TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Family Policy Council says it has hired a Republican lawmaker from Wichita as its new executive director.
However, the lawmaker, Rep. Steve Brunk, said Friday that negotiations are continuing and nothing about his possible new job will be officially announced until January.
The council is an advocacy group that opposes abortion and same-sex marriage. Brunk is chairman of the House Federal and State Affairs Committee, which considers several topics, including abortion, guns and First Amendment issues.
The family council’s chairman, Dennis Blick, announced Brunk’s hiring in a fundraising letter.
The Wichita Eagle reports (https://bit.ly/1Y38hDX ) if Brunk lobbies for the council, he would be required to resign his House position. But Brunk said he would not be a lobbyist for the group and would not necessarily have to resign.
Fire on Thursday in Saline County- photo Saline Co. Sheriff
SALINE COUNTY -A trash fire that got away from a burn barrel Thursday afternoon destroyed two buildings and damaged a third, according to Saline County Sheriff Captain Roger Soldan
Austin Butler, a tenant of the property, reported the fire. Saline County Rural Fire District #1 responded to 7140 East Hobbs Creek Road at about 1:30 p.m.
The fire destroyed a 60-foot by 50-foot pole barn where car parts were stored and a 20-foot by 40-foot wooden shed where a trailer was stored.
The fire also damaged a two-car garage.
The trailer was valued at $1,000.
No other damage estimate was available. There were no injuries reported.
SOUTH HUTCHINSON- Police and the KBI continue their investigation into
an apparent accidental shooting that left a 3-year-old son of a Reno County Sheriffs deputy dead.
Police and EMS responded around 8:17 Friday morning to the 107 E Ave. B to the report of a shooting. Police say that Kaden Nagel , son of Deputy Andrew Nagel, picked up an unsecured gun which discharged resulting in the child’s death. Deputy Nagel was in another room and heard the gun shot. Nagel performed first aid on his son until EMS arrived but the child was pronounced dead at the scene.
Reno County Sheriff Randy Henderson asked that everyone keep the Nagel family in their prayers during what is a very difficult situation.
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SOUTH HUTCHINSON— Police and the KBI are investigating an accidental shooting at a home in South Hutchinson.
Police and EMS responded just after 8:17a.m. on Friday to 107 East Ave. B after report of a shooting.
A 3-year old child may have picked up an unsecured gun, which discharged resulting in the child’s death, according to police.
CHASE COUNTY- A Kansas teen died in an accident just before 8:30a.m. on Friday in Chase County.
The Kansas Turnpike Authority reported a 2008 Ford Focus driven by Tyler Ray Smith, 19, Derby, was northbound on the turnpike just north of Matfield Township.
The vehicle traveled off the road to the right and the driver overcorrected. The vehicle re-entered the road, rolled and ejected the driver.
He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KTA.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita State University officials say that an active marketing campaign has increased the amount of potential patents by school faculty and students.
The Wichita Eagle reports that Wichita State University Ventures, an arm of the school that assists with patenting and commercializing inventions or software, has sharply increased the number of invention disclosures by university faculty, staff and students in the last three years.
Ventures director Cindy Claycomb says invention disclosures are formal explanations on why university researchers’ inventions should receive patent protection.
Claycomb says that there were 16 invention disclosures in the year ending June 30, 2013. This year, ending June 30, saw 41 disclosures.
After receiving a disclosure, Ventures decides whether to file for a provision patent, which gives them a year to seek a full patent.
Hospitals penalized for avoidable complications will lose 1 percent of their Medicare reimbursements in 2016. PIXABAY–CREATIVE COMMONS
By DAN MARGOLIES
Four Kansas City area hospitals are among 758 nationwide being penalized by Medicare for hospital-acquired infections and other complications that Medicare considers avoidable.
The hospitals are:
Blue Valley Hospital
Menorah Medical Center
The University of Kansas Hospital
Truman Medical Center Hospital Hill
Under Medicare’s Hospital-Acquired Conditions Reduction Program, the four will see their 2016 Medicare payments lowered by 1 percent.
The program was established by the Affordable Care Act of 2010, or Obamacare, and aims to reduce medical errors and improve patient safety. The program penalizes hospitals that rank in the worst-performing 25 percent.
The fines are based on the frequency of various infections, hip fractures, collapsed lungs, sepsis and other complications.
