NASHVILLE (AP) – Jason Aldean says he pulled his current album off Spotify because he wants everyone who is involved in making his music to be paid fairly. He says he’s an artist whose career is built on songwriters, publishers, producers and engineers. He says he pulled his “Old Boots, New Dirt” album from the music streaming service, in his words, “To do what is right for the people who have given me a great life.” Aldean only pulled his current album from Spotify. Taylor Swift pulled her entire catalog.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-controlled House has sent the Senate a bill approving the Keystone XL oil pipeline.
The House voted Friday 252-161 on a bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana in a bid to boost his chances to take over Louisiana’s Senate seat from Democrat Mary Landrieu. The two are headed for a December runoff. Landrieu successfully pushed the Senate to vote on the measure next week.
The pipeline has been stalled by environmental reviews, objections to its route and politics for six years. But the latest bid by House Republicans has the best chance of reaching President Barack Obama’s desk.
Senate supporters said they were confident they’d have the 60 votes needed for passage Tuesday.
The White House has threatened to veto similar attempts to move the pipeline forward.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court says it will begin deliberating next week on whether to keep in place its order barring a Johnson County judge from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Written arguments in the case are due late Friday. No public hearings are scheduled. The court begins its deliberations on Monday.
The state of Kansas filed a petition in October after Chief Judge Kevin Moriarty of Johnson County District Court directed that marriage licenses be issued to same-sex couples.
The state case has been overtaken by fast-moving developments in a separate federal lawsuit that has allowed gay couples in Kansas to get marriage licenses.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday denied a request from Kansas to bar same-sex couples from marrying while the state fights the issue.
PLAINS, Kan. (AP) — Two Liberal residents died when the minivan they were riding in was hit by a trailer that came loose from a pickup truck.
The Kansas Highway Patrol says 71-year-old Salvador Garcia and 68-year-old Consuelo Garcia died in the accident Thursday afternoon on a Meade County road about 12 miles north of Plains.
The driver of the minivan was hospitalized but his condition was not available.
The Wichita Eagle reports this was the second time in three months that a trailer came loose and caused a fatality in Kansas. A loose trailer killed a Hutchinson couple Aug. 16 in Great Bend.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court has rejected a challenge to Obamacare that would have enabled non-profit religious organizations to avoid government-approved contraception programs.
In a 3-0 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit concluded that the challenged regulations do not impose a substantial burden on religious groups.
The Affordable Care Act requires group health plans to include coverage for Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods. In recognition of religious concerns, the government devised an accommodation that non-profit religious organizations nonetheless oppose.
To be eligible for the accommodation, a religious organization must certify to its insurance company that it opposes coverage for contraceptive services and that it operates as a non-profit religious organization.
COLBY — One person died in an accident just before 6:30 a.m. Friday in Thomas County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Pontiac driven by Stephen A. Kaufman, 30, West Lafayette, Ind., was traveling south on U.S. 83 23 miles east of Colby.
The vehicle entered the ditch and overturned.
Kaufman was transported to Citizens Medical Center where he died.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The future of Kemper Arena might not be decided for months, after Kansas City Council members agreed to seek alternatives to a plan by the American Royal to tear down the arena and replace it with a new building.
The American Royal pitched its proposal again on Thursday to two council committees. But several critics told the council members the city has better ways to spend $20 million in taxpayer money that the Royal’s plan would require.
The Kansas City Star reports the council’s decision to investigate other alternatives means a decision on the arena’s future might be delayed for months.
Noting the strong opposition at Thursday’s meeting, Councilman Ed Ford said council members believe they legally should put out a notice seeking other proposals for the arena.
The Community Assistance Center in Hays, provides food for families in Ellis County in need. Mike Cooper visits with Co-Director, Laurie Mortinger, on how people can help with donations.
With a Winter Weather Advisory for Ellis and Rush counties issued by the Dodge City National Weather Service, the Kansas Department of Transportation is ready for snow.
The forecast calls for a Winter Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to noon Saturday with a possible 2 to 3 inches of snow.
This year KDOT has implemented new snow fighter training courses to better educate new equipment operators on all aspects of roadway snow and ice control as well as how to maintain their equipment.
KDOT has a staff of 1,200 ready for winter weather, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; they have taken their dry runs and have stored 200,000 tons of salt in preparation for this Kansas winter.
