Harvey County Covid-19 Information
Harvey County News
If you need a COVID-19 test, free testing is available at:
🧑⚕️ Chisholm Trail Center in Newton (PCR testing on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; site is open on MLK Day)
🧑⚕️ Walgreens in Newton (PCR by appointment, antigen walk-in)
🧑⚕️ Harvey Drug and Gifts in Newton (antigen by appointment)
🧑⚕️ Hesston Pharmacy (antigen by appointment)
More local testing options can be found at www.knowbeforeyougoks.com.
COVID-19 Testing Map | KDHE COVID-19
COVID-19 Testing Map | KDHE COVID-19
Find where to be tested for COVID-19 in Kansas and learn more about Kansas' testing strategy.UPDATE: This event has been canceled due to inclement weather.Harvey County RSVP - a local network of volunteers 55 and older - will be conducting its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day service project Saturday, Jan. 15.
Volunteers will be at both Dillons locations in Newton from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to collect food donations. The gathered items will be given to The Salvation Army to be distributed locally to those in need.
For more info on RSVP, call 316-284-6881.
Timeline photosHEALTH IS….
Health is more than just physical wellness. The concept of health hits many areas of life, the decisions that a person must make depending on socio economic status or the resources that a community has, plays major impact on their wellbeing.
Health is LIVABLE WAGES.
Income is a determinant of health, shaping access to basic needs and social determinants of health such as housing, education, and job opportunities. Health People 2020 report from the US Department of Health and Human Services say, “Those earning lower wages face significant barriers to safe and healthy environments and resources.”
#HBCAT #BCBSKSPathwaysv #pattersonfamilyfoundation
Kansas SBDC at Pittsburg State Pittsburg Workforce Center - Southeast Kansasworks, Inc. Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Fort Scott Community College
UPDATE: All test kits have been handed out. For additional testing locations in and around Harvey County, please visit www.knowbeforeyougoks.com.
REMINDER
We're teaming up with Health Ministries Clinic, Inc. to hand out free COVID-19 testing kits later today at the Chisholm Trail Center in Newton. These are rapid antigen tests that you can take at home with results in about 15 minutes.
We'll start handing out test kits at 5 p.m. We have about 1,000 kits, and we'll be there until we run out of supply. Limit two packages per family (which is four total test kits).
We recommend coming in from the west on Southeast 36th Street and following along the building to help with traffic flow. We'll be on the south side of the parking lot. No need to get out of your vehicle - just pull up and we'll bring the kits to you.
If you're not able to make it out for this, remember that multiple testing sites are available in Harvey County. You can find more info at www.knowbeforeyougoks.com.UPDATE: All test kits have been handed out. For additional testing locations in and around Harvey County, please visit www.knowbeforeyougoks.com.
REMINDER
We're teaming up with Health Ministries Clinic, Inc. to hand out free COVID-19 testing kits later today at the Chisholm Trail Center in Newton. These are rapid antigen tests that you can take at home with results in about 15 minutes.
We'll start handing out test kits at 5 p.m. We have about 1,000 kits, and we'll be there until we run out of supply. Limit two packages per family (which is four total test kits).
We recommend coming in from the west on Southeast 36th Street and following along the building to help with traffic flow. We'll be on the south side of the parking lot. No need to get out of your vehicle - just pull up and we'll bring the kits to you.
If you're not able to make it out for this, remember that multiple testing sites are available in Harvey County. You can find more info at www.knowbeforeyougoks.com.
🌨 We've got some potential snow and strong winds coming into town this weekend, so we're in a winter weather advisory through Saturday at 6 p.m. Inclement weather is expected to start later this evening. If you're traveling, be prepared for potentially slick roads. 🌨🌨 We've got some potential snow and strong winds coming into town this weekend, so we're in a winter weather advisory through Saturday at 6 p.m. Inclement weather is expected to start later this evening. If you're traveling, be prepared for potentially slick roads. 🌨
Harvey County government facilities will be closed Monday in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. King's legacy lives on today, defined by his leadership, valor and resolve.
