AGRA – At approximately 1 p.m. Saturday, Phillips County Sheriff's deputies executed a search warrant at 212 W. First in Agra, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.


 James Woodyard, 37, Agra, was taken into custody on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana with 
intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and no drug tax 
stamp pending.

 All persons 
arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  Another 
subject present at the time will be referred to the Phillips County Attorney to 
determine charges.

— Phillips County Sheriff's Office

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581955532043.jpeg" alt="Woodyard / Phillips County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Woodyard / Phillips County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>AGRA – At approximately 1 p.m. Saturday, Phillips County Sheriff's deputies executed a search warrant at 212 W. First in Agra, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.
 James Woodyard, 37, Agra, was taken into custody on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana with 
intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and no drug tax 
stamp pending. All persons 
arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Another 
subject present at the time will be referred to the Phillips County Attorney to 
determine charges.— Phillips County Sheriff's Office

Phillips Co. man arrested on suspicion of drug crimes

STOCKTON — On Saturday at approximately 10:44 p.m., a Rooks County 
Sheriff's Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 400 nlock 
of North Spruce in Stockton.  During the course of the traffic stop, a
 substantial amount of methamphetamine was located inside the vehicle.  


 Kara Horn, 35, and Brandon Rietcheck, 32,&nbsp; were arrested on suspicion of the following:  distribution of 
methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a school; possession
 of methamphetamine; possession of marijuana; possession of drug 
paraphernalia; interference with law enforcement; and no drug tax stamp.
  

 All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581955270222.png" alt="Horn" />
 <figcaption>Horn</figcaption>
 </figure>Rooks County Sheriff's OfficeSTOCKTON — On Saturday at approximately 10:44 p.m., a Rooks County 
Sheriff's Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 400 nlock 
of North Spruce in Stockton. During the course of the traffic stop, a
 substantial amount of methamphetamine was located inside the vehicle. 
 Kara Horn, 35, and Brandon Rietcheck, 32,&nbsp; were arrested on suspicion of the following: distribution of 
methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a school; possession
 of methamphetamine; possession of marijuana; possession of drug 
paraphernalia; interference with law enforcement; and no drug tax stamp.
 All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581955303425.png" alt="Rietcheck" />
 <figcaption>Rietcheck</figcaption>
 </figure>

Rooks Co. Sheriff: Pair arrested on suspicion of meth-related crimes 

After a couple of mostly clear days to start the week, winter is expected to make a return Wednesday.

The National Weather Service is calling for a 40 percent chance of snow beginning after noon Wednesday across most of western Kansas.

Accumulation of 2 or more inches of snow is expected, which could impact travel, the NWS said.

By Thursday, skies are expected to begin to clear again, with high temperatures returning to the mid-40s by the end of the week.

Farther west, light snow is possible as early as Monday night, according to the National Weather Service in Goodland.

Check Hays Post and stay tuned to your Eagle Radio of Hays stations for the latest on cancellations and severe weather.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581951466048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>After a couple of mostly clear days to start the week, winter is expected to make a return Wednesday.The National Weather Service is calling for a 40 percent chance of snow beginning after noon Wednesday across most of western Kansas.Accumulation of 2 or more inches of snow is expected, which could impact travel, the NWS said.By Thursday, skies are expected to begin to clear again, with high temperatures returning to the mid-40s by the end of the week.Farther west, light snow is possible as early as Monday night, according to the National Weather Service in Goodland.Check Hays Post and stay tuned to your Eagle Radio of Hays stations for the latest on cancellations and severe weather.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581972725700.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

NWS: Snow likely to return to western Kansas this week

<a href="http://www.kofc.org/en/news-room/articles/knights-mourn-passing-virgil-dechant.html">Knights of Columbus</a>

The Knights of Columbus mourns the loss of Past 
Supreme Knight Virgil C. Dechant, who passed away in his sleep at the 
age of 89 during the night of February 15, 2020. He was the Order’s 
longest-serving supreme knight, holding the office from 1977 to 2000.

“God has called home a good man and one of the 
Knights’ great leaders,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. “Virgil 
Dechant used to say that his goal was to leave the Knights better than 
he found it, and in myriad ways, he accomplished that. He leaves a 
lasting legacy and an excellent example of what it means to be a Knight 
and a fraternalist. Nowhere is this more true than in his home state of 
Kansas, which remains in many ways a model jurisdiction.”

Virgil Dechant joined the Knights in 1949 and was a 
member of LaCrosse (Kansas) Council 2970 and St. Augustine Council 2340 
in Liebanthal, Kansas. A very successful businessman, in addition to 
operating a private farm in Kansas, Dechant owned and operated his own 
car dealership and farm equipment firm. Dechant came to New Haven in 
1967 to serve as the supreme secretary. Ten years later, he was elected 
supreme knight.

As supreme knight, Virgil Dechant oversaw tremendous
 growth in the Order’s membership as well as in its assets and insurance
 business, while also opening the Order to greater involvement by the 
wives and families of its members. In addition, Mr. Dechant forged a 
close relationship with the Vatican during the pontificate of St. John 
Paul II, leading the Order to sponsor numerous renovation projects – 
including of the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica, and working with the 
pope to promote the faith in Eastern Europe, which was then behind the 
iron curtain.

