Kansas Electric Cooperatives Respond to Pandemic in Best Interest of Members, Communities and Employees
March 16 – What first began halfway around the world threatens the rural areas of Kansas, and electric cooperatives and their leadership have responded with decisions that protect the health and wellbeing of co-op members, employees and the communities they serve.
Prior to Gov. Laura Kelly signing Executive Order 20-05 suspending all utility disconnects until May 1, 2020, several Kansas electric cooperatives had already decided to take that step to support their members during the COVID-19 pandemic. All electric cooperatives in the state are now working to provide members with certainty during these uncertain times and those individuals facing economic hardships should contact their local cooperative for more information. It will be important to work on payment terms once the pandemic has passed and remain in good standing with the co-op.
Spring is the height of the cooperative annual meeting season in Kansas. Co-ops with meetings set to commence in March, April and May quickly met with their boards of directors and made the difficult, but perhaps life-saving, decision to postpone those gatherings to protect the health and safety of their communities.
To adhere with social distancing guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control, co-ops have closed their offices to the public and are encouraging their members to contact them by phone, Facebook messaging, website messaging and other communication channels. Co-op members are able to make payments by phone, online, mail or drop off at on-site payment drop boxes.
Co-ops have implemented business continuity plans designed to maintain the health and safety of the people working for them and to ensure that business critical operations continue without interruption. These measures help ensure that electric co-ops continue to provide reliable electricity during a business continuity event. Kansas electric co-ops are also taking additional safety measures to prepare for the upcoming storm season at a time when workers and communities could be challenged by a viral outbreak.
Kansas electric cooperatives have taken and continue to take steps to be prepared in the event there is a significant impact from the coronavirus in our communities. We are focused on maintaining a healthy workforce and keeping key personnel — such as line workers and member service representatives — available so we can continue to provide the excellent service expected from us.
Caring for our communities — our friends, neighbors and our fellow co-op members — is, after all, the electric cooperative way.
For Immediate Release Hayes Kelman, owner, info@boothilldistillery.com Jerri Whitley, vice president communications, jwhitley@victoryelectric.net
March 25, 2020
Boot Hill Distillery and Victory Electric to Host Seven Additional Hand Cleanser Giveaway Events
On the heels of two successful events last Sunday and two more planned Wednesday in Dodge City, Boot Hill Distillery and Victory Electric are excited to host seven additional events in the small communities surrounding Dodge City.
Residents are invited to drive-up and grab one FREE 4-ounce bottle of hand cleanser, which Boot Hill Distillery produced based upon the World Health Organization's recommended handrub formula.
Copeland - Thursday, March 26 from 9-10 a.m. on Main Street
Ingalls - Thursday, March 26 from 12-1 p.m. in west parking lot of the high school
Montezuma - Friday, March 27 from 12-1 p.m. at south entrance of the elementary school
Bucklin - Friday March 27 from 5-6 p.m. on Main Street in front of the library
Spearville - Saturday, March 28 from 10-11 a.m. on Park Street by the old ball field
Cimarron - Saturday, March 28 from 1-3 p.m. in the elementary school circle drive
Jetmore - Sunday, March 29 from 2-3 p.m. at the Jetmore City Office (109 E. Bramley)
Residents can conveniently drive up and receive one bottle of hand cleanser per adult in the car, as long as supplies last. To protect the health and safety of all, it is drive-up only; please do not exit the vehicle.
“We recognized the community's need for a hand cleanser, and since our distillery had the ability to produce the product, we knew it was something we could do to help our community,” said Hayes Kelman, owner of Boot Hill Distillery. “We were overwhelmed with the community’s positive response to our drive-up events last weekend and we are excited to help reach more people.”
If your business or organization has a need for hand cleanser product, make a request at https://forms.gle/TAnoPFa1Sgr6C12H9. Distributions will be based on the most urgent needs. Donations are also welcome at gf.me/u/xr59ng. Donations do not guarantee the acquisition of product.
This community project and the hand cleanser product is produced by Boot Hill Distillery with the generous support of Victory Electric, Kansas Corn, Dodge City/Ford County, Development Corporation, Conestoga Energy, Western Plains Medical Complex, Conant Construction, Centera Bank, Nu Life Market, BlackJacks Liquor, Hilker Trucking, and others.
For Immediate Release Hayes Kelman, owner, info@boothilldistillery.com Jerri Whitley, vice president communications, jwhitley@victoryelectric.net
March 23, 2020
Saddle Up and Hitch Your Wagons, Boot Hill Distillery and Victory Electric to Host Second Hand Cleanser Giveaway Event
Dodge City citizens invited to drive up and grab a free 4-ounce bottle of hand cleanser!
On the heels of two successful drive-up events on Sunday, Boot Hill Distillery produced several thousand more bottles of hand cleanser. Together with Victory Electric, they are hosting repeat events on Wednesday.
“We recognized the community's need for a hand cleanser, and since our distillery had the ability to produce the product, we knew it was something we could do to help our community,” said Hayes Kelman, owner of Boot Hill Distillery. “We were overwhelmed with the community’s positive response to our drive-up events last weekend and we are excited to help reach more people.”
Boot Hill Distillery teamed up with several local partners to produce the World Health Organization's recommended handrub formula. The distillery is continuing production and anticipates producing more than 18,000 bottles of hand cleanser.
