Veteran Service Representative Schedule for February 2018
WEATHER PERMITTING, I WILL BE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
1st Tuesdays 2/6/18 Stockton Courthouse 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
2nd Tuesdays 2/13/17 Ness City Library (Even Months) 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
3rd Tuesdays 2/20/17 Osborne Veterans Building 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Russell City Hall 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
4th Tuesdays 2/27/17 NO PHILLIPSBURG OR SMITH CENTER ITINERANT THIS MONTH. SEE YOU IN MARCH.
The Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs assists veterans and authorized family members, free of charge, in matters pertaining to their VA claims and benefits.
All itinerants are on a first come first served basis. No appointment needed.
Douglas Storie
Douglas Storie, VSR
Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs
Veteran Service Representative
205 E. 7th Suite 107
Hays, KS 67601
The National Kidney Foundation is offering a free kidney checkup through its KEEP Healthy program Sat., February 10, 2018 at Hays Middle
School from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
All KEEP Healthy participants will answer a brief health-risk survey and have their height, weight and blood pressure measured. At-risk individuals will have their kidney health checked through a simple, onsite, ACR urine test. The ACR test can identify protein in the urine, which is often the first sign of kidney disease. Free educational materials will be provided and a medical professional will review results and answer questions from participants.
One in seven Americans has kidney disease and most don’t know it. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney failure, or are over the age of 60, you are at risk and should have your kidneys checked.
To register for KEEP Healthy, contact the National Kidney Foundation at 913.262.1551 ext. 473 or www.kidney.org/KEEPregisterKS.
Urine strips and accessories for KEEP Healthy are provided by Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Inc. and Quantimetrix Corporation. This event is in partnership with Celebrate Health Ministry Wellness Fair.
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease for hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals, millions of patients and their families and tens of millions of Americans at risk. For more information on kidney health, visit kidney.org.
Farmers come and join us for a “Weed Control Update Meeting” featuring K-State Research and Extension Weed Control specialists Dallas Peterson and Curtis Thompson.
Covering topics of required Dicamba applicator training for growing Dicamba resistant soybeans, weed control updates for field crops, troublesome weeds…Palmer Amaranth, Kochia, Marestail, and more! As always, there will be time for your questions and answers. In addition, Certified Crop Adviser continuing education units have been applied for.
The “Weed Control Update” is on Thursday, February 15 at the American Ag Credit Building, 5634 10th Street, Great Bend, Kansas. Registration begins at 2:30 p.m. with the program kicking off at 3 p.m. and concluding at 6 p.m. with a light supper.
RSVP requested for meal count by Monday, February 12; call Cottonwood Extension Office in Great Bend at 620-793-1910, or email Brenda [email protected]
Spring will soon be here and farmers will be preparing for planting corn and grain sorghum. To hear the latest updates on production practices for corn and sorghum, come join us for a “Spring Crops Update” featuring K-State Research and Extension agronomy specialists Ignacio Ciampitti and Lucas Haag.
Covering topics concerning best production practices for corn and sorghum, seeding rates, row spacing, hybrid selection, production problems observed and Q & A.
The “Spring Crops Update” is on Wednesday, February 14 at the Cottonwood Extension Office meeting room, 601 Main Street in Hays, Kansas. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. with the program starting at 11 a.m. and concluding at 2:30 p.m.
A free noon meal provided courtesy of sponsors. RSVP requested for meal count by Monday, February 12, call 785-628-9430, or email Theresa [email protected]
Cancer Council of Ellis County invites you to the Cancer Survivors Day Celebration at the FHSU women’s and men’s basketball games Sat., February 17. Games begin at 2 p.m. and at 4 p.m.
Come celebrate your survivorship while cheering on the Tigers. There will be a 50/50 drawing, with the winner announced during the men’s game.
Stop by the Cancer Council office, 701 Riley, for free tickets to the games – while supply lasts.
The Cancer Council of Ellis County is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1986. The Cancer Council serves people through financial assistance, medical equipment loans, nutritional supplements, and education about cancer prevention and early detection.
For more information call 785-625-6653 or stop by the office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Kansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Disabilities (k4ad), representing all eleven of the Area Agencies on Aging across the state of Kansas, recently provided data to the Kansas legislature indicating seniors are not faring well under the current KanCare system.
The data indicate the number of seniors receiving Home and Community Based Services under KanCare since 2010 has decreased by over 1,000. The expenditures for community-based services is down by over $14,000,000 from 2010. The number of nursing facility KanCare residents is also down.
And, yet, the Kansas aging population continues to rapidly increase. The Kansas Statistical Abstract for 2016 indicates the population projection for people age 65 and over will increase by 82.4% from 2014 to 2044.
Dan Goodman, Johnson County Area Agency on Aging Director and President of the k4ad, recently noted that “in Johnson County alone, the senior population will increase by more than 40,000 from 2014-2024.”
The Area Agencies on Aging are concerned that today’s seniors, particularly those seniors over the age of 85, are unable to gain access to KanCare services when needed, whether the senior chooses to remain at home or move to a nursing facility.
