National Weather Service graphicNational Weather Service graphic
After some morning storms, more storms are possible today, according to the National Weather Service.
Southern Johnson County and Miami County are under flash flood warnings currently, but Wyandotte County is not under a flash flood warning.
A second round of thunderstorms may develop early this afternoon, the weather service said.
Many uncertainties remain regarding intensity of afternoon storms, according to the weather service.
Effects from this morning’s storms will greatly influence the intensity of afternoon storms, the weather service said.
Primary hazards remain gusty winds, heavy rain, and increased flash flooding potential, according to the weather service. Some storms may contain hail. An isolated tornado also cannot be ruled out.
Highest likelihood for severe weather this afternoon is south of I-70, the weather service said. However severe weather is possible throughout the region.
Heavy rainfall from overnight thunderstorms will increase the threat of flash flooding in the region, according to the weather service. More rainfall is expected today, and elevated stream and river levels are possible today.
The Missouri and Kansas rivers were well below flood stage at 9 a.m. Thursday, according to NOAA and USGS hydrology charts. Turkey Creek at Southwest Boulevard rose to 50.47 feet where flood stage is 61 feet at 9:35 a.m. Thursday, still well below flood stage. Action stage there is 55 feet.
Today, there is a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between noon and 5 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 80 with a south wind of 11 to 14 mph, gusting as high as 25 mph. Between a half and three-quarters of an inch of rain is possible.
Tonight, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. The low will be around 48 with a north northwest wind of 9 to 13 mph, gusting as high as 23 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is possible.
Friday, it will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 63 and a north northwest wind of 10 to 13 mph, the weather service said.
Friday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 46 and a north wind of 5 to 9 mph becoming calm after midnight, according to the weather service.
Saturday, it will be sunny, with a high near 58 and a calm wind becoming east northeast around 6 mph in the morning, the weather service said.
Saturday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 49, according to the weather service.
Sunday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 70, the weather service said.
Sunday night, there is a 40 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m. The low will be 55.
Monday, Memorial Day, there is a 60 percent chance of showers with a high near 69, the weather service said.
Monday night, there is a 50 percent chance of showers, with a low of 57, according to the weather service.
Tuesday, there is 40 percent chance of showers, with a high near 70, the weather service said.
Tuesday night, there is a 30 percent chance of showers, with a low of 57, according to the weather service.
Wednesday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers, with a high near 72, the weather service said.
The Wyandotte County vaccination rate, for those residents who have had at least one COVID-19 shot, rose to about 36.7 percent, according to figures reported Wednesday by the Unified Government Health Department.
The percent of residents who were fully vaccinated was 27.1 percent, according to the figures from the UG COVID-19 vacine webpage. The rate is 40 percent among those age 12 and up, who are eligible to get a vaccination.
The figures are lagging, compared with the state vaccination rates and some other county rates.
The state of Kansas reported 41.6 percent of its residents had received at least one dose, with about 35 percent fully vaccinated, according to figures on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website.
Douglas County had a vaccination rate of 49 percent and Johnson County had a 44.8 percent vaccination rate, for one dose, according to figures from KDHE’s vaccination website. Leavenworth County was 31.3 percent for one dose, according to the KDHE information.
At the University of Kansas Health System news conference on Wednesday morning, Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control, stated that about 50 percent of Americans have had at least one vaccination. So far, about a billion doses of vaccine have been given in the world.
Dr. Hawkinson said there were no documented deaths from the vaccine, while there were 600,000 deaths in the United States from COVID-19.
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer for KU Health System, is bothered by lawmakers who have tried to pass laws that vaccines will not be required. Once the vaccines are fully authorized by the FDA, it is likely that some businesses such as hospitals, will require employees to get vaccines, he believes.
“I don’t think legislatures should be trying to dictate medical standard care and medical practice,” Dr. Stites said. “I think that belongs strictly in the hands of those of us who do health care on a regular basis. And I don’t think that legislature should substitute medical judgment in that setting.”
