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Kansas man sentenced for airport bomb hoax

Cain- photo Kans. Dept. of Corrections
Cain- photo Kans. Dept. of Corrections

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City, Kansas, man has been sentenced to more than a year in federal prison for forcing the evacuation of a terminal at Kansas City International Airport when he lied about having a bomb in his truck.

The Kansas City Star reports that 35-year-old David James Cain was sentenced Tuesday to one year and six months in federal prison. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to a charge stemming from the August 2014 incident at the airport’s Terminal B.

Prosecutors say Cain left his truck parked in front of the terminal for more than an hour. After airport authorities announced they’d tow the truck if it wasn’t moved, Cain told airline employees a bomb was in the vehicle.

The terminal was evacuated until law enforcement found no explosives.

Russell, Norton among regional recipients of Community Service tax credits

KS Dept of Commerce logoKDC

TOPEKA–The Kansas Department of Commerce announced that 22 nonprofit organizations will receive tax credits under the Kansas Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP). Since 1994, the CSP has helped nonprofit organizations undertake major capital fund-raising drives for various projects.

“Quality of life is one of the greatest benefits to living in Kansas,” said Kansas Commerce Secretary Antonio Soave. “These organizations and the tax credits they received will help keep the quality of life in their communities outstanding.”

Projects eligible for tax credit awards include community service, crime prevention and health care. Tax credit awards are distributed through a competitive application process. Based on the scope and cost of the proposed project, applicants may request up to $250,000 in tax credits. Applicant organizations in rural areas (less than 15,000 populations) are eligible for a 70 percent credit. Applicant organizations in non-rural areas are eligible for a 50 percent credit.

The following organizations will receive tax credits in 2016:

Arrowhead West Inc., Sedgwick Co., $200,000
Arrowhead West Inc. will use the tax credits to expand residential services to meet the housing need in the Wichita area.

Ashland Health Center, Ashland, $133,000
Ashland Health Center will use the tax credits to provide a digital x-ray machine with a free floating table.

Central Kansas Dream Center, Great Bend, $200,000
The Central Kansas Dream Center will use the tax credits to expand the facility to meet the needs of the at-risk and disadvantaged in Central and Western Kansas.

Coffeyville Coalition for Early Ed, Coffeyville, $200,000
The Coffeyville Coalition for Early Ed will use the tax credits to expand the Dr. Jerry Hamm Early Learning Center to 12 classrooms to operate on a full-time basis.

Community Living Opportunities, Lawrence, $200,000
Community Living Opportunities will use the tax credits to renovate 14 homes for those with multiple disabilities.

Ellinwood District Hospital dba Great Plains of Ellinwood, Inc., Ellinwood, $200,000
Ellinwood District Hospital dba Great Plains of Ellinwood, Inc., will use the tax credits to build a Pharmacy and Outreach Clinic.

GrayCo Over 50, Inc, Cimarron, $84,000
GrayCo Over 50, Inc. will use the tax credits to address accessibility for building entry and safety improvements inside the kitchen and dining areas.

Greater NW KS Community Foundation, Bird City, $200,000
The Greater NW KS Community Foundation will use the tax credits to construct a 10 bed Home for the Aging in St. Francis.

Hamilton Co Public Foundation, Syracuse, $25,000
Hamilton Co Public Foundation will use the tax credits to restore an old, iconic Veterans Memorial Building in Syracuse, Kansas.

Kearney Co Health Care Foundation, Lakin, $200,000
The Kearney Co Health Care Foundation will use the tax credits for the SW KS ENT expansion project, which will remodel an existing center to become new clinic.

Linn Community Nursing Home, Linn, $38,500
The Linn Community Nursing Home will use the tax credits to purchase a handicapped accessible van.

Midland Care Connections, Inc, Topeka, $200,000
Midland Care Connections, Inc. will use the tax credits for New PACE Center, renovations for The House providing Hospice Care.

Morris Co Hospital, Council Grove, $200,000
Morris Co Hospital will use the tax credits for an Emergency Room Expansion

Rainbows United Inc, Wichita, $200,000
Rainbows United Inc. will use the tax credits to create a centralized system for client data.

Russell PRIDE, Inc, Russell, $59,500
Russell PRIDE, Inc. will construct a walking trail in Memorial Park.

Salina Rescue Mission Inc, Salina, $150,292
The Salina Rescue Mission Inc. will use the tax credits for building repairs, purchasing equipment, security upgrades for a homeless men’s shelter.

Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities Inc dba: Schowalter Villa, Hesston, $200,000
Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities Inc. will use the tax credits to provide new classrooms for child care.

St. Luke Hospital Foundation, Marion, $200,000
The St. Luke Hospital Foundation will use the tax credits for Living Center renovations.

Valley Hope Association, Norton, $200,000
The Valley Hope Association will use the tax credits to renovate the treatment center and office space.

