The Master Gardner Basic Training will be held in Hays in 2015. With more on how you can become involved is Holly Dickman.
Month: November 2014
Medicare termination looms at state mental hospital
By Andy Marso
KHI News Service
TOPEKA — A federal agency has sent notice that Medicare payments to overcrowded Osawatomie State Hospital will be terminated, but state officials say they will address concerns before the deadline and avoid the termination.
Kari Bruffett, secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, said Tuesday that she is aware of the termination notice from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. But she said the state has until Dec. 8 to correct deficiencies and will do so.
“I actually have a plan of correction that will be released no later than tomorrow,” Bruffett said.
Bruffett said the plan will address concerns about the number of mental health patients at Osawatomie State Hospital, an ongoing problem at the facility.
As of Tuesday the hospital was serving 221 patients, which is 15 above its 206-bed capacity. Bruffett said eight patients were scheduled to be discharged Tuesday.
Osawatomie State Hospital is the largest of the state’s two inpatient facilities for adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Prior to admission, most of the hospital’s patients have been declared a danger to themselves or others.
Bruffett said she is working with community partners, hospitals and behavioral health centers to find alternatives for Osawatomie patients. She said state law allows the facility to bar voluntary admissions in order to keep numbers down, but that should be a last resort.
“We don’t want that to be the outcome,” Bruffett said.
Angela de Rocha, a spokeswoman for KDADS, said the discharge process is complex and takes time, but it is working at Osawatomie State Hospital. She said the facility has a readmission rate that exceeds the standards of the Joint Commission, a national hospital accrediting organization.
De Rocha said overcrowding in mental health centers is a national phenomenon.
“Kansas isn’t alone,” de Rocha said. “There’s pressure on psychiatric facilities all over the country.”
Greg Valentine was superintendent of Osawatomie State Hospital from 2005 to 2011. Valentine, now CEO of the Delaware Psychiatric Center, said the Osawatomie facility received a similar termination notice shortly after he took over there and staff had to work hard for recertification.
“I’ve been through it, and you take it very seriously,” Valentine said.
Valentine said once the current administration puts its corrective plan in place at Osawatomie State Hospital, the facility will be surveyed again. Surveyors will be looking to see if the previous deficiencies have been addressed and for any new deficiencies, he said.
“They haven’t completely lost yet, the hospital,” Valentine said. “But it’s pretty serious; I don’t mean to diminish that.”
Andy Marso is a reporter for Heartland Health Monitor, a news collaboration focusing on health issues and their impact in Missouri and Kansas.
FHSU’s Inman named MIAA Wrestler of the Week
MIAA Media Relations
Fort Hays State’s Jon Inman is this week’s MIAA Wrestler of the Week. Inman (184) extended his unbeaten streak to start the year, and is now 8-0 with two tournament titles for the year.
Inman was efficient at last weeks Northern Colorado Open, picking up a fall over CSU-Pueblos Anthony Ball in 1:47 before taking down two Division I opponents in the semifinals and finals. His semifinal win was a 10-4 decision over Trent Noon (Northern Colorado). He took the 184 pound title with a 10-3 decision over Dylan Gabel (Northern Colorado).
The sophomore is a native of Branson, Mo. where he competed at Branson High School.
Facebook launches new app for its Groups feature
NEW YORK (AP) — Facebook is launching a new free app for its popular Groups feature that gives users a chance to create and interact on the website with communities based on shared interests such as hobbies, geography or culture.
Facebook Inc. has been trying to expand its presence on people’s mobile devices by creating — and charging for — apps such as Messenger, Paper, Instagram and WhatsApp. But it won’t require people to use the stand-alone app to use Facebook Groups. They will still be able to access Groups through the Facebook app or on the website.
More than 700 million of Facebook’s 1.35 billion members use Groups, according to the company. People use the groups to plan holiday dinners, for example, or to discuss hobbies, health issues or other shared interests.
Victim in Jerusalem attack was Kansas City native
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — One of four people killed in an attack at a crowded Israeli synagogue was a native of Kansas City, Missouri.
Fifty-year-old Rabbi Cary William Levine died when Palestinian attackers armed with meat cleavers and a gun burst into a synagogue in Jerusalem during prayers Tuesday morning.
