January 2017 – Page 11 – Hays Post Archive

2 Kan. men, teen hospitalized after car collides with pickup

Posted on January 28, 2017

SMITH COUNTY –Three people were injured in an accident just before 5p.m. on Friday in Smith County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Ford Taurus driven by Ray E. Hunter, 39, Kensington, collided with a 2004 Chevy Silverado driven by Thomas R. Boxum, 42, Lebanon, that was crossing U.S. 36 highway on O road

Hunter and passengers in the Ford Cherokee N. Marsh, 25, and Nathan Hunter, 16, both of Kensington, were transported to the Smith County hospital.

Boxum and two passengers in the Silverado were not injured. The occupants of the Silverado were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Area high school scoreboard for 1/27/17

Posted on January 27, 2017

Girls
Mid-America Classic
*Hays 57 Wichita SE 36
*Dodge City 41 Andale 32
*Manhattan 56 Valley Center 29

Mid-Continent League
Ellis 29 Plainville 38
Oakley 44 Phillipsburg 23
Abilene 41 TMP 60
Hill City 62 Trego 39
Stockton 48 Smith Center 31

Central Prairie League
La Crosse 35 Victoria 19

Northern Plains League
*Otis-Bison 57 Sylvan Lucas 34
Osborne 29 Lakeside 30
Rock Hills 6 Wilson 52
Natoma 36 Lincoln 27

Great West Activities Conference
*Norton 33 Colby 36
*Liberal 43 Hugoton 58
Scott City 36 Goodland 45

Western Kansas Liberty League
Triplains/Brewster 28 Golden Plains 37
Northern Valley 34 Logan 60

Central Kansas League
*Hoisington 48 Chapman 36
*Ellinwood 53 Lyons 46

North Central Kansas Activities Association
Minneapolis 35 Russell 57

Hilltop Classic at Great Bend
7th Place – Little River 32 Macksville 49
5th Place – Ness City 50 Ell-Saline 45
3rd Place – St. John 36 Moundridge 48

Newton Invitational Tournament
Garden City 37 Andover Central 42

Boys
Western Athletic Conference
Dodge City 54 Hays 66

Mid-Continent League
Ellis 45 Plainville 61
Oakley 40 Phillipsburg 75
Abilene 58 TMP 57
Hill City 56 Trego 48
Stockton 40 Smith Center 49

Central Prairie League
La Crosse 52 Victoria 30
*Pratt 66 Macksville 43

Northern Plains League
*Otis-Bison 42 Sylvan Lucas 55
Southern Cloud 35 Thunder Ridge 42
Osborne 85 Lakeside 28
Rock Hills 50 Wilson 48
Natoma 34 Lincoln 45

Great West Activities Conference
*Norton 61 Colby 42
*Liberal 56 Hugoton 43
Scott City 49 Goodland 29