Last winter, KDOT spent more than $22 million and used 128,000 tons of salt to clear the state’s highways while plowing approximately 2.8 million miles, effectively plowing the 25,000-mile state system more than 110 times.
KDOT joins with other state and local agencies to enhance the safety of travelers before, during and after the storm.
One of the best ways to stay safe on the road over the next few days and during the upcoming holiday travel period is to know the conditions before venturing out.
There are a variety of ways to get updated information about road conditions in Kansas. Travelers can obtain route-specific road conditions and weather by calling 5-1-1 within the state or (866) 511- 5368from out of state. The same information and more can be obtained by visiting the KanDrive website, https://www.kandrive.org, which also has maps, camera views of many routes and more, and the 511 mobile text only site, https://511mm.ksdot.org.
Those planning to travel during or after the storm should follow these safety tips:
• Completely clean frost and snow off all windows, mirrors, and lights, and use headlights to provide optimum visibility.
• Slow down, accelerate and brake gently, and increase following distance between other vehicles.
• Don’t use cruise control.
• Allow for more travel time.
• Always wear a seat belt, and secure children in the proper child safety seats.
• Slow down and move over for stopped emergency vehicles and maintenance crews.
• If involved in a non-injury crash on an interstate, U.S. highway, or any divided or multi-lane road in the state of Kansas, and if you are not transporting hazardous materials, you are required by law to move your vehicle out of the lane of traffic. This law is intended to help keep drivers and passengers safe by getting them out of the lane of traffic and away from oncoming vehicles.
• If possible, remain in your vehicle, and remain buckled up, that way if a crash would occur involving your car or another vehicle nearby, you are more protected than if you are out in the roadway or even on the shoulder.
• If involved in a traffic crash, or need assistance, call 911, or contact the Kansas Highway Patrol at *47 (*HP) from a cell phone. Call *582 (*KTA) on the Kansas Turnpike.
K-TRACS Executive Director Marty Singleton-Photo by Phil Cauthon
By Andy Marso
KHI News Service
TOPEKA — The man who shepherded Kansas’ prescription drug tracking program through a software upgrade is resigning after a little more than a year on the job.
Marty Singleton, director of the Kansas Tracking and Reporting of Controlled Substances system, or K-TRACS, said Wednesday in a phone interview that he is stepping down due to “personal health issues.”
“I met with my doctor,” Singleton said. “Been down this road before, and it’s better just to nip it in the bud.”
Singleton, who did not elaborate, announced his resignation to friends and Kansas Board of Pharmacy members in an email sent 8 a.m. Monday.
Debra Billingsley, executive director of the Kansas Board of Pharmacy, did not return a message seeking comment. An attorney for the board said via email he had advised against commenting on Singleton’s resignation because it is a personnel matter.
Singleton took over K-TRACS in October 2013, replacing Christina Morris, who left for a job with Cerner.
Singleton previously was a regional director based in Manhattan for the Kansas Department for Children and Families. An electrical engineering graduate, he was hired in part to aid the pharmacy tracking agency through a first-of-its-kind software switch. Kansas was a test case for the new tracking program, provided free by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
Pete Stern, CEO of the Kansas Independent Pharmacy Service Corporation, said there were “a few hiccups” in the initial rollout of the new program. But he said they were quickly fixed, and it’s serving its purpose of allowing physicians and pharmacists to track prescriptions and discover patterns that suggest possible abuse.
“If you compare our program to others across the nation, I think we’re moving forward very well,” Stern said.
Singleton said Stern’s assessment was fair and that Appriss, the software’s developer, had “done a good job of getting up to speed” on problems.
The result, Singleton said, is a program the state can be proud of and that physicians and pharmacists have told him is easy to use.
“That’s really what you’re looking for,” he said. “You want more people to use it, you want them to be satisfied with it. The ultimate goal is to improve patient care.”
Singleton said he and his team had accomplished the goals he set when hired a little more than a year ago.
David Schoech, a member of the Kansas Board of Pharmacy, said Singleton will be difficult to replace. The board has not yet set a timeline for doing so.
“He picked up a difficult situation and did real well with it,” Schoech said. “I really hate to see him go.”
Andy Marso is a reporter for Heartland Health Monitor, a news collaboration focusing on health issues and their impact in Missouri and Kansas.
