday gatherings on the horizon, public health directors from the Kansas City region on Friday, Nov. 13, issued a joint statement calling for action to fight the spread.
Source: The Miami County Republic
Winfield community comes together to keep the lights on for one local tradition
The community has come together to keep the lights on for one local tradition. The Winfield Isle of Lights is a park filled with large displays to honor the holidays, but the pandemic made this year a bit challenging. Typically the Winfield Correctional Facility sets up the displays, bringing joy to many. “It’s fun when you get new displays and we see them up,” said Volunteer Carter. “I love how much effort is put into it and I love the final result,” said Volunteer Adalynn.
Source: KSN-TV
Volunteer firefighters risk their lives for the good of others
They are ordinary people, doing extraordinary work. In western Kansas, numerous community members volunteer their time to fight fires and protect others. Volunteer firefighters earn little to no compensation. They don’t risk their lives for the money, but rather for the good of their neighbor. Gray County fire chiefs Jon Goossen and Justin Ohman, have volunteered for a combined 34 years, sacrificing their lives for others. “It’s not about us, it’s about what you can do for everybody else,” said Justin Ohman, Ingalls Fire Chief and Nutrien Ag Solutions Transportation Specialist. Their crews are made up of farmers, hardware store workers, truckers, brothers, husbands, and dads, all focused on giving back.
Source: KSN-TV
Parsons looking to extend mask ordinance
The city of Parsons is looking to extend their mask ordinance. Originally the current policy was established back in July following Kansas Governor Kelly’s own mask policy for the state. Right now the ordinance is set to expire in the beginning of December. Mayor Perez is looking to make sure that they can extend it at the upcoming vote. Jeff Perez, Mayor of Parsons, said, “I feel confident that we’re going to extend it, I’m going to extend it, my vote will be there, I can’t speak for the other commissioners, but I do believe it will get a lot of support on it.”
Source: KSNF/KODE
Leavenworth approves mask order
Beginning Saturday, people will be required to wear face coverings when in public spaces in the city of Leavenworth. During a special meeting Thursday, city commissioners approved an ordinance that establishes a mask mandate for the city. City Manager Paul Kramer said the order will go into effect Saturday. Commissioners said they approved the ordinance as a way to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
Source: Leavenworth Times
Johnson County will fine businesses that flout Covid-19 rules
Johnson County is looking to crack down on businesses breaking rules aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19. In a 4-3 vote, commissioners agreed to start fining business owners who don’t follow a new public health order. The new order does not make it possible for any one person to be ticketed for not wearing a mask. What it does do is a create a way for the county to hold business owners accountable for blatantly disregarding the mask order, social distancing and required closing time.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Harvey County cancels Trappers Rendezvous
Trappers Rendezvous, one of the largest events in Harvey County and the largest event hosted by Harvey County West Park each year, will not happen in 2021. For more than 30 years, thousands of Boy Scouts from multiple states have spent a weekend in January camping, trading and participating in Scout activities at West Park.
Source: News – The Hutchinson News
Shawnee County commissioners tighten COVID-19 restrictions
The Shawnee County commissioners voted to close bars and restaurants at 9 p.m. and suspend all organized sports until Dec. 15. The county commissioners were voting whether to adopt the health department’s order that limited mass gatherings to 10 people when Gianfranco Pezzino, Shawnee County health officer, amended the health order to include language tightening restrictions on restaurants, bars and sports.
Source: Political – The Topeka Capital-Journal
Derby STAR bond still in its formative years
Developer Rick Worner of National Realty Advisers has had his hand in a number of STAR bond projects – not just Derby’s. Worner was involved in one of the first STAR bond projects in the state – the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City – and currently has his hands in a few in the Wichita area. With Derby, he noted he looks at current national and global trends to help decide what can further be added to the STAR bond district. For example, Worner mentioned aquariums (which are not actually allowed to be developed as STAR bond projects). If an aquarium opened in London or Atlanta and was drawing hundreds of thousands of people, he said he would dig deeper into its development potential in Derby.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Giordano reflects on 28 years with the JCPD as she prepares to retire
In the late 1970s, a little girl sits on the floor, staring at the television, enraptured. On the screen, a popular police drama — Cagney and Lacey — plays out, as Detective Christine Cagney and Beth Lacey work to crack the case, fighting both bad guys and sexist stereotypes as they go…. The girl is longtime Junction City Police Department Capt. Trish Giordano, now about to retire from police work after 28 years with the JCPD. In her career, Giordano was the first woman on the JCPD to be promoted to sergeant, then later to lieutenant and most recently to Captain of Investigations. The desire to be a police officer sprang, she said, from a steady diet of police shows on television when she was a child, but her life in law enforcement didn’t start until her mid-20s, when then-officer Capt. Kirt Nichols urged her to apply.
Source: Junction City Union.