Dr. Stites believes vaccination is the way to end the pandemic and resume normal life.
Also discussed at the news conference was a patient and her experiences with anxiety during the pandemic.
Free walk-in vaccinations available Thursday
Free walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations will be available for everyone 12 and older from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at the Kansas National Guard Armory, 100 S. 20th (near 18th and Ridge), Kansas City, Kansas, and at the former Kmart store, 7836 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. People may also schedule vaccinations at WycoVaccines.org.
The vaccination site at the former Best Buy store was permanently closed on Wednesday, May 26.
The Unified Government Health Department schedule of vaccinations changed recently. To see the schedule and more information about vaccinations, visit WycoVaccines.org or https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.
Those who receive vaccinations are asked to consider bringing an ID to make the process go faster.
The Health Department is doing more mobile vaccinations, and people may request vaccines to be given at different sites in the community by going to WycoVaccines.org and clicking on “mobile vaccine request.” People also may request a ride to vaccination sites on the same page.
UG Health Department vaccinations are now open to people from other counties and states. People may walk in for vaccinations or can schedule them.
Those who wish to schedule an appointment may use the Health Department’s self-scheduling tool at WycoVaccines.org and click on a blue button that says, “Click here to schedule an appointment online.” The page is available in Spanish by clicking at the top of the page. Walk-in appointments also are welcome.
Those who don’t have an internet connection may call 3-1-1 or 913-573-5311 for assistance in scheduling their vaccination appointment time and date. To see more information about Health Department vaccinations and next week’s schedule, visit WycoVaccines.org.
Other sites available for vaccinations
Vaccinations at KU Health System are open to the public. Current patients may use MyChart to make an appointment. Others may call 913-588-1227 or visit kansashealthsystem.com/vaccine to make an appointment to get vaccinated. KU Health System currently is vaccinating residents of Kansas and Missouri who are 12 or older, by appointment only. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout the appointment.
There are also pharmacies giving free COVID-19 vaccinations in Wyandotte County by appointment, when available. These include Price Chopper and Hen House pharmacies, which are now also accepting walk-in vaccinations or appointments, and are starting vaccinations for age 12 and up at those pharmacies that are giving Pfizer vaccine (see https://www.ballsfoodspharmacy.com/).
CVS has announced walk-in appointments for COVID-19 vaccine at some of its stores. Those interested in getting a vaccination at a CVS pharmacy are asked to visit a CVS website in order to make sure there is vaccine available. The website is at www.cvs.com/. Walgreens and Walmart also were listed on www.vaccines.gov as giving vaccinations.
Other pharmacies and sites giving vaccines are listed at www.vaccines.gov.
Case numbers reported
The number of active COVID-19 patients increased Wednesday at the University of Kansas Health System, according to Dr. Hawkinson. There were seven active COVID-19 patients, an increase of four. Only one had symptoms. One of the patients was in the intensive care unit, an increase of one. The patient in the ICU had not been vaccinated. Ten other patients were hospitalized because of COVID-19 but were not in the acute infection phase, a decrease of three from Tuesday. The total of 17 patients is up one from Tuesday.
Wyandotte County reported an increase of six COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, May 26, for a cumulative 18,721 cases, according to the Unified Government Health Department’s COVID-19 webpage. There was a cumulative total of 293 deaths reported, no change from Tuesday.
The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 174,118 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, an increase of 49 cases since Tuesday. The daily average of new hospitalizations was 50.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported 313,720 cumulative COVID-19 cases in Kansas on Wednesday, May 26, an increase of 446 cases since Wednesday, May 24. There were a total cumulative 5,067 deaths reported statewide, an increase of nine. Johnson County had a cumulative 59,095 cases on Wednesday, an increase of 53 since Monday, according to the KDHE. Leavenworth County had a cumulative 7,252 cases on Wednesday, an increase of six since Monday. Sedgwick County had a cumulative 57,226 cases on Wednesday, an increase of 99 since Monday.
