ELLIS–The Ellis Fire Department is once again giving away smoke detectors to local families.
According to Firefighter Tim Kohlrus, each family in Ellis is eligible for one free fire detector. Signup continues through Fri., Sept. 30 at Ellis City Hall by calling (785) 726-4812.
Kohlrus said installation of the detectors by firefighters is tentatively scheduled for October. The Ellis Smoke Detector Give-Away project is made possible by grant funds from the American Red Cross.
The fire death rate in homes with working smoke alarms is 51 percent less than the rate for homes without this protection, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Photo by KHI News Service File Tim DeWeese, executive director of the Johnson County Mental Health Center, says contract impasses between the state and training providers could force community mental health centers to find their own training. And he says that change could lead to lower-quality care
By MEGAN HART
Contract impasses between the state and training providers could force community mental health centers to find their own training — which one mental health center leader said would reduce the quality of care.
The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services contract with the Training and Technology Team, or T3, at Wichita State University expires in October. T3 does online and event training, mostly geared toward providers of children’s mental health services. It also provides technical support for community mental health centers in Kansas.
Some other contracts are pending almost three months into the fiscal year. Those still negotiating with KDADS include Wichita State’s Community Engagement Institute, which offers peer support specialist training, and the community mental health centers themselves, which are operating under an extension through December.
Tim DeWeese, executive director of Johnson County Mental Health Center, said the ongoing uncertainty could create problems for employees like peer support specialists, who require certification. Medicaid will only reimburse community mental health centers for services provided by employees who have completed their training within six months of being hired.
“It’s a pretty big deal, given that peer supporters are supposed to be specifically certified,” he said. “I think, again, it’s just one more example of the state dismantling the mental health system.”
The current contractors had offered the training for a long time, DeWeese said, and it isn’t clear who else could provide the same services. He also wasn’t sure what it might cost for Johnson County Mental Health Center to do its own training.
“It essentially places the burden on us,” he said. “It’s another unfunded mandate.”
It also isn’t clear how the state would ensure that community mental health center employees receive proper training, DeWeese said.
“It really minimizes the importance of evidence-based practices in the state,” he said.
Brad Ridley, KDADS commissioner for finance and information services, said the state already has some training on a website, KS Train, and is in the process of switching its other online training programs to the same site.
“It was being more consistent and efficient from a statewide IT perspective,” he said.
State budgets have been tight for more than a year, following large income tax cuts approved in 2012.
Similar contract concerns
The contract for T3, the Wichita State team that provides training with children’s issues, will end in October after 18 years, said Yasir Muneer, executive director of T3. The system allowed community mental health centers to track how much of the required training their employees had completed and provided information to KDADS and community mental health centers, he said.
Stacy Rucker, state training coordinator for T3, said KDADS officials told her that using Medicaid for training wasn’t allowable under federal rules.
Similar concerns came up in the state’s negotiations with the University of Kansas this year. The KU Center for Mental Health Research lost its contract to ensure the state’s community mental health centers are implementing evidence-based practices for treating mental health problems correctly. Contract talks later restarted.
That disagreement centered on whether KU could use Medicaid funds to pay graduate research assistants’ tuition. The center’s director said KDADS made a last-minute offer for an extension that would have required him to lay off half his staff.
Federal rules do allow Medicaid administrative funds to be used for certain types of training, but the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services didn’t respond to a request to clarify if the Kansas programs were acceptable uses.
Some training delayed
Training sessions for people recovering from mental illnesses who want to help their peers have been pushed back while the state hammers out contract questions with the Community Engagement Institute at Wichita State.
Peer support specialists are people who are recovering from their own mental illnesses and have received certification to help others begin recovery, said Randy Johnson, director of the institute’s Center for Behavioral Health Initiatives. They typically work for community mental health centers or consumer-run organizations and can bill Medicaid for specific services.
The institute and KDADS didn’t finish negotiations before the new fiscal year started in July, so they agreed to an extension through Aug. 31, said Scott Wituk, the institute’s executive director. That extension has ended, but he said they still are working on negotiations.
“We want to be responsive to the needs of KDADS and its partners,” he said.
It isn’t unusual for negotiations to run over, Wituk said, but the Center for Behavioral Health Initiatives has canceled or postponed some training sessions until a new contract is finished.
