WASHINGTON (AP) — Taxpayers nationwide will get a few days’ grace this year to file their returns thanks to a little-known holiday in the nation’s capital. And the head of the IRS promises 1,000 more customer services representative will be available to ease waiting times on information lines.
IRS Commissioner John Koskinen says taxpayers will have until Monday, April 18 to file their taxes. That’s because Friday, April 15 is Emancipation Day, a public holiday in Washington D.C. Taxpayers in Maine and Massachusetts will have an additional day because of Patriot’s Day.
Koskinen said $290 million approved by Congress last month to improve taxpayer services will ease the problems with hang-ups when calling IRS information lines. Last year, fewer than half of all calls were connected to a staff person.
SALINA – Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating a reported residential burglary involving jewelry and handguns.
The burglary at a home in the 1100 block of North 5th Street occurred between December 15 and January 3, according to Salina Police Captain Mike Sweeney.
There was no sign of forced entry.
An assortment of jewelry including diamond earrings and diamond rings were taken, along with a .38 caliber handgun, a .22 caliber handgun, three 16 GB sim cards and a couple of cellular phones.
Total loss has been estimated at just over $49,000.
Melissa Glynn, of Alvarez and Marsal, presents the consulting firm’s report on proposed efficiencies in state government to Kansas lawmakers. CREDIT JIM MCLEAN / HEARTLAND HEALTH MONITOR
By JIM MCLEAN
A tentative plan to save Kansas government more than $2 billion over five years relies heavily on proposed changes to the state employee health plan and Medicaid.
The report, written by the New York-based consulting firm of Alvarez and Marsal under a $2.6 million contract with the state, includes 105 recommendations for “achieving major cost savings.”
Lawmakers and Gov. Sam Brownback have struggled to balance the state budget in recent years due to sharp drops in revenue, caused in part by income tax cuts approved in 2012. Last year, they were forced to approve large sales and tobacco tax increases to avert a $400 million budget shortfall. They start this year’s session facing a projected $190 million deficit in the fiscal 2017 budget, which they must approve before adjourning.
Outlining the savings report Tuesday to members of the House Appropriations Committee, Melissa Glynn, a managing director of the firm, acknowledged that some recommendations would be easier to implement than others. But on the whole, she said, “we think these are very possible recommendations.”
However, one immediately sparked controversy.
The report says the state could save nearly $124 million over five years by limiting state workers to one health insurance option, a high-deductible plan that would require employees to cover a significant portion of their medical costs with money from a health savings account to which both they and the state would contribute.
Rep. Mark Kahrs, a Wichita Republican, said that while he’s not ready to endorse the recommendation, it’s worth discussing.
“High-deductible plans are fairly normative in the private sector, so I think it’s a fair conversation to have,” Kahrs said, adding that he wants to discuss how such a change in policy might affect the state’s ability to attract and retain good employees before taking a position on it.
Rep. Jerry Henry of Atchison, the top Democrat on the committee, opposed the change, contending it would penalize state workers and make it harder for the state to recruit and retain them.
Henry said the change “squeezes state employees … who haven’t had a raise in six or seven years.”
“They’re going to lose purchasing power by going to this,” he said.
The report also recommends that the state no longer allow retirees who are not yet 65 to continue their state health coverage until they become eligible for Medicare. Moving them into bridge plans offered in the insurance marketplace created by the federal Affordable Care Act would save the state an estimated $12 million to $15 million a year through 2021, the report says.
New health plan for school districts
Another recommendation focuses on reducing the cost of providing health insurance to the nearly 70,000 full-time employees of Kansas school districts.
Currently, the state’s 286 districts have the option of participating in the state employee health plan, but few do. The report says creating a new “consolidated” state plan for school employees could save up to $80 million a year. The new plan would be separate from the state employee plan but would share administrative costs.
Reducing Medicaid error rates
Several of the 260 pages in the consultant’s report are devoted to addressing two problem areas in the state’s privatized Medicaid program, known as KanCare.
