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Month: March 2015

HPD Activity Log March 30

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The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and 23 traffic stops Monday, March 30, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.

March 27
Burglary or a business, 500 block East 8th, 5:00 p.m.

March 30
Disturbance – General, 3600 block Vine, 6:19 a.m.
Disturbance – Noise, 2500 block Haney Drive, 10:05 a.m.
Civil Transport, 1300 block Kansas Highway 264, Larned, 10:17 a.m.
Disturbance – Noise, 2900 block Ash, 11:49 a.m.
Suicidal Subject, 3400 block Vine, 2:53 p.m.
Animal At Large, 1900 block Vine, 3:03 p.m.
Motor Vehicle Accident, 2600 block Main, 3:37 p.m.
Suspicious Activity, 1 Enersys Rd, 4:40 a.m.
Animal At Large, 100 block East 18th, 5:22 p.m.
Theft, 700 block East 6th, 5:41 p.m.
Theft, 4300 block Vine, 4:46 p.m.
Suspicious Activity, 700 block West 12th, 7:21 p.m.
Suicidal Subject, 700 block East 6th, 10:07 p.m.

Several area players named to KBCA All-State teams

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Several area players have been named to the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association All-State teams.

Hays High senior Brady Werth is a Second Team pick in 4A Division I while TMP-Marian senior Kameron Schmidt is an honorable mention pick in 4A Division II.

Victoria’s Bryan Dome is a First Team pick in 1A Division I and Ellis junior Brendon Brenner a Second Team pick in 2A.

Fort Hays State signees Kyler Kinnamon of McPherson and Trey O’Neil of Scott City are both First Team picks in 4A Division I and 3A respectively.

FHSU signee Carly Heim of Hoxie heads the 1A Division I girls First Team.

Complete list of KBCA All-State basketball teams below…

Boys

Class 6A

First Team

Anthony Bonner, Lawrence, Sr.; James Conley, Derby, Sr.; Zach Jackson, W. East, Sr.; Lucas Jones, SM East, Sr.; Samajae Jones, W. East, Sr.

Second Team

Javion Blake, Olathe East, Jr.; Cooper Cook, BV North, Sr.; Justin Roberts, Lawrence, Jr.; RJ Smith, Olathe North, Jr.; Michael Weathers, SM North, Jr.

Honorable Mention

Jerrick Harding, W. Southeast, Jr.; Xavier Kelly, W. East, Jr.; Pierson McAtee, Manhattan, Sr.; Aaron Nicholson, Derby, Sr.; Marcus Weathers, SM North, Jr.; Brett Wright, Gardner-Edgerton, Sr.; Devin Anctil, Olathe Northwest, Sr.; Weston Hack, Lawrence Free State, Sr.; Josiah Talbert, Olathe East, Jr.; Louis Rollins, SM West, Sr.

Class 5A

First Team

Kade Kordonowy, Maize South, Sr.; Darraja Parnell, Andover Central, Jr.; Davon Gill, W. Heights, Jr.; Blaise Gammon, BV West, Sr.; Jordan McNelly, Salina Central, Sr.

Second Team

Semaj Hervey, W. Heights, Sr.; Shawntez Scroggins, Shawnee Heights, Sr.; Atir Cherne, Kapaun Mount Carmel, Sr.; Connor Evans, Bishop Carroll, Sr.; Chris Lowe, W. Heights, Sr.

Honorable Mention

Joe Miller, Topeka Seaman, Sr.; John Williams, Emporia, Sr.; James McNeil, KC Washington, Sr.; Thomas O’Connor, Kapaun Mount Carmel, Sr.; Peyton Ricks, Maize South, Jr.

Class 4A Division I

First Team

Mitchell Ballock, Eudora, Soph.; Kyler Kinnamon, McPherson, Sr.; Isaac McCullough, Ottawa, Soph.; Patrick Muldoon, Basehor-Linwood, Sr.; Tate Turner, Independence, Sr.

Second Team

Alston Jones, Bishop Miege, Sr.; Hunter Knoblauch, Andale, Sr.; Drew Pyle, McPherson, Jr.; Payton Stephens, McPherson, Sr.; Brady Werth, Hays, Sr.

