GREAT BEND — The University of Kansas Health System has signed a letter of intent to purchase the operations of Great Bend Regional Hospital and its affiliated clinics, including Central Kansas Family Practice and Heartland Regional, according to a media release.
Great Bend Regional Hospital courtesy photo
When due diligence is complete, and the transaction closes this summer, Great Bend Regional Hospital would become part of The University of Kansas Health System, which includes The University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, HaysMed in Hays, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital in Larned and The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus in Topeka (in partnership with Ardent Health Services).
The University of Kansas Health System is committed to providing the highest quality care to people of Kansas and the region. We are excited to bring great access to the resources of the state’s academic health system to Great Bend, so patients can stay closer to home to receive the most advanced care possible. This model also preserves local care in the community, ensuring the hospital remains a strong local employer and healthcare provider in Great Bend and the region for years to come.
We understand the vital role hospitals play in local communities, not only as providers of healthcare services but as employers and drivers of economic development. The health system team is committed to working with Great Bend physicians, nurses and staff to achieve even more for this community and the region.
The people who built Great Bend into the valuable community health care resource it is today are key to driving our future growth together. We plan to keep substantially all of the existing Great Bend workforce in place. The health system will work with employees in the coming weeks to discuss the process of transitioning employment and benefits.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Kansas City police are investigating the shooting death of a utility worker at a job site.
Police on the scene of the shooting investigation-image courtesy KCTV
Police say the man was shot Monday morning. He was working at the construction site for a company that contracted with Spire Energy.
The man’s name has not been released. Police say the motive is unknown.
The Kansas City Star reports witnesses said the shooter walked up to a group of workers and briefly spoke to them before pulling out a gun and firing several shots and then walking away.
TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation recently honored the 2018 winner of the Kansas Missing Children’s Poster Contest, an art competition for Kansas 5th graders that encourages child safety and creates awareness for children who remain missing.
The annual national poster contest is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The winner of this year’s Kansas poster contest was 11-year-old Emma Johnson of Colby, who attends Sacred Heart Catholic School. Emma’s poster represented the state of Kansas in the national poster contest.
Emma’s parents and her younger brother recently attended a day of events honoring her selection as the 2018 contest winner. Emma and her family met Attorney General Derek Schmidt, KBI Director Kirk Thompson, and learned about KBI investigations through fingerprinting and crime scene simulations.
KBI Director Kirk Thompson presents a certificate and a challenge coin to Emma for winning the 2018 Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest.
The group also visited the Capitol for a ceremony where Governor Jeff Colyer proclaimed May 25, 2018 as Kansas Missing Children’s Day. Both the contest and the observation of Missing Children’s Day are intended to raise awareness of the risks of child abduction and provide valuable information to students to encourage their safety.
Each year in Kansas an average of 4,325 children are reported missing to the KBI’s Missing Persons Clearinghouse, and last year over 465,000 children nationwide were declared missing by law enforcement. The majority of those reports are for runaways, which are known to frequently reoccur. Fortunately, most missing children’s cases are resolved a short time after being reported.
The Governor’s proclamation of Missing Children’s Day calls on “all Kansans to join together in remembering the many children who remain missing, and to not waver in efforts to reunite them with their families. The citizens of the State of Kansas are urged to stand vigilant when a child goes missing and remain committed to reducing the tragic incidents of missing children.”
— KBI
KBI Forensic Scientist Jennifer Hewitt guides Emma and her family in collecting DNA from evidence.
A behind-the-scenes struggle over proposed changes to Kansas’ Medicaid program is coming down to the wire.
Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer has offered concessions. But he appears determined to stick with his proposal to make some non-disabled recipients work, or undergo job training, for their health care coverage.
Kansas Medicaid Director Jon Hamdorf, right, talks with House Minority Leader Jim Ward in the Statehouse. Hamdorf is the administration’s point person on KanCare 2.0, which would add a work requirement for Medicaid recipients. Ward opposes the plan. JIM MCLEAN / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE
Jon Hamdorf, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment official who oversees the state’s privatized Medicaid program known as KanCare, said the governor believes “very strongly that work is a pathway to independence.”
The Colyer administration is seeking federal approval of a work requirement as part of its KanCare 2.0 proposal. That plan, submitted late last year, would extend a federal waiver that allows the state to contract with three private companies to operate KanCare, a $3 billion program that covers more than 420,000 low-income, elderly and disabled Kansans.
Historically, federal officials have rejected requirements that could deny coverage to people who would otherwise be eligible. The Trump administration wants to reverse that policy.