According to the report, Kansas has among the highest payment and eligibility error rates in the nation. Its payment error rate is 17.9 percent, almost 50 percent higher than the next highest state. Its eligibility error rate of 12.8 percent is nearly four times the national average of 3.3 percent.
The report says the eligibility error rate “is the most concerning” because it means the state is paying the private insurance companies that run KanCare to cover people who aren’t eligible for the program.
A recent decision by Brownback to transfer the main responsibility for determining KanCare eligibility from the Department for Children and Families to the Department of Health and Environment and stepped-up efforts to implement a new enrollment system that has been delayed for years and plagued by cost overruns are “important steps” toward addressing the problems, the report says.
But they’re not enough. The consultants recommend “outsourcing all eligibility functions” to a private company.
Reducing the eligibility error rate to the national average would save the state an estimated $60 million a year, according to the consultants.
Saving on KanCare births
The state could achieve up to $6.5 million a year in KanCare savings by focusing on several childbirth policies, according to the report.
Ensuring that babies aren’t delivered prior to 39 weeks gestation unless it’s medically necessary would reduce the number of low birth weight babies and expensive stays in neonatal inventive care units. And encouraging pregnant women enrolled in KanCare to deliver in birthing centers staffed by certified nurse midwives instead of hospitals could save more than $3,400 per birth, according to the report.
That’s easier said than done. Increasing the use of birth centers would require changing state licensing laws to allow nurse midwives to practice independently. Currently, they must have a signed collaborative agreement with a sponsoring physician.
“Kansas should define the role of CNMs (certified nurse midwives) and protect public safety by defining the scope of midwifery while recognizing and enabling full practice authority for CNMs,” the report says.
Backers of a bill granting midwives full practice authority hope the consultant’s report improves its chances of passing. But fears that any health bill could lead to a floor debate on Medicaid expansion could limit the bill’s chances of getting out of the House or Senate health committees.
Rep. Dan Hawkins, the Wichita Republican who chairs the House Health and Human Services Committee, said he supports the bill but isn’t sure whether the consultant’s recommendations will boost its chances.
“I don’t know, we’ll see,” he said.
Jim McLean is executive editor of KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – A person with knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press that Kansas City offensive coordinator Doug Pederson has accepted the Eagles’ offer to become their head coach. Pederson started nine games at quarterback for the Eagles in 1999 and began his NFL coaching career as an assistant under Andy Reid in Philadelphia in 2009.
He can’t be officially hired as long as the Chiefs are in the playoffs, and they take on New England on Saturday.
Area high school football teams will be well represented this summer at the annual 8-man All-Star football games in Beloit.
Victoria, the two-time 8-Man Division 2 state champions had three players selected to the west squad; Brady Dinkel, Joe Dortland and Brandon Brungardt and coach Doug Oberle will be an assistant on the west squad.
Hoxie also had multiple selections to the division 2 west squad with Peyton Taylor and Drake Rowh. Coach Lance Baar is also a member of the west coaching staff. Otis-Bison’s Nick Higgason and Jordan Gering from Thunder Ridge were also named to the west team.
Corbin Schoenthaler from Trego Community will represent the west squad in the Division 1 game. Ness City also had a pair of selections to the west; Dylan Hamilton and Luis Rodriguez.
The athletes will decide to accept their selection or not and final rosters will be announced at a later date.
The games are June 11th at Beloit high school.
