Mike Cooper visits with Ken Loos of High Plains Mental Health Center about the power of the word “grateful!”
Year: 2016
INSIGHT KANSAS: ‘Mad as hell’ crowd surprisingly quiet
Thomas Frank’s “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” is now 12 years old. Much of his book’s fevered language still seems extreme; still, right now much of what he implied and described has become reality or is well on its way. So much so in fact that mainstream pundits like David Brooks, Michael Gerson, Steve and Cokie Roberts, Kathleen Parker and others are in various ways expressing desperate hopes that the Trumpkins, Cruzers, and Sandersnistas will abandon fantasies and regain rationality. Alternatively, the Establishment is hoping these angry citizens will, as usual, not vote.
Here in Kansas, however, our state’s supply of the “Mad as hell, and not going to take it anymore” crowd seems surprisingly mellow. And the folks who ought to be mad — moderates, progressives, liberals, etcetera — seem unable to muster much collective strength or fervor so far.
The first evidence of this situation is the near silence from the Kansas populace regarding the insults and injuries done by the last few legislatures. The Fort Hays State University-sponsored “Kansas Speaks” public opinion survey of a few months back clearly showed substantial hostility to the Brownbackian tax changes. The reported revenue reduction and its analysis by many different groups show the income tax cuts, sales and sin tax increases, and altered exemptions and deductions to be excessive, unhelpful, beneficial to the wrong people and seriously regressive upon those least able to pay. Yet there’s little evidence of a groundswell of public activism demanding repeal or reduction of the enacted tax cuts, or workable spending reductions for that matter.
Exhibit two is the flurry of nonsensical bills introduced in these first weeks of the current legislative session, a session, readers may recall, that according to Senate President Susan Wagle, is going to complete its work and get out of town in seventy-five days rather than the ninety-plus it often takes the legislature to finish its business. So, what is the ‘work’ the legislature is planning to complete so efficiently?
After three weeks of the session we’ve watched as:
A Sharia-like dress and deportment code for one standing committee was proposed and then withdrawn;
A resolution offering constitutional protections for hunting and fishing as the primary tools of wildlife conservation is being considered;
A bill protecting the firearms selling industry and its agents from civil rights discrimination has been introduced;
And HB2507 proposes eliminating a candidate’s city of residence from the election ballot, bringing back for history buffs a hint of the “pocket boroughs” of late 18th Century British Parliaments.
Meanwhile there have been no significant efforts to resolve the state’s tax difficulties with significant spending cuts or revenue increases; no policy advanced to fix school finance; nor effort made to address water depletion and climate change issues.
The evidence suggests that electoral challengers willing and eager to undo these misguided policy choices are scarce at the moment. In spite of legislative district boundaries drawn by federal judges in 2012 that seriously disturbed ingrained partisan/ideological alignments, it appears that the likeliest contested legislative elections in Kansas in 2016 will be intra-party and will occur in the August primaries, not in the November general election. No evidence yet exists to suggest an impending change in the political power distribution in Topeka.
If the public remains unaware of, unresponsive to, or unmotivated by the time-wasting trivialities of a legislature full of incumbents who hope that by doing nothing they can maintain their holds on their seats, then the predicted fiscal calamities will keep on coming. It still seems that the sum of all Democrat and moderate Republican legislators will still fit in a couple of mini-vans to go to lunch together after the 2017 session convenes.
Dr. Mark Peterson teaches political science at the college level in Topeka.
Junior hockey league considering western Kansas team
DODGE CITY, Kan. (AP) — The commissioner of a junior hockey league that has 29 teams in the western United States and Canada says he wants to start a team in Dodge City.
Ron White says he’s been considering starting a Western States Hockey League team in Dodge City for two years. He says the league has reliable owner from Colorado Springs, Colorado, who is close to starting the team.
The Dodge City Daily Globe reports the prospective owner, Mark Lukehart, wants to name the team the Dodge City Marshals. He has already made a few potential uniform choices.
The Western States Hockey League is for players ages 16 to 20. The players live with host families and are required to perform community service during the season.
Kansas Senate committee passes step therapy legislation
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Senate will consider a bill that would require Medicaid patients to try lower-cost drugs before moving to more expensive treatments.
The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee passed the step therapy legislation Thursday, after adding a provision that current patients won’t be kicked off their medications.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the bill would require the state’s managed care organizations to use the lowest-cost, most effective drugs before trying more expensive, less-proven medications.
Health care providers have opposed the bill. Senator Laura Kelly, a Democrat from Topeka, also objected, saying the state shouldn’t interfere with the doctor-patient relationship.
Jim Denning, a Republican from Overland Park, said Thursday step therapy is widely used and is already part of the state health plan for public employees.
