The Hays Police Department responded to 10 animal calls and conducted eight traffic stops on Tuesday, according to the Hays Police Activity Log.

Motor Vehicle Accidents: The Hays Police Department responded to two motor vehicle accidents on Tuesday. The first accident was a hit and run in the 300 block of East 15^th Street. The accident happened between early Monday and Tuesday morning. The other accident occurred at 27^th Street andPlaza Avenue on Tuesday morning.

Water Violation: According to the Police Activity log there were three water use violations on Tuesday afternoon. The first was in the 200 block of West 23^rd Street. There was another violation in the 2700 block of Country Lane and the final water use violation occurred in the 500 block of East 20^th Street.

Theft: Officers responded to report of theft/shoplifting in the 1900 block ofVine Street, at Dillons on Tuesday evening.

Damage to Property: The Hays PD also began an investigation into criminal damage to property in the 300 block of West 9^th Street.

A lee side trough of low pressure in extreme eastern Colorado will begin to push east into far western Kansas through early this afternoon.

This will result in southerly winds once again increasing with speeds of 15 to 25 mph by this afternoon. Near critical fire weather conditions will again be present as the winds increase and relative humidities fall down below 25 percent. Expect highs up near to just above 100 degrees this afternoon. Isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms will then be possible late this afternoon and evening as a cold front begins to push slowly southeast into western Kansas later today.

Any developing storms will be elevated with the primary threat being strong outflow winds. Any showers and thunderstorms are then expected to move eastward overnight in association with the cold front. Look for lows primarily down into the 60s tonight.

Last Year’s Temps/Record
2011 High: 96
2011 Low: 67
Record High: 113 (1940)
Record Low: 49 (1924)

Today: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 106. South southwest wind 11 to 17 mph.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind 6 to 14 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. North wind around 10 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 99. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 100.

Join John P. Tretbar Daily for News from the Oil Patch.

News from the Oil Patch July 24, 2012

 

A federal prosecutor in New Hampshire says he expects to bring more charges against a former hospital technician accused of infecting 30 patients with hepatitis C.

David Kwiatkowski made an initial court appearance Tuesday, agreeing that there is enough evidence to keep him incarcerated while the case goes to a grand jury. Afterward, U.S. Attorney John Kacavas said more charges are likely, possibly one for each infected patient.

Kwiatkowski is accused of stealing anesthetics from the cardiac catheterization lab at Exeter Hospital, injecting himself and contaminating syringes that were later used on patients.

According to court documents, Kwiatkowski has denied stealing drugs and says he’s “not a shooter.”

Authorities previously have said he has worked in at least six states, including Kansas, here in Hays. Kacavas on Tuesday increased that number to eight.

 

July 20, 2012 – HaysMed President and CEO Dr. John Jeter released a news statement late Friday afternoon regarding the investigation to possible Hepatitis C exposure at the hospital by a former contract radiology technologist in the cardiac catheterization lab:

“We are currently working with Kansas State health officials, in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), to notify patients who were treated in the HaysMed Cardiac Cath Lab from May 24, 2010 to September 22, 2010, that a former contract radiology technologist may have exposed them to Hepatitis C. As medical professionals and members of the Hays community, we are deeply concerned by the alleged criminal conduct of this individual in New Hampshire.”

“The health and well-being of our patients and staff is always our first priority. We are requesting that those patients be tested as soon as reasonably possible and are providing them information about testing locations.”

“We are taking swift and comprehensive steps to determine any implications for those patients treated during this time period and are committed to providing complete and accurate information to our patients and the public as quickly as possible. HaysMed is proud of the quality health care we provide to the residents of Western Kansas. The alleged criminal actions of this individual in New Hampshire do not reflect the high standard of care provided every day by the doctors, nurses and staff at HaysMed.”