Dechant is survived by his wife, Ann, their four children and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581947651717.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Knights of Columbus" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Knights of Columbus</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="http://www.kofc.org/en/news-room/articles/knights-mourn-passing-virgil-dechant.html">Knights of Columbus</a>The Knights of Columbus mourns the loss of Past 
Supreme Knight Virgil C. Dechant, who passed away in his sleep at the 
age of 89 during the night of February 15, 2020. He was the Order’s 
longest-serving supreme knight, holding the office from 1977 to 2000.“God has called home a good man and one of the 
Knights’ great leaders,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. “Virgil 
Dechant used to say that his goal was to leave the Knights better than 
he found it, and in myriad ways, he accomplished that. He leaves a 
lasting legacy and an excellent example of what it means to be a Knight 
and a fraternalist. Nowhere is this more true than in his home state of 
Kansas, which remains in many ways a model jurisdiction.”Virgil Dechant joined the Knights in 1949 and was a 
member of LaCrosse (Kansas) Council 2970 and St. Augustine Council 2340 
in Liebanthal, Kansas. A very successful businessman, in addition to 
operating a private farm in Kansas, Dechant owned and operated his own 
car dealership and farm equipment firm. Dechant came to New Haven in 
1967 to serve as the supreme secretary. Ten years later, he was elected 
supreme knight.As supreme knight, Virgil Dechant oversaw tremendous
 growth in the Order’s membership as well as in its assets and insurance
 business, while also opening the Order to greater involvement by the 
wives and families of its members. In addition, Mr. Dechant forged a 
close relationship with the Vatican during the pontificate of St. John 
Paul II, leading the Order to sponsor numerous renovation projects – 
including of the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica, and working with the 
pope to promote the faith in Eastern Europe, which was then behind the 
iron curtain.Dechant is survived by his wife, Ann, their four children and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

K of C mourns passing of longest-serving supreme knight, NW Kan. native

McPHERSON, Kan. - Sarah Zimmerman made history Saturday, becoming Hays High's first ever qualifier for the KSHSAA Girls State Wrestling Tournament. Zimmerman placed fifth at this past weekends regional in McPherson.

Zimmerman (21-7) won her first three matches by fall before losing to Lakin's Isabell Ortiz by a fall in the semifinals. She then lost by fall to Abilene's Skuleigh Pflaster in the consolation semifinals before defeating Holcomb's Amilia Martinez by fall in the fifth place match.

Zimmerman will represent Hays High in the first ever&nbsp; KSHSAA Girls' State Wrestling Tournament on February 27th at the Tony's Pizza Event Center in Salina.

109 - Sarah Zimmerman (21-7) placed 5th and scored 19.0 team points.

116 - Alesha Rogers (0-10) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

130 - Kayla Apalategui (0-8) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

136 - Olivia Kershner (4-7) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

143 - Halle Lohmeyer (14-14) place is unknown and scored 6.0 team points.

191 - Erica Wilken (1-12) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

McPHERSON, Kan. - Sarah Zimmerman made history Saturday, becoming Hays High's first ever qualifier for the KSHSAA Girls State Wrestling Tournament. Zimmerman placed fifth at this past weekends regional in McPherson.Zimmerman (21-7) won her first three matches by fall before losing to Lakin's Isabell Ortiz by a fall in the semifinals. She then lost by fall to Abilene's Skuleigh Pflaster in the consolation semifinals before defeating Holcomb's Amilia Martinez by fall in the fifth place match.Zimmerman will represent Hays High in the first ever&nbsp; KSHSAA Girls' State Wrestling Tournament on February 27th at the Tony's Pizza Event Center in Salina.Hays High results...109 - Sarah Zimmerman (21-7) placed 5th and scored 19.0 team points.<ol>
 <li>Champ. Round 1 - Sarah Zimmerman (Hays Hs) 21-7 won by fall over Emily Torres (Newton Hs) 9-14 (Fall 0:51)</li><li>Champ. Round 2 - Sarah Zimmerman (Hays Hs) 21-7 won by fall over Blake Rhea (Haysville-Campus Hs) 11-6 (Fall 2:34)</li><li>Quarterfinal - Sarah Zimmerman (Hays Hs) 21-7 won by fall over Ryasia McDougle (Wichita-West Hs) 25-5 (Fall 4:23)</li><li>Semifinal - Isabell Ortiz (Lakin Hs) 27-3 won by fall over Sarah Zimmerman (Hays Hs) 21-7 (Fall 5:15)</li><li>Cons. Semi - Skyleigh Pflaster (Abilene Hs) 10-5 won by fall over Sarah Zimmerman (Hays Hs) 21-7 (Fall 1:56)</li><li>5th Place Match - Sarah Zimmerman (Hays Hs) 21-7 won by fall over Amilia Martinez (Holcomb) 22-8 (Fall 1:00)</li>
 </ol>116 - Alesha Rogers (0-10) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.<ol>
 <li>Champ. Round 1 - Alesha Rogers (Hays Hs) 0-10 received a bye () (Bye)</li><li>Champ. Round 2 - Nichole Moore (Nickerson Hs) 35-7 won by fall over Alesha Rogers (Hays Hs) 0-10 (Fall 1:22)</li><li>Cons. Round 2 - Caxton Smyth (Plainville Hs) 5-11 won by fall over Alesha Rogers (Hays Hs) 0-10 (Fall 1:00)</li>
 </ol>130 - Kayla Apalategui (0-8) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.<ol>
 <li>Champ. Round 1 - Taryn Knedgen (Valley Center Hs) 13-12 won by fall over Kayla Apalategui (Hays Hs) 0-8 (Fall 0:25)</li><li>Cons. Round 1 - Avery Gardner (Winfield Hs) 5-13 won by fall over Kayla Apalategui (Hays Hs) 0-8 (Fall 1:21)</li>
 </ol>136 - Olivia Kershner (4-7) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.<ol>
 <li>Champ. Round 1 - Adriana Barellos (Holcomb) 6-20 won by fall over Olivia Kershner (Hays Hs) 4-7 (Fall 5:15)</li><li>Cons. Round 1 - Olivia Kershner (Hays Hs) 4-7 received a bye () (Bye)</li><li>Cons. Round 2 - Eve Murphy (Wakefield Hs) 4-9 won by fall over Olivia Kershner (Hays Hs) 4-7 (Fall 1:36)</li>
 </ol>143 - Halle Lohmeyer (14-14) place is unknown and scored 6.0 team points.<ol>
 <li>Champ. Round 1 - Halle Lohmeyer (Hays Hs) 14-14 received a bye () (Bye)</li><li>Champ. Round 2 - Ashlyn Kaus (Hoxie) 22-14 won by fall over Halle Lohmeyer (Hays Hs) 14-14 (Fall 4:40)</li><li>Cons. Round 2 - Halle Lohmeyer (Hays Hs) 14-14 won by fall over DAVINA SIERRA (Wichita-North Hs) 4-11 (Fall 0:34)</li><li>Cons. Round 3 - Halle Lohmeyer (Hays Hs) 14-14 won by fall over Genesis Ramirez (Wichita-Southeast) 2-28 (Fall 0:22)</li><li>Cons. Round 4 - Gloria Peroza (Emporia) 18-8 won by fall over Halle Lohmeyer (Hays Hs) 14-14 (Fall 0:34)</li>
 </ol>191 - Erica Wilken (1-12) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.<ol>
 <li>Champ. Round 1 - Leilani Torres (Liberal Hs) 14-7 won by fall over Erica Wilken (Hays Hs) 1-12 (Fall 1:16)</li><li>Cons. Round 1 - Shai Trenary (Wichita-Southeast) 2-10 won by decision over Erica Wilken (Hays Hs) 1-12 (Dec 6-5)</li>
 </ol>

