The “William Our Warrior” benefit bake sale will be 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at Golden Plains Credit Union in Hays.
Category: Local
Kan. man hospitalized after crash with combine header on trailer
SHERIDAN COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 11a.m. Monday in Sheridan County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2018 GMC Sierra driven by Thomas W. Fernow, 58, Albuquerque, NM., was eastbound on U.S. Hwy 24 five miles east of Hoxie towing a combine header on a trailer.
The trailer tongue broke and the trailer with combine header crossed the center line and struck a westbound 1999 Peterbilt semi driven by Edgar Terrazas-Leyva, 20, Garden City, head-on.
EMS transported Terrazas-Leyva to the Sheridan County Health Complex. Fernow and a passenger were not injured. All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
FHSU launches enhanced scholarship program
FHSU University Relations
College-bound students will soon have another great reason to choose Fort Hays State University. Already the most affordable university in the region, the university will offer, effective Oct. 15, four new scholarships with award levels ranging from $15,000 to $6,000 over four-years, or $3,750 to $1,500 yearly. Some of these awards can also be combined with other awards.
The revised undergraduate scholarship program is one of the first initiatives to come from the university’s strategic enrollment planning process. According to Dr. Joey Linn, vice president for student affairs, “This program will provide more opportunities for students to be rewarded for their hard work in the classroom. Combining this with our affordable tuition will help students achieve their dreams of a college degree.”
Launching a revamped scholarship program on Oct. 15 is unusual. Dr. Dennis King, associate vice president, student affairs and enrollment management explained the reason for the timing “Why are we launching this now? Our research shows that this program will positively impact more incoming on-campus freshmen and transfer students. While it would be easier to launch this program over the summer, doing the right things for students is what we do at FHSU.”
Utilizing an easy to navigate scholarship matrix built around ACT/SAT scores and high school grade-point average ranges, high school prospective students will be able to determine immediately the amount of the scholarship award that awaits them.
Scholarships awarded under the revised scholarship program can also be fully renewable, provided students meet renewal criteria. These scholarships are not need-based, and there will be no built-in award amount reduction for students who secure additional financial awards from other sources.
According to Jon Armstrong, director of admissions, “The university recognizes that not everyone is a great test-taker. We value high school GPAs as an excellent indicator of how students apply themselves in school, and we want students who are willing to work to be successful.”
Armstrong went on to say, “We’re already known as the most transfer-friendly university in the region. The steps we have taken to revise the program further reinforces our commitment to transfer students.”
Fort Hays State’s enhanced scholarship program will include three levels of transfer scholarship awards. These awards are based on the student’s GPA and the completion of at least 30 credit hours. The scholarships will range from $1,500 to $500.
To find out more information, please visit www.fhsu.edu/admissions or call 785-628-5666.
HAWVER: OK, it’s probably time to give Kan. lawmakers a raise
Sometimes you ask for information that, once you get it, you wonder why you even asked for it in the first place.
The Legislative Committee on Post Audit did just that.
It asked Post Audit how Kansas’ leaders’ salaries compare to leaders in other states. The answer wasn’t good, but it is something that practically, legislators can’t do anything about…at least not in the upcoming election-year session when every seat in the Kansas House and Senate is up for election.
The numbers? Members of the Kansas legislature, with a few exceptions, make about $22,000 a year for their service in the 90-day sessions. That’s the $77 a day for the session plus a per-diem payment of about $13,700 for the session to cover housing and other costs of living in Topeka during the session for out-of-towners.
There’s no asterisk in the per diem to keep track of just how much those lawmakers save on meals because there’s almost always some event at lunch and dinner when lobbyists could pick up the cost of meals and drinks and entertainment.
That Post Audit report makes an important differentiation between full-time legislatures. Kansas is lower than all but Nebraska. Oklahoma lawmakers? They take home about $50,000, Missouri and Colorado more than $40,000, Iowa about $40,000 and Nebraska a dab less than Kansas’ $21,900.
If you ran home to tell your mother that you’d just got a job that pays $22,000 a year, she’d probably tell you to keep looking.
But it’s a full-time job only from January to maybe June, with a month off for Spring Break and a pretty good holiday schedule.
And, most legislators have other work during the rest of the year that we presume makes the house and car payments in their districts or they are retired. Some farm, some have businesses that allow them to take part of the year off. Because the legislative day has some breaks, there’s time to get in a little real work at their businesses. Or…they farm and don’t have to be there every day to make sure the wheat and corn actually grow when they are in Topeka.
