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Boil order for Smith Co. community rescinded by KDHE

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Smith County Rural Water District No.1 for all services west of M Road including the city of Athol. The advisory was issued because of a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing samples collected from the Smith County Rural Water District No. 1 indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514.

— KDHE

HPD Activity Log Aug. 26-Sept. 2

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The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 16 traffic stops Mon., Aug. 26, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses–3800 block Vine St, Hays; 3:48 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–100 block W 16th St, Hays; 7:55 AM
Battery on LEO–2700 block Fort St, Hays; 8:07 AM
Welfare Check–Hays; 9:13 AM
Civil Dispute–2900 block Walnut St, Hays; 10:58 AM
Search Warrant–100 block E 19th St, Hays; 11:11 AM; 11:38 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 11:12 AM
Found/Lost Property–1300 block Schwaller Ave, Hays; 11:37 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1000 block Elm St, Hays; 12:16 PM
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA–1300 block Steven Dr, Hays; 12:26 PM
Probation/Parole Violation–1000 block Fort St, Hays; 1:54 PM
Animal At Large–1100 block Vine St, Hays; 1:59 PM
Drug Offenses–1300 block Antonino Rd, Hays; 3:22 PM
Probation/Parole Violation–1000 block Fort St, Hays; 5:08 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 6:53 PM; 6:55 PM
Found/Lost Property–1300 block Vine St, Hays; 8 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–100 block E 5th St, Hays; 8:54 PM
Missing Person–Hays; 8:59 PM
Fireworks Violation–3500 block Lincoln Dr, Hays; 11:15 PM
Disturbance – Noise–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:39 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–1300 block Kansas Highway 264, Larned; 11:50 PM
Suspicious Person–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 1:01 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 17 traffic stops Tue., Aug. 27, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Disturbance – Noise–1900 block Whittier Rd, Hays; 12:27 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–200 block E 22nd, Hays; 2:16 AM
Suspicious Activity–400 block W 27th St, Hays; 2:49 AM
Water Use Violation–100 block E 13th St, Hays; 5:09 AM
Theft (general)–4600 block Roth Ave, Hays; 8/26 9 PM; 8/27 7 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–100 block W 9th St, Hays; 8:07 AM
Dead Animal Call–13th St and Canterbury Dr, Hays; 8:45 AM
Civil Dispute–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9:10 AM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–200 block Northridge Dr, Hays; 8/26 5 PM; 5:30 PM
Animal Call–2500 block Gen Hancock Rd, Hays; 11:31 AM
Civil Dispute–200 block E 6th St, Hays; 11:31 AM
Drug Offenses–400 block E 5th St, Hays; 1:58 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–400 block Ash St, Hays; 3:25 PM
Harassment (All Other)–200 block E 28th St, Hays; 3:35 PM
Animal At Large–2000 block MacArthur Rd, Hays; 4:59 PM
Animal Call–6th and Riley, Hays; 5:03 PM
(HPD)–2400 block Walnut St, Hays; 5:21 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 6:34 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 6:39 PM
