The Ellis County Fire Department is still monitoring the wildland fire that started about two miles north of Toulon Avenue and Homestead Road in an open range area. The fire is considered under control, however there are several hot spots that will be monitored throughout the day on Wednesday.
The fire has burnt up to approximately eight miles long, and just over two-miles wide in some areas. The fire spread south almost reaching Emmeram Road. The cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation. However, the initial assessment indicates the fire originated near the base of a power pole.
The Ellis County Fire Department greatly appreciates the help of all the local volunteers, local businesses, and farmers who have generously donated food, water, and support to all the firefighters working the scene. The help from the Kansas Highway Patrol, American Red Cross, Ellis County Sheriff’s deputies, Ellis County Public Works, Ellis County EMS, Hays Fire Department, Kansas Forestry Service, multiple surrounding county fire departments, and the Kansas National Guard has had a profound effect on the outcome of this fire.
The Ellis County Fire Department greatly appreciates the overwhelming amount of donations of water and snack food items for the emergency responders. Currently we have received enough items to support the operation. Also, cash donations are still not being accepted.
Ellis County residents are reminded that a burn ban is in place for unincorporated portions of the county.
In 2006, I moved my grandmother from Fort Worth, Texas to Hays, Kansas so that I could care for her more directly. In Texas, she was under a health management organization (HMO). Without getting into the specifics, it was a terrible system.
I was so thrilled to move my grandmother to Kansas where she would be on traditional Medicare A and B plans, but I had to enroll her in Medicare D and obtain a supplemental insurance policy for her as well.
At the point of the move, my grandmother was 92-years-old. Little did I know that she would be with me for another four years, but that is another story.
At 92 years of age, my grandmother was hard of hearing and her eyesight was very poor. When she would try to write out a check, it was hard to figure out what she had written, and typically she used the wrong line on the check. That is when I started taking care of her affairs.
She had asked that I make arrangements to get her enrolled in the Medicare programs. Medicare D was new. It was the first time that I had to enroll for anyone. I got on the phone with someone from Medicare.gov. Being a lawyer, of course I waited until the last minute (December 31). I spent the next almost two hours on the phone going through my grandmother’s medications and what would be the best plan for her. I cannot imagine that my grandmother could have ever done that. I pushed multiple buttons and had to make more option choices along the way. It simply would have been way too complicated for her.
I wish I could relate to you that life has been streamlined for seniors. It has not. I suppose that is why I do what I do.
At the time I am writing this article, I just read an editorial piece. As you may or may not be aware, a few years ago Kansas adopted something called KanCare. KanCare basically turned over management of Medicaid to a private agency. The company is called Maximus. Local Medicaid offices were closed and they were centralized in Topeka.
Guess what the result has been? Not only is service more frustrating, and time-consuming, there are fewer people on going on Medicaid. According to the article in the Kansas City Star, the number of seniors that KanCare covers for in-home nursing home health has actually declined. So has the number of Kansans covered for nursing home beds.
According to the Johnson County Area Agency on Aging, seniors are getting frustrated, as are the poor or declining in health, becoming defeated by the process and just giving up. (“Kansas City Star”, February 26, 2018, page 6A).
I remember years ago there was a law passed called the Deficit Reduction Act. It changed a lot of laws dealing with Medicaid. Part of the “savings” was a line item built in for the number of people who would just give up or die before they could get qualified. What a way to save money.
If I sound frustrated, it is because I am. The system needs to be fixed.
At the very least, I would urge that the local offices be reopened so that the poor and infirmed can deal directly with a person, and not deal with a computer or a telephone operating system.
Let me go back to my grandmother for a moment. I spent almost two hours on the phone with somebody from Medicare.gov. The woman, on New Years’ Eve, was incredibly helpful. She did help my grandmother get on a good plan, and I am still grateful for her guidance.
I know navigating the system can be complicated. Do not be afraid to seek help. You will be glad you did.
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.
The city of Hays Fire Department will be inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants on Wed., March 7, 2018 in the area from Canterbury Dr. to Commerce Pkwy. between 13th St. and 22nd St. and in the area of Main St. to Ash St. between 20th St and 27th St.
This is part of a coordinated effort by the city of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.
EMPORIA — Representing nearly 160 years of classroom experience, members of the 2018 class of Kansas Master Teachers were announced Tuesday. The seven teachers chosen for this annual award are:
Connstance Allmond, high incident/intellectual disability teacher at El Dorado Middle School in El Dorado;
Deanna K. Burton, social studies teacher at Susan B. Anthony Middle School in Manhattan;
Abby Cornelius, library media specialist at Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park;
Todd Flory, fourth-grade teacher at Wheatland Elementary School in Andover;
Chitra Harris, science teacher for Wichita High School South;
Matthew Irby, science teacher at Emporia High School; and Kimberly S. Schneweis, visual art teacher at Hays Middle School.
Through the support of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, each Master Teacher will be presented with a check for $1,000.
