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Category: State

Trial Delayed in WWII Flight Theft

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The trial of a Great Bend woman accused of stealing more than $100,000 from a group that flew World War II veterans to Washington D.C. has been delayed miller.jpgbecause of problems between her and her attorney.

The attorney for LaVeta Dianne Miller of Great Bend told a judge Monday that Miller had stopped communicating with him since her preliminary hearing in April. He asked to be removed from the case.

Miller said she hasn’t worked since the preliminary hearing and has had trouble paying her bills and with her phone. After hearing the explanation, her attorney, Robert Anderson, agreed to stay on the case.

The Great Bend Tribune reported Anderson said he needed a continuance for the trial, which was scheduled for September. A new trial date was not set.

Western Kansas Man Appointeed to KWPTC

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Gary Hayszlett, Lakin
Gary Hayzlett, Lakin

A southwest Kansas man is among several appointments to state boards and commissions announced Friday by Governor Sam Brownback.

Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism is administered by a Secretary of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and is advised by a seven member Wildlife Parks and Tourism commission. All positions are appointed by the Governor with the Commissioners serving staggered four year terms. Serving as a regulatory body for the Department, the Commission is a non-partisan board, made up of no more than four members of any one political party, advising the Secretary on planning and policy issues regarding administration of the Department.

  •  Gary Hayzlett, Lakin, is appointed to a four-year term.  Hayzlett served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 1990 to 2012 and held numerous board and committee positions, including the executive council of the national Assembly of Sportsmen Caucus.  He is an avid sportsman and wildlife supporter.

The governor’s office is always looking for qualified, interested Kansans to serve the state on commissions and boards in their areas of expertise.  If you are interested in serving on a commission or board, visit https://governor.ks.gov/serving-kansans/office-of-appointments.

KanCare Requiring Additional Information

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The State of Kansas Medicaid program, KanCare, is collecting important household information from beneficiaries to KDHEmeet new federal eligibility guidelines mandated by the Affordable Care Act. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment began today mailing the instructions and a data collection form in a letter envelope to about 130,000 KanCare households of beneficiaries who are parents with children and pregnant women. This mailing is not being sent to elderly and disabled KanCare beneficiaries.

The federal eligibility rules beginning Oct. 1 change the type of information the states need when determining Medicaid coverage for their residents. Currently, the State of Kansas does not require KanCare applicants and members to report whether and how many people in a household are filing income taxes. This data collection form asks the family to list how each person in a household is related to one another and indicate which members of that household plan to file income taxes in 2014.

The Kansas Medicaid eligibility system needs this information starting Oct. 1. For new applicants, this information will be collected at the time of application. However, for current KanCare households, this information is needed in the system so that the automated eligibility determination can work when the members are up for review.

“We are asking all current KanCare members who are parents with children or pregnant women to actively check their mailbox for this form and then complete the form and send it to us in the return envelope that we’ve provided. This information should be returned by September 15th, and it will help us in our work to assist our members with their coverage,” said Susan Mosier, M.D., director of Medicaid services at KDHE. “For those requiring assistance, phone numbers are provided in both English and Spanish. If members call the KanCare Clearinghouse and provide this information over the phone, the form does not need to be returned.”

For KanCare members who need assistance with the information mailed to them, the number to call is: 1-855-751-4012 for English, or 1-866-305-5147 for Spanish.

At the same time these new federal rules will be taking effect, the State of Kansas will be implementing Phase II of the Kansas Eligibility Enforcement System (KEES), which is a new computer system replacing the legacy system that has required the manual processing of applications for 20-plus years. The new household information from KanCare members will be entered into KEES Benefits Management System. For the past 12 months, KEES has allowed Kansans to apply online for medical benefits, though the functionality for processing applications has not been fully automated during this time.

On Oct. 1, KanCare applications submitted online will be processed electronically through KEES. Paper applications will continue to be accepted. For more information about KanCare, visit www.KanCare.KS.gov.