Honorable mention

Will Adler, Winfield, Sr.; Jeffrey Ast, Andale, Jr.; Jacob Head, Topeka Hayden, Sr.; Austin Downing, Eudora, Jr.; Jahron McPherson, Basehor-Linwood, Jr.; Mason McDow, Paola, Soph.; Trevor Nance, Wellington, Sr.; Vince Eskina, KC Piper, Sr.; Zach Stewart, Labette County, Sr.; Jace Williams, Buhler, Jr.

Class 4A Division II

First Team

Carson Becker, Rock Creek, Jr.; Wykeen Gill, Atchison, Jr.; Cooper Holmes, Concordia, Jr.; Trey Sleep, Holcomb, Sr.; Morgan Soucie, Osawatomie, Sr.

Second Team

Garrett Beecher, Holton, Sr.; Alex Carro, W. Trinity, Sr.; Laike Dammon, Girard, Jr.; Dalton Gottschalk, Holcomb, Sr.; Matt Jones, W. Trinity, Sr.

Honorable Mention

Nate Berard, Rock Creek, Sr.; Sheldon Booe, Osawatomie, Sr.; James Brooks, Frontenac, Sr.; Drew Davied, Girard, Jr.; Jacob Dickey, Jefferson West, Sr.; Samson Kohman, Pratt, Soph.; Kameron Schmidt, TMP, Sr.; Trey Tanking, Holton, Sr.; Isiah Taylor, Parsons, Sr.; Conner Van Cleave, Holcomb, Soph.

Class 3A

First Team

Trey O’Neil, Scott City, Sr.; Kellen Russell, Sabetha, Sr.; Brett Meyer, Scott City, Sr.; Grant Raleigh, Hesston, Sr.; Colton Pitko, Eureka, Sr.

Second Team

Duncan Fort, Osage City, Jr.; Landon North, Riverton, Sr.; Austin Waddell, W. Collegiate, Soph.; Grant Shell, Burlington, Sr.; Bailey Vetter, Beloit, Jr.

Honorable Mention

Josh Macy, Minneapolis, Sr.; Jorge Del La Torre, Southwestern Heights, Jr.; Luke Holthaus, Nemeha Central, Jr.; Nate Johnsrud, Southwestern Heights, Sr.; Deon Lyle, Norton, Sr.; Dalton Lyon, Eureka, Sr.; Tyler McCartney, Hesston, Sr.; Easton Montgomery, Southeast-Saline, Jr.; Colson Reames, Beloit, Jr.; Dalton Verhulst, Wellsville, Sr.

Class 2A

First Team

Dean Wade, St. Joh, Sr.; Layne Bieberle, Central Plains, Sr.; Isaiahh, Loudermilk, West Elk, Jr.; Tate Skinner, South Gray, Sr.; Zane Richter, Jackson Heights, Jr.

Second Team

Brandon Brenner, Ellis, Jr.; Bo Krueger, Olpe, Sr.; Cole Kinnamon, St. John, Soph.; Derek Williams, Oxford, Sr.; Noah Chee, Sedan, Jr.

Honorable Mention

Michael Ryan, Central Plains, Jr.; Mason Buckmaster, Smith Center, Sr.; Cole Smith, Stanton County, Sr.; Konnor Penning, Washington County, Jr.; Tristen Lewis-Dierking, Meade, Sr.; Carson Skidmore, South Gray, Sr.; Lucas Comfort, Sacred Heart, Jr.; Collin Jasper, Troy, Sr.; Tristen Wilson, West Elk, Sr.; Kaden Stein, Spearaville, Sr.

Class 1A Division I

First Team

Brett Crist, Quinter, Sr.; Bryan Dome, Victoria, Sr.; Cooper Leach, Doniphan West, Jr.; Will Bruna, Hanover, Soph.; Cody Patterson, Marais des Cygnes Valley, Jr.

Second Team

Brenton Laver, Pleasanton, Jr.; Justin Wiltfong, Stockton, Sr.; Conner Katt, Hoxie, Sr.; Andrew Bruna, Hanover, Sr.; Elijah Smith, Valley Heights, Sr.

Honorable Mention

Tyler Lingg, Dighton, Soph.; Hunter Nicholson, Hanover, Sr.; Jeffrey Watts, Doniphan West, Sr.; Brandt Wolters, Osborne, Sr.; Jacob Studer, Frankfort, Sr.; Dustin Weber, Pratt Skyline, Sr.; Jaden Williams, Stockton, Sr.; Austin Diederich, Hanover, Sr.; Zave Goodrich, Marais des Cygnes Valley, Sr.; Clayton Fowler, Hartford, Soph.

