Month: July 2020

Rain in today’s forecast

Wyandotte County could get two to three inches of rain through Friday, according to the National Weather Service. (National Weather Service forecast)

Off and on moderate to heavy rain will move into the area from the south later this morning, according to the National Weather Service.

While the rain will not be continuous, showers are expected to persist through Friday, the weather service said.

While no severe weather is expected at this time, it’s possible there could be some isolated flooding, especially along the flashier streams, according to the weather service.

Larger streams are also expected to see some rises through the late week, the weather service said.

Mostly dry conditions expected this weekend, with temperatures in the upper 70s to lower 80s, according to the weather service.

Today, there is an 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 83 with a calm wind becoming south southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Tonight, there is a 60 percent chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 71 with a southeast wind of 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Between a half and three-quarters of an inch of rain is possible.

Thursday, there is a 70 percent chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm, the weather service said. The high will be near 80 with a calm wind becoming northeast 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Thursday night, there is an 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 67 with a north northeast wind of 3 to 7 mph. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Friday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 79, the weather service said, and a north northeast wind of 3 to 6 mph. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Friday night, there is a 20 percent chance of showers, with a low of 63, according to the weather service.

Saturday, it will be partly sunny, with a high of 81, the weather service said.

Saturday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 63, according to the weather service.

Sunday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 81, the weather service said.

Sunday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 60, according to the weather service.

Monday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 79, the weather service said.

Monday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 69, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 81, the weather service said.

Doctors urge residents to wear masks and limit gatherings to reduce spread of COVID-19

Wyandotte County reported an increase of 27 cases between Monday afternoon and 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Unified Government COVID-19 webpage. The cumulative total was 4,122. The cumulative deaths were the same at 92, with no new deaths. The number of hospitalizations increased by six, and totaled 42, according to the COVID-19 webpage.

The mask culture must grow, and local gatherings must be limited to reduce the spread of COVID-19, according to doctors at the University of Kansas Health System.

Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer at KU Health System, said at a news conference on Tuesday morning that it’s a “fool’s folly” to think that students should go back to school this fall without a mask.

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection control and prevention at KU Health System, said people need to wear masks and limit gatherings.

The doctors discussed some recent misinformation coming from other areas, and they tried to set the record straight on mask-wearing.

Mask-wearing needs to be continued and expanded throughout Kansas, and limiting gatherings will be important, Dr. Hawkinson said.

One recent news report showed a large religious gathering in Alabama, and it’s not just the bars that need to limit gatherings, Dr. Hawkinson said.

He said there is very good evidence about the way COVID-19 is spread and how to prevent it. He also said hydroxychloroquine does not work for COVID-19 patients, and can do more harm by making other drugs less effective.

COVID-19, expectant mothers and babies were discussed at the news conference. Dr. Carrie Wieneke, chair of obstetrics-gynecology, said the biggest misconception about going through pregnancy with COVID-19 was that the mom and baby would automatically be separated.

She’s heard that fear caused many to not seek pre-natal care and look at a home birth option. She said it’s not the case and there are many things the hospital does to keep the mom and baby together.

Dr. Wieneke said there have been quite a number of COVID-19 positive mothers giving birth during the pandemic, some in the last 24 hours. The biggest concern for moms is staying healthy, and she said that is the same today as before the pandemic.

Where the mother is positive for COVID-19, the babies may stay in the mother’s room, if the mother is well enough to care for the baby, she said. Mothers wear a mask when they are feeding the baby.

Dr. Whitney Pressler, medical director of the newborn nursery, said the number one question she gets from families is how to keep a baby safe in a pandemic. She said she spends time with families telling them what they know at this time and what they don’t know, trying to make the best decision for the family.

Dr. Pressler said COVID-19 antibodies can’t be passed to a baby through breast milk.

Also, limited hospital visitor policies have made it hard for siblings who can’t visit the new baby in the hospital, she said.