Music Is In the Air Again

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You may have heard the bells ringing again at the Place of Meditation on the campus of the Eisenhower Presidential Library. A new carillon has been installed by the AMVETS (American Veterans) Memorial Carillon program. The previous carillon was damaged in a spring storm.

 

This type of Schulmerich electronic carillon, recently installed at the Place of Meditation, has many new features.
“We are grateful to the AMVETS organization for providing a new carillon for the Place of Meditation,” said Karl Weissenbach, Director. “The previous carillon had also been donated by the AMVETS, and we appreciate their continued support in providing this service. The bells toll every quarter hour during the daytime and patriotic songs play at 10 a.m., 12, 2 and 4 p.m. The new carillon has additional features allowing us to play special songs for holidays and special occasions.”

 

AMVETS has a proud his­tory of assist­ing vet­er­ans and spon­sor­ing numer­ous pro­grams that serve our coun­try and its cit­i­zens. One of these is its own car­il­lon pro­gram to honor America’s deceased servicemen and women. Since 1949, when Pres­i­dent Tru­man ded­i­cated the first car­il­lon at Arling­ton National Ceme­tery, this pro­gram has grown to encom­pass about 100 sites in the United States and overseas.

 

A carillon provides a “living memorial” — tolling bells that act as a constant reminder of the price of liberty. According to AMVETS, a carillon not only affirms that the sacrifices made by those who died were not in vain, but also serves to remind us of our legacy and of our debt to those who fought to preserve freedom throughout the world.

 

The Schulmerich company manufactures the carillons and partners with AMVETS. Since 1948, Schulmerich has installed more than 130 electronic carillons at AMVETS facilities around the world in support of their Memorial Carillon program.

Russell Inmates Indicted

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russell co jail signTOPEKA – Two Russell County Jail inmates have been indicted on one charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said Thursday.

John Moffat, 52, and Carter Moffat, 26, are being held in the Russell County Jail. The crimes are alleged to have occurred June 26 in Russell County.

If convicted, they face a penalty of not less than 10 years and not more than life, and a fine up to $10 million.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.

Pilot Program Gets Break from FAA

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planeGraduates of Kansas State University at Salina’s pilot program are getting a break from the federal government.

The school has been granted an exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration that will allow students to become professional co-pilots more quickly than other schools’ graduates.

The FAA rule requires aviation graduates to have at least 1,500 hours of flight time before being hired as co-pilots. The Salina Journal reports KSU-Salina’s flight program meets FAA requirements for an exemption. That means its graduates are required to have only 1,000 flight hours before becoming co-pilots.

Kurt Barnhart, an official at the school, said the exemption gives the students advantages in time and cost over students at flight schools that don’t meet the FAA requirements.

Be Careful at Kansas Lakes

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LakeThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is urging swimmers and boaters to be careful after a spate of drowning deaths.

So far this year, there have been seven water-related fatalities at the district’s Kansas lakes – the most in these lakes in more than 20 years. The corps says alcohol was a contributing factor in five of the seven drownings.

Those deaths are among 74 in the past nine years in the 18 lakes the corps manages in its Kansas City district, which includes parts of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. The corps urged boaters to wear life jackets, noting that only one of the 74 victims was wearing a life jacket.

New “Hire a Veteran” Pledge

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kanvet bannerThe Kansas Department of Commerce encourages employers to show their support for hiring veterans by signing the “Hire a Veteran” pledge on the new KanVet website at www.KanVet.ks.gov. Employers who sign the pledge agree to consider qualified military veterans for open positions.

Gov. Sam Brownback and other state officials helped launch the KanVet website on July 1.

KanVet connects veterans with higher education information and job searching tools designed specifically for veterans. Employment resources include information about KANSASWORKS, the KanSERVE program, opportunities with the Kansas Army and Air National Guard and descriptions of other employment services. Education tools provide the ability to search for higher education programs for veterans at all Kansas Board of Regents universities, as well as community and technical colleges.

Employers who take the pledge will publicly demonstrate support for hiring veterans. In addition, KANSASWORKS staff will contact businesses and organizations that take the pledge to help link them with qualified veterans seeking jobs.