Class 1A Division II

First Team

Trey Dubbert, St. John’s-Tipton, Sr.; Nate Klinge, Sharon Springs, Sr.; Noah Starkey, Hutchinson Central Christian, Sr.; Kaden Halling, Caldwell, Sr.; Derek McClure, Stafford, Sr.

Second Team

Devon Newberry, Attica, Jr.; Davis Dubbert, St. John’s-Tipton, Soph.; Luke Schemm, Sharon Springs, Jr.; Casey Jensen, Pike Valley, Sr.; Collin Herold, Sylvan-Lucas, Sr.

Honorable Mention

Ivan Montes, Sharon Springs, Sr.; Kole Konrade, Ashland, Jr.; Bryce Roberts, South Barber, Sr.; Matt Stutsman, Northern Valley, Sr.; Colten Ward, Caldwell, Soph.; Regan Kats, Logan, Jr.; Sam Wencel, Caldwell, Sr.; Peyton Reeves, Pike Valley, Sr.; Linden Hake, St. John’s-Tipton, Sr.; Thomas Heier, Wheatland-Grinnell, Sr.

Girls

Class 6A

First Team

Kendrian Elliott, W. South, Jr.; Daley Handy, Maize, Sr.; Ericka Mattingly, W. South, Jr.; Madison Piper, Lawrence Free State, Soph.; Keiryn Swenson, Maize, Sr.

Second Team

Caroline Ballard, Manhattan, Sr.; Paige Cunningham, Washburn Rural, Sr.; Morgan Mauck, SM West, Sr.; Grace Mitchell, Derby, Jr.; Brenni Rose, SM Northwest, Jr.

Honorable Mention

Jaymie Bernbeck, Garden City, Sr.; Lauren Biggs, Washburn Rural, Jr.; Micaela Delagarza, BV North, Jr.; Jessie Harshberger, Dodge City, Jr.; Adrianna Henderson, Topeka, Jr.; Shaleia Jamison, Olathe Northwest, Sr.; Mya Mertz, BV Northwest, Jr.; Jordan Morton, Olathe South, Sr.; DejaNae Roebuck, Olathe South, Soph.; Kirea Rogers, W. South, Sr.

Class 5A

First Team

Jaylynn Agnew, Andover, Sr.; Sam Bachrodt, Kapaun Mount Carmel, Sr.; Tyler Johnson, Leavenworth, Sr.; LaToshia Jones, Leavenworth, Sr.; Rilynn Like, BV Southwest, Jr.

Second Team

Claire Ferguson, St. Thomas Aquinas, Sr.; Tatyana Legette, Topeka Seaman, Sr.; Shelby Lopez, Bishop Carroll, Sr.; Brooke Pedersen, Andover Central, Sr.; Taylor Stahly, Newton, Sr.

Honorable Mention

Rachel Blackburn, Leavenworth, Sr.; Emilee Holloway, Salina South, Sr.; Casey Knoth, Salina Central, Soph.; Jabari Legette, Mill Valley, Sr.; Brynn Minor, Goddard Eisenhower, Sr.; Sydney Mortensen, Maize South, Sr.; Mason Stamp, Andover Central, Sr.; Jazz Sweet, Shawnee Heights, Soph.; Taylor Westrom, BV Southwest, Sr.; Whitney Wilhite, Emporia, Sr.

Class 4A Division I

First Team

Lanie Page, Wamego, Sr.; Madeline Homoly, Bishop Miege, Sr.; Jessica Steffen, Buhler, Jr.; Tristen McFeders, Bishop Miege, Jr.; Tiana Moala, Paola, Sr.

Second Team

Bree Schmidt, Topeka Hayden, Sr.; Brittany Meyer, Andale, Sr.; Tristan Gegg, Labette County, Fresh.; Shelbe Piggie, Bishop Miege, Sr.; Cara Donley, Abilene, Jr.

Honorable Mention

Corie Fischer, Ottawa, Jr.; Jessica Wayne, KC Piper, Jr.; Lauryn Snipes, Wellington, Soph.; Taylor Robbertson, McPherson, Fresh.; Megan Bonar, DeSoto, Sr.; Alex Keller, Buhler, Sr.; Natalie Moore, Louisburg, Sr.; Jordan Lenherr, Topeka Hayden, Jr.; Lyndsee Johnson, Paola, Sr.

