Colby Free Press

07/31/2021

02/11/2021

FROM THE COLBY FREE PRESS:
Western Plains Arts Association announces the late cancellation of Nashville Legacy that was scheduled for 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 14, at Oakley High School. The musicians plan to reschedule the country program with WPAA during the next season. The show features the music of Floyd Cramer and Chet Atkins.
In addition, the Sunday, Feb 21 program of New Odyssey Guy is CANCELED because the artist is not touring this year.

01/15/2021

FROM THE COLBY FREE PRESS:

FREE drive-thru Covid testing continues.
Think you might have been exposed to the covid virus?
TourHealth continues to offer free drive-thru Covid-19 testing from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays in the parking lot in front of the Thomas County Office Complex, 350 S. Range Ave. You can make appointment at www.tourhealth.com, or drive-ups are also accepted. Testing will continue through the end of the month, the state says. Results may take several days. For questions, call the county Health Department at (785) 460-4596.

Designed to accelerate COVID-19 testing in communities across the country, our testing solution uses proven scalable processes and technology to ensure seamless, quick and secure testing.

11/05/2020

FROM THE COLBY FREE PRESS:
The votes are cast, but in this year of upheaval, few people expect to see final results on the presidential race for days, if not weeks.
Several states were without declared winners today, and about 20 allow ballots received in the mail after election day to be counted if postmarked by election day. Pennsylvania, in both categories, is one of several with enough electoral-college votes to make a big impact.
“Vote tabulations routinely continue beyond Election Day, and states largely set the rules for when the count has to end,” the Associated Press said in a national article today.
In Kansas, President Donald Trump received 738,858 votes, or 57 percent of the vote. Democrat Joe Biden got 534,478 votes, or 41 percent, and Libertarian Jo Jorgensen got 28,375 or 2 percent.
For the Senate race in Kansas, Republican Roger Marshall defeated Democrat Barbara Bollier 54 to 41 percent (697,787 to 536,402). Libertarian Jason Buckley got 5 percent.

Here’s how Thomas County voted.
Of 5,244 registered voters, 3,805 cast ballots, or 72.5 percent. Remember, these numbers will not be official until the county commissioners, acting as the election board, canvass the votes on Monday, Nov. 16. Ballots mailed by election day that arrive at the courthouse on Friday will be counted, along with any provisional ballots found to be valid.
• President/vice president: Democrats Biden/Harris 621, Republicans Trump/Pence 3,104, Jorgensen/Cohen 54.
• U.S. Senate: Democrat Barbara Bollier 685, Republicans Roger Marshall 2,937, Libertarian Jason Buckley 146.
• U.S. House of Representatives, 1st District: Democrat Kali Barnett 596, Republican Tracy Mann 3,103.
• Kansas Senate 40th District: Democrat Larry Joseph Dreiling 533, Republican incumbent Richard Billinger 3,219.
• Kansas House of Representatives, 118th District: Republican Jim Minnix 531.
• Kansas House of Representatives, 120th District: Republican Adam Smith 2,912.
• District judge 15th District, 1st Division: Republican Kevin Berens 3,493.
• District judge 15th District 2nd Division: Republican Scott Showalter 3,429.
• District magistrate judge 15th District, Fifth Position: Republican Richard Ress 3,526.
• County commissioner District No. 2, Brian L. Luedke 1,210.
• County commissioner District No. 3: Republican Mike Baughn 931, Democrat Dale Vap 255.
Candidates in other county and township races had no opposition, and were easily elected.

09/26/2020

FROM THE COLBY FREE PRESS:

What’s that smell?
Residents of northwest Kansas are noticing a smoky smell when they venture outdoors this afternoon, and may be wondering what’s on fire.
The Colby Fire Department says the fires are not here, but up in Wyoming. They said the National Weather Service office in Goodland is reporting that a front, which is a change in wind direction, brought smoke from the Wyoming wildfires down to Kansas. The smoke will be with us until a cold front arrives sometime late this evening. The smell is stronger than the smoke last week from wildfires in Washington and Oregon as it has a shorter distance to travel. If the clouds permit, today’s smoke should make for quite a sunset.

