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News from the Oil Patch July 31 2012

Hays and Ellis County are among the beneficiaries of the  annual funds distribution to state and local firefighter relief organizations by the Kansas Insurance Department.

More than $10.4 million will be distributed among 578 local Firefighters Relief Associations (FRAs) across the state. That is nearly $550,000 more than the 2011 total.

“This fund assists firefighters and their families when an accident or death occurs in the line of duty,” says Insurance  Commissioner Sandy Praeger.

The local association funds are used for purchasing accident and health, disability, and life insurance premiums to assist firefighters and their families.

The money is generated by a 2 percent tax paid by insurance companies on fire and lightning insurance premiums written in Kansas for the previous calendar year. It is collected by the department, on behalf of the Kansas Firefighter Relief Act, and passed on to the FRAs, as set in Kansas law.

Also, the Kansas State Firefighters Association will receive $431,244 for education and research purposes and to help fund the state association’s death benefit fund. These funds also come from the insurance company premium assessment.

Of the state association total, $331,244 is earmarked for educational purposes and research into fire prevention and firefighting, and $100,000 is used to replenish the death benefit fund.

Nearly $1.3 million in benefits was paid in 2011 to firefighters as a result of firefighting-related injuries or disability, and nearly $837,000 went to dependents of firefighters.

The Ellis County disbursements are:

FRA#532 ELLIS CO RURAL FIRE DEPT F R A: $31,294.57
FRA#190 ELLIS F R A: $6,653.14
FRA#237 HAYS F R A: $57,699.56
FRA#431 VICTORIA F R A: $5,050.97

A review of a deadly motorcycle pursuit Friday evening by a Hays Police Department officer shows the  “Lieutenant acted appropriately and within the guidelines and policies of the Hays Police Department.”

A news release Tuesday from Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler also says the Kansas Highway Patrol Critical Highway Accident Response Team (CHART), the Ellis County Sheriff’s office and the Ellis County Coroner’s office assisted with the accident investigation.

The report information says Ryan McGinness, 32, Great Bend, was observed by an HPD Patrol Lieutenant at 6:43 p.m. Friday driving a 2012 Suzuki GSX 1300 sport motorcycle “in reckless manner.”

” The Patrol Lieutenant observed the motorcyclist run through a red light at the intersection of Eighth and Vine Street.  The back end of the motorcycle swerved as the driver turned right from Eighth Street south bound onto Vine Street.  The motorcycle then accelerated and the front wheel rose up off the roadway.  The driver failed to stop at the stop sign at Vine and 183 Alternate as he turned going west on the Alternate.

“The Patrol Lieutenant activated his emergency lights and siren in an effort to stop the motorcyclist.  As the Lieutenant attempted to catch up to the motorcyclist, the motorcycle was observed passing several vehicles while accelerating to speeds estimated over 100 mph.  The pursuit lasted less than a minute with the motorcyclist being out of the Lieutenant’s sight when the crash took place.

“The motorcyclist failed to negotiate the curve on the Alternate and drove off the roadway.  The motorcyclist crashed near 183 Alternate and Golf Course Road.  The motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead at the scene.”

 

 

The Hays Police Department conducted 23 traffic stops and responded to four animal calls on Monday, according to the Hays Police Activity Log.

Theft: The Hays Police Department investigated two reports of theft on Monday. The first incident was reported in the 600 block of East 13^th Street, at Staab Repair. The alleged theft occurred between Monday, July 23^rd and Monday, July 30^th. Officers also investigated a theft/shoplifting case in the 4300 block ofVine Street, at Wal-Mart Superstore, Monday evening.

Drug Offenses: Officers investigated two drug related offenses on Monday. The first incident occurred, in connection with a warrant service, in the 3200 block of Willow Street early Monday morning. The other incident happened Monday afternoon in the 1100 block of 17^th Street.

Credit Card Violation: The Hays PD began an investigation of an alleged credit card violation in the 1200 block of East 27^th, at Dollar General just before 11:15  Monday morning.

Suspended License: Monday evening officers conducted a traffic stop in the 2200 block of Centennial Boulevard and investigated the driver for allegedly driving with a suspended/revoked license.

Water Violation: According to the Activity Log, the Hays PD responded to a water use violation in the 1200 block of Maple Street Monday morning.