The Courthouse will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 8 a.m. The next holiday closing will be Feb. 21 for Presidents Day.Harvey County government facilities will be closed Monday in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. King's legacy lives on today, defined by his leadership, valor and resolve.
The Courthouse will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 8 a.m. The next holiday closing will be Feb. 21 for Presidents Day.
UPDATE: All test kits have been handed out. For additional testing locations in and around Harvey County, please visit www.knowbeforeyougoks.com.
EDIT: Due to anticipated winter weather conditions, we are rescheduling this forward to avoid potential hazardous road conditions over the weekend. This distribution will be Friday, Jan. 14 beginning at 5 p.m.
We're teaming up with Health Ministries Clinic, Inc. to hand out free COVID-19 testing kits this Friday, Jan. 14 at the Chisholm Trail Center in Newton. These are rapid antigen tests that you can take at home with results in about 15 minutes.
We'll start handing out test kits at 5 p.m. We have about 1,000 kits, and we'll be there until we run out of supply. Limit two packages per family (which is four total test kits).
We recommend coming in from the west on Southeast 36th Street and following along the building to help with traffic flow. We'll be on the south side of the parking lot. No need to get out of your vehicle - just pull up and we'll bring the kits to you.
If you're not able to make it out for this, remember that multiple testing sites are available in Harvey County. You can find more info at www.knowbeforeyougoks.com.UPDATE: All test kits have been handed out. For additional testing locations in and around Harvey County, please visit www.knowbeforeyougoks.com.
EDIT: Due to anticipated winter weather conditions, we are rescheduling this forward to avoid potential hazardous road conditions over the weekend. This distribution will be Friday, Jan. 14 beginning at 5 p.m.
We're teaming up with Health Ministries Clinic, Inc. to hand out free COVID-19 testing kits this Friday, Jan. 14 at the Chisholm Trail Center in Newton. These are rapid antigen tests that you can take at home with results in about 15 minutes.
We'll start handing out test kits at 5 p.m. We have about 1,000 kits, and we'll be there until we run out of supply. Limit two packages per family (which is four total test kits).
We recommend coming in from the west on Southeast 36th Street and following along the building to help with traffic flow. We'll be on the south side of the parking lot. No need to get out of your vehicle - just pull up and we'll bring the kits to you.
If you're not able to make it out for this, remember that multiple testing sites are available in Harvey County. You can find more info at www.knowbeforeyougoks.com.
Harvey County RSVP - a local network of volunteers 55 and older - will be conducting its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day service project Saturday, Jan. 15.
Volunteers will be at both Dillons locations in Newton from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to collect food donations. The gathered items will be given to The Salvation Army to be distributed locally to those in need.
For more info on RSVP, call 316-284-6881.
We've been putting this initiative together for a little while, and we're really excited to get this underway - our Household Hazardous Waste Reuse program!
For a long time now, residents have been able to bring HHW to our Solid Waste facility. That's stuff like paint, household cleaners, wood stains and automotive cleaners. We don't want that stuff in the regular waste stream, so we'd get it disposed of properly, but it's expensive to get rid of those materials.
Now, we're able to share certain eligible HHW products for secondhand use by our residents.
It's free, and there's no limit to how much you can take.
The HHW Reuse program is self-service. Just check in at the scale house at the Harvey County Transfer Station (3205 SW. 24th St. in Newton) and we'll get you directed to the reuse facility. You'll be asked to log your name, city and what materials you're taking out. After that, it's yours!
This program cuts costs, reduces waste and puts reusable product back out to benefit our communities. It's available during regular hours of operation for the Transfer Station. Stop by if you want to look around!Photos from Harvey County's post
Great, healthy, easy recipes! #BCBSKSPathways
HMC Med Kitchen | Episode 1: Black Bean Shakshuka
HMC Med Kitchen | Episode 1: Black Bean Shakshuka
kansasdiscovery.org/marysville-kansas-childrens-discovery-play-space-destination-park/?fbclid=IwA...