With the implementation of KanCare, there have been two major changes. The first is elimination of “high-touch” case management for seniors at the local level. The second is removal of “high-touch” assistance for seniors applying for KanCare at the local level.
Michelle Morgan, Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging Director, Hays, said “the elimination of assistance at the local level has created barriers and unnecessary confusion for seniors and their caregivers. Assistance needs to return to the local aging experts.”
The Kansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Disabilities (k4ad), represents all eleven Area Agencies on Aging in Kansas.
Renovations to the Ellis County offices at 601 Main Street will begin soon after the Public Building Commission (PBC) awarded a bid for remodel to Paul-Wertenberger Construction of Hays.
The commission approved the base bid and two alternates for a total $287,500. The bid from Paul-Wertenberger Construction was the lowest bid submitted.
Currently the Ellis County Health Department and Kansas State Research and Extension are housed in the building at 601 Main St. but with the health department set to move to 2507 Canterbury Drive, the Extension District will be the sole occupant of the building.
In 2013 the PBC issued bonds to remodel the Administrative Center at 718 Main and 601 Main was also covered under the bonds. Storm drainage is the main issue that needs addressed with the remodel at 601.
According to County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes, the PBC has $267,000 for the remodel and Ellis County has an additional $30,000 budgeted in 2018 to pay for improvements.
Alternate one is removing and installing new carpet in the Extension side of the building. Alternate number two includes removing and installing new floor tile in the meeting room.
Commission member Barb Wasinger moved in favor of approving the bid with two alterntes and said the work needs to be done.
“That building has been neglected for a very long time,” said Wasinger.
Under the agreement Paul-Wertenberger Construction will have 90 days to complete the project. Smith-Hanes said he anticipated have a contract for the commission to sign at next week’s meeting.
As the Ellis County Commission, they approved a five-year jail maintenance contract with CLM Security of Erie, Colorado, for $57,617.50
In other business, commissioners:
Appointed Jane Wagner to Victoria Township Clerk
Approved the sale of surplus county property on Purple Wave Auction
Approved the 2017 Noxious Weed Report and accepted the 2018 plan
Selected KPERS/Empower Retirement as the county’s sole provider of payroll deduction deferred compensation
Gave the go-ahead to create a nine-member Wage and Benefit Committee for Ellis County employees
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Pennsylvania man who owns a trophy-hunting company has pleaded guilty to illegally importing deer into Kansas.
The U.S. attorney’s office says 48-year-old Robert McConnell, pleaded guilty Monday to four counts. The Slippery Rock man owns Horseshoe Hill Outfitters, which advertises “big game hunting adventures” in Kansas, Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Ontario.
Prosecutors say he violated an act that regulates the trade of wildlife, fish and plants. In two counts, McConnell admitted to importing deer that weren’t from an accredited herd, weren’t officially identified and didn’t have a certificate of veterinary inspection. In two others, he admitted to importing domesticated deer.
Sentencing is set for May 21. Both sides are recommending a fine of at least $10,000 and five years of probation during which he couldn’t do business in Kansas.
ABILENE – The 2018 Evening at Ease series begins with a special program on using World War II Army unit records to aid in family history research. The presentation will be at 7 p.m. on Feb. 13 in the Visitors Center at the Eisenhower Presidential Library.
Mary Burtzloff, archivist, will present best practices in using the Army unit records collection in conducting your own family history research. The Eisenhower Presidential Library has a vast collection of WWII Unit Records that can prove useful especially in combination with military service records.
Many veterans seldom share their wartime experiences and personnel records provide only basic facts about a soldier’s service. You may have wondered just where your soldier’s unit went and what sorts of situations the unit encountered. Army unit records may provide answers to some of your questions.
Burtzloff joined the Eisenhower Presidential Library archival team in 2009. She worked previously at the National Archives at Kansas City where she gained extensive experience in using archival records for genealogical research through her work leading the reference team. Burtzloff graduated from Emporia State University’s School of Library and Information Management.
About the Eisenhower Presidential Library
The Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, a nonpartisan federal institution, is part of the Presidential Libraries network operated by the National Archives and Records Administration. Presidential Libraries promote understanding of the presidency and the American experience. We preserve and provide access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire. Public programs and exhibits at the Eisenhower Presidential Library are made possible through the generous support of the Eisenhower Foundation. To learn more, please visit eisenhowerfoundation.net.
Hello from Topeka! We had a good turn out on Saturday in Hays at the Legislative update. We will be having more at the end of the month.
Monday was the final day for bill introductions from most committees, we will see how many of them get hearings and move forward. The half way point of the session is February 22nd, so there will be lots of discussions leading up to that time. Last Wednesday, the focus was on the Inauguration of Jeff Colyer, M.D. as the 47th Governor of Kansas, I look forward to working with him in the coming weeks and look forward to sharing with him the concerns of the 110th District.
