HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The publicist for Joe Diffie, the country star who was to headline a performance at the NexTech Wireless Grandstand at the Kansas State Fair with Logan Mize September 15, told <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/joe-diffie-country-singer-dead-obituary-974556/">Rolling Stone</a> that Diffie died Sunday from COVID-19.&nbsp; His illness was first announced Friday. Diffie was 61.

Diffie won two Grammys, charted 35 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, five of which peaked at No. 1 — “Home,” “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets),” “Third Rock from the Sun,” “Pickup Man” and “Bigger Than the Beatles.”

Another 12 songs reached the Top 10, including “John Deere Green,” “So Help Me Girl,” “New Way (To Light Up an Old Flame),” “Is It Cold in Here,” “Ships That Don't Come In,” “Honky Tonk Attitude” and “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die).”&nbsp;

Among his albums, 1993’s Honky Tonk Attitude and 1994’s Third Rock from the Sun were certified platinum. Diffie is a member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 25 years.

Hutch Post plans to contact the Fair for comment Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573754420602.png" alt="joe diffie" />
 <figcaption>joe diffie</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The publicist for Joe Diffie, the country star who was to headline a performance at the NexTech Wireless Grandstand at the Kansas State Fair with Logan Mize September 15, told <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/joe-diffie-country-singer-dead-obituary-974556/">Rolling Stone</a> that Diffie died Sunday from COVID-19.&nbsp; His illness was first announced Friday. Diffie was 61.Diffie won two Grammys, charted 35 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, five of which peaked at No. 1 — “Home,” “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets),” “Third Rock from the Sun,” “Pickup Man” and “Bigger Than the Beatles.”Another 12 songs reached the Top 10, including “John Deere Green,” “So Help Me Girl,” “New Way (To Light Up an Old Flame),” “Is It Cold in Here,” “Ships That Don't Come In,” “Honky Tonk Attitude” and “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die).”&nbsp;Among his albums, 1993’s Honky Tonk Attitude and 1994’s Third Rock from the Sun were certified platinum. Diffie is a member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 25 years.Hutch Post plans to contact the Fair for comment Monday.

Joe Diffie, scheduled 2020 Kansas State Fair performer, dies from COVID-19

HUTCHINSON, Kan.  — Haven's personal item pickup for students at the school buildings is Monday.  

The pickup day for Haven Grade School will start at 11 a.m. Parents are asked to enter the area from the alley off East 5th Street.

Teachers will go to the gym and retrieve all of the items that belong to those students and bring them to the vehicle. If you have a band instrument, parents can go to the double doors along North Sedgwick Street. Parents will get to enter the building and get band equipment.

Students in Haven Middle School will be able to retrieve their items by appointment starting Monday from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. This will be done in 10-minute slots. They ask that you bring a box or backpack to load up your items. Also, that will be the day students will pick up learning packets if they are needed. Mondays will be the day that packets can be picked up and dropped off for the rest of the academic year.

At Haven High School, items can be picked up by appointment between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Students will be given 10 minutes to retrieve their items or drop off any books or athletic gear they may have.

USD 312 also continues its meal program. Meals are grab-and-go lunches and breakfasts. Serving is from 11 a.m.until 12 p.m. at the old Partridge Grade School, Haven Grade School, Yoder Grade School and the Kids Depot in Mount Hope.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585345243110.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Haven's personal item pickup for students at the school buildings is Monday. The pickup day for Haven Grade School will start at 11 a.m. Parents are asked to enter the area from the alley off East 5th Street.Teachers will go to the gym and retrieve all of the items that belong to those students and bring them to the vehicle. If you have a band instrument, parents can go to the double doors along North Sedgwick Street. Parents will get to enter the building and get band equipment.Students in Haven Middle School will be able to retrieve their items by appointment starting Monday from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. This will be done in 10-minute slots. They ask that you bring a box or backpack to load up your items. Also, that will be the day students will pick up learning packets if they are needed. Mondays will be the day that packets can be picked up and dropped off for the rest of the academic year.At Haven High School, items can be picked up by appointment between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Students will be given 10 minutes to retrieve their items or drop off any books or athletic gear they may have.USD 312 also continues its meal program. Meals are grab-and-go lunches and breakfasts. Serving is from 11 a.m.until 12 p.m. at the old Partridge Grade School, Haven Grade School, Yoder Grade School and the Kids Depot in Mount Hope.

Haven personal item pickup Monday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —  Reno County Commissioners will hold their regular meeting on Tuesday.

The board will take action on an incentive package for Superior Boiler. The Hutchinson company is expanding and will bring its Richmond, Virginia, plant to Hutchinson. The move will bring about 52 new jobs to the area over a four-year period. 

The incentive package totals about $78,000. The City Council recently approved a similar package.

Also, the commission will approve the consent agenda, which includes a letter of support for a cost-sharing grant with KDOT. The grant would be used to help fund the Arlington Road bridge project. The 200-foot span is located on the west side of Arlington and is an important connecting road between K-61 and K-14. 

The estimated cost of the project is $1,250,000. The county is asking KDOT for half of the cost.

Tuesday’s Reno County Commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. at the Reno County Courthouse. The meeting can be viewed on <a href="http://renogov.org">renogov.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576875802998.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Commissioners will hold their regular meeting on Tuesday.The board will take action on an incentive package for Superior Boiler. The Hutchinson company is expanding and will bring its Richmond, Virginia, plant to Hutchinson. The move will bring about 52 new jobs to the area over a four-year period. The incentive package totals about $78,000. The City Council recently approved a similar package.Also, the commission will approve the consent agenda, which includes a letter of support for a cost-sharing grant with KDOT. The grant would be used to help fund the Arlington Road bridge project. The 200-foot span is located on the west side of Arlington and is an important connecting road between K-61 and K-14. The estimated cost of the project is $1,250,000. The county is asking KDOT for half of the cost.Tuesday’s Reno County Commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. at the Reno County Courthouse. The meeting can be viewed on <a href="http://renogov.org">renogov.org</a>.

Commission to take action on Superior Boiler incentives

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An eighth case of COVID-19 was announced as positive Saturday by the Reno County Health Department.

That case is a female in her 60s that is currently in home quarantine. Case contact investigation is underway.

The department continues to highly encourage Reno County residents to be dependent on health authorities to provide the most accurate information on COVID-19.

Please practice good hygiene with frequent hand washing, proper respiratory etiquette such as coughing and sneezing into your elbow bend, limit handshakes and physical contact. Stay home if you are feeling ill and call your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585072596478.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An eighth case of COVID-19 was announced as positive Saturday by the Reno County Health Department.That case is a female in her 60s that is currently in home quarantine. Case contact investigation is underway.The department continues to highly encourage Reno County residents to be dependent on health authorities to provide the most accurate information on COVID-19.Please practice good hygiene with frequent hand washing, proper respiratory etiquette such as coughing and sneezing into your elbow bend, limit handshakes and physical contact. Stay home if you are feeling ill and call your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms.

