SALINA — The Saline County Commission Tuesday morning approved a change in employment policies that will allow county employees to carry a concealed weapon.
Employees of Saline County who wish to carry a concealed firearm for personal protection must have a concealed-carry permit, as required by law. Employees who wish to carry must keep the concealed firearm on their person at all times. Employees also are prohibited from storing or leaving a firearm in bags, coats, purses and briefcases while not on their person.
Employees will be required to submit a copy of their concealed carry permit to the Saline County Human Resources Division.
SALINA (AP) — The city of Salina and other water users are considering forming a new group to buy additional storage at Kanopolis Reservoir.
Salina city commissioners decided Monday the city should pursue creating a Lower Smoky Hill Water Supply Access District. The group would include other cities, industries and farmers that get water from the Smoky Hill River.
The Salina Journal reported the Kansas Legislature approved creation of the district in 2011. Detailed regulations were finished in August, but the group has not been formed yet.
By buying storage in the lake, members of the access district would be able to have water sent to them during drought, and those with older water rights wouldn’t be able to use that water.
JUNCTION CITY (AP) — After a year of fundraising, a northeast Kansas children’s choir might not be able to take a planned trip to Colorado this summer.
The Geary County Children’s Choir in Junction City was planning a trip to a program called Centennial State in Colorado Springs, Colo.
But the trip is in jeopardy after a former business manager allegedly embezzled about $10,000 from the choir. The suspect, Glen Irwin, was charged last week with felony theft.
Choir Director Greg Gooden told the Junction City Daily Union the money would pay for transportation, snacks and meals for the trip. The total cost would be about $35,000. The choir wasn’t able to make the first January payment of more than $8,000 because of the theft.
TOPEKA – Forty-two Kansas elementary schools, 10 middle/junior high schools and 18 high schools were recently recognized as part of the seventh annual Governor’s Achievement Awards, honoring top performing schools in the state. The Kansas Department of Education announced the recognition in a news release Tuesday.
To qualify, the school must have been among the top 5 percent of schools in both reading and mathematics on the state assessments at its respective level and met one additional measure. For elementary schools and middle/junior high schools, that measure is attendance. For high schools, the measure is graduation rate.
“The Governor’s Achievement Award is a significant recognition for Kansas schools,” said Diane DeBacker, Kansas education commissioner. “The accomplishment recognizes a school’s high expectations and the ability of the school staff to assist students in achieving to those expectations.”
Northwest Kansas schools receiving the honor were Wallace County High School, Stockton High School and Wheatland High School.
A complete of the winners follow:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Apollo Elementary School, USD 265 Goddard
Argonia Elementary School, USD 359 Argonia
Blue Ridge Elementary School, USD 473 Chapman
Blue River Elementary School, USD 229 Blue Valley
Bostic Traditional Magnet, USD 259 Wichita
Brookridge Day School, Overland Park
Corinth Elementary School, USD 512 Shawnee Mission
Edgerton Elementary School, USD 231 Gardner Edgerton
Frankfort Elementary School, USD 380 Vermillion
Good Shepherd School, Kansas City
Haviland Elementary School, USD 474 Haviland
Holy Family School, Dodge City
Jay Shideler Elementary School, USD 437 Auburn-Washburn
Lakeside Elementary at Downs, Waconda
Lakewood Elementary School, USD 229 Blue Valley
MacArthur Elementary School, USD 480 Liberal
Madison Elementary School, USD 231 Gardner-Edgerton
Marais Des Cygnes Valley Elementary, USD 456 Marais Des Cygnes
Marquette Elementary School, USD 400 Smoky Valley
Mission Trail Elementary School, USD 229 Blue Valley
Mont Ida Elementary School, USD 365 Garnett
Morse Elementary School, USD 229 Blue Valley
Mound Valley Elementary School, USD 506 Labette County
Nike Elementary School, USD 231 Gardner Edgerton
North Fairview Elementary School, USD 345 Seaman
Oatville Elementary School, USD 261 Haysville
Olsburg Elementary School, USD 384 Blue Valley
Prairie Creek Elementary School, USD 230 Spring Hill
Sheridan Elementary School, USD 475 Geary County
St. Gregory Elementary School, Kansas City
St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, Mt. Hope
St. Joseph Elementary School, Conway Springs
St. Patrick Catholic Elementary School, Parsons
St. Patrick Catholic Elementary School, Kingman
Stilwell Elementary School, USD 229 Blue Valley
Sunflower Elementary School, USD 231 Gardner-Edgerton
Sunset Ridge Elementary School, USD 229 Blue Valley
Trinity Lutheran Elementary School, Winfield
Wellington Christian Academy, Wellington
Westwood View Elementary School, Shawnee Mission
Wheatland Elementary School, Andover
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, Manhattan-Ogden
HIGH SCHOOLS
B & B Jr/Sr High School, USD 115 Nemaha Central
Blue Valley High School, USD 229 Blue Valley
Blue Valley Southwest High School, USD 229 Blue Valley
Centralia High School, USD 380 Vermillion
Conway Springs High School, USD 365 Conway Springs
Garden Plain High School, USD 267 Renwick
Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School, Wichita
Lakemary Center Paola, Paola
Lakeside High School at Downs, USD 272 Waconda
McPherson High School, USD 418 McPherson
Mill Valley High School, USD 232 De Soto
Pawnee Heights High School, USD 496 Pawnee Heights
Piper High School, USD 203 Piper-Kansas City
St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Kansas City
Stockton High School, USD 271 Stockton
Wakefield High School, USD 379 Clay Center
Wallace County High School, USD 241 Wallace County
Wheatland High School, USD 292 Wheatland
WICHITA (AP) — A growing national trend of crushing Smarties into powder and inhaling has reached at least one Wichita elementary school.
