Wichita bar owners argue a Covid curfew violates their constitutional rights. But will their lawsuit hold up in court?

Under the latest order from Sedgwick County health officer Garold Minns, bars and nightclubs have to close their doors at 11 p.m. and limit occupancy to 50% capacity in an effort to slow the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. But the group of Wichita bar owners challenging local Covid-19 restrictions in court say they feel singled out by the rules and want their hours back. In a civil lawsuit refiled Friday in Sedgwick County District Court, a long list of plaintiffs representing 11 Wichita establishments argue a business curfew violates their right to due process protected under the 14th Amendment and the Kansas Bill of Rights.
Source: Wichita Business Journal

2020-12-17T08:31:04-06:00December 16, 2020|News|

Digital testing serves 16 counties

Less than two months after its opening, the Wichita State’s Molecular Diagnostics Lab is digitally transforming the COVID-19 landscape, combining medical laboratory sciences, advanced robotics, and automation to process thousands of tests for Kansas communities each week. "When so many of our Kansas communities are suffering from the health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wichita State is working to mitigate the spread of the virus," …
Source: News – Salina Journal

2020-12-16T07:56:10-06:00December 16, 2020|News|

Changes approved for project to restore historic Wichita theater

Wichita city council members have approved some changes in an agreement for the restoration of an historic theater. The agreement is with the Power Community Development Corporation for the renovation of the Dunbar Theater at 1007 North Cleveland.   Power CDC has been working to raise funds for a three-phase project, but fundraising has been below expectations and the first phase of the project won’t be completed by January 1st.   
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

2020-12-16T07:49:56-06:00December 15, 2020|News|

Pott. County discusses COVID-19 vaccine-shipment timeline

Kansas hospitals are beginning to receive COVID-19 vaccine shipments this week. Leslie Campbell, Pottawatomie County health director, says hospital staff will have up to five days to receive the vaccination. “Once they get their 24,000 doses, they’ll be able to give it to all the hospital personnel,” Campbell said. “Any hospital personnel; it doesn’t have to be nurses.” The first dose of the vaccine will be followed by a second dose about three to four weeks later.
Source: 1350 KMAN

2020-12-16T07:51:01-06:00December 15, 2020|News|

Hutchinson school board extends winter break

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education voted to extend winter break. The district said the change in scheduled in designed to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on students and staff. The proposal, which the board voted to adopt on Monday, says students in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade will return to class in the hybrid model on Jan. 11 instead of Jan. 4. Similarly, Hutchinson High School students will resume remote learning on Jan. 11, with plans to return to the hybrid model on Jan. 25. The Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy will also return on Jan. 11 to the hybrid model.
Source: KAKE – News

2020-12-16T07:51:23-06:00December 15, 2020|News|

Roeland Park residents to receive up to 50% discount to city parks and rec facilities, services

The Roeland Park City Council last week approved a parks and recreation pricing policy that gives residents a discounted rate of up to 50% less than non-residents. The new policy outlines how the city charges residents and non-residents for a wide variety of services from parks and rec staples like the aquatic center, to facility rental fees and individual recreational lessons. Councilmember Jan Faidley emphasized the importance of reviewing pricing each year so residents can give feedback regularly.
Source: Prairie Village Post

2020-12-16T07:51:38-06:00December 15, 2020|News|

Shawnee opts against using county resources to enforce JoCo pandemic health order

After some back-and-forth among city leaders, the Shawnee City Council on Monday night decided to opt out of Johnson County’s recent pandemic health order. Despite the vote, the health order remains in effect in Shawnee, but the council’s decision means that the city will handle enforcement instead of utilizing county resources. The order, originally issued on Nov. 16, is limited to businesses and organizations in violation of the county’s limits on things like gathering size and hours of operation and includes exemptions for private residences and religious organizations. Businesses found to be in violation could pay a fine of up to $500.
Source: Prairie Village Post

2020-12-16T07:51:51-06:00December 15, 2020|News|

Fairway approves add-on sales tax for Stroud’s redevelopment

The Fairway City Council Monday evening approved the nearly $2 million Stroud’s redevelopment agreement and the city’s first-ever Community Improvement District. A 1.5% add-on sales tax will apply to shoppers at the multi-tenant site, which intends to bring a Starbucks with a drive-thru, a retail space and a restaurant to 4200 Shawnee Mission Parkway.
Source: Prairie Village Post

2020-12-16T07:52:11-06:00December 15, 2020|News|

Iola picks Matthew Rehder for city administrator

Matthew Rehder, city administrator of Seneca, has been tapped to become Iola’s next city administrator. City Council members voted, 5-3, to extend a three-year contract offer to Rehder. Terms of the contract were not announced. According to Rehder’s LinkedIn profile, he’s been city administrator in Seneca since 2013. Prior to that, he worked for seven years as planning director for El Dorado.
Source: The Iola Register

2020-12-16T07:53:23-06:00December 15, 2020|News|
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