Western Kansas Liberty League
Northern Valley 34 Logan 60

Central Kansas League
*Hoisington 25 Chapman 38
*Ellinwood 37 Lyons 45

North Central Kansas Activities Association
Minneapolis 67 Russell 51

*Non-league

AP-KS–Kansas Prep Scores, 6th Ld-Writethru,1341
Friday’s Scores
By The Associated Press
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Abilene 58, Hays-TMP-Marian 57
Atchison 60, Silver Lake 38
Basehor-Linwood 55, Labette County 39
Baxter Springs 66, Southeast 39
Bishop Seabury Academy 80, KC East Christian 66
Blue Valley 83, St. James Academy 78
Bluestem 57, Cherryvale 53
BV North 50, Blue Valley Southwest 26
BV West 61, Gardner-Edgerton 45
Caldwell 31, Sedan 27
Chanute 53, Iola 49
Chapman 38, Hoisington 25
Conway Springs 59, Belle Plaine 46
Cornerstone Family 62, Christ Preparatory Academy 19
Council Grove 64, Marion 38
Doniphan West 68, Washington County 56
Ell-Saline 69, Medicine Lodge 64
Ellsworth 55, Southeast Saline 50
Elyria Christian 47, Herington 23
Fort Scott 65, Girard 62, OT
Frankfort 56, Axtell 53
Frontenac 63, Independence 48
Goddard 64, Wichita Campus 46
Hanover 71, Wetmore 45
Haven 64, Sedgwick 43
Hays 66, Dodge City 54
Heritage Christian 38, Maur Hill – Mount Academy 3
Hiawatha 45, Royal Valley 43
Hill City 56, Trego 48
Holcomb 55, Southwestern Hts. 43
Humboldt 52, Erie 50
Hutchinson 74, Valley Center 72
Jefferson North 61, Pleasant Ridge 50
KC Christian 63, University Academy, Mo. 56
KC Turner 52, SM Northwest 46
KC Washington 79, Ottawa 72
LaCrosse 52, Victoria 30
Lafayette (St. Joseph), Mo. 56, Leavenworth 36
Lakin 55, Wiley, Colo. 48
Liberal 56, Hugoton 43
Lincoln 45, Natoma 34
Logan 60, Northern Valley 34
Lyndon 56, Mission Valley 37
Lyons 45, Ellinwood 37
Maize 78, Maize South 64
Mill Valley 53, Lansing 41
Minneapolis 67, Russell 51
Moundridge 48, Goessel 34
Norton 61, Colby 42
Olathe Northwest 65, Topeka West 60
Olathe South 58, Olathe North 28
Onaga 46, Linn 44
Osborne 85, Lakeside 28
Oxford 52, Central Burden 34
Parsons 62, Columbus 30
Pawnee Heights 40, Minneola 39
Perry-Lecompton 43, Jefferson West 29
Phillipsburg 75, Oakley 40
Pike Valley 68, Chase 33
Pittsburg 75, DeSoto 39
Pittsburg Colgan 60, Riverton 38
Plainville 61, Ellis 45
Pratt 66, Macksville 43
Rock Creek 56, Wamego 52
Rock Hills 50, Wilson 48
Sabetha 49, Riverside 35
Salina Sacred Heart 73, Hutchinson Trinity 46
Santa Fe Trail 58, Osage City 52
Scott City 49, Goodland 29
SM South 66, SM West 53
Smith Center 49, Stockton 40
Smoky Valley 53, Clay Center 33
South Haven 65, Flinthills 60
Spring Hill 61, Louisburg 48
St. John’s Beloit-Tipton 50, Tescott 21
St. Thomas Aquinas 52, BV Northwest 35
Sylvan-Lucas 55, Otis-Bison 42
Thunder Ridge 42, Glasco/Miltonvale-Southern Cloud 35
Tonganoxie 41, KC Bishop Ward 22
Topeka 55, Junction City 41
Topeka Hayden 68, Highland Park 65
Troy 72, Clifton-Clyde 64
Uniontown 53, Crest 19
Valley Heights 63, Solomon 52, OT
Wabaunsee 63, Riley County 36
Wellington 78, Winfield 59
Wellsville 66, Anderson County 42
West Elk 42, Argonia 26
Wichita Collegiate 75, Circle 72
Lyon County League Tournament
Semifinal
Hartford 52, Southern Coffey 48
Lebo 44, Burlingame 42
SPIAA Tournament
Consolation
Hodgeman County 55, Satanta 45
South Central 57, Ingalls 51
Semifinal
South Gray 66, Ashland 30
Spearville 56, Kiowa County 46
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Baxter Springs 55, Southeast 30
Blue Valley 47, St. James Academy 15
Bluestem 46, Cherryvale 32
BV North 66, Blue Valley Southwest 41
BV Northwest 60, SM West 41
Caldwell 41, Sedan 37
Central Burden 39, Oxford 32
Centralia 53, Blue Valley 31
Cimarron 46, Wichita County 29
Clay Center 47, Smoky Valley 21
Clifton-Clyde 41, Troy 29
Colby 36, Norton 33
Columbus 43, Parsons 27
Council Grove 61, Marion 32