“We need to stop KanCare 2.0 where it is and there is limited time to do so,” said Sean Gatewood, a former Democratic legislator who now heads the KanCare Advocates Network.
At the outset of the 2018 session, bills were introduced in both the House and Senate to block the administration from implementing KanCare 2.0. Neither has passed, but language prohibiting the administration from moving forward was added to the Senate’s budget bill.
Even if the House agrees with that provision, Gatewood said it may not be enough to stop KanCare 2.0 because Colyer’s line-item veto power would allow him to strike just that language before signing the bill.
If that happens it would probably be after the end of the session, meaning lawmakers wouldn’t have a chance to override the governor’s veto.
House Minority Leader Jim Ward, a Wichita Democrat running for governor, said a majority of lawmakers oppose KanCare 2.0.
“It is appalling,” Ward said, that the voices of those legislators “are being stifled.”
In addition to the work requirement, Colyer’s KanCare 2.0 proposal would impose a lifetime benefit limit on some enrollees.
To show that he’s heard the concerns of lawmakers and stakeholder, Hamdorf said, the governor would be willing to back off his call for benefit caps if allowed to pursue a work requirement.
No deal, Ward said.
“There is no independent data that shows work requirements do anything except reduce the number of people who get health care,” he said.In addition to Colyer’s controversial proposals, opposition to KanCare 2.0 stems from longstanding problems with the existing program. Those problemsinclude application backlogs, payment disputes and reductions in services — particularly those that help keep persons with disabilities in their homes and out of institutions.
Hamdorf, whose efforts to address the program’s administrative problems have earned him high marks from legislators, is currently focused on clearing the application backlog. He’s put Maximus, the company that operates the application clearinghouse, on notice. If it’s not living up to the terms of its contract by June, he said, the state is prepared to assess fines that could total tens of millions of dollars.
“I’ve made a commitment to the people in this program,” he said. “We’re going to turn this around.”
Music Theatre Wichita recently announced nominees for the 17th Annual Jester Awards, a program designed to celebrate excellence in high school musical theatre.
The accolades program showcases the next generation of musical theatre talent in Kansas. Each year, trained volunteer judges attend and evaluate dozens of performances.
This year, 102 judges viewed 127 performances of 41 productions, involving more than 2,800 students and 41 schools across the state of Kansas. The program began in Wichita, but now extends as far as Liberal, Hays, Salina, and Pittsburg, in addition to the greater Wichita area.
Hays High School, Thomas More Prep-Marian and Russell High School received multiple nominations for the Jester Awards for their fall musicals this year.
Local nominees are below.
Hays High School nominees for “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”
Overall Production
Lead Actress (Esmeralda) Erin Muirhead
Lead Actor (Quasimodo) Ryan Will
Ensemble Performance
Vocal Music Director—Johnny Matlock
Artistic Guest (Choreography) Twanita Augustine
Artistic Guest (Director) Jennie Rajewski
Stage Crew
Design Guest—Nikki Nansel (Costume Design)
Design Guest—Jennie Rajewski, Jeremy Wann (Scenic Design)
Graphic Desgin—Alexis Robinson, Heath Meder
Thomas More Prep-Marian nominees for “Into the Woods”
Supporting Actor (Jack) Dylan Werth
Scenic Design —Dylan Werth, Lane Werth, Alexandra Herrman, Halle Lang
Lobby Design—Lane Werth, Alexandra Herrman, Dylan Werth
Russell High School nominees for “Little Shop of Horrors”
Lead Actress (Audrey) Maria Hilger
Cameo Performance (Various characters) Bobby Rhodes
Small Ensemble (The Ronnettes) Abigail Koech, Jennifer Pummell, Anastasia States
The Jester Awards Ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 6, 2018 at Century II Performing Arts Center’s Convention Hall in Wichita. Honorees in 25 categories will be announced during the ceremony, and several of the honorees will perform. Scholarship awards will be presented to three students, lead male and female honorees and a technical theatre recipient.
Tickets to the ceremony are $10 each and may be purchased at the door, online at mtwichita.org or by calling the Music Theatre Wichita box office at 316-265-3107.
Alumni of the Jester Awards program can be seen onstage and backstage at Music Theatre Wichita this summer, as well as on Broadway and in regional theatres across the country.
MTWichita Board President Michelle Moe Witte says: “Theatre provides so many young people with a sense of community. Together, they learn the value of work, collaboration, creativity and dedication. Their work is inclusive and so are the Jester Awards. Whether they belted out a tune on stage, ran the sound board or created the program – this is their night to shine. It is our opportunity to celebrate all that they have accomplished and to honor the community they have created.”
