Month: April 2020

Faith news

Many church services in Wyandotte County have been canceled because of efforts to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wyandotte County is under a “stay-at-home” order and all meetings must be no more than 10 persons per gathering, spaced at least six feet apart. Some will hold video services instead.

Residents are advised to visit the social media page of their church or faith organization, or to call them or email them, to see changes that have been made to regular schedules, or if there are video services planned on Sunday.


Public Masses have been canceled in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, until further notice because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but some video Masses are planned. The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is planning to post a video Mass for Roman Catholics at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 5, at https://www.facebook.com/archbishopnaumann/ or https://livestream.com/archkck/palmsunday?fbclid=IwAR2i7SEwEJEV22RXpcQlPuNSKb4Oe9OHCGqKTVTHnCWfkcpdwYilWSTTf1A. There may be other video Masses posted in Kansas City, Kansas – check the church’s social media site.

Grinter Chapel United Methodist Church, Kansas City, Kansas, plans a video church service at 10 a.m. on the church’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/GrinterChapelUMC/.


Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas, is not holding in-person services, but is planning to have online services on Sunday, April 5, at http://ormbc.org. For more information, visit the website.


Open Door Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas, will have livestream services at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 5, on the church’s website https://www.opendoorkc.com/, Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/opendoorkc/, on YouTube and on the church’s app.


Stony Point Christian Church, Kansas City, Kansas, is not having in-person services, but will have a message online on Sunday, April 5, at https://www.facebook.com/StonyPointChristianChurch/.


St. Patrick Catholic Church, Kansas City, Kansas, has an online Palm Sunday Mass April 5 at https://www.facebook.com/StPatrickKCK/.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, Kansas, will not have an in-person public service, but is planning to have a livestream video of its 10 a.m. Palm Sunday service April 5. at https://www.facebook.com/StPaulsKCK.

Wyandotte United Methodist Church, Kansas City, Kansas, will not have in-person services on Sunday, April 5, but is planning to have videos posted Sunday, April 5, on its webpage at http://wyandotteumc.com/.

Information about other church services in Wyandotte County may be available from the church’s social media page.
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More positive COVID-19 cases reported at Lansing Correctional Facility

Kansas Department of Corrections officials today reported additional staff have tested positive for COVID-19 at Lansing Correctional Facility, plus the first resident at LCF has tested positive.

The state prison is implementing a new operating schedule beginning Saturday afternoon and evening, according to the announcement.

The fourth staff member to test positive was a man over 20, and the resident who tested positive is a man over 50, according to a news release from KDOC.

As with the cases on March 31, the KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. Additional steps taken today, according to officials, include:

• Reduced movement of residents so that they will remain in their units, but are not locked down in cells
• Necessary movement to recreation or jobs will occur primarily in groups, or cohorts, from the same unit
• Staffing has been modified due to increased absences

“The additional steps today illustrate our continued effort to follow all guidelines issued by public health officials,” Jeff Zmuda, KDOC secretary, said in a news release. “We appreciate the continued support and guidance of KDHE and Governor Laura Kelly, as we conduct our work in these challenging times.”

The Lansing Correctional Facility, formerly the Kansas State Penitentiary, opened in 1867 during the presidency of Andrew Johnson and is the oldest and largest state correctional facility in Kansas. Serving only males, the facility capacity is 1,906 offenders.

More information about the paycheck protection program for small businesses and lenders

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, is providing details for small businesses that are interested in applying to the Paycheck Protection Program.

The Paycheck Protection Program was signed into law on March 27, as part of a number of measures designed to support small businesses affected by the economic disruption caused by COVID-19.

It provides $350 billion in forgivable loans through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Under the program, eligible business owners can receive forgivable loans to cover eight weeks of payroll and other expenses.

“The Paycheck Protection Program delivers much needed relief to Kansas small businesses by providing forgivable loans for businesses that keep employees on their payroll,” Sen. Roberts said. “I encourage small businesses in need to contact their bank or credit union to apply to this program.”

Applications for most small businesses open on Friday, April 3, 2020. Details about the program are provided below.

What is the Paycheck Protection Program?
The Paycheck Protection Program provides forgivable SBA loans up to $10 million for small businesses to cover eight weeks of payroll, group healthcare benefits, lease payments, and mortgage interest. PPP loans are available to small businesses and other eligible entities that retain employees and maintain payroll. Small businesses and other eligible entities are able to apply if they were harmed by COVID-19 between February 15, 2020 and June 30, 2020. The temporary cash flow assistance made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act helps small businesses stay afloat and workers from losing their livelihoods.

Who is eligible for the loan?
• Small business that employees 500 employees or less
• A restaurant, hotel, or a business that falls within the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 72, “Accommodation and Food Services,” and each of your locations has 500 employees or less
• Tribal businesses
• 501(c)(19) veteran organizations
• 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including religious organizations
• Independently owned franchise with under 500 employees that are approved by SBA. Eligible franchises can be found through SBA’s Franchise Directory

When can I apply?
Starting April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply.
Starting April 10, 2020, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply.
Loan application and supporting documentation must be submitted to an approved lender by June 30, 2020
Due to the expected high demand in loans and limited funds, Kansas small businesses are encouraged to apply early.

What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
Loans are available for up to two months of your average monthly payroll costs from the last year plus an additional 25 percent up to a maximum of $10 million. Payroll costs are capped at $100,000 annualized for each employee.

What amount of the loan will be forgiven?
The amount of the loan forgiven is equal to the amount spent on payroll, lease payments, mortgage interest, or utility bills over eight weeks

What if I reduce my workforce or don’t maintain payroll?
This program is intended for small businesses to maintain their payroll.
Your loan forgiveness will be reduced if:
• You decrease your full-time employee headcount
• You decrease salaries or wages by more than 25 percent for any employee that made less than $100,000 annually
• You do not re-hire your full time employees by June 30, 2020 for any changes you made between Feb. 15, 2020 and April 26, 2020

What are the terms of the loan?
• .5 percent fixed interest rate
• Principal payments deferred for 6 months (interest will continue to accrue over this period)
• 2 year term
• Up to $10 million loan value

Am I responsible for the forgiven loan amount?
No, if the full principal of the PPP loan is forgiven, the borrower is not responsible for the interest accrued in the eight-week covered period. The remainder of the loan that is not forgiven will operate according to the loan terms agreed upon by you and the lender.

Where can I apply for the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses?
You can apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) at any lending institution that is approved to participate in the program through the existing U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) lending program and additional lenders approved by the Department of Treasury.
You can call your bank, credit union, or other financial institution to ask if they are participating in the program. Alternatively, you can find SBA-approved lenders in your area through SBA’s online Lender Match tool.

What documentation do I need to apply?
• Paycheck Protection Loan Application available at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/Borrower%20Paycheck%20Protection%20Program%20Application_0.pdf.
• Payroll documentation

Resources:
• PPP Overview https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP%20–%20Overview.pdf
• PPP Borrower Information https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP–Fact-Sheet.pdf
• PPP Lender Information https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP%20Lender%20Information%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
• PPP Application https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Paycheck-Protection-Program-Application-3-30-2020-v3.pdf