During the November meeting of the Kansas Board of Regents, regents will discuss a proposed new doctorate of nursing program at Fort Hays State University. The regents recently approved a similar program at Pittsburg State University.
According to agenda materials, the program is “designed to serve as a professional doctorate that will better prepare RNs for roles in an increasingly complex health care environment.”
The program is being proposed in response to a national study by the Institute of Medicine that states doctoral nursing graduates should double in order to meet demands in rural areas. Another recent study by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment states that 44 counties west of U.S. 281 qualify as “health care professional shortage area.” The American Association of Colleges of Nursing also has recommended all nursing schools transition from a master’s program to a doctorate program by 2015.
The new program is expected to cost approximately $250,000 per year. New costs include two new doctoral faculty line and, over time, two additional faculty members to meet demand. A new tuition strategy that directs tuition-generated funds into the program will help offset some of the costs.
Over the past five years, enrollment in FHSU’s graduate nursing program has increased almost 50 percent to a current total of 120 graduate students.
The creation of a doctoral program requires a two-step process. First, regional universities must submit a statement of intent to create a new doctoral program, which FHSU has completed for the nursing program. If the Board of Regents approves the statement, FHSU will begin to develop a program proposal, which must go through several committees prior to being brought to the board for full action.
ELLIS–The hiring of a new police officer was approved by Ellis City Council members during their Nov. 3 meeting.
Kirby Wechsler was most recently a part-time officer in Offerle. Wechsler will start his duties Monday, Nov. 17 and attend the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in March 2015.
In other business, the council approved an $8,853 bid from Layne Drilling for repairs to the city’s #2 water well.
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported severely reduced pumping by Well #12 and Well #13. Scheuerman will ask if Layne can pull the pumps in Wells #12 and #13 and assess the problem while they are in town to make repairs to Well #2.
The full agenda minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes November 3, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lyle Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Ron Johnson, Gary Luea, Dave McDaniel, Jolene Niernberger, and Terry Redetzke. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, Clerk I Margie Mickelson, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Denis Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member John Walz and City Clerk Amy Burton were absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Glen Keller, Ryan Augustine, Guy Riedel, and Jim Moeder.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Terry Redetzke moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on October 20, 2014 and Bills Ordinance #1960. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jim Moeder informed Council of two upcoming Chamber events, the “Festival of Trees” and “Love Brightens a Tree.” Proceeds from the “Love Brightens a Tree” event will go to the Cancer Council of Ellis County. Mr. Moeder is requesting approval to use a tree in Memorial Park for this event. Council member Dave McDaniel moved to allow the use of a tree in Memorial Park for the Chamber’s “Love Brightens a Tree” event through Christmas Eve. Council member Ron Johnson seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire: Training
Fire Chief Denis Vine recently attended the Regional Fire Chief Meeting in Hays where mutual aid plans were discussed. Recommended training standards for Kansas fire services were discussed at the recent Fire Chief Convention in Hutchinson. The standards are not mandatory, but highly recommended, for structural fire fighters, such as the Ellis Fire Department. The course to become certified to teach these standards is a 140-hour class. Chief Vine would like to use the $500 donation from the Williams Foundation to have a fireman pursue the certification to be able to teach the Ellis Fire Department members these recommended standards. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Terry Redetzke seconded a motion to ratify the donation of $500 from the Williams Foundation to be used for the Department to pursue the KU Fire Instructor I certification. The motion passed 5-0.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Tourism
The Council discussed procuring the services from Central Brochure Distribution as presented by Chamber Director Dena Patee at the last meeting. Clerk I Margie Mickelson informed Council that at least annually she contacts approximately nine Kansas Travel Information Centers to see if they need additional “Ellis” or “Campground” brochures. Council member Gary Luea moved to not participate in the program offered by Central Brochure Distribution. City Attorney Olavee Raub reminded Council that no motion is necessary to not take action, to which Mr. Luea rescinded his motion. It was the consensus of Council that at this time they were not interested in the service.
