NEW YORK (AP) – Wait until Adam Levine hears this: Blake Shelton has been named to the People magazine list of “Sexiest Men Alive.” Levine made the list last year and Shelton let him have it on “The Voice.” People notes that it seems fitting to put Shelton on the list this year so Levine can get back at him.
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WAKEENEY–The city of WaKeeney has accepted a donation of the Wilcox school property. City council members voted in favor of the donation during their Nov. 4 meeting.
The Trego WaKeeney Community Foundation lost its tax exempt status, and a grant application to the Kansas State Historical Society for restoring the school requires a new sponsoring agency, explained WaKeeney city manager Hardy Howard.
The city also accepted the remaining funds held by the TWCF on behalf of Wilcox school.
The complete Nov. 4 meeting minutes follow.
RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY 4 NOVEMBER 2014
The Governing Body of the City of WaKeeney, Kansas met in a regular session at City Hall 408 Russell Ave at 7:00 PM with the Mayor presiding and the following members present:
Mayor Kenneth Roy and Council Members Mary Jo Clevenger, Irene Dirks, Troy Leiker, Lynelle Shubert, and Allen Weigel
BEING ABSENT: None
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written, printed and distributed.
GUESTS: Macy Mattheyer, Audra Berquist, Kat Muench, Abigale Buchholz, Emily Buchholz, Elyssa Carr, Kacie Dunn, Shawnee Phillips, Mikalya Cody, Haylee Gentry, Tanner Townley, Mariah Brungardt, Megan Zahn, Tanner Lowry, Sadie Dinkel, Sierra Swart, Caden Kemp, Blake Wilson, John Kuhn, Ian Conness, Sean Conness, Lexus Haxton, Charlie Knoll, and Janelle Miller.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR: Hardy Howard presented the city’s 2015 group health insurance renewal from BlueCross BlueShield. It was noted the plan will remain the same and the premiums will decrease just over 11% for 2015. A motion was made by Mary Jo Clevenger to approve the renewal with BlueCross BlueShield with the city paying the full cost for the employee only under option #1. Troy Leiker seconded. Motion carried.
The City Administrator discussed the Wilcox School and Travel & Tourism efforts to continue its restoration by applying for another grant from the State Historical Society. Due to the Trego WaKeeney Community Foundation (TWCF) losing its tax exempt status, the grant application would need a new sponsoring agency. A motion was made by Mary Jo Clevenger to accept the donation of the Wilcox school property to the City of WaKeeney along with the remaining funds held by the TWCF on behalf of the Wilcox School. Irene Dirks seconded. Motion carried.
The Governing Body reviewed a financial recap for the WaKeeney Water Park for 2014.
A quote from New Systems Professional Window Cleaning of Colby, KS was tabled by the City Council.
At this time an ordinance making appropriation for the payment of claims for the month of October 2014 was read, whereupon, Irene Dirks motioned to approve claims in the amount of $136,414.94 Lynelle Shubert seconded. Motion carried. Warrants #10381, #10402, #10407, and #10411 were reviewed prior to approval.
A motion was made by Lynelle Shubert and seconded by Troy Leiker to adjourn into an executive session for a period of 15 minutes for the discussion of non-elected personnel. Those remaining in the executive session were Mayor Roy, City Council, Public Works Director Charlie Knoll, and City Administrator Hardy Howard.
The session ended with the allotted time period.
No further business appearing, the meeting was adjourned.
By RON WILSON
Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development
Does your school have a lab? Maybe a laboratory for chemistry or biology? Today we’ll meet a school laboratory of a different sort. It is what’s called a Fab Lab. This Fab Lab is helping entrepreneurs develop new products. It even helped one little girl get a brand new right hand. This is today’s Kansas Profile.
Last week we learned about Jim Correll, facilitator of the Successful Entrepreneur Program at Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas. Among other things, the entrepreneurship program has pioneered a new type of facility called a Fab Lab which is short for Fabrication Laboratory.
