Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Wednesday morning for the new location of the Hays Commerce Bank.
The land, at 22nd and Vine Streets, belonged to Ellis County and was the site of the old Kansas Department of Transportation building.
Once Commerce Bank vacates its building on south Main Street, Ellis County will take over the downtown location and relocate some of its offices from the courthouse.
Hays and Ellis County are among the beneficiaries of the annual funds distribution to state and local firefighter relief organizations by the Kansas Insurance Department.
More than $10.4 million will be distributed among 578 local Firefighters Relief Associations (FRAs) across the state. That is nearly $550,000 more than the 2011 total.
“This fund assists firefighters and their families when an accident or death occurs in the line of duty,” says Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger.
The local association funds are used for purchasing accident and health, disability, and life insurance premiums to assist firefighters and their families.
The money is generated by a 2 percent tax paid by insurance companies on fire and lightning insurance premiums written in Kansas for the previous calendar year. It is collected by the department, on behalf of the Kansas Firefighter Relief Act, and passed on to the FRAs, as set in Kansas law.
Also, the Kansas State Firefighters Association will receive $431,244 for education and research purposes and to help fund the state association’s death benefit fund. These funds also come from the insurance company premium assessment.
Of the state association total, $331,244 is earmarked for educational purposes and research into fire prevention and firefighting, and $100,000 is used to replenish the death benefit fund.
Nearly $1.3 million in benefits was paid in 2011 to firefighters as a result of firefighting-related injuries or disability, and nearly $837,000 went to dependents of firefighters.
The Ellis County disbursements are:
FRA#532 ELLIS CO RURAL FIRE DEPT F R A: $31,294.57
FRA#190 ELLIS F R A: $6,653.14
FRA#237 HAYS F R A: $57,699.56
FRA#431 VICTORIA F R A: $5,050.97
TOPEKA, Kan. – Immunizations can prevent infectious diseases like chickenpox, whooping cough, measles and meningitis. Though vaccine preventable diseases may seem uncommon, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment continues to investigate cases and outbreaks of these diseases on a regular basis in the state as do many other states across the United States.
“Immunizing is the main reason certain diseases do not run rampant,” says KDHE Immunization Program Director Ryan Burns. “However, the extraordinary success of vaccinations also creates vulnerability: the better vaccines work, the less people think about getting them. ”
According to the CDC, more than 17,000 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) and nine pertussis-related deaths have been reported in the U.S. so far this year. The majority of these deaths occurred among infants younger than 3 months of age who were either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated yet. The incidence rate of pertussis among infants exceeds that of all other age groups.
The second highest rates of pertussis disease are observed among children 7 through 10 years old. Rates are also increased in adolescents 13 and 14 years of age.
In Kansas, 121 confirmed cases of pertussis have been reported this year.
Vaccinations work best when they are given at certain ages. Here are some general guidelines:
For more information on immunizations, visit https://www.kdheks.gov/immunize/index.html.
The first update since 1994 of the city of Hays Comprehensive Plan is in its final draft. City Commissioners will review it during their Thursday night work session.
Consultants RDg Planning and Design were hired in May 2011 to facilitate the project along with a 12-member volunteer steering committee. More than 30 public meetings have been held for input from various community groups.
Assistant Hays City Manager Paul Briseno says the comprehensive plan will be used by the City and Hays Area Planning Commissions as a guide for future land use, housing, infrastructure and transportation in an integrated development concept.
You can view the draft update on the city’s website: https://www.rdgusa.com/crp/hays/
See more tonight on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14.
A review of a deadly motorcycle pursuit Friday evening by a Hays Police Department officer shows the “Lieutenant acted appropriately and within the guidelines and policies of the Hays Police Department.”
A news release Tuesday from Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler also says the Kansas Highway Patrol Critical Highway Accident Response Team (CHART), the Ellis County Sheriff’s office and the Ellis County Coroner’s office assisted with the accident investigation.
The report information says Ryan McGinness, 32, Great Bend, was observed by an HPD Patrol Lieutenant at 6:43 p.m. Friday driving a 2012 Suzuki GSX 1300 sport motorcycle “in reckless manner.”
” The Patrol Lieutenant observed the motorcyclist run through a red light at the intersection of Eighth and Vine Street. The back end of the motorcycle swerved as the driver turned right from Eighth Street south bound onto Vine Street. The motorcycle then accelerated and the front wheel rose up off the roadway. The driver failed to stop at the stop sign at Vine and 183 Alternate as he turned going west on the Alternate.
“The Patrol Lieutenant activated his emergency lights and siren in an effort to stop the motorcyclist. As the Lieutenant attempted to catch up to the motorcyclist, the motorcycle was observed passing several vehicles while accelerating to speeds estimated over 100 mph. The pursuit lasted less than a minute with the motorcyclist being out of the Lieutenant’s sight when the crash took place.
