Arista’s Brad Paisley has extended his Country Nation World Tour presented by Kraft Cheesethrough March 2015. He’ll bring openers Parmalee and The Swon Brothers. The last leg kicks off Jan. 17 in Morgantown, WV with tickets on sale Nov. 7. Details here.
Emma Mina Schwien was born on a farm in rural Trego County, KS on September 15, 1910, to the late George Carl and Eva Elizabeth (Schneider) Bender. She passed away Monday, November 3, 2014, at Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital Long Term Care. Emma was 104 years of age.
As a young girl, Emma attended Montrose School District #51 in rural Trego County. On March 2, 1947, Emma was united in marriage to George Schwien in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Parsonage at WaKeeney. They shared 41 years of marriage, up until George’s death on September 6, 1988. As a faithful member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Emma was known for her service to the church. She was a member of the WELCA, Golden Girls, and the Bethlehem Daughters. She was also a member of the American Legion Moore Post #197 Auxiliary, the Randall Reid VFW Post #3449 Auxiliary, and the TCLMH Auxiliary, all in WaKeeney. Her hobbies included vegetable and flower gardening, crochet and knitting, and volunteering her time in support of her church. Emma loved to travel with family.
Emma will be missed by many special nieces and nephews, and numerous loving and caring friends and neighbors. Preceding her in death were her parents, George and Eva; husband, George; three brothers, Fredrich, Bernhardt, and August Bender; and a sister Emma Bender.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, November 6, 2014, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in WaKeeney. Burial will be in the WaKeeney City Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to service time at the church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Checks made to the church may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A letter obtained by The Kansas City Star shows a developer withdrew plans to renovate Kemper Arena after the American Royal Association threatened a lawsuit.
The newspaper reports an attorney for American Royal, which hosts livestock exhibitions and professional rodeos, told Foutch Brothers in a letter to quit its efforts to have Kemper Arena declared a historic structure.
The designation would have helped with financing for Foutch’s proposal to turn the arena into a youth sports facility.
Foutch and American Royal have spent months pitching plans for the future of the arena. While Foutch’s proposal would preserve the arena, plans by American Royal call for tearing it down and replacing it with a multipurpose building.
The letter claims a historic designation would negatively affect American Royal’s lease with the city for the American Royal Complex that includes the arena.
Todd Powell, a Fort Hays State University alumnus who went on to law school and later returned to serve as the university’s general counsel, will leave that post on Dec. 31 to return to private practice beginning in early 2015.
Powell said he will join an established Hays firm to focus on an array of legal matters including corporate and transactional law, probate, and civil and appellate litigation.
“My 10 years at the university have been the most rewarding professional experience of my career so far,” he said. “When I was hired, President Hammond told me that I would gain experience in many unique areas of the law. He was right about that.”
Powell said the timing for a move is right. He has just completed 10 years at the university, and an opportunity in private practice has been presented to him.
“I am excited by the opportunity to stay in Hays and return to private practice,” he said.
“I’m thankful that I had the privilege to work with Todd over the past four months,” said Dr. Mirta M. Martin, FHSU president. “A strong organization depends on strong legal counsel. He has provided that. Hays is fortunate that Todd and his family are staying in the community, and I know he will continue to be a loyal Tiger. I also know that many of the initiatives he started will continue to bear fruit after he has started the next phase of his career.”
Powell graduated from FHSU with a B.A. in history in 1995 and earned his Juris Doctor in 1998 from Washburn University School of Law. He began practice in 1999 with Cavanaugh, Smith & Lemon, P.A., Topeka, in areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, labor law, appellate and administrative law. He was also an adjunct professor of law at Washburn.
He began work as FHSU’s general counsel and executive assistant to the president in the fall of 2004.
“The general counsel position at FHSU presented me with legal issues that were challenging and complex due to their variety, breadth and scope, and helping to resolve those issues was extremely rewarding,” he said.
An example was the university’s wind project.
“That was a unique accomplishment,” he said. “It was a great example of the university being a leader and an innovator, and I was really pleased to be able to assist in the process.”
“The chance to serve my alma mater and help the university deliver a quality education to its students has been very fulfilling. I made a lot of friends and developed many close professional relationships. I’m going to miss the interaction with what I regard as a very dedicated and talented group of professionals.
“I want to thank Dr. Hammond for the opportunity to serve the university, and I wish Dr. Martin well in her tenure as president.”
In keeping with university policy, a national search will be conducted to select a permanent general counsel.
As Ellis County continues to negotiate with the county employee union, some employees are expressing disappointment with the lack of progress.
County employee Mike Fisher approached the commission Monday night to express the group’s concerns.
The end of October was the deadline for employees to sign up for insurance for 2015, but Fisher said employees were forced to pick a coverage without knowing how much each employee is going to have to cover.
Fisher said while the Ellis County economy continues to grow, many employees feel they are being left out and called on the commission to reconsider employee wages and benefits.
“With everything else growing in Ellis County, it’s hard for workers to understand why they should be asked to take cuts in benefits — which is the same as taking a cut in pay,” said Fisher, a heavy-equipment operator for Ellis County.