DII East
HC Eric Detweiler ——-Axtell
AC Lewis Whitson ——-Hartford
AC John Wellman ——-Chase
Colton Buessing——-Axtell
Brice Koch————–Axtell
Alec McDaniel ———Attica/Argonia
Jacob Norris————Attica/Argonia
Troy Francis————Attica/Argonia
Chase Carey———–Blue Valley
Ross Kuehny ———-Caldwell
Kyler Bruey————-Caldwell
Riley Munoz————Chase
Brendon Clark———-Chase
Brandon Brallier ——-Colony Crest
Hunter Frazell ———-Colony Crest
Jase Suther————-Frankfort
Ryan Kraushaar——–Frankfort
Jacob Field————–Pike Valley
Dawson Carlgren——Pike Valley
Jake Loyd—————Pretty Prairie
Dylan Bair—————Pretty Prairie
Tanner Kubick ———Sylvan/Lucas
Jordyn Steinike———-Wilson
DII West
HC Jeff Hennick ——-Wallace Co.
AC Doug Oberle ——-Victoria
AC Lance Baar ——-Hoxie
Brady Dinkel ——-Victoria
Eric Gfeller ——-Wallace Co.
Landon Walker ——-Minneola
Joe Dortland ——-Victoria
Ryan Gfeller ——-Tri-Plains Brewster
Devon Janicke ——-Cheylin
Nathaniel Kershenske——- Stafford
Brandon Brungardt ——-Victoria
Peyton Taylor——-Hoxie
Hardin Perry ——-Wallace Co.
Skyler Hanson ——-Tri-Plains Brewster
Branson Sandoval——- Ingalls
Drake Rowh ——-Hoxie
Isaiah Warnke——- Bucklin
Nick Higgason——- Otis-Bison
Jordan Gering ——-Thunder Ridge
Dawson Sandoval——- Ingalls
Edgar Valenzuela ——-Weskan
Kaleb Holaday ——-Wheatland
Parker Gates ——-St. Johs Beloit
Division I East
HC Anthony Blair——- Central
AC Mick Holt——- Sedan
AC Chris Haag——- West Elk
Lucas McMichael ——-Central Burden
Nolan Williams——-Udall
Zac Walter——-Lincoln
Marquise Mitchell——- MDCV
Isaiahh Loudermilk——-West Elk
Matt Davied——-Lincoln
Paden Pralle——-Hanover
Grant Davis——-Rock Hills
James Williams——-Wakefield
Michael Delaney——-Central Burden
Trey Lohse——-Hanover
Mathew White——-Hanover
John Reed——-Uniontown
Garrett Myers——-Waverly
Armondo Gomez——-West Elk
Robert Hutchins——-Burlingame
Zach Melius——-Wakefield
Clayton Philpott——-Peabody Burns
Cody Patterson——-MDCV
Paul Holt——-Burlingame
DI West
HC Matt Smith——-South Central
AC Steve Tiernan——-Solomon
AC Matt Fowler——-Spearville
Braedan Crites——-Central Plains
Jake Tiernan——-Solomon
Corbin Schoenathaler——-Wakeeney-Trego
Dylan Hamilton——-Ness City
Bryson Wesley——-Decatur Comm.
Garett Brunk——-St. Francis
Blake Swenson——-Solomon
Aaron Heft——-Kiowa County
Eric Torres——-Kiowa County
Michael Colter——-South Central
Nick Sheiw——-Hodgeman Co.
Luis Rodriguez——-Ness City
Michael Ryan——-Central Plains
Cole Lohrding——-South Central
Nathan Stein——-Spearville
Brady Sherraden——-Spearville
Jordan Duvall——-Ellinwood
Brandon Davis——-Spearville
Travis Unruh——-Canton-Galva
Kelsey Cohoon learned a long time ago to expect the unexpected.
A Fort Hays State University sophomore from Jetmore, Cohoon started dancing at age 2 and has been involved in cheerleading since seventh grade. One of the stunters on the FHSU cheer squad who does flying leaps as part of her routine, Cohoon knows she always has to be on her toes. One slip-up by her or her base could prove dangerous.
But nothing could have prepared Cohoon for an unforeseen happening on the first Saturday of the new year. Cohoon, who will turn 20 in March, received a New Year’s surprise when she was crowned Miss Cowboy Capital at a scholarship pageant in Dodge City on Jan. 2.
