Note: No more clothing is being accepted for donation for this program at this time.
Year: 2019
CLINKSCALES: Grandparenting and camping are about the same
I have a 22-month-old grandson, Alex. It seems like yesterday he was born. Every time I see him he is different. In late September of last year my wife and I got to keep Alex for a week while his parents were on a trip. Then he was just a little over a year old. We had a pretty good idea about what all he wanted.
Recently, my wife and I desperately wanted to have some time with Alex, so we talked my son and daughter-in-law into “loaning” him to us for a week. But this time, in July of 2019, we knew we were dealing with a different person.
As the time came near, I think my wife and I both got more and more nervous. We knew Alex now had opinions; he was a lot more mobile; and half his life was no longer spent sleeping. Indeed, most of his life was consumed with zooming around.
We met my son and daughter-in-law in Salina, took “possession” of Alex (or perhaps he took possession of us), and away we went. My daughter-in-law, Caley, gave us a bag full of stuff for Alex.
I realized then how much this was going to be like camping. As with a camping trip, the biggest thing that you have to do is plan it, and then get everything set up.
We pulled out a crib, put it in the appropriate place, put sheets on it and got out blankets (it was the equivalent to his tent). We put in his favorite blanket, his Teddy bear, and the things he likes to sleep with (the equivalent of his sleeping bag).
We set up a video machine, so we could watch his movements while he was asleep and hear him if he became upset. We began planning food choices.
We started making plans for “entertainment”: there would be trips to the Sternberg Museum, the library, the municipal swimming pool, the county fair, walks with the dogs, trips to the park, playing throughout the house, reading books, and the like.
We had to child proof the house by putting locks on cabinets and by placing fragile things out of reach.
Finally, it was that first night. We got him fed, and kind of like camping, hoped that he liked what we fixed. We had spent the day rushing around trying to be sure he was happy, and not missing his parents too much. He seemed to be adjusting better than we.
After dinner we had our first bath. Caley had given us some pretty good instructions about what he likes to have happen. On knees, we played with him in the bathtub.
Finally, the ultimate test: rocking him to sleep and getting him into bed. We had one surprise when we picked Alex up. Caley announced that Alex was no longer on the bottle! We were not allowed to use a bottle.
But we got him to sleep, and kind of like that first day of camping, it was such a relief, yet still kind of a restless sleep that night as I kept one eye on the monitor and listened for Alex.
The rest of the week went great. Sure we had some small meltdowns here and there, but overall it was great. My wife had to carry the water during the day, but early in the morning and after work I was able to pitch in and spend a lot of quality time with Alex. I took a Friday off work, so he and I could just spend some quality time together.
It did remind me of camping. So much of the work of camping is just getting ready to go. You are packing food, bedding, and tents. You are planning for good weather, and for bad weather. You bring bandages and first aid kits, and then you venture out. Just like with camping there are bruises, cuts, bites and burns. As you go camping, your car is just full of stuff. You wonder if you need all of that or if you have overcompensated. But then, you are camping and having a great time.
Let me turn this to the law for a moment. A lot of times when I visit with a family, and we talk about what their goals are, some are very specific and some are general. Those decisions are not always easy.
But for many families the tough part is “getting in the weeds.” There is so much stuff that we need to gather together: deeds, bank account statements, investment information, titles, lists of property, and much more. In fact, I can tell you that most of the time that our office spends is involved in gathering information, listing that information, and getting that information transferred and/or titled correctly. Drafting of the actual documents is not the most time consuming thing. It is all the other stuff.
Why? Just like it is with Alex or with camping, you never know what is going to happen. All that stuff, and all the precautions that we put in the documents, is so that if something happens we are prepared. All the stuff we have to gather together is so that we do not have problems later on.
Planning can be exasperating. I understand that. For some families it is more exasperating than others. For many families, they just have never organized anything before.
I have to admit I was amazed at my daughter-in-law’s organization. Almost everything that we needed was in the pack. Oh, we still needed the “tent,” and some other camping tools, but most everything else was there available for us.
So, estate planning is like camping. A lot of the work that you do is just getting ready before you actually spend that first night. Do not get discouraged. With a good guide you will be able to get everything together, and enjoy the “trip.”
Randy Clinkscales of Clinkscales Elder Law Practice, PA, Hays, Kansas, is an elder care attorney, practicing in western Kansas. To contact him, please send an email to [email protected]. Disclaimer: The information in the column is for general information purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is different and outcomes depend on the fact of each case and the then applicable law. For specific questions, you should contact a qualified attorney.