COVID-19 positive count at eight confirmed in Reno County

By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-governor-issues-statewide-stay-home-order-which-starts-monday#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf">A stay-at-home order for the entire state of Kansas </a>will take effect 
at 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 30, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Saturday, 
making it one of at least 20 states to ask its residents to conduct only
 essential business.&nbsp;

The executive order, which will last at 
least until April 19, is meant to slow the spread of coronavirus. Kansas
 has surpassed 250 cases of COVID-19 — including two military personnel,
 one from Fort Riley and one from Fort Leavenworth — and has five 
deaths.&nbsp;

Kelly said the order became necessary once projections 
showed confirmed cases of coronavirus could jump to as many as 900 over 
the next week.&nbsp;

“I can’t tell you how much I wish it weren’t 
necessary, but this is our window to ensure Kansas does not suffer the 
terrible fate of other hard-hit states like New York and Missouri,” she 
said at a Statehouse news conference.&nbsp;

More than a dozen counties
 already had stay-at-home orders, covering a large swath of Kansas’ 
population. But Kelly said the “difficult but unavoidable” decision for a
 statewide order was needed to keep from having a network of them, and 
the state order supersedes county orders.&nbsp;

“I left these 
decisions to local health departments for as long as possible,” she 
said. “But the reality is that a patchwork approach is a recipe for 
confusion in our statewide fight to slow the spread of the coronavirus.”

Stay-at-home
 orders mean people by and large should not leave their homes except for
 essential business — work, grocery shopping, seeking medical care or 
taking care of family or friends who are in need. People are allowed to 
exercise outside, but cannot gather in groups larger than 10.

“You can leave your home,” Kelly said. “You can go outside. You’re not under house arrest.”

Kansas’
 neighbors vary when it comes to statewide orders: Colorado’s took 
effect Thursday, while Missouri has left it up to its cities and 
counties, and Nebraska has nothing.&nbsp;

The center of the outbreak 
in Kansas is in Johnson and Wyandotte counties, while so far, the 
western half is largely unaffected. But Kansas officials have said the 
state’s peak in cases may not come until mid- to late April.&nbsp;

Kelly
 said President Donald Trump’s suggestion that life should be allowed to
 return to normal soon in sections of the country where cases remain 
relatively low runs counter to the advice she is receiving from public 
health experts.&nbsp;

“We are making this move now because of what 
we’re seeing here in Kansas and any guidelines from the federal 
government that don’t model this we quite honestly will ignore,” she 
said.&nbsp;

Kelly has been one of the more aggressive governors across the U.S. 
in responding to coronarvirus and was the first to close all K-12 
schools through the end of the 2019-20 school year, moving instruction 
largely online.

Kansas House Republican leadership issued a 
statement Saturday after Kelly’s news conference, saying the Legislative
 Coordinating Council will “carefully assess this executive order and 
the reasons for it.”

“There are no easy decisions in a time like 
this,” House Speaker Ron Ryckman, Majority Leader Dan Hawkins and 
Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch said in a statement, “and we must 
diligently work together to strike a balance that is in the best 
interests of all Kansans.”

The Kansas Chamber of Commerce, 
however, said it worked with Kelly’s office to “develop this more 
uniform approach,” which says will help “flatten the curve” and provide 
“consistent supply chain operations for the delivery of groceries, 
medical supplies and other vital products.”

Testing has ramped up
 in Kansas, with the state lab handling 175 samples a day and expecting 
to get up to between 700 and 1,000 daily soon, according to Kansas 
health secretary Lee Norman. State testing is only for high-risk groups,
 like nursing home residents and health care workers; many commercial 
labs and hospitals in Kansas now have the capacity to test now, too.&nbsp;

Kansas
 will soon use up its share of the federally provided personal 
protection equipment for health care workers, like gloves, masks and 
gowns.&nbsp;

“The strategic national stockpile is not an endless 
stockpile, unfortunately,” Norman said Friday. “And again, it’s 
something that we don’t control but we try to make sure we get our 
share.”

Kansas has mandated that people who, as of Friday, 
returned from Colorado (which has more than 1,000 cases) or Louisiana 
(more than 2,700 cases) must self-quarantine for 14 days. Illinois, New 
Jersey, California, Florida, New York state and Washington were already 
on the list, as well as cruises and international locations.

The 
majority of people who get coronavirus have mild or moderate symptoms, 
like a fever, cough and shortness of breath; some report losing their 
sense of smell and taste. These people tend to recover in two weeks. 
More severe cases can have up to six weeks’ recovery time, require 
hospitalization and can lead to death.&nbsp;

Click <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf">HERE</a> to see the order in its entirety.

Kansas News Service reporters Celia Llopis-Jepsen and Daniel Caudill contributed to this report.&nbsp;