Found/Lost Property–300 block E 5th St, Hays; 7:21 PM
Mental Health Call–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 7:34 PM
Theft (general)–2000 block Vine St, Hays; 7:55 PM
Suspicious Activity–200 block W 26th St, Hays; 8:25 PM
Criminal Trespass–500 block E 16th St, Hays; 8:35 PM
Suspicious Activity–2000 block Vine St, Hays; 11:44 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 12 animal calls and conducted 40 traffic stops Wed., Aug. 28, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Animal At Large–12th St and Milner St, Hays; 8:19 AM
Battery – simple–1700 block Volga Dr, Hays; 8:28 AM
Found/Lost Property–10th and Main, Hays; 9:23 AM
Animal At Large–1900 block Holmes Rd, Hays; 10:40 AM
Animal Call–2600 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 11:36 AM
Unlawful Use of Weapon–200 block W 36th St, Hays; 1:06 PM
Juvenile Complaint–200 block W 29th St, Hays; 2:06 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 7:30 AM; 3:44 PM
Harassment (All Other)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 4:04 PM
Welfare Check–1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 4:28:58 PM
Dead Animal Call–27th and Halls, Hays; 5:23 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–600 block E 15th St, Hays; 6:08 PM
Theft (general)–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 7/26 8 PM; 9:30 PM
Drug Offenses–Hays; 7:32 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–100 block E 14th St, Hays; 10:57 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 31 traffic stops Thu., Aug. 29, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Suspicious Person–100 block E 7th St, Hays; 12:05 AM
Found/Lost Property–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 7:27 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1200 block Donald Dr, Hays; 7:25 AM
Animal Call–41st and Hall, Hays; 8:32 AM
Found/Lost Property–2300 block Fort St, Hays; 9:10 AM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–2300 block E 15th St, Hays; 9:43 AM
Found/Lost Property–1100 block E 13th St, Hays; 10:52 AM
Water Use Violation–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 12:44 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–1700 block Agnes Dr, Hays; 8/28 9:14 PM; 8/29 7:44 AM
Civil Dispute–100 block E 24th St, Hays; 12:53 PM
Theft (general)–700 block W 12th St, Hays; 1:17 PM
Animal At Large–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 1:51 PM
Theft (general)–100 block W 17th St, Hays; 8:58 AM; 8:59 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–7th and Elm, Hays; 3:11 PM
Animal At Large–200 block W 3rd St, Hays; 3:24 PM
Civil Dispute–400 block E 7th St, Hays; 3:24 PM
Welfare Check–200 block Ash St, Hays; 4:17 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 4:43 PM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–13th and Vine, Hays; 5:02 AM; 5:32 PM
Civil Dispute–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 5:39 PM
Disturbance – Fight–200 block Circle Dr, Hays; 6:08 PM
Dead Animal Call–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 6:06 PM
Alarm – Business–1100 block E 27th St, Hays; 6:46 PM
Burglary/residence–300 block E 5th St, Hays; 6:51 PM
Intoxicated Subject–1000 block Elm St, Hays; 9:46 PM
Drug Offenses–300 block E 6th St, Hays; 8/29 11:49 PM; 8/30 1:49 AM