The recipients were selected by a nine-member committee including representatives from the Kansas Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, Kansas Association of Elementary School Principals, Kansas Association of School Boards, Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals, Kansas National Education Association, Kansas State Board of Education, ESU’s Interdisciplinary Secondary Education Alliance, and the 2017 Kansas Master Teacher class.
The 2018 Master Teachers will be honored on Master Teacher Day to be held Wednesday, April 4 at Emporia State University. On that day, as part of several recognition activities, the teachers will present a seminar at 2:30 p.m. in the W.S. and E.C. Jones Conference Center in Visser Hall. The teachers will then be honored during a social hour at 5:45 p.m. in Webb Hall Lobby of Emporia State’s Memorial Union followed by the banquet and award ceremony at 6:30 p.m. in Webb Hall.
Linda Beech, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Cottonwood District, Kansas State Research and Extension.
Getting into exercise isn’t always easy with today’s hectic lifestyles, but Walk Kansas from K-State Research and Extension could provide a solution.
Walk Kansas, which runs from March 18 to May 12 this year, is not a competition- there are no winners or losers. The goals is for all participants to be successful in adding or increasing exercise with a team format. Teams consist of six members with one serving as captain. Teams can select one of three fitness challenges to accumulate 150 minutes of exercise per week or more.
This year for the first time, participants will learn about the 8 Wonders of Kansas for the basic challenge as they log the minutes they’ve walked each week.
The 8 Wonders include such places as the Kansas Cosmosphere, Monument Rock and Castle Rock, and the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and the Flint Hills. These places were identified through a contest series organized by the Kansas Sampler Foundation to inspire awareness of the beauty and value in Kansas, and to encourage travel.
Walk Kansas participants don’t actually walk to those places, but as they log the exercise minutes they’ve walked in their own neighborhoods, they learn about those iconic sites around Kansas.
“The program is for all fitness levels,” said Sharolyn Jackson, Walk Kansas program coordinator. “Whether you never walk around the block or your idea of a great afternoon is a three-mile hike, this program helps you work toward or maintain a healthy lifestyle. Plus, it can connect you with friends, colleagues at work, or family members as you log miles together as part of a six-person team.”
Walk Kansas is supported by many K-State Research and Extension offices around the state. The cost for participants is $8 with an optional Walk Kansas t-shirt available at an extra charge. Team are encouraged to get registered by March 15th.
Since the launch of Walk Kansas in 2001, thousands of Kansans have walked millions of miles at almost no cost, but the benefits are huge, Jackson said, adding that study after study has shown that walking and other forms of moderate exercise can cut rates of heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease by at least 40 percent. After eight weeks, many participants say they sleep better and have more energy, endurance, muscle strength, and flexibility.
And it’s not just about walking. Through the eight weeks, participants can enjoy local events and receive a weekly e-newsletter with tips on healthy eating, stretching, strength training, mental and physical well-being and recipes. Walk Kansas also counts minutes of other activities such as swimming, bicycling and dancing, for those who prefer other activities to walking. The idea is just to get moving and work together to keep moving.
State of Kansas employees can earn four Health Quest credits for participating in the program. Information on how to claim the credits will be available at the end of the program.
More information is available at www.walkkansas.org or by contacting the offices of the Cottonwood Extension district in Hays at 785-628-9430 or Great Bend at 620-793-1910.
Linda K. Beech is Cottonwood District Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.
SEWARD COUNTY — Country music star Reba McEntire made a brief stop in Kansas Tuesday. The city of Liberal shared a post from the singer, songwriter actress’ facebook page.
McEntire was at the airport in Liberal and commented on the wind, “Just a little windy here in Liberal, KS!!!! Thanks for the super hospitality! #justflyingthrough”
GARDEN CITY — Gubernatorial candidate Greg Orman today announced state Sen. John Doll of Garden City as his running mate on an Independent ticket that will bypass the party primaries and qualify directly for the general election ballot in November.
Doll, 60, was to switch his voter registration from Republican to Independent following a speech to supporters in Garden City Wed. morning, and he’s notified Senate Republican Leadership of his decision to leave the party. Orman formally launched his campaign for governor Jan. 24.
“I’m running with Greg Orman because I believe he is the best possible Governor that Kansas could have,” said Sen. John Doll. “He places the people first, he’s not about party politics and the only master he will serve is the people of the state of Kansas.”
A former two-term city commissioner and mayor of Garden City, Doll spent two decades in Kansas schools as a teacher and coach. In 1961, Doll’s father and grandfather, alongside the Irsik brothers, co-founded Irsik & Doll, a successful grain and cattle operation in western Kansas.
Doll was elected to two terms in the state House serving District 123 and in 2016 won a seat in the state Senate representing District 39, which includes all of 10 counties in the southwest corner of the state. Senate Republican leaders last year named Doll as vice chairman of the committees on Education and Transportation in recognition of his long-standing commitment to those issues.
