Lori Dinkel, age 62, of Collyer, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, at Gove County Medical Center, Quinter Kansas.
Arrangements are pending with Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter.
Month: October 2019
Ellis County Commission appoints interim administrator
Phillip Smith-Hanes, Ellis County administrator since 2016, has provided notice that he will resign from county employment effective at the end of November. He is leaving to pursue an opportunity as county administrator in Saline County.
“I want to thank both current and past commissioners, as well as all Ellis County staff, for the opportunity to be a part of this organization and this community,” Smith-Hanes said. “While I am excited about my new opportunity, I will truly miss being a part of the Ellis County family. I look forward to visiting as often as I can.”
On Monday, Ellis County commissioners appointed Director of Fire and Emergency Management Darin Myers as interim county administrator. While the appointment will be effective Thursday, Nov. 28, the commission is making the announcement at this time in order to provide opportunity for Myers to work with the departing administrator to assure a smooth transition, the commissioners said in a news release.
“We will miss Phil, but as he pointed out in his letter to us, we have excellent department heads,” County Commission Chair Dean Haselhorst said. “I know Darin will do a great job for us during this transition and getting him to work with Phil on knowledge transfer is a huge benefit.”
Myers, who has been with the county since 2015 after serving with the Hays Fire Department for 14 years, said he is looking forward to the new challenge.
“We have some big projects going on in Ellis County right now, so I know I’ve got my work cut out for me,” Myers said. “I had hoped I’d get the chance to work with Phil a little bit longer, but I’m excited. I want to thank the commissioners for their faith in me and all our department head team.”
— Ellis County
KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 10/22/19
Bob knew he was a lousy bowhunter.
The fact was driven home recently by his ten year old niece. She handed him an arrow that she found in the woods.
“I figured it was yours,” said Bob’s niece. “There’s no deer at the end of it.
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Kansas man formally charged for violent knife attack on woman
SEDGWICK COUNTY — A man arrested September 28, in connection with a violent stabbing attack on a woman in Wichita made a court appearance Monday.
According to the Sedgwick County Attorney’s office Wade Dunn, 30, was formally charged with attempted first degree murder and criminal possession of a firearm.
In federal court, Dunn has been charged with one count of escape from custody. A criminal complaint filed in federal court alleges Dunn escaped from the Mirror, Inc., Residential Re-entry Center in Wichita prior to the stabbing.
On Sept. 23, Dunn left the halfway house on a pass at 9:30 a.m. and failed to return at 5:30 p.m. that day.
He is being held on a bond of $500,000, according to online jail records.
Kansas GOP leader’s Medicaid plan would boost tobacco taxes
By JOHN HANNA AP Political Writer
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A Republican leader spearheading an effort to pass a GOP plan for expanding Medicaid in Kansas has drafted a proposal that is likely to upset conservatives because it would increase tobacco taxes and does not include a work requirement for program participants.
The proposal from Kansas Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning also differs significantly from an expansion plan backed by Gov. Laura Kelly and fellow Democrats. It contains provisions designed to keep some working-class Kansans in private health plans, rather than having them receive state Medicaid coverage, as plans favored by Democrats would.
The plan outlined by Denning, a Kansas City-area Republican, is designed not only to expand the state’s $3.8 billion-a-year Medicaid program but lower premiums paid by Kansas consumers who buy their insurance through an online federal marketplace set up under the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act. New tobacco tax dollars would be used for that purpose.
Denning and other top Republican senators blocked a Medicaid expansion plan favored by Kelly earlier this year, arguing that it could prove too costly to the state and that lawmakers needed to take more time to get the details right. Kelly made expanding Medicaid to as many as 150,000 more Kansas residents a key promise in her successful campaign for governor last year.
The proposal from Denning would increase the state’s cigarette tax by $1 per pack, to $2.29, and increase its tax on 5 cents-per milliliter tax on vaping products, though he hasn’t yet specified an amount. He provided details of his plan during an Associated Press interview in his hometown of Overland Park, and a Senate committee plans to review them Tuesday and Wednesday at the Statehouse.
“Our simple goal is to give as many Kansans health care coverage as we can, in the Medicaid market and the non-Medicaid market,” he said.
Under Denning’s plan, the state would ask Medicaid participants whether they are employed and, if they are not, what issues, such as a lack of a high school diploma or the need to care for young children, keep them from working, so the state can address them. But it’s not a requirement that Medicaid participants be employed or undergo job training.