ORIGINAL:  TOPEKA—The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and HaysMed in Hays, Kan., are working jointly to notify patients who underwent cardiac catheterization from May 24, 2010, to Sept. 22, 2010, of potential exposure to hepatitis C.

The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire announced yesterday that David Kwiatkowski was arrested and charged with obtaining controlled substances by fraud and tampering with a consumer product. According to an affidavit filed in federal court in New Hampshire, Kwiatkowski allegedly engaged in drug diversion and infected patients with hepatitis C while employed at Exeter Hospital in New Hampshire.

Due to the fact that Kwiatkowski worked as a contract radiology technician in the HaysMed cardiac catheterization laboratory from May 24, 2010, to Sept. 22, 2010, HaysMed and KDHE are working together to notify all patients who were treated at the cardiac catheterization lab during this time and recommend they receive testing for hepatitis C. Only those patients who underwent cardiac catheterization procedures between May 24, 2010, and Sept. 22, 2010, at HaysMed were potentially put at risk.

“We understand patients and their loved ones may be very concerned about this situation. HaysMed and KDHE are working collaboratively on this investigation,” said KDHE Secretary and State Health Officer Robert Moser, MD. “I would like to reassure the public that we have no reason to be concerned about additional risks to the public. The events in question occurred approximately two years ago.”

Approximately 460 patients had procedures at the HaysMed cardiac catheterization laboratory during this time period. Those patients who were potentially exposed at HaysMed are being contacted by mail with information on how to receive free testing for hepatitis C through KDHE and who to contact to answer questions and address concerns.

A special telephone hotline has been established at HaysMed for patients who are concerned about potential exposure to hepatitis C. Concerned patients can speak with a nurse by calling 877-261-7140.

The hotline will be available the following hours:

Friday, July 20 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• Saturday, July 21, and Sunday, July 22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Monday, July 23 through Friday, July 27 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• After Monday, July 30 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

According to State Epidemiologist Charles Hunt, hepatitis C is a virus that is passed through blood and affects the liver. Approximately 2,000 confirmed cases are reported in Kansas each year. Only about one in five persons who become infected with hepatitis C virus initially becomes ill, with symptoms ranging from a mild illness to more severe disease. Most persons with hepatitis C virus develop a chronic infection, which is a serious disease that can cause long-term health problems. There is no vaccine against hepatitis C virus. For additional information on hepatitis C, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/index.htm.

On Monday the Hays Police Department conducted 10 traffic stops and responded to nine animal calls, according to the Police Activity Log.

Thefts/Burglary: The Hays Police Department investigated three theft cases and one burglary case on Monday. The first theft was a case of credit card violations in the 100 block of West 12^th Street Monday morning between eight and10 o’clock. Officers also investigated a theft in the 2900 block ofVine Street, at Showplex Cinema, between1:15 and10:15 Monday morning. There was also a report of theft of services in the 2400 block ofVine Street, at Centennial Lanes, between five andnine o’clock Monday evening.

The Hays Police Department also investigated a burglary of a vehicle in the 1300 block of Vine Streetthat occurred on the evening of July 18^th.

Water Violations: There three water violations on Monday, according to the Police Activity Log. The first happened in the 2500 block of Canterbury at 5:51 Monday morning. The second, also occurred Monday morning, in the 1700 block of Golden Belt Drive. The final violation happened in the 1600 block of East 27^th Street Terrace Monday afternoon.

Drug Offense: The Hays Police Department responded to drug overdose and drug offenses related call in the 300 block of West 9^th Street Monday evening.

Damage to Property: Officers investigated a report of criminal damage to property in the 700 block of East 6^th Street, at Hays Seven Up Bottling. The alleged damage occurred between Friday evening and early Monday morning.

Domestic Disturbance: The Hays PD responded to a report of domestic disturbance in the 500 block of East 8^th Street Monday evening.

Motor Vehicle Accident: Hays Police officers investigated a hit and run accident in the 300 block of East 15^th Street that happened early Monday morning.