The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Wednesday night reported 33,190,161 cumulative COVID-19 cases in the United States, with 591,947 total deaths reported nationwide. There were 22,756 new cases nationwide and 621 new deaths nationwide.
Free testing available Thursday
Free COVID-19 testing will be available from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at the Vibrant Health – Argentine location, 1428 S. 32nd, Kansas City, Kansas. Testing is in conjunction with the Wyandotte Health Equity Task Force. Appointments are not needed.
Free COVID-19 testing also will be offered from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m Thursday, May 27, at the former Kmart store at 7836 State Ave., and from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Kansas National Guard Armory, 200 S. 20th St., (near 18th and Ridge), Kansas City, Kansas. Appointments are not needed.
The former Best Buy store site was permanently closed on Wednesday.
For more information, about UG Health Department COVID-19 testing sites and hours, visit 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. Appointments are not needed.
One of the WellHealth sites for free COVID-19 testing is open beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday, May 27, at Lowe’s at 6920 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Appointments are required. For more information, to see other testing sites and to make an appointment, visit https://www.gogettested.com/kansas.
The Health Department’s general contact page is at https://www.wycokck.org/Health/Contact.aspx. The department’s Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.
Testing sites are at https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19. There are more test sites listed on this page.
Saliva testing is now offered at the UG Health Department. For more information, visit https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/02042021-ugphd-saliva-testing-available.pdf.
The KU doctors’ news conference is online at https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/3768382639938678.
The University of Kansas Health System COVID-19 update page is at https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/330310795391910.
A vaccine report for the state of Kansas is at https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/DocumentCenter/View/123/Vaccine-Historical-Document-22521?bidId=.
Information about the mask ordinance passed April 29, which loosened restrictions in Wyandotte County, is online at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/updatedwycomaskorder04302021.pdf. The mask order is online at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/amend-lho-may-6-2021.pdf.
The KDHE’s COVID-19 webpage is at https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/.
The KC Region COVID-19 Hub dashboard is at https://marc2.org/covidhub/.
The Wyandotte County page on the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 website is at https://bao.arcgis.com/covid-19/jhu/county/20209.html.
The Johns Hopkins Data in Motion, a presentation on critical COVID-19 data in the past 24 hours, is at https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/covid-19-daily-video.
The Unified Government Commission is scheduled to consider the COVID-19 masking and health orders at the 7 p.m. meeting Thursday, May 27.
An effort to overturn the health and masking orders failed on Monday, May 17, with two tie votes of 5-5. Six votes are required for approval. One commissioner was absent at the May 17 meeting, with the mayor casting a vote against ending the health orders.
The current UG health order for Wyandotte County expires at 11:59 p.m. May 28. If the commission does nothing, the order will expire.
Johnson County earlier dropped its health orders, and Kansas City, Missouri, has removed its mask mandate.
To see an earlier story about the May 17 vote and meeting, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/mask-order-stays-in-place-in-wyandotte-county/.
Another agenda item at the 7 p.m. meeting would set a public hearing date of July 1 for the Rock Island Bridge redevelopment project plan.
Another resolution would set a public hearing date of June 10 at 7 p.m. on the expanded Star Bond district for the Village East district.
The Homefield project has purchased the former Schlitterbahn waterpark site and is adding projects requiring more space, according to agenda information. The land to the east of the Homefield project is included in this expansion. This area would include the former Frontier Restaurant area, according to a map included in the agenda.
According to information in the agenda, the expanded area for the Star Bond district includes 54 acres of land on the east side of 90th Street between Parallel Parkway and State Avenue. It also includes another six acres of land at the northeast corner of 94th and State Avenue.
A map in the UG Commission agenda showed the proposed expansion of the Village East Star Bond area, including an area east of 94th Street between State and Parallel.
In addition, the commission will consider a resolution authorizing the UG to enter into an acknowledgment and assumption agreement for the Milhaus Multi-Family project. This 270-unit apartment project is northwest of 94th and State. HFS KCK, which was approved for the development last November, is selling a portion of the project site to 94TH AND STATE LLC. Documents filed in Topeka listed the business mailing address to Jennifer Marks, Indianapolis, Indiana, at the address for the Milhaus Development company.