Peer specialists learn how to use their own experiences to connect with clients with mental illnesses, Johnson said. While they aren’t meant to replace mental health providers, clients can benefit from seeing both, he said.
“Working together is where we see the most forward movement” in people’s conditions, he said. “People respond differently to different things.”
Megan Hart is a reporter for KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team. You can reach her on Twitter @meganhartMC
The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia Kansas Round‐Up of Chapters welcomes everyone to continue the Oktoberfest weekend in Hays Kansas by attending the 34th Annual AHSGR Round‐Up of Chapters in the meeting room of the Whiskey Creek Restaurant, 3203 Vine. The event will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1.
The Kansas Round‐Up of Chapters is held annual in Hays and is hosted each year by one of the three active AHSGR Chapters: Hays, Topeka and Wichita. This year it is hosted by the Hays, Sunflower Chapter. The event consists of speakers and programs dealing with the history, folklore and genealogy of the Germans from Russia.
This year’s events include:
• “Getting the Most from the AHSGR Website” – Speaker, Hannah Witt, AHSGR, Lincoln, Ks.
• Video – “NORKA: Passage in Time” A document film of a German Russian village in 1921.
• “Powerful Voices on the Margins: A Presentation on Family, Oral, and Archival History”; “Dear
Children, Jakob and Amelie: Analyzing Personal Letters Sent from a Volga German Village”; ‐
Speaker, Speaker ‐ Tatjana Schell, North Dakota.
• “Volga German Use of Natural Resources: Limestone on the Treeless Great Plains” – Speaker – Guy Windholz, Hays, Ks.
• “Weihnachtzeit im Oktober”, Sunflower Chapter Members, Hays, Ks.
• Polka music provided by Galen Schmidtberger, Victoria, Ks.
Schell
Tatjana “Tanja” Schell was born and raised in Russia. Her family is originally from the Volga German village of Seewald, where they lived until September 1941, when the entire village population was deported eastward to the region of Omsk in western Siberia. After 25 years in Siberia, the family returned to their Volga homeland and settled in the village of Frank. In the late 1990’s, Tanja and her family left Russia for Germany.
After receiving her M.A. in English in Munich, Germany, she moved to Fargo, ND, in 2010 to pursue further academic education. For the past six years, she has been working toward her Ph.D. degree while also teaching college composition to domestic and international students at the North Dakota State University Department of English. Her dissertation project deals with personal letters sent from Kratzke, Russia, to Jacob and Amalie Jerger {nee Krug), an immigrant Volga German couple in the Midwest, in the 191 O’s through the 1930’s. Tanja is a Life Member of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. Several stories she wrote or translated have appeared in the AHSGR Journal.
For more information or registration information, contact Kevin Rupp at (785) 656‐0329 or [email protected].
Funeral services for longtime Wallace County, Kansas, resident Glenda Allaman, 77, will be held Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 10:30 AM MT at Wesleyan Church in Sharon Springs, Kansas.
Burial will be at Wallace Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday, September 27, from 4-6 PM MT at Koons Funeral Home in Sharon Springs.
Memorials to Dinas Community Church or Hospice Services of Wallace County may be left at the service or mailed to Koons Funeral Home, 211 N Main, Goodland, KS 67735-1555.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach to show why he shouldn’t be held in contempt for failing to comply with an injunction requiring him to put on voter rolls people who registered at motor vehicle offices without providing citizenship documents.
U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson on Monday ordered Kobach to appear in her courtroom Friday and to file a written response by Thursday.
Kobach says the state “is in full compliance with the district court’s order.”
The American Civil Liberties Union contends Kobach has not registered these voters in the official poll books as Robinson ordered in May. The ACLU argues Kobach also issued a misleading voter notice.
These voters aren’t given a regular ballot and must use a provisional one, which raises secrecy concerns.
An invention by a Fort Hays State University virtual student is among those to be featured on a CNBC show next month.
Bobbi Sue McCollum’s “Goldilocks valves,” designed to change the way health care professionals administer CPR, will air on “Make Me a Millionaire Inventor at 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6 in CNBC.
Click HERE to read about McCollum’s invention and story from Hays Post. For more on the upcoming season of “Make Me a Millionaire Inventor,” click HERE.
