TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas agency that represents residential and small-business customers in utility cases has hired a new consumer counsel.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the Citizens’ Utility Ratepayers Board unanimously hired a new counsel on Friday. The person’s name was not released but is expected to be made public on Wednesday.
The board’s chief consumer counsel, David Springe, resigned in December. The board then fired its acting chief counsel, Nikki Christopher, who had been an attorney for the board for 15 years.
Before her firing, the board restricted Christopher’s authority to represent the agency in the Kansas Legislature and with the media.
The board has been debating its role and future mission for the past several weeks but there was no discussion of that topic Friday.
HARVEY COUNTY – A Kansas teen was injured in an accident just before 8 a.m. on Saturday in Harvey County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Mitsubishi Galant driven by Tanisha M. Willbourn,18, Moundridge, was northbound on Hesston Road three miles south of Hesston.
The driver lost control of the vehicle. It veered off the left side of the roadway, rolled three times, and came to rest in the roadway.
Wilbourn was transported to St. Francis Medical Center.
She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
TOPEKA – Lawmakers are discussing two bills that could decrease legislators’ spending allowances and halt salary and allowance pay after 90 days of a legislative session.
On Thursday, members of the House General Government Budget Committee discussed House Bill 2487. The bill proposes lowering the per diem — the daily spending allowance each legislator is allocated — from $140 to $129. Under current law, legislators either receive the federal employee per diem amount for Topeka or $109, whichever is higher. The bill would change the provision to a set pay of $129.
The change would save about $170,000 in fiscal year 2017, legislative analysts said. It could also save a small amount this year because the decrease would take effect during the current pay cycle for lawmakers.
Another bill, House Bill 2624. would end salary and per diem at the end of the normal 90-day session. If the legislative session runs longer than 90 days, lawmakers’ compensation would end at that time. However, legislators who travel would still receive compensation for mileage. If the session ended before 90 days, the per diem would end with it.
Rep. Don Hineman, R-Dighton, said the bill could encourage efficiency in government.
However, Rep. Craig McPherson, R-Overland Park, expressed concerns about the legislation because it would force legislators to work for no pay.
HB 2624 wouldn’t save the state any money unless the legislative session continued past the 90-day limit as it did in 2015.
During last year’s record 114-day session, the state paid approximately $900,000 in salaries and per diem for legislators from the end of the standard 90 days until the end of the session, said Tom Day, director of legislative administrative services. That figure doesn’t include staff and administrative costs or money saved from legislators who refused their salaries or per diems during that time.
Members of Fort Hays State’s 2016 champion quiz bowl team at the Kansas Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference last month in Manhattan are, from left: Levi Prieb, Buhler senior; Austin Schweizer, Sterling senior; Ryan Kinser, Kingman senior; and Kiley Jones, Rexford junior. Also pictured is KFB President Rich Felts, far right.
By Diane Gasper-O’Brien FHSU University Relations and Marketing
Saturday is designated be Senior Day at Gross Memorial Coliseum, a day traditionally scheduled to honor seniors on the Fort Hays State University men’s and women’s basketball teams.
But the work of another group of FHSU seniors also will be featured at GMC.
The Farmers and Ranchers of Ellis County Farm Bureau Association is one of the sponsors for the Tigers’ final regular-season home game, and FHSU’s chapter of Collegiate Farm Bureau will be helping out at a booth on the north end of the coliseum.
The students plan to have on display the first-place trophy that Fort Hays State’s team won at a quiz bowl at last month’s Kansas Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference in Manhattan.
Seniors Ryan Kinsler from Kingman, Levi Prieb from Buhler and Austin Schweizer from Sterling joined Rexford junior Kylie Jones in bringing the championship trophy back to Fort Hays State for the second consecutive year. It was the third time FHSU won the ag quiz bowl, with the first title coming in 2010.
The FHSU chapter, started about nine years ago, is one of the strongest in the state, said Brenden Wirth, 6th District Administrator for Kansas Farm Bureau.
“They are pretty active and are really good representatives of agriculture advocacy,” said Wirth, the advisor for the FHSU chapter who makes the two-hour trip from his home in Mankato to Hays at least twice a month for meetings.
One of the main purposes of the program is leadership development in students interested in agriculture. But while there are a lot of ag majors in the organization, there also are students in other majors who participate in the program.
“I love the family culture of it,” said Megan Finlay, a history education major from Loveland, Colo.
Finlay, one of more than 20 members in FHSU’s chapter, first got involved in Collegiate Farm Bureau while attending junior college in Sterling, Colo.
“A big part of the reason I came to Fort Hays State was because they had a Collegiate Farm Bureau,” Finlay said. “And when I graduate, I still hope to be involved with it, so I will have a family wherever I go.”
