2016 – Page 787 – Hays Post Archive

County Commission accepts medical care contract for jail

Posted on March 15, 2016March 16, 2016

BY JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission voted to accept a contract setting up medical care at the jail when they begin moving inmates back into the newly remodeled facility later this month.

At Monday’s commission meeting Advanced Correctional Health Care Program Consultant Art Rose gave the commission a presentation on the company and a plan to provide health care for the inmates in the county jail.

Under the proposal accepted Monday by the county commission a doctor will come to the jail once a week and a full-time nurse will be at the jail for 30 hours per week.

“Our goal is to make sure the inmates get the care they have the legal right too,” said Rose.

During the off hours, according to Rose and jail staff will help provide medical care with the help of an on call doctor. Rose said the officers will go through a series of protocols and present that information to the on-call doctor. This will allow the doctor to provide medical decisions.

“We’re going to teach them how to get information from the inmate,” Rose said “Our goal is to treat them (inmates), as much as possible within the walls of the jail.”

Rose said they also provide medical malpractice for the doctor and nurse. They will also provide civil liability insurance for the county staff.

Advanced Correctional Health Care provides medical services for 268 counties in 17 states. That includes 23 counties in Kansas.

The commission approved a yearly contract with Advanced Correctional Health Care for $99,968.14. The contract includes a $15,000 pool that will be used to cover certain, extremely rare medications that are not covered in the basic plan. The pool also covers any off-site medical care. Any money left over at the end of the year is transferred back to the county.

It will take between 60 and 90 days for Advanced Correctional Health Care to hire staff and begin operations in Ellis County.

In the interim jail staff will be able to take inmates to First Call for Help for medical care.

Also at Monday’s meeting Undersheriff Bruce Hertel said they will begin training in the jail as early as Tuesday and they could begin moving inmates into the jail by March 21.

In other business County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes presented the commission with a schedule for the 2017 budget process.

The commission also met in three separate executive sessions. Two of them were to discuss non-elected personnel matters and the third was for land acquisition. No action was taken.

As the Public Building Commission they approved five change orders total $25,484.

Juvenile struck by vehicle on Main Street

Posted on March 15, 2016March 16, 2016

A juvenile woman riding a kick-scooter was hit by a vehicle on Main Street mid-afternoon Tuesday. — First responders help a juvenile woman who was hit by a vehicle on Main Street mid-afternoon Tuesday.

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Main Street traffic between 15th and 17th Streets was briefly blocked Tuesday afternoon about 3:15 p.m. as the Hays Police Department and Emergency Medical Services responded to a “vehicle versus bicycle” injury accident.

A juvenile female riding a kick-scooter was struck by a vehicle while she was trying to cross Main at the 16th Street intersection.

Witnesses to the accident reported the girl failed to yield at the intersection before moving into the roadway.

Injuries sustained by the victim were not life-threatening, according to police on the scene. She was transported to Hays Medical Center.

Traffic was blocked for about 15 minutes as HPD investigated.

Feds: Kansas Mental Health Screenings Require Reforms

Posted on March 15, 2016

Gov. Sam Brownback vetoed a provision that would have reinstated mental health screenings after federal officials threatened to reduce the state's Medicaid funding. DAVE RANNEY / HEARTLAND HEALTH MONITOR — Gov. Sam Brownback vetoed a provision that would have reinstated mental health screenings after federal officials threatened to reduce the state’s Medicaid funding.
DAVE RANNEY / HEARTLAND HEALTH MONITOR

By Megan Hart

Federal officials found fault with the way Kansas had screened people for admission to psychiatric hospitals, but left the door open for the state to divert patients if it reforms its screening procedure.

Gov. Sam Brownback vetoed a section in Senate Bill 161 that would have reinstated a requirement that Medicaid recipients be screened before admitting them for inpatient psychiatric treatment. Brownback said he supports the screenings, but the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have threatened to reduce state funding for health programs by up to $1.8 million because of the requirement.

The issue is parity. Under federal law, insurers, including Medicaid programs, can’t put restrictions on mental health and substance abuse benefits that don’t exist for comparable medical or surgical benefits. A CMS official, who declined to be identified, said it appears to be a violation to require a person to be screened before he or she can be admitted for inpatient psychiatric care, but not to require a similar screening for a person being admitted for a physical condition.

CMS didn’t rule out requiring mental health screenings, but the state would need to have other, unspecified “criteria” that would ease concerns about parity, the official said. Both CMS and Brownback’s office said they are discussing ways that the state could conduct some form of screening without violating parity.

