City of Hays
The City of Hays Utilities Department has contracted ProPipe to conduct sewer line cleaning and inspections at the locations described below and shown on the attached maps. Cleaning began Thursday, October 13, 2016 and will continue through November 22, 2016. The date may change due to breakdowns, weather, or other problems.
On Friday, October 14, 2016, crews will be finishing up the area of 32nd & Skyline Drive and then moving east of Vine from 37th St. to 33rd St .
Kansas’s hardline opposition to Medicaid expansion has to change, if healthcare and health outcomes are going to grow in rural Kansas. Given the governor’s position, and a bill (HB2552) passed in 2014 that change will have to begin in the Kansas Legislature.
A change in the Republican moderate-conservative power distribution coupled with some pick-ups in Democratic seats this November could provide the legislative majority required by HB 2552. A harbinger of that change is the serious challenge being given to Republican State Representative Ron Highland of Wabaunsee County who is facing a young, well-funded, and skillfully organized challenge from Rossville, Democrat Adrienne Olejnik. Similar changes in Johnson County and other districts around the state also seem more likely come Nov. 8.
The Medicaid problem got a pretty good airing through announcements made recently by Stormont-Vail, a big healthcare provider in northeast Kansas. Stormont-Vail and its Cotton-O’Neil division announced the closing of two clinics open for less than 18 months. The Stormont CEO, Randy Peterson, attributed the closings of the Cotton–O’Neil Clinics in Alma (Wabaunsee County) and Lyndon (Osage County) to two things. First, the state’s recent decision to cut Medicaid reimbursements by 4%. Second, the unsparing determination of the governor, endorsed by earlier legislative resolutions, not to accept additional Medicaid money to serve 150,000 Kansans who earn more than the state’s stingy 38% of poverty Medicaid benefit qualification, but less than $30,000 a year for a family of four.
The reimbursement reduction alone cut $3 million from Stormont’s revenue, and the closings negatively impact 2700 clients in northeast Kansas. Not all of that now unserved clientele uses Medicaid. Many are simply average townspeople and farm families, or elderly residents who will now have to find alternatives. State action (and inaction) has made service for all by the healthcare provider economically impossible. Representative Highland has been a supporter of the hardline anti-Medicaid position.
Since the purge of moderate Republican legislators began in earnest in 2012, the legislature has gone on record several times to make clear its solidarity with the governor in opposing Medicaid. In 2014, the legislature attempted to take away any existing or subsequent executive authority to expand Medicaid by enacting HB 2552. The bill explicitly required a legislative enactment before any expansion of Medicaid beyond the current stingy limits can occur. HB 2552 passed the Kansas House 68 to 54 and the Senate 33 to 7. It was signed by the governor in the last days of the 2014 session
The tea leaves do not foretell a veto-proof legislature’s election. If that doesn’t happen, then Kansas can continue to deny expanded Medicaid supported healthcare for 150,000 uncovered Kansans. Whether that proves to be the case or not, it should provide a valuable civics lesson to an electorate that may be turned off by the ugliness of the national electoral scene this year.
It is important to remember that races like the Highland – Olejnik contest actually matter far more to the daily lives of Kansans. Do not forget that voting will determine government’s actions which will affect the lives of real people in real ways.
Dr. Mark Peterson teaches political science at the college level in Topeka.
RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Medicare is unveiling a far-reaching overhaul of how it pays doctors and other clinicians. Compensation for medical professionals will start taking into account the quality of service — not just quantity.
The massive regulation published Friday is known as MACRA. It’s meant to carry out bipartisan legislation passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama last year. See more details here.
MACRA creates two payment systems, or tracks, for clinicians. Medical practices can earn higher reimbursements if they learn new ways of doing business. That includes being willing to accept financial risk and reward for performance, reporting quality measures to the government, and using electronic medical records.
Advocates say the new system will improve quality and help check costs.
But critics say the new requirements are overwhelming and will drive out solo practitioners.
By GARRETT SAGER
Hays Post
The old rugged looking tennis courts by the Hays USD 489 Administration Building, 323 W.12th, have been unused for many years, but now a Fort Hays State University student organization is taking on the project to turn those old tennis courts into two usable basketball basketball courts for community use.