Officials at Enterprise Elementary School in south Wichita said last week that between 12 and 16 fifth-graders were crushing the candies, inhaling it into their mouths and exhaling through their noses.
The Wichita Eagle reported it’s part of a nationwide trend, which some call a “sugar rush.”
Wichita district spokeswoman Susan Arensman says it was an isolated case involving one fifth-grade class. Parents of the students were called to attend a mandatory meeting at the school. She says the students will face disciplinary action.
The school plans to invite counselors, police officers or others from outside agencies to talk to students about the dangers of inhalants.
MANHATTAN — Allegiant Air has announced it will end air service from Manhattan Regional Airport.
The Las Vegas-based carrier’s last day of service in Manhattan will be Feb. 23. Customers with reservations beyond that date will be contacted by Allegiant for a refund.
Allegiant began service from Manhattan Regional Airport on Nov. 7, with direct flights to and from the Phoenix–Mesa, Ariz., airport.
I“We are always disappointed to end service in a market,” said Eric Fletcher, Allegiant Travel airport manager, in a news release. “We thank Manhattan Regional Airport for their partnership and apologize to any travelers who are inconvenienced by this decision.”
GREAT BEND — Brad Reed has been hired as the new Great Bend USD 428 superintendent of schools.In a 7-0 vote Monday, the board of education extended a contract to Reed for the 2014-2015 school year.
Brad Reed
He has been the director of student services for Bentonville, Ark., public schools since 2007.
Reed has also served as the principal at Minneapolis (Kan.) High School, Oskaloosa High School and Southeast High School in Cherokee. He was an assistant principal at Great Bend High School during the 1991-92 school year.
Reed is working on his doctorate degree in education administration from the University of Kansas, with only his dissertation remaining. His bachelor’s degree in secondary education is from Arizona State University and his master’s degree is from Northern Arizona University.
WINONA — A New York woman was injured at 11:05 a.m. Monday in a rollover accident 9 miles west of Winona in Logan County, the Kansas Highway Patrol reported.
The KHP said a 2008 Chevy Aveo driven by Dimitra Doukas, 26, Astoria, N.Y., was westbound on U.S. 40 when the vehicle left the roadway, over-corrected and entered the ditch. The passenger car rolled approximately four times before coming to rest on its wheels.
Doukas was transported to Logan County Hospital for treatment. She was wearing a seat belt, the KHP reported.
PRATT – If you’ve ever wondered what baits catch what fish, how to start a fire with your bare hands, or even have thought about coasting a creek in a canoe, you should sign up for the 2014 Spring Becoming An Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshop this May. Held at Rock Springs 4-H Center May 16-18,the workshop will offer participants courses on everything from wood-carving and GPS basics, to rifle marksmanship and fly fishing.
Offered through the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, BOW is a non-profit, non-membership program designed for teaching women outdoor skills. The workshop will offer over 25 different classes thanks to a core of volunteer instructors, including KDWPT employees, law enforcement officials, and even past participants, all of whom are considered to be experts in their field.
Cost for the three-day workshop is $250, which includes lodging, meals and class supplies. Three $100 scholarships are available to first-time participants based on financial need.
Early registration will be open to first-time participants through March 15. If spots still remain, past participants may register beginning March 16. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as the spring workshop is limited to 48 participants and the application period will close May 2. To register, visit www.ksoutdoors.com and download a registration form.
For questions, call or email Jami McCabe at (785) 845-5052 or [email protected]. To learn more, and view pictures of past workshops, visit the BOW Facebook page found under “Becoming an Outdoors Woman KANSAS.”