The Hays Police Department responded to 10 animal calls and conducted 33 traffic stops Fri., Aug. 30, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses–500 block Walnut St, Hays; 1:56 AM; 5:35 AM
Driving Under the Influence–200 block E 8th St, Hays; 2:21 AM; 2:22 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–2000 block Metro Ln, Hays; 8:05 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–2300 block Main St, Hays; 8:31 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–200 block E 15th St, Hays; 8:36 AM
Phone/Mail Scam–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 8/29 9 AM
Sex Offense–100 block W 35th St, Hays; 8/5 12:01 AM
Water Use Violation–1200 block E 32nd St, Hays; 11:15 AM
Drug Offenses–1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 12 PM; 12:42 PM
Civil Transport–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 2:45 PM; 5 PM
Welfare Check–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 1:26 PM
Animal At Large–2200 block Walnut St, Hays; 2:01 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–2700 block Epworth, Hays; 1 AM; 9 AM
Civil Dispute–300 block W 11th St, Hays; 2:19 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 2:41 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–Hays; 2:45 PM
Civil Dispute–100 block W 24th St, Hays; 3:56 PM
Stalking–1600 block E 27th St, Hays; 4:27 PM
Civil Dispute–500 block E 14th St, Hays; 5:21 PM
Unlawful Use of Weapon–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 5:23 PM
Custody Dispute–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 7:20 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 7:23 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–2500 block Gen Lawton Rd, Hays; 8:10 PM
Suspicious Activity–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:22 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 9:19 PM
Theft (general)–300 block W 8th St, Hays; 11:33 PM
MV Accident-Co Road/St Hwy–300 block W 9th St, Hays; 11:46 PM
Drug Offenses/DUI–100 block W 14th St, Hays; 11:45 PM; 11:50 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 14 animal calls and conducted 26 traffic stops Sat., Aug. 31, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses–200 block W 12th St, Hays; 12:12 AM; 12:50 AM
Driving Under the Influence–100 block W 8th St, Hays; 12:56 AM
Disorderly Conduct–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:24 AM
Driving Under the Influence–1000 block Fort St, Hays; 1:29 AM; 1:30 AM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–500 block W 6th St, Hays; 1:57 AM
Suspicious Activity–500 block E 17th St, Hays; 2:05 AM
Dead Animal Call–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 2:21 AM
Animal At Large–2200 block Gen Custer Rd, Hays; 8:44 AM
Animal At Large–400 block Agnew Ln, Hays; 11:28 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–200 block E 14th St, Hays; 1:07 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 8/30 11 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 4:59 PM
Dangerous Animal–200 block E 28th St, Hays; 5:02 PM
Disturbance – Noise–1300 block W 27th St, Hays; 8:55 PM
Driving Under the Influence–1200 block Ash St, Hays; 9:19 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 9:29 PM
Animal Call–2000 block Hall St, Hays; 9:34 PM
Drug Offenses/DUI–600 block E 13th St, Hays; 9:38 PM; 9:39 PM
Disturbance – Noise–200 block Pershing Ct, Hays; 11:07 PM
Driving Under the Influence–300 block W 16th St, Hays; 11:25 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 17 traffic stops Sun., Sept. 1, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Intoxicated Subject–700 block Fort St, Hays; 1:01 AM
Rape–400 block E 6th St, Hays; 2 AM; 4:23 AM
Suspicious Activity–2700 block Walnut St, Hays; 8/31 5 PM; 9/1 7 AM
Found/Lost Property–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 7:58 AM
Disturbance – Noise–500 block W 23rd St, Hays; 11:29 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–200 block E 5th St, Hays; 11:47 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 12:10 PM
Disturbance – Noise–1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 3:57 PM
Theft of Services–4000 block Gen Hays Rd, Hays; 5:22 PM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–43rd and Vine, Hays; 6:51 PM; 6:53 PM
Welfare Check–500 block E 11th St, Hays; 9:42 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–1700 block Vine St, Hays; 10:18 PM
Disturbance – General–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 11:24 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 26 traffic stops Mon., Sept. 2, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Criminal Damage to Property–200 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:20 AM
Phone/Mail Scam–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 12:33 AM
(HPD) 44 – Traffic Stop–5th and Walnut, Hays; 1:05 AM
Disturbance – Fight–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 5:19 AM
Found/Lost Property–1500 block US 183 Alt Hwy, Hays; 10:40 AM
Water Use Violation–1700 block Hall St, Hays; 11:18 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–300 block W 16th St, Hays; 12:45 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1300 block MacArthur Rd, Hays; 2:34 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–300 block W 33rd St, Hays; 3:38 PM
Criminal Trespass–700 block Vine St, Hays; 6 PM; 6:12 PM
Animal Call–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 8:04 PM
Criminal Trespass–500 block E 16th St, Hays; 10:18 PM
Drug Offenses–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 10:36 PM