The Hays Police Department responded to 18 traffic stops and 11 animal calls Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Driving Under the Influence–600 block Park St, Hays; 1:44 AM
Water Use Violation–4600 block Roth Ave, Hays; 2:43 AM
Credit Card Violations–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 2:30 AM; 2:34 AM
Dead Animal Call–800 block Commerce Pkwy, Hays; 6:01 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–4400 block Vine St, Hays; 7:42 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:10 AM; 8:46 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–1900 block E 22nd St, Hays; 8:30 AM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 8:59 AM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 9:18 AM
Disturbance – Noise–1100 block Cody Ave, Hays; 10:07 AM
Animal Call–2900 block Broadway Ave, Hays; 10:45 AM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–2500 block Gen Hays Rd, Hays; 11:42 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–100 block E 15th St, Hays; 12:14 PM
Found/Lost Property–1600 block Main St, Hays; 3:53 PM
Found/Lost Property–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 4:23 PM
Found/Lost Property–1200 block Main St, Hays; 6:25 PM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 6:36 PM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 7:37 PM
Found/Lost Property–2300 block Pershing Ct, Hays; 9:05 PM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–2700 block Woodrow Ct, Hays; 10:53
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–600 block Elm St, Hays; 11:24 PM; 11:25 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 29 traffic stops and 4 animal calls Sat., Sept. 24, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Found/Lost Property–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:13 AM
Disturbance – Fight–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:06 AM
Disorderly Conduct–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:42 AM
Driving Under the Influence–100 block E 7th St, Hays; 1:55 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 3:09 AM
Disturbance – Noise–700 block W 12th St, Hays; 3:44 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–1200 block Tamarac Cir, Hays; 5:51 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–300 block E 6th St, Hays; 7:19 AM
Drug Offenses–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 9:07 AM; 11:27 AM
Animal At Large–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 10:42 AM
Theft (general)–500 block W 6th St, Hays; 9/23 9 PM; 9/24 11:30 AM
Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen–1500 block Vine St, Hays; 3:24 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–300 block W 17th St, Hays; 3:34 PM
Drug Offenses–100 block E 23rd St, Hays; 4:27 PM
Found/Lost Property–8th and Elm St, Hays; 5:06 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 5:38 PM; 5:40 PM
Animal Injured–1200 block Walnut St, Hays; 5:49 PM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 6:48 PM
Civil Dispute–100 block E 5th St, Hays; 9:16 PM
Liquor Offense, sell, furnish, transport–400 block W 6th St, Hays; 10:40 PM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–400 block W 6th St, Hays; 11:15 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 13 traffic stops and 17 animal calls Sun., Sept. 25, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Urinating in Public–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:37 AM
Driving Under the Influence–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:44 AM
Suicidal Subject–500 block Milner St, Hays; 4:40 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–2500 block Gen Lawton Rd, Hays; 6:55 AM
Animal At Large–1300 block W 43rd St, Hays; 8:02 AM
Animal At Large–1300 block Main St, Hays; 10:01 AM
Animal At Large–19th and Oak St, Hays; 10:34 AM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–800 block of Vine St, Hays; 1:14 PM
Animal At Large–21st St and Canterbury Dr, Hays; 1:33 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–32nd & Vine Frontage St, Hays; 1:58 PM
Drug Offenses–400 block E 21st St, Hays; 2:54 PM
Burglary/vehicle–Hays; 9/24 11 AM; 10:30 PM
Water Use Violation–2900 block Roosevelt Ave, Hays; 4:09 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–300 block Ash St, Hays; 4:55 PM
Domestic Disturbance–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 7:15 PM; 7:45 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–600 block E 5th St, Hays; 10:42 PM
SALINE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating a home invasion robbery.
Salina Police are searching for two men accused of robbing another man at his west Salina home Friday evening.
Just before 8:30 p.m. on Friday, a man in his 30’s, answered a knock at the door of his home in the 300 block of South College Street, according to Police Captain Chris Trocheck.
The man allowed the suspects to enter his home, and once inside, they pistol whipped and robbed him.
Trocheck said the suspects took $3,000 in cash and a Samung cellular phone valued at $200 from the residence.
Police are searching for two known suspects in the case.
No arrests had been made.