07/31/2020

FROM THE COLBY FREE PRESS:
Get it while you can!
Going on RIGHT NOW at Colby Community College is a FREE distribution of hand sanitizer, mask and t-shirt (only while supplies last).
It started at 9 this morning (Friday, July 31) so come on down while they still have some!
Come in from the College Drive entrance and exit onto Range.

05/20/2020

FROM THE COLBY FREE PRESS:
Haynes Publishing and the Colby Free Press are offering YARD SIGNS for the Class of 2020. These resemble the ones politicians use.
We can accommodate any school as long as we have access to a good copy of the school’s logo and, of course, a picture of the student.
The signs are $25 each or 2 for $40.
Deadline for this order will be MAY 22.
Colby, Brewster, Rexford, & Oakley parents! Call us at the office 785-462-3963 or email
[email protected]
[email protected]

These are samples of the sign front and back.

05/18/2020

FROM THE COLBY FREE PRESS May 18:
Here is a list of area closings, postponements and changes that we know of. If you don’t know the status of a business or event, call them.
With the end of the stay-at-home order and so many changes at this time, we need businesses and restaurants to tell us of what you are doing. We will publish changes as they happen. Email [email protected] or call (785) 462-3963.
People want to know what your business is doing.

>> New openings, status changes
• Palace Drug – open. Must wear a mask to enter. Curbside pickup or free (non-mailed) home delivery available for prescriptions.
• Famers and Merchants Bank – lobby and Dillons branch open regular hours.
• Vision Source – open. Curbside waiting – stay in car until called in. Must wear mask to enter.
• Thummel Family Dentistry – open. Curbside waiting – stay in car until called in.
• Nex-Tech Wireless – open.
• Office Works – open.
• Colby Sixth Street Alcoholics Anonymous has resumed meeting at 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the group's building on West Fourth Street.
• Narcotics Anonymous meets at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Friday and Sunday in the City Hall basement, and AA meeting there at 8:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday. For questions, call Larry at (785) 269-7569.
• Sixth Street Al-Anon has resumed meetings again at 8 p.m. Wednesdays. For questions, contact Izetta at (785) 443-1812.
• Pioneer Memorial Library is open, but only the south entrance on Fourth Street. Masks will be required; children under 15 must be with an adult to use the computer. Computer use limited to 30 minutes. No book exchanges or donations. Regular hours, but closed Sundays. Curbside service remains available.
• The City of Colby has postponed its annual spring clean-up week, usually held in May, until further notice. It may be held the first week in June.
• We need to know about changes in business and restaurant listings. Report them to us at (785) 462-3963 or [email protected].
Public events, etc.
• Colby All School Alumni Reunion, June 18-20 – postponed to 2021.

>> Schools
• Colby Public Schools – home and online learning.
Colby schools have "grab-’n'-go" meal bags free for all kids 1 to 18. now extended through at least June 30 with support from U.S. Department of Agriculture. Meals, including lunch and breakfast for the next day, may be picked up in front of Colby Middle School or the United Methodist parking lot on South Franklin. Colby United Methodist Church has rides those who need them.
• Colby Community College campus – closed. Classes by internet. No events. Looking to reopen by fall, but decision is pending.
• Northwest Kansas Technical College – online instruction.
• Kansas state universities – classes online.
Health and Seniors
• Citizens Medical Center – no visitors, except one support person in obstetrics, one parent at a time, one as needed at outpatient clinic. Call first. All classes cancelled; cafeteria closed to public.
• Everyone 2 and older strongly urged to wear a face mask when entering hospital or clinic.
• Prairie Senior Long-Term Care – no visitors.
• Send letters, drawings or cards to residents at Prairie Senior, 1625 S. Franklin Ave., Colby, Kan. 67701 by mail or call (785) 462-8295 for staff to accept.
• Colby Health and Rehab – no visitors.
• Family Center for Heath Care clinic – No walk-in clinic. Hours 8 to 6 Monday-Thursday, 8 to 4 Friday. Park in designated lot, call clinic at (785) 462-6184 for instructions, screening. Routine visits by telehealth; call for information. Please wear a mask.
• Fairview Estates Retirement Community – no visitors.
• Walmart Pharmacy – open.
• Dillons Pharmacy – open, drive-up window, mailout available.
• Senior Progress Center – closed, curb service for meal site.
• Northwest Kansas Emergency Pregnancy Center – office closed. Call Geri at (785) 460-2258 or Tina at 462-6845 for help.