Kelly and many backers of Medicaid expansion argue that a work requirement would be expensive to administer and would only to keep people from receiving coverage. A federal judge in Washington has blocked work requirements in Arkansas, Kentucky and New Hampshire.
But some Republicans, particularly conservatives, see a work requirement as crucial.
“A Republican plan pretty much has to have a strong work requirement,” said House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican. “If you really want to give people a hand up and not a handout, you get them to where they’re self-sufficient, to where they can support themselves instead of being on government assistance.”
Hawkins also said he believes a tax increase is a “non-starter.”
Medicaid covers about 342,000 low-income, elderly and disabled Kansas residents, but non-disabled adults without children don’t qualify, and adults with children must have incomes well below the poverty level to be eligible for coverage.
Three dozen states have expanded Medicaid or seen voters approve ballot initiatives for expansion. The Affordable Care Act encouraged expansion by promising states that the federal government would pick up the bulk of the extra cost, 90% for Kansas. The idea has bipartisan support in Kansas, but conservative GOP leaders have blocked it.
Expansion backers have proposed extending Medicaid coverage to Kansas residents earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or $29,435 for a family of three.
“I think that we should try to cover as many uninsured people as we possibly can,” said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat.
Denning’s plan would allow such an expansion but would first require the state to ask the federal government for permission to try a different approach for residents whose incomes are above the federal poverty level, or $21,330 for a family of three. Denning wants to use tobacco-tax revenues for a program that would push down premiums on the online marketplace, so that the coverage is more affordable.
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TMP-Marian advances to final day at 3-2-1A State Golf
SALINA, Kan. – TMP-Marian girls’ golf team made the cut to day two of the 3-2-1A State Golf Tournament at the Salina Municipal Golf Course. The Monarchs shot a 405 and were the sixth and final team to advance to Tuesday.
Plainville shot a 426 and did not advance.
Cardinals freshman Corbyn Marquess shot an 88 and did advance as an individual.
Haliegh Spray led the Monarchs with an 89 and is in 13th place heading into Tuesday’s final round.
HHS girls’ golf doesn’t make the cut at 5A State Tourney
EMPORIA, Kan. – The Hays High girls’ golf team was tied for third place after shooting a 187 on the front nine at the 5A State Golf Tournament at the Emporia Municipal Golf Course. Unfortunately the Indians shot a 227 on the back nine and failed to make the cut to Tuesday’s second day.
Taleia McCrae a 90 and Sophia Garrison a 94 and did advance to today’s second day as individuals.
Hays USD 489 school board candidate: Craig Pallister
Age – 66
Education – BS Psychology FHSU, MS Education Administration FHSU
Do you have a student currently attending USD 489 schools?
I have a granddaughter attending Wilson Elementary School currently.
Qualifications – I have 38 years of experience as a teacher and principal with the last 25 years as the principal of Hays Middle School.
Do you support USD 489 trying for another bond issue? What do you think that bond should include? If you don’t support a bond issue, how do you think the school district should address its infrastructure needs?
I support a bond issue to meet the facilities needs of USD 489. The facilities bond issue needs to address the elementary school needs with renovations and replacement where needed. The middle school and high school need additions and renovations for specific needs such as the cafeteria at the middle school.
What would you do to secure the financial health of the school district?
The financial health of the district is an ongoing need to lobby the Kansas Legislature, governor, and the public to adequately fund K-12 public education in Kansas.
The Hays school board is at impasse with its teachers for the second year in a row. What would you do to improve relations with teachers?
The district needs to listen and respect the teachers and staff and move towards a “win – win” negotiation style that will build trust for the teachers and staff in the board of education.
Do you support the district’s current one-to-one technology policy? If not, what would you propose?
I support the district’s one-on-one technology plan. The use of technology allows the districts teachers additional tools and strategies to meet expectations and to be successful K-12.
How would you support the district in its work to improve student performance?
The district is involved with KESA the state accreditation plan and the teachers, staff, and administration need the support of the board financially as well as the “time” to plan and implement the programs to improve student learning.
Is there anything else you would like to add about you or your campaign?