Greg Orman, Independent gubernatorial candidate
“John Doll is a true son of southwest Kansas. His dedication to the people and communities he’s served over the last 30 years is a testament to his deep roots there,” said Greg Orman, Independent candidate for governor. “While John and I won’t agree on every issue, we’ll work together to find the best ideas regardless of where they come from to address this state’s most challenging issues.”
As an Independent ticket, Orman and Doll will qualify for the general election ballot by collecting the signatures of 5,000 registered voters by Aug. 6, as required by state law. The campaign will begin that ballot petition process in the next few weeks.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Texas EquuSearch has temporarily suspended its search for a 5-year-old Kansas boy.
Lucas Hernandez
According to the organization’s web site they plan to return in the near future. The organization reported they had been given some credible information on another case and needed to act to try and bring another family closure.
Members of the volunteer horse mounted search and recovery team from Texas joined the search for 5-year-old Lucas Hernandez on March 2.
The boy was last seen in Wichita, on February 17. Lucas was wearing a gray t-shirt with a bear on it, black sweat pants and socks. Lucas is missing his top / front teeth, and he has silver caps on his remaining teeth.
He also has a small scar on his upper / left abdomen from a prior medical procedure. If you have seen Lucas Hernandez since his disappearance, if you know of his current whereabouts or if you have any information whatsoever concerning his disappearance; please call the Wichita, Kansas Police Department at (316) 268-4111
Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer is joined by (from left) Ron Grusenmeyer, Midwest Dairy; Sheila Lowrie, Dillons Food Stores; Brian Walker, Kansas Food Bank, Chad Higdon, Second Harvest Food Bank; Valerie Nicholson-Watson, Harvesters; and Andrew Lindeman, Harvesters Board of Directors, at the kickoff event for the Neighbor to Neighbor statewide food drive.
KDA
MANHATTAN — Kansas Agriculture Month kicked off on March 5 with the Neighbor to Neighbor statewide food drive in support of our neighbors in need and to reduce hunger in Kansas communities. Harvesters–The Community Food Bank in Topeka, Kansas, hosted state leaders, including Governor Jeff Colyer and representatives of the food banks of Kansas, Dillons Food Stores, and the Kansas agriculture community.
The food drive is a collaborative effort by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Dillons Food Stores, Harvesters–The Community Food Network, Kansas Food Bank, Second Harvest Community Food Bank and the Kansas agriculture community. The goal is to raise 90,000 meals for Kansas families during the food drive throughout the month of March. Dillons made an initial donation of 2,500 pounds of non-perishable food items. Kansans can contribute to the campaign at Dillons Food Stores statewide, at other community locations across the state or through the virtual donation portal, https://ksn2n.harvestersvfd.org.
Governor Colyer stressed the importance of serving our neighbors in need. “This spirit of service is the very best of Kansas,” he said. “It is in the DNA of Kansans to help our neighbors in need, and this event is a perfect place to show how Kansans can make a difference in people’s lives.”
Staff from the three food banks, representatives from Dillons Food Stores, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, and other state agencies and agriculture organizations then joined together to sort produce to be distributed to Kansans in need.
“Hunger is everywhere in the state — in rural counties, suburban communities and urban neighborhoods,” said Valerie Nicholson-Watson, president and CEO of Harvesters. “Community efforts like this food drive are an important way we can help feed hungry families, children and seniors across Kansas.”
The Governor also signed a proclamation declaring March as Kansas Agriculture Month and March 20 as Kansas Agriculture Day. To learn more about the Neighbor to Neighbor statewide food drive and ways to participate in Kansas Agriculture Month, visitwww.agriculture.ks.gov/ksagday.
ELLIS COUNTY – One person was injured in an accident just before 2p.m. Tuesday in Ellis County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Ford Explorer driven by Shawn Summers, 44, Hays, was northbound on Toulon Road two miles north of Interstate responding to a call with his lights and siren activated.
The SUV was beginning to pass a 2015 Chevy Trax driven by Diana Ruth Clay, 52, Victoria. The driver of the Trax suddenly turned left in front of the SUV, according to KHP reports. The Explorer struck the Trax.
Summers and Clay were transported to Hays Medical Center. Summers was not injured, according to the KHP. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
Edited 3/7/18 to correct the age of the driver of the Trax. Hays Post apologizes for the error.
KANSAS CITY-(AP) – Friends and family are rallying in support of a Kansas City bar manager who was deported amid a legal effort to keep her in the U.S.
Dozens showed up Wednesday in front of the bar where Leticia Stegall worked. Her husband, Steve Stegall, said it’s a “travesty” that she was flown to Mexico on Friday.
Leticia Stegall’s troubles stem from a driving while intoxicated arrest six years ago. She was arrested last week as part of a four-day enforcement operation in the Kansas City metro area. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the operation targeted people in the country illegally who had prior criminal histories.
KSHB-TV reports that a judge ordered a hearing next week in the case. But ICE said Stegall already was in Mexico.
