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Category: Local
Pavement replacement set for U.S. 36 in Phillipsburg
PHILLIPSBURG — Starting the week of July 15, the Kansas Department of Transportation will begin work on a pavement replacement project on a portion of U.S. 36 through the city of Phillipsburg.
Crews will be replacing the existing asphalt with concrete pavement between Eighth Street and the east city limits. The eastbound lanes will be constructed first with traffic diverted head-to-head into the westbound lanes. Construction of the westbound lanes will begin upon completion of the eastbound portion. An 11-foot width restriction will be in place throughout the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed in November, weather permitting.
Smoky Hill LLC is the primary contractor for the project with a total contract cost of approximately $993,000.
Grant to SHPTV will support literacy for children in Cloud County
SHPTV
BUNKER HILL – The Community Foundation for Cloud County has awarded Smoky Hills Public Television with a grant for $1,500 to support the station’s Literacy Leadership program for the children in Cloud County.
The grant will provide books to those children in the Cloud County Head Start programs and provide support for children’s television programming.
“The Community Foundation for Cloud County has been very supportive of our Literacy Leadership program for many years and we want to thank them for their continued generosity,” said Larry Calvery, Smoky Hills Public Television general manager. “This grant will provide the children of Cloud County with valuable educational resources and we are happy to provide this service once again.”
The Community Foundation for Cloud County was founded on October 15, 2002, to serve as a vehicle for charitable giving benefiting communities in Cloud County. The Foundation is a permanent source of charitable assets to meet both the emerging and existing needs of the local communities.
Smoky Hills Public Television serves 71 counties in central and western Kansas.
First Care Clinic to unveil $1M renovation
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
First Care Clinic of Hays is wrapping up a $1 million renovation of its Hays building and has set an open house and ribbon cutting for July 16.
The clinic has added eight exams rooms, a telemedicine room, a patient education room, a nurses station and renovated the basement into staff offices.
Bryan Brady, First Care CEO, said the renovations were necessary to meet patient demand.
In the last 12 months, the clinic has had 18,000 patient visits, which is a significant increase, Brady said. He said First Care is taking on more patients as other providers are cutting back.
“The reason why we are doing this is to fill gaps in the community,” Brady said. “We are not trying to compete with anyone. We see a need and are trying to fill that need.”
Five of the exam rooms were added on the second floor in the space formerly occupied by staff offices. The other three exams are on the first floor.
The clinic offers Saturday hours, but only has one provider on call on Saturdays. Adding exam rooms on the first floor will allow all the staff working on Saturday to be on the same floor.
The clinic recently added a provider, and the additional exam rooms will allow the staff to keep up with their growing patient loads.
One room is going to be used full-time for telemedicine. The clinic had offered mental health services one day a week via telemedicine, but that had occupied an exam room that was needed for the medical providers. The clinic plans to expand its mental health services and is looking at offering other speciality medical services through telemedicine in the future.
“When you come to our building and you are sitting in that lobby, nobody knows if you are here for dental, medical or behavioral health. They have no idea,” Brady said. “I think we don’t have that stigma that sometimes surrounds mental health.”
The clinic also hopes to use its new patient education room to offer shared medical appointments. Patients would see their provider at around the same time on the same day. After their appointments are complete, about eight patients would meet together for an education session on their shared illness.
Brady gave the example of diabetics or patients with hypertension learning about healthy diet.
“We are going to work on behaviors,” Brady said. “We have medicines that control that stuff, but sometimes we have human behaviors that get in the way.”
The clinic has already realized success with its nurse closer program. A CNA takes vitals and discusses the patient’s complaint. Then the patient sees the doctor. Then a nurse closer goes over doctor’s recommendations and wellness strategies.
“By the time the nurse goes over it, they have heard it three times,” Brady said. “We feel that is allowing people to have a better understanding of their health care and the goals and objectives we are trying to achieve.”
He said the clinic has seen a reduction in calls with questions with the implementation of the nurse closer program.
“In health care, it is better to have people talk to people,” Brady said. “Face to face is a good thing.”
First Care’s building, 105 W. 13th, was built in the 1940s. The clinic moved into the building in 2008 and purchased it in 2009. During the last 1o years, the building has been under almost constant construction.
In 2oo9, the clinic replaced its HVAC systems followed by the addition of dental chairs in 2011 and 2014. In 2017, the waiting room and nine exam rooms were remodeled.
The current renovation included 10,000 square feet. The basement of the building was not finished and was being used for storage.
The clinic received three grants toward its latest renovation. This includes $518,000 from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, $100,000 from the Leo J. and Albina Dreiling Trust and undisclosed amount from the Robert E. and Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation.