Class 4A Division II

First Team

Kathryn Heger, Hugoton, Soph.; Maddie Ogle, Baldwin, Sr.; Taylor Deniston, Holcomb, Sr.; Macy Franson, Clay Center, Sr.; Tristen Leiszler, Concordia, Sr.

Second Team

Olivia Brees, Jefferson West, Sr.; Dallie Hoskinson, Hugoton, Fresh.; Abby Ogle, Baldwin, Fresh.; Kaleigh Schrag, W. Trinity, Jr.; Ashley Ray, Girard, Soph.

Honorable Mention

Maddie Becker, Pratt, Sr.; Sydney Wade, Iola, Soph.; Olivia Murdock, Columbus, Sr.; Caroline Zielke, W. Trinity, Sr.; Jordan Eshbaugh, Concordia, Soph.

Class 3A

First Team

Morgan Ediger, Cimarron, Sr.; Caylee Richardson, Hesston, Sr.; Kylah Comley, Sterling, Jr.; Kaley Broekelman, Beloit, Sr.; Breanna McLure, Lyons, Sr.

Second Team

Alexis McAfee, Sabetha, Jr.; Sarah Hajukavich, Douglass, Sr.; Kelcey Hinz, Remington, Sr.; Noelle Dooley, Garden Plain, Sr.; Cami Richardson, Hesston, Jr.

Honorable Mention

Desiree Nelson, Caney Valley, Sr.; Erica Montgomery, SE-Saline, Jr.; Kaylee Bogina, NE-Arma, Sr.; Klair Gibson, Douglass, Jr.; Alex Ratzlaff, Hillsboro, Jr.; Shaylyn Krone, Beloit, Sr.; Emily Gartner, Hiawatha, Jr.; Sara Echelberry, Conway Springs, Sr.; Abby Shelton, Galena, Sr.; Alexis Gifford, Silver Lake, Jr.

Class 2A

First Team

Bailey Olvera, Meade, Sr.; Rachel Doll, Ellinwood, Sr.; Reagan Phelan, Central Plains-Claflin, Jr.; Taylor Rolfs, Central Plains-Claflin, Jr.; Cara Flach, Wabaunsee, Sr.

Second Team

Allie Brown, Valley Falls, Jr.; Ashley Holler, Moundridge, Jr.; Alex Minton, Pittsburg Colgan, Sr.; Cassidy Kelshmier, Chase County, Sr.; Lakin Preisner, Northern Heights, Sr.

Honorable Mention

Alexa Rousch, Madison, Sr.; Erin Alexander, Washington County, Sr.; Aliee Story, Pittsburg Colgan, Sr.; Michelle Schrag, Moundridge, Sr.; Cassidy Enns, Canton-Galva, Jr.; Ashtyn Wiebe, Berean, Fresh.; Kelsey Hendricks, Olpe, Sr.; Samm Ashida, Stanton County, Sr.; Demi Murray, Oberlin, Sr.; Rachel Slattery, Spearville, Sr.

Class 1A Division I

First Team

Carly Heim, Hoxie, Sr.; Shelby Makovec, Centre, Sr.; Sidney Blackbum, Valley Heights, Sr.; Kendra Henry, Waverly, Jr.; Cassidy Haufler, Centralia, Soph.

Second Team

Page Hiebert, Goessel, Jr.; Kristen Burger, Thunder Ridge, Jr.; Terran Hoyt, Hoxie, Jr.; Lexi Schamberger, Hoxie, Sr.; Liz Hasenkamp, Centralia, Sr.

Honorable Mention

Ashton Wood, St. Paul, Sr.; Sara Cramer, Dighton, Soph.; Kaisha Batman, Ingalls, Jr.

Alexis Campazuno, Rural Vista, Sr.; Jordan Speer, Dighton, Soph.; Aleena Cook, Goessel, Jr.; Zarin Goodrich, Marais Des Cygnes Valley, Jr.; Sydney Dent, Pleasanton, Jr.; Brandi Jo Roepke, Valley Heights, Jr.; Josie Albertini, St. Paul, Jr.