New Play Space in Marysville, Kansas, offers some serious fun close to home
New Play Space in Marysville, Kansas, offers some serious fun close to home
A recent Kansas Children’s Discovery Center project is helping kids in a rural community find ways to have some serious fun close to home, thanks to generous funding from the Children’s Cabinet. Th…New Year's resolutions can be tough. Maybe you're wanting to volunteer more, get involved in the community, be a little more active. We'd love for you to consider volunteering for the Harvey County Sheriff's Office Reserve Unit.
Our reserves fill the same roles as a regular deputy - same vehicle, same clothes, same authority - but they give freely of their time. These men and women help out during busy weekend shifts and for big events like the Harvey County Free Fair. It takes a lot of resources to cover a whole county or event, and we're grateful these folks share some of the duties.
Mark Scheffler is the captain of our reserves, and he's always glad to find a few new recruits. If you want to learn more, call 316-284-6960.New Year's resolutions can be tough. Maybe you're wanting to volunteer more, get involved in the community, be a little more active. We'd love for you to consider volunteering for the Harvey County Sheriff's Office Reserve Unit.
Our reserves fill the same roles as a regular deputy - same vehicle, same clothes, same authority - but they give freely of their time. These men and women help out during busy weekend shifts and for big events like the Harvey County Free Fair. It takes a lot of resources to cover a whole county or event, and we're grateful these folks share some of the duties.
Mark Scheffler is the captain of our reserves, and he's always glad to find a few new recruits. If you want to learn more, call 316-284-6960.
Registration is now open for the 2022 Women Managing the Farm conference!
The Women Managing the Farm Conference is set for February 9-11, 2022, will be held in Manhattan, Kansas. Since 2005, the event has brought together women farmers, rural business leaders and landowners. The Women Managing the Farm Conference will continue to offer a supportive setting in which women can develop the skills, resources and knowledge needed for success in a competitive agricultural environment.
Featuring Keynote Speaker "Fancy Lady Cowgirl" Courtenay DeHoff and an action-packed list of other keynote and breakout session speakers.
Conference speakers and sessions are selected and designed to keep women thriving within their rural communities and informed on the latest advancements in agriculture.
Breakout Sessions include:
*Employee Management – Farms in Kansas
*Farm Service Agency Farm Programs
*Soil Health
*Farm Tax Update
*Land Transition
*And Many More!
Registration for the conference is available at womenmanagingthefarm.com
*Early Bird conference fee is $150.00 until January 12, 2022
*Pre-conference sessions are an additional $25.00
*Scholarships are available, applications are accepted through January 14, 2022
FINAL THOUGHTS
As I wind this down, I first want to say thank you to the people who helped with background and photos for this little project:
Retired Communications Director Ron Hoffman
Retired County Administrator Gene Kristenson
Retired Newton Ambulance Director Jim Werries
Retired Newton Fire/EMS Leroy Dyck
Retired Newton Police Officer Don Harold
Retired Dispatcher Connie Morford
Dispatcher II Liz Sauerwein (our in-house unofficial historian)
And a big thank you to the County Commissioners and County Administrators past and present. Without their support, guidance, and commitment, the success of this center would not have been possible. They have made sure we have the people, tools and resources to serve our citizens and partner agencies.
This is an ever-changing field. Technology, tools, and policies seem to update often, which adds another layer to what is already a stressful job. Efforts are underway to get Post Traumatic Stress recognized as a Worker’s Comp issue in Kansas, for all responders including Telecommunicators. But there is resistance. State and National legislators need to understand what this job is and what it can do to those who perform it. In addition, we have been working to get Public Safety Telecommunicators recognized as First Responders on the National level. Congress has twice rejected those efforts. Kansas SB40, the only legislation identifying Telecommunicators as Emergency Responders in the state, is in danger of being repealed. Both on a National and Statewide basis, clarification and acceptance still needs work. We are not clerical staff. We are the First First Responders.