Via Christi Hospitals-Wichita Inc, Wichita, $200,000
Via Christi Hospitals-Wichita Inc. will use the tax credits to build a Psychiatric Emergency Services Center.

Wichita Public Library, Wichita, $200,000
The Wichita Public Library will use the tax credits to create a Digital Platform for the Advanced Learning Library.

William Newton Memorial Hospital, Winfield, $139,708
William Newton Memorial Hospital will use the tax credits to purchase a direct digital mammography machine

FAA investigating skydiving death of Kansas woman

Sheralynn Neff. Photo by Clayton Bontrager via Hesston College
Sheralynn Neff Photo by Clayton Bontrager courtesy Hesston College

CUSHING, Okla. (AP) — Investigators are trying to determine how a Kansas skydiver was separated from her parachute harness during a jump in Oklahoma.

The body of 26-year-old Sheralynn Neff of North Newton was found Monday by authorities south of an airport near Cushing, Oklahoma.

Neff was reported missing on Sunday after she made a jump with the Oklahoma Skydiving Center.

Cushing police Chief Tully Folden says Neff’s parachute harness was found in a tree about 5 miles away.

The Oklahoman reports the Federal Aviation Association is assisting with the investigation. FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford has said the agency’s main focus is determining whether the parachute was packed properly and if the harness was in good shape.

Neff graduated from Hesston College in 2011.

She was a high-achieving student who was involved with many different areas of campus life, according to a media release. She earned an associate of arts degree in Bible and Ministry with Dean’s List honors, served as a ministry assistant during her second year and participated in both choir and concert band.

🎥 New HBC landscaping awards promote water conservation in Hays

Gene and Joann Fleharty received the first-ever Water$mart Residential Landscaping award.
Gene and Joann Fleharty received the first-ever Water$mart Residential Landscaping award.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The Hays Beautification Committee, comprised of local volunteers who work with the guidance of ex-officio board member Jeff Boyle, Hays Director of Parks, has changed its annual recognition award.

For many years, a Commercial Improvement Award was presented to Hays businesses that “updated their landscaping and made it pretty,” according to Boyle.

“Sometimes that award involved a lot of plants and flowers that may not necessarily be water-efficient or drought-tolerant,” Boyle recently told city commissioners.

“In light of the recent drought and the direction we’re going here in the city of Hays, the Beautification Committee met and discussed having a different type of awards system each year.

“What we came up with is called the Water$mart Landscape Award,” Boyle said, “and what we’re trying to do is promote (water) conservation throughout the community and highlight those locations that are doing water-smart things with their landscape areas.”

The first two Water$mart awards, one for commercial landscaping and one for residential landscaping, were presented to the winners earlier this month.

Boyle outlined what the HBC committee members look for in making the awards.

“The program principles include planning and design, low water use plants, practical turf areas, efficient irrigation or lack thereof, soil amendment and proper use of mulch, and proper maintenance of these landscape items.”

The landscapes must be in the Hays city limits and established for at least one full year to be considered as a nominee.

“We want to make sure they (property owners) are going to continue maintaining it and keeping it looking nice,” Boyle explained.

The HBC members first went on location to view each nominee and then declared two winners.

HaysMed received the 2016 Water$mart Commercial Landscaping award.
HaysMed received the 2016 Water$mart Commercial Landscaping award.

Gene and Joann Fleharty were the winners of the residential award. HaysMed won the commercial award.

“The Fleharty yard basically has everything that we’re looking for,” Boyle said. “Beautiful buffalo grass — which is drought tolerant. All the plants, shrubs and trees are drought tolerant. The backyard has a very nice wildflower display. Back in the corner are cedar trees with wildlife bundle plantings for bringing in wildlife.

“Just an absolutely beautiful location with very minimal if any water requirements,” he added. “This is exactly what we like to see in Hays from a water conservation standpoint.”

Area residents mourn loss of Kansas zoo favorite

Mombasa -photo Brit Spaugh Zoo
Mombasa -photo Brit Spaugh Zoo

GREAT BEND – Central Kansas residents are mourning the loss of a favorite at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo.

Mumbasa, affectionately known as “Boss” the African Lion that has called Great Bend home for 19 years, passed away this week at the zoo, according to a media release.

He would have been 20 years old on October 6th.

In the last couple of weeks Boss’ health began to rapidly deteriorate and despite the best efforts made by staff and veterinarians, his health did not improve and staff was forced to make to the difficult decision to humanely euthanize him.

Sara Hamlin, Zoo Supervisor and Curator says the loss of any zoo animal is hard.

“While we always know death is an inevitability with our geriatric animals, it’s never any easy thing for animal care staff to go through, in fact, it is hands down the absolute hardest part of our jobs.”

Mumbasa and his two sisters moved to Great Bend at just 8 weeks old and quickly became favorites of the community.