“One of our executive members noticed the state of the tennis courts out at the old high school, and he thought it would be a good idea to do something with it and put it to good use,” KeShawn Sewell, chair of Tiger Pals said.
Sewell set up a meeting with the USD 489 Superintendent John Thissen to first get his permission to do something with the tennis courts.
“He was completely on board with it,” Sewell said.
Tiger Pals eventually rested on basketball courts as their project.
“When you look at Hays, there really are not many places to play basketball in the community and that’s what college kids love to do,” Sewell said.
The plan drawn up is for two basketball courts complete with four basketball goals, four benches (two on each side), installing lights, and two sets of bleachers (one on each side).
Length-wise the courts are regulation, but are a bit more narrow, according to Sewell.
They will start with just two basketball goals first and, as the process goes on, they will add two more to complete the project.
The original plan for the project was to raise funds in the fall and begin construction in the spring, but after talking with Thissen and noting how well fundraising already has gone, Sewell said they can get it done before the winter months arrive.
“We’re kind of in scramble mode right now as far trying to get it done before it gets cold,” Sewell said. “You probably won’t be able to see the full effects until spring.”
Even though the organization has only been in existence for a few months, Tigers Pal decided to tackle the $10,000 project.
“It’s kind of crazy for a new organization, but we’re pretty excited for the challenge,” Sewell said.
Tiger Pals has already done fundraising to raise money for their project. The organization put on a 5K run in August, which was also held in conjunction with a pancake feed.
“That was pretty awesome with it being our first event,” Sewell said.
Sewell and the rest of Tiger Pals also went around Hays to local businesses and spoke to them about sponsorship opportunities in an attempt to raise money for their project.
“Through businesses, we have been able to put together quite a few funds,” Sewell said.
Without the businesses involved, the project would not be able to happen, he added.
The Hays Recreation Commission donated money to help paint the court, Commerce Bank made donations for backboards, and Midwest Energy made donations to install lights.
“We’re going at it like this if you donate money, we’ll put you on the backboard to get you some advertising,” Sewell said.
Additional funding has came in for the benches and the other necessities needed such as repairing the fencing around the property.
Tiger Pals also has a Gofundme page where people can make donations.
Tiger Pals is a volunteer organization that assists individuals with special needs and disabilities by enhancing their physical, social and mental well being through engaging activities. Tiger Pals promotes disability awareness with unique mentorship opportunities and community involvement. They provide a matching system that fosters mentorship between FHSU college students and individuals.
Affiliated partners with Tiger Pals are Arc of the Central Plains and Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas.
“We’re kind of like a Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. We try to match college students up with kids with special needs in Hays,” Sewell said.
When deciding to make the basketball goals, it was also taken into consideration that the Reed Center, DSNWK was right across the street.
“When we talked to the superintendent, he mentioned that there were at-risk individuals who attend school there and they really don’t have a place to play say for like recess,” Sewell said. “We took it as a great opportunity for them to go shoot some hoops.”
Tiger Pals also works with Wilson Elementary School, and volunteers will go to the elementary school and spend an hour the kids there once or twice a week, according to Sewell.
Right now, the group has 40 members counting the executive members and its affiliates. Currently 25 people are signed up for the Wilson Elementary matching program and the rest are signed up to be matched up around the community.
“It’s a pretty good number for it just being in our first year,” Sewell said.
The student athlete teamed up with two fellow track teammates to get the student-funded organization started.
“We did something like this in high school and just wanted to see if there was any way to implement it at the college level,” Sewell said. “We just went for it, and it’s been going pretty well so far.”
For more information on Tiger Pals or help with the project, click here.
Mike Cooper visits with Dr. Grady Dixon, chair and associate professor in the Department of Geosciences at Fort Hays State University, about a recently acquired $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.
Thomas More Prep-Marian PTF will sponsor Christmas Home Tours from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 11 throughout Hays.
The event will include tours of the homes of Travis and Jill Rozean; Rod and Lisa Marcotte; Clay and Jennifer Brown; Troy and Mary Hallagin; and Danny and Jill Dinkel.
Tickets — for adults and children older than 12 — are $15, with all proceeds going to TMP-M PTF.