General Government: Financial
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported that in talking to Rick Ensz, bond underwriter with Cooper, Malone and McClain, the City is not able to refund the 2006 bonds yet because the City hasn’t complied with the MSRB continuing disclosure requirements. Typically the underwriter of the bonds contacts the issuer to ensure compliance disclosure is met. It does not appear that has happened. Ms. Raub stated the City will need to file “Failure to File” forms for the last five years to become compliant. Ms. Raub will contact the City Clerk to see if she’d be able to do this. Once corrected, the City can move forward with the bond refunding.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented a bid from Clarke Well and Equipment to drill an offset well near Well #2. This is the final bid requested by Council. Council now has a bid from both Clarke Well and Equipment and Layne to either make repairs to Well #2 or to drill a new offset well. Council member Dave McDaniel moved to accept the low bid from Layne in the amount of $8,853 to make repairs to Well #2 with funds to come from the Water Depreciation Reserve Fund. Council member Ron Johnson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
General Government: City Code
City Attorney Olavee Raub presented various sample ordinances for Council’s review regarding open bodies of water. She could not find any ordinances that dealt with types of safety restrictions, other than zoning ordinances. Ms. Raub explained the differences between the City’s environmental codes and the zoning codes in respect to health, safety and welfare of the community. If an ordinance is approved solely as a zoning regulation, then existing structures would be grandfathered in. If an ordinance is adopted as a police power, then the ordinance can be applied to existing or potential nuisances. Council member Jolene Niernberger stated the property owner’s would be the liable party if something would happen, and that the City shouldn’t get involved in regulating resident’s private property. No action was taken.
NEW BUSINESS
General Government: Disposal
Clerk I Margie Mickelson explained that each year records are destroyed that are no longer required to be kept due to the City’s retention schedule. Council member Dave McDaniel moved and Council member Ron Johnson seconded a motion to authorize the destruction of public records as listed, and to authorize the Mayor to sign the Destruction of Records Certificate. Motion carried unanimously.
Sewer: Financial – KDHE Loan
Ms. Mickelson reviewed email correspondence between City Clerk Amy Burton and Corina Cox, Northwest Kansas Planning & Development, regarding loan application assistance for the KDHE sewer loan. Council member Terry Redetzke moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to approve loan application assistance from Northwest Kansas Planning & Development for the KDHE Revolving Loan Fund at a cost of $7,000, with funds to come from the Sewer Depreciation Reserve Fund. Motion carried 5-0.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman informed Council that Well #12 and Well #13 have reported severely reduced gallons per minute (GPM). Well #12 was pumping 50 GPM in June; 22 GPM in July; and only 6 GPM in October. Well #13 was pumping 76 GPM this spring, but only pumping 51 GPM in October. Mr. Scheuerman will see if Layne can pull the pumps in Wells #12 and #13 while they are in town to make repairs to Well #2 to see if they can find the problem. This would save the City paying additional mobilization charges if Layne could perform the work in the same trip.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Mr. Scheuerman presented the latest well level depth chart. John Steel, Kansas Rural Water Association, will perform the draw-down tests on the wells on November 4th.
Personnel: Position Change
Mr. Scheuerman would like for current employee T.J. Lee to replace Matt Windholz as the City’s designated Water Operator. The State requires cities to designate one employee as the Water Operator; however, Mr. Scheuerman has two employees interested in becoming certified. Once the coursework is completed, a candidate may take the certification test up to four times. Per City policy, the City will pay for up to two tests. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the change in employee classification for T.J. Lee as Water Operator at a probationary wage of $14.34 effective November 3, 2014. Mr. Lee’s probationary period will continue until his Water Operator Certification has been achieved. Council member Ron Johnson seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
The Department is advertising for its two open positions in the Ellis Review, Hays Daily News, and Nex-Tech Classifieds.
Public Works: Special Event
Mr. Scheuerman reported on the City-Wide Cleanup event. The City crews are still working on cleaning out the trees and the buildings behind the Old Power Plant. Mr. Scheuerman would like to thank Golden Belt Telephone for their help during the event. Council expressed they would like to have a City-Wide Cleanup each year in the fall.
Streets: Acquisition
Mr. Scheuerman reported that he recently bid on, and acquired, a grapple fork for $875.00 and a sweeper attachment for the Bobcat for $925.00 from Purple Wave Auction. He also recently traveled to Stockton to view a zipper demonstration, which is a grinder that reclaims asphalt up to 4” deep and pulverizes it a correct size.
