Month: June 2021

Wyandotte County marks milestone in giving 100,000th dose of vaccine

Jerome Campbell received the 100,000th dose of COVID-19 vaccine given by the Unified Government Health Department this morning at the Central clinic in the former Kmart store at 7836 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Angie DeCastro, nurse, gave the shot. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

by Mary Rupert

Confetti and applause were part of the celebration for the 100,000th vaccine dose given in Wyandotte County, which went to Jerome Campbell this morning.

Campbell received the COVID-19 vaccine from Angie DeCastro, nurse, during a celebration at the Unified Government Health Department’s Central vaccine clinic at the former Kmart store at 7836 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.

They were joined by Curt Robinson, a Health Department volunteer who received the first vaccine from the Health Department on Dec. 23.

Juliann Van Liew, Health Department director, said with 33 percent of Wyandotte County residents receiving their first doses, there is still a long way to go.

The Health Department is ramping up efforts to take the vaccine to places where people are, she said.

Today the Health Department reported on its website that 55,382 residents had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. That totals 33.48 percent of the residents of the county. Also, 46,083 Wyandotte County residents, or 27.86 percent had received two shots.

Van Liew said the 55,382 represented the number of persons who received a shot, while the 100,000th refers to the first and second doses given.

According to Van Liew, the Health Department is making progress on vaccinations and the staff and volunteers have been in it for the long haul. The Health Department has been adjusting its locations and hours, and is offering more mobile clinics.

She said the Health Department provides transportation for those who don’t have a way to get to the vaccine centers. Also, the Health Department will visit people who are homebound to give them a vaccine, she said. In addition, the Health Department can provide vaccine clinics on site for businesses, churches and groups, she added.

Walk-in vaccines and scheduled appointments are available. For more information about how to get a vaccine, visit Wycovaccines.org.

Curt Robinson, left, a volunteer who received the first COVID-19 shot from the Health Department, posed with Jerome Campbell, who received the 100,000th dose on Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Jerome Campbell signed the wall at the clinic after receiving the 100,000th dose on Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
UG Health Department Director Juliann Van Liew, right, presented a certificate to Jerome Campbell after he received the 100,000th vaccine dose on Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Jerome Campbell received the 100,000th dose of COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday at the UG’s clinic at the former Kmart store. (Video by Mary Rupert)

Wyandotte County man’s estate to be compensated for wrongful conviction

The attorney general’s office has resolved a fifth lawsuit filed under the state’s mistaken-conviction statute, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said today.

The attorney general reached an agreed resolution of a lawsuit filed Nov. 13, 2020, by Olin L. “Pete” Coones.

In December 2009, Coones was convicted in Wyandotte County District Court and imprisoned for the first-degree murder of a Wyandotte County woman. His conviction was vacated and charges against him dismissed on Nov. 5, 2020.

After being released from prison, Coones died on Feb. 21, 2021, and his claim was continued by his estate. The agreed resolution was approved today in Shawnee County District Court by Judge Teresa L. Watson.

In the agreed order, the court determined that Coones did not commit the crime for which he was convicted, nor was he an accessory or accomplice to that crime, nor did he suborn perjury, fabricate evidence or cause or bring about his conviction through his own conduct. Coones served 12 years and 213 days in prison or jail.

The court ordered the following relief for Coones, as provided by the mistaken-conviction statute:

• Coones was granted a certificate of innocence.
• Records of his conviction and arrest were ordered expunged.
• Coones’ estate was granted total compensation of $826,301.81.

By law, payment of the judgment entered today is subject to review by the State Finance Council. Schmidt plans to formally ask the Finance Council to review the matter at its next meeting.

From December 2018 through the present, 11 individuals have filed lawsuits against the state of Kansas under authority of the K.S.A. 60-5004, the mistaken-conviction statute. Of those, five have reached judgment and payment has been made or is in process. In a sixth case, the district court ruled against the claimant, and the Kansas Supreme Court affirmed that no payment was owed. The other five cases remain in litigation in district courts.

Copies of the orders In the matter of the wrongful conviction of Olin “Pete” Coones, Shawnee County Case No. 2020-CV-593, are available at https://bit.ly/3g5roJT.

Blood drive scheduled today in Wyandotte County

An American Red Cross blood drive is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, at Cabelas, 10300 Cabela Drive, Kansas City, Kansas.

According to the Red Cross, blood donations are needed this month as cancer patients are resuming care.

The American Cancer Society stated many patients visits and procedures were forcded to delay or cancel earlier in the pandemic to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. With procedures resuming, blood donations are critical for cancer treatments, according to a spokesman.

Unfortunately, the Red Cross has seen fewer blood and platelet donations, along with strong demand from hospitals, the spokesman stated.

To schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment, visit GiveBloodToGiveTime.org. As a special thank-you, those who come to donate through June 13 will receive a limited-edition Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Other blood drives also are being held in other counties of the metropolitan area. To see other Red Cross blood donation opportunities, visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/.