2016 Catholic Schools Week Mass (LIVE 10 a.m.)
Free food safety class for community events
Ellis Co. Extension
Food is a great way to bring people together, and selling food is often a key way for nonprofit groups to raise funds for their activities. However, cooking the large quantities of food required for events such as fundraiser dinners, concession stands, community meals, family reunions, or funeral dinners is different than cooking for a family.
The Ellis County Extension Office will provide a free food safety class for those who handle food at volunteer community events at noon on Tuesday, February 16 at the Ellis County Extension Office, 601 Main Street in Hays. Bring a lunch to eat during the program, if desired.
At this program, volunteers will learn the additional food safety steps to take when preparing food for a large crowd: shopping, storing, preparing and reheating, serving and dealing with leftovers. Participants will also learn to use and calibrate a food thermometer and do high-speed handwashing. All who attend will receive a checklist for quantity cooking food safety at volunteer events.
Linda Beech, Ellis County Extension Agent and certified food safety instructor, will be the speaker.
Register for this food safety class by calling the Ellis County Extension Office, (785) 628-9430.
Investigation underway after 18 reported ill at KU’s Marillac Center
CREATIVE COMMONS / PUBLIC DOMAIN IMAGES
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Officials at a University of Kansas Hospital youth services center say up to 18 people have fallen ill in the last few days.
State health officials told the hospital to treat the illnesses at the Marillac campus as norovirus, although results of hospital tests have not been confirmed.
Marillac provides behavior health services to young people.
The university said in a news release Thursday that 10 patients and eight staff reported illnesses at the Overland Park campus.
The hospital said the staff began cleaning the center was soon as the symptoms surfaced and outside cleaning experts began working at Marillac Thursday.
Marillac will not accept more inpatients until the situation is resolved.
Randy K. Longpine
Antonino, Kansas – Randy K. Longpine, age 59, died Thursday, February 4, 2016, at Hays Medical Center Hays, Kansas. Services are pending at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].
HPD Activity Log Feb. 3 and 4
The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and 10 traffic stops Wed., Feb. 3, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Animal At Large–2400 block Main St, Hays; 9:20 AM
Snow Removal–2000 block Main St, Hays; 12:36 PM
Animal At Large–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 1:02 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–600 block Pine St, Hays; 1 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–100 block W 19th St, Hays; 2:12 PM
Found/Lost Property–1600 block E 27th St Terr, Hays; 2:29 PM
Forgery–1200 block Main St, Hays; 3:09 PM
Theft (general)–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 3:41 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–500 block W 27th St, Hays; 3:58 PM
Welfare Check–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 6:26 PM
Intoxicated Subject–1000 block E 8TH ST, Hays; 7:42 PM
Welfare Check–1200 block Motz Ave, Hays; 8:18 PM
Juvenile Complaint–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 8:28 PM
Domestic Disturbance–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 10:39 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and 9 traffic stops Thu., Feb. 4, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Driving Under the Influence–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:39 AM
Drug Offenses–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 2:13 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–1200 block Pine St, Hays; 6:39 AM
MV Accident-Co Road/St Hwy–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 11:37 AM
Phone/Mail Scam–1500 block 40 Bypass Hwy, Hays; 12:33 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 1:06 PM
Mental Health Call–2700 block Colonial St, Hays; 2:03 PM
Found/Lost Property–3700 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 2:06 PM
Disturbance – General–700 block 6th St, Hays; 3:37 PM
Animal Call–400 block E 20th St, Hays; 3:41 PM
Driving Under the Influence–2700 block Hall St, Hays; 3:49 PM
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 4:21 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–200 block E 5th St, Hays; 4:53 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 5:30 PM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 5:37 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 6:22 PM
Drug Offenses–100 block E 7th St, Hays; 6:32 PM
Intoxicated Subject–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 7:20 PM
Disturbance – General–13th and Vine, Hays; 11:10 PM; 11:15 PM
Hays USD 489 will consider tweaking how bid opportunities are publicized
By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
After receiving negative feedback during the bidding process for the $1.3 million HVAC replacement at Hays Middle School, the Hays USD 489 Board of Education discussed new procedures at its work session this week that will help ensure further bids are more easily accessible to interested parties.
The biggest change to the procedure is the addition of a coordinator who will process bids from across the district. The duties will fall upon Marissa Lambert, deputy board clerk.
“We tried to put into place a better system,” Lambert said, explaining to the board specific steps will now be taken for every bid request.
Bids requests made by district department heads will be given to Lambert, then she will move the request out through various methods, including many that were already in place.
“As soon as the RFPs (Request for Proposals) are sent out to all the vendors, then we make sure that they are put on the webpage, sent to the advertisers.”
The advertisers discussed during the meeting included news sources and public classified ad boards used in the area.
The webpage, which is currently in use, will have the bid process available for every potential bidder, as well as a full list of open bid requests.
In preparation for the new process, an email will be sent out to all current vendors, with a confirmation request sent as well, to build a full vendor list for the district.
