Governor Laura Kelly announced the state will move to Phase 3 and 4 of Kansas’ COVID-19 vaccination plan on March 22. With this move, individuals between ages 16 and 64 with a preexisting medical condition and other non-health-care workers in critical infrastructure will be eligible for vaccination. “Thanks to an increased supply in vaccine, Kansas will begin vaccinating individuals who qualify in either Phase 3 or Phase 4 on March 22,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “This expedited timeline will allow Kansans to get back to work, back to school, and back to a more normal way of life. I urge all [...]

Meeting Tuesday, the Ellinwood City Council received updates from city staff regarding expected cost related to the energy crisis in mid-February caused by extreme cold weather. City Administrator Chris Komarek said there are still several unknown variables when it comes to expenses. “This is related to both the wholesale purchase of power and the usage within our own infrastructure,” said Komarek. “One of the main issues at hand will be the bills we will be sending to our citizens and businesses on April 1.” He added that, depending on what the increase might be, the city will need to decide on [...]

Pawnee County continues to see a drop in COVID-19 cases as the county health department lowered the COVID risk assessment matrix to Level Green, which indicates no to minimal risk of spreading the virus. Pawnee County has dealt with fewer cases than in months past as conditions continue to improve. The county’s weekly COVID report shows 1,132 cases as of Feb. 23, which is an increase of two cases from a week ago. Total community cases (excluding Larned State Hospital, individuals in long-term care and Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility) were 594, which is up by only three cases from last [...]

The Great Bend Airfest will once again land at the Great Bend Municipal Airport. The event, held every three years because of the cost, takes flight Sept. 17-18. “I don’t believe there were more than three air shows in the whole world last year because of COVID,” airport Manager Martin Miller said, addressing the City Council Tuesday night. “And we figured 2021 was going to be in high demand so we got busy.” They started in November booking acts, he said. They were successful and have a full schedule of aerial and static displays planned. Source: Great Bend Tribune

For the second straight week, Pawnee County has remained at Level Yellow on the county-adopted COVID-19 risk matrix. Level Yellow indicates a minimal to moderate risk of the spread of COVID-19. At their regular meeting last Monday, Pawnee County Commissioners discussed whether the risk matrix should be adjusted. According to current data in the assessment, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red level thresholds for two-week cumulative new cases are 0-10, 11-20, 21-29 and 30+ respectively.  Commissioner Robert Rein suggested amending the thresholds to 0-15, 16-29, 30-44 and 45+. “Now that we have six months of data, it might be a good time [...]

The City of Great Bend would like to proceed with plans to install artificial turf at its Sports Complex. That was the consensus of the City Council following a Tuesday night work session. The city seeks a partnership with the Great Bend Recreation Commission and Unified School District 428 for the project, City Administrator Kendal Francis said. The city is willing to kick in a tick over 60%, or $920,000, of the $1.4 million endeavor, with the rec commission ponying up $200,000 (as well as annual maintenance of the turf) and the school district $280,000. Source: Great Bend Tribune

Meeting Monday, the Hoisington City Council directed city staff to draft a tobacco-free ordinance to be enforced at city parks. Details of the proposed ordinance provide no exemptions and include a $50 fine with court costs. “Prior to drafting an ordinance on the issue, our staff felt it was critical to get council input on enforcement and whether there would be any exceptions,” said City Manager Jonathan Mitchell. “We will draft an ordinance for a future meeting but it will likely include all forms of tobacco as well as e-cigarettes.” Source: Great Bend Tribune

Wheatland Electric Cooperative Inc., is providing $5,000 to Great Bend Economic Development to assist with a local housing study. As a member-owned cooperative, Wheatland Electric is guided by several cooperative principles, including concern for community, according to a company news release. This principle encourages us to work toward the sustainable development of the communities we serve.  The housing assessment, which will be completed by RDG Planning & Design, a national firm, is designed to encourage affordable, safe housing in the Great Bend community. The study, which will cost approximately $10,000 total, will take at least 60-90 days to complete, according to [...]

Economic development studies initiated last fall are starting to bear fruit, Great Bend Economic Development Inc. President Sara Hayden told the City Council Monday night. Their purpose was to arm local officials with up-to-date information in the competitive world of eco devo and business recruiting. “We are excited to get those done,” she said during her report to the council. “This is just another component, it’s another piece of the puzzle.” Even though e-commerce has gone from 11% of retail to 16% during the COVID-19 pandemic as more people shop from home, “brick and mortar is still very, very viable and [...]

Wednesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. announced Kansas will receive more than $1.6 million in federal cost sharing to support immediate staffing and supplies for the Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) to help with costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. “From day one, our KDEM and National Guard troops have been on the front line of this pandemic and filling a variety of roles,” said Marshall. ... This funding, provided by FEMA, supports KDEM’s utilization of emergency staffing and sheltering caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This cost-sharing goes toward increased staff capacity, lodging, meals and related supplies. Source: Great Bend Tribune