Submitted
OKLAHOMA CITY– Love’s Travel Stops employees took their commitment to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to a new level this year. The 18th annual companywide campaign to raise funds for CMN Hospitals recently came to an end. With the help of our Customers, employees at more than 390 stores in 40 states raised $2.53 million, which is a record for the most donations collected during the five-week store campaign.
The 19 regional stores combined, including Hays and Ellis, raised more than $41,000 for Via Christi Hospitals in Wichita, the local CMN Hospital.
“We’re so thankful for our employees who set the bar higher every year, and for our Customers who repeatedly support us,” said Jenny Love Meyer, vice president of communications for Love’s. “Every year, our employees continue to outdo themselves and our loyal Customers show more goodwill to help children in their communities. The level of passion everyone demonstrates for this cause is inspiring.”
From August 26-September 30, Love’s team members sold CMN Hospitals’ Miracle Balloons for donations and organized numerous events like 5K runs, rummage sales, cookouts, wrestling tournaments, pet contests, skateboard tournaments and more. Every year, employees’ spouses and children get behind the effort and volunteer to collect donations. Their combined efforts resulted in the stores surpassing their goal of $2.3 million. Since beginning its partnership with CMN Hospitals in 1998, Love’s has raised more than $16 million for the nonprofit.
Love’s showed additional support for CMN Hospitals this year by donating two days’ worth of coffee sales to the nonprofit in honor of National Coffee Day. On September 29-30, $1 of every 24 oz. coffee or cappuccino sold at all Love’s locations went to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in that community.
“We are thrilled that Love’s Travel Stops has once again exceeded their fundraising goals this year,” said John Lauck, president and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “Through Love’s dedication and generosity to the cause, their employees and customers are saving kids’ lives. Thank you for making a tremendous impact on kids in Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country by funding vital treatments, research, equipment and charity care each year.”
Of the 170 CMN Hospitals members throughout North America, 99 benefit from Love’s annual campaign.
SEDGWICK COUNTY – A Kansas woman was sentenced on Thursday for child sex crimes.
Former foster care worker Bridget Martinez, 32, Bel Aire, was sentenced to three years of probation for having sex with a 16-year-old foster child while a worker-volunteer in authority at a foster home, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
The crime occurred in May of 2016. Martinez was employed as a Family Support Worker with Saint Francis Community Services of Salina.
In a statement from the organization on Thursday night, they placed Martinez on administrative leave immediately upon learning of her arrest.
Her employment with Saint Francis Community Services ended July 8, according to the organization.
Prosecutors say Martinez admitted during questioning to having sex with the boy three times. The teen confirmed the relationship.
She could go to prison for two years and eight months if she fails to follow the terms of her release.
In Kansas, the age of consent is 16, but for people in some professions, sexual relations remain illegal beyond that age.
Submitted
Do you think you’re funny? Come enjoy a free show featuring local talent. Bring your best 5 to 10 minutes, and showcase your humor and wit. Improv games will be played, laughter will be had, and guts will be busted.
Doors open for the event, which will be at Hays Community Theater, 118 E. 11th, at 7:30 p.m., with the show starting at 8 p.m. Reserve a stage time at facebook.com/hayshashumor.
SAN DIEGO (AP) – Philip Rivers threw for 178 yards and one touchdown, passing Hall of Famer Dan Fouts to become San Diego’s career passing leader, and the Chargers held off the Denver Broncos 21-13 on Thursday night.
The victory may have saved embattled coach Mike McCoy’s job . The Chargers (2-4) were coming off a mistake-filled loss at Oakland, and earlier in the season lost three games in which they led at the 2-minute warning. There has been increasing fan discontent with the conservative McCoy, and the Chargers are trying to convince voters to approve a $1.1 billion public handout for a new downtown stadium in the form of an increase in the hotel occupancy tax.
The defending Super Bowl champion Broncos were coached by special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis after Gary Kubiak was ordered by doctors to sit this one out because of a migraine condition that mimics strokes.
The five-time defending AFC West champion Broncos (4-2) were mostly sluggish behind Trevor Siemian, who was back at quarterback after rookie Paxton Lynch struggled in a loss to Atlanta. They lost their second straight game and had their NFL-record 15 straight divisional road victories snapped.