But…that low salary probably means there are folks out there in the state who can’t afford to serve in the Legislature, even if they managed to round up the campaign money to get elected.
When done right, that 90-day session is just a part of their job. The rest of the year: Campaigning, meeting with constituents, learning everything possible about their district and constituents so they can represent them well in the Statehouse.
Chances are excellent that just because voters in a district — from a few square blocks in a city to a dozen counties out west – elected them, they don’t know how every piece of legislation is going to impact their district. That takes hundreds of hours a year.
There is also the mingling at events in their district during the year, showing up for parades and meetings. And every legislator has a story about watching the ice cream melt in the grocery cart while a constituent complained about fence laws or property taxes or the school district’s budget.
Part-time job? Not by a long shot when done well so that they can represent their constituents.
Kansas lawmakers probably need a raise. But which of them, except probably some who aren’t seeking re-election, want their vote recorded to raise their salaries?
Hmmm…not seeing a majority of a quorum of either chamber ready to make that vote in an election year.
Because we’re not seeing anyone propose one “free” vote in the upcoming session…
Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com
Three-day weather outlook
Lake Scott State Park is only place in the world Scott riffle beetle found
KDWPT
PRATT – After a comprehensive review, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it would not list the Scott riffle beetle, Optioservus phaeus, under the federal Endangered Species Act.
The Scott riffle beetle is a tiny brown and black aquatic insect that was first identified as a distinct species in 1978. Big Spring, a groundwater spring complex in Historic Lake Scott State Park near Scott City, is the only place in the world the insect is known to exist.
An Oct. 4, USFWS news release reported that due to ongoing conservation actions and protections by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, federal protections for the beetle under the ESA were not warranted.
Staff from KDWPT’s Ecological Services Section and Parks Division have been working together to implement conservation actions for the Scott riffle beetle since 2016.
The USFWS also expressed confidence in KDWPT’s ability to continue managing for the beetle in the wild, based on the best available science. The USFWS will continue providing conservation support and guidance, as needed.
Critical to this species is the unique spring habitat where it resides – an area KDWPT continually works to maintain and protect. Based on data collected in 1984 and 2017, management efforts are working, as the population has remained stable for more than 30 years. Additional conservation efforts for the species include population monitoring, deployment of a real-time water quality and quantity monitoring station, and predatory fish removal.
The Scott riffle beetle is currently listed as Endangered under the Kansas Non-game and Endangered Species Conservation Act and lives solely within Historic Lake Scott State Park, providing the species with a level of protection uncommon in other areas. The local geology of the spring and the High Plains aquifer also suggest the unique spring habitat is unlikely to go dry in the foreseeable future.
“Big Spring is an uncommon habitat in an otherwise dry western Kansas,” said KDWPT aquatic ecologist Jordan Hofmeier. “The fact that the Scott riffle beetle has persisted here speaks to the resiliency of the species and the habitat, and the excellent management of the area by the park staff.”
To learn more about the Scott riffle beetle, visit ksoutdoors.com/Services/Threatened-and-Endangered-Wildlife/All-Threatened-and-Endangered-Species/SCOTT-OPTIOSERVUS-RIFFLE-BEETLE.
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Kan. man hospitalized after crash with combine header on trailer
SHERIDAN COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 11a.m. Monday in Sheridan County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2018 GMC Sierra driven by Thomas W. Fernow, 58, Albuquerque, NM., was eastbound on U.S. Hwy 24 five miles east of Hoxie towing a combine header on a trailer.
The trailer tongue broke and the trailer with combine header crossed the center line and struck a westbound 1999 Peterbilt semi driven by Edgar Terrazas-Leyva, 20, Garden City, head-on.
EMS transported Terrazas-Leyva to the Sheridan County Health Complex. Fernow and a passenger were not injured. All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
News From the Oil Patch, Oct. 14
By JOHN P. TRETBAR
Crude futures prices were down more than three percent in morning trading Monday (10/14). The benchmark Nymex contract dropped to $52.93 per barrel and London Brent dipped to $58.65. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson gained a dollar and a quarter on Friday, and starts the week at $45 a barrel
Baker Hughes reported 712 active drilling rigs nationwide, an increase of two oil rigs and a decline of one natural gas rig. Texas saw an increase of six rigs last week, while Oklahoma and New Mexico were each down one.