The victim suffered abrasions to his head and face.
SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Shawnee County continue to investigate a fatal dog attack of a toddler.
Just after 8 p.m. on Saturday, police in Topeka responded to report of a missing 2-year-old girl in the 800 Block of SE Carnahan Avenue, according to a media release.
After a search, the child identified on Monday as Piper Dunbar of Topeka was found dead in the yard of the residence and had been the victim of a dog attack.
The Topeka Animal Control Division seized two dogs that were found within a fenced yard of the residence.
The Shawnee County District Attorney is reviewing the case, according to police.
MANHATTAN, Kan. – For a second-consecutive week, a Kansas State returner earned Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week accolades as sophomore Byron Pringle was honored for his performance against Missouri State, the conference office announced Monday morning.
Pringle, a community-college transfer, earned K-State’s 22nd special teams player-of-the-week honor since 2011. Additionally, it was the Wildcats’ 39th Big 12 Player of the Week accolade in the last six seasons, which ranks second in the league.
A week after Dominique Heath returned a punt 75 yards for a score against FAU en route to his player of the week honor, Pringle recorded 108 all-purpose yards in just one half of K-State’s 35-0 weather-shortened victory over Missouri State on Saturday.
Pringle began his evening by returning the opening kickoff 35 yards as the Wildcats scored on their opening drive, and he later took a second-quarter punt 43 yards to the Bear 21-yard line. The return set up another K-State score three plays later to take a 21-0 lead. The sophomore also hauled in his first-career touchdown reception, a 19-yard pass in the first quarter on a tipped ball in the end zone.
Kansas State opens Big 12 play on the road as the Wildcats face West Virginia on Saturday in Milan Puskar Stadium. The game, which kicks off at 2:30 p.m. (CT), will be televised by ESPNU.
WaKeeney resident Ronald D. Tyrrell, age 78, passed away Thursday, September 22, 2016 at the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney.
He was born April 30, 1938 in New Almelo, KS the son of Roy & Mary (Vahling) Tyrrell.
He was united in marriage to Dolly M. Cobb on September 2, 1978 in Miami, OK. She survives.
Other survivors include a son, Rick Haynes of De Motte, IN; daughters, Tammy Haynes of WaKeeney, Cathy Stockman of Pueblo, CO, Cindy Orr of Montgomery, TX & Marjorie Ashcraft of Fruita, CO; brother, Tom Tyrrell of Norton; sisters, Roberta Lively of Phillipsburg, KS & Ruth Lucidi of Palm Harbor, FL; 9 Grandchildren; & 7 Great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday, Sept. 26, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. in Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor John Anderson officiating. Burial with Military Honors by the U.S. Navy will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.
Mr. Tyrrell will lie in state from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday and noon – 9 p.m. Sunday with the family receiving friends from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2nd Street, Phillipsburg, KS 67661.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Parkinson’s Disease Association.
Lyle Dilley, 91, of Hays, died Friday, September 23, 2016 at Hays Medical Center. He was born August 20, 1925 in Mount Hope, Kansas to Everett and Elizabeth Dilley. Lyle was married to Bonnie Brown in June of 1949. They were married in Leon, Kansas at the First Christian Church.
Lyle and Bonnie were both music majors at Wichita State University when they met. Following Lyle’s graduation with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music education, they moved to Belle Plain to begin their work together in music education. Lyle and Bonnie also began their family giving birth to their first son Allen. After two years at Belle Plain, Lyle and Bonnie moved on to Wellington where Lyle began a ten-year position in the Wellington School system. Lyle had responsibility for the marching band and junior high band. As a tribute to his accomplishments, the band received ten consecutive first-division ratings, and the senior band received two second-division ratings followed by eight consecutive first-divisions. Lyle also played for eleven seasons with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra as a bass trombonist. During their time in Wellington, the Dilley family expanded to include Barbara, Steven and David.
In 1961, Lyle accepted the position of Director of Bands and instructor of Low Brass at Fort Hays State University. Membership throughout the Tiger Marching Band grew from approximately 50 members in 1961 to our largest enrollment of 150 members in 1970. In addition to serving as Director of Bands, Lyle conducted the Hays Symphony; taught all low brass, brass methods, conducting, and supervised student teaching. In 1975, Lyle became the Director of the High Plains Band Camp (now High Plains Music Camp).