She also discussed isolating some grandparents before a first-time home visit, depending on their activities.

Dr. Pressler said it’s good for schools to offer parents options this fall, but those in the kindergarten through third grade level, emerging readers, could suffer more harm by not being in class where they can develop reading skills.

She advised that children should practice wearing a mask at home, so they could be used to it when school starts.

At the University of Kansas Health System, the number of COVID-19 patients was up Tuesday. There were 35 patients, an increase of two since Monday, according to Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control at the KU Health System, Eight of the patients were in the intensive care unit and four on ventilators. There was a decrease of three in patients in the ICU, while the number on ventilators was the same as Monday.

Wyandotte County reported an increase of 27 cases between Monday afternoon and 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Unified Government COVID-19 webpage. The number of cumulative deaths was the same at 92, with no new deaths. The number of hospitalizations increased by six, and totaled 42, according to the COVID-19 webpage.

Topeka Correctional Facility staff member dies from COVID-19 complications

Kansas Department of Corrections Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Tuesday that one staff member at the Topeka Correctional Facility died on Saturday, July 25, due to complications from COVID-19. This is the third staff death related to the virus with the first two being at the Lansing Correctional Facility.

Richard Rose, 74, had more than 17 years of dedicated service to the KDOC. He served as a facility maintenance supervisor, spending most of his time offsite.

“We extend our deepest sympathy to Richard’s family and to those who served alongside him for so many years,” Zmuda said. “The KDOC family is a tight-knit group and these deaths, and those of our residents, have been extremely difficult.”

The KDOC Peer Support Team will be available for any staff members who need additional support in dealing with this loss.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of too many hard-working Kansans,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “Richard was a dedicated public servant and I extend my condolences to both his family, friends, and those who worked alongside him.”

The Topeka Correctional Facility is Kansas’ only all-female prison with a capacity of 948. The facility houses minimum, medium, special management and maximum custody residents.

Testing available


A free pop-up test for COVID-19 is available from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, at Zotung Christian Church, 5010 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas.

The pop-up tests are through the Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force.
Free testing is also being conducted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays at the Health Department, 6th and Ann, in the parking lot in Kansas City, Kansas, weather permitting.


Tests are for those who live and work in Wyandotte County, and who have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19 cases. For more information, call 311 or visit https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19.

The KU doctors’ news conference is online at https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/329772985095263.

The Wyandotte County school start order is online at https://alpha.wycokck.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information.

For information on the amended Wyandotte County mask order, visit https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Health-Department/Documents/Communicable%20Disease/COVID19/07142020MaskOrderAmendments.pdf and https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Health-Department/Documents/Communicable%20Disease/COVID19/07142020LocalHealthOfficerOrderMaskAmendments.pdf.

For information on how to make an easy no-sew mask, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/how-to-make-a-no-sew-cloth-mask/.

The state’s COVID-19 test page is at https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/280/COVID-19-Testing.


Residents may visit the UG COVID-19 website at https://alpha.wycokck.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information or call 311 for more information.


Wyandotte County is currently under Phase 3. See covid.ks.gov.

The state plan’s frequently asked questions page is at https://covid.ks.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Reopening-FAQ_5.19.2020_Final.pdf.

The CDC’s COVID-19 web page is at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.

Challenger outspending incumbent in district attorney contest

Campaign finance reports filed Monday by district attorney candidates showed that over $14,000 was spent by the incumbent, Mark A. Dupree Sr., while more than $21,000 was spent by the challenger, Kristiane Bryant.

The primary election will be Tuesday, Aug. 4. No Republicans have filed for the general election.

The Bryant campaign had $3,658.85 cash on hand as of July 23, according to the report, and the Dupree campaign had $3,844.73 left as of July 23.

Bryant’s contributors included the former district attorney, Jerome Gorman, and two former KCK police chiefs. Bryant formerly worked in the district attorney’s office.