Crest 49, Uniontown 46
Elkhart 50, Moscow 22
Ellinwood 53, Lyons 46
Ellsworth 36, Southeast Saline 32
Flinthills 40, South Haven 23
Frankfort 51, Axtell 46
Fredonia 40, Eureka 31
Girard 54, Fort Scott 32
Golden Plains 37, Triplains-Brewster 28
Goodland 45, Scott City 36
Hanover 53, Wetmore 41
Hays-TMP-Marian 60, Abilene 41
Hill City 62, Trego 39
Hoisington 48, Chapman 36
Holcomb 53, Southwestern Hts. 33
Hugoton 58, Liberal 43
Humboldt 60, Erie 46
Hutchinson Trinity 54, Salina Sacred Heart 33
Independence 56, Frontenac 39
Iola 46, Chanute 33
KC East Christian 70, Bishop Seabury Academy 41
Labette County 67, Basehor-Linwood 53
LaCrosse 35, Victoria 19
Lakeside 30, Osborne 29
Lakin 46, Wiley, Colo. 39
Linn 39, Onaga 20
Logan 60, Northern Valley 34
Maur Hill – Mount Academy 54, Heritage Christian 29
Mission Valley 40, Lyndon 17
Natoma 36, Lincoln 27
Northeast-Arma 62, St. Paul 54
Oakley 44, Phillipsburg 23
Osage City 35, Santa Fe Trail 28
Oswego 56, Altoona-Midway 16
Otis-Bison 57, Sylvan-Lucas 34
Ottawa 60, KC Washington 29
Pike Valley 55, Chase 41
Pittsburg 39, DeSoto 34
Pittsburg Colgan 49, Riverton 38
Plainville 38, Ellis 29
Rock Creek 32, Wamego 31
Rural Vista 56, Wakefield 28
Russell 57, Minneapolis 35
Sabetha 58, Riverside 49
Silver Lake 62, Atchison 35
St. John’s Beloit-Tipton 56, Tescott 27
Stockton 48, Smith Center 31
Syracuse 36, Johnson-Stanton County 20
Thunder Ridge 55, Glasco/Miltonvale-Southern Cloud 35
Tonganoxie 45, KC Bishop Ward 42, OT
University Academy, Mo. 39, KC Christian 37
Valley Heights 61, Solomon 26
Veritas Christian 51, St. Joseph Christian, Mo. 37
Wabaunsee 52, Riley County 33
Washington County 61, Doniphan West 48
West Elk 28, Argonia 26
Wilson 52, Rock Hills 6
El Dorado Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Augusta 77, Wichita East 64
El Dorado 35, Wichita Collegiate 33
Semifinal
Circle 47, Mill Valley 40
Maize South 57, Gardner-Edgerton 50
Emporia Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Topeka 51, SM North 41
Wichita Heights 73, Goddard-Eisenhower 29
Semifinal
Derby 70, Maize 36
Lawrence 51, Emporia 43
Haven Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Garden Plain 47, Nickerson 36
Rose Hill 30, Haven 29
Semifinal
Cheney 54, Wellington 47
Goddard 45, Kingman 28
Hilltop Hoops Classic
Seventh Place
Macksville 49, Little River 32
Fifth Place
Ness City 50, Ell-Saline 45
Third Place
Moundridge 48, St. John 36
Jefferson County North Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Atchison County 38, Cornerstone Family 37
Perry-Lecompton 43, Oskaloosa 32
Semifinal
Jefferson North 61, Pleasant Ridge 50
Rossville 32, Valley Falls 30
Lawrence Free State Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
SM South 62, Hutchinson 42
Wichita Northwest 41, Junction City 30
Semifinal
Topeka Seaman 51, KC Schlagle 47
Wichita South 50, Lawrence Free State 45
Lyon County League Tournament
Semifinal
Olpe 61, Lebo 26
Waverly 56, Hartford 27
McPherson Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Dodge City 41, Andale 32
Hays 57, Wichita Southeast 36
Semifinal
Manhattan 56, Valley Center 29
Olathe South 46, McPherson 37
Newton Invitational Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Andover Central 42, Garden City 37
SM Northwest 52, Kapaun Mount Carmel 46
Semifinal
Bishop Miege 53, Wichita Bishop Carroll 43
Newton 50, Olathe Northwest 36
Skyline 54 Classic Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Kinsley 45, Pretty Prairie 33
Pratt Skyline 27, Attica 24
Semifinal
Cunningham 42, South Barber 32
Medicine Lodge 53, Norwich 48
Washburn Rural Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
KC Sumner 72, Shawnee Heights 56
SM East 47, Topeka West 39
Semifinal
Leavenworth 59, Great Bend 40
St. Thomas Aquinas 61, Washburn Rural 42