Sheriff’s deputies make drug bust at home in NW Kansas

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DECATUR COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a traffic stop.

Photo Decatur County Sheriff

On Wednesday, the Decatur County Sheriff’s office reported  they received information about a shipment of marijuana coming to a residence on west Sappa Street in the city limits of Oberlin, according to a social media report.

Surveillance was conducted over a 48 hour period on the residence. A search warrant was obtained and signed. The sheriffs office then conducted a controlled buy from the residence of 14 grams of marijuana and then  conducted a felony car stop on the property owner’s car after leaving the residence.

Deputies recovered another 12 grams of marijuana  during the search of the vehicle.
Upon conducting the search of the residence, deputies seized a large amount of drug paraphernalia, a pound and a half of marijuana and a scale used in the transactions.

Deputies arrested the owner of the residence. Charges are pending upon completion of the investigation, according to the sheriff’s department.

Rep. Hineman to serve on Governor’s Council on Medicaid Expansion

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OFFICE OF GOVERNOR

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced the Governor’s Council on Medicaid Expansion Wednesday afternoon. This Council of legislators, policy experts, advocates, stakeholders and community leaders will spearhead the Medicaid expansion efforts in the 2020 legislative session.

The members of the Council and their current positions are listed below:

Tom Bell – President and CEO, Kansas Hospital Association

Sen. Ed Berger – State Senator, District 34

Rep. Susan Concannon – State Representative, District 107

Denise Cyzman – CEO, Community Care Network of Kansas

Ximena Garcia M.D., Community Health Advocate

Cathy Harding – President and CEO, Wyandotte Health Foundation

Rep. Don Hineman – State Representative, District 118

April Holman – Executive Director, Alliance for a Healthy Kansas

Dave Kerr, former president of the Kansas Senate

Kyle Kessler – Executive Director, Association of Community Mental Health Centers

Sen. Carolyn McGinn – State Senator, District 31

Rep. Monica Murnan – State Representative, District 3

Dr. Lee Norman – Secretary, Kansas Department of Health and Environment

David K. Livingston – CEO, Aetna Better Health of Kansas

Sen. Pat Pettey – State Senator, District 6

Rep. Jason Probst – State Representative, District 102

Jerry Slaughter – Interim Executive Director, Kansas Medical Society

Kevin Sparks – CEO, United Health Community Plan for Kansas

Michael Stephens – President and CEO, Sunflower Health Plan

Sen. Gene Suellentrop – State Senator, District 27

Suzanne Wikle – Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Law and Social Policy

Rep. Kathy Wolfe Moore – State Representative, District 36 

 

GOVERNOR KELLY: ‘We will finally expand Medicaid in Kansas in 2020’

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Laura Kelly (D), Kansas Governor

OFFICE OF GOVERNOR

TOPEKA – The following remarks are from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly delivered Wednesday, September 4 at the press conference on Medicaid expansion:

“Good afternoon.

“It’s hard to believe, but in just four months, another legislative session will be upon us. Every legislative session offers its own unique set of challenges and opportunities, and 2020 will be no different.

“For the last several months I’ve been working with my administration to begin planning for the year ahead.

“Many of those plans are still in development, but one piece of my 2020 agenda is a certainty:

“I am going to do everything in my power to ensure this will be the year we will finally expand Medicaid in Kansas.

“When I traveled around the state last fall, Kansans made it clear that this is a high priority. They want as many Kansans as possible to have access to affordable, high-quality health care. They want our hospitals supported, and they want the jobs Medicaid expansion will bring.

“Medicaid expansion isn’t just a matter of smart health care policy. It is smart fiscal policy. It is smart economic policy. It is smart public policy.

“I’ve stood at this podium many times over the last year explaining why Medicaid expansion makes sense for Kansas. I won’t repeat those arguments again today.

“Instead, I’m here to talk about how we can finally bring this over the finish line.

“As you all are aware, I put forward a proposal to expand Medicaid on Kansas Day last year. I continue to believe that proposal was the simplest, most commonsense path forward – a plan that includes measures that promote self-sufficiency, a plan that includes safeguards to protect against exorbitant spending, and a plan that can be implemented effectively without undue costs or administrative burden.

“The House also took a position and passed a bill very similar to the one I offered, with very few amendments.

“And this fall, the Senate will finally begin its work on the interim committee to start drafting its own plan.

“This is finally a step in the right direction.

“But one thing concerns me as this work gets underway.

“Although Medicaid expansion has been at the top of voters’ minds for several years, the issue has received no formal committee review or vetting process in well over two years. Much has changed in that time, both federally and at the state level.

“For starters, we have a new President and, therefore, a new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator. The CMS administrator gets the final say on how states can amend their Medicaid systems.

“Obviously, we have a new governor, in addition to many recently-elected legislators who are diving into this issue for the first time. Several additional states have implemented expansion, with varying degrees of success, and an abundance of new data have been collected.

“The landscape has undeniably shifted. And the one benefit Kansas can leverage as a late-expansion state is the lessons learned from those who went before us. It is critical that we do this.

“To that end, today I will sign Executive Order 19-10, creating the Governor’s Council on Medicaid Expansion.

“The Council will bring together both new and veteran voices on Medicaid expansion and will be charged with supporting legislative efforts to find the best version of Medicaid expansion for Kansas.

“This Council will not develop or endorse new legislation. Rather, I’ve asked them to study the costs and benefits associated with expansion models in other states.

“It will be facilitated by a national, nonpartisan policy expert from the National Governors Association, and they will meet three times before the end of the year to explore these issues.

“By studying other state models for expansion, I am hoping we can avoid repeating some of the expensive, unnecessary mistakes made in other states.

“While I hope the Council will be able to identify 3 to 5 guideposts or goals for responsible expansion in Kansas, it will not develop new legislation.

