Report: ‘The county is currently averaging two deaths per day attributed to COVID’
The new year brought a sad milestone for Johnson County, which has now recorded more than 1,030 deaths from COVID-19.
The news came on Jan. 5 with the county’s weekly report on coronavirus cases. The report said that 1,007 people had died of the disease, an increase of 15 since the previous report on Dec. 29.
The Kansas City area has seen a crush of cases with the proliferation of the virus’s highly contagious omicron variant. The Jan. 5 report said the seven-day average incidence rate had more than doubled in just a week. The county average was 967 new cases per 100,000 residents, an increase of 520 since Dec. 29.
“The county is currently averaging two deaths per day attributed to COVID,” the report said. “Our thoughts are with all families and individuals impacted by this disease, especially those who have experienced the loss of a loved one.”
Campbell leaves Olathe council
Larry Campbell has retired from the Olathe City Council, which is looking for a Ward 1 resident to replace him. Campbell, who also was mayor pro tem, announced his departure on Jan. 4, effective immediately.
Campbell was first elected to the City Council in 1991. He also served in the Kansas House of Representatives and as state budget director.
“Giving yourself in service to help your neighbors and a community is perhaps one of the most challenging and rewarding endeavors a person can do with their life,” said Campbell, who worked more than 35 years in the banking industry.
Mayor John Bacon commended Campbell for his service.
“It’s been a pleasure and a joy to serve alongside Larry Campbell,” Bacon said. “ He was an exemplary public servant, a steadfast and strong council member and mayor, and a good friend. We will miss him and his wisdom.”
Ward 1 is in southwest Olathe. Those interested in the seat should contact Liz Ruback at emruback@olatheks.org. The person selected will serve the rest of Campbell’s term, which ends in January 2024.
Find ward maps on the City Council page at olatheks.org.
Two cities launch tax rebate program
A strong housing market benefits homeowners when properties are sold, but it can be costly in the meantime if property taxes rise along with home values. For some, the pandemic has only worsened the financial pain..
So this year, Shawnee and Prairie Village are offering property tax rebates to lower-income homeowners.
Both require applicants to live within the city, in a home that they own. They must meet income guidelines and be current on property taxes and special assessments. For example, total household income cannot exceed $43,000 for a family of four.
Prairie Village will rebate the entire city property tax, which currently averages $845 annually for residences, and Shawnee will do so up to $500. Prairie Village also requires that the home value be at or below the city median for the previous year, which was $380,419 in 2021.
Shawnee will accept applications for its pilot program through April 30. Prairie Village began taking applications Jan. 10.
In a memo, Prairie Village officials said they researched similar programs in Mission and Roeland Park, where each typically received 15 to 30 applications a year.
Prairie Village allocated $20,000 for its program, Shawnee budgeted $100,000 for the pilot year — most from a former taxing district that generated extra money.
For details, visit cityofshawnee.org or pvkansas.com.
Olathe posts survey on trails
Olathe officials are encouraging residents to take an online survey that will guide a new planning effort for the city’s trails and greenways. The hope is that the trail system can be expanded.
To find the survey and an interactive map, go to olatheks.org, click the Parks & Trails button and then “Trails and Greenways Plan.”
A draft of the document is expected in late summer.
New Edgerton bridge boosts safety
A new bridge in Edgerton will enhance public safety, officials say, because firefighters, police and ambulance drivers won’t be held up on 207th Street by passing trains.
“This bridge isn’t a game changer — it is a life-saving project. And it will help us save lives,” Johnson County Fire District No. 1 Chief Dennis Meyers said during a ribbon-cutting in December, as quoted in the city’s most recent newsletter.
Formally known as the 207th Street Grade Separation, the new bridge is between Edgerton and Sunflower roads. The $15 million project was financed with revenues from Logistics Park Kansas City and $1 million from Johnson County.
Although the bridge is open, crews will finish striping and painting this spring.
Chinese immersion in Blue Valley
The Blue Valley School District has scheduled two informational meetings for the parents of incoming kindergartners who are interested in the district’s Chinese immersion program.
With language immersion, students are taught for half the school day in English and the other half in Chinese. The program begins in kindergarten, and families are asked to make a multi-year commitment to this type of learning.
The virtual meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15. Parents must register through the district website, bluevalleyk12.org, to receive a Zoom link and meeting information.
Chinese immersion is open to all students entering kindergarten in the fall of 2022. The application period opens Feb. 16.
Hear from students on technology
The Shawnee Mission School District invites parents and guardians to a panel discussion on Jan. 25 where students will share their experiences as they learn using technology. The hope is that after discussion, attendees will leave with ideas and tips for parenting in the digital age.
The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Center for Academic Achievement, 8200 W. 71st St. in Overland Park. Register through the news announcement at smsd.org.
Bond discussion night in Olathe
In March 2022, registered voters who live within the Olathe Public Schools boundaries will have the opportunity to vote in a no tax-rate increase $298.3 million mail-in bond election that would impact Olathe students and would help the district address its needs in the areas of growth and reinvestment, technology and innovation, student experience and safety.
Olathe Public Schools invites the community to join the district at an information night for a presentation to learn more about the projects included in the 2022 Bond Referendum and ask questions. There will be two opportunities to attend.
Olathe families are invited to attend either session, regardless of what school your child attends in the district.
The sessions, both in Olathe, are Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at Chisholm Trail Middle School, 16700 West 159th St.; and Thursday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. at Santa Fe Trail Middle School, 1100 North Ridgeview Road. For more information, visit www.olatheschools.org/Bond2022.
This story was originally published January 13, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Report: ‘The county is currently averaging two deaths per day attributed to COVID’."