Alumni from Leadership Hays classes are inviting other graduates to build upon the foundation of what they learned from the popular course by joining the Hays Area Konza Club.
Konza steering committee member Kris Fair said the new club plans to meet once a month.
“Our goal is to continue to learn the principles — or at least maintain — the principles you learn in Leadership Hays so you can go out in the real world and apply the lessons and be a better leader and teammate, ” Fair said.
Konza Club of Hays met for the first time last week. The next meeting is scheduled for March 11, and each get-together will focus on a different topic. Meetings might feature a movie that involves leadership skills or a speaker.
“As long at the content relates to leadership in some way,” Fair said. “We will discuss and maybe someone will have a good idea that can help them in a challenge they are facing at that time.”
Amanda Rohleder, also on the steering committee, said Konza Club will help Leadership Hays alumni maintain the skills they learned in the course such as energizing others and passing on leadership skills to others.
“You take the (Leadership Hays) course for a couple of months and then you don’t have a constant refresher,” she said. “Konza will help those of us who want a reminder and want to practice those skills as well as develop others. … It’s an opportunity to build on.”
Rohleder said alums from all Leadership Hays courses are invited to attend.
For more information, visit Hays Area Konza Club’s Facebook page.
The Herb Guild of Hays will explore herb native to the Hays area at a meeting 5 p.m. March 4 at Hays Public Library.
James Leiker, Hays, has spent more than three decades studying the plants used before modern medicine not only as food, but also for their medicinal properties. Today, many of those herbs still are being used in foods, supplements and medicine.
Leiker, an author and researcher, will provide an overview of those plants native to the Hays area. The guild meets quarterly at the library. The public is invited to the free presentation.
TOPEKA — A bill aimed at speeding payments from the state’s KanCare contractors to Medicaid service providers was endorsed today by the House Health and Human Services Committee.
House Bill 2552, a so-called “prompt pay” bill, had the backing of most of the state’s Medicaid provider groups and faced no opposition.
The measure essentially would write into law some of the payment requirements already included in the state’s contracts with the three insurance companies that have run day-to-day operations of the Kansas Medicaid program since Jan. 1, 2013, when the administration of Gov. Sam Brownback moved virtually all the state’s Medicaid enrollees into health plans run by three managed care companies.
The bill also would let doctors, hospitals and other Medicaid service providers collect 12 percent interest on late payments from the KanCare companies. The three current contractors are Amerigroup, UnitedHealthcare and Sunflower State Health Plan, a subsidiary of Centene.
A similar measure, Senate Bill 317, was introduced in the Senate and heard last week by the chamber’s Public Health and Welfare Committee. But no action has yet been taken on it.
The state’s contracts with the insurance companies include provisions that require they make timely payment for so-called “clean claims” submitted by Medicaid providers. The insurance companies have reported to state officials that they are meeting the contract standards well enough to qualify for the contract dollars the state has held back as an incentive for prompt payments.
A clean claim is one deemed by the managed care company to have been properly submitted in accordance with its billing procedures.
Providers have complained that the state’s contractual requirements for prompt payment have failed to account for the time it can take for a claim to be deemed “clean.”
Interhab, the group that represents most of the state’s Community Developmental Disability Organizations, pushed to have the 12 percent interest penalty in the bill raised to 18 percent. An amendment that would have done that was offered by Rep. Jim Ward, a Wichita Democrat. But his amendment failed on a voice vote.
Working to beat looming procedural deadlines, the committee also voted on several other proposed bills but tabled a controversial measure that would have required municipal water utilities to issue warnings about the reputed hazards of fluoridation.
Public health officials argued the warnings are baseless and that fluoridated water helps prevent cavities, especially in children.
By voting to table HB 2372, the committee probably killed it for this session. The vote was 10-2. The two committee members who voted against tabling the bill were Reps. Patricia Sloop, a Wichita Democrat, and Kevin Jones, a Wellsville Republican.
The bill would have required municipalities to warn their water customers that the “latest science confirms that ingested fluoride lowers the IQ in children.”
The bill was pushed by an anti-fluoride group that in 2012 helped orchestrate the defeat of a fluoride ballot initiative in Wichita, one of the largest cities in the nation that doesn’t add fluoride to its drinking water.
Rep. Barbara Bollier, a Mission Republican and physician, voted to table the proposal. She said the vast majority of studies have shown that fluoridation is safe and effective.
“The studies that I have read are not consistent with the information that they (the bill’s supporters) brought forward,” Bollier said.