“The Fab Lab movement started at MIT back in 2000,” Jim Correll said. “A professor there found that he had lots of students who were smart but who couldn’t make anything. He started a Fabrication Lab where students could build things.” The lab made state-of-the-art technology for advanced manufacturing and digital fabrication tools available to those students.
The idea worked so well that the concept spread overseas and across the U.S. An International Fab Lab Network was created. One of the rules of the network is that the Fab Labs must be available to the public.
Jim Correll became interested in the idea. After lots of research and fundraising, Independence Community College opened its Fab Lab ICC in fall 2014. It is the first community college Fab Lab in Kansas that is available to the community. The Fab Lab is in a building which had formerly been utilized for training by Cessna.
One example of the high-tech equipment in the Fab Lab is a 3-D printer. These computer-controlled printers essentially squirt layers upon layers of liquid plastic into designs that create physical objects. Such technology can revolutionize manufacturing by creating custom designs on demand.
In July 2014, Jim met a man who was talking about a little girl in rural Kansas who had been born with a congenital abnormality: She only had tiny stubs of fingers on her right hand. Her community was having fundraisers to try to raise the funds to buy a 3-D printer to make a hand, as they had seen on the Internet.
Since Jim was in the process of acquiring a 3-D printer for the ICC Fab Lab, he told the man, “If you can get the plans, you can use our 3-D printer to produce it.”
The man eventually found plans for the artificial hand through a website called www.enablingthefuture.org. The design was called a Cyborg beast hand. With help from two engineering technology students at Independence Community College, the 3-D printer in the Fab Lab printed out the parts and they were assembled into a new hand for this little girl.
On Sept. 27, 2014, Kara Marr received her new artificial hand. Instead of purchasing a $40,000 prosthesis, this artificial hand was produced with a $3,000 machine and only $50 worth of materials.
This little girl and her family are very excited about her new hand. She lives near the rural community of Toronto, Kansas, population 307 people. Now, that’s rural.
“We would love to find three or four other families who would benefit from building an artificial hand like this,” Jim said. “Come for a weekend and go home with a new hand.”
The Fab Lab has many possible applications for students and the community.
“We are open to the public, located anywhere, through an annual membership system,” Jim said. The Fab Lab is typically available for ICC classes in the morning and then open for public use in the afternoons and on Saturday.
The Fab Lab is not a contract job shop. “We want people to make their own designs,” Jim said. “We don’t want to compete with manufacturers, we’re about helping other people.”
Does your school have a laboratory? Yes, but does it have a Fab Lab? We commend Jim Correll of Independence Community College for making a difference by making this technology available to students and the public. As one ICC student said after working on the hand for this little girl, “We can actually change lives with what we’re doing.” I think this lab is Fabulous.
By Andy Marso
KHI News Service
TOPEKA — A $135 million computer system meant to streamline applications for Kansas social services, including Medicaid, remains without a final “go-live” date more than a year after the rollout was originally scheduled to be completed.
Glen Yancey, chief information officer for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said Tuesday that his staff is “making final assessments” of the readiness the Kansas Eligibility and Enforcement System, or KEES.
Yancey declined to give a rollout target date, though, saying that policymakers above him have to make that call.
“They ultimately make the decision whether we’re ready to go live,” Yancey said. “We think we’re close.”
Yancey appeared before a legislative committee Tuesday to brief lawmakers on the program’s progress.
In February he said he was confident that the KEES rollout would be complete in “weeks or months rather than years.”
He said Tuesday that was still the plan.
“We haven’t changed our trajectory,” Yancey said.
The state has completed more preliminary phases of KEES, which was approved in 2011 when the state contracted with Accenture to perform the upgrade. It was initially expected to be complete by October 2013.
Of the $85 million in startup costs, $60 million was paid for by the federal government, which partners with the state to fund Medicaid. An additional $10 million in maintenance costs for each of the first five years also was estimated.
In 2011 the state also uncoupled the application process for Medicaid and a cash assistance program called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF.