For Kinsler and Schweizer, it was the third consecutive championship performance in the quiz bowl, because they were on the team at Hutchinson Community College that won the title two years ago, then continued that success last year.
After graduation from HCC, Kinsler and Schweizer, along with Prieb, all decided to pursue their education as agronomy majors at Fort Hays State.
“We all wanted to expand on what we learned at the community college,” Kinsler said, “so we came for a visit (to FHSU) together and all decided to come here.”
After graduating from FHSU this spring, Kinsler will return to his family farm near Kingman, but he said he will never forget his days of participating in Collegiate Farm Bureau, where he took part in numerous projects promoting awareness about agriculture and enhancing leadership skills through the Farm Bureau organization.
Bruce Rumbaugh, owner of Diamond R Siding, works on the Larks Park concession stand seating area overhead Friday morning, accompanied by his dog Ben. Rumbaugh is donating his labor and supplies. “My boys and I live down here during summer baseball season,” he joked.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Those attending baseball games in Larks Park will enjoy major improvements to the concession stand this year.
Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty recently updated city commissioners about the activity that’s been going on at the facility on
“The Larks Park concession area is very undersized,” said Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty, “and when you’re at a game, it can be quite congested. They’re trying to do a lot of things in a very small building.”
“For many years we’ve had a group of concerned residents that truly take an interest in Larks baseball, and Hays baseball in general, as well as Fort Hays State University, wanting to do something different with that facility.”
Larks Park is home to the FHSU baseball team. The park, built in 1940 as part of a Work Projects Administration project, is owned by the city of Hays and operated by the FHSU Athletic Department. The facility hosts many college and high school baseball regular season games and tournaments as well as the Hays Larks semi-pro summer league team.
“There’ve been a lot of ideas for volunteer projects and group projects–none of them have ever seemed to get traction,” Dougherty recalled, until a year ago. An interested group had some money to match city money for improvements. Then they ran into a roadblock–the flood plain.
“When you’re constructing projects in the flood plain, it’s extremely difficult,” Dougherty explained, “and what they wanted to do was demolish the existing facility and rebuild. That would require adhering to National Flood Protection Act standards and Flood Plain standards, very difficult to do.
“So I challenged city staff to sit down with this group and figure out what their goals and expected outcomes are and see if we can make this work within the constraints of the flood plain regulations.
“We sat down with Parks staff, Planning, Inspection and Enforcement staff and the people interested in this project and they were able to come up with a plan of action that accomplished all of the needs of the Hays Baseball Association, Fort Hays, and the city. They put together a project that was approved by the city.
“It was done in a very economical manner with a lot of volunteer effort, a lot of people donating services and labor in kind,” he pointed out.
“When it’s done, as an attendee of either Hays baseball or Fort Hays events, you will see the concessions area much improved—enlarged with better seating and the foot traffic should move through there a lot better.
“We’re very happy with the project. It was a good effort, kind of indicative of what happens in Hays. We have a lot of community first-minded people and this is a good example of that.”
Dougherty said the Director of Parks, Jeff Boyle, and the volunteers will present a full report about the improvements to city commissioners when the project is completed.
Listen to Mike Cooper interviewing Cardiologist Dr. Mauricio Anaya, from the DeBakey Heart Institute at HaysMed, with the topic of “Heart Health” by clicking the link above and then clicking the play button
TOPEKA—Five people in Kansas have become ill as part of an outbreak of Salmonella after consuming sprouts from Sweetwater Farms, in the McPherson County community of Inman, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment
The KDHE has been working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others to investigate the case.
The last date of illness was January 21 in a Kansas resident.
In addition, three residents from Oklahoma also have Salmonella infections that match the outbreak strain.
Sweetwater Farms was inspected and samples collected of irrigation water and product have tested positive for Salmonella bacteria although the strain has not yet been identified. Sweetwater Farms has decided to voluntarily recall sprouts in lot 042016.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommends that people not consume any sprout product from Sweetwater Farms at this time.
Anyone who believes they may have become ill with Salmonella should contact their health care provider.
KDHE recommends that children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems avoid eating raw sprouts of any kind due to their potential to harbor harmful bacteria. Cooking sprouts kills any such bacteria.
PRATT – Law enforcement authorities in Pratt County are investigating a case of domestic battery involving the city manager in Pratt.
Deputies from the Pratt County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a rural residence southeast of the city of Pratt on the report of an intoxicated man who was trying to harm family members, according to a media release from the Pratt County Sheriff’s office.
When they arrived, they made contact with two female victims in the residence, as well as David E. Howard, the Pratt City Manager.