Hays High's Zimmerman qualifies for girls' state wrestling

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Usually Tiger basketball games are a time to have fun — cheer the home team, eat some popcorn — but students and community members at Feb. 6 game took a few minutes to stop and potentially save a life.

FHSU student health sponsored a Be the Match bone marrow registry drive. 

Potential donors ages 18 to 44 answered a list of qualifying health questions on their smartphones and then swabbed their cheeks to be matched with a potential cancer sufferer in need of bone marrow transplants.

Kathy Pyke of Hays knows too the well the importance of the registry. Pyke was at Gross Memorial Coliseum the night of the drive as a volunteer handing out information to potential donors.

Her husband, Tom, was diagnosed with leukemia on March 1, 2014. Family members were tested, and they were not matches. Doctors were also unable to find a bone marrow match on the national registry. There were 6.2 million people in the registry at the time.

In lieu of a bone marrow transplant, Pyke was given donated umbilical cord blood.

Initially the treatment improved Pyke's condition. However, he ultimately died as a result of the disease on Feb. 12, 2015 at the age of 62.

Kathy said the family was rocked by Tom's illness. He was playing golf and went fishing the week before he was diagnosed with cancer.

Kathy said she wishes she could be on the registry to help another family, but her age prevents her from doing so.

"Not only for my husband," she said of the importance of the registry.&nbsp; "I did pray there had been a match. We stayed at the Hope Lodge that was run by the American Cancer Society in Kansas City. There were 45 apartments there and everyone there has someone who has cancer plus a caregiver in it. You just see so many lives being touched. ...

"If this is something that can help somebody, it is just an easy thing to do."

Kathy said she had a good friend who had a family member sign up for the registry, and he was able to donate to someone who had cancer in England.

Pyke said she would also like to see more hospitals participate in the cord blood bank, which is what helped her husband. At the time of Tom's illness, HaysMed was not participating in the umbilical cord blood bank.

Michelle Toogood, BSN, RN, supervisor of Hays Med’s Women's and&nbsp;Infant Care Center/NICU, said parents wishing to participate in cord blood donation should initiate the process prior to delivery. HaysMed staff will then aid in the collection of the specimen.

"I just can't express how much people need to do this," Pyke said of signing up for the registry. "It is just so easy to swab test and they could potentially save more than one person's life. It is so easy to do and so important."

If you are identified as a match to someone suffering from cancer, you would be contacted through the registry and asked if you are willing to donate,&nbsp;Amanda McCord, RN at the FHSU student health center.

"Finding the perfect match is essential for people who are fighting this type of cancer," McCord said. "The closer the match the better their chances of remission and beating whatever cancer they are fighting."

There are over 70 diseases that can be treated by bone marrow transplants, according to Be the Match.

Physicians will usually look for matches among relatives first, but only 70 percent of the time are matches made from family members, McCord said.

