The Leavenworth Times
Leavenworth County commissioners have given the green light to hiring an architectural firm for design work for the former Saint Luke’s Cushing Hospital building.
The Leavenworth hospital closed in October, and the building was donated to the county government.
Earlier this year, county officials issued a request for qualifications to architectural firms for design work for changes to the interior of the building to meet the county’s needs.
Aaron Yoakam, buildings and grounds director, told commissioners Wednesday that a committee reviewed the responses and selected the Kansas City, Missouri, firm of ACI Boland Architects.
“They have 40-plus projects in the Cushing building itself over the last 15 years,” Yoakam said.
Masks no longer required at courthouse
The Leavenworth Times
People are no longer required to wear face coverings when visiting the Leavenworth County Courthouse or the Justice Center.
County Administrator Mark Loughry announced Thursday in an email that county officials “will no longer be requiring masks for people coming into the courthouse to conduct business.”
Located at 300 Walnut St., the Leavenworth County Courthouse houses many of the offices for the county government.
Located across the street from the courthouse, the Justice Center houses courtrooms, offices related to the criminal justice system and the county jail.
People entering the building are no longer required to wear masks. But Leavenworth County Undersheriff Jim Sherley said people may still be asked to put on masks in specific areas of the Justice Center.
County schedules special meeting to address state mask order
The Leavenworth Times
Leavenworth County commissioners will have a special meeting Thursday afternoon to consider whether to opt the county out of a new statewide mask mandate.
The meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Leavenworth County Courthouse.
Commissioners have voted in the past to exempt Leavenworth County from the governor’s mask orders.
The governor’s previous executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic expire Wednesday as a result of a new state law dealing with emergency management.
Gov. Laura Kelly has announced plans to issue a new executive order Thursday requiring people to wear face coverings in public spaces across Kansas. And commissioners scheduled the special meeting in anticipation of that order.
Commissioners approve additional position for County Attorney’s Office
The Leavenworth Times
Leavenworth County commissioners approved a request Wednesday for an additional legal secretary in the County Attorney’s Office. But commissioners took no action for a request for an additional prosecuting attorney for the county.
County Attorney Todd Thompson was asked to bring back the request for an additional assistant county attorney position later this year when commissioners work on the county’s 2022 budget.
Thompson, who is an elected official, sought approval from the County Commission for the two additional positions because commissioners approve funding for the County Attorney’s Office.
The Leavenworth Times
A Leavenworth County commissioner suggested Wednesday the county government ask people to sign a consent waiver before receiving a dose of the new Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
Commissioner Mike Stieben wants people receiving the vaccine to understand it was developed using cell lines derived from aborted fetuses.
Commissioners ultimately discussed developing an information sheet about the vaccine instead of requiring a signed waiver.
So far, the Leavenworth County Health Department has administered only doses of a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The Health Department has not received doses of the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Stieben raised the issue during a weekly meeting of the County Commission.