Also today:
The committee endorsed HB 2611. Supporters, including the Kansas Dental Association, said the bill would lift current restrictions that effectively limit dentists from having more than three practice locations and could improve access to oral health care in underserved parts of the state.
Approved HB 2673, which would update state law dealing with the regulation and supervision of physician assistants.
Recommended passage of HB 2701, which would add drugs containing lorcaserin to the state’s list of controlled substances. Lorcaserin is most commonly prescribed for weight loss. It already is listed by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency as a Schedule IV drug.
The committee also voted to approve House Resolution 6049, urging creation of a state plan for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Xeriscaping — it’s a word that is being thrown around quite often these days with the continuing drought and water shortage issues facing the area. With conversations I have been a part of recently, and in listening to the conversations of others, it is obvious that this word – xeriscaping – or the concept of it can be a source of confusion in some instances.
Holly Dickman is Ellis County Horticulture Extension Agent.
I will try my best to explain what xeriscaping truly means and hopefully eliminate some of the confusion.
Xeriscaping is a word originally coined by the Denver Water Department several decades ago to describe landscaping with water conservation as a major objective. The word is derived from the Greek “xeros” meaning dry, and landscaping – thus, xeriscaping. Xeriscaping is not a specific “look” or a particular group of plants; it is actually a combination of seven gardening principles that maximizes water efficiency while creating an attractive landscape at the same time. Here are the steps required to create a true xeriscape:
Step #1: Planning and Design
Planning is essential in creating a sustainable, attractive xeriscape. Take into consideration site characteristics that affect water use (i.e. slopes, exposures, micro-climates) and then design the area with these things in mind. Put it on paper. A scale drawing or diagram can go a long way in helping you to visualize what your xeriscape might look like. Group plants according to water use and take into account mature plant size.
Step #2: Soil Preparation
“Take care of the roots and the tops will grow themselves”…this is a phrase that has been used to describe soil’s importance in plant growth. A healthy soil will result in healthier root systems which, in turn, create a more drought tolerant landscape. Amending entire garden beds (not just planting holes) with organic matter such as compost can help loosen heavy, clay soils allowing moisture and nutrients to infiltrate more readily to the roots vs. running off. On the other hand, adding organic matter to sandy soils will help increase the soil’s water holding capacity vs. water loss due to leaching below the root zone.
Step #3: Efficient Irrigation
Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep, more drought tolerant roots. Only water when absolutely necessary! Turfgrass should be watered to a depth of at least 6-8” while flowers and gardens should be watered to a depth of at least 8-12 inches. Trees and shrubs need to be watered to a depth of 12-18 inches as that is where the bulk of their roots are located. Watering much deeper than these depths is a waste of water. Check watering depth by using a probe of some sort (i.e. long screwdriver, piece of rebar, strong wire, etc.). When the probe hits resistance you have likely hit dry soil and this is the depth to which the moisture has reached.
Drip or sub-surface irrigation is the most efficient method as it places the water exactly where you need it. If watering with sprinkler systems or by hand, irrigate early in the morning to take advantage of lower wind speeds (hopefully), less evaporation, and higher humidity levels. Watering at this time of day also allows plant leaves to dry off quickly, lessening the threat of potential disease problems.
Step #4: Mulch
The need for supplemental irrigation is reduced when organic mulches are properly applied around plants. Examples of organic mulches include wood chips, cedar mulch, straw, leaves, cottonseed hulls, etc. These types of mulches decrease soil temperatures in the heat of summer while limiting evaporation from the soil surface. Organic mulch also discourages weed growth and breaks down over time helping to improve the condition of the soil (See Step #2). Generally, a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch is ideal in most situations.
Inorganic mulches such as gravel are generally not recommended for use around plants as they can create a hotter, harsher environment for plant roots. Organic mulches are preferred for use around plants in our area.
Step #5: Right Plant, Right Place – Plant zones
An extremely important step of xeriscaping is to plant the right plant in the right place. Plants vary in the amount of moisture they require so it is critical to know what those requirements are. Additionally, different areas of the yard may receive different amounts of moisture, sunlight, and wind. Take this into consideration when choosing plants for the xeriscape. Group or zone plants with similar water requirements together.
For example, group a crabapple tree with shrub roses in a planting bed vs. planting the trees and shrubs sporadically throughout a turfgrass area. Since trees and shrubs need to be watered differently than turf, planting them in separate zones will allow for more efficient watering and healthier plants.