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.
Friend,
This year, tax day fell on April 17, and is a dreaded day for most Americans. However, it is also the last time Americans will be filing under an outdated and broken tax code.
Next year, folks will be filing their taxes under a simpler system, saving them time and hassle. The IRS will no longer ask if you have health care, because the individual mandate under the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare has been repealed. Next year, families will see a boost in savings, due to the increased child tax credit and doubling of the standard deduction. While tax day is usually one of dread, this year, it is also one of celebration.
I am proud to have delivered on this promise to Kansans, and look forward to the welcome changes Tax Day 2019 will bring.
IN THE HOUSE
National Fallen Educators Memorial
I am delighted that Congress passed legislation last week to recognize the Fallen Educators Memorial in Emporia, KS as a national memorial.
National Fallen Educators Memorial, Emporia
Senator Jerry Moran and I both introduced bills to confer this designation and is now on its way to the President’s desk. This memorial honors teachers, administrators, and staff members who lost their lives working for our nation’s schools and will be the first nationally designated memorial in Kansas.
I thank the folks in Emporia and those in the surrounding community who took the initiative to give our hard-working educators the recognition they deserve.
Farm Bill Progress
On Wednesday, the House Agriculture Committee was able to debate and propose amendments to the initial draft of the 2018 Farm Bill. After six hours of discussion, the Farm Bill passed through the House Committee on Agriculture on a party line vote. Our goal should be to help people get off of welfare and this bill does just that. The 20-hour work or job training requirement on able-bodied recipients age 18-59 gives people the opportunity to attain a career in order to provide for their families.
I introduced my own amendment during the markup session to streamline the Emergency Conservation Program application process for both Farm Service Agency employees and ranchers.
I am very proud of this bill and am excited that is provides certainty. The bill protects crop insurance, expands rural broadband, doubles the conservation funding to EQIP, and strengthens other farm programs. The bill also improves nutrition access and training for many vulnerable populations across Kansas and America.
You can listen to a full interview broadcast discussing the Farm Bill here.
Rural Telecom meeting
Rural Telecom Meeting
Last week, I met with a number of folks representing many small telecommunications companies in my district. It was great to see so many familiar faces and continue important conversations on issues facing the industry. Meetings like these help me to better understand how programs like the Universal Service High Cost Fund through the Federal Communications Commission and the Rural Utilities Service through the U.S. Department of Agriculture are being used to deploy broadband across the Big First. Rural Americans deserve the same access to a fast and affordable internet connection as their urban counterparts, and I appreciate groups like this coming in to share their thoughts and concerns about this important issue with me.
Honor Flight
Leroy Meisenheimer, Kingman, KS
Veterans from Kansas and across America got the opportunity to visit our nation’s capital on Thursday and see the various memorials through the Honor Flight Organization. The Honor Flight Network began in 2005 with a simple but important goal of giving veterans a chance to see the many memorials in Washington DC free of cost. At the end of 2017 flying season, the network escorted over 200,000 veterans to their memorials.
Laina and I met up with some terrific people and a dear friend of mine, Leroy Meisenheimer from Kingman, KS. Leroy is an Army Korean War Veteran and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska from 1952 to 1954 working in communications. It was great to listen to Leroy’s story and to talk about his two brothers who served in WWII. I was glad I could meet with so many American heroes all in one place. We owe a continual debt to these brave men and women who sacrificed their lives, so we can have the freedoms we enjoy every day.
Feeding Families Crosses Party Lines
Access to nutritious foods in our communities is essential for everyone to grow and live healthy lives. Today, too many low-income households are struggling to find and afford nutritious foods. These areas are often referred to as “food deserts” and are in both urban and rural areas of our country. I sat down with my colleague on the other side of the aisle, Representative Dwight Evans from Pennsylvania, to discuss this ongoing dilemma facing our communities. There should be no party lines or agendas when it comes to ensuring that families have access to good food on their dinner tables. Federal programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provide millions of low-income families with nutrition assistance including more than 200,000 people in Kansas. When one in eight people identify as food insecure in our country, we must work together and solve this problem in the best way we possibly can. My colleagues and I on the House Agriculture Committee will continue to find new ways to address and solve these issues. Click here to read the full article Rep. Evans and I wrote.