“The motorcyclist failed to negotiate the curve on the Alternate and drove off the roadway. The motorcyclist crashed near 183 Alternate and Golf Course Road. The motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Do we really need to make any comment?…..
WASHINGTON, DC – With historic drought conditions across the state, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has pledged it will cease releasing waters August 7 from three Kansas River reservoirs–Tuttle Creek, Milford and Perry Lake–allowing critical water to remain in the state.
Last week, the Army Corps of Engineers announced it would release water from the Kansas River reservoirs until at least August 8th and retain the option to reopen the flow from the reservoirs in October. The Army Corps said the decision was to assist with river navigation and also to comply with the Endangered Species Act to preserve wildlife and their habitat north of Kansas.
Following a letter from Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and phone calls to Jody Farhat, Chief of the Missouri River Water Management Division of the Army Corps of Engineers, from U.S. Senator Pat Roberts and Kansas Water Office staff, the Army Corps agreed to discontinue tapping Kansas reservoirs August 7, 2012 through the end of the release season, pledging not to release water in October. Wildlife and navigation needs will continue to be addressed.
Senator Roberts and Governor Brownback brought together state, local and federal government officials, along with representatives from the agriculture industry, last Wednesday to talk about the effects of the drought across Kansas and how best to coordinate assistance for local farmers and ranchers.
Investigators are unable to determine the cause of the July 20th fire that destroyed a downtown Hays home.
The state fire marshal’s office has determined the blaze started in an enclosed area on the north side of the house, located at 105 E. 15th Street.
The fire at the house owned by Henry and Michelle Wiesner was reported shortly after 7 p.m. and already heavily involved.
No one was in the residence, just a block from the Hays Fire Station, when the fire started.
Topeka – Drought conditions persist and intensify for Kansas which led Governor Sam Brownback to update the Drought Declaration for Kansas counties Thursday afternoons.
The updated drought declaration has all 105 counties in an emergency status. This status triggers the Kansas Water Office (KWO) and Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) to issue a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for emergency use of state fishing lake storage .
“Our focus at this time is to ensure communities, livestock producers and farmers have the available resources they need,” said Tracy Streeter, Director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. “This MOU would allow small communities and producers to pump water from certain state fishing lakes to provide some relief if they are in dire need of water.”
The MOU limits the types of water use and a fee may be set for use of the state fishing lakes’ water supply.
“As fields, pastures and stock ponds get drier in this drought, we must do everything in our power to assure farmers and ranchers have the ability to access all water and forage available to care for their crops and livestock,” said Dale Rodman, Kansas Secretary of Agriculture.
The State Fishing Lakes available for withdrawals for Emergency Declared counties are:
Atchison , Barber , Brown , Bourbon , Butler , Chase , Clark , Crawford , Goodman , Jewell , Kingman , Leavenworth , Lyon, Pottawatomie #1 , Pottawatomie #2 , McPherson , Miami , Mined Lands (Pits), Neosho , Osage , Ottawa , Saline, Scott , Shawnee , Sheridan, Washington, Wilson, Woodson
The emergency drought declaration by the Governor also makes water available from Corps of Engineers reservoirs.
Hamburger sushi and a doughnut hamburger. Just two of the more unusual recipes grilled up Friday evening for the KIDSQ barbecue contest in downtown Hays.
This was the first year for the youngsters division in the fourth annual Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned contest as part of “Blues, BBQ & Bargains.” Committee volunteer Katie Joy expects it will be a regular event “after a few kinks are worked out,” which she says are inevitable the first time around.
Cooper Flores, 13, was one of 19 aspiring young chefs competing in age categories of 6-10 and 11-15. They were were set up outside the North Central Kansas Technical College Big Creek campus across Main Street from the adult contest.
Cooper grilled his specialty, “Spicy Bacon Explosion Sliders,” which Cooper says includes everything from “jalapenos to heavy cream.”
Like any good cook, Cooper likes to experiment a little. “I kind of put a lot of recipes together, that my friends and family like, and put them together with a recipe from the Internet, ” he explained.
Helping those sliders slide right off the grill and on to the judges’ plates, Cooper also used some special utensils made by his dad, Fort Hays State University art professor Toby Flores.
See more from KIDSQ tonight on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14.
A federal prosecutor in New Hampshire says he expects to bring more charges against a former hospital technician accused of infecting 30 patients with hepatitis C.
David Kwiatkowski made an initial court appearance Tuesday, agreeing that there is enough evidence to keep him incarcerated while the case goes to a grand jury. Afterward, U.S. Attorney John Kacavas said more charges are likely, possibly one for each infected patient.
Kwiatkowski is accused of stealing anesthetics from the cardiac catheterization lab at Exeter Hospital, injecting himself and contaminating syringes that were later used on patients.
According to court documents, Kwiatkowski has denied stealing drugs and says he’s “not a shooter.”
