written by: Randy Clinkscales of Clinkscales Elder Law Practice

A few years ago I had a family come see me. They did not have a terribly unusual situation, but had some good goals in mind. I had a good but complicated plan outlined for them. At the end of the meeting, I had the feeling that they were just “fishing” for information.

Long term planning, and especially trying to qualify for Medicaid, is very involved. The rules are foreign. Many times I tell clients that there are several different kinds “laws”: the Constitution; federal laws; state laws; regulations; and IRS laws. And then there is Medicaid.

To say Medicaid is difficult is an understatement. Many of the “rules” of Medicaid are not actually rules at all; many times they are internal policies that end up acting with the force of a rule or a law.

Many of my clients come from a background of self-sufficiency. As an office we stress to our clients the need to spend money to take care of themselves now, both from a healthcare standpoint and from a planning standpoint. Sometimes they decide to do it on their own.

Back to the family that came to see me a few years ago. While their goal was to protect the land and home, they decided to try to do it on their own. They ended up applying for Medicaid, only to be denied and now owe the nursing home almost $100,000, with an eviction notice being served on them. Their only recourse is to start selling the home and farm. And when they do, particularly as to the farm, they are going to end up paying taxes.

It is particularly frustrating to me. I designed a plan for the family that would have helped them avoid being in such as difficult situation. Their loved one that is in the nursing home now has the added pressure of a possible eviction.

I know there are too many traps out there. Do not waste an opportunity to find help. Do not try to do it on your own.

Randy Clinkscales of Clinkscales Elder Law Practice, PA, Hays, Kansas, is an elder care attorney, practicing in western Kansas. To contact him, please send an email to randy@clinkscaleslaw.com. Disclaimer: The information in the column is for general information purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is different and outcomes depend on the fact of each case and the then applicable law. For specific questions, you should contact a qualified attorney.

UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 428  — August 13, 2018 5:00 p.m.

BUDGET HEARING
1. Call to Order of Budget Hearing / Roll Call………………………………… Mr. Umphres
2. Recognition of Visitors at the Budget Hearing ……………………………. Mr. Umphres
3. Budget Hearing ……………………………………………………………………… Mr. Umphres
There will be a summative review of USD 428’s 2018-2019 budget, which was published in the Tribune on 8/3/18. The administration recommends approval / adoption of the FY 2018-2019 budget.
4. Adjournment of Budget Hearing ………………………………………………………… Mr. Umphres

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
Immediately Following the Budget Hearing

1. CALL TO ORDER ………………………………………………………………. Mr. Umphres
1.1 Roll Call
1.2 Adoption of Agenda
1.3 Recognition of Visitors
1.4 Request to Speak Reminder
Persons may present ideas or concerns regarding USD 428. The Board will take no action at this meeting. Such items will be referred to the appropriate administrator(s) for future information and researched and reported back to the Board at a later meeting. Personalities and behavior of employees are not to be presented during this period but are to be reported to the employee’s immediate supervisor. The president shall determine the amount of time to be spent for citizen participation.
1.5 Citizen’s Open Forum

2. RECOGNITIONS ………………………………………………………………….. Mr. Umphres

3. STAFF / STUDENT PRESENTATIONS ………………………………….. Mr. Umphres

4. COMMUNICATIONS ……………………………………………………………. Mr. Umphres
 Board Members’ Comments
 USD 428 Education Foundation
 Written Communications / Correspondence

5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The board approved to release bid information for new activity fleet vehicles for a
seven-passenger mini-van, a nine-passenger sport utility vehicle, and a tenpassenger
full-size-van at the July meeting. Bids were opened on August 10.
Administration will provide an overview of current fleet vehicles and will make a
recommendation based on current information. Fleet vehicles accommodate travel
for situations such as student team travel (i.e., golf, swimming, etc.), professional
development travel to out-of-town conferences, events, etc. (Attachment 5)

6. ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT REPORT …………… John Popp / Mr. Umphres

A. Professional Development Plan:
Implementation of MTSS is the primary focus of the Professional Development
plan for the upcoming school year. The focus will be on systematic
implementation of MTSS across all levels.

B. Curriculum Committee Focus:
The district is piloting 7-12 English and will make a selection on a curriculum to
adopt later this year. The adoption process will begin this year for K-12 Social
Studies. Curriculum Steering Committee will be working with subject area
committees to bring about a recommendation to the board on new curricula.

