Salute M Holton, Kan
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ay, M nd ay o 2 THE HOLTON 5 SALUTE M HOLTON, KAN. Hometown of Gary & Joanne Graves Holton Recorder subscribers for 40 years. RECORDERServing the Jackson County Community for 153 years Volume 153, Issues 39 & 40 HOLTON, KANSAS • Mon./Wed. May 18 & 20, 2020 18 Pages $1.00 ‘Phase 2’ begins Friday n More businesses may reopen under Kelly’s adjusted plan After issuing an executive order last week allowing some businesses to reopen while preserving some data-driven restrictions needed to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 (coronavirus), Kan- sas Gov. Laura Kelly announced yester day she would sign anoth- er execu tive order this Friday moving the state into a modified “Phase 2” of her plan to re open the Kansas economy. In her announcement yes- terday, Gov. Kelly said her ad- ministration’s intent to move forward with the new “Phase 2” resulted from her intent to base the state’s plan for reopening on “data, not dates.” “Because of the great work Kansans and businesses have City, county team up done to keep others safe, data now indicate we are seeing a more consistent de cline in hos- on CDBG application pitalizations, COVID-19-related deaths and a consistent decrease By Ali Holcomb are working together to submit in disease spread,” Kelly said. With support from Holton one grant application. “This puts our state in a position city commissioners, the Jack- “We want to have the best to safely move into a modified son County Commissioners are strategy to receive these grant version of Phase 2.” applying for a grant from the funds,” Zwonitzer said. “We The announcement came a federal government to assist lo- think working together puts us day af ter “Phase 1.5,” an ad- cal businesses struggling due to in a better position.” dition to Kel ly’s “Ad Astra: A the recent stay-at-home order to The two types of grants avail- Plan To Reopen Kansas” strat- reduce the potential spread of able include: egy for reopening the state’s COVID-19 (coronavirus), it has Business grants – These economy that allowed some been reported. funds can be awarded to local businesses such as barber shops, A total of $300,000 is be- businesses for inventory pur- hair salons and fitness centers to ing sought by the county from chases, working capital, wages, reopen on a limited basis, went the Community Development utilities, rent and other expenses into effect. Block Grant-CV funds program and are awarded based on busi- Kelly said that moving for- to assist local businesses. ness size – micro (up to five ward with the new “Phase 2,” The state is expected to re- employees) and small (six to 50 while allowing more busi- ceive more than $9 million as employees). nesses to reopen under revised part of the federal government’s Businesses receiving the guidelines, “does not mean that Coronavirus Aid, Relief and funds do not have to be closed, COVID-19 no longer threat- Economic Security (CARES) “just disadvantaged by COVID- ens our communities. Modify- Act, and counties and cities can 19 and in need of aid to retain ing Phase 2 to keep some re- begin applying for these funds jobs,” it was reported. strictions allows us to reopen through the Kansas Department Meal Programs – Funds for Kansas’ economy as quickly of Commerce’s new CDBG-CV this program can be used for and safely as possible, while program. meals on wheels programs, food exercis ing necessary caution to Counties and cities can apply banks, lunch programs, etc… keep Kansans healthy.” for two types of grants, business Zwonitzer said that the coun- “Phase 2” of Kelly’s original grants and meal programs, and ty was unable to apply for grant plan would have raised the limit Jackson County Commissioner funds for meal programs since on mass gatherings from 10 to Members of the 2020 graduating class from Holton High School paraded around Hol- Janet Zwonitzer said the two the average income level of 30, allowed bars and nightclubs ton’s Town Square last Saturday evening, many of them with their parents, while other government entities – the Jack- county residents is too high. to operate at no more than 50 friends, family and teachers watched from parked vehicles and honked and waved as son County Commission and the seniors traveled by. The two photos above were taken during the senior parade. the Holton City Commission – Continued to Page 2 Continued to Page 2 The top photo shows the view from the east side of the Square. The photo above shows HHS senior Rhett Murphy visible from the vehicle’s sun roof. Members of the graduating class of 2020 from Jackson Heights were led