At the 5 p.m. UG meeting on May 27, the topic of the special session will be tax delinquency.
Also on the 7 p.m. May 27 agenda are several planning and zoning items, including:
• 3860 Bell Crossing, change of zone from single family district to ariculture district for horses and chickens.
• 6716 and 6720 Berger Ave., change of zone from previously approved planned general industrial district to remove 45-foot landscape buffer.
• 3726 N. 47th Terrace, change of zone from single family district to agriculture district for horses.
• 204 Orchard St., renewal of special use permit for a drinking establishment and live entertainment, Mockingbird Lounge.
• 6801 State Ave., special use permit for temporary use of land for an existing commercial truck driving training facility.
• 151 S. 18th St., renewal of a special use permit for live entertainment in conjunction with a restaurant, JIAJ.
• 3150 N. 91st St., special use permit for the continuation of an event venue with live entertainment, Reid and Marisa Roberts.
• 334 N. Thorpe St., special use permit for the continuation of a kennel for four dogs.
• 3704 N. 99th St., renewal of a special use permit for a commercial specialty shop.
• 701 Village West Parkway, renewal of a special use permit for live entertainment, Chateau Avalon.
• 9350 Nelson Lane, special use permit for 20 chickens.
• 933 Quindaro Blvd., special use permit for a transitional – group home.
• 900 S. 66th Terrace, special use permit for auto salvage, auto mechanic, used auto sales and import-export business, Central America Auto Sales and Repair.
• 744 Kansas Ave., renewal of special use permit for a body shop, KCK Automotive.
• 1111 N. 98th St., an ordinance rezoning property from agriculture district to planned apartment district.
• 9700 Leavenworth Road, an ordinance rezoning property from planned limited business and planned general industrial districts to planned general industrial district. (At the former Woodlands property)
• 4223 and 4225 Gibbs Road, an ordinance rezoning property from single family to agriculture district.
• 1879 Village West Parkway, two ordinances vacating an electrical easement. Also, an ordinance vacating a sanitary sewer easement, and an ordinance vacating a utility easement.
• 7714 Rowland Ave., an ordinance authorizing a special use permit for a dog day care to care for 10 dogs.
• 2716 N. 119th St., an ordinance authorizing a special use permit for a short term rental – airBNB.
• 3410 and 3412 Metropolitan Ave., an ordinance rezoning property from single-family district to two-family district.
• 3319 N. 59th St., an ordinance authorizing a special use permit for a storage container for storage of tools.
• 701 Village West Parkway, an ordinance authorizing a special use permit for an outdoor event space, Chateau Avalon.
• 4620 Mission Road, an ordinance authorizing a special use permit for the temporary use of land for a parking lot.
• 101 Central Ave., an ordinance authorizing a special use permit for a beer hall in a former foundry.
• 1010 Merriam Lane, an ordinance authorizing a special use permit for a used car dealership.
• 6720 ½ Kaw Drive, an ordinance authorizing a special use permit for live entertainment in conjunction with an existing bar.
• 3801 Leavenworth Road, an ordinance authorizing a special use permit for continuation and expansion of a liquor store with packaged liquor.
• 1000 N. 82nd St., an ordinance authorizing a special use permit for a banquet facility in the evening and weekend.
• 2716 and 2718 S. 53rd St., change of zone from single-family distrit to two-family district to bring an existing duplex into compliance.
• 2706 Espenlaub Lane, special use permit for the continuation of a short-term rental – AirBNB, recommended for denial.
• 2904 Eaton St., special use permit for a short-term rental – AirBNB.
The public will be able to connect to the meetings on Zoom. For information on how to connect, see https://www.wycokck.org/BOC-Virtual-Meeting.aspx.
The meetings also will be on YouTube and UGTV cable television, and there are telephone numbers available to connect