Class 1A Division II

First Team

Brenna Eilert, St. John’s-Tipton, Soph.; Janae Price, Bucklin, Sr.; Kelsi Mueller, Moscow, Jr.; Monica Stephens, Wheatland-Grinnell, Sr.; Shayna Rogge, Triplains-Brewster, Sr.

Second Team

Elizabeth Walter, St. John’s-Tipton, Soph.; Faith Gaddie, Argonia, Sr.; Kortney Ricke, Cunningham, Sr.; Macy Stephens, Norwich, Jr.; Maria Cecenas, Moscow, Sr.

Honorable Mention

Bailey Bixenman, Wheatland-Grinnell, Soph.; Courtney Batchman, Sylvan-Lucas, Jr.; Dakota McQueen, Wetmore, Soph.; Jayden Schroeder, Norwich, Soph.; Kadee Braun, Logan, Sr.; Kassidy Clark, South Barber, Sr.; Kiersten Talbot, Axtell, Jr.; Mikaela Meyers, Cunningham, Soph.; Rachel Kuhlman, Wallace County, Sr.; Regan Casey, Natoma, Jr.

Dorothy Horton

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Funeral services for Canon City, Colo., resident Dorothy Horton, 99, formerly of Goodland, will be held Saturday, April 4, 3:00 PM MT at Koons Chapel in Goodland.

Interment will be at Goodland Cemetery.

Friends may share respects Saturday, April 4, 1:00-3:00 PM MT at Koons Chapel in Goodland.

Memorials to Dorothy Horton Memorial may be left at the services or mailed to Koons Funeral Home, 211 North Main, Goodland, KS 67735-1555.

Online condolences to www.koonsfuneralhome.com.

Former FHSU assistant named new UNK women’s basketball coach

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UNK Athletics

Kearney, Neb. – The University of Nebraska at Kearney has hired former Hastings College head coach Carrie Hoffstetter as its head women’s basketball coach, UNK announced today.

UNK will formally introduce Hofstetter as its seventh coach in program history at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The press conference will be hosted on the floor of the Health and Sports Center.

“I am extremely honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the UNK Women’s Basketball program. Throughout the entire process, it has been evident to me that UNK is committed to success and excellence and I couldn’t be more thrilled to join the Loper family,” said Hofstetter.

She is a native of Edgar, Neb., and graduate of Sandy Creek High School and Hastings College. Whether as a player, assistant coach or head coach, Hofstetter has been a part of not only winning programs but ones that contended for championships on an annual basis.

She has a career coaching record of 68-31 in leading the Broncos program the past three seasons. Hastings won 25 and 28 games, respectively, the past two years, reaching the NAIA Division II Tournament national quarterfinals in 2014 and the semifinals this season.

Hofstetter was the head assistant coach at Hastings for four seasons (2004-08) before holding the same position at Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association-member Fort Hays State from 2008-12.

As a collegiate player, Hofstetter was one of the Broncos all-time best players, powering Hastings to four national tournament appearances and 2002 and 2003 national titles. The point guard set school records for career assists and career steals while earning 2004 first-team All-American honors.

As an assistant at Fort Hays, Hofstetter was part of a program that had just joined the MIAA. The Tigers won 59 games in her time assisting head coach Tony Hobson, including a 20-9 mark during the 2011-12 season. Hofstetter also played and worked for Hobson at Hastings College.

Reginald Lipp

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Reginald Lipp, age 84, of Collyer, passed away Monday, March 30, 2015 at Hays Medical Center, Hays.

Services are pending with Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney.

Spencer Museum of Art prepares for closing for renovation

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LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Spencer Museum of Arts on the University of Kansas campus is planning a series of events before it closes for renovations.

The museum says the “Last Look” events will end with a closing party on April 12. Renovations are expected to begin in May and be completed in 2016.

The first phase of the project, expected to cost $5 million, will overhaul the main lobby and central court. It will include an elevator and staircase connecting the museum’s two floors of gallery space and a floor-to-ceiling window.

On April 12, the museum and the university’s Natural History Museum will host a “Day of Creativity,” with performances, demonstrations and other activities, followed by a closing party.

Ellis County fire crews respond to three fires Monday

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By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Ellis County Rural Fire crews were called to three separate fires on Monday.

According to Rural Fire Director Dick Klaus, the first fire was reported in the 2300 block of 230th Avenue at 3:45 p.m. Monday.

