NORTON, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on a disturbance at a state prison in northwestern Kansas (all times local):

7:20 p.m.

Figures from the Kansas Department of Corrections show that the inmate population at a northwestern Kansas prison rose steadily for three months before a disturbance there.

Department spokesman Samir Arif said Wednesday that the state began double-bunking inmates in some parts of the low-security Norton Correctional Facility this summer.

A disturbance Tuesday night left part of one building at the prison not livable for inmates. Windows were smashed and inmates broke into a tool shed. The department reported two minor injuries to staff.

The department’s figures show that the prison housed 707 inmates at the end of May. The population was 21 percent higher Tuesday at 856 inmates.

Democratic state Sen. Laura Kelly of Topeka said the relocation of inmates has created what she called a “self-inflicted” crisis.

4 p.m.

A Kansas Department of Corrections spokesman is confirming that part of a building for housing inmates at a prison in the state’s northwest is not livable following a disturbance.

Spokesman Samir Arif also said the department increased the number of inmates it transferred out of the Norton Correctional Facility on Wednesday to 100, up from 90 earlier.

But Arif said the inmates were transferred for security reasons, not because part of the housing building was damaged.

The disturbance occurred Tuesday night. Arif said it began when an inmate or inmates set fire to a mattress and about 250 spilled into the yard. Windows were smashed in several buildings and inmates broke into a tool shed.

The low-security prison is about 320 miles (515 kilometers) west of Kansas City.

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11 a.m.

A Kansas Department of Corrections spokesman says it has transferred 90 inmates from a prison in the state’s northwest following a disturbance there.

Spokesman Samir Arif said Wednesday that the inmates were moved from the Norton Correctional Facility to other Kansas prisons.

Arif says the disturbance at Norton began Tuesday night when an inmate or inmates set fire to a mattress in a housing unit and as many as 250 inmates spilled into the yard. He said inmates broke into a tool shed and smashed several prison windows.

Arif says two staff members suffered minor injuries that required no medical attention.

The disturbance drew law enforcement officers and firefighters to the prison just south of the Nebraska state line and about 320 miles west (515 kilometers) west of Kansas City.

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NORTON —The inmate disturbance at Norton Correctional Facility has been brought under control, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

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NORTON, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Department of Corrections has confirmed that an inmate disturbance occurred at a state prison in western Kansas and that local law enforcement officers are on the scene.

Department spokesman Samir Arif provided no other details about the disturbance Tuesday night at the Norton Correctional Facility.

Norton City Administrator Chad Buckley says all of the town’s firetrucks and his entire police department responded to the scene to assist corrections officials.

The Norton prison housed 848 inmates as of Friday, with another 125 at a satellite unit in Stockton, to the east. Most of the inmates are either “low” medium-security inmates or minimum-security inmates. The prison is about 320 miles west of Kansas City.

Rec’d call from @KSCorrections cancelling union visit to Lansing b/c 50 inmates from Norton are transferring to Lansing b/c of riot. #ksleg

— KOSE Union (@KOSE_Union) September 6, 2017

The state saw multiple inmate disturbances in recent months at its maximum-security prison in El Dorado in southern Kansas.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

After searching for a better plan the Ellis County Commission elected to stay with its current insurance plan for county employees, voting Tuesday to renew the employee health insurance plan through 2020.

Since 2011, Ellis County has been a non-state public employer affiliate of the State Employee Health Plan, according to Ellis County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes.

There was a large increase in the cost of insurance for 2017 and, with the county’s current contract set to expire at the end of December a committee made up of county employees was established to look at future options.

The committee recommended hiring a consultant to help in the search and, in April, the commission approved the hiring of IMA Inc. Smith-Hanes said they received two quotes and focused on the quote from Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Smith-Hanes said they were optimistic about the Blue Cross Blue Shield proposal because, “it was promising all these costs savings.” But once they broke down the costs and, with the addition of IMA’s fees, the savings would be $25,000.

“Under this plan, our employees who are enrolled in the family coverage option, which is about 40 percent of our employees, would actually be paying a higher rate, monthly premium rate,” Smith-Hanes said.

They would also lose some discounts that the state plan provides.

“In order for the county to save $25,000, employees would actually be paying another $40,000 out of their own pockets,” Smith-Hanes said.

Those factors led the committee to recommend the commission approve another three-year contract with the State Employee Health Plan.

In other business, the commission got a demonstration of the new look county website. The county’s website, ellisco.net, went live with an updated look at the end of August.

The commission also was introduced to the new landfill foreman, Vern Ruder.

Commissioners also approved $52,000 to repair a grader and approved the commission chair to sign the mutual aid agreement with the County Fire Department and the City of Ellis, Victoria and Hays fire departments.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Thursday’s agenda for the Hays city commission work session includes a discussion of what the city’s role should be in helping to increase sales tax receipts.

The city’s General Fund is financed exclusively by sales tax revenues, helping keep down the mill levy. Hays is the only city in Kansas to finance its General Fund this way.

Commissioners will also discuss whether to assist in pursuing a convention center in Hays. Both topics were suggested by Commissioner Henry Schwaller during the Aug. 10 regular meeting.

“What can we do to grow our sales tax?” Schwaller asked his fellow commissioners.