Independent Oil & Gas Service reported seven active rigs in eastern Kansas, which is down four, and 25 west of Wichita, down one from last week. Regulators approved 32 permits for drilling at new locations across Kansas last week, including one in Ellis County and two in Stafford County. Independent reports 26 newly-completed wells across the state, 15 in eastern Kansas and 11 west of Wichita, including one dry hole completed in Ellis County.
The government says U.S. operators had their best production ever, pumping 12,573,000 barrels per day for the week ending Oct. 4. That’s up 193,000 barrels per day from the week before, and is 73,000 barrels per day better than the previous record set Aug. 23.
The Energy Information Administration said inventories were up 2.9 million barrels from the week before, but remain at the five-year average for this time of year.
EIA reported crude-oil imports of 6.2 million barrels per day, down 67,000 barrels per day from the week before. The four-week average is down nearly 17% from a year ago.
The attacks last month on Saudi oil facilities prompted the steepest fall in almost 17 years in OPEC production. According to a survey by S&P Global Platts, the drop in Saudi output, combined with the effects of U.S. sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, dropped OPEC production by 1.48 million barrels per day last month. The group has other problems. Two members, Ecuador and Qatar, are pulling out of the cartel. Last week its Secretary General invited all 97 oil-producing countries in the world to join the so-called “OPEC-plus” alliance that has been managing the world’s oil supply for nearly three years.
Saudi Arabia will soon return its oil patch to full production after a years-long agreement to cap production and prop up prices.. The CEO of Saudi Aramco told CNBC they will return to what he called “maximum sustained capacity” of 12 million barrels per day by the end of November. He said Aramco’s revenues were not reduced in the wake of the recent attacks.
Saudi Aramco is moving forward with plans for a public stock offering, with some shares available before the end of the year. The Wall Street Journal reports the state-owned oil company could sell 1% to 2% of its shares on Saudi Arabia’s domestic exchange as soon as November. Aramco is poised to release its prospectus later this month.
Russia’s top oil exporter Rosneft is hoping end-run U.S. sanctions by conducting business in the European currency. Reuters reports Rosneft has now set the euro as the default currency for all its new export contracts, including for crude oil, oil products, petrochemicals and liquefied petroleum gas. The company ships about 2.4 million barrels of crude oil per day.
The governor of California over the weekend approved a ban on pipelines and other oil-and-gas infrastructure on state property, which they hope will deter energy development on adjacent federal lands. Governor Gavin Newsom also formally renamed the office of the state’s chief energy regulator, amid scandals involving runaway fracking permits and conflict of interest charges.
It cost a record $8 a barrel to ship West African crude to Asia, roughly four times the average for January through August. Bloomberg says the spike is driven by another attack on an oil tanker, as well as U.S. sanctions on a Chinese shipping firm.
Total rail-freight traffic was down another seven percent, but oil-by-rail showed a slight uptick. Operators moved 12,592 rail tanker cars laden with petroleum and petroleum products according to the latest weekly numbers from the Association of American Railroads. That’s a half a percent higher than the same figure a year ago. The cumulative total so far this year is up more than 16% from last year.
A senior scientist at the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS), who specializes in high-resolution seismic exploration, has been elected president of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, an international research and education organization. According to an announcement from The University of Kansas, Rick Miller’s work at the KGS has led to advances in the investigation of earthquakes, land subsidence, detection of tunnels and subsurface mines, and assessment of dam and levee stability.
The Post Podcast: TMP-Marian using time before holidays to focus on academics
Western Kansas man dies after pickup rollover crash
WICHITA COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 6:30 a.m. Monday in Wichita County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Ford F250 driven by James Lee Wessel, 49, Scott City, was westbound on Kansas 96 seven miles west of the Kansas 25 Junction.
The pickup had rear driver side tire failure. It left the roadway to the right and rolled unknown amount of times.
Wessel was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Price and Sons Funeral Home. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
Downs, Wilson nursing homes among those transferred from receivership to new owner
KDADS
TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard announced that 15 Kansas nursing facilities in receivership have been successfully transferred — with zero closures — from Skyline Health to new owner Mission Health, a Florida-based company with more than a dozen nursing facilities already operating in the state. Governor Laura Kelly is praising that achievement.
“Every senior in the State of Kansas deserves a stable, caring environment to call home,” Governor Kelly said. “The staff and leadership at KDADS worked quickly and with determination to ensure stability and quality of care for the more than 800 seniors living in the facilities affected by the Skyline situation. I applaud KDADS for its commitment to the very important mission of protecting Kansans.”