Kansas man dies after SUV, semi crash
RILEY COUNTY— One person died in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Thursday in Riley County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Nissan Rogue driven by Kurtis Dean Anderson, Green, Kansas, was westbound on U.S. 77 near Madison and Crooked Creek.
The vehicle swerved into the lane of a 2020 Freightliner semi in an attempt to avoid hitting another vehicle. After stuck by the semi, the Nissan rolled coming to rest upside down.
Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home
The semi driver Thomas Dean Warborg, 53, Worthington, MN., was not injured. Anderson was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
Largest wrongful death verdict in Kansas for man whose wife died after giving birth
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A jury has awarded a Kansas man and his 3-year-old son $6.55 million in a wrongful death verdict after the man’s wife died hours after giving birth at a Wichita hospital.
The award is the largest wrongful death verdict ever in Kansas. It splits the judgment between Edgar Perez and his son, Zander.
Lindsay Perez was a middle school drama teacher who died after giving birth on Oct. 8, 2015, at Wesley Medical Center. The suit named the hospital, its parent company and nine physicians. A hospital spokesman didn’t immediately return a phone message seeking comment.
Doctors diagnosed Lindsay Perez with preeclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy complication. The lawsuit claimed the hospital failed to provide adequate care and ignored distress signs during and after the birth.
Kan. man sentenced for $500K day care benefit fraud scheme
KANSAS CITY– A Kansas man who was the owner of a Kansas City day care center was sentenced in federal court Thursday for his role in a conspiracy to fraudulently receive more than $556,000 in federal benefits, according to the United State’s Attorney.
Sharif Karie, 41, of Olathe, Kan., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to four years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.
On Jan. 11, 2019, Karie was convicted at trial of participating in a conspiracy to steal government property, theft of government property, three counts of aggravated identity theft, three counts of wire fraud, 15 counts of money laundering, and six counts of mail fraud.
Karie, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Somalia, was the owner and CEO of a day care center established under two businesses and two names for the same location, with the same key employees: KARIE Day Care Center, LLC, and Tima Child Care Center, LLC, at 1019 Admiral Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. Tima Child Care Center was established under false pretense with a straw owner, according to court documents, apparently to circumvent the state’s oversight efforts.
Co-defendant Sheri Beamon, 48, of Kansas City, Missouri, was the director of KARIE/Tima Childcare Center. Beamon pleaded guilty on Sept. 10, 2018, to her role in the conspiracy and will be sentenced on Aug. 15, 2019.
The day care centers submitted false childcare claims to the state of Missouri that fraudulently inflated the number of hours and children who actually attended the childcare centers. The conspiracy, which lasted from October 2013 to June 2016, resulted in a loss of $536,833 to the Missouri Department of Health and Social Services. The Child Care and Development Fund provides daycare subsidies for low-income families where the parents are employed or engaged in job training. Providers contract with the Children’s Division of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and submit claims electronically.
Additionally, Karie committed fraud by misleading the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) when he understated his income and assets. Karie received Section 8 assistance, which is funded by HUD. The fraud scheme resulted in a loss of more than $40,000 to the Housing Authority.
This case was the result of a nationwide sweep that targeted child care center fraud schemes. The national law enforcement operation in Missouri and six other states was the result of separate, but related, federal investigations into childcare center fraud that resulted in a loss of more than $1 million to the government.
Pole cameras, which were installed near the day care center, captured footage of the entrances and exits of the building during two time periods in 2015 and in 2016. Timesheets and billing records were reviewed and compared to the children seen on the pole cameras being dropped off and picked up from the daycare center during that time. There were significant discrepancies between the timesheets, claims submitted, and the pole camera footage. According to court documents, even the fire evacuation records were falsified indicating a fire drill was performed on a date when pole cameras were capturing footage of the entrance/exit of the day care and the planned evacuation route as provided to the state. The drill never took place.
At no time during its operation, according to court documents, did Karie Day Care Center meet the minimum health and safety standards for operation as established by Missouri statute and agreed to by contract. Tima Child Care Center was conceived as the state was in process of shutting down Karie Day Care Center for failure to comply with standards for health, safety, and record keeping. Had the state known that Karie was actually operating the business, according to court documents, a license would not have been approved.