Claiborne Kyles leads Indians to 12 point win over Dodge City

Posted on January 27, 2017January 28, 2017

By: GARRETT SAGER
Hays Post

Claiborne Kyles had a emphatic dunk to go along with a game high 22 points matching his career high as the Indians cruised to their second straight win by beating Western Athletic Conference Foe, Dodge City 66-54.

Highlights

Hays High and Dodge City kept things close for the large portion of the first quarter of play. Hays High hit their first two shots including a three by Kyles and the score was 7-7 at the 4:36 mark in the first quarter. Dodge City would proceed then to turn it over on four straight possessions leading to a 16-0 run by Hays High and the Indians would never trail from there building a lead by as much as 22 points in the first and on their way to a 66-54 win.

Coach Rick Keltner Interview

Dodge City would come out in the first quarter on a 5-0 run, but the Indians would counteract with a 11-2 run of their own and build a 24 point lead which would be the largest of the game. Indians had three in double figures lead by Kyles who matched his career high of 22 points. Tradgon McCrae would score 11 and Tyrese Hill would add 11.

Hays High improves to 9-3 on the year and have won two straight now. Dodge City falls to 2-10 and have lost six straight. Indians will be back in action Jan. 31 in Salina against Salina South

TMP girls win, boys fall to Abilene

Posted on January 27, 2017January 27, 2017

By JEREMY McGUIRE
Hays Post

Girls: TMP 60, Abilene 41
Boys: Abilene 58, TMP 57

HAYS, Kan.-Abilene started Friday night’s match-up against TMP with a 14-2 first quarter run to take early control. McKenzie Funston pumped in 12 first quarter points and finished the half with 14 total. The Lady Monarchs closed the gap to 21-12 by the end of the first quarter.

TMP scored the first 11 points of the second quarter to take their first lead at 23-21. Abilene would score the next five points to regain the lead. TMP would answer with a three from Sara Schippers to tie the game at 26 which is where the game sat at the half-time break. TMP’s Megan Koenigsman scored 9 first half points. That put her over 1,000 career points in the first half.

TMP controlled the second half. The Lady Monarchs led 42-33 after the third quarter and cruised to the 60-41 win. TMP’s defensive pressure proved to much for the Cowgirls who dropped to 8-5 on the season. TMP has won 11 straight and improve to 13-1 on the season. The Lady Monarchs are off until next Friday when they will host Norton.

ROSE MCFARLAND INTERVIEW

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

TMP opened the game on a 9-0 run and led early against the visitors from Abilene. The Cowboys would close the gap to 15-12 at the end of the first quarter. Abilene took the lead in the second quarter and extended it to as many as 7 points but TMP cut that lead to 5 points at half.

Creighton Renz played a strong first half with a couple of early buckets and finished with 9 points at the break. Luke Ruder chipped in with 8. Parker Base scored 8 to lead Abilene as TMP held the Cowboys’ leading scorer Ryan Wilson to only 2 first half points.

The two teams settled in to what was a fun second half as they went back and forth the final two quarters. Abilene took a 7 point lead early in the third but TMP would answer and pull within 2 points, 45-43, going into the fourth quarter. David McFarland would hit a three pointer out of the gates in the fourth quarter to give TMP their first lead since early in the second quarter.