Klaus said it appeared the wind caught a piece of tin and blew it into the power lines, which caused the lines to arc, starting a fire in the middle of a pasture.

Klaus estimated about 20 acres of pasture burned.

Crews were also called to the 300 block of 200th Avenue at 5:47 p.m. for the report of a trash barrel burning.

While crews were there, at approximately 6:06 p.m., they received the report of someone burning a pile of grass in the southwest corner of Antonio.

According to Klaus, both fires were extinguished quickly with very little damage.

FHSU’s professional business fraternity to celebrate 50 years with a silent auction

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FHSU University Relations

Fort Hays State University’s Zeta Pi chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi, the professional business fraternity, will celebrate its 50th anniversary on April 25 with a silent-auction fundraiser,

Donations through the auction are tax deductible.

Sponsors will have their logos on a banner at the event and will also have their logos featured in the program for the night.

For more information or to arrange to donate items for the auction, contact Jacob Taylor at [email protected] or Spencer McCue at [email protected].

Rolling Stones North American tour includes Kansas City

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Rolling Stones are zipping across North America again.

The rock band announced a 15-city stadium tour Tuesday that will kick off May 24 at Petco Park in San Diego, California.

The “Zip Code” tour will once again reunite singer Mick Jagger, drummer Charlie Watts and guitarists Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood.

The last time the Rolling Stones played North American stadiums was during their “A Bigger Bang Tour” in 2006. They opted for arena venues for their “50 & Counting” anniversary tour in 2012 and 2013.

The band interrupted last year’s “14 On Fire” and rescheduled all their Australia and New Zealand dates after fashion designer L’Wren Scott, Jagger’s companion since 2001, took her own life.

 

24 MAY – SAN DIEGO – PETCO PARK
30 MAY – COLUMBUS, OH – OHIO STADIUM
3 JUNE – MINNEAPOLIS, MN – TCF BANK STADIUM
6 JUNE – DALLAS, TX – AT&T STADIUM
9 JUNE – ATLANTA, GA – BOBBY DODD STADIUM
12 JUNE – ORLANDO, FL – ORLANDO CITRUS BOWL
17 JUNE – NASHVILLE, TN – LP FIELD
20 JUNE – PITTSBURGH, PA – HEINZ FIELD
23 JUNE – MILWAUKEE, WI – SUMMERFEST
27 JUNE – KANSAS CITY, MO – ARROWHEAD STADIUM
1 JULY – RALEIGH, NC – CARTER-FINLEY STADIUM
4 JULY – INDIANAPOLIS, IN – INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEDWAY
8 JULY – DETROIT, MI – COMERICA PARK
11 JULY – BUFFALO, NY – RALPH WILSON STADIUM
15 JULY – QUEBEC, QC – LE FESTIVAL D’ÉTÉ DE QUÉBEC

KFIX Rock News: Rolling Stones Announce North American Tour; KC Show Included

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stonesinAt last — The Rolling Stones have officially announced their much-anticipated North American summer concert tour.

The 15-date trek, dubbed the Zip Code Tour, begins, as long rumored, in San Diego, California this May, and will end in Quebec the following month.

The rest of the rumored cities are also on the roster, pretty much, though there are some additions.

As you no doubt recall, the Stones planned to announce tour details Thursday, March 19.  Those plans were delayed, reportedly because of ticketing issues involving the trek’s promoters.

Tickets for the shows go on on sale Monday, April 13.

The Rolling Stones also recently launched a contest offering a trip for two to an undisclosed location, where the winner apparently will get the chance to introduce the band prior to a concert.

The contest winner also will receive and a commemorative video of the event shot by the band’s official videographer.  Fifty runners-up will receive a collection of Stones vinyl.  You can enter the contest now until April 2 at JustAKissAway.rocks.

Here’s the full tour itinerary.  More info’s at RollingStones.com.

5/24 — San Diego, CA, Petco Park
5/30 — Columbus, OH, Ohio Stadium
6/3 — Minneapolis, MN, TCF Bank Stadium
6/6 — Dallas, TX, AT&T Stadium
6/8 — Atlanta, GA, Bobby Dodd Stadium
6/12 — Orlando, FL, Orlando Citrus Bowl
6/17 — Nashville, TN, LP Field
6/20 — Pittsburgh, PA, Heinz Field
6/23 — Milwaukee, WI, Summerfest
6/27 — Kansas City, MO, Arrowhead Stadium
7/1 — Raleigh, NC, Carter-Finley Stadium
7/4 — Indianapolis, IN, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
7/8 — Detroit, MI, Comerica Park
7/11 — Buffalo, NY, Ralph Wilson Stadium
7/15 — Quebec, QC, Le Festival d’été de Québec

Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.

