Adjustments continue in light of coronavirus.
Locally, USD 252 — which had already postponed its spring Honor Flight until further notice — has now postponed its donkey basketball fundraiser originally set for March 20 for the cause. A reschedule date has not been announced.
Village Elementary has also canceled its Trivia Night set for March 20 due to the coronavirus situation.
The Kansas Department of Corrections has suspended visitations at all DOC correctional facilities until further notice. Families are encouraged to use email, phone and video visits to stay in touch with incarcerated loved ones.
In religious news, the Catholic dioceses of Kansas City and Wichita, which cover the KVOE listening area, have given temporary dispensations or relaxation from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass, although Sunday services will still be offered. The dispensations will be until further notice. Adjustments from other denominations have not been announced.
Friday saw a stack of schedule and operations adjustments after a similar day Thursday.
USD 253 Emporia announced students will not attend classes Monday, although staff will need to report for more information regarding schedules and other “essential details.” Community Relations Director Lyndel Landgren says several families of students and staff traveled out of state or out of country during spring break, which officially ends Sunday, so the district needs to collect information at the request of Lyon County Public Health before determining its next steps.
USD 417, meanwhile, is closed until March 30 at the direction of the Morris County Health Department. No students have the virus, so the move is precautionary.
USD 386 Madison-Virgil has scheduled a special meeting for 4 pm Sunday to discuss the dsitrict’s response to COVID-19. USD 252 Southern Lyon County is telling patrons to expect additional information about transportation, class and lunch schedule adjustments by early evening Sunday.
Another longer-term closure was announced Friday as the Emporia Senior Center said it will close until March 30 with all activities canceled.
All local activities for Saturday are no longer taking place. The St. Patrick’s Committee has moved the parade, Leprechaun Dash 5K and Luck of the Irish Ace Chase disc golf tournament to April 18, and the Downtown Emporia bar Association has done likewise. The Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce Government Matters Committee and League of Women Voters canceled the Legislative Dialogue, while the Kiwanis Club of Emporia moved its Pancake Day fundraiser to July 18 and St. Baldrick’s indefinitely postponde its annual head-shave fundraiser.
Organizers of the Glass Blown Open have canceled the tournament at the direction of the Pro Disc Golf Association. Dynamic Discs owner and tournament organizer Jeremy Rusco is “devastated” by the announcement. Rusco says around 1,600 players were coming to Emporia, with another 900 staff and volunteers attending as a result of the tourney. He’s hoping to bring disc golfers back to Emporia for another event later this year.
Separately; the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office also announced a multitude of operational adjustments Friday. The Law Enforcement Center lobby and Detention Center are now closed to the public until further notice, while inmates are been screened for symptoms as they are first processed. Deputies are also encouraging people to call 341-3205 to report crimes and to meet deputies outside their residences for face-to-face discussions. External Detention Center providers, including clergy and mental health providers, will not be allowed until further notice and ride-alongs are suspended.
The US Army Corps of Engineers’ Kansas City Distrct closed all its visitors centers, including the one at Melvern Lake.
Currently, six people have contracted coronavirus in Kansas, with five — including one fatality — in Johnson County and one in Sedgwick County.
We’ll keep you updated throughout the coronavirus situation on KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media. Click here for the KVOE.com coronavirus-related Closings and Cancellations page.