USD 489 is an outstanding public school district that the community of Hays should be proud of K-12. I believe the district needs a public relations person to inform the patrons of the district’s outstanding achievements of our students, teachers, and staff as well as needs of the district. I also would like the district to support local businesses and vendors when possible.
SEE RELATED STORY: USD 489 election: Pallister wants to maintain quality education for next generation
📹Eisenhower Library: Marlin Fitzwater
ABILENE — Abilene’s own Marlin Fitzwater returned Wednesday to discuss his new book, “Calm Before the Storm: Desert Storm Diaries & Other Stories.”
His front row seat as White House press secretary to some of America’s most defining moments provides an intimate look at what transpired inside the White House.
– courtesy of Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, @IkeLibrary on Facebook.
🎥 Ribbon cut, courts open for pickleball in Hays
By GUY WINDHOLZ
For Hays Post
Ribbon Cut, Courts Open, Play Pickleball
by Guy Windholz
Compulsion, obsession and addiction may be defined in different ways, but in the world of pickleball, they are the same. Like Lays potato chips, they advertised that “betcha can’t eat one”. So betcha you can’t play one game? (side note, maybe Lays will co-sponsor the next Hays tournament.)
Evidence is seen that weekly, returning newbies on the courts are taking on signs of these COA traits. It is not a disorder to worry about unless you are playing alone under the lights of the newly opened courts at Frontier Park in Hays, Kansas, from dusk to dawn.
However, if you are fast enough to serve up a ball over the net and get to the other side to return the volley, within the marked lines, you are destined to earn some gold medals in national competitions. You might be more concerned if you get a bill from the city for the electric light usage. That problem would be solved by having any one of the good City Commissioners with you that have blessed and funded the restoration of these outdoor courts. Add pickleball to the list as an additional quality of life activity we have in this community.
Photos and video courtesy Guy Windholz
NW Kansas mental health public forums to kick off in Bird City
BIRD CITY – LiveWell Northwest Kansas, located in Colby, partners with the health departments of Rawlins and Cheyenne Counties, and the mental health industry to promote change and understanding of the field.
Open to the public, the first of three regional mental health forum meetings will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Bird City Legion Hall, 107 W. Bressler.
Northwest Kansas professionals whose work aligns with mental health issues, as well as people who are affected personally by mental disease, are encouraged to attend. RSVP to the event by emailing one of three program coordinators: [email protected] (Colby), [email protected] (Bird City), or [email protected] (Atwood).
The purpose of the forum is to highlight problems related to mental health in northwest Kansas.
Attendees will learn about mental health issues and solutions will be identified so that actionable steps can be taken to address regional concerns.
Anyone from the entire northwest Kansas region who is interested should attend, especially including school faculty, administration and counselors, clergy, healthcare and mental health professionals, criminal justice and legal representatives, and community members with personal connections.
“Mental health, addiction, incarceration, poverty and trauma are discussed frequently, but no clear collaborative steps toward addressing the issues have been taken,” says Travis Rickford, director of LiveWell Northwest Kansas. “ We hope that by coming together, we can build regional understanding and implement collaborative efforts to truly bring about change. Only by gathering people of all sectors of our community can we hope to overcome the unique struggles of mental health.”
Funded by the Kansas Health Foundation as part of Health Equity Initiatives in northwest Kansas, LiveWell comes together with the Cheyenne County Health Department and Rawlins County Health Department to host this three-part meeting series.
“LiveWell is honored to collaborate with the public health departments of Cheyenne and Rawlins County,” said Rickford, “and we are excited to bring together other organizations, health care providers and residents to address this important issue and get to the root of the problem. We are focused on building momentum to take action.”
“The meetings will all be open to the public and facilitated by a mediator to help us better identify problems and define community-based approaches and solutions. By the end of the third meeting, we hope to have plans for action in place.”
The second and third meetings will be Dec. 5, 2019, and Jan. 7, 2020, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bird City Legion Hall.
More information can be found online at www.LiveWellNWK.org/upcomingevents.
Kansas athletics announces multi-year agreement to reignite Border Showdown rivalry
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas Athletics announced today that an agreement has been made with the University of Missouri to reignite the Border Showdown rivalry that will feature six men’s basketball games, with the first matchup slated for next season on December 12, 2020 at Sprint Center in Kansas City. Until 2012, the Border Showdown was known as the longest continuous rivalry west of the Mississippi River.