This is the program’s second round. In the first round a year ago, 11 area hospitals, including three of this year’s four – Truman, Menorah and KU – got hit with penalties.
The penalized hospitals were ranked on a score of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst. Blue Valley Hospital scored a 9.25, followed by Truman, 8.0; KU, 7.75; and Menorah, 7.25.
Dr. Tim Williamson, vice president of quality and safety at KU Hospital, said in an email that the penalties were based on older data, which he compared to looking in a rearview mirror.
“We at The University of Kansas Hospital are focused on current data. What is our safety reduction today? We have robust teams working daily on multiple safety initiatives (including more areas than Medicare reports) and tracking our progress to keep patients safe,” Williamson said.
“Our data shows significant improvements such as recent substantial progress in reducing central line infections. Having said that, all hospitals have room to do better and we are working toward zero harm daily. It’s a challenge when you care for the sickest of the sick, complex patients with compromised immune systems and at high risk for infection, but are absolutely committed to this important goal.”
Representatives of Truman, Menorah and Blue Valley did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Dan Margolies, editor of the Heartland Health Monitor team, is based at KCUR. You can reach him on Twitter @DanMargolies.
JUNCTION CITY- Law enforcement authorities in Geary County are investigating a suspect involved in a chase with a stolen vehicle and crash on Friday morning.
The pursuit began on Clarks Creek Road in rural Geary County, according to Sheriff Tony Wolf.
“Deputies saw a red Dodge pickup, had no tag on it, so they tried to stop the vehicle, and it took off running.” Said Wolf.
The chase went north to Interstate70, west down the interstate into Junction City and ended on Bittersweet Drive when the pickup struck a Junction City police patrol vehicle.
The pickup driver from Council Grove tried to bail out and run but was quickly apprehended, according to Wolf.
There were no injuries. Both vehicles suffered disabling damage.
Wolf said the vehicle driven by the suspect was stolen in Herington.
“Deputies also found a loaded gun and what appeared to be methamphetamine, said Wolf.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a 22-year-old man in the fatal shooting of a man and a woman at a Topeka apartment complex.
Topeka police said officers responded Thursday night to a reported shooting. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that 20-year-old Daquhan S. Jackson and 29-year-old Mary E. Thomas, 29, both of Topeka, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Topeka police Capt. Ash Kaboudan said the man who was arrested had been involved in a disturbance with the victims before the shooting. The man has been booked into jail on suspicion of two counts of felony murder.
Police said several witnesses are being interviewed.
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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a man and woman have been fatally shot at a Topeka apartment complex.
Topeka police said in a news release that officers responded Thursday night to a reported shooting. The two victims were found inside with gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene.
Their names weren’t immediately released, pending notification of family members. Police said detectives are interviewing several witnesses and that additional details will be released later.
MANHATTAN- Officials at Kansas State University are working on diversity issues. In a letter from the president’s cabinet Friday, University President Kirk Schultz said, “Recently, we were notified about disparaging comments made to those in our family who practice Islam. We need to be clear that there is no room for this type of behavior at our university.”
A diversity of views lies at the heart of a university education, as does the ability to discuss differences in a healthy, civil environment.
They call for affirming the inherent dignity and value of every person, striving to maintain an atmosphere of justice and respect, according to Schultz.
We all strive for a diverse K-State Community -a reminder that this includes diversity in religion as well https://t.co/QEsnrn4PXY
“As the principles state, we have high expectations for the behavior of our students, faculty and staff. Unfortunately, there will always be those who demean others, out of ignorance, fear or mean-spiritedness. We must let them know this is not the K-State way. Each of us must speak up when we see and hear things that are wrong,” wrote Schultz. “
Those who hide behind the anonymity of social media have created an atmosphere making some feel unsafe in our community because of what they believe. What we post matters, and what we say matters. We must strive to be better than this. Let us use social media to celebrate and promote diversity. We have worked hard to attract people from around the world to help us build a very special community.
From the wonderful towns of Kansas to the great cities of the world, every person who comes to K-State brings a unique background and set of beliefs. Let’s make everyone feel welcomed and seize the opportunity to learn from each other.” Schultz and 11 other members of the president’s cabinet signed the letter.