“Other states use a prescreening process to make recommendations regarding admission, but more often whether to divert to community services,” the CMS official said. “Our understanding is that Kansas proposed to use this process to make a decision regarding admission to an inpatient facility, and payment for that admission. There was no such requirement on the medical/surgical side for any inpatient admissions.”

Angela de Rocha, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, said CMS considers the screening for Medicaid recipients a form of prior authorization. KDADS changed its screening policy in October 2015 so that screenings wouldn’t be required before a person covered by Medicaid could be admitted for inpatient mental health treatment in a private or community hospital, she said.

“Kansas received anecdotal feedback that the screens, in some instances, were creating unnecessary delays in access to treatment for hospitals with psychiatric units,” she said.

Kyle Kessler, executive director of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas, said he was disappointed in Brownback’s decision to veto restoring the screenings, and hopes Kansas will make the case that its screenings are an appropriate way to place people who need mental health treatment in the least restrictive setting possible.

“We would argue the screening process has been diversionary,” he said. “It seems like this is something that can be fixed.”

The current procedure is for medical staff at the hospital to determine if the person needs to be hospitalized, de Rocha said. The three managed care organizations that administer KanCare still could determine that a hospital stay wasn’t necessary and decide whether to pay fully for the care, she said.

Kessler said he has heard some concerns that private inpatient beds have been filling up, because the people present at the screenings aren’t also aware of what community resources are available. In some cases, that leads to people being admitted to state hospitals, because local inpatient facilities don’t have space, he said.

Kansas’ community mental health centers still screen people before they are admitted to the state psychiatric hospitals at Osawatomie and Larned. Those hospitals only accept people who are determined to be a danger to themselves or others. That appears not to create a parity issue because no equivalent concept exists when it comes to physical conditions: People who don’t manage their diabetes may be putting their health in danger, but the state can’t force them to stay in a hospital until their blood sugar is under control.

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

CEP: Benefits of Kansas Energy Efficiency Act

Posted on March 15, 2016March 15, 2016

One of the first tasks I was assigned to work on, when I joined CEP, was the Kansas Energy Efficiency Act (KEEA). The bill (HB 2649) would allow businesses to take advantage of an innovative energy efficiency financing mechanism called Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). By reducing one of the primary barriers to energy efficiency improvements, the large up-front costs associated with projects, PACE incentivizes commercial investment in clean energy. The KEEA is currently being debated in the House Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee at the Kansas State Legislature. I’d like to discuss some of the many benefits of PACE financing.

PACE is an attractive financing tool for businesses seeking to invest in clean energy and efficiency improvements. HB 2649 would allow cities and counties around the state to create energy districts with the power to issue loans to cover the cost of an energy project. The renewable energy or efficiency upgrade is installed immediately, and the business repays the cost through a property tax assessment over time. Through PACE, companies receive savings on their energy bills with long-term benefits to their pocketbook and the environment.

Additionally, a PACE loan is tied to the property itself, and continues to be paid off if the property is sold to a new owner. This minimizes risk for investors and encourages investments from companies in clean energy. Companies can take advantage of the significant economic benefits PACE projects provide. Research shows that efficiency improvements increase the value and occupancy rates of properties, and can attract customers interested in doing business with environmentally responsible companies. The Political Economy Research Institute also found that installing energy efficiency units in commercial buildings across the U.S. could add 114,000 jobs and save businesses $1.4 billion dollars annually. Such benefits cannot be overstated and reflect the crucial importance of supporting PACE in Kansas.

The Kansas Energy Efficiency Act would help our state keep pace with the other 32 states who have taken advantage of PACE financing. Kansas should be a leader in clean energy and energy efficiency development. If you have any questions about the bill, click here, or follow this link to learn about PACE financing. CEP will keep you posted regarding opportunities to support PACE legislation in Kansas.

Chris Carey is an intern with Climate and Energy Project. The non-profit organization is headquartered in Hutchinson.

New dentist at First Care Clinic

Posted on March 15, 2016

Submitted

Dr. Peter Paris, DDS, has joined First Care Clinic, 105 W. 13th, Hays. He graduated from the College of Dentistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He previously practiced in Chicago, IL and Colorado Springs, CO.

“We are very excited to welcome Dr. Paris to our staff and look forward to his contributions as we continue with our mission to provide quality, compassionate healthcare to all,” stated Bryan Brady, CEO.