A man who answered the door Tuesday afternoon at the Kansas City address listed for Levine’s parents said the family didn’t want to talk.
At least three people arrived at the home during a 15-minute period, including a woman who also declined to comment.
Levine attended Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy in Overland Park, Kansas, before leaving the area in his 20s for Israel.
The school said it was gathering information and planned a news conference later Tuesday.
Reward offered in brutal attack on Kansas woman
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A $2,500 reward is being offered for any information leading to an arrest in the rape and burning of a Wichita woman.
The victim of Friday’s attack remained in critical condition Tuesday. No new information about the victim or the attack was released Tuesday.
Police say the 36-year-old woman was raped, beaten and set on fire in Fairmount Park. She was burned over 55 percent of her body.
The park is a block south of Wichita State University’s main campus but investigators have said the victim is not a student and the crime was not associated with the university.
Despite that, the university held a safety forum Tuesday and police have increased patrols on university properties.
Believe: The Polar Express makes tracks toward Ellis
By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post
ELLIS — The fifth annual Polar Express will pull into the Ellis Railroad Museum Depot from 6:15 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6.
Dena Patee of the Ellis Chamber of Commerce says the fifth annual event, based on the “Polar Express” Christmas book and movie classic, is special for all ages.
“I don’t want to say its a kids event because it is really for kids at heart (too),” Patee said. “We have Christmas lights decorated all around the tracks, and we have different group displays is almost relaxing to just ride the track and look at the beautiful lights. … It’s just a sit and look at the beautiful lights and enjoy the season.”
Some of displays set up throughout the 1-mile mini train track includes the Forest of Misfit Toys, Gingerbread Lane, Penguin Village, Candy Land and Herald Angels.
When the train rides end back at the depot, Frosty the Snowman leads the kids and “kids at heart” to a visit with Santa Claus.
Hot chocolate will be available for the train ride.
Patee said blankets will be provided, but advised bringing a coat, scarf and gloves as the temperatures are expected to be cold.
The Polar Express is a project by the Ellis Recreation Committee, Ellis County Library and the Ellis Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, email Patee at [email protected].
Ellis County will consider hiring freeze as wage study continues
By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
With Ellis County in the midst of a wage and benefit study, Ellis County Commission Chair Barb Wasinger approached the idea of a possible hiring freeze within the county at Monday night’s meeting.
Wasinger said as the results from the wage and benefit study come in, it is becoming apparent there are positions within the county that need to see a pay increase, to ensure that county employees get a fair wage.
“There is no way to do that unless we have some more money to work with, without raising taxes,” said Wasinger, “so we need to be looking into how we can cut back a little on staff with laying anyone off.”
The commission agreed to place the possible freeze on the agenda for its next regular meeting, which will be the first Monday in December.
In other business:
• Denea Denio-Odle of Spanenberg Phillips Tice gave the commission an update on the remodel at the 718 Main Administration Building.
She estimated the project is about a month behind, with the finish date approximately Dec. 23.
• The commission approved a network cabling contract for $63,345 and $13,780 for an access control system for the Administration Building.
• The Notice to Proceed document was presented to MW Builders giving them authority to start mobilizing and preparing to begin construction at the courthouse and Law Enforcement Center.
County Administrator Greg Sund said employees will start moving the jail functions Thursday.
Shawnee County panel OKs $150K to pay prosecution
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Officials in a northeastern Kansas county have made additional money available to help finance the prosecution of three capital murder cases.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports district attorney Chad Taylor told the Shawnee County Commission in a recent memo that prosecution of the capital cases was stretching his office’s resources.
He said the capital murder cases would require overtime work for his office’s support staff. He asked for the $150,000 in county contingency funds.
Commissions budgeted $500,000 for that purpose this year. The panel voted 3-0 to approve the Taylor’s request.
Taylor wasn’t at the commission’s Monday meeting. County financial administrator Betty Greiner appeared on his behalf. Greiner said Taylor was busy working on one of the capital murder cases.
NTSB: Gov’t aircraft regulations apply to drones
JOAN LOWY, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal safety board says the government has the power to hold drone operators accountable when they operate the remote-control aircraft recklessly.