Abilene responded with a six point run to take a lead they would never relinquish and went on to win 58-57. The Cowboys improve to 12-1. TMP drops to 7-7 and will host Norton next Friday.

JOE HERTEL INTERVIEW

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Sheriff asks for help to locate 2 wanted on Kan. warrants

Posted on January 27, 2017January 27, 2017

BARTON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Barton County are asking for the help in locating two individuals wanted on warrants.
The Sheriff’s Office is looking for Sarah B. Wagner. Wagner is wanted on warrants in Barton, Rice and Geary counties.

She is described as a white female age 37, 5’4, 140 pounds, brown hair and brown eyes with multiple tattoos. Wagner was last seen in the Great Bend area.

The Sheriff’s office is also looking for Cori J. Galliart. Galliart is wanted on outstanding warrants from Barton, Sedgwick, and Harvey counties. He is described as a white male age 31, six feet in height, 200 pounds, brown hair, and hazel eyes. Galliart’s last known address was in Hoisington.

If you have information about these people or any other crime, please call crime stoppers at 620-792-1300 or 888-305-1300.

Kan. man charged with aggravated battery in alleged DUI crash

Posted on January 27, 2017

RENO COUNTY — A Kansas man made a court appearance Friday and his attorney waived the reading of a charges which includes two counts of aggravated battery – DUI which caused great bodily harm and two counts of DUI.

Ryan Cloud, 34, Lyons, is accused of causing an accident on January 8, that injured a Hutchinson woman and a passenger in a third vehicle.

Police say a vehicle driven by Cloud collided with a vehicle driven by 56-year-old Jacqueline Cink of Caldwell, at the intersection of 23rd and Waldron in Hutchinson.

The collision caused Cink’s vehicle to strike a vehicle driven by John Wempe.

Cink and a passenger in the Wempe vehicle were both injured as a result.

Victoria Wempe suffered a broken sternum and broken ribs, according to police.

Cloud is accused of being under the influence of alcohol at the time.

He’s free on bond and his case moves to a waiver-status docket on Feb. 22.

Kan. man sentenced for taking teen out of state for prostitution

Posted on January 27, 2017

TOPEKA -A Kansas man was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in federal prison for sex trafficking, according to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

Gerald L. Brown, Jr., 30, Wichita, pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking of a minor and one count of sex trafficking of an adult by force.

In his plea, he admitted that in June 2015 he recruited a 17-year-old girl to engage in sex acts advertised online.

He transported her from Kansas to Oklahoma and Texas to engage in prostitution. In July 2015 he and the girl were stopped for a traffic violation and the girl was taken into state custody.

Brown returned to Kansas, where he recruited an adult female to engage in prostitution. He threatened to strike her and use violent force to coerce her to cooperate in prostitution.

Beall commended the Wichita Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for their work on the case.

Police: Driver hospitalized after crash into Kansas home

Posted on January 27, 2017

Thursday night crash into a home-photo courtesy WIBW TV

SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Shawnee County are investigating a suspect after an injury accident.

Just before 10p.m. on Thursday, first responders were dispatched to report of an injury accident in the 1100 Block of SW Lane in Topeka. The occupants of the vehicle fled the scene but there were signs of a possible head injury, according to a media release.

Police located the driver at a local hospital with minor injuries. The driver struck a decorative light pole, a mail box, nearly 75 feet of fence and a house.

The fire department responded to turn off gas to the residence.

Police gave the driver several traffic citations, according to the media release. Name of the driver was not released by police.

Trump takes action to keep "Islamic terrorists" out of US

Posted on January 27, 2017January 27, 2017

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump (all times EST):

President Donald Trump Friday signed an executive action implementing “new vetting measures” that he says are aimed at keeping “radical Islamic terrorists” out of the United States.

Trump says, “We don’t want them here.”