Select low-water-use or drought-tolerant plants if possible. Remember all plants require additional moisture to get established. Drought tolerant does not mean “plant it and forget it.”
Step #6: Practical Turf Areas
Cool-season turfgrass such as Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass typically require the most water and maintenance in the landscape. Limit cool-season turf areas. Consider using mulches, groundcovers, ornamental or native grasses, shrub beds, decks or patios instead. Avoid odd shaped or narrow strips of turfgrass as these can be difficult to irrigate and may result in wasted water.
If you have full sun, consider planting warm-season turfgrasses such as Buffalo and Bermudagrass. These warm-season grasses are well suited to our area and, once established, will require very little supplemental irrigation (if any) in comparison to the cool-season grasses.
Keep areas designated to turfgrass practical for your use. Do you really need that vast expanse of green grass in the front yard?
Step #7: Proper Maintenance
While xeric landscapes can be low maintenance, they will still require some degree of care throughout the year. At appropriate times, proper pruning, mowing, weeding, fertilizing, watering, and insect/disease control are important to maintain the health of your xeriscape.
Overall, these seven steps create a true xeriscape. As you can see, it is not just about rocks! Reducing outdoor water use does not have to mean replacing lawns and trees with plastic and gravel, or turning flower gardens into cactus gardens. Xeriscaping is not Zero-scaping! Water conserving landscapes, as I prefer to call them, can look just as beautiful – if not more so – than water wasting ones.
For more information on water conserving landscapes or if you have questions regarding water conservation in general please contact the Ellis County Extension Office at (785) 628-9430 or check out our website, www.ellis.ksu.edu, for more information. You can also find us on Facebook under K-State Research and Extension – Ellis County.
Holly Dickman is Ellis County Horticulture Extension Agent.
GARNETT (AP) — Kansas corn and sorghum growers have a new top executive running their industry advocacy organizations.
Greg Krissek
Greg Krissek began his duties Monday as chief executive officer of the Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kansas Corn Commission and Kansas Sorghum Producers Association. He replaces Jere White, who recently retired after serving as executive director since 1988.
Krissek has nearly 25 years of experience in agriculture, ethanol, renewable energy and public policy. He was formerly assistant secretary at the Kansas Agriculture Department. He also worked as director of operations for the corn and sorghum industry groups.
He has worked as a government affairs director for ethanol company ICM Inc. as well as most recently as manager of accounting and consulting firm Kennedy and Coe.
Logan resident Mark Runnion passed away Saturday, Feb. 22, at his home in Logan at the age of 45. He was born Jan. 21, 1969, in St. Joseph, Mo., the son of Niles and Jean (Damewood) Runnion. He was working as a welder.
Survivors include his parents, Niles & Jean of Glade, Kan.; his brother Mike of Glade; and his grandmother, Elsie Runnion of Logan.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m. in the Logan High School, Logan, with Pastor Troy Buss officiating. Burial will follow in the Marvin Cemetery, Glade.
The casket will be closed. Friends may sign the book from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Logan Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Logan Fire Department.
Stakeholders are invited to a public meeting to discuss looking improvements to 13 Street in Hays.
The city’s 2012 comprehensive plan update called for improving gateway corridors leading to downtown Hays, including 13th Street from Main to Milner.
In addition to being called out in the comprehensive plan for aesthetic improvement, this stretch of 13th Street also ranked high on the priority of streets being considered for pavement improvements based on condition and traffic volume. The project was included in the city’s 2014 budget, and conceptual design planning has begun. Once a design plan is approved, construction would occur in 2015.
Assistant Hays Public Works Director John Braun says there will also be aesthetic improvements to the area:
The city of Hays will have a public open house at 5:30 p.m. March 5 at City Hall to discuss potential concepts for future improvements to the 13th Street corridor from Main to Milner. The city has encouraged residents and business owners adjacent to the proposed project to attend the open house to learn more about the project.
The engineering consultant hired by the city to complete the conceptual design, the Driggs Design Group, Hays, will be available to discuss the project and answer questions regarding the project. They also will be accept comments on various design concepts that have been developed for the city’s consideration. A presentation of concepts is tentatively scheduled for the March 20 Hays City Commission work session.
Those with questions prior to the meeting or requests for special accommodations can contact the Public Works Department at (785) 628-7350 or email [email protected].
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Walter Ehlers has died at 92.
Walter Ehlers. Courtesy of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum.