With that title, Cohoon advances to the Miss Kansas Pageant in June in Pratt. It will be the second consecutive year that an FHSU student will participate in Miss Kansas. Dakota Derstein from Dodge City was crowned Miss Dodge City a year ago.
The crowning was “totally unexpected” for Cohoon because this was her first pageant. Well, the first one she could remember, that is. Her mom, Christina Cohoon, had entered her firstborn in a Toddlers and Tiaras Pageant when Kelsey was about 18 months old.
“I’ve seen pictures of it,” Cohoon said. “But I don’t remember it at all.”
No doubt she will remember her second pageant.
Cohoon’s dance teacher, Nikki Salem from Dodge City, is a board member of the Miss Dodge City/Miss Cowboy Capital Scholarship Pageant. She works backstage at the pageant and has urged Cohoon to participate the past two years.
“She’s always been a performer,” said Salem, Cohoon’s dance teacher since Cohoon was a toddler. “She’s never been afraid of the stage. She has this poise and calmness about her. If she is nervous, she can hold it together.”
Knowing there could be some money for college involved, Cohoon, a speech-language pathology major, finally consented to participate this year.
“This was a spur-of-the-moment thing,” said Cohoon, who didn’t decide until she was back in Hays in college last fall that she would throw her name in the hat to compete. “I did it for the scholarships.”
After going through the various competitions — talent, fitness, evening gown, interview — Cohoon thought she had the top three or four girls picked out.
“After seeing the girls in the competition, I thought, ” ‘I am not going to win this,’ ” she said, “but I thought I would just do it for fun and just be myself.”
“This year’s 10 performers were pretty amazing,” Salem said. “I remember thinking, ‘I sure wouldn’t want to be a judge this year.’ ”
Before revealing the names of the Miss Cowboy Capital and Miss Dodge City in the dual pageant, an overall second runner-up and first runner-up are announced. After those two names were revealed and just before the announcement of Miss Cowboy Capital, Cohoon said, “I was thinking, ‘OK, who else is there?’ ”
That, Kelsey Cohoon, would be you.
“They called my name,” she said, “and I didn’t even know how to react.”
Salem did.
“I was thrilled,” Salem said. “It was very refreshing to think someone like Kelsey will be representing us at Miss Kansas.”
Cohoon earned a $100 scholarship for participating and another $500 for winning. Now, it’s on to the next step.
The Miss Kansas Pageant is scheduled for June 5-11 in Pratt, and Cohoon now has more responsibilities added to an already busy college schedule.
In addition to cheering for Tiger athletic events, Cohoon is a member of a social sorority on campus, volunteers for various community organizations and is involved in fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“I did everything in high school,” said Cohoon, who participated in numerous sports at Hodgeman County High, in addition to cheering both for her school and on a competitive traveling cheer squad. “So I thought I might as well fill up my college life, too.”
Cohoon is accomplishing that with ease. She will make some appearances at civic events in Dodge City this semester, and she plans to try out for the Universal Cheerleading Association staff and teach youngsters at cheer camps this summer. Oh, and there’s that task of preparing for the Miss Kansas Pageant, where her platform will be “Positive Body Image.” Of course, her talent number will be a ballet dance.
The first person to introduce Cohoon to pageants all those years ago will be with her daughter every step of the way.
“I’m a little nervous,” Christina Cohoon said, “but I’m excited.”
The Cohoons won’t have far to look to ask for pointers about getting ready for Miss Kansas. There’s Derstein they can call on, and Cohoon’s cousin, Whitney Winter from Dodge City, was the 2015 Miss Cowboy Capital and got to crown Cohoon the 2016 winner.
“I’m going to get together with Dakota’s mom and get some advice,” Cohoon’s mom said. “We’re all really proud of her already. So whatever happens there will be OK. The whole preparation thing will be a lot of fun.”
Richard “Dick” Riggs, 70, Hays, died Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at the Saint Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri.