The president says he only wants to admit people to the United States who will support the country. His comments echoed his campaign pledge to implement “extreme vetting” programs, particularly for people coming from countries with ties to terrorism.

The president signed the executive action at the Pentagon, where he met with the joint chiefs of staff and participated in a ceremonial swearing-in for Defense Secretary James Mattis.

Payless lays off employees in Kansas

Posted on January 27, 2017January 27, 2017

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Payless ShoeSource announces plans to lay off 165 people, 110 of whom work at locations in Topeka.

Spokeswoman Meghan Spreer tells The Topeka Capital-Journal (https://bit.ly/2k09vyP ) that the positions are in corporate, distribution center and field leadership roles. She says the layoffs make up about 2 percent of the company’s total associate base.

Payless’ headquarters are located in Topeka. GO Topeka and Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce leader Matt Pivarnik says that the community feels “the pain of these cutbacks,” but GO Topeka is ready to assist laid off workers in several ways.

Pivarnik says the competition from the industry can “lead to tough decisions.” Spreer says these types of decisions are necessary for Payless to keep up in an evolving retail environment.

Hays has no problem with Golden Buffaloes in McPherson

Posted on January 27, 2017January 27, 2017

Dustin Armbruster

Hays High hit the hardwood twenty-four hours after a first round loss at the Mid-America Classic in McPherson to face Wichita Southeast. The consolation semi-final game featured 6-4 Hays and 2-9 Wichita Southeast. The two schools had met one time prior in the tournament. The Indians took a 57-55 overtime victory in the 2015 seventh place game.

Hays used a 14-0 run over a two minute stretch of the first quarter to put distance between themselves and Southeast. The Indians led 19-4 after one quarter forcing 13 turnovers and hold the Golden Buffaloes to just five shot attempts. The Indian’s lead never dropped below double figures in the second quarter as they twice pushed the lead up to 19. By half time the Indians led 35-18 behind 13 points from Kallie Leiker which established a career high.

Highlights

The Indians used a 14-2 run in the third quarter to push their lead north of twenty for the first time in the game and led 51-24 after three. Each team rotated freely through their players in the fourth quarter as Hays took the 57-36 victory.

Coach Kirk Maska

Kallie Leiker led the way for the Indians with her 13 first half points. Maddie Keller added 10 for Hays. Wichita Southeast was led by Sandra Pollard with 13. Hays moves to 7-4, matching their win total from last season. Southeast falls to 2-10. Hays will play either Andale or Dodge City for 5th place on Saturday at 3:45

Sen. Moran joins Senate Environment & Public Works Committee

Posted on January 27, 2017January 28, 2017

OFFICE OF SEN. MORAN

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) is joining the U.S. Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), as well as retaining his membership on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies in the 115th Congress.

Both roles put him in a better position to advocate for family farmers and ranchers and work to eliminate burdensome regulations that threaten the future of rural America.

“I often hear from Kansans that overregulation is the greatest threat to the economy of rural America,” said Sen. Moran. “My seat on the EPW Committee will give me the opportunity to work to roll back burdensome rules from the EPA and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service that harm our farmers and ranchers, raise the cost of energy for families, and hinder economic development in rural communities. I will fight for commonsense solutions to issues facing our state.”

Sen. Moran continued, “I also look forward to continuing my focus on investing in policies that are vital to Kansas farmers and ranchers, such as agriculture research, crop insurance and efforts to increase exports as a member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee. I will push to make certain our next Secretary of Agriculture understands the unique challenges facing rural communities. Additionally, through the subcommittee’s jurisdiction over the FDA budget, I will work to advance public health innovations, including development of new medicines, medical devices and food safety practices”

felts — Kansas Farm Bureau President Richard Felts (KFB)

Kansas Livestock Association President David Clawson (KLA)

“Sen. Moran’s new role on the Environment and Public Works Committee gives Kansans another strong advocate against the threats of overregulation at the EPA that hurt family farmers,” Kansas Farm Bureau President and Montgomery County farmer Richard Felts said. “Sen. Moran has always been a champion for farmers and ranchers, and we appreciate his leadership on behalf of Kansas agriculture.”