Dr. Paris is currently accepting new patients. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call First Care Clinic at (785) 621-4990.

ABOUT FIRST CARE CLINIC, INC.
First Care Clinic is a federally funded community health center, providing non-emergency medical services for people of all ages, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. We house general medical care, mental health services and general dentistry, all under one roof.

Suspect in burglary, chase that injured 2 Kan. officers is in custody

Posted on March 15, 2016March 15, 2016

Jacob Cox- photo Kan. Dept. of Corrections

HARVEY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Harvey County have arrested a suspect in connection with a serious of burglaries and a high-speed chase that sent two officers to the hospital.

Jacob Cox, 30,was formally charged with four counts of burglary and four counts of theft, according to the Harvey County Sheriff’s office Additional charges are expected.

Just after 10p.m. on March 8, two law enforcement officers were injured in the accident during a pursuit.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a Harvey County Sheriff 2015 Chevy Tahoe driven by Deputy James Slickers, 43, Halstead, followed by a Kansas Highway Patrol 2015 Dodge Charger driven by Trooper Joseph Owen, 33, Newton, were southbound on Hertzler Road four miles west of Sedgwick attempting to stop a fleeing vehicle.

Sheriff Deputies had responded to multiple vehicle burglaries in the 2300 block of N. Oliver Road. While speaking with the victims of the burglaries a call came out of another burglary occurring at the Newton City-County Airport.

Deputies approaching the area observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed away from the airport. Deputies pursued the vehicle, a Ford Escape stolen from Butler County.

Weapons found in the car- photo Harvey Co. Sheriff

During the course of the chase, the driver threw numerous objects from the vehicle including a shotgun, rifle, and paperwork belonging to the earlier reported vehicle burglaries. The driver avoided three sets of spike sticks placed at various locations in Harvey County. Speeds reached 100 mph.

When the suspect’s vehicle slowed to turn onto Southwest 84th, the Charger rear-ended the Tahoe.
The collision caused the Deputy’s vehicle to spin into a ditch and hit a telephone pole. The Trooper’s vehicle was disabled on the roadway.
Slickers and Owen were transported to Newton Medical Center with minor injuries.
The chase continued into Sedgwick County where Deputies lost sight of the suspect vehicle in the area of Tyler and 77th.
A citizen called to report a vehicle in a field at 73rd and Ridge road. The vehicle was the Ford Escape that had been in the chase. The driver of the vehicle was not located. Inside the Ford Escape were numerous weapons and stolen property, including a $14,000 airplane prop from the earlier burglaries.

Blues and country rock included in Rookstock lineup

Posted on March 15, 2016March 15, 2016

Submitted

The first ever Rookstock, a fundraising gala benefitting Rooks County Health Care Foundation for the expansion of Rooks County Health Center, promises a wide variety of music and entertainment for attendees. Musicians from Rooks County or with ties to the county will perform everything from blues to county rock on Saturday, April 30 in Plainville.

Jimmy Lewin and the Kingtones is a blues trio featuring Stockton native Jimmy Lewin on guitar and vocals. Lewin and his band have shared the stage with national acts such as Delbert McClinton, Chris Duarte, Duke Robillard and Tinsley Ellis.

Lucas Maddy & The Kansas Cartel is a Kansas original country rock outfit with deep roots in Rooks County. The band includes Tyler Ganoung, Jason Lindsey and Kate Lindsey all of Plainville and Bryan Morgan of Stockton. Norton native Lucas Maddy has been named a 2016 “One to Watch” by the Nashville Songwriters Association. Maddy has shared the stage with many major acts, including: Logan Mize, Cody Canada and The Departed, Randy Rogers, Stoney LaRue, Casey Donahew Band and Aaron Watson.

John Brust’s music career started by singing and playing music in a Plainville church. In 1978, Brust became a member of the “New Christy Minstrels” and traveled the world extensively performing with many famous entertainers like Carol Channing, Art Linkletter, Lee Greenwood and Donna Fargo. After leaving the Christy’s Brust moved to Alabama where he played bass and sung with Bob Cain at the Canebreak. Brust eventually joined the “All Star Band with Wayne Perdew” performing alongside musical guests like Al Hirt, Faron Young, Tracy Nelson and Con Hundley. Brust is currently at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach singing and playing piano.