Jim
 McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service is a 
collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public 
Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585442211571.jpeg" alt="Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly explains her decision to mandate a statewide stay-at-home order on Saturday. The map shows the counties that have confirmed coronavirus cases.&nbsp; Jim McLean / Kansas News Service &nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly explains her decision to mandate a statewide stay-at-home order on Saturday. The map shows the counties that have confirmed coronavirus cases.&nbsp; Jim McLean / Kansas News Service &nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-governor-issues-statewide-stay-home-order-which-starts-monday#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a><a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf">A stay-at-home order for the entire state of Kansas </a>will take effect 
at 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 30, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Saturday, 
making it one of at least 20 states to ask its residents to conduct only
 essential business.&nbsp;The executive order, which will last at 
least until April 19, is meant to slow the spread of coronavirus. Kansas
 has surpassed 250 cases of COVID-19 — including two military personnel,
 one from Fort Riley and one from Fort Leavenworth — and has five 
deaths.&nbsp;Kelly said the order became necessary once projections 
showed confirmed cases of coronavirus could jump to as many as 900 over 
the next week.&nbsp;“I can’t tell you how much I wish it weren’t 
necessary, but this is our window to ensure Kansas does not suffer the 
terrible fate of other hard-hit states like New York and Missouri,” she 
said at a Statehouse news conference.&nbsp;More than a dozen counties
 already had stay-at-home orders, covering a large swath of Kansas’ 
population. But Kelly said the “difficult but unavoidable” decision for a
 statewide order was needed to keep from having a network of them, and 
the state order supersedes county orders.&nbsp;“I left these 
decisions to local health departments for as long as possible,” she 
said. “But the reality is that a patchwork approach is a recipe for 
confusion in our statewide fight to slow the spread of the coronavirus.”Stay-at-home
 orders mean people by and large should not leave their homes except for
 essential business — work, grocery shopping, seeking medical care or 
taking care of family or friends who are in need. People are allowed to 
exercise outside, but cannot gather in groups larger than 10.“You can leave your home,” Kelly said. “You can go outside. You’re not under house arrest.”Kansas’
 neighbors vary when it comes to statewide orders: Colorado’s took 
effect Thursday, while Missouri has left it up to its cities and 
counties, and Nebraska has nothing.&nbsp;The center of the outbreak 
in Kansas is in Johnson and Wyandotte counties, while so far, the 
western half is largely unaffected. But Kansas officials have said the 
state’s peak in cases may not come until mid- to late April.&nbsp;Kelly
 said President Donald Trump’s suggestion that life should be allowed to
 return to normal soon in sections of the country where cases remain 
relatively low runs counter to the advice she is receiving from public 
health experts.&nbsp;“We are making this move now because of what 
we’re seeing here in Kansas and any guidelines from the federal 
government that don’t model this we quite honestly will ignore,” she 
said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585442294485.jpeg" alt=" The governor's office is limiting the number of reporters allowed at state briefings. This is what it looked like on Saturday, when the statewide stay-at-home order was announced. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> The governor's office is limiting the number of reporters allowed at state briefings. This is what it looked like on Saturday, when the statewide stay-at-home order was announced. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>Kelly has been one of the more aggressive governors across the U.S. 
in responding to coronarvirus and was the first to close all K-12 
schools through the end of the 2019-20 school year, moving instruction 
largely online.Kansas House Republican leadership issued a 
statement Saturday after Kelly’s news conference, saying the Legislative
 Coordinating Council will “carefully assess this executive order and 
the reasons for it.”“There are no easy decisions in a time like 
this,” House Speaker Ron Ryckman, Majority Leader Dan Hawkins and 
Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch said in a statement, “and we must 
diligently work together to strike a balance that is in the best 
interests of all Kansans.”The Kansas Chamber of Commerce, 
however, said it worked with Kelly’s office to “develop this more 
uniform approach,” which says will help “flatten the curve” and provide 
“consistent supply chain operations for the delivery of groceries, 
medical supplies and other vital products.”Testing has ramped up
 in Kansas, with the state lab handling 175 samples a day and expecting 
to get up to between 700 and 1,000 daily soon, according to Kansas 
health secretary Lee Norman. State testing is only for high-risk groups,
 like nursing home residents and health care workers; many commercial 
labs and hospitals in Kansas now have the capacity to test now, too.&nbsp;Kansas
 will soon use up its share of the federally provided personal 
protection equipment for health care workers, like gloves, masks and 
gowns.&nbsp;“The strategic national stockpile is not an endless 
stockpile, unfortunately,” Norman said Friday. “And again, it’s 
something that we don’t control but we try to make sure we get our 
share.”Kansas has mandated that people who, as of Friday, 
returned from Colorado (which has more than 1,000 cases) or Louisiana 
(more than 2,700 cases) must self-quarantine for 14 days. Illinois, New 
Jersey, California, Florida, New York state and Washington were already 
on the list, as well as cruises and international locations.The 
majority of people who get coronavirus have mild or moderate symptoms, 
like a fever, cough and shortness of breath; some report losing their 
sense of smell and taste. These people tend to recover in two weeks. 
More severe cases can have up to six weeks’ recovery time, require 
hospitalization and can lead to death.&nbsp;Click <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf">HERE</a> to see the order in its entirety.Kansas News Service reporters Celia Llopis-Jepsen and Daniel Caudill contributed to this report.&nbsp;Jim
 McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service is a 
collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public 
Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy.

Kansas governor issues statewide stay-at-home order


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Representatives from the Hutch Chamber, the United Way and the Hutchinson Community Foundation outlined the basics behind their new Rally Reno County program.

"Last week, when COVID-19 started hitting our community hard, it started hitting our business community just as hard," said Debra Teufel with the Chamber. "Those businesses that rely on foot traffic coming in the door are probably those that are hit the hardest, beside the fact that our hospitals and medical communities work on the front lines of this. We know that those retailers that are missing all that foot traffic want to find a way to connect with their customers. We thought this was an excellent way to help them do that."

Purchase a gift card to your favorite local businesses and the Hutchinson Community Foundation will provide matching funds to provide basic needs assistance in the same amount.

"A dollar spent at Bluebird Books will also be a dollar given to the unmet needs fund through the United Way and the Reno County VOAD," said the United Way's Lisa Gleason.

The Community Foundation is glad to have a donor that is allowing them to help.

"We're in the business of supporting the needs of this community," said Aubrey Patterson with the Community Foundation. "It's usually in philanthropy and charity, but this gives us an opportunity to also touch the business owners who are struggling and to leverage the match for the unmet needs of individuals."

If you're an individual that wants to buy certificates or a business that wants to offer them, check out rallyreno.org for details. You do not have to be a Chamber member to be listed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585236822615.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Representatives from the Hutch Chamber, the United Way and the Hutchinson Community Foundation outlined the basics behind their new Rally Reno County program."Last week, when COVID-19 started hitting our community hard, it started hitting our business community just as hard," said Debra Teufel with the Chamber. "Those businesses that rely on foot traffic coming in the door are probably those that are hit the hardest, beside the fact that our hospitals and medical communities work on the front lines of this. We know that those retailers that are missing all that foot traffic want to find a way to connect with their customers. We thought this was an excellent way to help them do that."Purchase a gift card to your favorite local businesses and the Hutchinson Community Foundation will provide matching funds to provide basic needs assistance in the same amount."A dollar spent at Bluebird Books will also be a dollar given to the unmet needs fund through the United Way and the Reno County VOAD," said the United Way's Lisa Gleason.The Community Foundation is glad to have a donor that is allowing them to help."We're in the business of supporting the needs of this community," said Aubrey Patterson with the Community Foundation. "It's usually in philanthropy and charity, but this gives us an opportunity to also touch the business owners who are struggling and to leverage the match for the unmet needs of individuals."If you're an individual that wants to buy certificates or a business that wants to offer them, check out rallyreno.org for details. You do not have to be a Chamber member to be listed.

Rally Reno County is collaborative effort

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/even-40-kansans-getting-covid-19-six-months-would-overwhelm-states-hospitals#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

Dr. Joe Meier’s hospital in Wilson County has 15 beds, no intensive 
care unit and one ventilator. Two of his neighboring counties in 
southeast Kansas have no hospital at all, and another two have no ICU 
either.

So Meier has a plea to the residents of his region: Stay home.

"It's not a matter of 'if' (COVID-19) is going to hit here,' he said. "It’s a matter of when."

Harvard University researchers looked at&nbsp;<a href="https://globalepidemics.org/2020/03/17/caring-for-covid-19-patients/" target="_blank">nine scenarios</a>&nbsp;for
 how many Americans could catch COVID-19, and how fast. Kansas, it 
turned out, could only handle the milder scenarios. More moderate or 
severe situations would overload the state’s hospitals without dramatic 
steps — such as clearing hospitals of other patients and convincing the 
public to shelter in place.

