An accident was reported at 12:02 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, on eastbound I-670 near the 7th Street Trafficway, according to KC Scout. (KC Scout photo)It was snowing at midday Sunday in Wyandotte County. (National Weather Service graphic)
Snow and bitter cold weather have descended on Wyandotte County on Sunday, Feb. 7.
The snow may last through the afternoon and evening, moving from west to east, according to the National Weather Service.
Motorists should slow down on streets and highways, which could contain slick spots.
The wind chill at noon Sunday was minus 8, and the temperature was 6 degrees, according to the weather service.
There will be another chance for light snow with 1 to 2 inch accumulation Monday across far northern Missouri, mainly north of Highway 36.
The stretch of sub-freezing temperatures is expected to last through the week, into next weekend. This will be a significant stretch of sub-freezing temperatures that may last into the middle part of February.
Today, the high will be near 16, and an east wind will be about 9 mph. Less than one inch of snow is expected.
Tonight, there is a 20 percent chance of snow before 9 p.m., then a slight chance of snow after midnight, according to the weather service. The low will be around 9, with a northeast wind of 7 to 9 mph.
Monday, there is a 40 percent chance of snow, mainly before noon, with a high near 18 and a wind chill of minus 1 to 7, the weather service said.
Monday night, the low will be around 6 with a wind chill between minus 2 and 3, with a north northeast wind of 8 mph, according to the weather service.
Tuesday’s high will be about 20, with a northeast wind of 7 to 9 mph.
With the launch of 2021 coronavirus relief programs, Gov. Laura Kelly has announced Kansans can begin submitting applications to the 2021 federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for forgivable loans to small businesses.
“Kansas small businesses have been among those hardest hit by COVID-19,” Gov. Kelly said. “The Paycheck Protection Program is integral to keeping our state on the path to recovery. This is a good step forward, but we know the need for relief is great – and I will continue to push for additional stimulus funding to support Kansas’ economic recovery.”
Led by the Small Business Administration and the Treasury Department, the PPP is a federally administered program providing loans to small businesses to cover payroll expenses. The SBA began accepting applications through Community Financial Institutions on Jan. 11 and through all other financial institutions on Jan. 19, with applications accepted through March 31.
“In the past year, the Paycheck Protection Program offered federal support to tens of thousands of Kansas small businesses, but we understand that the need is still great,” Lt. Gov. and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “This program exists to put federal dollars in the hands of small business owners who need them most. I would encourage Kansas small business owners to apply for this program to get more resources as our state continues to grow and recover from this enormous challenge.”
During the 2020 distribution of PPP money, 54,000 small businesses in Kansas received $5 billion in funding. The 2021 PPP aims to make the program more attractive for small businesses and target the worst impacted industries through the following changes:
• Forgiveness has been simplified for borrowers of $150,000 or less, with self-certification option to attest funds are spent appropriately. • Hospitality businesses, including hotels and restaurants, are eligible for an increased loan total (3.5 times monthly payroll). • Eligible expenses paid for with forgiven PPP loans may now be deducted on taxes for 2020 and 2021 and employers are now eligible for the Employee Retention Tax Credit even after taking PPP funds (reverses earlier guidance from IRS). • Employers no longer must deduct Economic Injury Disaster Loans from their PPP loan total (EIDL program was refunded with an additional $40 billion too). • Additional categories are now eligible as non-payroll expenses (up to 40% of total loan amount), with operational expenses (including software, cloud services, accounting services, etc.), supplier costs, damage from social unrest, and worker protection expenses. • Additional groups are eligible for loans, including 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, and direct marketing organizations.
Under the new program, $234 billion are available with $12 billion earmarked for businesses in low-income and minority communities, as well as $15 billion in grants dedicated to live entertainment venues.
Through Community Financial Institutions, the SBA hopes to encourage greater access to PPP funds. Businesses that have not received PPP funds previously are eligible for loans up to $10 million if they have 500 or fewer employees. Businesses that received PPP funds during the first round are eligible for up to $2 million in funding if they have 300 or fewer employees.
Wyandotte County reported an increase of 37 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, Feb. 6, according to the Unified Government’s COVID-19 webpage. There were a cumulative 17,187 cases. There was a cumulative total of 237 deaths, no change since Friday.