C. Professional Development Activities:
The majority of the summer Professional Development is complete. The Kagan
and Numbers activities were well attended and received great reviews. The Google
Suite trainings were attended by a large number of staff. Training in August:
– Tools for Teaching (Fred Jones Classroom Management) for new
teachers (3 days)
– New Teacher Orientation (5 days)
– Beginning of year schedule
– Project Lead the Way (PLTW) training

D. Personnel Update:
Most positions are filled. Three elementary positions will be filled with long-term
substitute and one Middle School teacher will be filled with a long-term
substitute. We have hired 32 teachers, four long-term substitute teachers, one
KRR Program coordinator and one family support worker. Currently, one high
school ELA coach and three school psychologist positions remain open.

E. Curriculum Meetings
 Curriculum Steering Committee: Next meeting is September 4, 2018
 Professional Development Council (PDC): Next meeting is August 20, 2018.

7. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT…………………………Mr. Thexton / Mr. Umphres
A. Summer Project Updates
B. Summer Lunch Program Update
C. Student Transfer Request Report
D. KASB Annual Conference on November 30, December 1 & 2, 2018
E. Enrollment Update
F. Printed Calendars
G. Open Houses
H. Board Governance Document
I. Approval of Contributions

8. FINANCIAL PRESENTATION ………………………………………………. Mr. Thexton

9. CONSENT AGENDA …………………………………………………………… Mr. Umphres
A. Approval of BOE Meeting Minutes [July 9 and August 2, 2018]
B. Bills and Financial Reports
C. Personnel Report

10. UPCOMING MEETING DATES …………………………………………… Mr. Umphres
•Breakfast and Back-to-School Kick Off: at 7:00 a.m., on August 20, 2018, at GB
High School Commons
•First Day of School for Students: August 22, 2018 (full day for elementary, with
kindergarten half days for two days; seventh grade at GBMS, and freshmen at GBHS).

11. ADJOURNMENT …………………………………………………………………. Mr. Umphres

written by: Donna Krug – District Director and Family & Consumer Science Agent, K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District

Gardens overflowing with shiny red tomatoes and fresh green beans at the farmer’s market remind us that it is time to get the canner out of the cupboard. Common questions at this time of year at the Extension Office relate to the recommended canning practices. Whether you are canning for the first time or have years of experience, it is a good idea to reinforce correct procedures.

K-State Research and Extension has provided hands-on food preservation workshops in the past. We learned how to dry fruit and herbs, can carrots and salsa and made jelly a couple of different ways. Care was taken to follow food safety practices with all of the recipes we prepared.

The book “So Easy to Preserve” from the University of Georgia, is a wonderful guide with question and answer sections at the end of each chapter. People are always looking for shortcuts when food preservation is concerned. Unless food is preserved in some manner, it begins to spoil soon after it is harvested. This spoilage is caused by microorganisms; physical damage such as bruising, water loss, or punctures; or by chemical changes such as those caused by enzymes. Enzymes are the chemical substances in foods that help them to grow and mature. If the enzymes in fruits and vegetables are not inactivated, they continue to work after harvest, causing flavor and texture changes. Enzymes can be inactivated by blanching, which is a quick method when the food is held at boiling temperatures for a specified period of time. Blanching is something many people want to skip, but I encourage them not to. Blanching just takes a few minutes. Once the food has been held in boiling water for a few minute, (usually less than 5) you will want to put it in ice water for the same number of minutes. It is an important step that really should not be skipped.

Please note that some foods may be better suited for canning; others for freezing or drying. Consider how you would prefer to store your finished products, how much it will cost and how your family will like the product.

Remember, I have a testing device to check the accuracy of your pressure canner. I can check dial gauges in a matter of minutes, so give me a call at either the Hays or Great Bend offices and we can set up a time to test your gauge.

I plan to have a booth at the Hays Farmer’s Market on Saturday, August 18 and I will be sharing copies of my fact sheet titled, “Simple Seasonal Meals”. I will also be sharing samples of a couple of seasonal recipes including Sweet Melon Salsa and Frosty Cantaloupe Smoothie. Copies of several of our food preservation publications will be available too. I hope to see you then!

TOPEKA, Kan. — Law enforcement will be working overtime to target impaired drivers across Kansas and the country as part of the annual You drink. You drive. You LOSE. campaign that kicks off August 16 through the Labor Day holiday weekend.

More than 150 law enforcement agencies across Kansas are joining forces to stop drunk driving. Extra enforcement coupled with increased media targeting the perils of drunk driving begins August 16 and runs through Labor Day. Law enforcement will be looking for and pulling over all motorists who show signs of impaired driving.

Labor Day weekend is one of the most dangerous times of the year to be on the road. On average, three people are injured every day in alcohol-related crashes in Kansas. Nationally in 2016, more than one-third of all fatalities over the Labor Day weekend involved a drunk driver with a BAC of .08 or greater.