Cyber Security Crucial for Small Business
There is no questioning the positive impact technology has on our workplaces. I’ve seen this first-hand at my hospital in Great Bend. Though, technology has become such a vital tool, it is also susceptible to cyberattacks from outside data hackers. Small businesses are especially at risk of cyberattacks, and are many times not properly equipped to deal with the aftermath of such a breach. In fact, 86% of small businesses feel unprepared for a cyber attack. These businesses are a critical part of the American economy, and that is why I am proud to see Kansas Small Business Development Centers launching online tools available to entrepreneurs to give them training to handle and prevent attacks. My colleagues and I on the House Small Business Committee are aware of these risks to our family-run businesses, and we will continue to work to keep our national security infrastructure safe for the 21st century economy. Click here to read my Kansas City Star article.
Rep. Roger Marshall and his wife Laina volunteering at the DC Central Kitchen.
DC Central Kitchen and Food Bank
For 25 years Laina went the first Monday of every month to volunteer at our local Food Bank in Great Bend, Kansas. Last week we had the opportunity to visit and help the DC Central Kitchen and learn the ways they are combating hunger and poverty in their community. DC Central Kitchen prepares 3 million meals for homeless shelters, schools, and other organizations each year. They also provide culinary training for jobless adults so they can gain a career with their newly learned skill. Many neighborhoods across America are in desperate need for healthy options at their local corner stores. In fact, DC Central Kitchen already delivers fresh produce to 70 corner stores in some of DC’s most impoverished areas.
I believe Food Banks do such a great job of identifying and addressing the needs of their communities. Food Banks help as many people as possible get access to nutritious foods in their neighborhoods and are in a position to see first-hand what works and what doesn’t. That’s why I am so proud that our 2018 Farm Bill QUADRUPLES federal support for Food Banks.
First responders on the scene of Monday’s fatal accident -photo courtesy KWCH
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities have identified a woman who died just after 10:15 a.m. Monday as she crossed the street in the 2600 Block of South Oliver in Wichita.
The woman identified as 35-year-old Kimberly Daffron, of Newton died when she was hit by a 70-year-old driver as she stepped out into a crosswalk, according to officer Charley Davidson.
Authorities are trying to determine whether the driver had a medical issue.
Norma Lee Acheson, 84, of Russell, Kansas, died on Sunday, April 08, 2018, at her home in Russell, Kansas.
Norma was born on December 10, 1933, in the Russell County, Kansas, area the daughter of William and Margaret (Reddig) Kuntzsch. Norma grew up in Russell county and attended local county schools and lived most of her life in Russell. She was married to Alvin LeRoy Acheson, Sr. in October 1950 in Russell, Kansas. From this union Norma and Alvin raised 5 sons, Alvin, Jr., Rob, Terry, Danny and Don. Norma and Alvin did not remain married but she continued to live an active life and made raising her boys a fulltime job. She worked in retail sales at Duckwalls and Stop 2 Shop. She enjoyed her morning coffee, fishing and spending time with her family. She especially enjoyed spending time with grandkids and great grandkids.
Surviving family include her sons Terry Acheson (Peggy L.) and Danny Acheson (Peggy E.) all of Salina, Kansas and Don Acheson of Gorham, Kansas; brothers Billy Kuntzsch (Mary) of Bunker Hill, Kansas, Kenny Kuntzsch (Linda) of Russell, Kansas, Jim Kuntzsch (Joyce) of Dorrance, Kansas and Dennis Kuntzsch (Sheryl) of Palco, Kansas; many grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, ex-husband Alvin LeRoy Acheson, Sr., sons Alvin Acheson, Jr. and Rob Acheson; sisters Patsy Braun, Peggy Hickens and Nancy Wallace.
A graveside service to celebrate Norma’s life will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, May 05, 2018, at the Bunker Hill Cemetery in Bunker Hill, Kansas. Cremation has been selected by the family and inurnment will follow the graveside services. Family will greet guests before and after the service at the cemetery. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
Dighton- Jim Selfridge, 84, died on Sunday, April 22, 2018 at Hays Medical Center in Hays. He was born on February 15, 1934 in Lane County the son of Archie J. & Virginia Mae (Hutchins) Selfridge. He married Joanne Fullmer on February 11, 1951 at Dighton.
Jim graduated from Dighton High School with the Class of 1951. He was a lifelong farmer-stockman in Lane County. He especially enjoyed building and engineering things on the farm. He was a pilot for many years. He and his wife have spent winters in Arizona and South Texas for 30 years. Jim was a member of the United Methodist Church of Dighton, the NRA, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft Association and had held positions in the Kansas Livestock Association. He was preceded in death by his Parents, Brother- Gilbert Selfridge & Sister- Sue Ann Selfridge.