And last but certainly not least, to the men and women who are the voices behind the phones and radios every day, I can’t say enough how extremely proud I am of you and honored to work beside you. You make being the boss so easy because you do your job so well. This roller coaster goes so quickly back and forth from routine to chaos, and you handle it with finesse, professionalism and dedication, take a breath, and answer the next call. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Don Gruver, Director of Communications
HARVEY COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS – 40 YEARS OF SERVICE – 1982-2022
Timeline photosCold weather and soup go hand in hand (or spoon in hand)!
Join our Director of Food and Nutrition on Monday (1/10/22) at Noon as he makes a Mediterranean soup that is healthy, tasty and easy to create.
DAY FIVE – OUR PEOPLE, OUR GREATEST ASSET
Our strength is our people. We have been very blessed to have a cadre of long-term dispatchers, and a very low turnover compared to most agencies. Harvey County is the 14th largest County in Kansas by population, but we are the 10th busiest PSAP in the state; handling more calls day-to-day than many Counties with far more people both in terms of population and size of Dispatch staff. The people that work here generally stay here, for their entire career.
35 YEARS - Dispatcher II Liz: After serving for 2 years at Marion County, Liz has been at Harvey County for 33 years.
32 YEARS - Director Don served as an EMT and volunteer firefighter for 6 years, then worked at Hays Police Department Dispatch for over 9 years. He has been with Harvey County for 23 years, 9 as Assistant Director and the last 7 as Director. He is also a trained Comm Unit Leader (COML), Comm Unit Technician (COMT), Incident Tactical Dispatcher (INTD) and serves on the ERT Comms Squad. He is backup for the County Emergency Management Director and a Kansas Certified Emergency Manager. He has taken the NENA Center Managers Course program and serves on the Kansas NENA board.
19 YEARS - Shift Supervisor Monica worked at Hutchinson/Reno County Communications for a year, and has been with Harvey County for 18 years, 7 of those as Day Shift Supervisor. She is also trained in INTD and serves on the ERT Comms Squad.
14 YEARS - Assistant Director Molly has worked for Harvey County for 14 years, 7 as Assistant Director. She also serves as an EMT for Burrton EMS, is trained in COML, Incident Comm Center Manager (INCM) and serves on the ERT Comms Squad. She has completed the WSU Mini-MPA program for working professionals in local government.
11 YEARS - Dispatcher II Josh was hired by Harvey County after becoming the first person to complete the 2 year Dispatch training program at Hutchinson Community College. He is trained for INTD and serves on the ERT Comms Squad.
11 YEARS - Dispatcher II Shirley has been with Harvey County for 11 years and serves on the ERT Comms Squad.
10 YEARS - Shift Supervisor Melissa began working for us in 2000, then left to work for St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. She returned to Harvey County in 2014 and became an evening shift supervisor in 2020.
9 YEARS - Shift Supervisor Tayler: Tayler has been with Harvey County for 9 years, 3 as Evening Shift Supervisor. She is a Certified Training Officer (CTO) and heads up our training program. She also works part-time for Harper County 9-1-1.
8 YEARS - Dispatcher II Colleen: Colleen has been with Harvey County for 8 years.
7 YEARS - Dispatcher II Heather has been with Harvey County for 7 years and serves on the ERT Comms Squad.
7 YEARS - Dispatcher I Ken worked for Sedgwick County for a year and has been with Harvey County for 6 years.
6 YEARS - Dispatcher I Shannon has been at Harvey County for 6 years.
5 MONTHS - Dispatcher I Tamairla started with Harvey County in 2021, and just completed her initial training.
3 MONTHS - Dispatcher I Allison also started with Harvey County in 2021 and just completed her initial training.
2 MONTHS - Dispatcher I Tyler also started in 2021 and is the middle of his initial training.
NEW - Trainee Madalyn just started this week and is in training.