“One of the best aspects of college athletics is rivalries, and we are thrilled that our fans and student-athletes will get to experience this Border Showdown rivalry once-again,” said Director of Athletics Jeff Long. “We have quietly sought input from fans and supporters on the renewal of this series and we believe the overriding sentiments are that this historic rivalry should resume. While this series does not include each of our sports teams competing in the Border Showdown at this stage, we feel this is the first step to expanding it in the future. We are excited for this rivalry to begin anew next year and believe it will be great for all fans of college basketball.”
Season Location
2020-21 Sprint Center*
2021-22 Lawrence
2022-23 Columbia
2023-24 Lawrence
2024-25 Columbia
2025-26 Sprint Center*
*Kansas will be the home team in 2020-21. Missouri will be the home team in 2025-26.
The Kansas-Missouri basketball series dates back to 1907, when the Jayhawks and Tigers met on back-to-back days in Lawrence on March 11-12, both Missouri wins. Those contests were the first of 269 meetings between the border rivals over the next 105 years, with the Jayhawks building a 174-95 edge in the all-time series. Kansas is 89-33 at home vs. Missouri, including 42-14 in Allen Fieldhouse, 65-53 in Columbia and the series is tied at 4-4 in Mizzou Arena.
“Jeff and I discussed the idea of playing Missouri on many occasions, including speaking with other coaches here at KU, and we all felt the timing is right to renew the rivalry,” said Head Coach Bill Self. “Even though we haven’t played the last few years, I know it was something our players and fans missed, and so did I. The interest generated in the 2017 exhibition game was far greater than I envisioned it would be which made it obvious to me that our fans were eager to see a Border Showdown matchup.
“Having coached a lot of games vs. Missouri in my time here at Kansas, I could not be more excited to start this series up again. This is a great experience for all basketball fans and I look forward to the rivalry being reignited in Kansas City next season, and then bringing it back home to Allen Fieldhouse the following year.”
The last regular-season Border Showdown took place on February 25, 2012, an overtime thriller at Allen Fieldhouse. No. 4 Kansas overcame a 19-point deficit during the final 17-minutes to force overtime, where it eventually outlasted No. 3 Missouri, 87-86. With that win, Self improved his record versus Missouri to 15-4 as the head coach at KU. On October 22, 2017, the Jayhawks defeated the Tigers in the only exhibition contest between the two schools, 93-87. The “Showdown for Relief” contest was organized in an effort to raise money for hurricane relief, which was the first time the two teams had met since the historical regular-season matchup in 2012.
KRUG: Basement moisture problems continue
For many people the huge amount of rain our area encountered last May is a distant memory. But for those who have been dealing flooded basements the saga continues. Recently a home owner brought a jar of a white powdery substance that was coming out of the cracks in the floor and walls of his basement into our office. He didn’t think it was mold and he was right in his assumption.
The white substance is “efflorescence.” It often looks like mold, but really it is caused by salt deposits. When water seeps through concrete, brick, or stone, it can leave behind salt deposits. When the water evaporates, what remains is a white crystalline substance that resembles mold. It’s not a fungus, though, won’t grow or spread, and does not cause any of the health problems that mold sometimes causes.
How can you tell if you have white mold or efflorescence? First, look at the type of material on which you see the white substance. If you see it on anything other than concrete or masonry, it is most likely mold. Second, spray the substance with a little water in a spray bottle and simply wipe it with a rag. If that removes it, it is not mold.
The steps to get rid of efflorescence include:
Fill a bucket with warm water. Use a large sponge to thoroughly wet down the efflorescence spots on the walls. Work in sections about 3 square feet so the water does not dry before you have a chance to get rid of the efflorescence.
Scrub the section of the basement wall briskly with a plastic-bristled scrub brush. Rinse that section of the wall with a clean sponge and water. Use plenty of water when rinsing the wall. Let the walls air-dry.
Fill a bucket with undiluted white vinegar if the efflorescence remains. Fill a separate bucket with warm water. Use a plastic-bristled scrub brush to scrub 3-square-foot sections of the walls with the vinegar. Rinse well with plenty of clean water.
I have continued to direct people with questions to the EPA Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home. It has excellent pictures and descriptions on how to clean up mold. You can download a copy HERE.
Donna Krug is the Family & Consumer Science Agent and District Director for K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or [email protected]