Beginning Thursday, June 28, 2018, the intersection of 20th and Allen Street in Hays will be opened and the intersection of 18th and Allen will be closed. Allen Street will be closed from north of 17th Street to south of 20th Street. The intersection of 19th and Allen remains closed.
This work is part of the Allen Street Reconstruction Project.
Signs will be in place to direct the traveling public. Motorists should use caution in these areas.
The city of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call the Office of Project Management at 785-628-7350 or the contractor Paul-Wertenberger Construction at 785-625-8220.
About three years ago, my father was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. I did not know much about the disease. I went to see him in Texas. I realized that the disease process had progressed to the point that he was tethered to an oxygen hose.
Yet, he was still working. He was a real estate broker. He had his own office. He had done that since 1963. He lived in a small town, and he was just one of a handful of brokers for the whole town. Everyone knew him.
Hauling around a big oxygen tank was embarrassing for him. He had one installed behind the backseat of his pickup. He had one installed behind the desk in his office. Many times when he would see one of his clients, he would try to take off the oxygen and make it through the meeting.
Shortly after I saw him, he had a major episode, similar to a stroke. We simply did not think he was going to make it, but he did.
In the course of my conversation with him after the stroke, he was really wanting to get back to work. I asked him why he did not use a portable oxygen machine. According to him and my stepmother, he would get anxious when he would go to the doctor and his oxygen level demands would get too high, higher than a portable oxygen machine would put out for him. Apparently, the oxygen machine, which compresses the air without a tank, could not go beyond eight pounds per hour. He was recommended to have higher than that.
After our conversation I got on the phone and started calling around. I finally got a hold of a representative at a company and told her what was going on. I told her that every time we went to the doctor, he would get anxious and his need for oxygen would go up. She acted like her hands were tied.
After a couple of more phone calls, she relented. She agreed to send the oxygen machine to me rather than my dad. I, in turn, took it and provided it to my dad.
I cannot tell you how happy it made him. If he had won the lottery, he would not have been happier. He was so proud of his little machine. Right away, I got a photograph of him sitting on his back porch with the machine sitting on the table and him enjoying the backyard. He would take his machine, go to the office, draft his contracts, close his deals, and see his clients. He was back on track.
About three months after my dad got the machine, he passed away.
I want to share this story with you because sometimes we do little things that can mean so much to people. I have friends that go to nursing homes just to visit with people who do not have families. I have other friends through our church that visit people in their homes that might not otherwise get out.
Just taking a meal over to someone’s house when they are dealing with a crisis, or a health issue, or a loss, can mean so much. It is a little bit of joy in a time when perhaps there is none.
That oxygen machine cost me about three or four phone calls. That is it. But, it made my dad feel like he had worth; it let him enjoy his last days; and it made me feel like I had done something important for him.
If you have somebody in your life, whether it is a friend, a relative, or even someone that you know is alone that has no one else or someone who is going through a crisis, take some time to say hello; make a cake; or just spend time with them. Sometimes it is the little things that make all the difference in someone’s life.
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.
Laina MarshallIn Kansas, 198 of every 100,000 males die annually from cancer. Research shows men are less likely to visit the doctor regularly than women, so they may be missing out on important preventive health visits and screenings. This is especially concerning because men are more likely to die from cancer than women. About 856,370 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer in 2018, and an estimated 323,630 will die of the disease this year.
Fortunately, the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men—prostate, lung and colorectal cancers—can often be prevented or detected early. June is Men’s Health Month, and there’s no better time to make an appointment with your health care professional or encourage the men in your life to schedule theirs. Make the most of the visit by learning your cancer risk factors (including family history) and screening recommendations before you go.
Aside from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American men, affecting mainly those ages 65 and older. African-American men are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer as any other racial or ethnic group. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing may help detect prostate cancer early, but you should talk to your health care professional about the benefits and harms of screening.
Lung cancer is the most deadly form of cancer for both men and women. About 80 percent of cases are attributed to smoking, but nonsmokers are at risk through secondhand smoke and environmental exposure to radon or other carcinogens, which could be found in your home or office building. If you’re a heavy smoker or former smoker, that has smoked two packs of cigarettes per day for 15 years, low-dose CT screening can help find lung cancer early, when successful treatment is more likely.
Colorectal cancer is most common in those ages 50 and over, but rates in younger people are increasing. Risk factors include inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease, a family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps, smoking, being overweight or obese, consuming alcohol in excess and eating a lot of red or processed meats. Screening is recommended for those at average risk beginning at age 50 and can detect pre-cancerous polyps or cancer cells early, when they can be removed or treated more easily.