Statistics also indicate minority patients are less likely to find matches than Caucasian patients. Be the Match is trying to boost minority participation as there are fewer minority participants in the registry at this time, McCord said.

Donating bone marrow is a little bit different for every donor, McCord said.

Most give through a Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) donation. A machine draws blood from one arm, extracts the cells it needs, and returns the remaining blood through your other arm, according to the Be the Match website.

Others give through a marrow donation. Liquid marrow is withdrawn from the back of your pelvic bone with a needle. In this case, you’ll receive anesthesia and feel no pain during the procedure, the Be the Match website said.

According to Be the Match,&nbsp;PBSC donors may experience headaches or body aches several days before collection, but these disappear shortly after donation. Most donors feel completely recovered within a few weeks.

If you missed the Be the Match event at FHSU last week, you can contact <a href="https://join.bethematch.org/">Be the Match</a> though its website, and the organization will send you the cheek swab kit to sign up for the registry.&nbsp;

The Be the Match website also has information on the donation process and a link to make monetary donations to the Be the Match program.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581622957993.jpeg" alt="Brynn Niblock, FHSU junior in pre-med from Hoxie, swabs her cheek as part of the sign up for the Be the Match bone marrow registry Feb. 6 at Gross Memorial Coliseum." />
 <figcaption>Brynn Niblock, FHSU junior in pre-med from Hoxie, swabs her cheek as part of the sign up for the Be the Match bone marrow registry Feb. 6 at Gross Memorial Coliseum.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostUsually Tiger basketball games are a time to have fun — cheer the home team, eat some popcorn — but students and community members at Feb. 6 game took a few minutes to stop and potentially save a life.FHSU student health sponsored a Be the Match bone marrow registry drive. Potential donors ages 18 to 44 answered a list of qualifying health questions on their smartphones and then swabbed their cheeks to be matched with a potential cancer sufferer in need of bone marrow transplants.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581623143881.jpeg" alt="Kathy Pyke of Hays volunteered at the Be the Match bone marrow registry drive Feb. 6 at Gross Memorial Coliseum. Pyke's husband died of leukemia. Doctors were not able to find a bone marrow match for him." />
 <figcaption>Kathy Pyke of Hays volunteered at the Be the Match bone marrow registry drive Feb. 6 at Gross Memorial Coliseum. Pyke's husband died of leukemia. Doctors were not able to find a bone marrow match for him.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kathy Pyke of Hays knows too the well the importance of the registry. Pyke was at Gross Memorial Coliseum the night of the drive as a volunteer handing out information to potential donors.Her husband, Tom, was diagnosed with leukemia on March 1, 2014. Family members were tested, and they were not matches. Doctors were also unable to find a bone marrow match on the national registry. There were 6.2 million people in the registry at the time.In lieu of a bone marrow transplant, Pyke was given donated umbilical cord blood.Initially the treatment improved Pyke's condition. However, he ultimately died as a result of the disease on Feb. 12, 2015 at the age of 62.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581623290470.jpeg" alt="Lucas Everett, Hays firefighter, swabs his cheek for the national bone marrow registry. Everett said he had considered becoming a part of the registry for some time. Hays firefighter Allison Friesen (not pictured) also submitted a sample for the registry at the Tiger's home basketball game Feb. 6." />
 <figcaption>Lucas Everett, Hays firefighter, swabs his cheek for the national bone marrow registry. Everett said he had considered becoming a part of the registry for some time. Hays firefighter Allison Friesen (not pictured) also submitted a sample for the registry at the Tiger's home basketball game Feb. 6.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kathy said the family was rocked by Tom's illness. He was playing golf and went fishing the week before he was diagnosed with cancer.Kathy said she wishes she could be on the registry to help another family, but her age prevents her from doing so."Not only for my husband," she said of the importance of the registry.&nbsp; "I did pray there had been a match. We stayed at the Hope Lodge that was run by the American Cancer Society in Kansas City. There were 45 apartments there and everyone there has someone who has cancer plus a caregiver in it. You just see so many lives being touched. ..."If this is something that can help somebody, it is just an easy thing to do."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581623584541.jpeg" alt="Kaci Finch, FHSU junior in sport and exercise therapy, and Hailey Dart, freshman in early childhood education, both of Garden City, sign up for the bone marrow registry Feb. 6 during a Tiger home basketball game." />
 <figcaption>Kaci Finch, FHSU junior in sport and exercise therapy, and Hailey Dart, freshman in early childhood education, both of Garden City, sign up for the bone marrow registry Feb. 6 during a Tiger home basketball game.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kathy said she had a good friend who had a family member sign up for the registry, and he was able to donate to someone who had cancer in England.Pyke said she would also like to see more hospitals participate in the cord blood bank, which is what helped her husband. At the time of Tom's illness, HaysMed was not participating in the umbilical cord blood bank.Michelle Toogood, BSN, RN, supervisor of Hays Med’s Women's and&nbsp;Infant Care Center/NICU, said parents wishing to participate in cord blood donation should initiate the process prior to delivery. HaysMed staff will then aid in the collection of the specimen."I just can't express how much people need to do this," Pyke said of signing up for the registry. "It is just so easy to swab test and they could potentially save more than one person's life. It is so easy to do and so important."If you are identified as a match to someone suffering from cancer, you would be contacted through the registry and asked if you are willing to donate,&nbsp;Amanda McCord, RN at the FHSU student health center."Finding the perfect match is essential for people who are fighting this type of cancer," McCord said. "The closer the match the better their chances of remission and beating whatever cancer they are fighting."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581623811679.jpeg" alt="FHSU student health volunteers at the Be the Match bone marrow registry drive." />
 <figcaption>FHSU student health volunteers at the Be the Match bone marrow registry drive.</figcaption>
 </figure>There are over 70 diseases that can be treated by bone marrow transplants, according to Be the Match.Physicians will usually look for matches among relatives first, but only 70 percent of the time are matches made from family members, McCord said.Statistics also indicate minority patients are less likely to find matches than Caucasian patients. Be the Match is trying to boost minority participation as there are fewer minority participants in the registry at this time, McCord said.Donating bone marrow is a little bit different for every donor, McCord said.Most give through a Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) donation. A machine draws blood from one arm, extracts the cells it needs, and returns the remaining blood through your other arm, according to the Be the Match website.Others give through a marrow donation. Liquid marrow is withdrawn from the back of your pelvic bone with a needle. In this case, you’ll receive anesthesia and feel no pain during the procedure, the Be the Match website said.According to Be the Match,&nbsp;PBSC donors may experience headaches or body aches several days before collection, but these disappear shortly after donation. Most donors feel completely recovered within a few weeks.If you missed the Be the Match event at FHSU last week, you can contact <a href="https://join.bethematch.org/">Be the Match</a> though its website, and the organization will send you the cheek swab kit to sign up for the registry.&nbsp;The Be the Match website also has information on the donation process and a link to make monetary donations to the Be the Match program.