“We know that other states dealing with the issues surrounding Skyline have had to make the unfortunate and sometimes unavoidable decision to close facilities and force residents to find a new place to live,” said KDADS Secretary Laura Howard. “In our case, KDADS was determined that wasn’t going to happen and our staff worked very hard to find an alternative to displacing these seniors from their home. I’m proud today to say we were successful in avoiding that scenario.”
KDADS’ Survey, Certification and Credentialing Commission has performed a thorough review of the requests for change of ownership and has approved licensure applications submitted by Mission Health.
“We’re excited about welcoming these new communities and expanding Mission Health in the state of Kansas,” said Stuart Lindeman, President and CEO of Mission Health Communities. “I am incredibly proud that Mission Health has been chosen to continue to follow these communities from receivership to ownership. We look forward to growing with these local businesses to deliver consistent care and services for patients, families and staff while focusing on an outstanding Mission Experience for everyone involved.”
In March of last year, KDADS moved to take 15 nursing facilities homes across the state into receivership after learning operator Skyline Health, a company headquartered in New Jersey, had fallen behind on vendor bills for basics like food services, medical equipment and utilities, putting residents’ health and safety at risk.
All 15 receivership actions were consolidated in April 2018 by the Kansas Supreme Court into a single action pending before the Johnson County District Court in the case: Laura Howard, Secretary of KDADS v. Spring Hill Care and Rehabilitation Center, LLC, et al., Case No. 18-CV-01688. As a result, the Secretary was appointed as the Receiver for each of the facilities to provide for the administration and oversight for the facilities while in receivership.
The 15 facilities included in the receivership action were:
- Chase County Care & Rehabilitation Center, Cottonwood Falls
- Downs Care & Rehabilitation Center, Downs
- Edwardsville Care & Rehabilitation Center, Edwardsville
- El Dorado Care & Rehabilitation Center, El Dorado
- Eskridge Care & Rehabilitation Center, Eskridge
- Kaw River Care & Rehabilitation Center, Edwardsville
- Lansing Care & Rehabilitation Center, Lansing
- Neodesha Care & Rehabilitation Center, Neodesha
- Parkway Care & Rehabilitation Center, Edwardsville
- Pittsburg Care & Rehabilitation Center, Pittsburg
- Spring Hill Care & Rehabilitation Center, Spring Hill
- Wakefield Care & Rehabilitation Center, Wakefield
- Wellington Care & Rehabilitation Center, Wellington
- Wichita Care & Rehabilitation Center, Wichita
- Wilson Care & Rehabilitation Center, Wilson
The receivership action taken against Skyline prompted the introduction of first-of-its-kind state legislation that sets stricter vetting standards for nursing facility owners and investors. Passed with bi-partisan support, the new law, which went into effect May 9 this year, requires potential nursing facility owners in Kansas to submit detailed financial and historical ownership information before receiving approval.
Additionally, anyone seeking to buy a nursing facility in Kansas is required to provide a list of every other licensed property that he or she owns or has ever owned, either within the state or elsewhere in the United States, including stakes in the operation or the real estate associated with the facility. Prospective buyers must further provide a 12-month operating budget along with proof that he or she has enough working capital to carry out that budget.
The law also makes it easier for the state to revoke, suspend or deny a license and makes an operator ineligible to apply for a new license for 10 years following the termination of a receivership action.