Visiting a health care professional and getting recommended screenings are important parts of cancer prevention, but you can also reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, not smoking, limiting alcohol intake and eating a nutritious diet. To learn more about cancer prevention and early detection, visit www.preventcancer.org.
Laina Marshall is the spouse of Representative Roger Marshall, MD and a member of the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program. Statistics provided by the American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Cancer Institute.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The family of a black man fatally shot by two white officers in Kansas as he fled from them after a struggle filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Wednesday.
White-photo KDOC
The lawsuit alleges that the officers, Michael Cruse and Justin Mackey, fatally shot 30-year-old Dominique White in September near a park in Topeka without legal justification. White was armed and just months out of prison after being prosecuted for burglary and illegal gun possession when the officers responded to a report of gunfire and confronted White.
Police body camera footage shows White fleeing from the officers before he was shot. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay ruled in December that the shooting was justified, saying White moved his hand over a pocket that contained a gun as he fled. An internal police investigation found that Cruse and Mackey followed department policies during the confrontation.
Police on the scene of the shooting-photo courtesy WIBW TV
Topeka city spokeswoman Molly Hadfield said Wednesday she couldn’t comment on pending litigation.
White’s family said the video shows that White wasn’t an immediate threat to the officers. White’s death certificate said he died primarily from gunshots in the back. The lawsuit said each officer fired four times and three of the shots hit White in the back.
The suit, which seeks more than $75,000 in damages, also accuses the city of providing inadequate training and violating White’s constitutional rights to equal protection and due process. The family’s attorney, Andrew Stroth, said the lawsuit isn’t just about compensation, but also about sending a message to the city and the police department.
“Our focus is reform and addressing unconstitutional and unjustified actions by police,” said Stroth, managing partner of Chicago-based Action Injury Law Group, which specializes in police shooting cases. “Across the country there’s a pattern and practice of officers using lethal force, especially against African-American men.”
Topeka police and the FBI investigated the shooting, which led to protests and people camping in front of law enforcement headquarters in Topeka. The U.S. Department of Justice moderated a community forum. The state Legislature changed the law to allow family members to see body-camera footage after White’s family had trouble getting permission to view the footage in his case.
“The fact that we have video evidence of Dominique getting executed by police is critical to the case,” Stroth said. “The video speaks for itself.”
Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 104. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 18 to 23 mph in the afternoon.
Hot and windy conditions are forecast today, with temperatures soaring to 101-104 degree range and SW winds 20-25 mph, higher gusts #kswxpic.twitter.com/ymAcOYRCUK
TOPEKA – The Annie E. Casey Foundation has released its 2018 KIDS COUNT Data book. The most-recent report shows Kansas in a strong position, with the state ranking 13th in the nation in overall child well-being. This is a significant improvement from last year’s overall ranking of 15th.
Of the 16 child well-being indicators analyzed for the report, Kansas has improved in 11 key areas, among them, importantly, childhood poverty. The report demonstrates that more high school students are graduating on time, more children have access to health insurance, and more parents are working, lifting their families out of a cycle of government dependency and into self-reliance.
“This KIDS COUNT data clearly demonstrates that Kansas has made great strides for its youth and the Kansas model for welfare reform should be a blueprint for the rest of the nation to follow,” said Governor Jeff Colyer. “These aren’t just numbers, these are actual children that have been helped and I am glad to see the policies we have in place are having such a positive impact on vulnerable families. We will build upon this foundation and continue to emphasize statewide improvement in childhood well-being.”
Some of the substantial Kansas improvements in the KIDS COUNT Data book include:
The percentage of Kansas children in poverty dropped to 14 percent, from 18 percent in 2010.
The percentage of children whose parents lack secure employment declined to 20 percent from 27 percent in 2010.
The percentage of children in families where the household lacks a high school diploma dipped to 10 percent from 12 percent in 2010.
The number of teen births, per 1,000, is 22, down from 39 in 2010.
Kansas children without health insurance went from 8 percent in 2010, to 4 percent.
While the KIDS COUNT Data book illustrates that Kansas has made great strides for children, the Annie E. Casey Foundation notes that communities of color are not achieving the same outcomes of well-being as other communities. Under the leadership of Governor Colyer, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) already has plans in place to address these concerns—including implementing a cultural awareness training for child welfare staff. Additionally, in April, DCF sponsored The Governor’s Forum for the Well-being of Children and Families: Engaging the urban core church in child welfare. This forum allowed Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel to address the disproportionately of African American children in the Kansas foster care system. DCF is continuing to engage urban communities around ways we can effectively partner together to support at risk families.