FHSU partners with Be the Match for bone marrow registry event

PRATT – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE, has a new “bucket list” for Kansas kayakers, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts to pursue – recreating at Kansas’ clearest lakes. Aquatic vegetation, underwater structures, and even fish may be visible at these lakes, providing a unique view of what lies beneath the waters’ surface. From paddleboarders looking for that Instagram-worthy photo, to anglers after the ultimate fishing challenge, Kansas’ clearest lakes should be a part of your 2020 travel plans.

Each year, KDHE environmental scientist, Layne Knight, selects waterbodies from a list of 358 locations on the Kansas Surface Water Register to test for water clarity. Listed federal reservoirs are sampled every three years, state fishing lakes every four years, while remaining waterbodies are sampled every six years.

“Water clarity in Kansas reservoirs is affected primarily by either algae or suspended sediments,” said Knight. “It’s a good indicator of the level of human impact in a watershed.”

In the field, Knight uses techniques such as Secchi depth – a disk lowered through a water column until it disappears from view – to measure water column transparency. Water samples are then submitted to a laboratory to test turbidity, a measurement of how well light passes through the sample, and total suspended solids, the number of suspended particles. Chlorophyll analyses are also conducted and used as an indicator of the level of algae growth in the system; Lakes are then ranked based on results.

Apart from the scientific data agencies are able to obtain from these tests, recreational benefits exist, as well. In fact, increased water clarity enhances your angling experience because you can see bottom structure, your lure and ultimately a fish on the end of your line, which adds a unique element of excitement.

“In general, fish in clear water will behave different from fish in turbid water,” said KDWPT fisheries biologist, Jeff Koch. “Fish in clear water will be more wary, so you have to change up your technique if you want to be successful.”

Anglers fishing in clear waters should concentrate their efforts during low-light periods or with a light chop on the water when fish will be most comfortable feeding. Since fish can see better in clear water, use a light low-visibility line such as fluorocarbon and make long casts. Also, baits that closely resemble natural prey, such as shad, bluegill, or crawfish in realistic colors will draw more strikes. Koch also suggests using small finesse-type baits in natural colors.

“You won’t need to throw great big lures to get their attention and draw them in,” added Koch. “Stick to what looks real, and you’ll find a fish on the end of your line.”

For more on fishing in Kansas, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing">ksoutdoors.com/Fishing</a>.

