Sudden cardiac arrest strikes about 250,000 adult Americans every year, and 75-80% of those happen at home.

That’s why Hays Med and the Michael E. DeBakey Heart Institute continue to offer free CPR–Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation–training classes to the public.  About 130 people participated in Saturday’s 13th annual program.

“If more people know how to perform CPR, the probability increases for cardiac arrest victims receiving CPR more quickly,” says Hays Med Education Coordinator Deb McClaren, “when it can still make a difference.”

Participants also received a take-home practice kit, blowup mannequin included, courtesy of the Hays Medical Center Foundation.

“Saving lives is a really important thing, ” says Hays 9th grader Grant Coffey.  His friend, James Julin, another Hays 9th grader agrees.  “I even think it should be a required course in school,” declares Julin.

Chloe Fitzhugh is in 5th grade and already knows how to perform CPR.

“My dad is an EMT, and helps teach the classes,” she says.  “Dad always says you never know when you’re going to be in a position to use CPR.”  Fitzhugh, 11, also says she plans to be an EMT.

CPR chest compressions circulate oxygenated blood to the brain, heart and other vital organs until defibrillation by an electronic device  gives an electric shock to the heart to restore its natural rhythm.

Pet dogs and cats are required to be registered in the city of Hays.

Animal Control Officer Nikki Hausler of the Hays Police Department says it’s the best way quickly return missing animals to their owners.

“A veterinarian’s office isn’t open 24/7 for us to check out a rabies tag, ” she points out.  “Even with the scanner we have to read a microchip ID that may implanted in your pet, it can take a long time to get that information, ” says Hausler.

Annual pet licenses are available for purchase at Hays City Hall in the City Clerk’s office.  Bring your pets’ proof of rabies vaccination.

Cost is $5.00 per neutered or spayed cat or dog; $25.00 for each pet that has not been spayed or neutered.  Cost is higher for a “dangerous dog. ”

A late fee will be imposed after March 1.

City Manager Toby Dougherty ended the Winter Storm Traffic Emergency for the city of Hays at 1p.m. Monday.

Winter precipitation and blowing snow may continue to cause problems through the day.  The Hays Police Department asks motorists to avoid travel, if possible.

Victoria farmer/rancher Tim L. Schumacher, along with his grandson Chase Schumacher and their dog Buckshot, check cattle earlier this afternoon.

“Just the regular daily check,” according to  Tim’s wife Tammy.  “No new baby calves.  We’re hoping we don’t have any in this weather,” she says, “although there have been years when we had to bring calves into the house to warm them up.”

The Schumachers live four miles south of Victoria.  They estimate the snowfall there is more than 12 inches.

It’s still snowing.

Darrell Hamlin, a senior fellow at the Fort Hays State University Center for Civic Leadership, is now a certified Civic and Community Leadership Coach.

The designation by the Kansas Leadership Center means Hamlin has met KLC standards and those of the International Coach Foundation for training, practice and assessment of people who are coaching in civic and community settings.

Hamlin focuses on civic renewal, leadership and expanded narratives of public life. He is also an assistant professor of justice studies at FHSU.

The condition of Hays’ Emergency Snow Routes is deteriorating quickly. Crews are making every effort to keep up, but the snow is accumulating faster than we can remove it.

At this time we are asking everyone to stay off the streets unless it is absolutely necessary.

Some arterial and collector streets have deteriorated to the point where non-four wheel drive vehicles are having difficulty maneuvering and several vehicles have become stuck in the roadway. Please be aware that City crews will not remove vehicles from the roadway unless they are public safety vehicles. It is imperative that city crews concentrate on removing snow from the roadway. They cannot be diverted from this mission in order to remove stuck vehicles.

The current winter storm is supposed to last for several more hours, with winds increasing later in the day. This will cause drifting and exacerbate the matter.

I-70 is closed between Hays and Salina, both directions. This will cause added traffic/congestion in the North Vine area.

From Joe Becker, weather monitor at K-State Agricultural Research Center, official record keeper for Hays:

Moisture

24-Hr:    0.77”                          Surface Dew Intensity:  None

Month:    0.77”                                            Frost cover:  None

Year:    1.53”

Snowfall

           24-Hr:   10.0”              Snow depth at 8 AM: 10”  (Whole inches or Trace)

Month:   10.0”

2012-13 Season:   20.4”

All non-essential Ellis County offices closed at 2p.m. today and will remain closed Thursday.

All meetings scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 21, in HAYS, ATCHISON, WICHITA and EMPORIA have been CANCELLED

Kansas turned most of the administration of Medicaid over to three private health insurance companies  last month.

On January 1^st, Kansas Medicaid became KanCare, affecting nearly 370,000 Kansans.  Under KanCare every Kansan who has Medicaid will have the choice of three insurers–Amerigroup, Sunflower and United.

Gov. Sam Brownback has said the overhauled program will deliver better-coordinated services with less cost.

A series of informational meetings about the new KanCare program are being held across the state this month.  There are two sessions in Hays Thursday at the Ramada Inn, from 1 to 3 p.m. and again that evening from 6 to 8.

Kansans can also contact their legislators or find out more at www.kancare.ks.gov.