DCF serves as the State social service agency, providing oversight for the well-being of children and their families. DCF focuses on child protection and strengthening families by working to reduce the number of children in State care, providing needed services and a safety net for the most vulnerable Kansans. Additionally, DCF partners with many community-based agencies that support at-risk families.
“We are also extremely proud of our work in our Economic and Employment Services Programs and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. Because of these efforts, thousands of Kansans who otherwise would be on public assistance are gainfully employed and living self-sustaining, fulfilling lives,” said Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) collaborates with DCF to ensure childhood health and safety. KDHE promotes optimal health for Kansas women and infants, children and adolescents through system development activities and grants to local communities.
“We are pleased to see efforts to improve the health and well-being of Kansas children are working,” said KDHE Secretary Jeff Andersen. “KDHE offers a wide range of programs and services to promote healthy living among all age groups. And we continue to see Kansas staying ahead of national trends with regard to positive health outcomes.”
TOPEKA – Kansas Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism (KDWPT) game wardens will be on the lookout for boaters under the influence during Operation Dry Water (ODW), June 29 – July 1. ODW is part of a national effort to reduce accidents and fatalities related to boating under the influence (BUI) of drugs and alcohol and educate recreational boaters about the dangers of BUI. While ODW is a year-round national campaign, a heightened awareness and enforcement effort takes place around July 4th, a holiday known for the potentially deadly combination of drinking and boating.
KDWPT game wardens are responsible for patrolling the waters of Kansas and conducting boat accident investigations, boat safety inspections, BUI checks, safety programs, education classes and other boating-related activities.
During ODW, officers will be looking for boaters whose blood alcohol content exceeds the state limit of 0.08. The weekend will include increased patrols, breathalyzer tests, life jacket checks and boater education. Impaired boaters can expect to be arrested or face other serious penalties. In Kansas, the consequences for BUI include fines, jail and loss of boating privileges.
During the 2017 ODW in Kansas, game wardens issued 26 boating citations, 35 boating-related warnings and recorded two BUI offenses.
“We are dedicated to keeping boaters safe on our waters” said Kansas boating law administrator Maj. Dan Hesket. “Boating is a safe and enjoyable pastime when people stay alert and follow the rules. Many factors contribute to the way alcohol affects a person on the water. The combination of sun, wind, glare, dehydration and wave motion causes a person to become intoxicated three times faster than on shore.”
BUI is a major problem across the nation. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Recreational Boating Statistics 2017, alcohol is a primary contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities. Intoxicated boaters run a significantly increased risk of being involved in a fatal boating accident. In 2017, 29 boat accidents were reported on Kansas waters, two of which resulted in a fatality, 14 resulted in injuries, and 13 involved only property damage. Of the 29 reported boat accidents, 19 people in total were injured and there was an estimated $111,819 in property damages.
OWD 2018 is a joint program of KDWPT, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, and the U.S. Coast Guard. For more information, visit www.operationdrywater.org. Information about Kansas boating regulations, registration, education, and requirements is available at www.ksoutdoors.com – click on Boating.
TOPEKA, KAN. – The developer of the Oread Hotel in Lawrence and his bookkeeper were indicted Wednesday on federal charges of scheming to collect more than $400,000 in fraudulent tax refunds from the City of Lawrence, according to the United States Attorney’s office.
The Oread-courtesy photo
Thomas S. Fritzel, 52, Lawrence, Kan., and Keela Lam, 46, Lawrence, Kan., are charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the city and one count of interstate transportation of stolen funds. Also named as defendants are companies controlled by Fritzel including Oread Construction LC, Oread Wholesale LC, Oread Inn LC and R6 LC.
The indictment alleges that in 2008 Fritzel signed an agreement with the City of Lawrence to develop the Oread Hotel in Lawrence, a seven-story hotel with restaurants, bars and a gift shop.
The city set up a Tax Increment Financing District and a Transportation Development District around the hotel and agreed to reimburse Fritzel for his development costs. The funds to pay Fritzel were to come from property tax and sales taxes collected inside the redevelopment district.
The indictment alleges Fritzel and Lam conspired to defraud the city by seeking reimbursement for hundreds of transactions that were not generated within the redevelopment district. The indictment alleges the defendants fraudulently sought refunds for taxes paid on furniture and appliances, work on houses Fritzel owned in Lawrence and Colorado, landscaping materials, party tent rentals, car batteries, equipment for a car wash and other items.
A separate indictment alleges Fritzel and others violated the requirements of the Clean Air Act for disposal of asbestos.
