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Hospital talks COVID-19 readiness By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
As the number of coronavirus cases continues to increase in Kansas — including one in neighboring Woodson County — Allen County Regional Hospital is preparing for the likelihood of cases here. The most visible change took place last week, when the hospital started prohibiting visitors with a handful of exceptions. Anyone who enters the hospital — patients, visitors and staff — are screened to determine the likelihood of illness. They are not currently taking the
Saint Luke’s takeover still on track By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
The coronavirus pandemic is causing a few hiccups with Allen County Regional Hospital’s switch to a lease under the Saint Luke’s Health System, but the process continues.
Saint Luke’s officials have reduced travel to ACRH amid fears of spreading the virus, as the Kansas City area is the state’s hottest spot for infections. Some of those who have been working on the transition process have been diverted to help with the COVID-19 response.
The transition still is scheduled to take place at the end of May, and it’s too early to know if that timeline may change, the hospital’s board of trustees said. The hospital’s current management contract with
temperatures of those who arrive, but have discussed it, Patty McGuffin, chief nursing officer, said. “As you can imagine, it’s a
very emotional thing for our patients to not have visitors or for the family to not be able to come in,” McGuffin said. “Everyone has been very un-
derstanding, but sometimes it’s really hard.” The hospital also has can-
See ST. LUKE’S | Page A6
See HOSPITAL | Page A6
The spread of COVID-19 is not stopping the action at Miss Chelsea’s Dance Academy. From her studio, owner and instructor Chelsea Lea is conducting classes via her computer screen. Lea reconfigured her class instruction just as local school teachers have done to accommodate Gov. Laura Kelly’s request that schools be closed. The new format also follows the CDC’s request for social distancing of 6 feet. “I had never thought of a virtual platform,” Lea said.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House and Senate leaders of both parties announced agreement early today on an unprecedented $2 trillion emergency bill to rush sweeping aid to businesses, workers and a health care system slammed by the coronavirus pandemic. The urgently needed measure is the largest economic rescue bill in history. It is intended as a weekslong or monthslong patch for an economy spiraling into recession — or worse — and a nation facing a potentially ghastly toll. “To the American people, we say, big help, quick help is on the way,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said this morning on CNN. Schumer said he expected approval by the Republicanled Senate later in the day. That would leave final congressional approval up to the
See STUDIO | Page A5
See STIMULUS | Page A5
Thinking outside the dance box By ERICK MITCHELL The Iola Register
Chelsea Lea, owner of Miss Chelsea’s Dance Academy, has switched to online dance lessons because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. REGISTER/ERICK MITCHELL
More than half of Kansas under ‘stay-at-home’ order TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A third coronavirus death has been reported in Kansas as more than half of the state’s residents are facing orders to stay at home except for essential services, such as buying groceries or receiving health care. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, announced Tuesday night that the latest victim is a man in his 70s who tested positive for COVID-19 last week. “We offer our prayers
The above map shows the counties in Kansas reporting positive COVID-19 cases. KANSAS NEWS SERVICE
and thoughts to the family and friends of the deceased. Their sadness is our sadSee KANSAS | Page A6
Congress nears $2T coronavirus rescue bill
County leaders continue to adjust By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
“Are you sick? … Have you been around anyone sick?” In order to gain access to Tuesday’s commission meeting, attendees were required to pass through a checkpoint and answer screening questions on the north side of the courthouse. Two deputies were present, and physically blocked the path of those requestSee COUNTY | Page A5
Allen County Public Works Director Mitch Garner, from left, speaks Tuesday with county commissioners Jerry Daniels, Bill King and Bruce Symes. REGISTER/TREVOR HOAG
Supreme Court rules against death row inmate’s insanity defense By CHRIS HAXEL Kansas News Service
In a ruling that could have implications for criminal cases nationwide, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled against a Kansas death row inmate who argued that the state’s laws regarding the insanity defense are unconstitutional. Kansas and three other
James Kraig Kahler states — Utah, Montana and Idaho — have banished the insanity defense as a formal mechanism. Alaska also has
severe restrictions on its use. The facts underlying the case date to 2009, when James Kraig Kahler murdered his estranged wife, their two teenage daughters and his wife’s grandmother in Burlingame, about 30 miles south of Topeka. Kahler’s attorneys said at trial and in subsequent appeals that he had spiraled into a mental health crisis
in the months preceding the murders and was psychotic during the attack. They argued that Kansas has effectively abolished the right to use insanity as a defense in criminal cases. That, they said, is unconstitutional because it violated Kahler’s right to due process and resulted in excessive punishment. But in their 6-3 decision,
the justices affirmed an earlier decision by the Kansas Supreme Court and upheld Kahler’s conviction. Writing for the majority, Justice Elena Kagan argued that Kansas does not bar, but rather “channels,” use of the insanity defense into the trial and sentencing phases. In other words, defendants See COURT | Page A6
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