The state conducted a compliance review of the daycare center’s billing for May 2014 and July 2014. The review found several attendance records missing. The review also identified 14 out of the 15 families with children at the center who had a parent employed there. With only two classrooms, it is improbable that parents were not caring for their own children. One of these parents reported that her job was contingent on having all of her children placed in care at KARIE Day Care Center so her child care would be paid by the state. According to court records, nearly all children enrolled for services were those of employees, in violation of state regulations. This same 2014 audit found several discrepancies on the time sheets submitted to the state.
Subsequent unannounced inspections at KARIE Day Care Center found the facility in violation of state regulations pertaining to child care licensing rules, including health and safety, staff ratios, and the maintaining of attendance records. Each of the inspections resulted in violation findings.
Police arrest Kansas man wanted for alleged knife attack
COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a knife attack and after asking for the public’s help have reported the arrest of a suspect.
Fitch photo Arkansas City Police
Just after 6:30 p.m. July 26, police responded to a report of a disturbance in the 400 block of North A Street in Arkansas City, according to a media release.
At the scene, officers found a 22-year-old Arkansas City man who had sustained a cut to the side of his face. Investigators worked quickly to identify 28-year-old James Henry Fitch V as a suspect in the case, but he had fled the scene prior to their arrival. He allegedly cut the victim in the face with a knife as a result of a disagreement. The Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department provided emergency medical assistance to the victim.
On Thursday, authorities reported they had arrested Fitch.
He is being held in the Cowley County Jail on one felony count each of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery on a $30,000 bond through Cowley County District Court in Arkansas City, plus an additional $2,000 misdemeanor bond revocation through Cowley County District Court in Winfield.
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COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a knife attack and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.
Fitch photo Arkansas City Police
James Henry Fitch V, 28, of Arkansas City, is wanted on suspicion of aggravated battery in connection with a knifing incident July 26 in the 400 block of North A Street, according to the Arkansas City Police Capt. Eric Burr.
Just after 6:30 p.m. July 26, police responded to a report of a disturbance in the 400 block of North A Street, according to a media release. At the scene, officers found a 22-year-old Arkansas City man who had sustained a cut to the side of his face. Investigators worked quickly to identify Fitch as a suspect in the case, but he had fled the scene prior to their arrival. He allegedly cut the victim in the face with a knife as a result of a disagreement. The Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department provided emergency medical assistance to the victim.
Anyone with information on Fitch should contact the Arkansas City Police Department at (620) 441-4444.
2019 Prairie Festival upcoming at The Land Institute
SALINA – Bill McKibben, well-known environmentalist, author, and co-founder of 350.org will headline The Land Institute’s annual event Prairie Festival September 27-29, 2019.
This year’s event addresses the timely and relevant topic of climate change and will look at how the current model of annual agriculture negatively contributes to the emission of greenhouse gasses. We seek to answer through our research and educational efforts, how we effect positive change to a perennial landscape.
Other presenters include: Eliza Gilkyson, twice Grammy-nominated musician; Ana Porzecanski, director of the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation at the American Museum of Natural History; Carolyn Finney, storyteller and author; Amory Lovins, co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute; and Francesca Cotrufo, associate head of the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Colorado State University.
The Festival offers a unique opportunity to interact with some of the world’s most compelling authors, thinkers, artists, and advocates focused on agriculture, food, the environment, science, sustainability, and social and environmental justice.
The Institute’s science staff provides research plot tours and an in-depth update on current plant breeding efforts, ecology work, and partnerships.
There will be food trucks, live music, a Friday night barn dance, sunrise yoga, and more. Come to the event that The New York Times called an “intellectual hootenanny” and what has become a remarkable can’t-miss event on the prairie.
For more information about the Festival, please see https://landinstitute.org/news-events/prairie-festival/ or contact us at 785-823-5376/[email protected].
Details revealed in cattle deal involving brothers presumed dead near KC
KINGSTON, Mo. (AP) — A man charged with tampering with a vehicle used by two Wisconsin brothers who are missing and presumed dead in Missouri was involved in a business arrangement with another farmer that included calves owned by the brothers, according to people involved in the deal.
Brothers Nick and Justin Diemel, from Shawano County, Wisconsin, disappeared July 21 while visiting northwest Missouri for a trip related to their cattle business. Authorities say the brothers are presumed dead. Human remains found on a farm owned by Garland Nelson have not been identified.