Police
Personnel: Entry
Police Chief Taft Yates reported that the interview board has selected Kirby Wechsler to fill the open position in the Police Department. Mr. Wechsler is currently a part-time officer in Offerle, KS. Council member Dave McDaniel moved to approve the hiring of Kirby Wechsler at a probationary wage of $14.08 effective November 17, 2014. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. Chief Yates reported that Mr. Wechsler will attend the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in March 2015.
Officer Moeder has completed his 8-weeks of field training and per Kansas Statutes, is now allowed to be on duty without another officer accompanying him. Officer Moeder will leave for KLETC on January 5, 2015.
Police: Training
Chief Yates presented the monthly Activity Report for October and the November staff calendar. Officer McCollam will conduct drug awareness training at St. Francis Family Services and Officer Krom is working with Ellis High School on an accident re-creation scene for next spring. Chief Yates has been asked to speak to the Criminal Justice class at Fort Hays State University on Kansas Open Carry laws and dealing with sovereign citizens.
Police: Accounting/Billing
Chief Yates then explained to Council how Correct Care Solutions works for the City. When an individual is in police custody and has to be taken to the hospital, if the offender does not have medical insurance, then the City is obligated to pay their medical bills while in City custody. Correct Care Solutions will negotiate with the hospital to have the charges for services reduced. In one recent case, the hospital charges totaled $35,000 and Correct Care Solutions was able to negotiate the charges to where the City only paid $7,100. Correct Care Solutions only charges $17.50 per incident to provide this service.
City Clerk
Clerk I Margie Mickelson presented options for the City holiday observation dates in December. Staff has expressed a desire to switch the Christmas Eve holiday to December 26th to allow staff a four-day weekend. Staff is requesting Council allow City offices to close at noon on December 24th with the afternoon hours paid or unpaid, at Council’s discretion. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to allow City staff to take time off from noon on December 24th through December 26th. Council member Gary Luea seconded the motion for purposes of discussion. Mr. Luea requested that the Clerk bring the City’s cost for the four hours paid leave on December 24th to the next meeting before a decision is made. The motion and second were then rescinded.
Ms. Mickelson reported on the City’s vehicle fuel/service rotation. One of the local vendors had expressed concerns that the City was not fueling at their establishment. Ms. Mickelson researched the fuel tickets for this year and it appears City employees are following the designated rotation schedule. Mr. Scheuerman added that most of the diesel is purchased at Co-op because the lines at Love’s Travel Stores tend to be very long.
Ms. Mickelson reported that as of October 31st the City has received 312 LMI surveys out of 925 distributed. Second requests will be mailed with the December 1st billing.
Attorney
Mayor/Council
Mayor Lyle Johnston reminded everyone to vote on November 4th. Regardless of the results of the school bond, Mayor Johnston hopes the community will come together in the end.
Council member Dave McDaniel asked for Department Heads to use the Employee Exit Review sheets when employees resign. He also asked for the Clerk’s office to research the sale of the power plant and any agreements entered into between the City and Midwest Energy. Mr. McDaniel asked for Mr. Scheuerman to look into a property at 11th and Cottonwood. He would also like to see the Council discuss future plans for the empty lots at 9th and Jefferson at the next meeting.
Council member Jolene Niernberger encouraged Council to look at the map of existing street lights to help give direction on future discussions with Midwest Energy. It would also be helpful to tour the streets in the dark to assess which ones may be excessive or needed. The Police Department should also give input in regards to possible safety issues with the lighting.
Council member Gary Luea asked if the steel tank behind the Old Power Plant has been removed. Mr. Scheuerman reported that Mr. Wiesner has not picked it up yet.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor Lyle Johnston called for an executive session to discuss property acquisition. A 5-minute executive session was proposed starting at 9:26 p.m. Mayor Johnston asked for a motion to recess. Council member Terry Redetzke moved to recess to executive session to discuss property acquisition with the City Attorney present. Council member Dave McDaniel seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. The Council returned to open session at 9:31 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
NASHVILLE (AP) – Jason Aldean says he pulled his current album off Spotify because he wants everyone who is involved in making his music to be paid fairly. He says he’s an artist whose career is built on songwriters, publishers, producers and engineers. He says he pulled his “Old Boots, New Dirt” album from the music streaming service, in his words, “To do what is right for the people who have given me a great life.” Aldean only pulled his current album from Spotify. Taylor Swift pulled her entire catalog.