in a similar “senior parade’’ at Circleville by a local law enforcement officer, it was reported. Photos by David Powls City commissioners approve limited youth ball proposal ‘Blessing boxes’ prove By Brian Sanders son County and State of Kansas normalcy” after the county has Vets’ groups Holton’s municipal swim- health officials. been under a “stay-at-home” ming pool may not be open this But as Fluke and commis- order. Baseball and softball, helpful to area residents set tours of summer due to concerns over sioners noted, with the chang- he said, are “among the easier the possible spread of COVID- ing situation re garding COVID- sports to practice social distanc- By Brian Sanders of the Lin scott Park “blessing cemeteries 19 (coronavirus), but Holton’s 19, the commis sion’s action to ing,” and extra precautions can The idea of the “blessing box.” “It’s been overflowing at young people may have the approve the 2020 summer ball be taken to en sure that social box” — a small, often home- least three times, where people This coming Monday, vet- opportunity to play some orga- season plan is no guarantee that distancing measures are fol- made structure where people have set bags of food on the erans or ganizations in Jack- nized summer base ball and soft- the season will take place. lowed. leave donated goods for oth- ground… But I think it could be son County will make their ball this year. “The season may need to be Those precautions, he said, ers to pick up anonymously — used more.” annual Memorial Day tours The Holton City Commis- can celed after we get started, could include loosening up the came into being when residents The COVID-19 situation also of the county’s cemeteries sion on Monday approved, on a because the number one goal, schedule to allow fewer games of a community expressed a in spired Circleville resident Mi- to honor fallen soldiers, and 4-1 vote, a proposal from Hol- obviously, is the health and safe- and more time between games desire to reach out to those less chelle Blindt to put up a “bless- those who turn out to partici- ton Ball Associa tion president ty of our players and coaches for less crowding and team-fan fortunate. ing box” at her home to help the pate in the tour are strongly Justin Fluke to allow a modi- and family members and fans,” interaction, eliminating game But with the onset of “stay-at- people of her hometown, just as encouraged to practice so- fied 2020 summer baseball and Fluke told commissioners. rituals such as handshakes be- home” orders and “lockdowns” Jackson County’s schools an- cial distancing while saluting softball season for children age In his presentation to the tween teams before and after to prevent the possible spread nounced their plans to close to fall en veterans. 14 and under, contingent on commis sion, Fluke said the games, limiting the number of of COVID-19 (coronavirus) re- prevent the possible spread of Holton VFW Post 1367 proceeding only under public modified ball season would rep- sulting in spikes in unemploy- the coronavirus. and American Legion Post 44 health guidelines as set by Jack- resent a “return to some form of Continued to Page 6 ment, that desire to help those “It was right when people will conduct separate Memo- currently out of work has turned were starting to lose their jobs, rial Day tours, culminating in into a need — and more people and things were closing down,” a joint ceremony at 11 a.m. in find themselves in need of those Blindt said. “In Circleville, Holton Cemetery, followed Election filing deadline is June 1 “blessings.” there just aren’t a whole lot of by a joint ceremony at 11:45 That has Jackson County resources.” a.m. at the veterans memorial By Ali Holcomb township trustee for each town- ty on Election Day at the polls residents either making dona- Blindt said she has been in Linscott Park and an 11:55 The deadline to file as a candi- ship, one township treasurer for in August. But voters who are tions to or taking advantage of pleased with the community a.m. ceremony at the Bernie date for the Nov. 3 general elec- each township and one precinct already affiliation with a party at least three “blessing boxes,” response to her “blessing box,” Deghand memorial on the tion is noon on Monday, June 1, committeeman and one precinct cannot change their affiliation on with one located in Holton’s and she hopes that even after southeast corner of Holton’s it has been reported. committeewoman for each pre- the day of the primary election, it Linscott Park, as well as oth- the coronavirus situation fades Town Square. Candidates for local races cinct will also be selected. was reported.