>> Government
• Colby City Hall – lobby closed. Use drop box for bills, call 460-4400 or email for other business.
• Colby City Council – meeting online with Zoom.
• Colby Municipal Court – closed, call for questions.
• Colby Community Building – closed.
• Colby Community College trustees – meeting online by Zoom.
• Kansas Commission of Veterans Affairs Colby office, Rick Austin – Call for appointment.
• Kansas Department of Corrections visitation – suspended. Use e-mail, phone or video visits.
• K-State Research and Extension offices – closed to public. Call for information, (785) 460-4582 (Extension office) or 462-6281 (area office). All face-to-face events, activities – cancelled, postponed or using remote technology until July 4.
• Kansas Department for Children and Families Colby office – closed, call for information. Use website or toll-free numbers for services.
• Kansas driver's license office, Colby – opens today for essential services. Renewals available online.
• Kansas state parks, fishing lakes and wildlife areas – open. Offices closed to public.
• Post offices – open.
• Social Security offices – phone service only.
• Thomas County Courthouse, office building, emergency management – doors closed, call for appointment.
• Thomas County commissioners – call county clerk for information or how to attend online meetings.
• Thomas County District Court – urgent actions only, such as first appearances, bond hearings, child in need of care, protection from abuse. Now issuing wedding licenses by mail or email. Office closed, call for info.
• Thomas County Recycling Center – open.
• U.S. Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Thomas County Conservation District – call for appointment.

>> Organizations
• Colby Sixth Street Alcoholics Anonymous has resumed meeting at 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the group's building on West Fourth Street.
Narcotics Anonymous meets at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Friday and Sunday in the City Hall basement, and AA meeting there at 8:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
For questions, call Larry at (785) 269-7569.
Sixth Street Al-Anon has resumed meetings again at 8 p.m. Wednesdays. For questions, contact Izetta at (785) 443-1812.
• Colby-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce. Call for appointment 9 a.m.-noon. Annual banquet – postponed. Morning Perk, Business After Hours, Chamber business networking – suspended.
• Meadow Lake Golf Course – open. Only one player per cart. Do not touch flag sticks. Kitchen has take-out food and beverages.
• Pioneer Memorial Library – reopened with precautions, masks required; parking lot wifi available; checkouts offered online with curbside pickup one day a week.
• Prairie Museum of Art and History – closed.
• Retired Senior Volunteer Program Awards Banquet – canceled.
• All TOPS meetings cancelled.
• Prairie Rose Harmony barbershop singing – meeting by Zoom.

>> Churches
• Ascension on the Prairie Episcopal Church, also Goodland, Russell Springs, Scott City – live services resume Sunday in Colby, Scott City and Russell Springs. Goodland remains closed.
• Berean Bible Fellowship – digital ministry through Facebook and website.
• Brewster United Methodist Church – no services until further notice.
• Church of Christ – closed until further notice.
• Christian Church – open.
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – closed, no services.
• Catholic Diocese of Salina, all area churches – Mass schedules to resume with reduced count, social distancing observed Confession behind screen. Sunday Mass attendance requirement suspended.
• Colby Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Mass 5:30 p.m. Saturdays, 8 and 10 a.m. Sundays, streamed live on Facebook.
• Celebration Community Church – Sunday worship via Facebook Live.
• Colby Independent Baptist Church – Regular worship services. No Wednesday night programs, no children's bus.
‬• Colby Presbyterian Church – online service on Zoom, 10 a.m. Sunday. Call office for link each week.
• Colby United Methodist Church – Sunday service on K###, 10 a.m. No change at present.
• Colby Wesleyan Church – Services via Facebook Live. Kids Closet open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon.
• College Drive Assembly of God – services on Facebook.
• Gateway Fellowship, Oakley – Free lunch Friday to students, signup form on page.
• Levant Community Church – services live with social distancing and on Facebook Live.
• Mingo Bible Church – live, short Sunday service on Facebook.
• Trinity Lutheran Church – short service noon to 12:30 p.m. Sundays on K### radio, on Facebook live, 10:30 a.m. Live services starting Saturdays May 23 and 30 at 5:30 p.m., Sundays May 24 and 31, 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. In June, resume normal schedule, 5:30 Saturdays and 10:30 Sundays.