The decision by the National Transportation Safety Board, which hears appeals of Federal Aviation Administration enforcement actions, is a setback to drone operators chafing under FAA restrictions.
The FAA had fined Raphael Pirker, an aerial photographer, $10,000 for operating his drone recklessly on the University of Virginia campus in 2011. An administrative law judge sided with Pirker earlier this year, saying the FAA couldn’t levy fines when it hasn’t issued any regulations for drones.
The agency appealed. The NTSB found that the drone is a type of aircraft that falls under existing rules, and sent the case back to the judge to decide if it was operated recklessly.
KFIX Rock News: Pink Floyd Scores First #1 Album In 19 Years
It’s been a while, but Pink Floyd is back on top.
The band achieved their first number-one album in the U.K. in 19 years with The Endless River.
Over 139,000 copies were sold last week, making it the third-fastest-selling artist album of the year, behind Coldplay’s Ghost Stories and Ed Sheeran’s X.
The album is based on unreleased material which was written, recorded and produced during sessions for 1994’s The Division Bell.
It’s the group’s first release since the death of keyboardist and founding member Richard Wright, whose work also appears on the record.
“Pink Floyd is both thrilled and surprised at the level of international interest in this, their final album,” a spokesperson for the band told OfficialCharts.com.
“They want to thank the fans for their support and hope that in some small way, The Endless River has reminded them of the old fashioned joy of listening to an album in its entirety.”
“Like” KFIX on Facebook.
12 FHSU Tigers receive All-MIAA footbal honors; Williams, Jordan named to First Team
MIAA Media Relations
Kansas City, Mo. – MIAA co-champions Northwest Missouri and Pittsburg State each placed eight members of the All-MIAA first team as the squads were released today.
The first team is led by MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Year Pittsburg State quarterback Anthony Abenoja. He will line-up behind an offensive line with unanimous selections Cole Manhart of Nebraska-Kearney, Tyler Smith of Pittsburg State and C.J. Keeney of Northwest Missouri. Also along the front line are Missouri Western’s Travis Anderson, Central Missouri’s Brian Berzanski and Northwest Missouri’s Shane Smith.
In the back field are first team running backs LaVance Taylor of Central Missouri and Raphael Spencer of Missouri Western. They are joined by Northwest Missouri tight end/fullback Marcus Wright.
Three receivers will split out wide on the first team in Pittsburg State’s Marquise Cushon and Gavin Lutman as well as Fort Hays State’s Ed Williams. Handling the kicking duties will be MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year Connor Frazell. Returning the kicks is Vershon Moore of Washburn.
The MIAA Freshman of the Year also comes from the offensive side of the ball as Central Oklahoma’s Chas Stallard earns the honor.
The defense will be led by MIAA Defensive Player of the Year Matt Longacre for the second straight season after he won the award last year. Joining him on the line is teammate Brandon Yost, Central Missouri’s Ramond Hunter and Pittsburg State’s Heath Wilson.
At linebacker the defense features Northwest Missouri’s Eric Reimer and D.J. Gnader as well as Lindenwood’s Connor Harris. The defense is deep in the backfield as Fort Hays State’s Micheal Jordan and Missouri Western’s Michael Jordan’s both anchor the back. They are joined by Jared Fox of Northwest Missouri and De’Vante Bausby and Keeston Terry of Pittsburg State.
Doing the punting on the first team will be Missouri Western’s Scott Groner.
Pittsburg State’s Tim Beck was named the Coach of the Year after leading his team to a 10-1 finish and an MIAA Championship.
