The Kansas Corporation Commission this morning opened seven company specific investigations pertaining to the effects of the February weather emergency.
Kansas Gas Service and Atmos Energy, which serve natural gas customers in Wyandotte County, are included in the seven companies. Also included is Evergy, which serves some residents of Bonner Springs and Edwardsville.
The investigations will examine each utility’s proposals to minimize financial effects of the February weather emergency on its customers, according to a news release.
The high demand, along with generation facility issues due to cold weather, created supply shortages and extraordinarily high energy prices, according to the KCC An emergency order issued by the KCC on Feb. 15 ordered regulated utilities to defer those costs for review and to present a plan to minimize ratepayer impact over a reasonable time, the KCC stated.
The investigations will also address the cause of reduced natural gas supplies, high natural gas prices, supply and demand imbalances in the Southwest Power Pool Integrated Market, and what steps can be taken to make sure utilities are better prepared for future extreme weather events, according to the KCC.
The BPU is not included in the companies being investigated. The Kansas Corporation Commission does not have jurisdiction over the Board of Public Utilities, which serves electric customers in Kansas City, Kansas, because the BPU is a public utility with an elected board.
A report and recommendation filed by KCC staff on March 1 stated that company specific investigatory dockets would allow staff to tailor its investigation to match each utility’s unique circumstances.
Today’s order can be viewed at http://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx?Id=8360b142-9f83-4d64-af94-06a09d85daf7.
Wyandotte County has a marginal risk of severe storms and flooding Wednesday night through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. (National Weather Service graphic)From 2 to 3 inches of rain are possible from Wednesday through Monday, according to the National Weather Service. There is a possibility of flooding in the region. (National Weather Service graphic)
Today’s weather forecast includes wind gusts of up to 33 mph, a high near 74 and rain possible after 9 p.m.
Rain is possible, according to the forecast, each day from tonight through Monday. There is even a chance of snow Saturday morning.
Winds will gust up to 33 mph today and up to 43 mph on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
There is a high fire danger during the daytime on Tuesday, with the dry conditions and high winds.
The highs in the 70s will be ending on Wednesday, according to the forecast. Thursday will see temperatures in the 60s, then the weather will move to a high in the 50s on Friday.
Thunderstorms will be possible Wednesday evening into Thursday, the weather service said.
A few strong to isolated severe storms will be possible with quarter-sized hail the main threat, according to the weather service.
Heavy rain could lead to localized flooding Wednesday night into Thursday, the weather service said. Additional rainfall is possible through the weekend.
Today, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 74, the weather service said. A south wind of 17 to 23 mph will gust as high as 33 mph.
Tonight, there is a chance of drizzle, mainly between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., with a low of 59, according to the weather service. A south wind of 18 to 20 mph will gust as high as 33 mph.
Wednesday, there is a 20 percent chance of drizzle before noon, then a slight chance of showers after noon, the weather service said. The high will be near 73 with a south southwest wind of 20 to 24 mph, gusting as high as 43 mph.
Wednesday night, there is a 70 percent chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm, according to the weather service. The low will be around 48 with a south southwest wind of 13 to 18 mph becoming northwest 7 to 12 mph after midnight. Winds may gust as high as 30 mph. Between a half and three-quarters of an inch of rain is possible.
Thursday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon, with a high near 61 and a north wind of 7 to 9 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of precipitation is expected.
Thursday night, there is a 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after midnight, according to the weather service. The low will be around 42. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is possible.
Friday, there is a 70 percent chance of precipitation, with a high near 53, the weather service said.
Friday night, there is a 50 percent chance of showers before 7 p.m., then a chance of rain after 7 p.m., according to the weather service. The low will be about 38.
Saturday, there is a 60 percent chance of rain before 8 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., then rain likely after 9 a.m., according to the weather service. The high will be near 48.
Saturday night, there is a 60 percent chance of rain with a low of 36, according to the weather service.
Sunday, there is a 70 percent chance of rain, with a high near 47, the weather service said.
Sunday night, there is a 50 percent chance of rain, with a low of 35, according to the weather service.
Monday, there is a 30 percent chance of rain with a high near 54, the weather service said.
Monday was the anniversary of the first COVID-19 patient being admitted at the University of Kansas Health System, and doctors reflected on changes since then.
“It’s been quite a ride,” said Dr. David Wild, vice president of performance improvement at KU Health System. He made his remarks during a Monday morning media update.
He said he was humbled and impressed by all the efforts of the workers at the health system and across the community. It was something no one expected and no one had experienced before, he added.
