Listen to Mike Cooper interviewing Dr. Jeff Curtis from Medical Specialists, at HaysMed by clicking the link above and then clicking the play button
Month: June 2015
Former Kan. middle school coach sentenced in child sex case
HUTCHINSON -A Kansas man who was coaching at Trinity Catholic School in Hutchinson and entered a guilty plea to one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child was sentenced on Friday to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25-years.
Patrick Kent Blevins, 21, Hutchinson, was arrested after a police investigation determined he was sexually involved with a number of boys under the age of 14.
District Attorney Keith Schroeder agreed to the plea so the boys wouldn’t have to testify and also because even the one count would send Belvins to prison for at least 25-years.
In a statement from Blevins and read by his attorney Sarah Sweet-McKinnon, he strongly apologized to the victims and their families.
He said they should know they did nothing wrong, that it was entirely his fault. He also apologized to his own family and thanked them for standing by his side. He says he hopes to redeem himself sometime in the future.
The victims also had written statements which the judge read to himself. Schroeder asked that those statements be sealed so no one can see them without authorization.
There is some question of restitution for at least some of the victims and Judge McCarville set a hearing on that for July 2.
Family viola trio trains at FHSU music camp
By Rachel Rayner
FHSU University Relations and Marketing
The lucky number for the Coleman family, Salina, seems to be three. All three of the Coleman children play viola and will attend High Plains Music Camp for the third time. And, all three have names that start with “J.”
High Plains is offered by the Fort Hays State University Department of Music and Theatre and takes place on campus every July. The Coleman children, Jonathan, 17; Jessica, 15; and Jillian, 12, join hundreds of other musicians their age for a week of daily rehearsals in large and small ensembles and mini-classes. In the evenings, they attend faculty recitals, social activities and student performances.
Their parents, John and Lisa, first heard about the camp from Lindsay Ladman Modin, who was Jonathan’s fourth-grade orchestra teacher. Although Jonathan was skeptical about the camp at first, afraid they would just rehearse all day, Modin’s enthusiasm eventually convinced him to go.
“So in 2013, when Jillian was just old enough to be included, all three applied for scholarships,” said Lisa. “Music camp was the highlight of their year.”
The scholarships make it possible for the Colemans to attend camp because otherwise tuition would cost $495 per student. The children receive scholarships by sending packages to the camp and the Salina Symphony guild containing recordings of them playing viola and recommendation letters from their instructors. In addition, the Salina Symphony Guild asks them to send artwork about the theme “What Music Education Means to Me.”
“The financial awards from both groups enable our children to be part of the camp; otherwise, there would be no way we could come up with that amount of money. This camp is a gift to our family,” said Lisa.
Training at camp is intense. The Colemans like it. FHSU faculty, alumni and guest artists teach the students, pushing them to their limits.
“I’m challenged at a higher level at camp than I am in my school program, so it pushes me to grow in skill,” said Jillian. “This is especially true of the small ensemble.”
According to Jonathan, the knowledge that he has improved as a musician makes auditioning for chair placement in the Salina Youth Symphony easier.
All three Coleman children participate in the youth symphony program, which has three levels of orchestras ranging from preparatory to advanced. Many of the other students in the youth program also attend music camp.
“It’s great to spend a whole week with my own Salina Youth Symphony friends in a different setting. I also get to reconnect every year with the new friends I’ve made at camp,” said Jonathan.
Camp is filled with diverse people with one unifying element: a love for music. In spite of the hours they spend in rehearsals, the campers have fun through music.
“This past summer one of my friends recruited about 20 of us to help in her talent show song. It was a blast,” said Jessica.
Campers spend hours together in rehearsals for various groups, so they quickly make friends. In addition, they live in the residence halls with roommates and camp counselors, and eat their meals in the McMindes Hall cafeteria. The experience is similar to that of new FHSU students.
“I know living in the dorm for a week is preparing me for future college life,” said Jillian.
It certainly has given Jonathan a taste of what it will be like when he attends FHSU. After graduating high school, he plans to major in business and focus on either advertising or communication. When he arrived for his campus visits, there was a message on the marquee welcoming him, and the professors made him feel that he could contribute something valuable to the college. In addition, the Colemans have heard for years that FHSU is one of the nation’s best values in education.
Although none of the Colemans will major in music, they all plan to play in the orchestra and keep music as a lifelong hobby.
Jonathan, Jillian and Jessica also share interests in theatre, art and soccer. They play concerts for family members and even referee soccer matches with one another, which has earned them the nickname “the Three Amigos” from their family.