“Drunk driving is not a victimless crime and is 100 percent preventable,” said Chris Bortz, Kansas Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Program Manager. “Impaired drivers cause 20 to 25 percent of all traffic fatalities. We are driving to zero fatalities in Kansas, and the You drink. You drive. You LOSE. mobilization is one of the many ways we are working to reduce death and injury on Kansas roads.”

In 2017, male drivers accounted for nearly 80 percent of all impaired driving fatalities and 70 percent of all impaired driving injuries in Kansas.

Impaired drivers can face jail time, suspension of their driving privileges, fines and other costs of up to $10,000. Included in this cost, the offender will be required to install and pay monthly services fees on an ignition interlock. Beyond the financial and legal penalties, impaired drivers face the risk of losing their own lives or taking someone else’s.

“Alcohol and driving never mix,” Bortz said. “If you plan on drinking don’t plan on driving.”

BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Canvass
Monday, August 13, 2018  8:30 a.m. Until Close

-The County Commission will meet as the Board of County Canvassers on Monday, August 13, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. in the Office of the County Clerk. At that time, they will canvass ballots from the August 7, 2018, Primary Election.

Agenda Meeting
Monday, August 13, 2018 – 9:00 a.m. or Immediately Following the Canvass Until Close

I. OPENING BUSINESS:
A. Call Meeting to Order.
B. Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. Consider Approval of the Agenda.
D. Consider Minutes of the August 6, 2018, Regular Meeting.
E. Any citizen wishing to make statements during the discussion of any item must first be recognized by the Commission Chair. After being recognized, that person should state their name and the name of any organization represented. Statements should be limited to five minutes.
F. Cell phones and other electronic devices, other than those used by the media and law enforcement, should be shut off.

II. OLD BUSINESS – Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time.
-There is no Old Business at this time.

III. NEW BUSINESS – All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.

A. EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD: Bev Schmeidler, Susan Johnson and Paige Volkel:
-The Employee Relations Committee (ERC) recommends outstanding individuals for the “Employees Recognition Award”. At this time, the Commission will be asked to recognize Bev Schmeidler, Susan Johnson and Paige Volkel. They were nominated for their efforts in developing and providing tours during the Courthouse Centennial celebration. Diana Watson, ERC Secretary, will join the Commission in presenting the award.

B. INTRODUCTION: Kendal Francis, City Administrator, Great Bend:
-The City of Great Bend recently appointed Kendal Francis as City Administrator. Mr. Francis has served the Cities of Beloit, Lakin and Coffeyville. At this time, Phil Hathcock, County Administrator, will introduce Mr. Francis to the Commission.

C. APPRAISER’S OFFICE: 2017 Real Estate Appraisal / Sales Ratio Study:
-The Kansas Constitution requires that all taxable property be appraised and assessed uniformly as to class. Uniformity of like property assures an equitable distribution of the property tax burden. The Kansas Appraisal/Sales Ratio Study is used to evaluate appraisal level and uniformity for substantial statutory compliance. The ratios are computed by dividing the appraised value of real estate as determined by the County Appraiser by the total selling price of the real property. A perfect ratio would be 100.0. The total 2017 market ratio for Barton County is 99.2. Barb Esfeld, County Appraiser, will provide details.

D. COMMUNICATIONS: Improvements to the 800 Megahertz System – Corrective Action:
-At the August 6, 2018, agenda meeting, the Commission authorized the purchase of seven 800 mHz radios and a combiner system from Mobile Radio of Great Bend. When placing the order, it was determined that the seven radios and related equipment would actually be purchased from Motorola Solutions. Dena Popp, 911 Director will provide details.

E. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Attorney-Client Privilege:
-The Commission will enter into Executive Session. The Commission may invite such parties as needed into said Session. It is anticipated that Phil Hathcock, County Administrator; Donna Zimmerman, County Clerk / Assistant County Administrator; and Carey Hipp, County Counselor, will be invited into said Session. The Commission meeting will resume in thirty minutes.

F. ACTION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION: Attorney-Client Privilege:
-The Commission will make any necessary announcements as a result of the Executive

IV. ENDING BUSINESS – After new items are heard by the Commission, the following items, including announcements, will be heard.

A. ANNOUNCEMENTS: -Following the close of the Agenda Meeting, the Commission will consider the authorization of personnel changes for classified positions, sign any documentation approved during the agenda meeting or sign any other documentation required for regular County business. Similar action may take place throughout the day.
-The Barton County Local Emergency Planning Committee will have a meeting, Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at the Barton County Courthouse, Conference Room, 1400 Main Street, Great Bend. It is anticipated that County officials may attend.