The Vocal Chords , a physician quartet comprised of Dr. Jen Brull, Dr. Lynn Fisher, Dr. Beth Oller and Dr. Dan Sanchez, will also take the stage during Rookstock.

“We’re delighted Rookstock can boast such an array of music from Rooks County’s own talented musicians,” said Eric Sumearll, RCHF Executive Director.

In addition to live music, Rookstock attendees will enjoy a hog roast and live and silent auctions. Tickets are available at Rooks County Health Center or by calling Sumearll at 785.688.4428. For more information, please visit www.Rookstock.com.

Lawmakers suggest shift in power over Kansas school funding

Posted on March 15, 2016

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two Republican lawmakers are suggesting that the Kansas Legislature turn the job of determining how state aid to public schools is distributed over to the State Board of Education.

Reps. Gene Suellentrop of Wichita and Marvin Kleeb of Overland Park raised the idea during a House Appropriations Committee hearing on a school funding plan from the panel’s chairman.

The 10-member board would then face the burden of making sure the money is distributed fairly.

The plan is designed to bring the state into compliance with a Kansas Supreme Court order last month saying have been unfairly shorted on their state aid.

The plan would boost overall state spending on schools by nearly $39 million for the 2016-17 school year while shifting dollars among districts. Seventy-nine would still lose funds.

Donna Lamont

Posted on March 15, 2016

Phillipsburg resident, Donna Lamont, passed away Friday, March 11, 2016 at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg at the age of 70.

She was born September 11, 1945 in Neodesha, Kansas the daughter of Elvin L. & Reva J. (Fail) Peak.

She was a lab tech at the Phillips County Hospital.

She was preceded in death by her parents & first husband, Leland Graebner.

Survivors include husband, Dennis R. Lamont of Phillipsburg; four daughters, Latessa Loveland of Beaverton, Oregon, Heather Gatewood of Morgantown, West Virgina, Eve Welcome of Hillsboro, Oregon and April Stephenson of Wamego; 2 sisters, Brenda Rief & Lyla McClure, both of Newton; and 10 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 18, 2016 in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Phillipsburg, with Bishop Philip Isernhagen officiating. Burial will follow at 4:00 p.m. Friday in the Greenwood Cemetery, Newton.

Donna will lie in state from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, where the family will receive friends for visitation Thursday evening from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips County Hospital Nurses Equipment Fund.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 Second St., Phillipsburg, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.olliffboeve.com.

Pfeifer announces re-election campaign for County Treasurer

Posted on March 15, 2016October 11, 2016

Submitted

Ann Pfeifer is running for re-election as the Ellis County Treasurer. Pfeifer has been the Ellis County Treasurer for three years this April and has worked five years for the county.

The treasurer’s duties are set forth in statute. The County Treasurer’s office is tasked with handling the money for the county, collecting all taxes and disbursing taxes to governmental agencies. As agents of the state, the office handles motor vehicle and commercial vehicle transactions.

“I have enjoyed serving the citizens of Ellis County during my time at the county and hope to be able to serve the citizens for many years to come,” Pfeifer said.

In the past decade, she has worked in the banking industry, higher education and government. This work experience along with her education has prepared and given her insight into some of the tasks that she has to accomplish on a regular basis.

She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting.

Pfeifer became a Certified Kansas County Treasurer in June 2015 from the Kansas County Treasurer Association and Fort Hays State University. She is currently taking the KU Certified Public Manager course to be completed in 2016. Ann Pfeifer is a lifelong resident of Ellis County. She lives in Hays with her husband, Ernie Pfeifer III, and their three beautiful children.

Pfeifer’s mission is to “Serve the Citizens of Ellis County with dignity and respect.”

For campaign inquires, Pfeifer can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow us on facebook at Ann Pfeifer for Ellis County Treasurer.

First “Brews on The Bricks” invites public to Downtown Hays

Posted on March 15, 2016March 15, 2016

DHDC

Downtown Hays Development Corporation is excited to host another great event to The Bricks in Downtown Hays.

Together with Eagle Communications, DHDC would like to invite you to join us at Brews on The Bricks, April 2 from 11:30 to 5 p.m.

Yes, it’s true tickets sold out in just four hours but that doesn’t mean you should miss out.

Take a look at the great line-up of events open to the public, no ticket or wristband required. Starting at 11:30 a.m. Main St. from 12th to 10th Streets will be lined with food vendors, educational booths, merchandise and more.