MIAA Offensive Player of the Year – Anthony Abenoja, QB, Pittsburg State
MIAA Defensive Player of the Year – Matt Longacre, DL, Northwest Missouri
MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year – Connor Frazell, K, Pittsburg State
MIAA Freshmen of the Year – Chas Stallard, QB, Central Oklahoma^
MIAA Coach of the Year – Tim Beck, Pittsburg State
First Team (Offense)
QB – Anthony Abenoja, Pittsburg State
RB – LaVance Taylor, Central Missouri
RB – Raphael Spencer, Missouri Western
WR – Marquise Cushon, Pittsburg State
WR – Ed Williams, Fort Hays State
WR – Gavin Lutman, Pittsburg State
TE/FB – Marcus Wright, Northwest Missouri
OL – Brian Berzanski, Central Missouri
OL – Travis Anderson, Missouri Western
OL – Cole Manhart, Nebraska-Kearney^
OL – C.J. Keeney, Northwest Missouri^
OL – Shane Smith, Northwest Missouri
OL – Tyler Smith, Pittsburg State^
K – Connor Frazell, Pittsburg State
KR/PR –Vershon Moore, Washburn
First Team (Defense)
DL – Ramond Hunter, Central Missouri
DL – Matt Longacre, Northwest Missouri^
DL – Brandon Yost, Northwest Missouri
DL – Heath Wilson, Pittsburg State
LB – Eric Reimer, Northwest Missouri
LB – Connor Harris, Lindenwood
LB – D.J. Gnader, Northwest Missouri
DB – Micheal Jordan, Fort Hays State
DB – Michael Jordan, Missouri Western
DB – Jared Fox, Northwest Missouri
DB – De’Vante Bausby, Pittsburg State
DB – Keeston Terry, Pittsburg State
P – Scott Groner, Missouri Western
^=Unanimous selection
Second Team (Offense)
QB – Brady Bolles, Northwest Missouri
RB – Vershon Moore, Washburn
RB – Jake Gandara, Central Oklahoma
WR – Austin Willis, Emporia State
WR – Kavaski Ervin, Emporia State
TE/FB – Cullen Rosine, Central Missouri
OL – Matt Erbert, Fort Hays State
OL – Pete Trausch, Nebraska-Kearney
OL – Cole Chevalier, Northwest Missouri
OL – Ollie Venegas, Pittsburg State
OL – Michael Miller, Washburn
K – John Schmiemeier, Missouri Western
KR/PR – TyQuan Hayes, Missouri Southern
Second Team (Defense)
DL – Kenny Allen, Central Oklahoma
DL – Te’I Joita, Fort Hays State
DL – Arbanas Elliot, Missouri Western
DL – Deaven Jensen, Pittsburg State
DL – Kevin Arnold, Northwest Missouri
LB – Ricky Spratley, Central Missouri
LB – Stephen Juergens, Missouri Western
LB – Spencer Brown, Pittsburg State
DB – Connor Smith, Central Missouri
DB – Matt Pruitt, Central Oklahoma
DB – Nathan Lindsey, Fort Hays State
DB – Travis Manning, Northwest Missouri
DB – Calvin Kenney, Washburn
P – Kyle Goodburn, Northwest Missouri
Third Team (Offense)
QB – Hayden Hawk, Central Missouri
RB – Romero Cotton, Nebraska-Kearney
RB – Giresse Forchu, Missouri Southern
WR – Marquez Clark, Central Oklahoma
WR – Jaron Alexander, Lindenwood
TE/FB – Kyle Swartz, Pittsburg State
OL – Tycie Linneman, Central Missouri
OL – Brandon Waggoner, Central Oklahoma
OL – Aaron Blount, Emporia State
OL – Jarrett Stastny, Emporia State
OL – Austin Wolfe, Missouri Southern
K – Will Mondragon, Central Missouri
KR/PR – LaVance Taylor, Central Missouri
Third Team (Defense)
DL – Jason Venckus, Central Missouri
DL – Matt Bowman, Nebraska-Kearney
DL – Collin Bevins, Northwest Missouri
DL – Taye Irvin, Pittsburg State
LB – Tyke Kozeal, Nebraska-Kearney
LB – Chass Claspie, Central Oklahoma
LB – Justin McPhail, Fort Hays State
DB – Deveon Dinwiddie, Emporia State
DB – Johnquavious McBride, Missouri Southern
DB – Meshack Kennedy, Missouri Western
DB – Chandler Barr, Northeastern State
DB – Bryce Enyard, Northwest Missouri
DB – Aries Herrion, Pittsburg State
P – Aaron Hummert, Washburn
Honorable Mention
QB – Chas Stallard, Central Oklahoma; Mitch Buhler, Washburn.