>> General information
• State "stay-at-home" expired. Phased plan to restart Kansas allows most businesses to reopen, except for those involving large crowds or close personal contact.
• If you are running a fever or have a cough, call your doctor, stay home.
• All gatherings of 10 or more still banned until next week, with a few exceptions.
• Exercise and outdoor activities encouraged, but remember social distancing.
• Federal and Kansas state income tax filing deadlines – postponed to July 15.
• Utility disconnects – suspended until May 31 for power, water, sewer, gas, telephone, internet and trash by regulated, cooperative and municipal utilities.
• Foreclosures and evictions – banned until until May 31 if caused by Covid-19.
• Kansas Open Meetings Act applies to any electronic meetings as well as in-person meetings of government bodies.
• Travel restriction – If you visited these areas after the date given, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment says, you must begin a 14-day home quarantine on return:
√ States: New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maryland.
√ Any international travel or cruise after March 15.
• These areas in Kansas: The entire Kansas City metro area, including Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties in Kansas, Clay, Platte and Jackson in Missouri. Outstate, Lyon, Ford, Finney, Seward counties.

>> Restaurants
• Arby’s – take out or drive-thru.
• B-Hive – Curbside pickup or delivery.
• City Limits Bar & Grill –open for dine in.
• China Buffet – closed until further notice.
• El Dos de Oros – open for dine in.
• Gambino’s Pizza – drive-thru only.
• J&B Meat Market – meat section, restaurant drive-thru open.
• Jimmy John’s – carry out or delivery only.
• McDonalds, drive-thru only.
• Pizza Hut – carryout or delivery only.
• Sonic – car or drive-thru service.
• Starbucks – open for dine in, must keep 6 ft. apart.
• Taco Johns – dine in starting Monday, or drive thru.
• Twisters – dine in or delivery to car.
• Subway – carryout, drive-thru, limited seating inside.
• Village Inn – dine in or curbside delivery.
• Welcome Home Cafe – open for dine in.

>> Businesses
• American Family Insurance – doors locked, call or email only.
• Banks – open.
√ Adams Bank and Trust – lobby closed, drive-thru open.
√ Sunflower Bank – lobby limited to six at a time.
√ The Bank – lobby closed, drive-thru open, call for appointments.
√ Western State Bank – lobby closed, drive-thru open.
• Casey’s – open.
• Colby Bowl – food, curbside pickup, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Colby Cinema – closed.
• Colby Dodge – open.
• Farm Credit of Western Kansas – open for payment or document drop off, to meet staff by appointment. Some staff working at home; practice social distancing. Use drop box on sidewalk, phone or email where possible. Annual meeting on hold.
• Dillons – open.
• Dollar General – open. Seniors only, 9-10 a.m.
• Foley Equipment – call, use website or curbside options.
• Health and fitness clubs – closed.
• Health Cottage – curbside pickup, mail or delivery.
• Heartland Rural Counseling – front office closed. Call.
• Hi-Plains Co-op – open.
• Hoover Lumber – open.
• Kansas Insurance – office open, with precautions.
• Oasis Travel Center – open, food is takeout only.
• Pilot truck stop – open.
• Kansas Quick L**e – lobby closed.
• Loves – open.
• National Tax of Colby – virtual tax preparation.
• P&D Auto – open.
• 24/7 Travel Center – open.
• Senior Progress Center – no activities, meals curbside pickup and home delivery.
• Starbucks – open, curb service only.
• Tubbs and Sons Ford – open.
• Wal-Mart – Hours 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