At Tuesday’s legislative hearing, Hilary Gee of the nonprofit Kansas Action for Children said that was one of several policy changes that appeared to be making it harder for struggling Kansas families to receive TANF. Gee’s group provided data showing that although rates of poverty, Medicaid enrollment and food stamp enrollment had all gone up since 2011, TANF payments to families had decreased precipitously.
Gee said her group was recommending that the TANF payments be again tied to Medicaid so families could avoid duplicative applications.
Yancey said KEES will resolve that problem once it is fully up and running.
“One of the basic outcome goals of that is to create an integrated process, a one-stop shop,” Yancey said. “Whether I’m applying for Medicaid, whether I’m applying for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or TANF, I only have to enter my information once.”
After applicants enter that initial general information, Yancey said, the system will then prompt them to add whatever program-specific information is necessary.
Andy Marso is a reporter for Heartland Health Monitor, a news collaboration focusing on health issues and their impact in Missouri and Kansas.
SALINA, Kan. (AP) — A man who was convicted in a 2003 homicide in Salina will go on trial again in January.
The new trial for 52-year-old Douglas Aldrich of Kanopolis will be held Jan. 12 in Saline County District Court. He was sentenced to 51½ years after being convicted in 2003 of second-degree murder for the stabbing death of Jerald Bird outside a Salina bar.
Aldrich contends the stabbing was in self-defense.
The Salina Journal reports a Salina County judge on Wednesday denied a request to reduce Aldrich’s bond from $1 million to $100,000.
Aldrich’s conviction was set aside in 2012 after he complained his original attorney was ineffective.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
When you’re grocery shopping this Saturday, you’ll notice volunteers from Celebration Community Church near the doors of both Dillons stores and Walmart.
They’ll be collecting food items Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The donations will be bagged next Wednesday, Nov. 26, and then given to people attending Thursday’s annual Thanksgiving Day Feast at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall, 2350 E. Eighth.
The free meal has been a 20-year tradition in Hays. It was taken over seven years ago by the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance, according to Celebration Community Church Pastor Kyle Ermoian.
“Last year, we filled 365 bags with the community’s food donations,” Ermoian said. “We feed them sumptuously on Thanksgiving Day, and they’ll be given a bagful of groceries to last the next couple of weeks.”
First Call for Help is scheduling all the volunteers for next Wednesday and Thursday. To help, call (785)-623-2800.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) issued the following statement on President Obama’s plan to issue an executive order on immigration:
“I am deeply concerned about the President offering amnesty to millions of individuals who have entered the country illegally. The President is aware that he is overstepping his bounds – and has explained at least 22 times that he does not have the authority to unilaterally alter immigration laws. I oppose President Obama’s plan to act alone on an issue of such importance. The President is choosing to allow 5 million people to jump the line in front of those who have followed the rules and are waiting to come to our country legally. This irresponsible decision encourages and incentivizes illegal activity – it will increase the number of people illegally entering the United States, while making it more difficult for Congress to address the problems of our immigration system.
“President Obama declared his policies were under referendum on Election Day. He was correct, and on November 4, the American people voted to take our country in a different direction.”
Graveside services for lifelong Goodland, Kansas, resident Robert J. “Bob” Rhoads, 72, will be held Saturday, November 22, 2014, at 1 PM MT, at Goodland Cemetery.
Interment will be at Goodland Cemetery.
Friends may share respects on Saturday, November 22, from 11:00 AM MT to noon at Koons Chapel in Goodland.
Memorials to Northwest Kansas Area Medical Foundation or Sherman County Community Foundation
or Northwest Tech Endowment Foundation may be left at or mailed to Koons Funeral Home, 211 N. Main, Goodland, KS 67735-1555
Online condolences to www.koonsfuneralhome.com.
A special fundraising event for United Way of Ellis County will be offered Friday night in downtown Hays.
Couture for Men & Women, 1109-1111 Main, will host a shopping opportunity from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday with appetizers, drinks and entertainment.
Fifteen percent of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to the local United Way.
TOPEKA — Gov. Sam Brownback this week announced nearly $4 million in grants for the 2015 Federal Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance grant program.