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Kansas’ rejection of Medicaid expansion puts hospitals at risk

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Medicaid expansion would generate an additional $1.6 million of annual revenue for Mercy Hospital Independence in southeast Kansas. CREDIT MERCY HOSPITAL INDEPENDENCE
Medicaid expansion would generate an additional $1.6 million of annual revenue for Mercy Hospital Independence in southeast Kansas.
CREDIT MERCY HOSPITAL INDEPENDENCE

By JIM MCLEAN
KHI

Two southeast Kansas hospitals — one in Independence, the other in Fort Scott — are among several in Kansas that might have to close in part due to the state’s failure to expand Medicaid.

To prevent that, both are actively negotiating potential partnerships with neighboring hospitals. Officials at Mercy Hospital Independence and the Coffeyville Regional Medical Center are talking. Similar discussions are underway between Mercy Hospital Fort Scott and Via Christi in Pittsburg.

Even if agreements are reached, Medicaid expansion will remain a crucial issue, says David Steinmann, chief executive of the Independence hospital. He’s facing cuts of nearly $570,000 in Medicare reimbursements and federal disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments, which are designed to partially cover the costs of treating uninsured patients.

Those reductions, Steinmann said, would be more than offset if Kansas expanded its Medicaid program — known as KanCare — to cover more poor adults. He said expansion would generate an estimated $1.6 million in additional revenue for the hospital, enough to cover the anticipated reductions with about $1 million to spare.

“For hospitals like ours that are truly struggling, that could mean the difference between cash flowing or not. So, it’s really significant for us,” Steinmann says.

Unanticipated consequences

When Congress passed the Affordable Care Act, it intended reductions in Medicare and DSH payments to be offset by revenue from increasing numbers of patients with Medicaid and private coverage.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2012 decision on the Affordable Care Act changed that. While rejecting a constitutional challenge to the health reform law, the court made Medicaid expansion optional for states.

The offsetting arrangement has generally worked for hospitals in the 28 states and District of Columbia that have expanded Medicaid. But hospitals in Kansas and the other 21 states that have not expanded Medicaid don’t have access to that offsetting revenue, and many are struggling as a result, particularly low-volume facilities in rural areas not classified as critical access hospitals.

Missouri’s refusal to expand Medicaid eligibility contributed to the recent closure of the Sac-Osage Hospital in Osceola. Several hospitals in southern states have suffered the same fate.

Since 2010, 48 rural hospitals have closed and more than 280 are now listed as “in trouble,” according to the National Rural Health Association.

Alan Morgan, the rural association’s chief executive, says rural hospitals in states that haven’t expanded Medicaid are particularly vulnerable because they can’t offset the reductions in Medicare and DSH payments.

“A lot of these rural hospitals saw a double cut,” Morgan said during a recent appearance on the RFD Radio Network.

The Kansas Hospital Association estimates that rejecting expansion has cost the state about $475 million and counting.

Some lawmakers alarmed

Rep. Jim Kelly, a Republican from Independence, said he wasn’t concerned about Medicaid expansion until he found out about the financial struggles of the hospitals in his district.

“We have one very stressed hospital, and we have another that is probably not at the same level but still not good,” Kelly said at a recent legislative hearing.

Without expansion, Kelly said he feared that hospitals across the state might be forced to close their doors.

“Are my fears realistic or not?” he asked Tom Bell, chief executive of the hospital association.

Bell said several factors were conspiring to increase the financial pressure on Kansas hospitals, but he said Medicaid expansion was the most significant for many, including Mercy Hospital Independence.

“If that hospital were to decide that it couldn’t continue to operate, this issue would be at the very, very top of the list of reasons why they had to shut down,” Bell said.

Kelly is one of many moderate Republicans and Democrats who support a bill backed by the hospital association that would require Gov. Sam Brownback and his administration to craft a Medicaid expansion plan and negotiate its approval with federal officials.