B. APPOINTMENTS: AUGUST 13, 2018
9:30 a.m. or following the close of the Agenda Meeting – Regular Business Discussion – Phil Hathcock, County Administrator, and Donna Zimmerman, County Clerk
10:00 a.m. – Buy back (Municipal Rollover) of T650 Bobcat Track Loaders and Memorial Parks Board Appointments – Darren Williams, County Works Director
10:30 a.m. – Fiscal Year Carry-Over – Amy Boxberger, CKCC Director, and Marissa Woodmansee, Juvenile Services Director
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Jim Jordan, County Treasurer, is scheduled for August 16, 2018.

V. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Discussion Items.
B. Citizens or organizations may present requests or proposals for initial consideration.
C. The Commissioners are available to the Public on Mondays during regular business hours.
D. The Commissioners may, individually, schedule personal appointments related to County business at their discretion.
E. The next Regular Meeting will be at 9:00 a.m., Monday, August 20, 2018.

VI. ADJOURN.

Press release from the United Way of Central Kansas…

The United Way of Central Kansas Board of Directors, staff, and Community Partners would like to thank each and every person who donated to our annual Stuff the Bus event this year. This project is a great undertaking, which is led by community leaders in each of our communities.

In Great Bend, Dianne Call & Kay Wilbur manage the event at both Dillons locations and Wal-Mart, Toni Schneweis manages the Hoisington event, Tama Hanson runs the multiple sites in Larned including Dillons, Shopko, and Dollar General, and Becca Maxwell and Nancy Baird take on the event in Ellinwood. This event would not be possible without their hard work and dedication to supporting our Community Partners.

Our Community Partners work the event each year, handing out flyers to shoppers, helping unload the bus, and sorting all the items as they come in. They are integral to this being a success.

Each year, we are humbled by the generosity of our communities. In total, more than 6,000 items were donated and over $2,000. These items are distributed to our community partners to stock their food and non-food pantries, stock bookbags for students in need, and provide supplies to keep our local non-profits running, even when funds are tight. Without these donations, these items would have to be purchased by the agencies, cutting into their already tight budgets, and allows them to put their funds towards those in need in our community.

Each agency will soon be shopping from the items that you, our neighbors, donated to support our Community Partners. We are grateful for each and every donation that was received. Your contribution supports the building clocks for better lives and stronger communities. You are making a difference.

Healing Hearts Ranch is pleased to announce that they are the 2018 third quarter recipient of more than $10,000 in charitable donations from members of the local 100+ People Who Care group.

Healing Hearts Ranch serves a need for families facing mental health challenges by providing support through equine assisted psychotherapy. Licensed therapists and equine specialists work with clients and horses to establish relationships that address treatment goals for behavioral issues, ADD, PTSD, substance abuse, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, relationship problems and communication needs. Through these relationships, clients learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, and then processing (or discussing) feelings, and behaviors.

Their program has touched many lives in our local communities, and the quarterly pledges of the 100+ People Who Care Members will allow them to grow their scholarship funds for those in need who require their services but do not have the ability to pay. To learn more about Healing Hearts Ranch, please visit their website at www.healingheartsranch.com.

The next giving meeting for the 100+ People Who Care group will be held Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 5:30 p.m., at the Best Western Angus Inn Courtyard. At that time, representatives from Healing Hearts Ranch will return to provide an update on their progress in utilizing the $10,000+ gift. Members will also vote to select and nominate local, charitable organizations to receive future funds.

More details can be found on the group’s website, www.100bartoncounty.org, or on their Facebook page.

Photos and video from the fire that burned down a lodge at Camp Aldrich, located northeast of Great Bend. Read the full story here. Photos and video provided by the Barton County Sheriff’s Office and Barton Community College.

Youtube Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqbvmIqfmvE

 

On Friday, August 10 at about 5:56 a.m. the Barton County Sheriff’s Office along with the Claflin Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 884 Northeast 110 Avenue. The location is the Camp Aldrich recreation area owned by Barton Community College. The small hunting lodge, Trail’s End Lodge, caught fire.

The fire was brought under control and sheriff’s detectives began an investigation. There were no injuries. The camp was not in use at the time.

The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office was notified and their investigator arrived shortly after 8:00 a.m. As of late Friday morning investigators were still on the scene. The Camp Ranger noticed the flames when he stepped outside to start his day at about 5 a.m.

Preliminary investigation indicates electrical problems may be a contributing factor. The initial estimate of loss is placed at $165,000.

View more photos and video of the fire here.