For more on lake monitoring in Kansas, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kdheks.gov%2Fbefs%2Flakes_monitoring.htm&amp;data=02%7C01%7CNadia.Reimer%40KS.GOV%7C428fb49573a54c2fbe6408d7b003df64%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637171402995378207&amp;sdata=4JO1VED2%2BWale3032FcJUb6lx9jGgsp%2FXJ%2BxVnGFhNM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.kdheks.gov/befs/lakes_monitoring.htm</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581874318994.jpeg" alt="KDWPT" />
 <figcaption>KDWPT</figcaption>
 </figure>PRATT – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE, has a new “bucket list” for Kansas kayakers, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts to pursue – recreating at Kansas’ clearest lakes. Aquatic vegetation, underwater structures, and even fish may be visible at these lakes, providing a unique view of what lies beneath the waters’ surface. From paddleboarders looking for that Instagram-worthy photo, to anglers after the ultimate fishing challenge, Kansas’ clearest lakes should be a part of your 2020 travel plans.<h2>Kansas Clearest Lakes for 2020</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581874433472.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Each year, KDHE environmental scientist, Layne Knight, selects waterbodies from a list of 358 locations on the Kansas Surface Water Register to test for water clarity. Listed federal reservoirs are sampled every three years, state fishing lakes every four years, while remaining waterbodies are sampled every six years.“Water clarity in Kansas reservoirs is affected primarily by either algae or suspended sediments,” said Knight. “It’s a good indicator of the level of human impact in a watershed.”In the field, Knight uses techniques such as Secchi depth – a disk lowered through a water column until it disappears from view – to measure water column transparency. Water samples are then submitted to a laboratory to test turbidity, a measurement of how well light passes through the sample, and total suspended solids, the number of suspended particles. Chlorophyll analyses are also conducted and used as an indicator of the level of algae growth in the system; Lakes are then ranked based on results.Apart from the scientific data agencies are able to obtain from these tests, recreational benefits exist, as well. In fact, increased water clarity enhances your angling experience because you can see bottom structure, your lure and ultimately a fish on the end of your line, which adds a unique element of excitement.“In general, fish in clear water will behave different from fish in turbid water,” said KDWPT fisheries biologist, Jeff Koch. “Fish in clear water will be more wary, so you have to change up your technique if you want to be successful.”Anglers fishing in clear waters should concentrate their efforts during low-light periods or with a light chop on the water when fish will be most comfortable feeding. Since fish can see better in clear water, use a light low-visibility line such as fluorocarbon and make long casts. Also, baits that closely resemble natural prey, such as shad, bluegill, or crawfish in realistic colors will draw more strikes. Koch also suggests using small finesse-type baits in natural colors.“You won’t need to throw great big lures to get their attention and draw them in,” added Koch. “Stick to what looks real, and you’ll find a fish on the end of your line.”For more on fishing in Kansas, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing">ksoutdoors.com/Fishing</a>.For more on lake monitoring in Kansas, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kdheks.gov%2Fbefs%2Flakes_monitoring.htm&amp;data=02%7C01%7CNadia.Reimer%40KS.GOV%7C428fb49573a54c2fbe6408d7b003df64%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637171402995378207&amp;sdata=4JO1VED2%2BWale3032FcJUb6lx9jGgsp%2FXJ%2BxVnGFhNM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.kdheks.gov/befs/lakes_monitoring.htm</a>

KDWPT: NW Kansas lakes among the clearest in the state

COLBY — Colby Community College announced the names of students who completed degrees and certificates during the fall 2019 semester. The lists are released after transcripts have been verified as having met all requirements. Graduates are listed by hometown as indicated by the student.

Atwood:&nbsp;Sofia Hampton.&nbsp; Burlington, Colo.:&nbsp;Marley Neal.&nbsp; Colby: Ashley Wilson.&nbsp; Gem:&nbsp;Maggi Nieman.&nbsp; Goodland:&nbsp;Brooke Keim.&nbsp; Hays:&nbsp;Kennedy Smith.&nbsp; Kearney, Neb.:&nbsp;Gabriel Ledesma.&nbsp; Osborne:&nbsp;Ashton McNeal.&nbsp; Ottsville, Pa.:&nbsp;Justin Wade.&nbsp; Salina:&nbsp;Jacelyn Dawson.

LeRoy:&nbsp;Drew Beard.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Alma, Neb.:&nbsp;Madison Cervera.&nbsp; Atwood:&nbsp;Sofia Hampton.&nbsp; Canada:&nbsp;R Honore Niyongira.&nbsp; Colby:&nbsp;Mercedes Ramos.&nbsp; Goodland:&nbsp;Hannah Eslinger.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Colorado Springs, Colo.:&nbsp;Makayla Lopez.&nbsp; Goodland:&nbsp;Danielle Black. Johnson:&nbsp;Katelyn Palmer.&nbsp; Pawnee Rock:&nbsp;Cassandra Wolff.&nbsp; Spencerville, Ohio:&nbsp;Destiney Fiely.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581529246979.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Colby Community CollegeCOLBY — Colby Community College announced the names of students who completed degrees and certificates during the fall 2019 semester. The lists are released after transcripts have been verified as having met all requirements. Graduates are listed by hometown as indicated by the student.<h2>Associate of Applied Science</h2>Johnson:&nbsp;Katelyn Palmer.<h2>Associate of Arts</h2>Atwood:&nbsp;Sofia Hampton.&nbsp; Burlington, Colo.:&nbsp;Marley Neal.&nbsp; Colby: Ashley Wilson.&nbsp; Gem:&nbsp;Maggi Nieman.&nbsp; Goodland:&nbsp;Brooke Keim.&nbsp; Hays:&nbsp;Kennedy Smith.&nbsp; Kearney, Neb.:&nbsp;Gabriel Ledesma.&nbsp; Osborne:&nbsp;Ashton McNeal.&nbsp; Ottsville, Pa.:&nbsp;Justin Wade.&nbsp; Salina:&nbsp;Jacelyn Dawson.<h2>Associate of General Studies</h2>LeRoy:&nbsp;Drew Beard.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Associate of Science</h2>Alma, Neb.:&nbsp;Madison Cervera.&nbsp; Atwood:&nbsp;Sofia Hampton.&nbsp; Canada:&nbsp;R Honore Niyongira.&nbsp; Colby:&nbsp;Mercedes Ramos.&nbsp; Goodland:&nbsp;Hannah Eslinger.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Certificates</h2>Colorado Springs, Colo.:&nbsp;Makayla Lopez.&nbsp; Goodland:&nbsp;Danielle Black. Johnson:&nbsp;Katelyn Palmer.&nbsp; Pawnee Rock:&nbsp;Cassandra Wolff.&nbsp; Spencerville, Ohio:&nbsp;Destiney Fiely.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hays, NWKS students graduate from Colby Community College