He was arrested on two counts of domestic battery and is being held without bond in the Pratt County Jail.
GREAT BEND- Officials with USD 428 in Great Bend have sent parents a second letter that discusses the media and the alleged assault on a school activity bus.
The original letter mentions KWCH-TV using a Kansas open records act request to receive a list of members on the school’s swim team.
KWCH-TV reported on social media they did not do this.
“In the spirit of transparency, it’s also important to note that while KWCH12 Eyewitness News has tried to obtain a copy of the swim team roster through KSHSAA and other means, we did not file a KORA for that information,” according to News Director Brian Gregory. “Let me be very clear; KWCH12 Eyewitness News journalists would never misrepresent themselves to obtain an interview or a story. Not only would this be unethical, and deceitful, it would be just plain wrong, he wrote.
The second letter sent by the school district is below.
February, 19, 2016 Dear Parents,
This correspondence is to inform you that the media has requested a roster of Great Bend High School boys swim team members. In accordance with the Kansas Open Records Act, the school district was obligated by law to provide them with the information.
Please be advised that they may try to contact you or your son and ask questions. You may use your discretion on whether or not to comment.
The fact that we were obligated to produce this list as requested does not mean that we are saying that you must or should talk to anyone about anything. So, if they contact you and say “we got your name from the school and they want you to talk to us;” that is incorrect. If they say, “we got your name from the school and they don’t want you to talk to us;” that is incorrect.
Whether you talk to anyone and what you say is totally up to you. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Brad Reed
USD 428 Superintendent
———-
GREAT BEND -With media outlets across the state attaching themselves to the alleged sexual assault case on a Great Bend High School school bus, USD 428 Superintendent Brad Reed issued this letter to parents on Friday, February 19.
A mother of a Great Bend High School freshman swimmer stated her son was sexually assaulted on a district school bus coming back from a swim meet on February 6. The Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office is handling the case and continue their investigation.
Reed’s statement Monday, February 15 said the school district is not sure if any criminal activity occurred. Students organized a protest at the District Education Center after Reed’s press conference Monday and have since staged smaller protests outside the high school demanding answers from the district and appropriate punishments for the alleged perpetrators.
February, 19, 2016
Dear Parents,
This correspondence is to inform you that KWCH television in Wichita has requested a roster of Great Bend High School boys swim team members. In accordance with the Kansas Open Records Act, the school district was obligated by law to provide them with the information.
Please be advised that they may try to contact you or your son and ask questions. You may use your discretion on whether or not to comment.
The fact that we were obligated to produce this list as requested does not mean that we are saying that you must or should talk to anyone about anything. So, if they contact you and say “we got your name from the school and they want you to talk to us;” that is incorrect. If they say, “we got your name from the school and they don’t want you to talk to us;” that is incorrect.
Whether you talk to anyone and what you say is totally up to you.
More than 5 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease. Not only is Alzheimer’s the sixth leading cause of death in the country, but it also currently cannot be prevented, cured or slowed.
Mirroring the national statistics, Alzheimer’s disease is also the sixth leading cause of death in Kansas. About 12 percent of Kansans currently have the disease or related dementia.
Erin Yelland, K-State Research and Extension adult development and aging specialist, said there are 10 main signs of Alzheimer’s disease. If signs seem to be there, the first thing to do is contact a primary care physician. Early diagnosis is important.
“Alzheimer’s disease is predictable,” said Yelland. “We know certain issues are going to come up, and we know the process of decline that patients will experience. By educating yourself, you can understand what might happen, but more importantly, your family members will better understand what they are going to experience while you’re battling this disease.”
The 10 signs, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, include:
1. Memory loss that disrupts life.
The first early sign of Alzheimer’s disease is memory loss and an evident decline in cognitive function. People in early stages might forget important dates or events, ask the same information repeatedly, or need to rely on notes or family members to provide reminders for things they used to do on their own.
Experiencing some memory loss and forgetfulness as we age is normal, Yelland added, but Alzheimer’s disease brings more dramatic instances of memory loss that disrupt daily life and functioning.
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems.
Concentrating might become more of a problem. Forgetting to pay bills could become more frequent. Following a simple recipe could pose a challenge.
“For example, a person with normal cognitive functioning can make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich,” Yelland said. “For a person with Alzheimer’s disease, this may be a complicated task because the recall of steps gets tangled in the brain.”
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.
Those with early onset Alzheimer’s disease will likely notice daily tasks have become a greater challenge. At home, this could mean having trouble writing a check, running the dishwasher, or finding the correct button to turn on the microwave, oven or television. Driving to and from work or other once-familiar places becomes difficult for those with the disease.