The indictment charges Fritzel, Casey Stewart, 38, Lawrence, Kan., Wesley Lynch, 60, Lawrence, Kan. and Tucker Fritzel, 25, Lawrence, Kan., with one count of conspiracy (count one), one count of failing to notify the Environmental Protection Agency of the removal of asbestos materials (count two), one count of failing to wet materials that contained asbestos during demolition (count three) and one count of failing to dispose of asbestos waste in leak-tight containers (count four).
Also named as defendants in the second indictment are DFC Company of Lawrence, LC; Eagle 1968, LC of Lawrence and R&R Supply Company, LC of Lawrence.
The indictment alleges the defendants conspired with Fritzel to violate federal laws for handling asbestos in order for Fritzel to save money on demolition and renovations at the Alvamar Country Club in Lawrence.
In the first indictment, upon conviction, the defendants face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the conspiracy count, and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the count charging interstate transportation of stolen funds.
In the second indictment, upon conviction, the defendants face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on count one, up to two years and a fine up to $250,000 on count two and up to five years and a fine up to $250,000 on counts three and four.
The Lawrence Police Department and the FBI investigated the Oread Hotel indictment. The Environmental Protection Agency – Office of Inspector General investigated the other indictment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Hathaway is prosecuting both cases.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on theft charges following an car accident.
Patterson -photo Shawnee Co.
Just after 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a report of an accident just east of the intersection at SW 37th Street and SW Topeka Blvd in Topeka, according to Lt. Ron Ekis.
A silver Dodge Durango was westbound on SW 37th St. approaching SW Topeka Boulevard.
An eastbound Nissan Sentra drove over the center median and struck the side of the Dodge Durango.
The driver of the Nissan Sentra fled the scene of the accident on foot.
A Topeka police K-9 unit was dispatched and was able to track the driver to the 3400 block of SW Harrison Street concealed in a wooded area, according to Ekis.
The driver was identified as Preston Patterson, 35, of Topeka. The Nissan Sentra he was driving was stolen out of Topeka. Police arrested Patterson and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for possession of a stolen car as well as leaving the scene of an accident and other traffic related charges.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a murder, have made an arrest and on Wednesday identified the victim.
Barber-photo KDOC
Just before 2a.m. Tuesday, police responded to an apartment complex in the 1900 Block of North Amidon after a 25-year-old man called 911 to report harming his 22-year-old girlfriend Mackenzie Payne, according to officer Charley Davidson.
Upon arrival, officers located the caller. He was armed with a knife and taken into custody.
He has been identified as Dylan Leigh Barber, according to Sedgwick County Booking records. He is being held on requested charges of First-Degree murder, according to Davidson.
Officers also located the Payne inside the apartment. She had multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Davidson.
The incident marks the third domestic violence homicide in Wichita this year. There were eight reported in 2018, according to Davidson.
Barber has a previous burglary conviction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Sunday, July 1 , The Post Rock Opportunities Foundation will host an Artists Reception honoring the artists who are participating in the 2018 Kansas Originals Art Show.
The artwork is on display at Kansas Originals, 233 KS-232, Wilson, and includes both paintings and 3-D pieces. The reception will begin at 1 p.m.
The public is invited to attend the reception to meet these artists from throughout the region while viewing and voting for their favorite piece of art for the People’s Choice award. The show features 32 outstanding entries.
Kansas Originals will be open at 11 a.m .and voting for the People’s Choice will end at 1:30 p.m., so come early to make your vote count.
Awards will be presented to the winning entries at 2 p.m.
Light refreshments will be served and live music will be provided.
Due to mechanical failure, microsurfacing of 20th Street from Ash to Main and 29th Street from Willow to Oak were not completed on Wednesday (June 27). They must remain closed overnight.
The first layer of Micro-surface will be applied Thursday, June 28. The streets will be opened Thursday afternoon and through the night.
They will be closed again Friday morning for the second layer.
The city of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call the Office of Project Management at 785-628-7350 or the contractor, Vance Brothers at 816-564-3507.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest in the case of missing Wichita boy whose body was found last month (all times local):
2 p.m.
An autopsy of a 5-year-old Wichita boy couldn’t determine how he died.
The autopsy report of Lucas Hernandez released Wednesday lists both the cause and manner of his death as undetermined.
Lucas was missing for more than three months when his father’s live-in girlfriend, Emily Glass, led a private investigator on May 24 to his body under a bridge in rural Harvey County.
Glass took her own life two weeks after his body was found, according to her autopsy report that was also released Wednesday.
The report on the boy’s body says his body was found “in a state of advanced decomposition under a pile of debris in a culvert.” It noted that x-rays showed “no obvious skeletal trauma.”
District Attorney Marc Bennett says he will make a formal announcement early next week after reviewing the autopsies.