TOPEKA (AP) — Parents, doctors and women who have been surrogate mothers are strongly criticizing a Kansas Senate bill to void existing surrogacy contracts and make it illegal to pay women to serve as surrogates.
The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee heard testimony Monday on the measure drafted by committee chairwoman Mary Pilcher-Cook, a Republican from Shawnee.
Pilcher-Cook and other supporters of the bill said they’re worried about the health of surrogate children and the women who bear them, as well as the possible exploitation of poor women.
But women who have been surrogates testified that it was a positive experience, and parents of children birthed by surrogate mothers said others shouldn’t be denied the same option.
And Wichita physician David Grainger said such a law would have criminalized Jesus’ conception.
TOPEKA — Kansas’ growing doctor shortage could be addressed by allowing nurses with advanced skills to work more independently of physicians, say those advocating a change in state law that would allow that to happen.
Currently under Kansas law, advanced practice registered nurses (or APRNs) must work under a so-called “collaborative practice agreement” with a supervising doctor before providing health care services within the nurse’s certified level of training.
A proposal expected to soon be before legislators would free APRNs from that requirement and allow them to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications for their patients without an agreement with a physician.
Rep. Peggy Mast, R-Emporia, speaks with Merilyn Douglass, a advanced practice registered nurse from Garden City and chairwoman of the Kansas APRN Task Force. Photo by Phil Cauthon, KHI.
Similar bills have been proposed in previous years at least as far back as 2009, but failed to advance. And the state’s leading doctor group already is signaling its opposition to this year’s proposal.
A bill could be introduced Wednesday in the Senate Ways and Means committee, according to members of the Kansas APRN Task Force, which is pushing the measure.
“Established practices are doing well,” said Merilyn Douglass, an advanced practice registered nurse from Garden City and chair of the Kansas APRN Task Force. “The biggest barrier that the signed physician agreement presents is in starting a practice. If we want to improve access to care for Kansans, we need more providers out there so that patients can call and get an appointment in a reasonable period of time. Patients deserve access to care, not to have to wait months to establish with a physician.”
She said she knew of at least one example in southwest Kansas where a nurse working for a soon-to-retire physician wanted to keep the clinic going but was having trouble finding a new supervising doctor to step in.
“Just like a lot of other states, we have a big population of Kansans who are going to need a primary care provider. There’s not enough physicians for all those new people, let alone an aging population that requires more visits and more complicated care,” Douglass said.
Other states
Across the U.S., there are three basic practice arrangements for nurses:
• Restricted: 12 states require direct supervision by a doctor in order to provide patient care;
• Collaborative practice: 21 states including Kansas require APRNs to have an agreement with a doctor, who oversees patient care to the degree the doctor deems necessary; or
• Unrestricted: 17 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws that allow APRNs to treat patients independently of physicians. Iowa and Colorado are among the unrestricted states.
As proposed in the bill draft, Kansas nurses would still have to undergo a “transition-to-practice” period under the supervision of a physician. That period would be 2,000 hours or about a year. That’s at least twice the length proposed in the plans put forth in previous years, said Mary Ellen Conlee, a lobbyist for the nurses. The longer period was a recommendation from a study group of the state nursing board, she said.
Jerry Slaughter, executive director of the Kansas Medical Society, the state’s leading doctor group, said he saw no reason to change the state’s current law dictating nurse practice arrangements.
“The system we have today has a long history of working pretty well. It provides a high degree of flexibility (without) requiring over-the-shoulder supervision,” of the nurses by doctors, Slaughter said.
“We can’t support the (nursing group’s) proposal as written,” he said “There aren’t any limitations — at least that we’ve seen — in the bill that would restrict APRNs from doing anything that a physician does. For example, we don’t see anything in the proposed bill that would prohibit a nurse from doing surgical procedures.”
Holes in access to coverage
House Speaker Pro Tem Peggy Mast, an Emporia Republican, said she is among the legislators who support the nurses’ proposal, in part, because of her own family’s experience with patchy health care access in the northwest part of the state.
Mast said her daughter went into premature labor over a weekend while she was in the Norton area.
“She went into labor and we ran her into the hospital, but the closest doctor that was there actually flew in from Wichita in order to take care of her. This is what we’re seeing occur in what we call the ‘frontier’ areas — where the nurse practitioners are really called upon to fill that gap, that need for good care,” Mast said.
“We realize we already have a shortage of individuals who can provide medical care in rural areas,” Mast said. “This (concept) has already been proven in other states that have expanded scope of practice. So I do support the expansion of scope of practice for nurse practitioners.”
Barrier to care?
Douglass of the Kansas APRN Task Force said the change in law was essential if access to care is to be improved in rural Kansas and other underserved areas.