Last Tuesday, the House K-12 Budget and Senate Education Committees meant jointly to hear from Dr. Blake Flanders, CEO, Kansas Board of Regents, Dr. Randy Watson, Commissioner of Education. Dr. Flanders noted that concurrent enrollment is when high school students are enrolled in post-secondary for college credits. This different from a partnership where high school teachers teach the courses. He mentioned the work of the First Generation Task Force, which made a report in June 2017, regarding the barriers and supports that exist for first generation college students. The First Generation Task Force recommended the expansion of concurrent enrollment programs to provide open access and reduce costs for first generation students.
The Board of Regents and Department of Education formed a Concurrent Enrollment Partnership, which met three times in fall 2017 and continues to meet in 2018. Goals of the Task Force include: expand early college access for all qualified high school students, particularly traditionally underrepresented students; increase the number of students graduating from high school and attending college; and maximize the recognition of rigorous postsecondary coursework for purposes of meeting high school graduation requirements. The Task force reviewed the opportunities that high school have to earn college credit prior to high school graduation. Those are: dual enrollment programs; Advanced Placement (AP) exams; College Level Examination Program (CLEP); International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme; and Modern States Education Alliance. At its January 8th meeting, the Task Force voted to form working groups to make recommendations on: identification of 5 courses offered for statewide delivery; establishment of standardized eligibility requirements for students; agreement on a common rate for tuition/fees; and identification of alternative delivery methods. The working groups recommendations have been made and are currently under review.
Also, last week, the House Taxation Committee met jointly with the Senate Committee on Assessment and Taxation. The Committees heard from Charles McGuigan, the Chief Deputy Attorney General from South Dakota. The Committees also heard from Bryan Clark, Assistant Solicitor General, from the Attorney General’s Office and Mark Beshears, Department of Revenue. The briefing centered on the South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., which is a pending U.S. Supreme Court case that will address whether a state may collect sales taxes from online retailers with no physical presence in the state. Clark’s testimony covered the preceding cases, National Bellas Hess v. Department of Revenue of Illinois and Quill Corp. v. North Dakota. On October 2, 2017, South Dakota asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision of the South Dakota Supreme Court. Kansas joined 34 states filing an amicus curiae brief supporting South Dakota’s request for U.S. Supreme Court review. On January 12, the U.S. Supreme Court granted South Dakota’s request to take the case. The Department of Revenue presented its compiled data and information on taxation of internet retailers.
I serve on the Taxation and Transportation along with Vice-Chairman of the Water and Environment committee.
If you come to Topeka during the session, my office is in Room: 352-S. My phone number is (785) 296- 7463 and email is: [email protected] and my cell number is (785) 302-8416.
Patsy (Pat) Ruth Billings went to be with the Lord on January 31, 2018 at the age of 83. Pat was born August 6, 1934 to Edward and Nora (Roots) Naasz in Hardtner Kansas.
Pat graduated from Pratt Kansas High School in 1952. Shortly after high school she met Frank Billings and they were married on February 10, 1956. They lived in Smith Center Kansas and together raised their four children, Evelyn, Bill, Jody, and Debbie. In 1975, Frank and Pat moved to Watonga Oklahoma were Frank worked in the oil field and Pat worked mainly as a child care provider and cared for many children including her grandchildren, her nephew’s children, and friend’s children. Pat and Frank resided in Watonga until Frank passed away in 1992.
After Franks passing Pat moved to Mustang Oklahoma to be nearer to her children and grandchildren, whom she loved so dearly. While in Mustang Pat worked at Cushman Wakefield for several years before retiring in 2008. Pat spent her remaining years loving and helping her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends, and family.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Nora, her husband Frank, two children, daughter Evelyn Seems, and son Bill Billings, one granddaughter, and one great grandson, brothers Frank Winters, Tom Naasz, and Ralph Naasz.
Pat is survived by her daughter Debbie Pearson and husband Dewayne of Mustang Oklahoma, her son Jody Billings of Concho Oklahoma, sisters Nancy Swonger and husband Chuck of Sawyer Kansas, Betty Wilson of Edmond Oklahoma, Jackie Naasz of Spearville Kansas, and Margaret Gleich and husband Roland of Halliday North Dakota, brothers Edward Naasz and wife Donna of Wichita Kansas, and John Naasz of Amarillo Texas. Pat also is survived by nine grandchildren, 19 great great-grandchildren, a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends, including her senior community at the Strawberry Fields in Mustang.
Veteran Service Representative Schedule for February 2018
Pat graduated from Pratt Kansas High School in 1952. Shortly after high school she met Frank Billings and they were married on February 10, 1956. They lived in Smith Center Kansas and together raised their four children, Evelyn, Bill, Jody, and Debbie. In 1975, Frank and Pat moved to Watonga Oklahoma were Frank worked in the oil field and Pat worked mainly as a child care provider and cared for many children including her grandchildren, her nephew’s children, and friend’s children. Pat and Frank resided in Watonga until Frank passed away in 1992.