He spent most of his life with his sisters as companions, but after their deaths several years ago, Mumbasa took comfort in the companionship of the zoo’s other male lion Luke.

Hamlin says the average life expectancy for male lions in captivity is around 18 years of age. In the wild, lions live for only 10-12 years.

Zoo staff are inviting the public to call the Zoo at 620-793-4226 or post and share with them your favorite memory of Boss on their Facebook page.

Audit reveals problems at Kan. Dept. for Children and Families

Photo by Dave Ranney
Photo by Dave Ranney

TOPEKA — The results of an audit of the Kansas Department for Children and Families released on Wednesday indicated that DCF has not yet implemented several recommendations for its child protective services function and has not responded to all report center calls in a timely manner.

The review found that a child’s safety was not assessed timely in 5 of 40 investigations.

As of May 2016, DCF had only implemented one of nine safety-related recommendations from a 2013 assessment of its child protective services function.

Read the report here.

The report did not include an investigation into allegations that the agency discriminates against same-sex couples.

The audit, which now goes to lawmakers for recommendations, is focused on safety and privatization.

Kansas man checking fences hospitalized after rear-end crash

GEARY COUNTY – A Kansas man was injured in an accident just before 7:30a.m. on Wednesday in Geary County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Dodge Truck driven by Vernon Charles Bohn, 60, Dwight, was northbound driving the ditch line checking fences at 10-20 mph in the 7000 block of Humboldt Creek Road twelve miles southeast of Junction City.

A 1988 International truck driven by Robert L. Rahe, 47, Marion, was northbound and rear-ended the Dodge and pushed it into a pasture

Bohn was transported to Stormont Vail Topeka. He was wearing properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Rahe was not injured.

KanCare providers vent to feds over payment cuts

By ANDY MARSO

Photo by Andy Marso/KHI News Service Megan Buck, left, program services branch manager for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and James G. Scott, associate regional administrator for CMS, heard comments about the state’s privatized Medicaid program during a Tuesday forum in Salina. The state plans to submit its KanCare renewal application in October to federal officials.
Photo by Andy Marso/KHI News Service Megan Buck, left, program services branch manager for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and James G. Scott, associate regional administrator for CMS, heard comments about the state’s privatized Medicaid program during a Tuesday forum in Salina. The state plans to submit its KanCare renewal application in October to federal officials.

A pair of federal officials heard a litany of concerns from KanCare providers and clients Tuesday in Salina as the state prepares to apply for renewal of the managed care Medicaid program.

James G. Scott, associate regional administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Megan Buck, the agency’s program services branch manager, heard about problems with applying for Medicaid, cuts to services and provider reimbursements, and difficulties getting help from the state during the forum at the Bicentennial Center.

Rick Cagan, executive director of the Kansas chapter of the National Association for Mental Illness, told Buck and Scott that the complaints should give federal officials pause as they consider the upcoming application to renew the program past 2018.

“KanCare experiment is still very flawed, and you’re hearing that from many people here today,” Cagan said.

In November 2011, Gov. Sam Brownback announced his plan to reform the state’s Medicaid program. Three private insurance companies were selected to run the $3 billion KanCare program, which launched in 2013 and provides health insurance for more than 425,000 Kansans.

A spokeswoman for state agencies disputed claims that the problems described Tuesday are systemic, telling the Topeka Capital-Journal that the program is working well for most on Medicaid.

But during the forum, providers described a Medicaid system at a breaking point, with cuts to programs meant to keep Kansans out of hospitals and nursing homes coming as those facilities also struggle with reimbursement reductions and long waits for residents’ Medicaid applications to process

“I have not been approved for a single Medicaid application in my building since October,” said Haely Ordoyne, co-owner of a nursing home in Washington County called Centennial Homestead.

Photo by Andy Marso/KHI News Service Haely Ordoyne is co-owner of a nursing home in Washington County called Centennial Homestead. During a KanCare forum Tuesday in Salina, Ordoyne told federal officials that none of her residents’ Medicaid applications have been approved since October.
Photo by Andy Marso/KHI News Service Haely Ordoyne is co-owner of a nursing home in Washington County called Centennial Homestead. During a KanCare forum Tuesday in Salina, Ordoyne told federal officials that none of her residents’ Medicaid applications have been approved since October.

Ordoyne said almost 70 percent of the residents at her 31-bed facility rely on Medicaid.

She and other nursing home administrators, like Charles Smith of Medicalodges in Coffeyville, have watched residents struggle to get applications processed since the state switched to a new computer system last year and funneled all applications through a single KanCare Clearinghouse in Topeka.

Smith said the current wait times are “getting ridiculous” and his small chain of homes is carrying more than $2 million in uncompensated care for Medicaid-pending residents.