The VOCA grants provide direct services to crime victims to respond to their emotional and physical needs; assist primary and secondary crime victims in stabilizing their lives after a victimization; assist victims in understanding and participating in the criminal justice system; and provide crime victims with a measure of safety.
Options: Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, Hays, is among the 50 recipients with a grant of $75,436.
Options serves 18 counties in northwest Kansas.
By NICK BUDD
Hays Post
Hays city commissioners are scheduled to discuss renewing the health insurance policy for the 2015 fiscal year at their work session on Thursday night.
The low bid came from the city’s current provider, Coventry Health Care, which calls for an increase of 19.5 percent over current rates — an approximate $1.7 million increase. The increase is approximately $78,000 over the cap implemented by the commission, but the city plans on using savings from last year’s renewal with Coventry to cover the difference in order to continue to provide no-cost health insurance to city employees.
The next lowest bid came with a 34 percent increase from the current rates.
Commissioners will also discuss awarding contracts for the pedestrian and bicycle paths in the city of Hays. KDOT has submitted an Authority to Award Contracts and Commitment of City Funds for both the levee trail and street bike lanes.
Construction bids for the projects were opened in October. The low bid for the on-street lanes is APAC of Hays, which proposed a construction cost of approximately $346,000. The low bid for the levee trail came from Bryant and Bryant Construction of Halstead, which bid a construction cost of approximately $496,000.
Using KDOT’s transportation enhancement grant, the city will be responsible for 40 percent of the total cost — approximately $491,000, which will be paid before the project begins. Construction is set to begin between early spring and mid-summer. The project will be complete by fall 2015.
In other business, commissioners also will:
• Receive a Water Conservation Project Update from Stacie Minson and members from a FHSU Leadership 310 team.
• Discuss awarding a bid for a new recycling truck. During budget meetings, commissioners budgeted $193,000 for a new truck. The lowest proposal came in at approximately $172,000 from Lang Diesel.
• Talk about establishing a benefit district in order to pay to pave the alley behind S&W Supply between Seventh and Eighth streets. Property owners in that area have petitioned to the city to create the district due to heavy truck traffic. The project is expected to cost approximately $60,00, and there would be no cost to the city if the commission approves it.
• Receive the 2015 street maintenance program. After funds are set aside for the sidewalk rebate program, approximately $638,000 are available for street projects. The plan includes chip seal work, poly patch, curb and brick repair, two major rehab projects on 12th Street (east of Canterbury and on the 600 block of East Fifth street), and some funding for other minor repairs.
Click HERE for a full work session agenda.
By NICK BUDD
Hays Post
For the first time in more than 25 years, Fort Hays State University will host an inauguration ceremony. Newly elected President Dr. Mirta Martin will be honored during the event on Friday, which will mark the ceremonial beginning of Martin’s term as president. The university last held the ceremony for Dr. Edward Hammond in 1987.
According to Kent Steward, director of University Relations, the ceremony will begin with a processional with faculty and staff similar to a commencement processional. It will include members of the platform party, which includes most of the university administration staff along with the deans of each college. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback is also scheduled to attend the festivities and offer remarks.
Along with Brownback, former Board of Regents Chairman Fred Logan, current Chairman Kenny Wilk, and other university and student dignitaries are scheduled to make remarks. After the speakers, a ceremony called the investiture will take place, led by Wilk, where Hammond will “hand over” the university mace and presidential medallion to Martin.
The ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Gross Memorial Coliseum. There will be a reception in Cunningham Hall following the ceremony.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas Hospital has received a $10 million challenge grant for a new expansion project.
The hospital announced Wednesday that it had received the grant from Kansas City civic leader Annette Bloch, president of the R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation. The money is intended to support cancer programs at the new Cambridge North Tower.
The programs will include construction and technology for interventional labs and operating suites for surgical oncology.
The hospital announced the expansion earlier this year, with a goal of raising $100 million of the $279 million project through gifts and donations. The construction schedule depends on donations.