As of Thursday afternoon, Kansas had 
about 200 confirmed cases of COVID-19, though the true number of people 
carrying the bug is unknown. State officials have said at times that 
they expect to see cases double every three or four days.

Staff at Wilson Medical Center are preparing to run an ad hoc ICU and 
convert spaces used for other purposes into coronavirus wards. The 
hospital is ordering more&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/27/how-ventilators-work-and-why-they-are-so-important-in-saving-people-with-coronavirus" target="_blank">ventilators</a>, which are needed to help severely ill COVID-19 patients breathe, but those could take a month or more to arrive.

“If Wichita becomes full and Topeka becomes full and Kansas City is 
full,” Meier said, “we're going to have to take care of them whether we 
have ICU beds or not.”

While most cases of the new coronavirus are mild, about <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/methodology-how-propublica-mapped-hospital-capacity-for-coronavirus" target="_blank">one in five</a>
 people become sick enough for hospitalization. If too many need that 
level of care at once, Kansas would need field hospitals. Facilities 
could have to ration ventilators and other equipment, as has <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/03/15/coronavirus-rationing-us/" target="_blank">happened elsewhere</a>.

“Everybody
 has a role to play in terms of slowing the spread,” said Thomas Tsai, a
 professor at the Harvard Global Health Institute, which produced the 
study.

But the country’s window of opportunity is closing, he 
added. Strict social distancing is needed to avoid the worst-case 
scenarios and buy time for hospitals that are waiting on equipment and 
protective gear, and training staff on handling COVID-19 patients.

There’s
 a big difference, for example, between 20% of the U.S. catching 
COVID-19 over the next 18 months versus 40% in a year or 60% in half a 
year.

Harvard’s scenarios took into account likely hospitalization rates and how full hospitals already were.

Health
 care facilities in the Kansas City metro and surrounding areas that 
depend on it — what’s known as a hospital referral region — could handle
 only the mildest of Harvard’s scenarios.

That’s a situation in 
which the disease hits 20% of the 2.6 million people over the next 
year-and-a-half. Anything beyond that, and the region’s hospitals would 
overflow.

The vast Wichita referral region (population 1.3 
million, including west and southeast Kansas) could handle up to a 40% 
infection rate over a year-and-a-half. The Topeka referral region 
(population 460,000) could handle a 20% infection rate over a year or 
year-and-a-half.

Kansas didn’t appear ready, according to the researchers’ findings, 
for higher infection rates and swifter spread. Even if hospitals had no 
other patients, there wouldn’t be enough beds in the state for a 40% 
infection rate over six months.

Hospitals have tapered down or shuttered <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/most-kansas-city-area-hospitals-put-elective-surgeries-prepare-covid-19" target="_blank">non-emergency care</a>
 to make space and the state’s main population centers are under 
stay-home orders. Kansas health secretary Lee Norman urges the rest of 
the state to shelter in place, too.

Kansas has asked the federal government for 100 more ventilators from
 a national stockpile, Norman said Wednesday, and may turn to <a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/letters-health-care-providers/ventilator-supply-mitigation-strategies-letter-health-care-providers" target="_blank">machines meant for sleep apnea</a>
 to help COVID-19 patients breathe. To address a looming shortage of 
face masks, it’s trying to get ultraviolet lights that would let health 
workers sterilize and reuse the items several times.

The state is also scouring options for <a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2020/03/23/coronavirus-and-the-states-governors-plan-field-hospitals-heartland-unemployment-spikes" target="_blank">temporary bed space</a>; in other parts of the U.S., officials are turning to everything from <a href="https://mynorthwest.com/1775827/king-county-field-hospitals-coronavirus/" target="_blank">soccer fields</a> to <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/states-closed-hospitals-college-dorms-meet-coronavirus-demands/story?id=69683447" target="_blank">closed hospitals</a>.

Norman
 expected to know more soon about the state’s risks for running out of 
bed space and its options to repurpose existing buildings if needed.

“As
 much as it seems like ‘Oh, well, we’ll call in the National Guard and 
set up tents,” he said, “that's hard. We would much rather move into a 
built environment that was built for patient care, that has (ventilator)
 gases and all the safety features.”

In Topeka, Stormont Vail 
Health swiftly renovated 16 rooms, adding to 31 that were already 
equipped with the right air systems to handle COVID-19 patients. It may 
renovate another 16 rooms, CEO and physician Robert Kenagy said.

His
 hospital is also turning one of its clinics into an acute respiratory 
location to screen and care for suspected COVID-19 patients more 
efficiently and safely.

“We believe that we will be able to 
handle what's coming,” Kenagy said, if Kansans take social distancing 
seriously. “It is vitally important. This is our one opportunity to 
dampen the effect of the pandemic.”

Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585421658372.png" alt="Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service " />
 <figcaption>Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service </figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/even-40-kansans-getting-covid-19-six-months-would-overwhelm-states-hospitals#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>Dr. Joe Meier’s hospital in Wilson County has 15 beds, no intensive 
care unit and one ventilator. Two of his neighboring counties in 
southeast Kansas have no hospital at all, and another two have no ICU 
either.So Meier has a plea to the residents of his region: Stay home."It's not a matter of 'if' (COVID-19) is going to hit here,' he said. "It’s a matter of when."Harvard University researchers looked at&nbsp;<a href="https://globalepidemics.org/2020/03/17/caring-for-covid-19-patients/" target="_blank">nine scenarios</a>&nbsp;for
 how many Americans could catch COVID-19, and how fast. Kansas, it 
turned out, could only handle the milder scenarios. More moderate or 
severe situations would overload the state’s hospitals without dramatic 
steps — such as clearing hospitals of other patients and convincing the 
public to shelter in place.As of Thursday afternoon, Kansas had 
about 200 confirmed cases of COVID-19, though the true number of people 
carrying the bug is unknown. State officials have said at times that 
they expect to see cases double every three or four days.Staff at Wilson Medical Center are preparing to run an ad hoc ICU and 
convert spaces used for other purposes into coronavirus wards. The 
hospital is ordering more&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/27/how-ventilators-work-and-why-they-are-so-important-in-saving-people-with-coronavirus" target="_blank">ventilators</a>, which are needed to help severely ill COVID-19 patients breathe, but those could take a month or more to arrive.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585421697296.jpeg" alt=" Hospitals have tapered off non-emergency care to free up beds. That could help Kansas weather a storm of COVID-19 infections, but experts say only if Kansans also practice social distancing. Credit Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Hospitals have tapered off non-emergency care to free up beds. That could help Kansas weather a storm of COVID-19 infections, but experts say only if Kansans also practice social distancing. Credit Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>“If Wichita becomes full and Topeka becomes full and Kansas City is 
full,” Meier said, “we're going to have to take care of them whether we 
have ICU beds or not.”While most cases of the new coronavirus are mild, about <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/methodology-how-propublica-mapped-hospital-capacity-for-coronavirus" target="_blank">one in five</a>
 people become sick enough for hospitalization. If too many need that 
level of care at once, Kansas would need field hospitals. Facilities 
could have to ration ventilators and other equipment, as has <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/03/15/coronavirus-rationing-us/" target="_blank">happened elsewhere</a>.“Everybody
 has a role to play in terms of slowing the spread,” said Thomas Tsai, a
 professor at the Harvard Global Health Institute, which produced the 
study.But the country’s window of opportunity is closing, he 
added. Strict social distancing is needed to avoid the worst-case 
scenarios and buy time for hospitals that are waiting on equipment and 
protective gear, and training staff on handling COVID-19 patients.There’s
 a big difference, for example, between 20% of the U.S. catching 
COVID-19 over the next 18 months versus 40% in a year or 60% in half a 
year.Harvard’s scenarios took into account likely hospitalization rates and how full hospitals already were.Health
 care facilities in the Kansas City metro and surrounding areas that 
depend on it — what’s known as a hospital referral region — could handle
 only the mildest of Harvard’s scenarios.That’s a situation in 
which the disease hits 20% of the 2.6 million people over the next 
year-and-a-half. Anything beyond that, and the region’s hospitals would 
overflow.The vast Wichita referral region (population 1.3 
million, including west and southeast Kansas) could handle up to a 40% 
infection rate over a year-and-a-half. The Topeka referral region 
(population 460,000) could handle a 20% infection rate over a year or 
year-and-a-half.Kansas didn’t appear ready, according to the researchers’ findings, 
for higher infection rates and swifter spread. Even if hospitals had no 
other patients, there wouldn’t be enough beds in the state for a 40% 
infection rate over six months.Hospitals have tapered down or shuttered <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/most-kansas-city-area-hospitals-put-elective-surgeries-prepare-covid-19" target="_blank">non-emergency care</a>
 to make space and the state’s main population centers are under 
stay-home orders. Kansas health secretary Lee Norman urges the rest of 
the state to shelter in place, too.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585421732792.jpeg" alt=" Health secretary Lee Norman talks to reporters about COVID-19. (Press briefings are now less crowded and follow social distancing rules.) Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Health secretary Lee Norman talks to reporters about COVID-19. (Press briefings are now less crowded and follow social distancing rules.) Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas has asked the federal government for 100 more ventilators from
 a national stockpile, Norman said Wednesday, and may turn to <a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/letters-health-care-providers/ventilator-supply-mitigation-strategies-letter-health-care-providers" target="_blank">machines meant for sleep apnea</a>
 to help COVID-19 patients breathe. To address a looming shortage of 
face masks, it’s trying to get ultraviolet lights that would let health 
workers sterilize and reuse the items several times.The state is also scouring options for <a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2020/03/23/coronavirus-and-the-states-governors-plan-field-hospitals-heartland-unemployment-spikes" target="_blank">temporary bed space</a>; in other parts of the U.S., officials are turning to everything from <a href="https://mynorthwest.com/1775827/king-county-field-hospitals-coronavirus/" target="_blank">soccer fields</a> to <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/states-closed-hospitals-college-dorms-meet-coronavirus-demands/story?id=69683447" target="_blank">closed hospitals</a>.Norman
 expected to know more soon about the state’s risks for running out of 
bed space and its options to repurpose existing buildings if needed.“As
 much as it seems like ‘Oh, well, we’ll call in the National Guard and 
set up tents,” he said, “that's hard. We would much rather move into a 
built environment that was built for patient care, that has (ventilator)
 gases and all the safety features.”In Topeka, Stormont Vail 
Health swiftly renovated 16 rooms, adding to 31 that were already 
equipped with the right air systems to handle COVID-19 patients. It may 
renovate another 16 rooms, CEO and physician Robert Kenagy said.His
 hospital is also turning one of its clinics into an acute respiratory 
location to screen and care for suspected COVID-19 patients more 
efficiently and safely.“We believe that we will be able to 
handle what's coming,” Kenagy said, if Kansans take social distancing 
seriously. “It is vitally important. This is our one opportunity to 
dampen the effect of the pandemic.”Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

Even 40% of Kansans getting COVID-19 in 6 months would overwhelm hospitals 

MCPHERSON -- The McPherson County Health Department has announced the county's second and third confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Following is a news release from the McPherson County Health Department.

MCPHERSON -- The McPherson County Health Department has announced the county's second and third confirmed cases of COVID-19.Following is a news release from the McPherson County Health Department.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585421146016.png" alt="" />
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McPherson County reports 2 more coronavirus cases

A Wind Advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. tonight. The National Weather Service office in Wichita says West winds 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 45 are expected.

Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Hazardous driving conditions will exist due to low visibility.

Isolated to scattered showers may develop this afternoon across portions of central and south-central Kansas. These showers may be accompanied by wind gusts to 50 miles per hour.

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle and secure outdoor objects.

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WICHITA,
Kan. — 
A Wind Advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. tonight. The National Weather Service office in Wichita says West winds 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 45 are expected.Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Hazardous driving conditions will exist due to low visibility.Isolated to scattered showers may develop this afternoon across portions of central and south-central Kansas. These showers may be accompanied by wind gusts to 50 miles per hour.Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle and secure outdoor objects.

Wind will howl Saturday across Kansas

NICKERSON, Kan. — Nickerson schools will return to their meal program on Monday. Every child ages 1-18 will be able to pick up a hot lunch and breakfast at Nickerson High School, South Hutch Elementary School or Nickerson Elementary School. 

Cold grab-and-go lunches can also be picked up at the Westside Villa, 7th Street bus stop and the 5th and Main bus stop in the parking lot of Simply Good Overstocks. All locations will also provide breakfast for the next day. 

The child must be present to receive meals and walk-up children are welcome.

<figure>
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 </figure>NICKERSON, Kan. — Nickerson schools will return to their meal program on Monday. Every child ages 1-18 will be able to pick up a hot lunch and breakfast at Nickerson High School, South Hutch Elementary School or Nickerson Elementary School. Cold grab-and-go lunches can also be picked up at the Westside Villa, 7th Street bus stop and the 5th and Main bus stop in the parking lot of Simply Good Overstocks. All locations will also provide breakfast for the next day. The child must be present to receive meals and walk-up children are welcome.

USD 309 resumes meal program Monday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —  After taking a week off for spring break, Hutchinson USD 308 will resume meal service Monday. A third pickup location is also being offered.  

Pickup will be at McCandless Elementary School at 700 N. Baker, HMS - 7 and HMS - 8.

Meals will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and are free for anyone 18 and younger. The student or child must be present in the vehicle. Each child will receive one lunch for that day and breakfast for the following morning.

During the first week of the program, USD 308 handed out 7,000 meals.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579011979634.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After taking a week off for spring break, Hutchinson USD 308 will resume meal service Monday. A third pickup location is also being offered. Pickup will be at McCandless Elementary School at 700 N. Baker, HMS - 7 and HMS - 8.Meals will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and are free for anyone 18 and younger. The student or child must be present in the vehicle. Each child will receive one lunch for that day and breakfast for the following morning.During the first week of the program, USD 308 handed out 7,000 meals.