I just finished meeting with some of our Muslim K-Staters – a great reminder that an Inclusive K-State community applies to all! — Kirk H. Schulz (@kstate_pres) December 10, 2015
MIAMI COUNTY- Three people including a Kansas deputy sheriff were injured in an accident just before 6a.m. on Friday in Miami County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford SUV driven by Miami County Deputy Stephen D. Lopez, 41, Paola, was traveling on Kansas 68 near the Cider Mill with lights and sirens.
The deputy was attempting to pass a 2009 Dodge passenger vehicle driven by Juan Tapia Castillo, 59, Overland Park.
The Dodge made a left turn in front of the SUV. The vehicles collided and the SUV rolled.
Lopez, Castillo and a passenger in the Dodge Jimmy Eduardo Macario-Excelente, 38, Overland Park, were transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center.
All were properly restrained at the time of the accident.
MANHATTAN- Law enforcement authorities in Riley County are investigating a Friday morning shooting at a home in Manhattan.
Just after midnight, police and emergency crews were dispatched to the 1000 Block of North 8th Street in Manhattan for a report of an apparent intruder that had been shot by the resident of that address, according to a Riley County Police media release.
Officers discovered Tyler Nelson, 21, Manhattan inside the residence and with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Nelson was transported to Via Christi Hospital where he died.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that Nelson unlawfully gained entry to the residence, was confronted by the resident and then shot once in the chest.
Nelson’s purpose for entering this residence is unknown at this time.
No charges have been filed against the home’s resident Richard Smith, 62, in connection with the shooting.
Smith was arrested, however, for Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia as a result of this investigation.
SALINA – A 3-year-old Kansas boy, who police say was missing since late November, is home.
Gavin King, who had been picked up his non-custodial mother and an adult male on November 28th, was returned to his family on Wednesday, according to his father Chris King.
No further details were released.
The disappearance remains under investigation.
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SALINA -Family and friends of 3-year-old Gavin King are searching for the child, who has been missing since November.
Gavin was picked up by his non-custodial mother and an adult male on November 28th and the child has not been returned. They may be traveling in a late 1990’s or early 2000’s blue Chevy or GMC pickup.
It is not known if they are still in the Salina area. They may have traveled to Colorado.
Gavin is about 3 feet tall and has blonde hair and blue/green eyes. He has a red, Lightning McQueen suitcase with him.
If you have any information regarding Gavin’s disappearance or know of his whereabouts, please contact the Salina Police Department at 785-826-7210.
Rep. Jenkins and Sen. Moran on a visit to a Topeka hospital-courtey photo
WASHINGTON- This week, the House of Representatives passed S. 1461, authored by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (KS-02), by unanimous consent and it will now be sent to the president’s desk. This legislation would prohibit the federal government from enforcing its unreasonable supervision regulations for outpatient therapeutic services on Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and other small rural hospitals in 2015, continuing the prohibition signed into law last year covering 2014.
“Making certain Kansans have access to quality health care remains one of my top priorities in Congress,” Sen. Moran said. “Rural hospitals find the federal government’s direct supervision requirements impossible to meet, so I’m pleased this legislation will soon become law to help preserve patients’ access to important therapy services in Kansas and across the country. This measure will also enable us to continue to advocate for passage of the Protecting Access to Rural Therapy Services Act – the PARTS Act – bipartisan legislation I introduced to permanently address this outpatient therapy supervision issue. Thanks to Congresswoman Jenkins for her efforts on this legislation in the House of Representatives.”
“Medicare’s unfair and inflexible direct supervision requirement would impact Critical Access Hospitals and other rural healthcare providers, ultimately hurting rural communities. What’s more, this rule would provide no benefit, merely creating excessive regulation that gets in the way of quality healthcare for folks in Kansas and across America,” said Congresswoman Jenkins. “I am proud to see this legislation that I authored pass by unanimous consent today in the House, and I urge the President to act quickly and prevent any damage being done to rural communities through this unnecessary regulation.”
Examples of direct supervision rules for outpatient therapy services:
Application of cast to a finger
Blood transfusions
Application of a splint to a finger
Demonstration and/or evaluation of a patient utilizing a nebulizer or metered dose inhaler
Alcohol and/or substance abuse (other than tobacco) structured assessment and brief intervention (such as advising of health risks and counseling for 15-30 minutes)
Pulmonary rehabilitation, including exercise of one hour per session – up to two sessions per day