He said the county continues to lose quality employees because the perceived lack of quality pay and benefits — and morale among employees continues to decline.
“We are losing key people at an alarming rate, and it’s clear it is time to rethink the wages and insurance rates,” Fisher said. “Being one of the top 10 employers in the county should come with a responsibility to our workers.”
Earlier this year, the Ellis County Commission contracted Evergreen Solutions for $37,500 for a wage-and-benefit study.
County Administrator Greg Sund said the study is expected to be completed later this month.
Because the commission is in the midst of negotiations, Sund declined comment.
Commission Chairwoman Barb Wasinger said the commission is grateful for the workers of Ellis County but said, “Union negotiations are the nature of the beast.”
She also added the commission had hoped to have a deal with the union finalized by now.
In other business:
• The commission pushed a decision on whether to join the Kansas Association of Counties wage study until next week. The commissioners want more information before moving forward.
• Voted to renew the county’s participation in the KCAMP Rate Stabilization Program.
• Accepted an employee evaluation form for all county employees.
• Voted to allow Smith County to join the multicounty household hazardous waste program managed by Ellis County.
The book, which is a collaboration with author Ian Snowball, will feature a variety of rare photos and personal recollections about the famed rocker.
The goal of the book is to celebrate the lauded musician’s positive contributions to the rock world rather than dwell on his infamous antics.
Moon’s estate is asking fans to contribute their own stories about how Keith inspired them, as well as photographs of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer taken by them or someone they know.
In order for your tales to be considered for inclusion in the book, they must be 1,000 words or less.
Stories and photos should be sent via email to [email protected] by December 15 along with your contact information.
Moon died in September 1978 at the age of 32 from an overdose of a medication he was taking to help curb his alcohol abuse.
Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler has his voter photo identification verified by a poll workers.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Anxious voters were standing in line this morning at 6:45 a.m. at the Hays American Legion polling place, 27th and Canterbury, waiting for the polls to open at 7 a.m. It’s stayed “busy, busy” through mid-morning, according to poll judge Sandy Herrman.
Herrman has worked at the American Legion polling location for seven years, and this election is “about the busiest morning voting” she’s seen.
A “busy, busy” morning of voting at the Hays American Legion, according to poll judge Sandy Herrman.
Tight races in Kansas for governor and a U.S. Senate seat are expected to result in a bigger voter turnout than usual for mid-term elections. Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who faces Jean Schodorf in his own race, has predicted 50 percent of eligible Kansans will go to the polls today.
Ellis County Clerk Donna Maskus stopped by the American Legion about 8:30 a.m. to check on progress and to address any technical problems.
“No problems here this morning — I did have to go to Schoenchen earlier. There’ve been a few small things to attend to in some of the locations. Overall, things are going really smoothly,” Maskus said.
John Moravek casts his ballot Tuesday morning at the Hays American Legion.
The 111th House District seat pits Republican incumbent Rep. Sue Boldra against Democratic challenger James Leiker. Both are Hays residents. Ellis USD 388 patrons, which includes portions of western Ellis County and eastern Trego County, are voting on a nearly $9 million bond issue to finance school improvements.
Maskus prepared early for the likely higher voter turnout in Ellis County.
“We did try to find a few extra people to work the poll sites,” she said. “It takes a minimum of 60 people.”
In the county clerk’s office Tuesday morning, the count of “around 1,800 advance and mail-in ballots” indicated what Maskus hopes will be a “busy day:”
“I’m really pleased with what I’ve seen — a terrific advance vote count. We had lines of people waiting to advance vote, and we’re seeing across the county today. Hopefully, everybody will get out and vote.”
The polls are open in Ellis County until 7 p.m.
Check Hays Post and Eagle Radio for election results tonight.
Betty L. Corke was born October 21, 1934, in rural Sheridan County, the eldest daughter of James H. and Zola M. (Barr) White. She passed away on November 1, 2014 at Gove County Medical Center Long Term Care Facility, Quinter. She was 80 years of age.
She attended Prairie Flower Country School and graduated from Hoxie High School. On July 19, 1953, Betty was united in marriage to Perry A. Corke at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church near Studley. They enjoyed 60 years of marriage together, until Perry’s death on April 16, 2014. Betty worked as a waitress for the Q Inn Restaurant. She then worked as a bookkeeper for Quinter Appliance Store. She worked alongside her husband as co-owner and bookkeeper at Perry’s Electric, then as co-manager and bookkeeper at the Southside Apartments in Quinter. Betty was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, the Gideons International Auxiliary, the Valhalla Club, and served as a Girl Scout Leader. She loved to grow vegetables and flowers in her garden, enjoyed cooking, and was known for her welcoming hospitality. She was an avid reader. She enjoyed visiting with anyone. Betty always looked forward to a trip to the mountains. She will be dearly missed.