“We want to reach out to everybody to get a really solid vendor list … so then people will just request to be added in the future,” said Tracy Kaiser, executive director of finance and support.
In the future, bidders will also be notified of the outcome of each bid.
Following the discussion, the change in policy will be put on the the agenda a vote at the next regular board meeting.
USD 489 Board of Education evaluates fees for 2016-17 school year
By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
At the Hays USD 489 Board of Education work session this week, the board discussed the proposed fee schedule for the upcoming school year, which may not result in a big change in fees, but will result in a big change in the way the district utilizes technology.
Hays Middle School students cannot currently take their district issued technology home with them, but if the board approves the proposals discussed at Monday night’s work session, that may change.
“We’re not getting our money’s worth by leaving them in the building at three o’clock every day,” said Craig Pallister, HMS principal.
The new fee proposed would add a $25 technology fee for middle school students, allowing the district to cover the cost of allowing students to take the district issued iPads home, for at least a part of the school week. The fee would be used to cover the cost of repairs to damaged equipment.
Deductibles were also discussed for damage done intentionally or for repeated negligence.
“If there’s damage, that’s what they would have to pay up front to get their device fixed,” said Dean Katt, superintendent.
That fee would be $125, but would only be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
After having the devices in the classroom during this year, most repairs were found to be needed on screens and headphone jacks, but Scott Summers, technology director, said so far only minimal repairs were needed.
The cost of repairs was also anticipated by the district as a part of the cost of the one-to-one initiative.
While the fee was discussed in depth at the meeting, board members said the cost is simply a part of having high-tech devices available to students, and it is better to allow the devices to be used, rather than be in perfect condition until they become outdated.
“Technology changes so quickly, you can have the nicest device, but it can be outdated in four or five years,” said Luke Oborny, board member.
The board also discussed the summer school program at length, prompting tough decisions to be made at the next board meeting. The bulk of the conversation centered around fees that currently remain generally unpaid for this year, for students who would have qualified for the free lunch program under the last fee schedule and would have been able to access the classes for free.
When those fees remain unpaid, students’ transcripts will not reflect the completed coursework — situation that can create problems for the student and a situation that can be relieved for a relatively small cost to the district.
The fee this year for a half-credit summer school course was $100 for every student. Previously, that fee was on a sliding schedule ranging from $100 to free for students who qualified for the free lunch program.
“We still have $1,450 in outstanding that we are trying to collect, and that’s for 24 students,” said Anita Scheve, director of The Learning Center. “Out of those 24, 20 qualified for free lunch.”
That remaining amount came after a grant paid for 75 percent of free-lunch student’s cost were covered by a grant this year, a grant the district is not guaranteed to obtain again.
“The concern to me is, we’re quibbling over a really small amount of money and we’re holding up 24 students’ transcripts,” Scheve said.
And while the amount remains to be paid, Scheve is concerned if the amount goes back to the full $100 per half credit, it may be even more unattainable for students.
While many board members were understanding of the situation, attaching at least a small financial cost to summer school classes seemed important, if for no other reason to make the program cost-neutral.
“I don’t think we should make money on this, by any means, but at least break even,” said Lance Bickle, board president.
“But is $2,800 for 24 students close enough to breaking even to be worth it?” Scheve questioned.
The program, in its current iteration, is far more cost-efficient than previous summer school programs run by the district.
“If you look historically, what we used to do in the summer school, as far as doing things efficiently and cost effectively, there is no comparison to what we did (before) the Learning Center,” said Marty Straub, Hays High principal, noting the system offers more flexibility than when the program was operated through individual buildings throughout the district.
The board will consider the fee schedule at its next regular meeting.
Kansas man avoids injury after small plane blown off runway
OSAGE COUNTY – A Jewel County man was involved in a small plane accident just before 4p.m. on Thursday in Osage County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a single engine fixed wing Piper piloted by Brenden David Wirth, 38, Mankato, was northbound attempting a landing at the Osage City Municipal Airport.
After touchdown with 3 tires, the plane was hit by a wind gust and blown east off the runway into a field.
Wirth was not injured.
The accident remains under investigation.
Police find Kansas puppy mill, rescue nearly 20 dogs
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita police have seized 20 pit bulls from what they called a puppy mill.
Police Lt. Steve Kenney says the dogs were found Saturday inside a home in west Wichita.
Kenney says the animals were in good health and were being used for breeding. It is illegal to operate puppy mills within city limits.
The Wichita Eagle reports one dog with a microchip was returned to its owner. The other 19 dogs — seven grown adults, four young adults and eight puppies — were taken to the city’s animal control unit.
The Kansas Humane Society says the adult dogs will be up for adoption after they are spayed or neutered. The puppies will be placed in foster homes until they are 2 months old.
No one has been arrested.