County receives weekly COVID-19 update

Health Nurse Lori Eichman was at the Rooks County Commission meeting held on Tuesday, May 12th, and gave the commissioners the weekly COVID-19 update. All six cases in Rooks County are recovered. KDHE is setting up a regional drive-through testing area at the Rooks County Health Center for the next few weeks. The proposed schedule will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for people who are showing symptoms of the virus. KDHE will supply the testing kits. Everyone is waiting on Governor Kelly, who is set to make an announcement by Friday, May 15th, about moving to Phase II for the re-opening of the state.

Emergency Management Director Butch Post stated that KDHE has sent 100 COVID-19 test kits to the area. He noted that people who are being scheduled for medical procedures will be tested.

Next, Leonard Bristow was at the meeting to ask the commissioners and Eichman about moving forward with the annual Spring Stock Show. The committee will move it to Saturday and Sunday, June 5th and 6th. Depending on if Phase III is in place at that time, and by following the restricted guidelines for the number of people in the arena, sanitation, scheduling and social distancing, the event will be held.

After the May 5th regular meeting minutes were approved and signed, the commissioners gave their reports. Commissioner Corky Hagan stated he had traveled a few roads after the rains. He has visited with several people about the re-opening of the County. He also talked with the Plainville fire chief about communications with Damar. The biggest concern is that Damar does not have pagers.

Commissioner Greg Balthazor said he had driven some of the county roads, and stated where the road department had sanded S Road, it looks very good. He also noted that people talked to him about when the County would re-open.

Commissioners John Ruder said that KDOT was set to release their road project list soon. He said people are glad that the courthouse was opening back up.

After the commissioners reviewed and accepted the Treasurer’s quarterly statement ending April 30th, they met with road and bridge supervisor Rich Bouchey. Bouchey presented them with the landfill farm lease, as well as the low bid for fuel in the amount of $6,476.50 from Midland Marketing, Inc.

The crew is hauling material on 16 Road as well as U Road at this time. Material from the Casey pit is being hauled on W Road between 28 and 30 Roads. The crew is also getting ready to haul material on V and 28 Roads to the highway. The loader is in Salina for repairs. The belly dumps are hauling material on 4 Road between X and Y Roads. After a short discussion, it was the consensus of the commissioners to have Bouchey rent the machine to do crack sealing on the roads this summer.

The commissioners then spent the remainder of the morning reviewing and signing vouchers as presented.