“The Schmidt Foundation is proud to be a part of this wonderful project. Bob and Pat were early cheerleaders for the First Care Clinic and their enthusiasm continues today,” said Gary Shorman, president of the Schmidt Foundation. “The new facility provides an environment that truly matches the outstanding care given by the First Care team.”
The $1 million price tag for the renovation did not include equipment, Brady said.
Brady said the clinic is still trying to spread the word about its services. The clinic is a full-service medical home providing dental, primary medical care and behavior health care.
Although the clinic has a sliding fee scale, it is open to all patients.
Medical director Dr. Christine Fisher said in a written statement, “At First Care Clinic, the patient is at the center of everything we do. We have transitioned from a walk-in clinic to a family-oriented practice that offers personalized, comprehensive care. We believe in wellness, prevention and treating the whole person, including behavioral health concerns. First Care Clinic will continue to innovate and improve for the benefit of our patients and our community.”
The clinic invites the public to its open house and ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 16. Tours will be offered. Lunch will be provided and door prizes given away. Free blood pressure and vision screenings, as well as fluoride dental treatments, also will be offered.
Algae warning for Rooks Co. lake lifted, downgraded in Norton Co.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, has issued public health advisories for Kansas lakes.
Warnings:
Big Eleven Lake, Wyandotte County (unchanged)
Jerry Ivey Pond, Saline County (unchanged)
Marion County Lake, Marion County (upgraded from watch 7/11)
Gathering Pond near Milford (Hatchery Supply Pond), Geary County (unchanged)
Hiawatha City Lake, Brown County (new 7/11)
Lovewell Reservoir, Jewell County (new 7/11)
Warning for Webster Lake (Webster Reservoir) in Rooks County has been lifted.
When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:
- Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.
- Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.
- Water contact should be avoided.
- Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.
- Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
- If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
- Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.
Watches:
Lake Shawnee, Shawnee County (unchanged)
Marion Reservoir, Marion County (downgraded from warning 7/11)
Keith Sebelius Reservoir, Norton County (downgraded from warning 7/11)
Rock Garden Pond (Gage Park), Shawnee County (unchanged)
A watch for Strowbridge (Carbondale East), Osage County, has been lifted.
A watch means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.
During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:
- Signage will be posted at all public access locations
- Water may be unsafe for humans/animals
- Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.
- Swimming, wading, skiing, and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms
- Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.
- Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.
KDHE samples publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.
Kansans should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may float around the lake, requiring visitors to exercise their best judgment. If there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.
For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, visit www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm.
City workers on site of sewer line leak along Big Creek in Hays
City officials say no contamination of city water supply
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Officials from the city of Hays are on the site of a leak in a forced sewer main line near the intersection of West 27th and the U.S. 183 Bypass.
The location is alongside Big Creek. The sewer line is buried underneath the creek.
According to Jeff Crispin, water resources director, he called the Kansas Department of Health and Environment after-hours emergency number Wednesday night as required.
Darrell Shippy, of the Northwest Kansas KDHE Water Supply and Wastewater Unit in Hays, was at the site Thursday morning for a short time, Crispin noted, as work got underway to locate the leak.
Crispin says a farmer contacted the city late Wednesday afternoon when he noticed water coming from the side of the bank of Big Creek.
City staff confirmed the water influx and immediately shut down the sewer line and the nearby lift station that serves that line.
“We notified KDHE last night,” Crispin said late Thursday morning. “We want to ensure public safety first. We’re working with them to see if something moves towards the public stream flow [of Big Creek].”
There is no contamination of the city water supply, he added, nor is there any interruption of water or sewer service to city customers.
“A local contractor is currently digging to find the line. It seems there’s been a break,” Crispin said. “Once we find it, we’ll do a temporary fix and then a permanent replacement of the line.”
City Department of Water Resources employees are now manually pumping the sewer line contents into trucks as needed and transporting it to the city wastewater treatment plant.
Check Hays Post for more as details become available.
The Post Podcast: McCracken rodeo starting tonight
DSNWK receives grants to renovate, expand group home
DSNWK
A $279,000 grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and a $50,000 grant from the Robert E. and Patricia Schmidt Foundation will help Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas make needed repairs and improvements, the most costly being the renovation and expansion of an Ellis County group home.
The renovation and expansion of the home will allow for needed updates, and increase the service capacity from 5 to 7 individuals. This group home is one of 15 in DSNWK’s residential services.
The grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation will also go towards replacing parts of the roof at Frontier Developmental Center in Norton, and at the DSNWK administrative offices in Hays.
All the grant money from the Robert E. and Patricia Schmidt Foundation will go towards the group home renovation.
These grants further the efforts of DSNWK’s Stronger Forever Together campaign. One of the priority areas of the campaign is to make needed repairs and improvements to aging facilities.
In addition, DSNWK received grants from Heartland Community Foundation to sustain the Collaborative Art Project, and Norton County Community Foundation to purchase a portable body lift system and shower chair.