The Chargers snapped their streak of 10 straight divisional losses dating to 2014.
Rivers, in his 13th season with the Chargers and 11th as starter, has 43,094 career yards passing. Fouts threw for 43,040 yards in 15 seasons with the Bolts.
Rivers threw a 5-yard scoring pass to rookie tight end Hunter Henry to cap the game’s first possession. Rivers finished 18 of 29.
Otherwise, the Chargers had to settle for Lambo’s career-high four field goals, of 37, 21, 31 and 32 yards.
LATE-FIRING BRONCOS: Denver didn’t get across the 50 on its own accord until there were just 2 minutes left in the third quarter. Denver’s first score came after a punt bounced off San Diego’s Travis Benjamin and the Broncos recovered at the San Diego 11. The refs initially ruled that the Broncos downed the punt, but Denver challenged and got the ball. Brandon McManus kicked a 29-yard field goal.
Siemian was 30 of 50 for 230 yards, with a 5-yard scoring pass to Bennie Fowler midway through the fourth quarter.
McManus kicked a 46-yard field goal with 27 seconds left, and Denver recovered the onside kick at its 46. It got to the San Diego 45 with eight seconds to go before Siemian’s desperation pass was batted down by Dexter McCoil.
DEFENSIVE STAND: The Broncos were threatening at the San Diego 20 with less than 5 minutes to go. But on consecutive plays they were whistled for holding, Siemian was sacked by rookie Jatavis Brown and San Diego’s Craig Mager recovered a fumble by Demaryius Thomas.
RIVERBOAT MIKE: McCoy went for it on fourth-and-1 from the Denver 20 early in the second half, with Melvin Gordon going over the top for a 1-yard gain. Rivers misfired on two straight passes and was flushed on third down, forcing the Chargers to settle for Lambo’s 37-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead. McCoy improved to 25-31 overall in four seasons.
NEW HOLDER: Veteran backup quarterback Kellen Clemens took over as holder for the Chargers after rookie Drew Kaser’s misadventure at Oakland on Sunday. Kaser mishandled the snap on a potential tying field goal with 2:07 left in the 34-31 loss. Kaser, who also shanked a punt, kept his job as punter but lost his job as holder.
ANTHEM WATCH: Chargers players Joe Barksdale, D.J. Fluker, Chris Hairston, Joshua Perry and Tyreek Burwell held up their right fists during the national anthem.
INJURIES: Chargers rookie DE Joey Bosa was having his right hand worked on by the trainers after Denver’s first drive. He was back in for the next Broncos possession. … Broncos WR Cody Latimer left with a concussion in the second quarter. … Gordon limped off the field early in the fourth quarter. He had his right ankle taped and returned on San Diego’s next possession.
BOLIVAR, Mo – Fort Hays State improved to 9-3-1 overall and 5-1 in the MIAA with a 1-0 shutout at Southwest Baptist on Thursday. As a result, head coach Craig Shaw reached the 100th win of his career. The Tigers have now won three in a row. The Bearcats are still in search of their first win this season, now 0-12 overall and 0-6 in the conference.
Hannah Smith recorded the only goal of the game by burying a penalty kick in the 7th minute of the game. Both of Smith’s goals this year have been on penalty kicks.
Abbie Flax picked up her seventh win of the season in goal recording two saves, now 7-3-1 on the year. The Tigers controlled the match as they outshot the Bearcats 16-7.
The Tigers look for their fourth consecutive win on Saturday when they travel to Missouri Southern. The match is set for 11 am.
FHSU Sports Information
WOODSON COUNTY – A Kansas man died in an accident just before 5p.m. on Thursday in Woodson County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1987 Toyota half-ton pickup driven by Joseph E. Rotina, 67, Yates Center, was westbound on 190th Road nine miles northwest of Yates Center.
The vehicle struck a 1995 Dodge Dakota driven by Ira W. Van Arsdale, 69, Yates Center, that was southbound on Hereford Road.
Both vehicles came to rest in the southwest corner of the intersection.
Van Arsdale was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics.
Rotina was transported to Coffey County Hospital.
The drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.