Dupree’s contributors included several pastors, as well as some former supporters of former Mayor Mark Holland, several attorneys, officials and residents.

Former Wyandotte County district attorney Jerome Gorman contributed $500 to the Bryant campaign. The Friends of the FOP contributed $500 to the Bryant campaign, according to campaign finance reports. Former interim police chief Ellen Hanson contributed $100 and $200 to the Bryant campaign. Former police chief Terry Zeigler contributed $100 to the Bryant campaign. According to the campaign finance report, Don Ash contributed $50.

Also contributing to the Bryant campaign were Robert Serra, $250; Norman Scott, $25; Thomas and Judith Lynch, $500; Rusty Roberts, $150; the Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus separate fund, $125; IBEW Local 124, $500; Duane Beth, $100; Joe Peterson, $100; Jeremiah Waldeck, $100; Jason Sutton, $250; MRPP Inc., $500; David Hurrelbrink, $100; Don Jolley, $100; Paul Soptic, $100; and Jared Gambrel, $100.

Attorneys who contributed to the Bryant campaign included James Spies, attorney, $500; Jennifer Tatum, attorney, $400; Micheal Nichols attorney, $200; Tom Bath, attorney, $500; Stephanie Sang, attorney, 150; Alan Fogleman, attorney, $50; Jamie Hunt, attorney, $250; Danielle Sediqzad, attorney, $200; Emma Rea, attorney, $200; Dan Dunbar, attorney, $250; Jay Vader, attorney, $200; Brian Jackson, attorney, $250; Gary Stone, attorney, $250; Kristy Cuevas, attorney, $150 and $250; Mary Ann Slattery, retired, $150; Dan Nelson, attorney, $250; Michale Sexton, attorney, $500; Karen Sexton, attorney, $500; and Denise Tomasic, attorney, $500.

Contributors to the Dupree campaign included Virginia Sewing, $500; Julie Solomon, $100; Tyrone Garner, retired police official, $200; Roy Robinson, $400; Donald Holland, KU police captain, $150; and Daniels Security Service, $200.

Contributors to the Dupree campaign also included Mindy Fugarino, chaplain, $300; the Rev. Dixie Junk, priest, $50; the Rev. Ricky Turner, pastor, $300; Lee Trotter, minister, $25; the Rev. Rick Behrens, pastor, $100; James Drew, pastor, $100; the Rev. Jimmie Banks, pastor, $200; and Pamela Berry, pastor, $50 and $100.

Contributors to the Dupree campaign also included Scott Mason, attorney, $100, Gary Stone, lawyer, $250; Blake Shuart, attorney, $250; Anthony Springfield, attorney, $200; Manu Rattan, attorney, $500; Jerry Merrill, attorney, $100; Nancy Morales Gonzalez, lawyer, $100; Gabrielle Beam, attorney, $15; Teresa Woody, attorney, $50; Laura Ice, lawyer, $100; Rekha Sharma-Crawford, attorney, $200; Elizabeth R. Herbert, attorney, $250; Stacey Gates, attorney, $25; Maurice Brewer, attorney, $25; Geoff Hetley, attorney, $100; Ross Stewart, lawyer, $100; Stephanie Burton, attorney, $500; Vicent Rivera attorney, $300; Mira Mdivani, attorney, $500; Jean Menager, attorney, $100; Michael Stallworth, attorney, $100; Christi Bright, attorney, $500; Courtney Henderson, attorney, $450; law office of Joshua Allen, attorney, $150 and $350; Joshua Allen lawyer, $100; Daniel Watkins, attorney, $200; Edward Bigus, lawyer, $100; James Morlath, lawyer, $25; Carla Pratt, dean of Washburn law school, $200; Zach Thomas, attorney, $100; and J. Eugene Balloun, attorney, $250.

There were many other contributors to both campaigns, and they are listed at https://ethics.kansas.gov/campaign-finance/view-submitted-forms-and-reports/