Members of the community can conveniently drive up to one of two locations and receive one bottle of hand cleanser per adult in the car, as long as supplies last. To protect the health and safety of all, it is drive up only, please do not exit vehicle.
Wednesday, March 25, from 4-6 p.m. at two locations
1. Boot Hill Distillery - Fourth Ave in front of Distillery
2. Victory Electric headquarters - 3230 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City
The Distillery and Victory Electric are also actively planning additional drive-up events in several communities surrounding Dodge City.
In the meantime, if your business or organization has a need for hand cleanser product, make a request at https://forms.gle/TAnoPFa1Sgr6C12H9. Distributions will be based on the most urgent needs. Donations are also welcome at gf.me/u/xr59ng. Donations do not guarantee acquisition of product.
This community project and hand cleanser product is produced by Boot Hill Distillery with the generous support of Victory Electric, Kansas Corn, Dodge City/Ford County, Development Corporation, Conestoga Energy, Western Plains Medical Complex, Conant Construction, Centera Bank, Nu Life Market, BlackJack Liquor, Hilker Trucking, and others.
News release prepared by: Alli Conine, 620-874-4563 or aconine@weci.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3/23/2020 - (Scott City, KS)
Wheatland Broadband Opens WiFi Hotspots for FREE Public Use
Wheatland Broadband today announced additional steps to help ensure people stay connected to the internet as the coronavirus continues to spread across the United States. Wheatland Broadband will open WiFi hotspots across our service territory for FREE public use at the following locations:
Scott City: Wheatland Broadband’s office back parking lot (416 Main Street) 24/7 accessibility
Garden City: Wheatland Electric office parking lot, 2005 W. Fulton, Accessibility Monday-Friday: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
In collaboration with the Southwest Kansas Library System, and these local libraries, WiFi hotspots will be open at the following locations:
Scott City: Scott County Library (110 W. 8th Street) library parking lot, 24/7 Accessibility
Leoti: Wichita County Library (208 S. 4th Street) library parking lot, 24/7 Accessibility
Tribune: Greeley County Library (517 Broadway Ave.) library parking lot, 24/7 Accessibility
Syracuse: Hamilton County Library (102 W Ave C) library parking lot and Syracuse Sand Dunes Park, 24/7 Accessibility
Other Wheatland Broadband locations: 24/7 Accessibility
Holcomb: Empty lot across from Wheatland’s tower (corner of Railroad Ave. & Sunnie Baird Rd.), 24/7 Accessibility
“Wheatland Broadband will continue to provide the connectivity that is crucial during these challenging and unique times. It is essential that we work together to provide Broadband service to as many people as possible across our service territory. During this extraordinary time, it is vital that as many Americans as possible stay connected to the internet – for education and work,” said Bruce W. Mueller, Wheatland Electric’s CEO/General Manager.
To connect to WiFi hotspots at the Wheatland Broadband office in Scott City, Wheatland Electric in Garden City and Holcomb look for the id “WBS_Public” WiFi hotspots will be fully functioning by the close of business on Monday, March 23, 2020.
News release prepared by: Alli Conine, 620-874-4563 or aconine@weci.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3/23/2020 - (Scott City, KS)
Wheatland Broadband Increases Speeds of Internet to Support Members Through Coronavirus Outbreak
Wheatland Broadband will be increasing service speeds temporarily for members currently on the Economy or Basic package through May 31, 2020 upon request. Speeds will increase from 3/1 Mbps and 5/1 Mbps to the maximum speed available up to 10/4.
Members who may need increased speeds include teachers hosting web-based education tools, members who are working remotely, or households with multiple students trying to connect at one time.
To receive the increased Internet speeds, existing members will need to call 866-872-0006 or email billing@wbsnet.org.
“Our hope is that broader access and faster speeds will help all of our members access educational resources and more easily work from home,” said Bruce W. Mueller, Wheatland Electric’s CEO/General Manager.
For Immediate Release Mar. 16, 2020
For More Information Contact: Mike Morley, 785-639-3100
Midwest Energy Suspends Disconnection for Non-Payment While Addressing Coronavirus; Closes Walk-In Offices
Midwest Energy announced today it will not disconnect residential and business customers for non-payment through May 1, 2020, while communities are facing challenges from Coronavirus.
“This is an unprecedented situation, and we need to ensure that customers who rely us have uninterrupted electric and gas service while dealing with this,” said Pat Parke, Midwest Energy’s CEO.
“Our customers and their businesses may be facing financial strain right now, and we recognize that we’re all going to get through this together,” Parke added.
This temporary moratorium from disconnection does not remove responsibilities for customers to pay bills, nor does it cancel any bills. Rather, it is intended to allow customers dealing with uncertainty to continue to receive service, while making partial payments or other payment arrangements. Automatic payments and bank drafts that customers have set up are unaffected.
Other things Midwest Energy is doing in response to Coronavirus include closure of walk-in customer service offices, effective Tuesday, March 17. Customers are encouraged to complete transactions online at www.mwenergy.com, by mail or by phone at 1-800-222-3121. The closure will be in effect until further notice.
“We recognize that medical professionals are on the front line of our nation’s response to the pandemic. But they cannot do their jobs unless we do ours,” said Parke. “Office closures will be an inconvenience to some, but this precaution to protect our work force is a must.”
If customers have any questions about this change, or would like to make payment arrangements, report emergencies or outages, please contact Midwest Energy at 1-800-222-3121.
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