DSNWK is a 501(c)3 Non-profit serving those with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the 18 most northwestern Kansas counties. Visit www.dsnwk.org to learn more about services and ways to support.
SPONSORED: Hays chamber seeking membership coordinator
The Hays Area Chamber of Commerce (HACC) is seeking qualified applicants for the full-time position of Membership Coordinator. This position reports to the President/CEO of the HACC and works closely with the rest of the HACC staff, Board of Directors, Chamber members and other stakeholders. This position is responsible for communicating, connecting and developing quality relationships with existing and prospective chamber members. Furthermore, this position will assist with selling sponsorships and other event programming details.
Must have proficiency in general computer skills in Word and Excel; strong written and oral communication abilities; able to build effective rapport with others; be highly energetic, organized and self-motivated with superior attention to details; be able to understand, assist and promote the Chamber mission. Send cover letter and resume to:
Sarah Wasinger
Hays Area Chamber of Commerce
2700 Vine Street
Hays, KS 67601
[email protected]
Resumes will be accepted until position filled. For more information, click HERE.
NCK Tech spring honor rolls announced
🎥 Less water revenue ‘OK’ with Hays City Commission
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
It was a wet spring in Hays and that’s generally meant less water use by city water customers.
Even though water revenues for the city were down by 22 percent in April, as reported by Hays Finance Director Kim Rupp, city commissioners are “OK” with that.
Vice-Mayor Shaun Musil gave “kudos to the community” for using less water during the commission’s June 27 meeting.
During that meeting, Rupp reported a 17 percent increase in water consumption for May, which translates into an increase of 14.5 percent in water revenues and a 79 percent increase in water conservation revenues.
Still, the year-to-date total water consumption at the end of May was down 4 percent with revenue up 2.5 percent.
The consumption increase in May “kind of surprised” Commissioner Eber Phelps, who noted the cool temperatures and recent rains.
Mayor Henry Schwaller said he thought the information “got a little confused in public.”
“We’re happy when people don’t use water,” Schwaller said with a smile. “So when we heard last month that usage and water revenue were down, none of us were concerned. We’re happy when people conserve.
“We [were] a little shocked when it [went] up, but if people don’t use it, we’re OK with that.”
Musil agreed.
“I had many people saying we were complaining about it [less water consumption],” Musil said. “It’s actually just the opposite. We’re all very excited when it’s down because people aren’t using it.”
Phelps, who has twice previously served as a city commissioner, added that “all our efforts for years now have been directed for decreased water usage or we wouldn’t have given away 10,000 low-flow showerheads.”
City Manager Toby Dougherty said the report was “simply a statement of fact by the finance director and we’re not complaining either.”
Rupp pointed out to commissioners the May receipts may include part of April.
“We bill each week, so we have four cycles. So we might be catching a little of the tail end of April,” explained Rupp.
The water use average for Hays residential and business customers is a minimum of 500 cubic feet (c.f.) per month and is billed at the Base Tier rate.
As water consumption increases, so does the rate.
Usage exceeding the average by up to 1,000 c.f. is billed at the Conservation Tier 1 rate. Exceeding 1,000 c.f. usage in one month moves customers to the higher Conservation Tier 2 rate. If a customer exceeds 1,000 c.f. during official Water Warning or Water Emergency periods, the rate is even higher.
The city of Hays is the only municipality in Kansas with a population greater than 15,000 that is not located near a sustainable source of water. Water conservation programs were started in the early 1990s.
Hays Police Department’s annual Community Night Out is Aug. 1
The Hays Police Department’s fourth annual Community Night Out will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at the Hays Aquatic Park.
The HPD will provide free admission to swim and free hotdogs and hamburgers for the first 1,000 people in attendance.
The event is sponsored by the City of Hays, Walmart, Hays Recreation Commission, Pepsi, Heartland Building Center, Fraternal Order of Police Hays Lodge 48, Phaze 2 and Nex-Tech.
HPD: Hays man arrested after police find 6 lbs. of meth in vehicle
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Ford County Sheriff’s Office, the Hays Police Department and the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office coordinated efforts to arrest a Hays man for suspected distribution of methamphetamine.
On Sunday, July 7, at approximately 1 a.m., Fernando Amezquita, 43, Hays, was arrested along U.S. Highway 56, west of Dodge City, after authorities reported finding approximately 6 pounds of methamphetamine in his vehicle.
Amezquita was arrested for distribution of methamphetamine, and three counts of child endangerment, since his three young children were passengers in the vehicle at the time of his arrest. He was then booked into the Ford County Jail. Bond was set at $150,000.
This operation represented a coordinated law enforcement effort to combat drug violence and reduce the accessibility of illegal drugs impacting western Kansas.
— HPD