Survivors include three daughters, Treva Corke of Quinter, Rena and husband Paul Finster, of Overland Park, and Lora Gurley of Overland Park; two brothers, James J. White of Hoxie, and Charles White of Belvue; two sisters, Carolyn Bell of Quinter, and Charlotte McMillen of Louden, Tennessee; four grandchildren, Dan Gurley, Sarah Gurley, Nathan Finster, and Aaron Finster. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, rural Studley. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to service time at the church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Gove County Medical Center LTCF, Gideons International, or Hospice Services, Inc. Checks made to the organizations may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Federal workplace safety regulators have proposed fining Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus $7,000 for an accident during a hair-hanging stunt that seriously injured eight acrobats in Rhode Island.
The proposed fine announced Tuesday by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is the maximum allowed by law.
The acrobats were injured May 4 when a carabiner clip snapped, sending them plummeting 15 feet to the floor. A ninth worker, on the ground, was also hurt.
OSHA says the carabiner was overloaded in violation of industry practice and manufacturer instructions.
The circus’ parent company has 15 days to either pay the fine or contest it.
A spokesman says the circus disagrees with some of OSHA’s findings and has not yet decided whether to appeal.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas Hospital now has its own television studio for medical news.
The Dolph C. Simons Family Broadcast Studio was dedicated Monday, launching the hospital’s Medical News Network. The fully functioning television studio includes cameras, audio equipment, lighting and green-screen capabilities. It will give media access to medical experts and allows the hospital to distribute video and information about medical research, technology and other subjects.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports the Medical News Network was used last month to distribute information across the world when the hospital had a patient who was tested for Ebola. The man did not have the disease.
Dolph Simons Jr., editor of the Journal-World and chairman of The World Company, and his family donated an undisclosed amount to fund the network.
CONCORDIA — Ashlyn Parrish, Hays, has been accepted to Cloud County Community College for the 2015-2016 academic year. She is a Hays High School graduate.
Cloud County Community College is one of 26 public two-year community and technical colleges in Kansas and is coordinated by the Kansas Board of Regents. CCCC’s service area encompasses a 12-county area primarily in north central Kansas with its two physical campuses in Concordia and Junction City.
Within the service area, CCCC serves 23 community education outreach sites. The College also provides concurrent classes at 37 service area high schools, and more than 90 online course offerings are available through CCCC.
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 202,000 vehicles in North America to fix gas leaks, air bag sensors, stalling and other issues.
The largest of five recalls announced Tuesday affects about 135,000 F-150 pickups and Ford Flex family haulers from the 2014 model year. Faulty passenger seat weight sensors can stop air bags from inflating in crashes. Dealers will recalibrate the sensors.
About 38,600 Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Cars from 2005 to 2011 are being recalled for a second time to fix steering shafts. Improper repairs can cause loss of steering. Dealers will inspect and replace parts if needed.
Ford also is recalling 27,600 Transit Connect small vans from 2014 for potential fuel line leaks.
And two smaller recalls cover 2015 Transit vans and 2014 F-150 pickups.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — They know less than they think they know. That’s the finding of a recent study that evaluated people’s confidence about choosing and using health insurance compared with their actual knowledge and skills.
As people shop for health coverage this fall, the gap between perception and reality could lead them to choose plans that don’t meet their needs, the researchers suggest.
“There’s a concern that people who don’t have much experience with health insurance don’t protect themselves financially, and then something happens,” says Kathryn Paez, a principal researcher at the American Institutes for Research who co-authored the study. “So they’re learning through hard knocks.”
The nationally representative survey of 828 people aged 22 to 64 is part of a project to develop a standardized questionnaire that researchers, health plans and providers can use to assess people’s health insurance literacy.
The study found, for example, that while three-quarters of Americans say they’re confident they know how to use health insurance, only 20 percent could correctly calculate how much they would owe for a routine physician visit. Many people don’t understand commonly used terms such as “out-of-pocket costs,” “HMO” and “PPO,” according to the study.
The study also found that certain groups of people tended to have a tougher time using health insurance, including young people, minorities, those with lower income or educational levels and those who used health care services infrequently.
People who visit the doctor occasionally but have never been hospitalized or visited the emergency room may be overconfident they understand how health insurance works, says Paez. Likewise, people who belong to integrated health care systems where providers are generally on staff may not realize the potential complications of in-network and out-of-network coverage, among other things, she says.
More comprehensive education could help close the gap between what people think they know about health insurance and what they actually know. In the meantime, the issue brief about the study includes a consumer checklist to aid consumers in choosing a plan.
Michelle Andrews is a reporter for Heartland Health Monitor, a news collaboration focusing on health issues and their impact in Missouri and Kansas.
Arista’s Brad Paisley has extended his Country Nation World Tour presented by Kraft Cheesethrough March 2015. He’ll bring openers Parmalee and The Swon Brothers. The last leg kicks off Jan. 17 in Morgantown, WV with tickets on sale Nov. 7. Details here.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A letter obtained by The Kansas City Star shows a developer withdrew plans to renovate Kemper Arena after the American Royal Association threatened a lawsuit.
The estate of Keith Moon is putting together a coffee table book celebrating late Who drummer that’s expected to be published next year.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas Hospital now has its own television studio for medical news.
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 202,000 vehicles in North America to fix gas leaks, air bag sensors, stalling and other issues.
By Michelle Andrews