The amigos are involved in soccer as well as music. All are certified soccer referees and recently officiated the Mid America Cup in Wichita in addition to league matches for the Salina Soccer Club. Jessica, who is an important member of the Salina South varsity soccer team, has earned her varsity letter and, by team vote, the designation “Most Valuable Freshman” and “Defender of the Year.”
Whether in soccer, music or any of their other activities, the Coleman family operates as a tight-knit team, with John and Lisa serving as supportive and nurturing leaders for their children. Although neither parent plays a musical instrument, they enjoy being in the audience.
“John and I have discovered a beautiful new world of music beyond what we imagined. There’s nothing like the feeling of watching and hearing your own child perform as part of an ensemble or as a solo. It takes your breath away,” said Lisa.
John and Lisa join other parents in watching the ensembles perform at the end of camp.
“My husband and I love to attend the alternative strings concert on the final night,” said Lisa. “Music camp is truly a highlight for us all the way around!”
The entire Coleman family looks forward to music camp because the children work toward their artistic goals. Although the training is strenuous, the Colemans leave camp feeling excited about music.
“When one camp ends, they begin planning for the next summer,” said Lisa.
For more information about High Plains Music Camp, visit www.fhsu.edu/musiccamp/.
Insurance scams can be plentiful after Kansas storms
During the past two months tornadoes, hail, high winds, driving rains and flooding have provided feelings of anxiety and frustration for Kansans whose property has been damaged.
“Unfortunately, those are the emotions that insurance con artists feed on,” said Ken Selzer, CPA, Kansas Commissioner of Insurance. “Unscrupulous individuals who prey on the misfortunes of others make their presence known in a variety of ways. I urge you to let your instincts lead you instead of your emotions when it comes to dealing with that property damage.”
Kansas Insurance Department (KID) personnel have compiled a list of some of the common scams that occur when disaster strikes. Here are some, along with tips on how to deal with them.
• Windshield/glass fraud—Some scammers have been known to stand outside of car washes, showing drivers cracks in the glass on their vehicle, then persuading them to have the glass fixed/replaced. In many cases, the replacement products used are substandard. Consumers should go through their insurance companies to have glass repair documented and to find company-approved repair businesses.
• Homeowners roof damage from hail—KID Consumer Assistance Representatives urge homeowners to call their insurance company first before having any repairs done. The company can recommend local, reliable roofers who can back up their work.
• However, in some cases, roofing companies lease the use of their company names to out-of-area roofers. Always check to see if that is happening, especially in larger-populated areas. Beware of door-to-door solicitors who have never been on your roof, claiming you have damage. Also, never sign an insurance check over to contractors prior to their completion of the work. Check the contractors’ insurance certificate, and if you need verification, call the insurance carrier or our department at 800-432-2494.
• Use of outside adjusters—Insurance adjusters working independently of a company are not licensed to estimate damage on personal property in Kansas. They can, however, adjust for commercial property. If an adjuster comes to your home, ask the person what company he/she is working for. If it’s not your homeowners insurance company, decline the solicitation and contact our Consumer Assistance Division at 800-432-2484. Never sign Power of Attorney documents with a door-to-door adjuster.
• Business “slip and fall” scams—Although this does not just occur after storm damage, the idea of someone slipping on debris and then suing for damages is heightened following bad weather. This is especially true for areas near commercial buildings, and, it can be difficult to dispute if the area is not cleaned up shortly after the damage happens.
• Buying vehicles that have flood damage—Vehicles that have been in floods in other states often make their way here. If you have any concern about a vehicle’s history, check the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) against available vehicle databases yourself, if you are working on a private sale, or have a salesman do it if you are buying from a dealership.
“If you suspect insurance fraud, call our toll-free number and ask for a Consumer Assistance Representative or a member of our Anti-Fraud Division,” said Commissioner Selzer. “We want to assist you any way we can.”
Consumers can also visit our website, www.ksinsurance.org, or our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/kansasinsurancedepartment and print a copy of our brochure “Before and After the Storm” for tips on how to take precautions.
“Protecting yourself from the scams that happen as a result of storm damage can help keep your insurance premiums and repair bills lower,” Commissioner Selzer said, “not to mention your frustration level.”