The brothers disappeared after visiting Nelson, 25, at a farm near Braymer, about 70 miles northeast of Kansas City. Nelson is charged with tampering with a vehicle after authorities said he drove a truck the brothers rented from his farm to a commuter parking lot, where it was found abandoned.
David Foster, a Kansas dairy farmer, told The Kansas City Star Wednesday that he bought 131 calves from Nelson in November. Nelson was to raise the calves and the farmers would split the cost after the animals were sold. One hundred of the calves belonged to the Diemel brothers, Foster said.
Nelson’s mother, Tomme Feil, said her son and the family cared for the calves. The animals became ill shortly after arriving at the farm, which Feil blamed on bad winter and weakened immune systems. She said many died despite receiving extensive medication, feed and advice from veterinarians.
“It wasn’t like we enjoyed watching calves die,” she said. “We didn’t. We were doing everything possible to keep them alive.”
Feil said her son returned the remaining calves when Foster’s bank claimed them as collateral.
Foster said only 35 calves were returned to him.
“They were starved, they were malnourished,” he said. “It was almost a complete loss.”
Foster said Nelson owes him more than $151,000. Feil agreed that Nelson owed Foster money but disputed the amount. She said several people owe her son money and he planned to pay Foster back when others paid their debts to him.
Feil said law enforcement authorities have seized paperwork relevant to her son’s business dealings. Foster declined to provide documentation of the deal with Nelson, saying law enforcement had advised him not to so as not to interfere with the investigation.
Nelson was sentenced in 2016 to two years in prison for selling more than 600 head of cattle that did not belong to him. Nelson pleaded guilty to cattle fraud that caused more than $262,000 in losses. He was released from prison in March 2018.
Nelson also pleaded guilty in August 2015 to two misdemeanor counts of passing bad checks.
Back to School Giveaway open to qualifying Russell students
RUSSELL – The St. John Lutheran Back to School Giveaway Committee is hosting the annual clothing giveaway on Thursday, August 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday, August 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Giveaway will be held in the Parish Hall in the basement of St. John Lutheran, 425 N. Main, Russell.
On Thursday, Russell students from pre-K through high school who qualify for free or reduced lunches may receive up to 10 items at no cost.
On Friday, any remaining items will be offered to students with no restrictions.
Students must be present to ensure proper sizes are received. Thanks to the generosity of the community, each student will also receive new socks and undergarments. A limited selection of school supplies will be available to junior and senior high students on a first come, first served basis.
For more information on this program, please contact St. John Lutheran Church at 785-483-5358.
HaysMed presents Trauma Symposium 2019
HAYSMED
HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, will present a Trauma Symposium 2019 on Friday, August 23, 2019. The programs are jointly provided by HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, The University of Kansas Medical Center Continuing Education and Professional Development and the Area Health Education Center – West. The program will be held at HaysMed in the Hadley Conference Rooms.
Registration for the program begins at 8:30 a.m. with breakfast and vendor booths. The program runs from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The program is designed to improve the care of pediatric trauma patients including but not limited to, pediatric transport and stabilization, pediatric concussions pediatric trauma and pediatric growth plate injuries.
Topics covered include: treating pediatric concussions in rural settings, developmentally appropriate primary and secondary assessments for pediatric populations, care for high-risk/low-volume pediatric encounter, guidelines for arranging and preparing pediatric patients for transport, diagnosing growth plate injuries, managing growth plate injuries.
Speakers for the program include: Laura A. Massey, MSN, RN, C-NPT, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Lisa Vopat, MD, John Miller MD, and Wally Walstrom, DO, MS CAQSM, all with The University of Kansas Health System.
The program is designed for Physicians, Physician Assistants, Advance Practice Nurses, Nurses, Social Workers, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and other interested healthcare professionals. All participants are required to complete and sign a “verification of attendance” form. After the program, a certificate of completion will be provided to activity participants based on documentation of actual attendance time.
PHYSICIAN: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of The University of Kansas Medical Center Office of Continuing Medical Education and HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System. The University of Kansas medical Center Office of Continuing Medical Education is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The KU Medical Center Office of Continuing Medical Education designates this live activity for a maximum of 5.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of the participation in this activity.
CNE: Hays Medical Center is approved as a provider of continued nursing education by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. The course offering is approved for 5.0 contact hours applicable for RN, or LPN re-licensure. Kansas State Board of Nursing Approved Provider Number: LT0021-1138.