“This Council will serve solely as an educational, transparent forum for public discussion, in a broader setting than can be achieved in an interim committee.

“These discussions will be an important supplement to legislative work that is already underway. The experiences of the 36 other states that already moved forward with expansion varied widely depending on what shape each state plan took – particularly in the early phases of implementation.

“That’s why this Council is necessary.

“We know not all models for expansion are created equal. We must carefully study other state approaches and outcomes so that our final Kansas plan balances our unique needs with evidence-based best practices.

“I want to thank every legislator, policy expert, advocate and community leader who has accepted our invitation. We want to hear everyone’s voice.

“We want a thorough, honest discussion.

“I am deeply committed to working with the Legislature to find a bipartisan solution. I want these Council members to ask the hard questions …  to come up with a plan that works for all Kansans.

“It’s the only way to get things done, and done right.

“Let’s work together to figure out how we can best serve Kansans, get them the access they need to affordable health care, and bring Kansas dollars back to Kansas.

“I look forward to collaborating with this Council and to, finally, bring Medicaid expansion to Kansas.”

🎥 Drill assesses emergency response to aircraft crash at Hays Regional Airport

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Ellis County EMS personnel triage volunteer plane crash victims during Wednesday’s drill at the Hays Regional Airport.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

A drill for the emergency response to an airplane crash at the Hays Regional Airport won’t replicate such an incident exactly, but it comes close.

Emergency responders from throughout Ellis County participated in a full-scale exercise Wednesday morning at the airport.

Darin Myers, Ellis County Emergency Manager and Rural Fire Chief, along with Ryan Hagans, Hays Fire Chief, were the exercise directors.

Overall, things went well, Myers said.

“You can only have a pretend fire for so long before the pretend fire goes out. Then you move on to the next phase of evacuating the fuselage.”

The drill started at 9 a.m. and took a little more than 90 minutes. An actual airplane crash response would likely take longer.

“It may have taken us only 10 to 15 minutes down there, but in real life to move patients who are unable to walk like we did today, they would have to be carried out or drug out,” Myers said. “That would take a lot more time.”

Approximately 30 volunteers from the NCK-Tech College nursing program portrayed the injured passengers.

Each person wore a vest identifying them as an actor and also had a piece of paper with their symptoms written on it. Most actors were wearing red makeup to resemble blood flowing from their injuries. Some patients also had moulage kits applied to simulate wounds.

After they were triaged by Ellis County EMS personnel, four passengers were declared dead.

“I had no visible injuries,” said Kylie Watson, Topeka, “but I had a blank stare, couldn’t feel air movement and had no color to my fingertips. So they had to decide whether I was dead or not, which I was.”

Tyra Younie, Hays, portrayed a victim who had been decapitated.

“I wasn’t wearing any special makeup to indicate that. I just kind of slumped over and hid my face,”  Younie said.

Alexa Brull, Catherine, had a head injury. “I was not responsive, not breathing, so I was tagged ‘black.’

The NCK-Tech students have been working with hospitalized “patients” in their classrooms. They found the response to casualties at an airplane crash to be quite different.

“It was very interesting to see how they coded each one of us and who they responded to first,” Watson said.

“We were all on the aircraft. They got to us pretty quick and were really good about prioritizing each victim and getting us off the plane.”

There were also individuals inside the airport terminal portraying distraught family members.

In yesterday’s exercise, a Hays USD 489 yellow school bus served as the airplane. Hays and Ellis County firefighters poured water on the simulated fire and smoke visible at the crash site off the south end of the airport apron.

The Hays airport is required by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct such emergency exercises every three years.

Following the drill, all the participants gathered near the airport fire station and submitted their feedback in written form to Myers. Then each agency, observer and evaluator talked about what went well and what could have been done better.

Airport manager Jamie Salter and Hays Public Works Director Jesse Rohr

This was the first such exercise for airport manager Jamie Salter, who was appointed to the position in late February. “I felt like she did a great job,” said one observer.

In her series of contacts, Salter first notified Jesse Rohr, Hays public works director, then city management followed by the city’s Public Information Officer. Rohr was one of the on-site observers.