He was born July 6, 1945 in Hays the son of Donald and Loree (Maddy) Riggs. He was a graduate of Hays High School in 1963 and attended Fort Hays State University. He was a United States Air Force veteran during the Vietnam War. In 1970 he married Terri Herbig in Hays. He worked in the tire industry, first at Riggs Tire and later on in sales at Becker Tire until his retirement this past October. He loved to play golf and was an avid Jayhawks and Kansas City Royals and Chiefs fan.
He loved his family and friends and enjoyed his grandsons, and going to their activities and sporting events. He enjoyed softball, hunting and cooking and courageously battled cancer for eleven years without complaint; he would simply grin and bear it day by day.
Survivors include his wife, Terri, of the home in Hays, his mother Loree Riggs of Hays, a daughter Kelly Riggs of Kansas City, Kansas, a son Cory Riggs and wife Tina and their children Trey, Derrik, and Kyler Riggs, all of Hays, a sister Linda O’Conner of Hays, his mother in law Marcelyn Herbig of Hays, and three brothers in law, Mark Herbig of Hays, Alan Hayes of Green River, WY, and John Medina of Trinidad, CO, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, his twin sister Donna Medina, his father in law Heinie Herbig, and a sister in law Sandy Hayes.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. Military honors will follow by the Hays VFW Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Monday and from 9:30 am until service time on Tuesday, all at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested in Dick’s memory to a memorial to be decided at a later date, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — One of two people charged in the killing of a Wichita State University student has entered a guilty plea.
The Wichita Eagle reports that 23-year-old Isaiah Copridge pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree murder in the death of Rayan Ibrahim Baba. Copridge also pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery after waiving his preliminary hearing.
The victim was a 23-year-old Saudi undergraduate student. He was found shot in a parking lot of one of the university’s dormitories on Aug. 8. An affidavit says he had contacted Copridge’s co-defendant, Eboni Fingal, about sexual services she advertised online shortly before he was killed.
Copridge faces more than 54 years in prison. His sentencing is set for Feb. 18, just two days after Fingal’s trial is set to begin. She has pleaded not guilty.
ScheiblerHays Police Chief Don Scheibler has been named the latest Covenant Builders Hometown Hero.
He will be honored at Thursday’s Fort Hays State University basketball games.
From his nomination:
“Don has a big heart when it come to the Hays community. He is involved in many organizations in the community along with being the chief of the Hays Police Department, president of the Kiwanis Club, and a member of the Hays High Athletics Booster club.”
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita doctor accused of unlawfully distributing prescription drugs has been indicted after a patient died from an overdose.
The U.S. attorney’s office says the 31-count indictment against Dr. Steven R. Henson was unsealed Thursday.
The 54-year-old is accused of writing prescriptions for cash, when there wasn’t a medical need and for people other than the ones who came to see him. Federal prosecutors say the drug scheme resulted in the death of a patient in July.
His attorney, Kurt Kerns, didn’t immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press.
Charges against Henson include unlawfully distributing the painkiller oxycodone, the anti-anxiety drug alprazolam and methadone. Methadone often is used to wean addicts off heroin.
Eight people who got prescriptions from the doctor also are charged with unlawful drug distribution.
TOM KRISHER, AP Auto Writers
DEE-ANN DURBIN, AP Auto Writers
DETROIT (AP) — Fiat Chrysler is denying allegations that it encourages dealers to falsely report sales to boost monthly totals that are released to the public and investors.
The accusations came in a federal lawsuit filed this week by Napleton’s Arlington Heights Motors, a Chicago-area dealership group. It alleges that FCA offers subsidies to dealers that meet sales targets. Napleton says that one competing dealer reported 85 false new-vehicle sales and got tens of thousands of dollars. It alleges the sales are removed from the books the following month.
Napleton says the false sales give the appearance that FCA’s performance is better than it actually is.
Fiat Chrysler says the claim is without merit and it will defend itself vigorously. The company says it’s confident in the integrity of its business dealings.
ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press