Ken Selzer is the Kansas Insurance Commissioner
You and Your Young Child: Lyndsey Crisenbery; Exec. Dir. CASA of the High Plains
Hays Community Acoustic Jam session Today
The monthly Hays Community Acoustic Jam session will be held today, June 6th, from 2-4 p.m at the Hays Arts Center Annex, 1010 Main in Downtown Hays. The sessions are held on the first Saturday of each month.
The local acoustic jam is a fun place for people of all skill levels to play acoustical instruments (guitars, banjos, fiddles, harmonicas, bass guitars, etc.). It’s also a great place to invite friends to enjoy music, either playing, singing or listening.
There is no skill level required and you can play and/or sing as little or much as you please.
All you have to bring is yourself, your acoustical instruments, your music and a stand if you need one. People are also welcome to bring paper copies of songs they would like to share with the group if they would like.
All are welcome to attend to either listen or to participate.
Green & Growing – Iron Chlorosis
Gove Co. Medical Center receives Kansas Health Foundation grant
Submitted
The Gove County Medical Center has received a grant from the Kansas Health Foundation to fund the “B.E.S.T.T. Start: Breastfeeding Essentials Support Thriving Together,” an outpatient lactation clinic.
The lactation clinic will provide education and support for infants and breastfeeding mothers including nutritional information, physical and emotional support and assistance with challenges of breastfeeding. Resources such as books and videos will be available in addition to consultations. The clinic will be open for women at any stage of their breastfeeding journey.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Disease Control recommend that infants should be exclusively breastfed through the first six months of life. Numerous benefits for mother and baby occur as a result of breastfeeding. These advantages are short and long term, extending into adulthood for infants, and into menopause and beyond for mothers.
“We are very fortunate to have received this grant as this will enable us to have a lactation clinic and provide support to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of future generations,” said Coleen Tummons, Gove County Medical Center CEO.
For more information about the Kansas Health Foundation, visit www.kansashealth.org.
Mostly sunny, warm, breezy Saturday
A very warm weekend is in store across western Kansas. Today will be warm and muggy, with an afternoon high climbing to near 90. A cold front will move through tonight with lows falling into the mid 60s along with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Thunderstorm chances will be on the increase by late in the day Sunday as an upper level jet stream approaches, along with a front from the north. Severe weather risk will also be present with ample moisture, instability, and wind shear in places Sunday night.
Slightly cooler temperatures can be expected Monday and Tuesday following the frontal passage.
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Breezy, with a south wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Breezy, with a south wind 11 to 20 mph.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 7 to 15 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. North northeast wind 6 to 9 mph.
Monday: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind around 6 mph.
Back to the drawing board for summer meals
By Bryan Thompson
The Kansas State Department of Education and four nonprofit partners are going back to the drawing board in search of ways to keep rural children from going hungry when school is out.
Federal officials last month rejected their proposed demonstration project aimed at boosting participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program. KSDE, Kansas Food Bank, Harvesters Community Food Network, Kansas Health Foundation and Kansas Appleseed submitted an application in February for a demonstration project to provide summer meals at 10 sites in rural Kansas, according to Cheryl Johnson, KSDE director of child nutrition and wellness.
“In those communities, they would have congregate sites for children together, and they could have activities at least two days a week,” she said. “When the students came those days, they could take home shelf-stable meals for one or two days.” Johnson said the program was designed to decrease transportation costs for rural parents.
“That’s really what it comes down to, is to make it cost-effective for parents if they’re having to drive children to a meal site a long distance,” she said. “Are they going to do that every day? The cost for gasoline might be more than having food for their children.”
Johnson said USDA Food and Nutrition Service notified her office in early May that the project would not be allowed — at least not yet.
“USDA said that they weren’t authorized to fund any more demonstration projects in this fiscal year,” she said. “They encouraged us to talk with our congressional delegation as we move forward to see, in child nutrition reauthorization, if they would consider some additional demonstration projects.”
Johnson has spoken with staffers for Sens. Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran, who indicated an interest in finding ways to serve meals to more children in rural communities during the summer. Roberts is chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, which had a hearing last month on reauthorization of child nutrition programs that are set to expire Sept. 30.
Sarah Little, press secretary for Roberts, said the senator would not comment now on specifics of any child nutrition programs. However, she expects Roberts will have “plenty to say” as a reauthorization bill takes shape in his committee. The need for new approaches is reflected in the fact that 44 counties in rural Kansas had no summer meal sites last year.
Crystal FitzSimons, director of school and out-of-school-time programs for the nonprofit Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) in Washington D.C., thinks that’s largely because the Summer Food Service Program targets areas where child poverty is concentrated — and rural Kansas doesn’t fit that mold.