“What role would the city commission like to play as a catalyst to increase retail development? We’d all like another grocery store. We’d all like other places to shop. What role could we play in that with our economic development policy?”

Schwaller asked another question related to economic development.

“Would we like to take another attempt to have a developer build a convention center? These are things, that if we were able to do them successfully, would create more traffic to Hays and more revenue.”

“I second that,” Commissioner Sandy Jacobs commented quickly.

“I do, too,” said Mayor Shaun Musil, adding that he has a concern about economic development. “We (commissioners) have been pretty loud about it that we’re not happy with what’s going on. I think we need to  be part of it, if we can be.

“A lot of people don’t think a convention center is important, but there are others who think it would be very important. I’d like us to explore every avenue possible. I don’t think the city should every own it,” Musil emphasized. “I think it would be a big plus for our community.”

No specific options for a convention center have been identified at this time, according to Assistant Hays City Manager Jacob Wood.

“It’s something the city has talked about for a long time and there have been proposals on the table in the past,” Wood said during a Tuesday news conference. “There’s nothing in the works right now, but it seems like the commission may be interested in doing something down the road.”

The former Ambassador Hotel and Conference Center, 3603 Vine, closed Dec. 1, 2015. The facility hosted a number of small conventions in Hays over the years while it was a Ramada property and as a Holiday Inn Holidome.  The structure has been demolished and debris is currently being removed from the site.

Other agenda items for the Sept. 7 work session include discussions of the employee 2018 pay plan and job classification and a sewer cleaning bid. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

Cottonwood District Extension

When the tornado sirens sound, are you prepared to face a storm? Or if your house is on fire, are you prepared to evacuate? Would you be prepared to not only survive the damage, but also ease the process of recovery?

Plan to attend the free Extension program “Disaster Preparedness for Home, Family and Furry Friends” on Thursday, September 14, at 12:00 noon at the Hays Office of the Cottonwood Extension District, 601 Main Street in Hays. Pre-register by calling the Hays office, 785-628-9430, to ensure adequate materials. Presenters are Linda Beech and Alicia Boor, Cottonwood District Agents.

The program will be repeated on Wednesday, September 27 at 12:00 noon at the Rec Activity Center in Great Bend. Call 620-793-1910 to register for that location.

Many of us have taken some steps to protect our home and families from emergencies. But do you have a plan for your pets? And what about your financial emergency preparedness– would you have the records and documents needed to recover your losses if your home was damaged or destroyed?

Disasters are unpredictable and devastating to lives and property. Instead of just hoping to avoid a disaster, it is important to put some time and attention into preparing for the possibility. In case of emergency, you’ll be glad you planned ahead. These programs are part of the Prepare Kansas campaign in September from K-State Research and Extension. Join us to learn more.

WASHINGTON —  Broadcom Foundation and Society for Science & the Public today announced the selection of the Top 300 competitors in the seventh annual Broadcom MASTERS — the nation’s most prestigious Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) competition for middle school students. The Broadcom MASTERS, a program founded and produced by the Society for Science & the Public, seeks to inspire young scientists, engineers and innovators who will solve the grand challenges of the future.

Isabel Peine, a Thomas More Prep-Marian freshman, was selected for her entry, “Ethanol – Breath of Fresh Air.” She is the only semifinalist from Kansas and won first place at the state science fair in Wichita in 2017.

The Top 300 Broadcom MASTERS (formerly referred to as semi-finalists) represent middle schools from 37 states, Puerto Rico and the Department of Defense overseas. Top 300 Broadcom MASTERS include an approximately equal number of males and females, with 147 girls and 153 boys. The states fielding the most Top 300 competitors include California with 66, Florida with 31 and Texas with 21.

The students’ names and a state-by-state breakdown of the Top 300 can be found at https://student.societyforscience.org/2017-top-300-masters.

The Top 300 Broadcom MASTERS were selected from a pool of 2,499 applicants from 49 states and 4 territories. These competitors were evaluated by a panel of distinguished scientists, engineers and educators. The students were judged on creativity and originality of their science fair project, their ability to engage in analysis of data, and understanding of STEM principles as they relate to the real world.  The 2,499 applicants were nominated to compete in the Broadcom MASTERS by placing among the top 10 percent of middle school competitors at Society-affiliated regional and state science fairs.

In recognition of their achievements, Top 300 Broadcom MASTERS will receive a prize package containing an award ribbon; semifinalist certificate of accomplishment; Broadcom MASTERS backpack; a Broadcom MASTERS decal; an Inventor’s Notebook and copy of Howtoons: Tools of Mass Construction graphic novel, courtesy of The Lemelson Foundation; a one year subscription to Mathematica+ software, courtesy of Wolfram Research; and a one-year family digital subscription to Science News magazine. In recognition of the role that teachers play in the success of their students, each designated teacher also will receive a Broadcom MASTERS tote bag and a one-year digital subscription to Science News magazine.

The 30 Broadcom MASTERS Finalists will be announced on September 20. Finalists receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC from October 20 – 25 to showcase their science fair projects at Union Station and compete in a four-day STEM competition for more than $100,000 in awards and prizes, including the coveted $25,000 Samueli Prize. Other top awards include the $20,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Advancement, the $10,000 Marconi/Samueli Award for Innovation and the $7,500 Lemelson Award for Invention.