Then, starting at 1 p.m., live music kicks off the second half of the day. The public is welcome to stroll the event area all day long through 5 p.m.

The only areas those with out wristbands won’t be permitted is in the tents located along 10th St., just west of Main St. For those who purchased tickets, you will be enjoying over 40 American Craft Beer options from 13 breweries.

Breweries from Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Colorado are ready to serve you and we’re excited to welcome participants from all over the country to Downtown Hays.

You must be 21 to enter the tents and IDs will be checked. Please remember to bring your driver’s license or photo ID with you. Stay tuned for more information on what booths, food, and entertainment will be available coming in next week’s news release.

HaysMed Completes Renovations on Rock Garden Café

Posted on March 15, 2016

HaysMed

HaysMed has completed renovations and upgrades on their cafeteria and reopened the serving area on Monday. The project was started in November of 2015 and finished late last week.

The Rock Garden Cafe features a completely remodeled serving area that includes four different serving stations. The deli area allows for custom made to order sandwiches or wraps on fresh made breads. There will be a variety of both hot and cold sandwiches featuring freshly made meats with two panini presses.

The second area is highlighted by a 2 sided horseshoe shaped salad bar allowing service to more people simultaneously and expanded fresh ingredients.

The third station, the sauté or freestyle area, allows fresh made breakfast options during the 7 am – 9 am hours. This will include omelets, pancakes and scrambles. In the future this area will also serve made to order pasta dishes and stir fry during the lunch and dinner hours.

The final area is the traditional hot service area which offers the daily entrée specials.

An addition to the desserts is a new dual head yogurt machine serving up two flavors of yogurt and a twist.

“This remodel is great for patients, families and our staff,” said John Fitzthum, Food Service Director. “This arrangement allows for us to expand healthy food choice options for everyone who uses the Rock Garden Café.”

Rounding out the food selections are two grab and go areas that are available for pickup up of a quick meal. There is a refrigerated section for premade sandwiches and wraps and a heated area that will hold hot pies, pizzas and hot sandwiches. The complimentary coffee, tea and water dispensers are place outside the serving area for better traffic flow.

A color scheme centered on blues and greens with glass tiles compliments other recently remodeled areas of the hospital. The contemporary café style seats 100 which is almost exactly what the seating was prior to renovations. The layout creates a feeling of easier accessibility to the sunken outside patio that seats 18.

The whole area is designed so people can grab a quick meal to go or stay and eat in. “It’s a completely new space,” said Fitzthum. “The upgrades are really something we can be proud of.”

KDHE Warns of Human Salmonella Infection from Live Poultry

Posted on March 15, 2016

KDHE

Topeka–Live baby poultry can carry Salmonella and easily spread this bacterium to people, especially children. Outbreaks of Salmonella infections linked to live poultry occur every year. One of the largest outbreaks was in 2013 when a multistate outbreak of human Salmonella infections caused illnesses in more than 350 people from 39 states; Kansas tied for third with 19 confirmed cases. Nationally, nearly 60 percent of the cases were in children 10 years or younger. Ninety-five percent of ill people reported purchasing live poultry from agricultural feed stores.

Live baby poultry can carry and shed Salmonella but still appear healthy. Children can be exposed through direct contact, but also by touching things where the birds live. This includes cages, feed, bedding and water bowls. It is particularly important to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling or caring for baby poultry. This, along with careful cleaning of equipment and materials associated with raising or caring for live poultry, will help to reduce the risk of infection.

Although people raise poultry for meat or egg production, many children receive baby poultry as a gift during Easter. In addition, families enjoy taking their children to the local feed store to view and touch the chicks and ducklings.

To reduce the risk of Salmonella infection from live poultry:

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching live baby poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available.
- Adults should supervise hand washing for young children.
Clean any equipment or materials associated with raising or caring for live poultry outside the house, such as cages or feed or water containers.

DON’T

Don’t let children younger than 5 years of age, older adults, or people with weak immune systems handle or touch chicks, ducklings, or other live poultry.
Don’t snuggle or kiss the birds, touch your mouth, or eat or drink around live poultry.
Don’t let live poultry inside the house, in bathrooms, or especially in areas where food or drink is prepared, served, or stored, such as kitchens or outdoor patios.
Don’t eat or drink in the area where the birds live or roam.
Don’t give live baby poultry as gifts to young children.

CDC’s website provides additional information and resources for preventing Salmonella illnesses from live poultry (https://www.cdc.gov/features/salmonellapoultry/).