4. Confusion with time or place.
“Commonly, people with Alzheimer’s disease don’t remember what year it is,” Yelland said. “I might forget the date, but eventually I’ll figure it out. For people with Alzheimer’s disease, the key is that they might not eventually figure it out.”
They might also confuse seasons of the year: going outside in the winter wearing shorts and a t-shirt, or wearing a parka during the summer. They might forget where they are and how they got there.
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.
Experiencing vision problems is another sign of Alzheimer’s disease. This could bring on difficulty in reading, judging distances, and determining color or contrast, all of which could lead to problems with driving.
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing.
Those with Alzheimer’s disease might have trouble conversing with others, lose their train of thought and repeat themselves. They often struggle with finding the right word or call things by the wrong name, such as referring to a watch as “hand clock” or “wrist clock.”
This aspect can be particularly tough on families, especially if the person suffering from Alzheimer’s can’t remember a loved one’s name. Then, the specialist suggests it is best to just be patient and don’t argue. Stay calm, so they stay calm.
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
Most people know that when they lose something, such as a car key, they simply have to trace their steps to find it. This is not something people with Alzheimer’s disease can do easily. They might lose an item and cannot think back to when they last saw it. They might put objects in unusual places or accuse other people of stealing something they cannot find.
8. Decreased or poor judgment.
People with Alzheimer’s disease often experience changes in judgment and decision-making. For example, they might use poor judgment when dealing with money. They might forget to keep themselves clean or comb their hair.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities.
“Oftentimes when these frustrations are happening, people with Alzheimer’s disease do realize it,” Yelland said. “They know something is happening to them, and it’s hard for them to deal with it.”
For this reason, a person with Alzheimer’s might start to retreat from others. They may not want to participate in social events or do their favorite hobbies.
10. Changes in mood and personality.
People with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia could experience a swing of emotions that range from confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. Some days will likely be more pleasant than others for them. Certain times of the day might be better, too.
Yelland said there’s a sundowning phenomenon often associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, meaning people are more cognitive and able to do things in the morning. By the evening, things become more difficult. For that reason, it might be best to encourage balancing the checkbook at the beginning of the day, for example, or preparing the dinner meal early in the morning so at night it’s not as much of a struggle.
About 90 percent of what is known now about Alzheimer’s disease has been discovered in the last 15 years. While it’s a complicated disease, some of the risk factors verified by research include: age (most of the people who get it are over age 60); familial history, especially if a parent, brother or sister has the disease; and the presence of a rare gene called Familial Alzheimer’s Disease or FAD.
Yelland has prepared an Extension program and fact sheet “Know the 10 Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease: Early Detection Matters,” which can be shared with interested individuals and groups. To learn more or to schedule a presentation for your group, call me at the Ellis County Extension Office, 785-6280-9430, at 601 Main Street in Hays.
Linda K. Beech is Ellis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.
WYANDOTTE COUNTY- A Kansas man died in an accident just after 8:30p.m. on Friday in Wyandotte County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Toyota Highlander driven by Samantha L. Geier, 32, Overland Park, entered the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 from 7th Street, just south of 7th Street Trafficway, travelling the wrong direction.
The vehicle immediately crossed all lanes of traffic to be in the lane closest to the median barrier and collided head on with a 2013 Nissan Leaf driven by Rowland III, Robert Joseph Rowland III, 54, Topeka.
Rowland was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics.
Geier was transported to KU Medical Center.
Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
Roger Bixenman has been named the most recent Covenant Builders Hometown Hero.
He will be honored at Saturday’s Fort Hays State University basketball games.
From his nomination form:
Roger Bixenman is the Superintendent of Hays Recreation. In his nearly 2 decades of service to Hays, Roger has been committed to the importance of recreation. In his time as both a Sports Director and Superintendent, Roger has coached, officiated, sponsored and directed in nearly every capacity. Roger was also instrumental in making the Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex a reality. His impact on the community of Hays is everywhere.
Roger currently serves as Area Director for Northwest Kansas for USSSA, President of the USD 489 Foundation for Educational Excellence, serves on the State Administrative Branch for the Kansas Recreation & Park Association, is on the Games Management Team for the State Special Olympics Basketball Tournament and involved in the Big Brother/Big Sister MAYB basketball fundraising tournament.
He has previously served on the Hays High Athletic Booster Club, Project Development Advisory Committee for Bickle/Schmidt Sports Complex and was a committee member of the Hays City Little Shootout MAYB basketball tournament. Roger is married to Karla Bixenman and the have two children Shane & Derek.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas agency that represents residential and small-business customers in utility cases has hired a new consumer counsel.
