Weston • Platte County • Missouri

Students Celebrate “Read Across America” Day

Sewer Line Replacement Starts

Amelia Morton

Work began Monday morning on a new sewer pipe that will extend to the new manhole at the bridge on Washington Street  and on to link with the pipe laid just five years ago.
The manhole near the bridge has a hole in it and the pipe also needed to be replaced. 
The workers started Monday, milling out the center of the road before starting excavation. They are with Utility Solutions, Bashor, Kansas. 
Devan Singleton said with good weather, he hoped their part of the work would be finished in two weeks. “As long as the weather cooperates,” he said.  
After the pipe is laid, there will be concrete work needed to complete their job. Later, the city will mill the entire street in that area and cover it with asphalt.
In the meantime, trucks are being rerouted on to Walnut and Welt to reach downtown. Orange cones dot the streets where parking is prohibited so large trucks can make the turns. The intersection at Walnut and Welt has been made a 4-way stop temporarily as a safety measure. ​

For all of our news in full, please see this week's print and/or e-edition of the Weston Chronicle

Quarantine Guidance Update

One vaccine is now being distributed and a second is nearing approval, but it’s important to continue washing hands, watching your distance and wearing masks.
On December 8, 2020, in response to CDC’s amended options for quarantine for those who have been exposed to COVID-19, the Platte County Health Department revised its guidance.  The revised guidance provides a shorter quarantine option of ten days, while continuing to recommend a quarantine period of 14 days. CDC continues to state that their recommendation is a quarantine period of 14 days. However, after review of the ongoing high community prevalence of COVID-19 in Platte County and the fact that there is not sufficient testing capacity available, we support the following quarantine guidelines as outlined by the CDC:

• The preferred length of quarantine remains 14 days after exposure.
• Based on the December 2, 2020 CDC update, as a close contact, you may end your quarantine after 10 days IF you have NO SYMPTOMS.
•You must continue to wear your mask and monitor for symptoms daily for the full 14-day time period following your exposure.
• If at any time during that 14-day timeframe you develop symptoms of COVID-19, please isolate and get tested as soon as possible.
• Masking and symptom monitoring for full 14 days are required even if you are able to end the quarantine early based on this new option.
• If you are unable to wear a mask (in general or for a particular activity), you would need to complete the 14-day quarantine or avoid any activities for which you cannot wear a mask until the end of your 14 day quarantine.
The Platte County Health Department does not support a test out option for release from quarantine in 7 days at this time, due to the high community prevalence and the additional strain on community testing.

The Platte County Health Department urges those who have been exposed to COVID-19 to stay home, and follow this guidance for testing:

• If you are without symptoms you should wait for at least 7 days to be tested.
• If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms get tested as soon as possible.
 

  News

Two months after being sworn in as District 2 County Commissioner, Joe Vanover is now seeking a new job. He is one of eight applicants for  the associate circuit judge vacancy in Division IV of the Sixth Judical Circuit. 
The Platte County Circuit’s vacancy was created by the January 15, 2021 appointment of Judge W. Ann Hansbrough to Circuit Judge, Division II.
Commissioner Vanover said if he is selected, he will resign from his present position and the Governor will appoint his replacement.
“I’ve practiced law in Platte County for 20 years, first with a well-respected firm, than as assistant prosecutor,” he said. “In 2017, I returned to private practice. I believe I have broad experience that would be beneficial as a judge.”

There are eight applicants, of whom five indicate they are female and one reports being a minority applicant. One applicant works in the private sector; six work in the public sector and one is employed in both the public and private sectors. The average age of the applicants is 43.50 years.
The Sixth Circuit Judicial Commission  will interview all eight applicants:
Amy R. Ashelford
Megan B. Benton
Kristin E. Kandt
Myles A. Perry
Jesse Sendejas
Nicolas J. Taulbee
Maria M. Theoharidis
Joseph W. Vanover..

More on this story and others in this week's print version of the Weston Chronicle

Cameron Heavener

Walker Scott

Devan Singleton (in foreground) and Le Roy Green talked to workers in the trench Tuesday as they laser leveled new sewer pipe extending north from the manhole in Washington Street at Spring Street. .

West Platte students demonstrated there are lots of ways to read on Read Across America Day Tuesday. Kids got to wear pajamas and bring a stuffed animal or blanket; teachers devoted some special time to reading. 
Photos by Bess Deloux

Mia Martin

New Commissioner Applies for New Job as Judge

Presleigh Scott