HPD Activity Log Oct. 7-10
The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 6 traffic stops Mon., Oct. 7, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Found/Lost Property–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 1:45 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–Hays; 1:03 AM; 2:12 AM
Found/Lost Property–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 7:20 AM
Civil Dispute–200 block E 9th St, Hays; 8:50 AM
Disturbance – Noise–300 block E 18th St, Hays; 9:08 AM
Dead Animal Call–2600 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 10:18 AM
Civil Dispute–1800 block Ash St, Hays; 10:23 AM
Disturbance – Noise–500 block W 32nd St, Hays; 10:25 AM
Dead Animal Call–1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 11:26 AM
Found/Lost Property–100 block W 14th St, Hays; 11:36 AM
MV Accident-Private Property–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 12:19 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–200 block E 6th St, Hays; 12:55 PM
Civil Transport–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 2:21 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–2700 block Hall St, Hays; 2:52 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–2700 block Hall St, Hays; 3:41 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 4 PM; 4:04 PM
Towed Vehicle–400 block E 8th St, Hays; 4:12 PM
Found/Lost Property–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 5:38 PM
Suspicious Activity–1300 block Steven Dr, Hays; 5:52 PM
Theft (general)–2000 block Vine St, Hays; 10/6 1:30 PM; 2:16 PM
Civil Transport–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 8:36 PM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 10:11 PM
Welfare Check–500 block W 21st St, Hays; 7:42 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–Hays; 4/26 4:19 PM
Disturbance – General–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 11:16 PM
Suspicious Vehicle–1400 block Hall St, Hays; 11:39 PM
Runaway Juvenile–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 10/7 11:56 PM; 10/8 6:02 AM
The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 8 traffic stops Tue., Oct. 8, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Open Door/Window–1900 block Main St, Hays; 1:01 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2200 block Vine St, Hays; 10:19 AM
Suspicious Activity–600 block E 6th St, Hays; 3 AM; 3:30 AM
Drug Offenses–2700 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 10/4; 10/5
Animal At Large–700 block Vine St, Hays; 11:22 AM
Suspicious Person–300 block E 6th St, Hays; 12:15 PM
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA–1800 block Ash St, Hays; 7:30 AM; 10:30 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–2000 block Walnut St, Hays; 1:36 PM
Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen–2100 block Elm St, Hays; 2:07 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 3:24 PM
Theft of Vehicle–1400 block E 8th St, Hays; 9/30 12 AM; 10/8 10:25 AM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 3:56 PM
Miscellaneous Investigation–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 4:03 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–2300 block E 15th St, Hays; 4:46 PM
Traffic/Driving Complaint–1300 block Fort St, Hays; 5:27 PM
Drug Offenses–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 5:34 PM
Drug Offenses–1300 block Anthony Dr, Hays; 6:41 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–17th St and Oak St, Hays; 7:10 PM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–800 block Ash St, Hays; 7:45 PM
Suicidal Subject–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 8:26 PM
Drug Offenses–800 block Walnut St, Hays; 10:25 PM; 10:30 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 11 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Wed., Oct. 9, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Mental Health Call–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 12:35 AM
Dead Animal Call–27th St and Country Ln, Hays; 8:04 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 10/8
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9:38 AM
Welfare Check–200 block W 29th St, Hays; 10:22 AM
Criminal Trespass–3500 block Vine St, Hays; 11 AM
Found/Lost Property–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 11:10 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–100 block Ash St, Hays; 12:16 PM
MV Accident-Property Damage–4000 block Vine St, Hays; 12:10 PM
Found/Lost Property–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 12:34 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–400 block W 8th St, Hays; 2:53 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–2300 block Timber Dr, Hays; 4:07 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–200 block W 6th St, Hays; 4:24 PM
Suspicious Activity–1900 block Oak St, Hays; 4:39 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–100 block Ash St, Hays; 5:35 PM
Suspicious Person–500 block Pine St, Hays; 6 PM; 6:07 PM
Burglary/business–1300 block Fort St, Hays; 10/4 6 PM; 10/9 6:11 PM
Civil Transport–2800 block Fort St, Hays; 10:10 PM; 10:19 PM
Found/Lost Property–100 block E 10th St, Hays; 10:58 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 12 traffic stops Thu., Oct. 10, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Domestic Disturbance–500 block W 21st St, Hays; 6:57 AM
Domestic Disturbance–500 block W 21st St, Hays; 10/8 6:30 PM; 7:30 PM
Theft (general)–4000 block Gen Hays Rd, Hays; 1:40 AM; 9:30 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1200 block Motz Ave, Hays; 10:33 AM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 10:45 AM
Found/Lost Property–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 12:18 PM
Animal At Large–1300 block E 15th St, Hays; 12:17 PM
Burglary/residence–4800 block US 183 Alt Hwy, Hays; 12:51 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1900 block Holmes Rd, Hays; 1:01 PM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 1:42 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–2200 block 22nd St, Hays; 12 AM; 3:20 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–43rd and Roth, Hays; 3:08 PM
Theft (general)–400 block W 11th St, Hays; 10/3 12 PM; 12:15 PM
Civil Transport–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 4:18 PM
Search Warrant–4800 block US 183 Alt Hwy, Hays; 5:01 PM
Theft (general)–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 4:15 PM; 5:15 PM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–15th and Allen St, Hays; 5:45 PM; 5:47 PM
Civil Dispute–1700 block Agnes Dr, Hays; 10/8 2 PM; 10/10 10:33 PM