RB – Edward Smith, Fort Hays State; Lavorrie Johnson, Lindenwood; Shannon Saunders, Missouri Southern.
WR – Kyle Echols, Central Missouri; Christian Hood, Central Oklahoma; Greg Coble, Lindenwood; Allen Sampson, Nebraska-Kearney; Cougar Williams, Nebraska-Kearney; Garrett Powell, Northeastern State; Jason Jozaites, Northwest Missouri; Korey Jackson, Northwest Missouri; Bryce Young, Northwest Missouri; Austin Daniel, Pittsburg State; DaJuan Beard, Washburn.
TE/FB – Sean Gorman, Central Missouri; Reese Richards, Emporia State; Alek Ferbet, Missouri Western; Kyle Matheson, Northeastern State.
OL – Landon Chappell, Central Oklahoma; Danny Goodman, Emporia State; Jacob Heneisen, Lindenwood; Caleb Benner, Missouri Southern; Leonard Wester, Missouri Western; Christian Orduno, Missouri Western; Jonathan Brown, Northeastern State; Bo Farrow, Pittsburg State; Dylan Ready, Washburn.
DL – Russ Allen, Central Missouri; Deontay Wilson, Central Oklahoma; Tyler Newton, Central Oklahoma; Nick Schutte, Emporia State; Eddie Vinson, Emporia State; Jesse Trent, Fort Hays State; Tomasi Molesi, Fort Hays State; Chaz Fulton, Lindenwood; Skyler Suggs, Lindenwood; Jack Wardyn, Nebraska-Kearney; Kenley Choute, Northeastern State; Cass Weitl, Northwest Missouri; Zach Williams, Northwest Missouri; Avery Adair, Pittsburg State; Tyler Ewy, Washburn; Trey Parker, Washburn.
LB – Alex Perlin, Central Missouri; Lyndel Johnson, Emporia State; Alex Schmidtberger, Fort Hays State; Yomi Alli, Missouri Western; Deshawn Dinwiddie, Emporia State; Malcolm Howard, Central Oklahoma; Jason Tetuan, Emporia State; Brock Long, Fort Hays State; Dalvin Taylor, Missouri Southern; Cody Linday, Missouri Western; Kenneth Davis, Northeastern State; Brock Sherman, Northwest Missouri; Tyler Disney, Pittsburg State; Colby Hall, Pittsburg State.
DB – Zach Leinbaugh, Central Missouri; Diaron Rhodes, Central Missouri; Cody Jones, Central Oklahoma; Levonte Douglas, Central Oklahoma; Daniel Lindsey, Fort Hays State; Roderick Ryles, Lindenwood; Jeremy Morris, Lindenwood; Gaige Washington, Missouri Southern; Sam Brown, Missouri Western; Marc Harrison, Missouri Western; Steffon Herd, Northeastern State; George Brown, Nebraska-Kearney; Shai Harris, Nebraska-Kearney; Famous McKinnon, Nebraska-Kearney; Deron Washington, Pittsburg State; Dwayne Joseph, Washburn.
K – Seth Hiddink, Central Oklahoma; Brock Renken, Missouri Southern.
P – Kyle Jaski, Missouri Southern.
KR/PR – Lyndel Johnson, Emporia State; Lavorrie Johnson, Lindenwood.
Police make arrest in September shooting
JC Post
JUNCTION CITY- The Junction City Police Department is reporting the arrest of Jerome Amiri Glaspie, 43, Junction City, on suspicion of Attempted Murder and Attempted Aggravated Robbery.
Lieutenant Jeff Childs said Glaspie was arrested in connection with a shooting on Sept. 22.
Police said the victim reported that he had been shot during a disturbance in the parking lot of the Budget Host Motel at 820 South Washington. The suspect fled the scene.
Childs said the victim was Angel Gonzalez-Cintron of Junction City. He suffered a minor gunshot wound to his neck area and declined medical treatment.
Glaspie was arrested on multiple outstanding warrants involving allegations of Failure to Appear for Court, and was then arrested on the probable cause Attempted Murder and Attempted Aggravated Robbery counts.
Glaspie is expected to have a first appearance in Geary County District Court Tuesday.