Allie Frisbie successfully passed all parts of the Uniform CPA examination.&nbsp; 

Frisbie is a May 2019 graduate of Fort Hays State University with a bachelor's of business administration in accounting degree with concentration in public accounting.&nbsp; She joined the Hays office staff at Brungardt Hower Ward Elliott &amp; Pfeifer, L.C., Certified Public Accountants on a full time basis in May but had worked part-time for the firm while completing her degree.&nbsp; 

Brungardt Hower, with offices in Hays and Garden City, serves clients in central and western Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581433558253.jpeg" alt="Allie Frisbie" />
 <figcaption>Allie Frisbie</figcaption>
 </figure>Allie Frisbie successfully passed all parts of the Uniform CPA examination.&nbsp; Frisbie is a May 2019 graduate of Fort Hays State University with a bachelor's of business administration in accounting degree with concentration in public accounting.&nbsp; She joined the Hays office staff at Brungardt Hower Ward Elliott &amp; Pfeifer, L.C., Certified Public Accountants on a full time basis in May but had worked part-time for the firm while completing her degree.&nbsp; Frisbie is originally from McDonald.Brungardt Hower, with offices in Hays and Garden City, serves clients in central and western Kansas.

Fort Hays State grad completes CPA exam

<a href="https://hayspost.com/state-farm-weather-window/">For a full look at weather visit the State Farm Weather Window by clicking here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575929617735.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/state-farm-weather-window/">For a full look at weather visit the State Farm Weather Window by clicking here.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581712862832.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Three-day weather outlook

By DAN MARGOLIES <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/two-patients-died-after-surgery-overland-park-hospital-their-families-want-answers#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

On Feb. 6, 2018, Travis Claussen had his right hip replaced at Blue Valley Hospital in Overland Park.

The
 40-year-old resident of Lawson, Missouri, had been experiencing severe 
back pain for years. Before then, he’d been a physical fitness buff who 
was into off-road motorcycle racing.

His back pain got so bad 
that, other than helping out his mother with her small T-shirt and sign 
business, he’d been unable to work for the previous five years.

Claussen
 was considered a poor candidate for back surgery because, at 
six-feet-one-inches tall and 240 pounds, he was considered obese. But 
one of the doctors at Blue Valley thought he was sufficiently young and 
healthy to undergo hip replacement surgery.

Claussen went ahead 
with the procedure, but following his discharge from the hospital he 
developed a surgical site infection. He returned to the hospital 13 days
 after his discharge and was treated with pain medications, intravenous 
antibiotics and a wound dressing to promote healing.

He was 
discharged again a week later but readmitted several more times over the
 following weeks when it became clear the infection wasn’t clearing up. 
On April 9, 2018, the surgeon removed Claussen’s hip implants. During 
the procedure, Claussen’s right femur fractured.

Medical records show that over the next 24 or so hours, he was given 
large quantities of narcotics, including fentanyl and oxycodone, and 
sedatives, including Valium and Ativan. At 3:50 a.m. on April 11, a 
nurse found him unresponsive. He was transported about 50 minutes later 
just down the road to Saint Luke’s South Hospital but it was too late. 
Claussen was dead.

He wasn’t the first patient at privately owned
 Blue Valley Hospital, which was renamed Pinnacle Regional Hospital in 
2018 and on Wednesday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, to die following 
surgery there.

Joseph Metz, who had endured back pain for years, 
underwent spinal fusion surgery at Blue Valley on Dec. 22, 2017. He was 
discharged four days later, although his temperature was elevated and an
 autopsy subsequently showed he had pneumonia. The following day he was 
discovered unresponsive in bed at home. He was pronounced dead at 4:43 
that morning. Metz was 36 years old.

The two men’s deaths came 
during a time when the hospital was in peril of losing its Medicare 
certification because it didn’t have a sufficient number of inpatients. 
In fact, a hospital staffer told CMS inspectors in 2017 that it was 
performing “a lot of extra surgeries to get the numbers we needed.”&nbsp;

Andrea
 Carabetta, the pharmacy director at Blue Valley Hospital for nearly 
three years before she left in the fall of 2018, told KCUR that Claussen
 should have been transferred to another hospital with a higher level of
 care.

“I feel like they killed him,” she said.

In
 October, Metz’s two minor children and the personal representative of 
his estate sued the hospital and two of its physicians for medical 
malpractice, alleging they were negligent in their treatment of Metz. 
The defendants have denied the allegations, claiming the plaintiffs’ 
injuries “were the direct and unavoidable consequence of Joseph Metz’s 
pre-existing condition.”

Claussen’s family filed their own lawsuit against the hospital, two 
of its physicians and a nurse practitioner on Thursday. Like the Metz 
family's lawsuit, it alleges the defendants were negligent in their 
treatment of their son and seeks unspecified damages.

A ‘more intimate hospital experience’

The
 hospital, which is located at 128th Street and Metcalf Avenue, is owned
 by businessman Douglas Palzer, who opened it in 2010 as a seven-bed 
facility with two operating rooms. Palzer, who lives part of the time in
 Las Vegas and could not be reached for comment, had previously owned a 
nearby ambulatory surgical center specializing in weight loss surgery.