“Ranchers in Kansas and across the country will benefit from Sen. Moran’s new role on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee,” said Kansas Livestock Association President David Clawson of Englewood, Kan. “We appreciate his efforts to scrutinize existing regulations and repeal those that unnecessarily harm Kansas cattlemen and women and look forward to working with him in the future.”

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works maintains jurisdiction over a wide-variety of federal policies concerning environment, energy, wildlife, and infrastructure issues, which directly impact the day-to-day functions of our farmers, small businesses, and families in Kansas.

More specifically, the committee oversees the implementation and enforcement of federal air and water quality standards, but it must do so without unduly harming Kansans’ livelihoods as a result. Additionally, burdensome wildlife conservation regulations drastically hinder economic development in rural communities in some cases, and it is the duty of the committee to weigh the costs of such decisions. The committee also plays a critical role in addressing the national infrastructure and public works needs of a competitive American economy so that Kansas farmers and ranchers can transport their produce and livestock efficiently.

Prior to being elected to the U.S. Senate, Sen. Moran served for 14 years on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee including as chairman of the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. Sen. Moran continues to fight to make certain farming and ranching families have the opportunity to earn a living and pass on their agricultural heritage to the next generation of producers, all while working to eliminate wasteful spending.

Sen. Moran was appointed chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies for the 115th Congress.

Bill allows Medicaid funding for Kan. Mental Health ‘Clubhouse’ Programs

Posted on January 27, 2017

BY MEG WINGERTER

Rep. Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, introduced a bill to allow mental health rehabilitation programs known as clubhouses to bill Medicaid. A House committee plans to vote on the bill Tuesday.
FILE PHOTO / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE

Some Kansas lawmakers hope allowing community-based rehabilitation programs to bill Medicaid for their services will help more people with mental illnesses find work.

Rep. Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican and chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee, introduced a bill earlier this month that would allow the psychosocial rehabilitation programs known as “clubhouses” to claim reimbursement from Medicaid as allowed by federal law. Some states already allow clubhouses to receive Medicaid funds.

Hawkins said officials with Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration told him last year that they would make changes to allow Medicaid reimbursement for clubhouses. They didn’t do that, he said, so he introduced a bill to advance the issue.

Kansas has only one licensed clubhouse, Breakthrough Club in Wichita. The club’s supporters testified in favor of the bill Thursday at the Statehouse. No one testified in opposition.

Despite the name, clubhouses aren’t primarily social organizations, said Barb Andres, executive director of Breakthrough Club. They have paid staff who help people with mental illnesses develop work and relationship skills, she said.

Clubhouse programs are designed to supplement the medication and therapy a client receives from a community mental health center, Andres said. Breakthrough Club serves about 250 people annually but could serve about 500 if it had more funding, she said.

Kevin Dohrer, a Breakthrough Club client, said when he joined about eight years ago, the clubhouse could offer more services, such as job coaching and case management. He said Medicaid funds could make up for some of the budget cuts the clubhouse faced in recent years.

“I hope to see us back to our former glory,” he said. “We have that potential. We just need to have that funding.”

Dohrer, who has schizoaffective disorder, said getting to know members who have similar conditions helped him to see that he still could achieve his goals. He works in an auto parts store and is attending college.

“When you start out (after a mental health diagnosis), you feel kind of lonely and hopeless, but then you meet other people who’ve been there and they’re living their lives,” he said.

The bill would set up a three-year trial period for funding clubhouses. Kansas could choose to extend payments or let them lapse at that time. Hawkins also said the committee would consider capping payments to limit the state’s expenses.

The bill is scheduled for a committee vote Tuesday.

Meg Wingerter is a reporter for kcur.org‘s Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio and KMUW covering health, education and politics in Kansas. You can reach her on Twitter @MegWingerter.