The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 150,344 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Saturday. There were 1,924 cumulative deaths, and 111 was the daily average of new hospitalizations.
The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Saturday night reported 26,916,158 cumulative cases in the United States, with 462,173 total deaths nationwide.
Free COVID-19 tests Monday
The Unified Government Health Department’s COVID-19 test site at the former Kmart building at 78th and State will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 8. Appointments are not needed for COVID-19 tests. To see if there is any change to the schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.
The Health Department is now offering saliva COVID-19 tests to the public.
Tests from the Health Department are free for those who live or work in Wyandotte County.
The tests are open to asymptomatic people as well as those who have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. Check with the UG Health Department’s Facebook page to see if there have been any changes in the schedule. Bring something that shows that you live or work in Wyandotte County, such as a utility bill.
COVID-19 tests will be available Monday, Feb. 8, at the Pierson Community Center parking lot, 1800 S. 55th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Hours are subject to change depending on the weather and other factors. These tests are through WellHealth Management. Appointments are required at the Pierson Community Center. For more information and to schedule a test, visit www.GoGetTested.com/Kansas.
Wyandotte County residents who are interested in getting a COVID-19 vaccine may fill out a survey form at the UG Health Department at https://us.openforms.com/Form/2f2bcc68-3b6a-450b-9007-d39819db6572. Residents will be contacted to make an appointment when vaccine becomes available. The Health Department currently is vaccinating high-contact critical workers, as well as residents over 85.
Cards and letters of encouragement for caregivers at KU Health System may be sent to Share Joy, care of Patient Relations, 4000 Cambridge St., Mailstop 1021, Kansas City, Kansas, 66160. Emails can be sent to [email protected].
Wyandotte County is under a mandatory mask and social distancing order.
Wyandotte County is in Phase 3 under Kansas Ad Astra reopening plan. Local health officials said under Phase 3, people should keep a distance of 6 feet between themselves and others. They may sit closer to people who live in their households. Also, people should wear masks and should wash hands or use hand sanitizer. There is a mask order in effect in Wyandotte County, requiring masks to be worn inside any public space. Some faith groups are holding online or video services. In Wyandotte County, those who are older than 60 or who have other medical conditions should continue being very cautious, according to the Wyandotte County health officials. Those who are sick should stay home, according to officials. More details about Wyandotte County health guidelines for churches are at https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Health-Department/Documents/Communicable%20Disease/COVID19/COVID-19GuidelinesForChurches.pdf. Some churches have been changing their services as a result of COVID-19 restrictions for the community. 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.
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has information about churches, Masses, and reflections, at https://www.facebook.com/archkck.
Casa – Worship House Christian Church, 5217 Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, Kansas, will have services at 11 a.m. Sunday. The church has an online service at www.facebook.com/casadealabanzaKCKS. Check with the church’s social media page for more information on services. For more information, visit Facebook @casadealabanzaKCKS. The church will hold a Super Bowl potluck dinner at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
Open Door Baptist Church, 3033 N. 103rd Terrace, Kansas City, Kansas, will have services in person with social distancing at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 7. There will be a livestream service at https://www.facebook.com/opendoorkc/ and https://www.opendoorkc.com/.
Stony Point Christian Church, 149 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kansas, plans to livestream at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Feb.7, on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/StonyPointChristianChurch, and people are welcome to attend the service in person, using social distancing, masks and other health measures. A Scout chili supper will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the Cole Activity Center; carryouts are available.
St. Patrick Catholic Church, Kansas City, Kansas, has a Mass online for Sunday, Feb. 7, at https://www.facebook.com/StPatrickKCK. St. Patrick Church also has in-person Masses. Masses on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, will be at 6:30 a.m., 8:10 a.m., noon, 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. (Spanish).
Sunset Hills Christian Church, 6347 Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, Kansas, plans to have services at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. It will be Red Sunday on Feb. 7. For more information about this Sunday’s plans, visit the Facebook page of Pastor Mike Barnett, https://www.facebook.com/mike.barnett.528. Services are also provided through checkout of DVD or SD Card and can be sent by email upon request. People are welcome to attend the service in person using social distancing and other health measures. Masks are available or bring your own to wear.
Information about other church services in Wyandotte County may be available from the church’s social media page. To send in items for the Faith News, email information to [email protected]. Please include your name and contact information.