She said the current law’s restrictions are blocking some efforts to provide or expand services. She gave the example of a psychiatric nurse practitioner she knows that is trying to start a practice in Garden City.
“Psychiatrists are scarce in western Kansas, let alone find one who will sign a practice agreement,” Douglass said. “This nurse practitioner found a psychiatrist to sign an agreement, but at a price: $16,000 per year. How does that ensure safe care? Fees paid to physicians to sign an agreement only add to healthcare costs.”
But the Kansas Medical Society also has characterized the nurses’ initiative as driven more by dollar considerations than patient care.
“Despite their (the nurses’ ) claims to the contrary, their bid for an unlimited scope of practice unnecessarily puts business pursuits ahead of patient safety and quality care. APRNs can practice in rural, underserved areas now, if they choose,” the society said in its most recent newsletter to members.
A 2011 report from the Institute of Medicine, found that among other things, “Restrictions on scope of practice … have undermined (nurses’) ability to provide and improve both general and advanced care.”
A 2012 report from the National Governors Association said that APRNs could expand access to care, particularly in underserved areas:
APRNs “may be able to mitigate projected shortages of primary care services … Existing research suggests that NPs can perform a subset of primary care services as well as or better than physicians.”
In March, the Federal Trade Commission cited those two reports and others in a letter to the Connecticut legislature, which was considering a bill similar to the proposal the Kansas nurses are offering. The letter, in part, read:
Removing (the collaborative practice) requirement has the potential to benefit consumers by expanding choices for patients, containing costs, and improving access. Accordingly, we encourage legislators to consider whether the existing requirement is necessary to assure patient safety in light of your own regulatory experience and the expert findings of the IOM, as well as the literature review and conclusions of the National Governors Association.
Maintaining an unnecessary and burdensome requirement is likely to deprive consumers of the benefits that increased competition can provide. Therefore, the Connecticut legislature should carefully consider the safety record of APRNs in Connecticut. Absent countervailing safety concerns regarding APRN practice, (the bill) appears to be a procompetitive improvement in the law that would benefit Connecticut health care consumers.”
Anticompetitive?
Americans for Prosperity-Kansas, an anti-tax group that champions limited government, is supportive of the nurses’ bill, said Jeff Glendening, the group’s director.
“It’s allowing for the free market in the occupational licensure world,” he said. “If I’m in town, I will definitely be testifying along the lines of this being a great example of economic freedom in action and the benefits of the free market, where people in underserved areas will have more options.”
AFP-Kansas also is supports a similar proposal to expand the scope of practice for dental hygienists.
Those two issues are among the three health policy issues that AFP-KS is focusing on this year, Glendening said. The third is the group’s opposition to Medicaid expansion “on the grounds that it’s expanding Obamacare,” he said.
The Better Business Bureau is warning cellphone users about a new scam that can result in unauthorized charges appearing on their monthly bills.
Consumers across the country report getting calls on their mobile phones during which the caller hangs up. This is being called the “one-ring scam” because the perpetrators program their computers to blast out thousands of calls to random cellphone numbers, ring once and then disconnect.
“The objective is to make you curious about a call you missed and return it right away. When you call back … you are connected to a paid international adult entertainment service or ‘chat’ line located outside the country,” said Jim Hegarty, BBB president and CEO.
Victims subsequently are billed not only for the incoming international call if they answer, but also the unwanted “premium service,” which typically appears as a $19.95 charge. In some cases, the scammers might only put a small charge of several dollars, so as not to arouse suspicion.
The area codes that appear on the caller ID often originate from the Dominican Republic (809), Jamaica (876), British Virgin Islands (284) and Grenada (473).
The practice of third parties placing unauthorized charges on wireless accounts is called “cramming.” The Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission have reviewed thousands of complaints about the practice and expect the problem to grow.
Better Business Bureau recommends if you don’t recognize an out-of-state telephone number on your caller ID, ignore it. If you do answer, do not call back. Check your wireless bills carefully and inform your carrier if you spot any unauthorized charges.
TOPEKA (AP) — A former treasurer of a rural Kansas fire district has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $425,000 from the district and has agreed to pay the money back.
Richard Bontrager of Holton pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of embezzlement. He admitted that from 2008 to 2012 he stole money from the Mayetta fire district by issuing checks with forged signatures to a fictitious company and depositing the money into his account.
The 67-year-old also admitted falsifying loan documents obligating the fire district to make monthly lease payments on a Polaris Ranger and 1988 Chevrolet 1-ton brush truck.
Prosecutors have said the thefts left the district unable to pay its bills.
He faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine when he’s sentenced April 14.