Throughout his distinguished career, Lyle organized a range of programs. Such programs include: the second Kansas High School Marching Band Competition in 1962, the first Kansas High School Invitational Concert Band Workshop in 1963, the first Kansas Inter-Collegiate Concert Band in 1975, and the Hays Symphony Guild in 1985. Lyle served as president of the KMEA (Kansas Music Educators Association) and in 1990 was admitted into the KMEA Hall of Fame. He retired as Professor at Fort Hays State and remained active in music education. He regularly served as a judge for area competitions, attended most musical performances here on FHSU’s campus, and supported the High Plains Music Camp by offering a low brass award. Lyle retired as Professor of Music from FHSU in 1989. Over his career in music education, Lyle’s mentoring encouragement and supportive words influenced many students and musicians to pursue excellence in music performance and education. In October 2015, Lyle received the FHSU Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his dedication and commitment to advancing music education across the nation and recognizing his exemplary character and personal attributes. Lyle was a member Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity and a member of the Hays Lions Club
Lyle was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jerald. Carrying his banner forward are his wife Bonnie and 4 children, spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren: Dr. Allen Dilley of Winfield, Kansas, Mrs. Barbara (Dilley) Stecklein and her husband Gary of Burrton, Kansas, daughter Jennifer (Stecklein) Taylor and husband Jay of Kingwood, Texas with 2 children Brenden, Katelyn; Dr. Steven Dilley and his wife Chris of Windsor, Colorado, son Brett Dilley and his wife Shannon of Erie, Colorado with 1 child Paige and son Kendall Dilley of Chicago, Illinois; Mr. David Dilley and his wife Theresa with 7 children Rebekah (Dilley) Willman and her husband Eric of Omaha, Nebraska, Ben Dilley of Boulder, Colorado, Anna (Dilley) Hazard and her husband Justin of Lincoln, Nebraska, Caleb Dilley, Joshua Dilley, Andrew Dilley and Sarah Dilley all of Lincoln, Nebraska.
When Lyle wasn’t on a podium leading a musical ensemble or teaching a course in conducting, he enjoyed playing golf in his foursome which included, Arris Johnson, Jim Stansbury, and Don Bloss. He also managed the family farm near Wichita with his brother Jerald. Maintaining a well-manicured yard and making sure the birds were well fed all four seasons was very important. From his life, it was clear Lyle understood the value of investing in people. It was his passion to teach and mentor others – a passing of the baton to future generations. Those who came under his mentorship continue to express gratitude for the many ways Lyle impacted their lives. In the end, these testimonies serve as a reflection of his legacy.
A Celebration Service of Lyle’s life will be held at 4:00 pm on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church, 305 W. 7th Street, Hays. The family will receive friends from 3:30 pm until service time. Memorials are suggested to the Lyle and Bonnie Dilley Scholarship Fund at Fort Hays State University or to the First United Methodist Church, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com or via email at [email protected]
Estes Park resident Judy Schreiber died on September 21, 2016, at the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland.
Judith Ann Schreiber was born on May 28, 1940, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Eugene G. Coombs and Nancy (Wilcox) Coombs.
Not long after, they moved to Wichita, Kansas, where Judy grew up and attended school, graduating from Wichita East High School in 1957. She received her undergraduate and masters degrees from Wichita State University and earned her Ph.D. in chemistry from Arizona State University.
Judy married Ken Schreiber on May 10, 1975, making their home in Ransom, Kansas. Ken owned a tax business where they both worked as tax preparers until they retired and moved to Estes Park in 2003. Judy was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Ransom, KS, and Our Lady of the Mountains after moving to Estes Park. She was very active in music at both churches. She loved the Denver Broncos, model trains, and Cheley Camps, but most of all, she loved spending time with her grandson Bryson.
Judy is survived by her daughter Anne (Craig) Dewey of Estes Park and her grandchildren Bryson and Emma. She is also survived by her brother Russ Coombs of Cinnaminson, NJ. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ken, and her brother Gene.
A Memorial Mass is scheduled for Monday, September 26, 2016, at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church in Estes Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Judy’s name to the Kansas Specialty Dog Service in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 1302 Graves Avenue, Estes Park, CO 80517.
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