But the conservative Republicans who control the House and Senate are blocking a vote on the bill. It’s bottled up in the House Health and Human Services Committee, where, barring some procedural maneuvering by expansion supporters, it’s likely to remain.

Opponents say the federal government can’t be trusted to pay the lion’s share of expansion costs, even though that’s what the law requires. They also say expanding public coverage to poor but non-disabled adults would allow people capable of supporting themselves to “cut in line” ahead of Kansans with disabilities who receive medical care but are on waiting lists for KanCare support services.

Akash Chougule, a senior policy analyst for Americans for Prosperity, a free-market advocacy organization that wields political power nationally and in many states, said Kansas legislators who support Medicaid expansion could find themselves fighting to keep their seats.

“We certainly plan to hold accountable any legislator who supports this misguided scheme,” Chougule said in response to questions at a recent legislative hearing.

The expansion debate frustrates Steinmann, chief executive of the Independence hospital.

“We’ve got to broaden our thoughts beyond political lines,” he said. “We have an issue, and we’ve got to come together and solve this.”

Potential effect

Currently, the state’s privatized Medicaid program, KanCare, covers about 425,000 children and low-income, disabled and elderly adults. But that number includes relatively few non-disabled adults. Adults with dependent children can participate in KanCare, but only if they have annual incomes below 33 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $8,000 for a family of four. Non-disabled adults without children aren’t eligible for coverage no matter how poor they are.

Expansion would make all Kansans with incomes up to 138 percent of the poverty level eligible for KanCare: That comes to $16,105 annually for an individual and $32,913 for a family of four.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 324,000 Kansans ages 19 to 64 have incomes that would qualify them for Medicaid under expansion. Of those, about 131,000 are uninsured.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment estimates that about 151,000 Kansans who were not previously eligible would sign up for Medicaid if eligibility was expanded to the level called for in the ACA.

Jim McLean is executive editor of KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team.

On 5-2 vote, USD 489 approves tech device for every student

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USD 489 Dir. of Technology Brian Drennon address board at Monday's BOE meeting.
USD 489 Dir. of Technology Brian Drennon addresses BOE at Monday evening’s meeting at Rockwell Administration Building, Hays.

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

The crowd of nearly 30 teachers, administrators and community members broke out in applause following the Hays USD 489 Board of Education’s 5- 2 vote to approve the Technology Committee’s recommendation and move forward with the plan to provide technology devices for every student in the district.

The approved plan calls for mini-iPads for grades K-2, iPads for grades 3-8 and Windows-based devices for grades 9-12.

The approval came after the board listened to three options from Director of Technology Brian Drennon, who was tasked to  design a few phase-in options rather than the initial recommendation.

Option two excluded new devices for Hays High School students, but provided Apple mini-iPads for grades K-2 and iPads for grades 3-8.

Option three excluded new devices at HHS and provided mini iPads for grade K-5 and iPads for grades 3-8.

Option One approved 5-2
USD BOE approved Option One 5-2

The discussion between board members, teachers, principals and members of the Technology Committee focused on the whether a tech device for every student was a “need” that would improve learning in the classroom or a “want” the district could live without.

Drennon presented a slide depicting the cost of each device per pupil per year. For example, one iPad costs less than $75 dollars per year considering the life of the device.

Director of The Learning Center Anita Scheve, a parent of four, said she could not think of any other profession where technology would be considered a want and not a need.

Device cost per pupil
Device cost per pupil

“Technology has become a need across every profession, across every sector of every society. We operate in technology,” Scheve said. “What spoke to me the most as a parent … is that breakdown of cost per device per student, because if you look at how much it cost per student per device … (it) is a minimal investment for something you have heard can be used across every single subject, every single day.”

Board members Greg Schwartz and Lance Bickle voted against the one-to-one option for every student, but Bickle admitted he was “torn.”

“I want to be perfectly clear. I am 100 percent in favor of technology … by no means am I saying its not important in the classroom,” Bickle  said. “The problem I have and go back to is I  honestly can’t say we need, not want, but need one-to one in the classroom at this given time given the financial situation,” adding he would be more comfortable with a phase-in approach.Option Comparisons

The approval came with a stipulation the proposed four-year lease agreement will not exceed more than the current technology budget of a little more than $1.5 million over the next four years.

Director of Finance Tracy Kaiser and Superintendent Dean Katt both said they felt comfortable staying within the current technology budget of $400,000 per year

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