04/16/2020

FROM THE COLBY FREE PRESS:
New closings, status changes
• The City of Colby has postponed its annual spring clean-up week, usually held in May, until further notice. It may be held the first week in June.
• An emergency distribution if government food commodities is set for 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, April 17, at the parking lot west of the Community Building. No income guidelines, just get in line, stay in your vehicle and drive by the handoff site.
• Meadow Lake Golf Course is open. Only one player per cart. Do not touch flag sticks. Kitchen has take-out food and beverages.
• Western Plains Arts Association has cancelled the rest of its season: Ball in the House, April 19, and Lezlee & Paul, April 26.
• Welcome Home Cafe – catering for businesses ordering food for employees – 460-8100
• Colby Bowl & Fun Center – Curbside pickup for food, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Mingo Bible Church – closed. Live, short Sunday service on facebook.
• Ascension on the Prairie Episcopal Church, also Goodland, Russell Springs, Scott City, entire Diocese of Western Kansas – Services through Zoom 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. Sunday. Call 785-443-0894 for details.
• Stan's Automotive – open.
• Orschelns – open, hours now 8 to 6.
• The Thomas County commissioners meet in the courtroom with up to 10 people present, as many as six guests, the commissioners and the clerk. Citizens may login or call to listen to the meeting.
• The Colby City Council meetings will be conducted primarily online, though the council chamber will also be open to a limited number of people. (It would be helpful if anyone planning to attend called ahead.)
• Connecticut added to list of state for which a visit requires 14-day quarantine on return.
• The Kansas Corporation Commission has extended its ban on utility disconnects, set to expire April 5 until May 15. This covers gas, power, water and telecommunications (phone and internet) providers regulated by the commission. Municipal and cooperative utilities covered by other orders or voluntary action may also extend this ban.
These are the area closings, postponements and changes that we know of. If you don’t know the status of a business or event, call them. To add or change a listing, email [email protected] or call (785) 462-3963.

Public events, etc.
• Art Walk, downtown Colby, Friday, April 17, – cancelled,
• Colby Community College production of "The Music Man" – cancelled.
• Great Oasis Barbecue Cookoff, Saturday, May 2 – cancelled.
• Colby All School Alumni Reunion, June 18-20 – postponed to 2021.
• American Youth Soccer Organization – all games and practices postponed.

Schools
• Colby Public Schools – shifted to at-home and online learning.
Colby schools have "grab-’n'-go" meal bags free for all kids 1 to 18. Email the district Food Service Office requesting that parents or guardians pick up meals at [email protected] with names of all parents or guardians who could pick up meals, all children receiving meals, the reason for not bringing children to the pickup site and which site you will use. You will receive confirmation and instructions by email. Meals, including lunch and breakfast for the next day, may be picked up in front of Colby Middle School, at the United Methodist parking lot on South Franklin or at the Northwest Irrigation lot (the old Cummings Diesel shop) on South Range.
The Methodist church has a list of people willing to offer rides to these sites for families that ask for help. Call the church office at (785) 460-2761.
• Junior high, high school, college sports – no organized practice or games for rest of season.
• Colby Community College campus – closed. Most students off-campus. Classes by internet. No events.
• Northwest Kansas Technical College – online instruction.
• Kansas state universities – classes online.