Meal program kicks off again Monday in USD 308

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Commissioners have approved a stay-at-home ordinance. The action came after an executive session Friday morning followed by an open meeting.

The ordinance will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday and will be in place for a period of 16 days. The ordinance will be addressed by the County Commission and the Health Department after one week to see how COVID-19 is progressing through the county and how businesses are adhering to social distancing practices.

The County Commission will have three courses of action on April 14. That would be to extend the ordinance, repeal the ordinance or modify it in some way.

<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fHF3JjSMFYXYkoNFUUAIoIyZ-JqRPhSx/view?usp=sharing">CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ORDINANCE</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575487428540.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Commissioners have approved a stay-at-home ordinance. The action came after an executive session Friday morning followed by an open meeting.The ordinance will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday and will be in place for a period of 16 days. The ordinance will be addressed by the County Commission and the Health Department after one week to see how COVID-19 is progressing through the county and how businesses are adhering to social distancing practices.The County Commission will have three courses of action on April 14. That would be to extend the ordinance, repeal the ordinance or modify it in some way.<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fHF3JjSMFYXYkoNFUUAIoIyZ-JqRPhSx/view?usp=sharing">CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ORDINANCE</a>

Reno County Commission approves stay-at-home ordinance


HAYS,
Kan. — 
Eagle Communications announced this week that longtime radio veteran Terry Drouhard, has been named regional manager, overseeing both the Salina and Hutchinson markets.

Drouhard has been with Eagle since 1989, and his career has included on-air broadcasting, sales and sales management. For the past year, he has served as general manager of Eagle Radio of Hutchinson.

“I’m thankful to work alongside our great staff in Hutchinson. Having this new opportunity to work with the great staff in Salina is a privilege for me. I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish together in each Eagle market,” Drouhard said.

Drouhard replaces interim general manager Mark Trotman, who will retire March 31 after 32 years with Eagle.

“Terry’s attention to detail and long term look at business will now be implemented in Salina, continuing the work we started in Hutchinson,” Trotman said. “Thank you to all of the employee-owners of Eagle Communications who have worked with me, mentored me, and grown with me through my 32 years with the company.”

“I am excited for Eagle and our central Kansas region,” said President and CEO of Eagle Communications, Kurt David. “The Salina and Hutchinson markets allow Eagle to cover the state of Kansas from near border to border. Under Terry’s leadership, our employee-owned company will continue to create even better experiences for our clients, listeners, viewers and communities. And to Mark Trotman, congratulations on a successful and rewarding career. Thank you, Mark, for your service and dedication to Eagle.”

Eagle Radio of Salina operates KSKG 99.9FM, KG Prime 94.5FM, and KINA 910AM/107.5FM along with SalinaPost.com. Eagle Radio of Hutchinson operates KWBW 1450AM/98.5FM, KHUT 102.9FM, and KHMY 93.1FM. and HutchPost.com.

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HAYS,
Kan. — 
Eagle Communications announced this week that longtime radio veteran Terry Drouhard, has been named regional manager, overseeing both the Salina and Hutchinson markets.Drouhard has been with Eagle since 1989, and his career has included on-air broadcasting, sales and sales management. For the past year, he has served as general manager of Eagle Radio of Hutchinson.“I’m thankful to work alongside our great staff in Hutchinson. Having this new opportunity to work with the great staff in Salina is a privilege for me. I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish together in each Eagle market,” Drouhard said.Drouhard replaces interim general manager Mark Trotman, who will retire March 31 after 32 years with Eagle.“Terry’s attention to detail and long term look at business will now be implemented in Salina, continuing the work we started in Hutchinson,” Trotman said. “Thank you to all of the employee-owners of Eagle Communications who have worked with me, mentored me, and grown with me through my 32 years with the company.”“I am excited for Eagle and our central Kansas region,” said President and CEO of Eagle Communications, Kurt David. “The Salina and Hutchinson markets allow Eagle to cover the state of Kansas from near border to border. Under Terry’s leadership, our employee-owned company will continue to create even better experiences for our clients, listeners, viewers and communities. And to Mark Trotman, congratulations on a successful and rewarding career. Thank you, Mark, for your service and dedication to Eagle.”Eagle Radio of Salina operates KSKG 99.9FM, KG Prime 94.5FM, and KINA 910AM/107.5FM along with SalinaPost.com. Eagle Radio of Hutchinson operates KWBW 1450AM/98.5FM, KHUT 102.9FM, and KHMY 93.1FM. and HutchPost.com.

Drouhard to take reins in Salina market and continue in Hutchinson


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
A seventh case of COVID-19 was identified Friday night in Reno County.

The Reno County Health Department says the new case is a female in her 70s with no known travel history. She is in home isolation. Case investigation is currently underway. No additional information is available.

The county does not publish or announce identifiable data, though when working through contact training, they may inform those with potential exposure of contact. It is important to the county to follow HIPAA Privacy Laws for every person involved in case investigations.

It is extremely important that Reno County residents adhere to no more than 10 individuals in a gathering with social distancing of 6 feet between individuals and that those restrictions be exercised consistently.

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
A seventh case of COVID-19 was identified Friday night in Reno County.The Reno County Health Department says the new case is a female in her 70s with no known travel history. She is in home isolation. Case investigation is currently underway. No additional information is available.The county does not publish or announce identifiable data, though when working through contact training, they may inform those with potential exposure of contact. It is important to the county to follow HIPAA Privacy Laws for every person involved in case investigations.It is extremely important that Reno County residents adhere to no more than 10 individuals in a gathering with social distancing of 6 feet between individuals and that those restrictions be exercised consistently.The department continues to highly encourage Reno County residents to be dependent on health authorities to provide the most accurate information on COVID-19.Please practice good hygiene with frequent hand washing, proper respiratory etiquette such as coughing and sneezing into your elbow bend, limit handshakes and physical contact. Stay home if you are feeling ill and call your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms.

Seventh COVID-19 case identified Friday

MCPHERSON -- McPherson County has issued a 30-day safer-at-home order for residents of the county. The order went into effect Friday.

To read the order,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=84">click here</a>.

MCPHERSON -- McPherson County has issued a 30-day safer-at-home order for residents of the county. The order went into effect Friday.To read the order,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=84">click here</a>.

McPherson County issues 30-day safer-at-home order

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Health Department has been getting many messages and comments from social media and other sources regarding disclosure of information on COVID-19 patients. The department wanted to emphasize that it is bounded by HIPAA laws. As such, officials are not able to disclose any identifiable information on any patient. It is important to follow these laws for the privacy of every person who:

· is asked to self-isolate by medical professionals,

· self-isolates on their own as a precaution,

· has a lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 case.