Ehlers, originally from Junction City, died Thursday of kidney failure in Long Beach, Calif. He was the final surviving recipient of the Medal of Honor who had been involved in the D-Day invasion of Normandy during World War II.
According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Ehlers was honored for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty” on June 9 and 10, 1944, near Goville, France.
“Ehlers, always acting as the spearhead of the attack, repeatedly led his men against heavily defended enemy strong points exposing himself to deadly hostile fire whenever the situation required heroic and courageous leadership.”
On D-Day, Ehlers was a staff sergeant and squad leader in the 18th Infantry Regiment in the 1st Infantry Division.
In 2009, Walter Ehlers participated in a veterans panel at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene in an event marking the 65th anniversary of D-Day.
Let’s figure that you probably don’t want to see a lobbyist, or maybe a corporate chief, handing a legislator a check for his/her campaign fund before the legislator goes into the House or Senate to vote on a bill.
Now, that would be a little … unseemly, wouldn’t it?
Well, it if was that simple, we’d be done. That’s illegal.
Lobbyists and corporations and unions—really anyone except individuals—can’t contribute to anyone’s legislative campaign funds after Jan. 1 of each year and before the formal adjournment of the Legislature for the year, called sine die, usually in late May or early June.
Now, that sounds fair.
But…Democratic leadership in the House and Senate have special campaign committees that can accept money during the legislative session that will later be used for financing their members’ campaigns.
Republicans in the Senate used to have one of those during-the-session fundraising vehicles but it is now out of play (long story), and House Republicans more than a decade ago never started that special fund when they had the chance.
So…Republicans want to even the score. If Democrats can raise campaign money during the session from lobbyists and corporations and unions and such, Republicans want to, too.
There are two ways to do this. Republicans have the votes to just shut down the Democrats’ ability to raise money through their special leadership funds so nobody could raise campaign money from anyone but pedestrians during the session. It’s not the fault of Democrats that Republicans don’t have special leadership funds, but that’s not much of a consideration for Republicans.
The way Republicans want to level the fund-raising ground is to allow political parties to designate one leadership committee for each party in each house that is allowed to accept campaign contributions during the legislative session.
That evens things up. That way House and Senate Republicans have the ability to raise money that Democrats can now.
It might be a little unseemly, but the ground will be level if Senate Republicans who are pushing—and have the votes to pass—the bill that House Republicans, that again, they have the votes to pass, would like, too.
Now, you’ve probably guessed that neither Republicans nor Democrats are bashful about pushing big-money contributors to cough up campaign funds before that Jan. 1-through-adjournment drought. They may even remind those donors that they supported issues important to those business checkbook owners.
But during-the-session solicitation of contributions would be done by a leadership committee and not by individual lawmakers.
Good bill? Bad bill?
Talk among yourselves…
Syndicated by Hawver News Co. of Topeka, Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report. To learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit www.hawvernews.com.
The FHSU Foundation and FHSU Athletics has once again partnered with Cerv’s Conoco to honor two students-athletes with the Distinguished Tiger Leadership Award. According to Fort Hays State University, this is the third year of the programs that honors one female and one male student-athlete for contributions in the classroom, on the court and track, and in the community. On Saturday night at halftime of the men’s basketball game, Callie Wright and Jesse Trent were awarded this year’s Distinguished Tiger Leadership Award.
Wright, Topeka, is a senior member of the Tiger softball team. Wright maintains a 3.5 GPA as a tourism and hospitality major with a certificate in marketing. She has been a recipient of the academic honor roll award the last four semesters. On the field, Wright received second-team All-MIAA honors at catcher as a sophomore. In 2013, she was behind the plate for 43 games, which included calling six no-hitters, two of which were perfect games.
Jesse Trent is a junior member of the Tiger football team and a Dodge City native. Trent maintains a 3.9 GPA as a pre-med major at FHSU and is a two-time Academic All-American and a recipient of the 2013-2014 MIAA Scholar Athlete Award. On the field, Wright was named a captain last season, is a three-year letter winner for the Tigers and was named second-team All-MIAA defensive lineman in 2013.
As recipients of the award, Wright and Trent each will receive a donation to their respective program, courtesy of Cerv’s Conoco & Convenience, which will be made in their name dedicated to the Scholarship Club.
Nominations were made by head coaches and voted on by committee members. Criteria considered were dedication, volunteerism, teamwork, commitment and positive attitude.
By KARI BLURTON
