Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Statistics on COVID-19 COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions County Operational Changes
Total cases in Kansas
(as of Jan. 18)
259,822
Total cases in Harvey County
(as of Jan. 19)
3,014
Find additional Harvey County updates on social media 
Elected officials take oath of office
Officials elected to hold office for Harvey County were sworn in Monday, Jan. 11 during the Harvey County Commission meeting. Chief Judge Joe Dickinson oversaw the ceremonies.
The individuals selected to hold office were chosen in the November 2020 general election. Each office holds a four-year term.
Those sworn in to each office include:
- Attorney: Jason Lane. This is Lane's first term as county attorney. He was appointed interim county attorney as of Jan. 1 to fill the remainder of the term of the retiring David Yoder.
- Clerk: Rick Piepho. This is Piepho's second full term as clerk. He was appointed to fill the remainder of a partial term in 2014.
- Commission (District Two): Randy Hague. This is Hague's third term as commissioner.
- Commission (District Three): Don Schroeder. This is Schroeder's first term as commissioner.
- Register of Deeds: Raquel Langley. This is Langley's first full term as register of deeds. She was appointed to fill the remainder of a partial term in 2019.
- Sheriff: Chad Gay. This is Gay's second term as sheriff.
- Treasurer: Emily Nichols. This is Nichols' first full term as treasurer. She was appointed, then elected, to fill the remainder of a partial term in 2018.
Harvey County Commission District 1 is staggered from the elections of districts two and three. George "Chip" Westfall was elected to represent District 1 in 2018. His term continues through 2022.
County commissioner Ron Krehbiel passes away
Krehbiel served 20 years as a county commissioner, matching the longest tenure of any commissioner in the county's history. His first term began Jan. 8, 2001.
Krehbiel represented District 3, which includes Burrton, Halstead, Hesston and Sedgwick.
"When you work that closely with someone for eight years, he kind of becomes family," said Harvey County Commissioner Randy Hague. "I'm not only going to miss him as a colleague, but as a friend."
Krehbiel was an ardent supporter for road maintenance, Harvey County Parks, and caring for county employees. He was known for his willingness to talk one-on-one with residents over any topic in which they were passionate.
Prior to his time on the commission, Krehbiel held a career in law enforcement, including working for the Harvey County Sheriff's Office as a deputy, and eventually, undersheriff.
"If Ron likes your cause, whatever you mind stand for, he's there with you through thick and thin. That's the way he worked as a law enforcement officer. That's the way he worked as a commissioner," said Harvey County Commissioner George 'Chip' Westfall. "He wanted to know your story in life, or your need in the county. He wanted to help everybody he could."
Krehbiel served on many boards, including the Harvey/McPherson County Community Corrections Advisory Board, Central Kansas Solid Waste Authority and the Community Mental Health Center Advisory Board.
Krehbiel did not run for another term in the most recent election, choosing to retire as his fifth term ended this month. Don Schroeder was elected as the next District 3 commissioner, and was previously scheduled to be sworn in Jan. 11.
Harvey County's thoughts are with the Krehbiel family and his friends.
Information on services for Krehbiel can be found here.
What we did in 2020
The document outlines where staff focused their work in 2020, and the projects and responsibilities County staff have focused on for Harvey County residents and visitors.
The list can be found in full here. It begins chronilogically, then details individual department and office highlights.
Commission extends local health order on mass gathering limit
The Commission, which serves as the local Board of Health, and in consultation with Public Health Officer Dr. Doyle Detweiler, approved the extension at its Jan. 5 meeting.
The order requires gatherings be limited to 10 individuals where 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained. It does not limit the occupancy allowed in a facility or event if 6 feet of distance can be maintained between groups at all times.
Commissioners cited disease spread, deaths, and continued strains on regional hospital capacity, contact tracing and case investigation in its decision.
"Although the timeline for re-examining this gathering limit is undetermined, there is some reason for optimism. The administering of COVID-19 vaccines, beginning with our health care workers and long-term care facilities, is bringing us closer each day," Detweiler said. "The path ahead remains difficult. COVID-19 is still prevalent. But the vaccines bring some hope."
The Commission previously implemented a gathering limit of 10 at its Nov. 24 meeting.
Local Harvey County data on COVID-19 can be found here.
A local health order remains in effect that requires individuals to wear a face mask over their nose and mouth in any indoor or outdoor public space where 6 feet of social distance cannot be maintained. That order was approved Oct. 19, and also remains in place until rescinded, superseded or amended.
(Updated Jan. 5, 2021)
County commission sets mass gathering limit at 10
The order requires gatherings be limited to 10 individuals where 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained. It does not limit the occupancy allowed in a facility or event if 6 feet of distance can be maintained between groups at all times.
The order will go into effect Nov. 25 at 12:01 a.m., and will remain through Jan. 5, 2021.
"Our regional medical and health care systems are simply overwhelmed. We are on a dangerous trajectory if we cannot slow the spread of COVID-19," said Dr. Doyle Detweiler, public health officer for Harvey County. "We recognize the importance of the holidays for families. For the sake of our medical community, we urge you to keep gatherings small."
The Commission previously approved moving to Phase Three of its reopening plan as of Nov. 11. That prohibited mass gatherings of more than 45 people.
Local Harvey County data on COVID-19 can be found here.
Additionally, a local health order remains in effect that requires individuals to wear a face mask over their nose and mouth in any indoor or outdoor public space where 6 feet of social distance cannot be maintained. That order is in place until rescinded, superseded or amended. It was previously approved Oct. 19.
(Updated Nov. 24, 2020)