“In a state like Kansas, a lot of communities with significant numbers of low-income kids may not be able to qualify a summer food site, because the 50 percent requirement that 50 percent of the kids have to be eligible for free or reduced-price meals might keep the community from qualifying,” she said.
“We’re hoping that Congress might lower that to 40 percent, and we think it would have a pretty dramatic impact on Kansas.” FitzSimons is one of the authors of a new report on federal summer nutrition programs and state participation levels. Only Oklahoma ranks below Kansas.
According to the report, only 7 percent of the children who eat free or reduced-price lunches during the school year in Kansas ate the free summer meals last year. Still, that was an improvement from 2013. “Kansas is doing a pretty good job of promoting the summer nutrition programs,” she said.
“They’re recruiting additional sponsors and sites, and so last summer they did see an increase, even under the existing rules.” Sponsor organizations agree to provide labor and facilities for meal sites. This year Kansas has 22 new sponsors and more than 100 new meal sites, including several in communities that have never had a summer meal site before.
FitzSimons said one new way to help children from low-income rural families get more reliable access to food during the summer is by giving their parents an electronic benefits card to use for food purchases. This would be similar to the debit cards that replaced food stamps in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Oregon conducted a demonstration project for such a system. “We think that it really does provide a pretty important option for rural communities and underserved areas,” she said. FitzSimons also hopes Congress will include funding in the reauthorization for bus transportation to meal sites, at least in rural areas. The benefits extend beyond the nutrition, she said.
“The great thing about the Summer Nutrition Programs is that they support summer programming and summer activities for kids that keep them active and learning and engaged and focused,” FitzSimons said.
Editor’s note: The Kansas Health Foundation is primary funder of the Kansas Health Institute, which is the parent organization of the editorially independent KHI News Service.
Bryan Thompson is a reporter for Heartland Health Monitor, a news collaboration focusing on health issues and their impact in Missouri and Kansas.
Kansas Senate suspends debate on new plan to raise taxes
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Senate has suspended debate a new plan for raising taxes to balance the state budget that embraces Gov. Sam Brownback’s stance on business taxes.
Senators discovered technical flaws early Saturday morning in the measure drafted by three Senate and three House negotiators. It would increase the state’s sales tax to 6.55 percent from 6.15 percent.
The measure also would raise business taxes by $24 million during the fiscal year beginning July 1. Brownback has said he’ll veto any larger increase.
Lawmakers must raise taxes by more than $400 million to erase a projected budget shortfall during the next fiscal year.
The negotiators drafted the plan Friday night after the House voted 82-27 against a plan defying Brownback’s veto threat by raising business taxes by $101 million.
Expert panel: Mammograms are most worth it for women 50-69
(AP) A new, international panel of experts has studied the most recent evidence on mammograms to screen for breast cancer and says they do the most good for women in their 50s and 60s.
Women 70 to 74 also benefit to a lesser extent. But the panel said evidence that screening helps women in their 40s is limited.
The findings largely mirror advice from a U.S.-government appointed task force, which recommends mammograms every two years starting at age 50. Doing so before then offers little benefit but is a personal choice, the U.S. group says.
The new report was published online Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine.
Firefighters respond to Friday night Hays house fire UPDATE
HFD
At 10:20 p.m. Friday, the City of Hays Fire Department, assisted by the Hays Police Department and Ellis County EMS, was dispatched to a building on fire at 1312 West 46th Street. First arriving police officers reported heavy fire conditions. This report prompted the responding fire department officer-in-charge to call for mutual aid from the Ellis County Rural Fire Department and City of Victoria Fire Department.
Firefighters used two attack hose lines and a ladder pipe to bring the fire under control. The house, which was under construction and about 90% complete, suffered extensive damage. No one was present in the building when the fire started and there were no injuries.
Five fire trucks and seventeen firefighters from the Hays Fire Department, two fire trucks and seven firefighters from the Rural Fire Department and five firefighters and one fire truck from the Victoria Fire Department responded. The Ellis County Emergency Manager also responded to assist.
An investigation by members of the Hays Fire Department and Hays Police Department determined that the fire most probably originated in the area of a gas fireplace and quickly spread through wall voids into the attic and basement. The cause of the fire was accidental but was not determined.
Most of the fire crews had left the scene by 2:30 a.m. Because of the extensive damage, the house could not be properly checked for smoldering hidden fires. One fire crew remained at the scene for the rest of the night to watch for a rekindle.