Health and Seniors
• Citizens Medical Center – no visitors, except one support person in obstetrics, one parent at a time, one if needed at outpatient clinic. All classes cancelled; cafeteria closed to public.t
• Prairie Senior Long-Term Care – no visitors.
• Send letters, drawings or cards to residents at Prairie Senior, 1625 S. Franklin Ave., Colby, Kan. 67701 by mail or call (785) 462-8295 for staff to accept.
• Colby Health and Rehab – no visitors.
• Family Center for Heath Care clinic – No walk-in clinic. Hours 8 to 6 Monday-Thursday, 8 to 4 Friday. Park in designated lot, call clinic at (785) 462-6184 for instructions, screening. Routine visits by telehealth, call for information.
• Fairview Estates Retirement Community – no visitors.
• Palace Drug – inside closed. Call for curbside pickup or free home delivery.
• Walmart Pharmacy – open.
• Dillons Pharmacy – open, drive-up window available.
• Senior Progress Center – closed, curb service for meal site.
• Northwest Kansas Emergency Pregnancy Center – office closed. Call Geri at (785) 460-2258 or Tina at 462-6845 for help.

Government
• Colby City Hall – lobby closed. Use drop box for bills, call 460-4400 or email for other business.
• Colby Municipal Court – closed, call for questions.
• Colby Community Building – closed.
• Kansas Commission of Veterans Affairs Colby office, Rick Austin – Call for appointment.
• Kansas Department of Corrections visitation – suspended. Use e-mail, phone or video visits.
• K-State Research and Extension offices – closed to public. Call for information, (785) 460-4582 (Extension office) or 462-6281 (area office). All face-to-face events – cancelled, postponed or using remote technology until July 4.
• Kansas Department for Children and Families Colby office – closed, call for information.
• Kansas driver's license office, Colby – open. Renewals available online.
• Kansas state parks, fishing lakes and wildlife areas – open.
• Post offices – open.
• Social Security offices – phone service only.
• Thomas County Courthouse, office building, emergency management – doors closed, call for appointment.
Thomas County District Court – urgent actions only, such as first appearances, bond hearings, child in need of care, protection from abuse. Office closed, call for info.
• Thomas County Recycling Center – open.
• U.S. Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Thomas County Conservation District – call for appointment.

Organizations
• Colby Kiwanis Club – no meetings or events until May 14.
• Colby Rotary Club – no meetings or events until May 12.
• Genesis-Thomas County food bank – pickup at back (south) door. Donations needed, cash or food.
• Colby-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce annual banquet – postponed.
• Meadow Lake Golf Course – open. Only one player per cart. Do not touch flag sticks. Kitchen has take-out food and beverages.
• Morning Perk, Business After Hours, Chamber business networking – cancelled.
• Pioneer Memorial Library, Colby – closed until further notice, parking lot wifi available. Drive-thru closed.
• Prairie Museum of Art and History – closed until further notice.
• Retired Senior Volunteer Program Awards Banquet – canceled.
• All TOPS meetings cancelled.
• Sixth Street Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon family group – suspended. Call 443-1812 or 460-6101.

Churches
• Ascension on the Prairie Episcopal Church, also Goodland, Russell Springs, Scott City – Services by Zoom 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. Sunday.
• Berean Bible Fellowship – digital ministry through Facebook and website.
• Brewster United Methodist Church – no services until further notice.
• Church of Christ – closed until further notice.
• Christian Church – open.
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – closed, no services.
• Catholic Diocese of Salina, all area churches – no Mass except for funerals (family only) or online, no meals, gatherings or meetings at church. Confession behind screen.
• Colby Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Mass 5:30 p.m. Saturdays, 8 and 10 a.m. Sundays, streamed live on Facebook.
• Celebration Community Church – Sunday worship via Facebook Live.
• Colby Independent Baptist Church – Regular worship services. No Wednesday night programs, no children's bus.
‬• Colby Presbyterian Church – closed, no services or activities.
• Colby United Methodist Church – Service on K###, 10 a.m. Sundays. Game night – cancelled.
• Colby Wesleyan Church – Services via Facebook Live. Kids closet open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon.
• College Drive Assembly of God – services on Facebook.
• Gateway Fellowship, Oakley – Free lunch Friday to students, signup form on facebook Page.
• Levant Community Church – services on Facebook Live.
• Mingo Bible Church – live, short Sunday service on facebook.
• Trinity Lutheran Church – short service noon to 12:30 p.m. Sundays on K### radio.