Hays Fire Department Captain Aaron Dome talked about the incident command post.

“We had a pretty good unified command between medical branch, law branch, and the airport. We were all face-to-face. It went pretty smooth  on our end,” Dome said.

Site security was evaluated by Toby Prine, the Kansas Regional Emergency Management Coordinator for northwest Kansas who is based in Hays.

Toby Prine (left), NWKS Emergency Management Coordinator, evaluated site security during the Hays airport drill.

“About 9:04 a.m., Hays police started blocking access to the airport. At 9:16 a.m. they brought in mutual aide units like the sheriff’s department and Kansas Highway Patrol,” Prine reported.

“Later on they identified the hospital as a possible critical area with internal security at the hospital (HaysMed). The discussion was we need to keep that in the forefront in case they need additional law enforcement out there. Overall, they did a very good job,” he added.

Don Scheibler, Hays police chief, agreed.

“In this type of event, law enforcement’s primary job is to provide a safe and secure environment for you guys to do what you need to do,” Scheibler told the participants.

Ellis County EMS reported they were on scene for 40 minutes with all the critical patients transported within 20 minutes. SkyWest Airline personnel provided information to EMS on the number of passengers and crew which EMS used to determine whether they needed to request out-of-county ambulances.

A couple of concerns were noted by firefighters.

All the county’s fire trucks are paired with supplies according to the vehicles’ engine capability.  “On scene we can split the crew, but we need to keep the equipment together,” said one rural firefighter.

Hays firefighters assist a patient into an ambulance.

“In that transition period when we went from operations fire-wise to EMS-wise on our end, we kind of ditched a crew down there. I knew Justin (firefighter Choitz) had it under control,” said Tyler Brungardt, HFD lieutenant. “I feel like that probably could have gone a little bit smoother.”

HaysMed Security Manager Mike Filley evaluated the performance of EMS and health support. “I’m going to talk to Kerry (McCue-Ellis County EMS/Health Services Director) a little more about it but, overall it was pretty good.”

An after-action report will be compiled and distributed with a summary of key information related to the evaluation along with plans for improvement.

Participating agencies were Hays Public Works, Fire, and Police Departments, Ellis County EMS, Fire and Emergency Management, and Sheriff Departments, Kansas Highway Patrol, Hays Aircraft, SkyWest Airlines, TSA, Hays Medical Center, EagleMed, and NCK-Tech College.

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: The Farm Bureau family

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Greg Doering
By GREG DOERING
Kansas Farm Bureau

For John and Berna Mae Stegman, the recent loss of their son, Bernard, in an accident has brought heartache and grief. It’s also underscored the fact that family extends beyond kinship.

John was surprised by the number of cards, calls and visitors his family received from his connections made in Kansas Farm Bureau in the wake of Bernard’s death. The volume of condolences was almost overwhelming,

“I just want to thank all the people who took the time to send a card, give me a call or whatever,” John said.

Bernard didn’t just reside in Spearville, he helped cultivate a community there with his wife, Debra, and their three sons. Farming was all he ever wanted to do – so much so that he opted to stay close to home for college so he could work on the farm in the afternoons. He graduated from St. Mary of the Plains in Dodge City.

“His life was farming,” John said. “He started when he was a little guy saying, “‘I’m going to be your partner. I’m going to be your partner.’ We had probably 48 good years together – working together. It’s tough to lose someone like that. I know I’m not the only one that’s happened to.”

Under that partnership, the farming operation flourished from “a small acreage to a considerable size now,” in addition to growing a herd of registered Angus. Bernard also found the time to serve the Spearville community through his church, the local school board and professional groups.

Bernard also is the reason John was able to serve on Kansas Farm Bureau’s board of directors, representing 11 counties in southwest Kansas.

“I spent 20 years on that Farm Bureau board, and it was because Bernie was at home and he took care of everything when I wasn’t there,” John said. “He was just my best friend and my buddy. He knew everything about the farm.”

John’s tenure on the Farm Bureau board ended in 2010, but the connections are still strong.
“The amount of people you meet in 20 years is just unbelievable,” John said. “We get these cards from all over the state. We had some of the past directors come out (for the funeral). I didn’t get to see everybody because the church was full, the parish center was full.”