NEW - Trainee Adam also started this week and is training.
OPEN - One open position not yet filled.
10 YEARS - Part-time Dispatcher Ryan has been with Harvey County for 10 years (2 years full time) and works full time for McPherson County Sheriff's Office.
2 YEARS - Part-time Dispatcher Tayler has been with Harvey County for 2 years (1 year full time).
182+ YEARS OF 9-1-1 COMMUNICATIONS EXPERIENCE
KANSAS APCO RECOGNITION AWARDS:
Liz: 1999 Telecommunicator of the Year
Don: 2003 Telecommunicator of the Year and 2002 1st Runner Up
Diane (former employee): 2005 Telecommunicator of the Year
Brody (former employee): 2007 1st Runner Up
Cathy (former employee): 2017 Presidents Award
Harvey County Communications: 2016 Team of the Year
Final call for NNPD 803 Brian Rousseau.
Brian Rousseau. Rest in Peace brother.
Brian Rousseau. Rest in Peace brother.
A little bit more than originally anticipated for much of Harvey County. Looking like things will slowly warm up heading into the weekend.Photos from US National Weather Service Wichita Kansas's post
REMINDER
We're updating the county's comprehensive plan, and there are public meetings coming up to share your perspective. The comprehensive plan is a guiding document used as a decision-making tool by the Planning and Zoning Advisory Board and Harvey County Commission for determinations on land development.
Upcoming days and locations of meetings:
🌾 Jan. 11, 2022: Harvey County West Park community building, 2733 West Park Rd., Burrton, KS
🌳 Jan. 12, 2022: Meridian Center, 1420 E. Broadway Ct., Newton, KS
☀️ Jan. 13, 2022: Harvey County Camp Hawk shelter, 1801 SW. 36th St., Newton, KS
Each meeting will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The meetings generally follow the same format and discussion, and you can come and go throughout.
Additionally, the Jan. 12 meeting will also be available through Zoom: us06web.zoom.us/j/85245833730?pwd=VytVbVU0U2Ewcmo1UmI2bElSSkM0dz09&from=addon
You can also give feedback ahead of time through this online survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/harveycocompplan
You can find the current comprehensive plan here: www.harveycounty.com/departments/planning-a-zoning/comprehensive-plan.html
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Welcome to Harvey County
Nearly 35,000 residents call Harvey County home. The county landscape pairs picturesque country living with vibrant downtown shopping centers. Harvey County serves the cities of Burrton, Halstead, Hesston, Newton, North Newton, Sedgwick, and Walton, as well as 15 townships.
Harvey County is home to a bustling airport and train service, innovative economic leaders, sprawling parks, and welcoming school districts. Food and entertainment opportunities abound, with even more amenities within a short driving distance to our friendly neighboring counties.
Events Schedule
Jan 17 |
Jan 18 County Commission meeting @ 9:00 AM |
Jan 25 County Commission meeting @ 9:00 AM |
Feb 1 County Commission meeting @ 9:00 AM |
Feb 8 County Commission meeting @ 9:00 AM |
Feb 15 County Commission meeting @ 9:00 AM |
Feb 21 Presidents Day (Courthouse closed) @ 12:00 AM |
Feb 22 County Commission meeting @ 9:00 AM |
Mar 1 County Commission meeting @ 9:00 AM |
Mar 8 County Commission meeting @ 9:00 AM |
Mar 15 County Commission meeting @ 9:00 AM |
Mar 22 County Commission meeting @ 9:00 AM |
Mar 29 County Commission meeting @ 9:00 AM |
Apr 5 County Commission meeting @ 9:00 AM |
Apr 12 County Commission meeting @ 9:00 AM |