Survivors are his Wife- Joanne Selfridge of the Home, Son- Dennis Selfridge of Dighton, 4 Daughters- Debbie (Ken) Stormont of Phillipsburg, Denise (Mark) Callender of Dighton, Deanne (Neal) Stanley of Dighton & Delinda (Gerald) Walker of Dighton, Grandchildren- Nathan (Sumar) Stormont, Kelsi Birney, Jeremy Shull ( Sal Settineri) Sam Callender, Megan (Joss) Briggs, Annie Cizerle, Adam (Amber) Stanley, Will Stanley, Jesse (Jenn) Bever, Danny (Heather) Bever & Tyler Walker, Great-Grandchildren- Matty , Kendall , Joslyn, Dillon, Jordynn, Brooke, Taylor Aubrey, Avery, Mia, Breanna, Onesti, Presley, Kamryn, Alex, Peyton & Kinley. 2 Sisters- Olive (Thiel) Bloom of Wichita & Glenda (Allen) Roberts of Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Funeral Service will be at 10:30 AM on Thursday at United Methodist Church in Dighton with Rev Berniece Ludlum officiating. Burial will be in Dighton Memorial Cemetery. Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 PM Wednesday at Boomhower Funeral Home in Dighton. Memorials are suggested to United Methodist Church or Lane County Hospital in care of Boomhower Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.
RUSSELL – Open auditions for the Russell Community Theater production of The Nerd, by Larry Shue, will be held May 1 and 2 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Auditions will be held at the RCT Playhouse at 5th and Kansas, Russell. Prepared audition materials are not required.
In The Nerd, Willum has often told his friends about the debt he owes to Rick, a fellow GI whom he never met but who saved his life after he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment but his delight soon fades as it becomes apparent that Rick is a bumbling oaf with no social sense, little intelligence and less tact. As Rick stays on and on, his continued presence leads to one uproarious incident after another.
Roles are available for 4 adult men, 1 male juvenile and 2 adult women. Production dates are Tuesday through Saturday, June 26-30, 2018.
The Nerd is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
For more information contact RCT at 785-483-4057.
Russell Community Theater is a non-profit theater company in Russell, Kansas. The sole purpose of RCT is to produce theater for the community and the surrounding area. Completely volunteer-driven, RCT is supported financially solely through ticket admissions and gifts from those supportive of community theater. Since its inception in 1986, RCT has presented 92 full-scale theatrical productions.
Wayne Wilbur Yale, 94, Grainfield, KS died April 21, 2018, at the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital.
He was born April 18, 1924, at the home of his parents Luther M and Phyllis G (Bickerton) Yale southwest of Grainfield. He attended and graduated from East Big Creek School. This one-room country school was about a mile from his home. His father needed his help on the farm after his older brothers left so he was only able to attend Grainfield High School one semester.
While farming with his father he met the new school teacher who was teaching at the same country school he attended when he was younger. Her name was Arleen Priefert. He entered the U.S. Army in August 1944 and took basic training at Camp Fannin, Tyler, TX. He served on a 12-man rifle squad in Mindanao, Philippines and the Japanese islands of Shikoku and Honshu during World War II. Wayne was honorably discharged August 1946.
He returned to the farm and married Arleen Priefert on June 1, 1947, at the Methodist Church in WaKeeney, KS.
They were devoted to one another for almost 68 years before Arleen’s passing. They lived on the farm and planted many crops of wheat and milo and feed for their cattle. Wayne considered each seed that sprouted and each newborn calf a miracle and thoroughly enjoyed and loved his life’s work. To this union were born three daughters, Lucille, Doris, and Dorothy. Wayne was a member of the Grainfield United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, American Legion, and VFW.
Survivors include daughters Lucille Williams and husband Kenneth of Hays, KS and Dorothy Mollenkamp and husband Kirby of Arnold, KS; four grandchildren, Julie (Brian) Fischer, Clinton Williams(Amy), Douglas (Jennifer) Burgardt, and Austin (Lindsey) Burgardt; five great-grandchildren, Nathan and Natalie Fischer, Jacob and Kaleb Burgardt, and Jayci Burgardt; and three step-grandchildren, LaTrisha (Chad) Flax, Stacy (Ben) Hudson, and Kelsey Jo (Eric) Brown; and families, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Arleen; daughter Doris; four brothers, Harold (Tessie), Ray (Elva), Vernon (Hazel) Yale; and infant Albert; two sisters, Margaret (Cleo) Lonon and Ethel (Harold) Hockersmith.
Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at the United Methodist Church, Grainfield. Burial will be in the Grainfield Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday evening, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter.
Memorials are suggested to the Grainfield United Methodist Church or the Arleen and Wayne Yale Fort Hays State University Scholarship Fund. Contributions made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.