The COVID-19 inpatients now are below 40 at the KU Health System Monday, and that’s about the number it was last August, before a big surge in November, according to Dr. Wild. At the time, it seemed like 40 was a number almost impossible to manage, he added.
The last year’s challenges for them have been similar to those of the community, he said. There was quite a bit of fear in the community and among health care workers, and some fears are the same as now, he added.
There were a lot of unknowns and a lot of learning, he said. They had to pay attention to incomplete data, make decisions and then gradually modify their practices as more data become available. They had to deal with strong emotions from the community as well as in themselves.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control, said there has been a lot more work, and more meetings. They’ve learned about new protocols and procedures to keep patients and employees safe, he said. People who weren’t paying attention to inequalities in society learned more about them with the pandemic.
“We’ve learned about other aspects of society,” he said. There also will be good things to come out of it, such as better infrastructures for public health.
Health leaders in the Kansas City area have worked together in ways that they didn’t before the pandemic, Dr. Wild said. More friendships developed among people who worked together.
Also discussed Monday morning were efforts to vaccinate teachers in Missouri and Kansas. Wyandotte County teachers have largely been vaccinated already.
Dr. Jennifer Watts, pediatric emergency medicine at Children’s Mercy, said mass vaccination clinics for teachers will start March 15 in Johnson County, Kansas, and in Jackson County, Missouri.
Dr. Kenny Southwick, executive director, Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City, also discussed teacher vaccinations, and he said the goal is to bring all students safely back to school. He was concerned about travel during spring break. He cautioned parents and students who travel during spring break to be careful so there’s not another outbreak, like the outbreaks after spring break last year.
Dr. Hawkinson also said people should be vigilant, as spring break will be coming up and virus variants could spread. People should wear masks and get the vaccine as soon as it’s offered, he said. Masking, distancing and vaccines will get kids back to school faster.
COVID-19 case numbers reported
KU Health System reported 14 active COVID-19 patients, a decrease of one from Friday, according to Dr. Hawkinson. Three of the patients were in the intensive care unit, no change since Friday, and two of the ICU patients were on ventilators Monday, an increase of one since Friday. There were another 23 COVID-19 patients in the hospital who were out of the acute infection phase, a decrease of eight since Friday. In all, there were 37 COVID-19 patients at KU Health System, a decrease of nine since Friday.
Wyandotte County reported an increase of 34 COVID-19 cases on Monday, March 8, since Friday, March 5, for a cumulative 17,770 cases. There was a cumulative total of 273 deaths reported, no change since Friday
The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 161,395 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Monday. The daily average of new hospitalizations was 75. Cumulative deaths in the nine-county area were 2,255.
The state of Kansas reported 296,451 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Monday, March 8, an increase of 590 cases since Friday. There were a total cumulative 4,816 deaths, an increase of four since Friday
The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Monday night reported 29,043,762 cases in the United States, with 525,752 total deaths nationwide.
COVID-19 tests scheduled Tuesday
Free COVID-19 tests are available from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday, March 9, at All Saints parish, 811 Vermont Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.
Appointments are not needed for the test at All Saints, and anyone can be tested, regardless of symptoms or exposure to COVID-19. For more information, or to see if there is any change to the schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.
The Pierson Community Center COVID-19 testing site at 831 S. 55th is open at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 9. Tests are through WellHealth. Appointments are required, check with the website, www.gogettested.com/Kansas, for available appointment times.
Another COVID-19 testing site will be at Lowe’s, 6920 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, at 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 9. Tests are through WellHealth. Appointments are required, check with the website, www.gogettested.com/Kansas, for available appointment times.
Unified Government COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites are scheduled to be open on Tuesday, March 9. 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. Tuesday, March 9. Appointments are not needed for COVID-19 tests there on Tuesday. There is also another UG Health Department location for COVID-19 testing at the former Best Buy store, 10500 Parallel Parkway. Wyandotte County is adding a third clinic location on Tuesday. More information is at https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19. To see if there is any change to the schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.
The Health Department is 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.
Walk-in vaccines available for those 85 and older
The UG Health Department is offering COVID-19 vaccines Monday through Friday for Wyandotte County residents who are over 65.
Those Wyandotte County residents who are 85 or older can walk in and do not need an appointment Monday through Friday at the vaccination sites at 7836 State Ave. and 10500 Parallel Parkway. A third location is being added Tuesday. The sites are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Those who are 65 and older, as well as critical workers, still need appointments for vaccines.
All those 65 and older should bring an ID or other proof of age, such as a driver’s license, government ID or birth certificate, as well as something showing their Wyandotte County address, such as an ID or a piece of mail.
For more vaccine information, and to fill out a form expressing interest in getting a vaccine, visit WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1.
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.