This is stated in the COVID-19 and HIPAA Bulletin dated March 2020. The Health Department hopes you will understand and appreciate its professionalism in this matter.

<figure>
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 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Health Department has been getting many messages and comments from social media and other sources regarding disclosure of information on COVID-19 patients. The department wanted to emphasize that it is bounded by HIPAA laws. As such, officials are not able to disclose any identifiable information on any patient. It is important to follow these laws for the privacy of every person who:· is being tested,· is asked to self-isolate by medical professionals,· self-isolates on their own as a precaution,· has a lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 case.This is stated in the COVID-19 and HIPAA Bulletin dated March 2020. The Health Department hopes you will understand and appreciate its professionalism in this matter.

Health Department addresses HIPAA

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The USD 313 Board of Education has announced the selection of Mrs. Cindy Couchman, as the new superintendent. Mrs. Couchman will take the reins on July 1, 2020, after the retirement of Mr. Mike Berblinger at the end of the 2019-20 school year.

Mrs. Cindy Couchman has broad educational experience, as a teacher and district administrator.  She has been the assistant superintendent at Buhler Public Schools for the past six year and taught mathematics at Buhler High School for the 19 years prior. 

Mrs. Couchman has a long list of accomplishments in her educational career.  In 2009 she was the Kansas Teacher of the Year, received the Kansas Foundation in Excellence Award and was named a Kansas State University College of Education Alumni Fellow.  She was also named a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching National Finalist in 2009. In 2012 she was named a Lowell Milken Center Fellow and in 2014 she was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. 

Board President Laura Meyer Dick says that Cindy Couchman emerged from a very thorough search process as the right candidate to lead the District. “Mrs. Couchman has displayed tremendous leadership as our assistant superintendent for the last 6 years.  She is student-focused and takes pride in our mission of an exceptional educational experience for all.  We look forward to her continued leadership as she assumes her new position as Superintendent on July 1, 2020.”

Laura Meyer Dick Board President, explained that community input, including the involvement of a committee of stakeholders was a key factor in the success of the superintendent search process. The committee included teachers and administrators, parents, and community members.  “The input from the community as a whole was very helpful to our process.”

The Board selected three finalists, who were each interviewed by the Board.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585337703409.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The USD 313 Board of Education has announced the selection of Mrs. Cindy Couchman, as the new superintendent. Mrs. Couchman will take the reins on July 1, 2020, after the retirement of Mr. Mike Berblinger at the end of the 2019-20 school year.Mrs. Cindy Couchman has broad educational experience, as a teacher and district administrator. She has been the assistant superintendent at Buhler Public Schools for the past six year and taught mathematics at Buhler High School for the 19 years prior. Mrs. Couchman has a long list of accomplishments in her educational career. In 2009 she was the Kansas Teacher of the Year, received the Kansas Foundation in Excellence Award and was named a Kansas State University College of Education Alumni Fellow. She was also named a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching National Finalist in 2009. In 2012 she was named a Lowell Milken Center Fellow and in 2014 she was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. Board President Laura Meyer Dick says that Cindy Couchman emerged from a very thorough search process as the right candidate to lead the District. “Mrs. Couchman has displayed tremendous leadership as our assistant superintendent for the last 6 years. She is student-focused and takes pride in our mission of an exceptional educational experience for all. We look forward to her continued leadership as she assumes her new position as Superintendent on July 1, 2020.”Laura Meyer Dick Board President, explained that community input, including the involvement of a committee of stakeholders was a key factor in the success of the superintendent search process. The committee included teachers and administrators, parents, and community members. “The input from the community as a whole was very helpful to our process.”The Board selected three finalists, who were each interviewed by the Board.

Couchman selected as new Buhler superintendent

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/category/obituaries" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

Hutch Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos at no cost to families. Funeral homes can send notices to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hutchpost@gmail.com" target="_blank">hutchpost@gmail.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573140944016.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Click&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/category/obituaries" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.Hutch Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos at no cost to families. Funeral homes can send notices to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hutchpost@gmail.com" target="_blank">hutchpost@gmail.com</a>.

Recent obituaries


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Patrick Calvillo with the Hutchinson Art Center encourages everyone to be creative with their time while they are at home staying safe from COVID-19.

"The more you can promote that and get people working and being creative, I feel like time usually passes by pretty quickly," Calvillo said. "During these past couple of weeks, I find myself creating more art. I've talked to other artists that have really just been staying at home, they've really just brought out their paints and really just started working again."

Art is good for your mental health, as well. 

"Anything that you can do at home that helps with anxiety or depression or things like that," Calvillo said. "I always try to promote that self motivating that gets you creating something."

The Center has moved almost all of its scheduled activities online in one form or another.

"They can go to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hutchartcenter/">Facebook and they can type in Hutchinson Art Center</a>," Calvillo said. "They can go to the Instagram, just type in Hutchinson Art Center as well. Our website is <a href="https://www.hutchinsonartcenter.net/">hutchinsonartcenter.net</a>. They can always email us at <a href="http://hutchinsonartcenter@gmail.com">hutchartcenter@gmail.com</a> if they have any questions."

Calvillo also checks their voicemail regularly at (620) 663-1081.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Patrick Calvillo with the Hutchinson Art Center encourages everyone to be creative with their time while they are at home staying safe from COVID-19."The more you can promote that and get people working and being creative, I feel like time usually passes by pretty quickly," Calvillo said. "During these past couple of weeks, I find myself creating more art. I've talked to other artists that have really just been staying at home, they've really just brought out their paints and really just started working again."Art is good for your mental health, as well. "Anything that you can do at home that helps with anxiety or depression or things like that," Calvillo said. "I always try to promote that self motivating that gets you creating something."The Center has moved almost all of its scheduled activities online in one form or another."They can go to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hutchartcenter/">Facebook and they can type in Hutchinson Art Center</a>," Calvillo said. "They can go to the Instagram, just type in Hutchinson Art Center as well. Our website is <a href="https://www.hutchinsonartcenter.net/">hutchinsonartcenter.net</a>. They can always email us at <a href="http://hutchinsonartcenter@gmail.com">hutchartcenter@gmail.com</a> if they have any questions."Calvillo also checks their voicemail regularly at (620) 663-1081.

Hutchinson Art Center encourages creativity, exhibiting online

MCPHERSON COUNTY -- The first confirmed COVID-19 case has been reported in McPherson County.

A notice from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/McPhersonCountyHealthDepartment/">McPherson County Health Department&nbsp;</a>Facebook page

MCPHERSON COUNTY -- The first confirmed COVID-19 case has been reported in McPherson County.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585277769096.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A notice from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/McPhersonCountyHealthDepartment/">McPherson County Health Department&nbsp;</a>Facebook page

McPherson County reports its first COVID-19 case

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As of 5:53 p.m., Reno County now has six positive cases of COVID-19. The new cases Thursday, in addition to those previously announced include:

• Male, in his 60’s with a history of travel outside of the state and is currently in home quarantine.