Authorities previously have said he has worked in at least six states, including Kansas, here in Hays. Kacavas on Tuesday increased that number to eight.
July 20, 2012 – HaysMed President and CEO Dr. John Jeter released a news statement late Friday afternoon regarding the investigation to possible Hepatitis C exposure at the hospital by a former contract radiology technologist in the cardiac catheterization lab:
“We are currently working with Kansas State health officials, in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), to notify patients who were treated in the HaysMed Cardiac Cath Lab from May 24, 2010 to September 22, 2010, that a former contract radiology technologist may have exposed them to Hepatitis C. As medical professionals and members of the Hays community, we are deeply concerned by the alleged criminal conduct of this individual in New Hampshire.”
“The health and well-being of our patients and staff is always our first priority. We are requesting that those patients be tested as soon as reasonably possible and are providing them information about testing locations.”
“We are taking swift and comprehensive steps to determine any implications for those patients treated during this time period and are committed to providing complete and accurate information to our patients and the public as quickly as possible. HaysMed is proud of the quality health care we provide to the residents of Western Kansas. The alleged criminal actions of this individual in New Hampshire do not reflect the high standard of care provided every day by the doctors, nurses and staff at HaysMed.”
ORIGINAL: TOPEKA—The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and HaysMed in Hays, Kan., are working jointly to notify patients who underwent cardiac catheterization from May 24, 2010, to Sept. 22, 2010, of potential exposure to hepatitis C.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire announced yesterday that David Kwiatkowski was arrested and charged with obtaining controlled substances by fraud and tampering with a consumer product. According to an affidavit filed in federal court in New Hampshire, Kwiatkowski allegedly engaged in drug diversion and infected patients with hepatitis C while employed at Exeter Hospital in New Hampshire.
Due to the fact that Kwiatkowski worked as a contract radiology technician in the HaysMed cardiac catheterization laboratory from May 24, 2010, to Sept. 22, 2010, HaysMed and KDHE are working together to notify all patients who were treated at the cardiac catheterization lab during this time and recommend they receive testing for hepatitis C. Only those patients who underwent cardiac catheterization procedures between May 24, 2010, and Sept. 22, 2010, at HaysMed were potentially put at risk.
“We understand patients and their loved ones may be very concerned about this situation. HaysMed and KDHE are working collaboratively on this investigation,” said KDHE Secretary and State Health Officer Robert Moser, MD. “I would like to reassure the public that we have no reason to be concerned about additional risks to the public. The events in question occurred approximately two years ago.”
Approximately 460 patients had procedures at the HaysMed cardiac catheterization laboratory during this time period. Those patients who were potentially exposed at HaysMed are being contacted by mail with information on how to receive free testing for hepatitis C through KDHE and who to contact to answer questions and address concerns.
A special telephone hotline has been established at HaysMed for patients who are concerned about potential exposure to hepatitis C. Concerned patients can speak with a nurse by calling 877-261-7140.
The hotline will be available the following hours:
Friday, July 20 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
According to State Epidemiologist Charles Hunt, hepatitis C is a virus that is passed through blood and affects the liver. Approximately 2,000 confirmed cases are reported in Kansas each year. Only about one in five persons who become infected with hepatitis C virus initially becomes ill, with symptoms ranging from a mild illness to more severe disease. Most persons with hepatitis C virus develop a chronic infection, which is a serious disease that can cause long-term health problems. There is no vaccine against hepatitis C virus. For additional information on hepatitis C, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/index.htm.
The governor’s drought tour moved to western Kansas Tuesday.
Gov. Sam Brownback, accompanied by representatives from the Kansas Water Office and the state Agriculture Department, viewed Cedar Bluff Reservoir in Trego County. Park Manager Chris Smith and Regional Manager Troy Brown of the Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism pointed out the lake’s declining water level.
The tour also stopped at the Larry Hixson farm just north of WaKeeney, where co-owner Darrin Brungardt showed a corn crop stunted by the drought and heat.
State and local officials also met with Graham County agribusiness leaders in Hill City’s Gutierrez Mexican Restaurant at noon and then toured the Hoxie Feedlot to hear about the drought’s effects on the cattle industry.
The visits are a part of the Governor’s drought tour that began last week with two stops in Saline County in Central Kansas, followed by a trip to Allen and Neosho Counties in Southeast Kansas.
UPDATE: A retired Rooks County fireman helping with firefighter rehab at the scene says officials believe the fire was started by a hawk taking off and flying into a power line.
ORIGINAL: Firefighters from across Rooks County and Natoma (Russell County Rural Fire District # 3) are on the scene of a grass fire six miles northeast of Plainville.
The fire was reported about 12:20p.m.
Traffic is stopped on County Road R for a mile in each direction.
At least 300 acres have burned. The fire is spreading to the north driven by the south/southwest wind of about 20 miles an hour.