Providers of home and community-based support services for Kansans with disabilities said years of stagnant reimbursements have left them unable to recruit and retain enough staff.

Administrators from hospitals large and small said a 4 percent cut in Medicaid reimbursements approved by Gov. Sam Brownback to help balance the budget would make it financially harder for them to provide their full array of services to Medicaid patients.

“Since 1897 when our hospital was founded, we have never reached this type of crossroads,” said Bob Finuf, vice president of Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, adding that Medicaid is a topic of concern at every board meeting. “It’s reached a point where we have to consider options we’ve never had to think about that are extremely anti-cultural to us.”

Scott and Buck listened quietly throughout hours of testimony, asking few questions until the open mic period at the end, when they talked through individual cases with people who stepped up from the crowd of more than 100.

Scott sought to assure the audience members that their concerns were not falling on deaf ears.

Sean Gatewood, lobbyist for the KanCare Advocates Network, which hosted the event, provided several suggestions for federal officials as they consider the KanCare renewal. They included removing home and community-based services from KanCare, like they were in the program’s first year.

At a minimum, Gatewood said, the state should not be allowed to make further major changes to Medicaid, such as combining waiver services for Kansans with disabilities, while the current problems remain.

“They haven’t proven hypothesis one,” Gatewood said. “We shouldn’t let them go to hypothesis five.”

Andy Marso is a reporter for KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team. You can reach him on Twitter @andymarso

Kansas man arrested for allegedly assisting with Kan. jail escape

Warren Varelman-Morton
Warren Varelman-Morton

DICKINSON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Dickinson County are investigating a suspect in connection with Monday’s inmate escape from the jail in Abilene.

Just hours after the Sheriff’s Office captured escapee Trent Hostetter, 27, authorities arrested 20-year-old Warren Varelman-Morton of Chapman.

He is alleged to have assisted in Hostetter’s escape, according to a media release from the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities believe there is sufficient evidence to show that Hostetter did not act alone in his escape.

Varelman-Morton was booked into the Dickinson County Jail on requested charges of criminal damage to property and conspiracy to commit aggravated escape from custody.

Hostetter escaped from the jail between 7:25 and 8:05 p.m. Monday through a portion of a fence that had been compromised in an exercise yard, according to Dickinson County Sheriff Gareth Hoffman.

A short time later, Hostetter stole a vehicle a couple of blocks from the Dickinson County courthouse.

A Herington police officer later saw the vehicle and pursued it into Lincolnville. The stolen vehicle crashed and Hostetter fled on foot, according to Hoffman.

Trent Hostetter
Trent Hostetter

After an all night search, Hostetter was captured and returned to jail.

Hostetter was being held for impersonating an officer and a parole violation. He now faces an additional charge of aggravated escape from custody.

HaysMed set to begin renovations of Miller Pavilion

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Miller Pavilion

Hays Medical Center

HaysMed will begin renovations of the Miller Pavilion in August. The project will broaden patient access to services and expand the surgical waiting area.  The remodel is scheduled to be completed by June 2017.

The registration area will be relocated closer to the entrance and will result in five individual admissions offices. There will also be seven new financial counselor offices. The individual offices afford patients more privacy when checking in at the hospital and also access to financial counselors all in one area.

“The new admissions offices will create a more welcoming environment for patients and families to discuss their private information,” said Steven Brull, HaysMed Admissions Supervisor. “It also consolidates all our admissions offices into one area.”

A large surgical waiting area will be located east of the new admissions area featuring windows along the entire south side. The area will include large comfortable waiting chairs, a mini beverage dispenser area, vending machines, flat screen TVs, and an information desk. All electrical outlets will have USB ports with them to allow for phone charging. In addition two private consultation rooms will be available for families to privately talk with their physician.

The biggest change will be the entry door to the pavilion. An automatic revolving door will be installed to provide easier access for patients and also help maintain climate control during hot and cold months.

“The revolving door will make it easier for patients to enter the hospital,” said Shae Veach, Vice President for Regional Operations and Marketing. “It will also cut down on the heating and cooling costs inside the building.”

The information desk, manned by HaysMed Volunteers, will be moved closer to the entrance doors. This will allow for patients and visitors to ask questions and easily locate the service they are looking for.

Another added feature will be the relocation and update of the Foundation Donor Wall. The Donor Wall recognizes friends and benefactors who have provided generous gifts as an investment in HaysMed to ensure quality healthcare for the people of Western Kansas.

Entrance B at the Miller Medical Pavilion will remain open during the renovations and the information desk will remain. The drop off and valet parking will be available and Parking Lot B will remain open. The pharmacy has been relocated to the lower level of the Bickle Family Tower area and can be accessed through Entrance A.

“We are very excited about the renovations to this area of the hospital,” said Veach. “We are pleased to be able to improve the experience of our patients and families when they visit our facility.”

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