• Male, in his 50’s with an extensive history of out of state travel and is currently in home quarantine.

The newest confirmed positive as of 5:53 p.m.,

• Female, in her 60’s, with known contact to a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 and is currently in an intensive care unit.

We do not publish or announce identifiable data although when working through contact tracing, we may inform those with potential exposure of contact.

We continue to highly encourage Reno County residents to be dependent on health authorities to provide the most accurate information on COVID-19.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585072596478.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As of 5:53 p.m., Reno County now has six positive cases of COVID-19. The new cases Thursday, in addition to those previously announced include:• Male, in his 60’s with a history of travel outside of the state and is currently in home quarantine.• Male, in his 50’s with an extensive history of out of state travel and is currently in home quarantine.The newest confirmed positive as of 5:53 p.m.,• Female, in her 60’s, with known contact to a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 and is currently in an intensive care unit.We do not publish or announce identifiable data although when working through contact tracing, we may inform those with potential exposure of contact.It is extremely important that Reno County residents adhere to no more than 10 individuals in a gathering with social distancing of 6 feet between individuals and that those restrictions be exercised consistently.We continue to highly encourage Reno County residents to be dependent on health authorities to provide the most accurate information on COVID-19.Please practice good hygiene with frequent hand washing, proper respiratory etiquette such as coughing and sneezing into your elbow bend, limit handshakes and physical contact. Stay home if you are feeling ill and call your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms.

Sixth positive COVID-19 case identified in Reno County

On Thursday evening, officials received notice of the first presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, in Harvey County, according to the Health Department.

The case is a Harvey County man in his 20s. He is currently in home isolation. 

Health Department officials have already begun working with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to monitor the individual and follow up on contacts.

"We've been working with partner agencies in the county for several weeks to prepare and practice for a potential COVID-19 case. We are proud&nbsp;that everyone involved followed correct procedures to ensure the safety of the individual and local staff. Our local medical professionals and first responders have put many hours into preparation for COVID-19 over the past several weeks. We're thankful for their unwavering service to our communities.

You still play an important part in reducing the potential spread of COVID-19. Practice social distancing and avoid non-essential events and travel. Wash your hands frequently, cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and stay home if you're sick. COVID-19 symptoms include a fever of 100.4 F or more, cough or shortness of breath. Call your medical provider to discuss symptoms.

We'll continue to share information as it becomes available. Thank you to everyone for continuing to do your part to help reduce the potential spread of COVID-19."

On Thursday evening, officials received notice of the first presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, in Harvey County, according to the Health Department.The case is a Harvey County man in his 20s. He is currently in home isolation. Health Department officials have already begun working with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to monitor the individual and follow up on contacts."We've been working with partner agencies in the county for several weeks to prepare and practice for a potential COVID-19 case. We are proud&nbsp;that everyone involved followed correct procedures to ensure the safety of the individual and local staff. Our local medical professionals and first responders have put many hours into preparation for COVID-19 over the past several weeks. We're thankful for their unwavering service to our communities.You still play an important part in reducing the potential spread of COVID-19. Practice social distancing and avoid non-essential events and travel. Wash your hands frequently, cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and stay home if you're sick. COVID-19 symptoms include a fever of 100.4 F or more, cough or shortness of breath. Call your medical provider to discuss symptoms.We'll continue to share information as it becomes available. Thank you to everyone for continuing to do your part to help reduce the potential spread of COVID-19."

First case of coronavirus reported in Harvey County

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A local brewery is doing its part to provide hand sanitizer. Salt City Brewing’s Steve Petermann is using his facility on Main to distill the product. 

According to his Facebook page, Petermann reached out to several entities to help make it all happen. He noted that Dave Kerr, Brad Rayll and Mike Chisam at Kansas Ethanol helped procure the necessary ethanol; and Kristopher Kefferr and Tim Woolsey donated the time and mileage to pick up the other necessary ingredients.

What’s going to happen to the sanitizer is not entirely known. Petermann says he has more than 300 gallons of the product. Petermann said on his site, “It’s not going to smell foo-fooey . . . it’s not going to be terribly gelled . . . but it will sanitize.”

Petermann says he is working with local officials to see how the product can be distributed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585248257483.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A local brewery is doing its part to provide hand sanitizer. Salt City Brewing’s Steve Petermann is using his facility on Main to distill the product. According to his Facebook page, Petermann reached out to several entities to help make it all happen. He noted that Dave Kerr, Brad Rayll and Mike Chisam at Kansas Ethanol helped procure the necessary ethanol; and Kristopher Kefferr and Tim Woolsey donated the time and mileage to pick up the other necessary ingredients.What’s going to happen to the sanitizer is not entirely known. Petermann says he has more than 300 gallons of the product. Petermann said on his site, “It’s not going to smell foo-fooey . . . it’s not going to be terribly gelled . . . but it will sanitize.”Petermann says he is working with local officials to see how the product can be distributed.

Salt City Brewing shifts gears to produce hand sanitizer

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Clinic announced Wednesday that, in an effort to protect the health of patients and staff, officials ask that all visitors, vendors and pharmaceutical representatives stay out of their facilities until further notice.  

Officials say the goal of this action is to prevent the spread of infection while also offering easier access to care for all patients.

If you have any of the following symptoms and need care, please call 620-669-2500 before visiting any Hutchinson Clinic facilities so you can be screened by a nursing professional:

Any of the above symptoms with headache      

Once assessed by phone, patients needing to be seen for any of the above symptoms will be provided instructions and asked to visit the Respiratory Rapid Response Clinic located at the 2201 building on the northeast corner of the campus. This location has been temporarily converted to quickly address the increasing needs of the community while allowing safer access to patients for regularly scheduled visits at other locations.

Women’s Care services have been temporarily relocated to the north end of the 2101 building. The clinic appreciates the community’s support as it continues to address the health needs of all patients.   

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584545923531.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Clinic announced Wednesday that, in an effort to protect the health of patients and staff, officials ask that all visitors, vendors and pharmaceutical representatives stay out of their facilities until further notice. Officials say the goal of this action is to prevent the spread of infection while also offering easier access to care for all patients.If you have any of the following symptoms and need care, please call 620-669-2500 before visiting any Hutchinson Clinic facilities so you can be screened by a nursing professional:Fever Shortness of Breath Dry CoughRunny NoseNasal CongestionChest CongestionSore ThroatAny of the above symptoms with headache Once assessed by phone, patients needing to be seen for any of the above symptoms will be provided instructions and asked to visit the Respiratory Rapid Response Clinic located at the 2201 building on the northeast corner of the campus. This location has been temporarily converted to quickly address the increasing needs of the community while allowing safer access to patients for regularly scheduled visits at other locations.Women’s Care services have been temporarily relocated to the north end of the 2101 building. The clinic appreciates the community’s support as it continues to address the health needs of all patients.

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