RESPIRATORY THERAPY: The Hays Medical Center Respiratory Care Continuing Education Evaluator on behalf of the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts has approved this program 5.0 CRCE Hours. Providership No. 004
PT/OT: Paperwork will be provided to submit to KOTA and KPTA for credits. ASRT An application has been submitted to ASRT. Approval is pending.
EMS: Ellis County EMS is an approved as a provider of continuing education for Emergency Medical Personnel. The course offering is approved for 5.0 contact hour applicable for all EMS recertification. Approved Provider Number: pp5800.
The fee for the program is $60 for non HaysMed employees, $30 for CAH employees. There is no registration fee for HaysMed Associates, Pawnee Valley Campus Associates, Great Bend Campus Associates and St. Rose Medical Pavilion Associates. You can register online: www.haysmed.com/education and click on professional education or registering by calling 785-623-5500. You may pay online with a valid credit card or may choose to be invoiced.
CANCELLATION POLICY Refund of CE fees: Workshop fees will be refunded if notification of cancellation is made 24-hours prior to the workshop. Cancellation: HMC reserves the right to cancel any workshop that does not meet enrollment quota. All pre-registered attendees will receive a full refund.
Football player gets break in Kansas marijuana distribution case
HUTCHINSON— A 21-year-old man arrested in February of 2018, for alleged distribution of marijuana got a break from the state Thursday when they dropped the charge to simple possession of marijuana.
Xavier Terry was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on the initial charge for allegedly selling between 25 and 450 grams of marijuana. The arrest was made by the Haven Police Department, but Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton decided to make the offer. Terry accepted and and entered a plea agreement.
Stanton says Terry who is now playing football in West Virginia will have to pay court cost as part of his six month probation. He also agreed to pay the Reno County Sheriff’s Office back the cost for bringing him back to Kansas to face the charge. That comes to roughly $2,000.
Donna Marie Strasser
Donna Marie (Periman Ebeling) Strasser, 83, died peacefully in her sleep Sunday, July 28, 2019, in Glendale, AZ.
Donna was born Aug. 6, 1935, to Warren Mason and Leona Beulah (Coon) Periman at Florence, KS. She attended school in Durango, CO.
On Feb. 7, 1958, she married Willard H. Ebeling in Durango, CO. They were married 44 years. As a homemaker, she raised a family through numerous moves in Colorado from Durango, to Estes Park, to Greeley, and finally settling in Broomfield. She enjoyed a late career as a Teller, Loan Officer, and Assistant Manager for Bellco Credit Union before retiring and moving to Sun City, AZ in 1996. Donna married Rev. Benjamin H. Strasser on September 7, 2003 in Sun City, AZ. They were happily married 15 years.
She was a member of Grace Bible Church of Sun City, AZ, Sun City Chapter No. 66, Order of Eastern Star, Sun City, AZ, and Excelsior Chapter #66, Order of Eastern Star, Lafayette, CO. She was a Majority Member of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls in Durango, CO, Past Bethel Guardian for Bethel #29, International Order of Jobs Daughters, Broomfield, CO, and Past Worthy Matron of Excelsior Chapter No, 66, Order of Eastern Star, Lafayette, CO.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Willard, and brothers Kenneth I. and Keith O. Periman.
Survivors include her husband, Ben of Glendale; two sons, Ronald K. Ebeling of Lafayette, CO, and Maj. Gregory E. Ebeling and wife, Leigh Anne of Edenton, NC; one daughter, Kara L. Gwin and husband, Jeffry of La Center, WA; one sister-in-law, Neva Ebeling of Topeka; KS, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Extended family includes Ben’s children Bryan Ballman and wife Teresa of Waynesville, OH, Douglas Ballman and wife Angie of Monterey, CA, Eric Ballman and wife Kim of China, Jennifer Strasser Payton and husband Donald of Greenfield, IN, and four grandchildren.
Services will be Friday, August 23, 2019, 10 a.m., at Grace Bible Church of Sun City, AZ with Dr. William G. Bjork officiating. Interment will be at the Fairview Cemetery, Atwood, KS with immediate family and friends.
Memorials may be given in her name to Shrine Children’s Hospital or the Grace Bible Church Missions Fund.
Robin Ann Bailey
Robin Ann Bailey passed away July 30, 2019 at her home near Stockton, Kansas, at the age of 62.
She was born July 6, 1957, to Jim and Marcia (Webb) Bailey in Denver, Colorado.
The family has chosen cremation and services will be planned at a later date in Colorado. Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home is handling arrangements.