Businesses
• American Family Insurance – doors locked, call or email only.
• Banks – open.
√ Adams Bank and Trust – lobby closed, drive-thru open.
√ Famers and Merchants Bank, Dillons branch – closed.
√ Sunflower Bank – lobby limited to six at a time.
√ The Bank – lobby closed, drive-thru open, call for appointments.
√ Western State Bank – lobby closed, drive-thru open.
• Casey’s – open.
• Colby Bowl – food, curbside pickup, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Colby Cinema – closed.
• Colby Dodge – open.
• Farm Credit of Western Kansas – Lobby closed. Call, use drop box in parking lot.
• Dillons – open.
• Dollar General – open. Seniors only, 9-10 a.m.
• Foley Equipment – call, use website or curbside options.
• Health and fitness clubs – closed.
• Health Cottage – curbside pickup, mail or delivery.
• Heartland Rural Counseling – front office closed. Call.
• Hi-Plains Co-op – open.
• Hoover Lumber – open.
• Kansas Insurance – lobby closed.
• Oasis Travel Center – open, food is takeout only.
• Pilot truck stop – open.
• Kansas Quick L**e – lobby closed.
• Loves – open.
• National Tax of Colby – virtual tax preparation.
• P&D Auto – open.
• 24/7 Travel Center – open.
• Senior Progress Center – no activities, meals curbside pickup and home delivery.
• Starbucks – open, curb service only.
• Tubbs and Sons Ford – open.
• Wal-Mart – Hours 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Restaurants
• Arby’s – take out or drive-thru.
• B-Hive – Curbside pickup or delivery.
• City Limits Bar & Grill – curbside and home delivery.
• China Buffet – closed until further notice.
• El Dos de Oros – Carryout orders only.
• Gambino’s Pizza – drive-thru only.
• J&B Meat Market – meat section, drive thru open.
• Jimmy John’s – carry out or delivery only.
• Lucky 11 in Ludell – lamb and fish fries canceled.
• McDonalds, drive-thru only.
• Pizza Hut – carryout or delivery only.
• Sonic – car or drive-thru service.
• Starbucks – curbside service only.
• Taco Johns, Colby – drive-thru only.
• Twisters – call for delivery to car.
• Subway – carryout, drive-thru only.
• Village Inn – curbside delivery only.
• Welcome Home Cafe – catering for businesses ordering food for employees.

General information
• State under "stay at home" order. Exceptions include trips to buy fuel, food and necessities, or for health or veterinary care, outdoor exercise, caring for children and vulnerable persons, and for employees of essential businesses and agencies.
• If you are running a fever or have a cough, call your doctor, stay home.
• All gatherings of 10 or more banned, with few exceptions. Outdoor activities encouraged, but … remember social distancing.
• Federal and Kansas state income tax filing deadline – postponed to July 15.
• Utility disconnects – suspended until May 15 for power, water, sewer, gas, telephone, internet and trash by regulated utilities. Others may follow.
• Foreclosures and evictions – banned until until May if caused by Covid-19.
• Kansas Open Meetings Act applies to any electronic meetings as well as in-person meetings of government bodies.
• All restaurants, dining facilities, bars, taverns and clubs and movie theaters in Thomas County ordered to close common rooms through Friday, May 1. Curbside and drive-through service, delivery OK.
• Travel restriction – If you visited these areas after the date given, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment says, you must begin a 14-day home quarantine on return:
√ States: Washington, New York, New Jersey, Florida after March 15, Illinois or New Jersey after March 23, Louisiana and all of Colorado after March 27, Connecticut after April 6.
• Any international travel or cruise after March 15.
• Citizens Medical Center lists these areas in Kansas: The entire Kansas City metro area, including Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties in Kansas, Clay, Platte and Jackson in Missouri, after Thursday, March 19. Outstate, Lyon, Miami and Doniphan counties after March 19.