In addition to Commerce, other state agencies that helped develop KanVet include the Kansas Adjutant General’s Office, the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs, the Department for Children and Families and the Kansas Board of Regents.

Showers Do Little for Kansas Crops

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Agriculture - Corn 001Spotty rain showers across much of Kansas this past week were too little to improve drought conditions in western Kansas.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Monday that dryland farm crops and pastures continue to suffer. The agency says it has received reports of failed corn and sorghum crops in areas missed by the rain, as well as fields damaged by hail or wind.

The corn crop’s condition has declined with 30 percent considered in poor to very poor shape. About 39 percent is rated fair, 28 percent is good and 3 percent is in excellent condition.

Sorghum crops also are hurting, with 21 percent reported in poor to very poor condition. About 43 percent is rated as fair, 34 percent as good and 2 percent as excellent.

Dole and Eisenhower for Brownback

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Sam Brownback announced Tuesday former U.S. Senator Bob Dole and Humanitarian Mary Jean Eisenhower will serve as the National Co-Chairs of his 2014 re-election campaign for governor of Kansas.

bob dole
Bob Dole

In a letter, Dole and Eisenhower said they didn’t hesitate to serve as Brownback’s National Co-Chairs.

“From years of association, we know Sam Brownback to be a good man with the right ideas and experience  continue leading our great state forward,” Dole and Eisenhower wrote. “Seeing Kansas grow and prosper is one of the great joys of our lives, and we are honored to stand with Sam Brownback.  We cherish our Kansas traditions and we are excited about its future.  We urge all Kansans to join this campaign.”

Bob Dole served Kansas in the U.S. Senate from 1969 to 1996 and in the House of Representatives from 1961 to 1969.

Mary Jean Eisenhower is the president of the Board of Directors for the People to People International, a humanitarian organization founded by her grandfather, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Mary Eisenhower
Mary Eisenhower

Kansans elected Brownback and Jeff Colyer, M.D. as Governor and Lt. Governor in November 2010.

University of Kansas Hospital Specialties in Top 50

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ku best hospitalsku hospitalSince 1990, U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals list has ranked hospitals nationwide according to data such as procedure volumes, nurse-to-patient ratios, and patient safety and survival.

U.S. News evaluated nearly 5,000 hospitals for the 2013-14 Best Hospitals list. The University of Kansas Hospital ranked among the nation’s best 50 in 9 specialties.

KUMC is ranked as the #1 hospital in Kansas City, the region and the state of Kansas. This is the seventh consecutive year the  hospital has ranked on the Best Hospitals list.

Large Hay Bale Fire Kills Farmer

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bale fire wide bale fire msAn Osborne County farmer has died of injuries suffered in a large hay bale fire Thursday night.

Osborne County Sheriff Curt Miner told Hays Post, “Lowell Lund, age 82 of rural Waldo, died from severe burns at a Wichita hospital.  Lund and his son had been hauling bales all day when something started the fire.

Firefighters from Paradise, Waldo, Natoma, Alton, Luray, and Osborne County Rural Fire arrived at the scene in southwest Osborne County about six p.m. Thursday.

Natoma Fire Chief Keith Koelling said many of the 300 bales were already fully engulfed.

The fire continued burning into early Friday morning. “Firefighters burned around the bales, in a controlled burn,” said Miner. “They also dug a ditch and placed the bales there to control the blaze.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

(Photos courtesy Russell County Emergency Manager Keith Haberer)

New Russell City Council Member

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New Russell City Commissioner Tony WItt is sworn in ???
New Russell City Commissioner Tony Witt is sworn in Friday as Mayor Curt Mader looks on.

The Russell City Council has a new member.

Anthony “Tony” Witt was sworn in to office Friday morning by Deputy City Clerk Karen Gates.

Witt represents Ward 4, the unexpired seat of  former Councilman Dave Harry who resigned in June.

(Picture courtesy city of Russell)

 

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