There are smaller injustices in Bernard’s death, like the new barn he’d recently completed, the culmination of years of work to make the farm as productive as possible.

“He just about had everything the way he wanted it, but he doesn’t get to enjoy it,” John said.

Instead, John said he’s going to embark on a new partnership with his three grandsons who all desire to be back on the farm.

“We’ll have to see if we can make this thing work so that everybody’s got some income – can make a decent living.”

With the numerous relationships John has built through Kansas Farm Bureau, there’s plenty of family standing by ready to help.

“Insight” is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

Voss leadership scholars for 2019-20 at Fort Hays State

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FHSU University Relations

The Department of Leadership Studies at Fort Hays State University has selected its 2019-2020 scholars for the Voss Advanced Leadership Undergraduate Experience.

To complete the program, students will plan and implement a project in either civic and non-profit leadership, corporate leadership or leadership research. Mentors will coach students throughout the academic year. Scholars are awarded a $500 stipend each semester.

VALUE is a year-long, co-curricular experience designed to challenge and develop leadership skills in upperclassmen.

The program has two objectives: 1) to teach students how to put ideas into action and implement, execute and transform a vision into reality; and 2) to promote teamwork and collaborative skills in order to be successful.

Applicants must be juniors or seniors in good academic standing who have completed the leadership studies certificate and are willing to commit themselves to a deep degree of scholarship and service. Faculty and staff can also make nominations.

Scholars are listed alphabetically by hometown:

LIBERAL: Charlotte Peterson is a senior majoring in organizational leadership.
OMAHA, Neb.: Caden Frank is a junior majoring in organizational leadership.
SALINA: Quinn Munk is a junior majoring in organizational leadership.
ULYSSES: Tyra Hayden is a senior majoring in general studies.
WACO, Texas: Alexandria Kultgen is a senior majoring in organizational leadership and minoring in political science.
WICHITA (67226): Jacki Dougherty is a senior majoring in organizational leadership.
WOODBINE: Jaryth Barten is a junior majoring in organizational leadership and communication studies.

About VALUE
The Voss Advanced Leadership Undergraduate Experience is designed to develop the most promising undergraduates into powerful agents for good following their educational experience at Fort Hays State University.

To learn more about the VALUE program and this year’s scholars, visit https://www.fhsu.edu/leadership/value/. 

Teen from Victoria hospitalized after pickup rolls

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ELLIS COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Wednesday in Ellis County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported 2006 Chevy S10 pickup driven by Vance L. Hockersmith, 15, Victoria, was southbound on 370th one mile west of Walker.

The driver lost control and rolled the vehicle into the north ditch.

EMS transported Hockersmith to Hays Medical Center. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Ellis City Council approves submission of waterline project grant application

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By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

ELLIS — The Ellis City Council approved the submission of a Community Development Block Grant application for citywide waterline improvements at Tuesday’s meeting.

The application was narrowly denied in a prior submission.

“CBDG is competitive. It’s rated against all other water and sewer categories across the state,” Justine Benoit, grant administrator with Northwest Kansas Planning and Development, told the council. “Last year, there were 28 applications and 12 were funded.”

“We were number 13 or 14. We were right on the bubble,” City Clerk Amy Burton said.

Benoit told the council a total of $6.8 million in grant money was given out last year for water system improvements.

The project is based on an engineering survey completed and approved by the state in 2015 and this is the last cycle available for the city to submit a grant application before a new survey would need to be completed.

“That’s why we wanted to resubmit this application one more time,” Burton said

The application is due on Sept. 27 and awards are to be announced on Jan. 17, Benoit said.

“For this project, we have four waterlines in mind,” she said.

Several hydrants are also projected to be replaced with the project.

The total project is estimated to cost $824,225, with the grant covering half. The remaining cost would be paid through city funds that were budgeted for the project.

In order to qualify for the grant, the project must be completed within two years.

During the meeting, the council took action on three agenda items related to the project: a resolution to approve documents for the project’s grant application; approval a contract with the NKPDC to complete and submit the grant documents; and authorized the mayor to sign any additional CBDG documents.

All three were unanimously approved by the council.

Only one last step remains before the grant can be submitted, the approval of the project engineer’s contract. He is scheduled to attend the next city council meeting.

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