A
 news release announcing the hospital’s opening said that while it was 
designed with weight-loss surgery in mind, “it is expanding its range of
 specialties and procedures.”

“We offer a more intimate hospital 
experience than what many people expect,” Palzer was quoted in the 
release as saying. “With only three outpatient and four inpatient beds, 
our patients get a lot of personal attention.”

Federal records 
obtained by KCUR, however, show they may not have gotten enough. In June
 2018, regulators issued a statement of deficiencies report about the 
hospital containing an “immediate jeopardy” finding – or a situation 
where patients could be at risk of injury or even death.

The
 report by inspectors for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
 (CMS) found that both Claussen’s and Metz’s deaths resulted from 
multiple failures by hospital staff to comply with conditions for 
getting Medicare and Medicaid funding.

As part of their 
investigation, the inspectors interviewed members of the hospital’s 
staff, including physicians and nurses. The report, as is customary with
 statements of deficiencies, does not identify the staff members by 
name, but some of their statements are damning.

One said that 
after Claussen (who is identified in the report as Patient 10) was found
 unresponsive, they reviewed the crash cart and discovered that no 
Narcan, epinephrine or any emergency drugs were used.

“We gave 
Patient 10 a lot of narcotics and I believe anyone with experience would
 have recognized a potential for narcotic overdose and would have tried 
at least one dose of Narcan,” the staff member said, referring to a drug
 used to treat narcotic overdoses.

Another staff member said that
 Claussen’s symptoms “screamed of overdose to me. Patient 10 should have
 gotten Narcan. We do stock Narcan here, so it was available.”

The
 CMS report said Claussen’s autopsy report indicated the cause of death 
as coronary artery disease with fentanyl intoxication as a contributing 
factor.

The report said that “oxycodone intoxication,” along with
 underlying medical conditions, likewise contributed to Metz’s death. 
Citing the autopsy report, it said the concentration of oxycodone found 
in Metz, who is identified as Patient 3, was “above the expected 
therapeutic range and within the potentially fatal range.”

A
 hospital staff member told the CMS inspectors that following Metz’s 
death, hospital staff fought over having the reason for his death 
changed. The staff member said “there is a lot of the blame game going 
on …”

At the time, Blue Valley was trying to boost the number of surgeries it performed.

CMS
 had concluded the hospital did not “primarily engage” in providing 
services to inpatients – a requirement for participation in Medicare – 
and said it was going to end Blue Valley’s eligibility for Medicare 
reimbursements. Hospitals that don’t average at least two inpatients per
 day and at least two night average length of stay are considered 
same-day surgical centers, which are reimbursed differently.

Carabetta,
 the pharmacy director who left in the fall of 2018, told KCUR she 
believed Claussen had been kept at the hospital instead of being 
transferred “to keep the patient census up to meet CMS requirements.”

“I took my oath to provide good quality care and I didn’t feel I was living that oath,” she said.

A spokeswoman for the hospital did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Still
 grieving over their loss, the Claussens are angry and upset over what 
they describe as the hospital’s cavalier response to their son’s death.

“The
 doctor never acted like he was sorry this happened. He sure never said 
he was sorry this happened. The hospitalist never said he was sorry. The
 director of nursing never said she was sorry this happened,” says Debra
 Claussen, Travis’ mother.

“Even after he died, nobody in 
management expressed any sympathy or regret. And I know that’s because 
they’re expecting a lawsuit and they’ve got to be careful what they 
say.”

Money was clearly on the minds of the hospital’s administrators over the last few years.

Before
 it lost its Medicare certification, Blue Valley claimed to perform 35% 
of all Missouri Medicaid bariatric surgeries, a procedure performed on 
obese patients. Seeking to restore its Medicare funding, Blue Valley 
filed a <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/overland-park-weight-loss-hospital-sues-after-government-cuts-medicare-funding#stream/0">lawsuit in which it claimed that its</a>
 termination from the program would likely result in the loss of 
Medicaid and commercial coverage as well, which would financially 
cripple it.

In
 an April 2018 statement of deficiencies finding Blue Valley did not 
qualify for participation in Medicare, CMS inspectors said a hospital 
staff member – from the context, it appears to be one of the hospital’s 
executives – told them the hospital performed “a lot of extra surgeries 
to get the numbers we needed.”

“So, I offered a new benefit to 
all employees and their families,” the staff member told the inspectors,
 according to the report. “I told them for those that medically qualify 
for a gastric sleeve, we would pay what insurance didn’t. Our staff has 
requested it for years because the insurance we have won’t cover the 
costs for the surgery here. Unfortunately, I have a lot of obese 
employees and they wanted this surgery. So it was something that could 
help us both. We have done about 50-60 employee/family surgeries to date
 with about 70 more that want it.”

Although <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/overland-park-weight-loss-hospital-loses-bid-regain-its-medicare-funding#stream/0">a federal judge dismissed Blue Valley’s lawsuit</a> on procedural grounds – <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/overland-park-weight-loss-hospital-struggles-regain-its-medicare-certification#stream/0">a decision upheld by a federal appeals court</a>
 – Palzer, the hospital’s owner, managed to get around CMS’ termination 
of its participation in Medicare by buying Cooper County Memorial 
Hospital in Boonville, Missouri, in 2018.

After the purchase, he renamed the Boonville and Overland Park facilities Pinnacle Regional Hospital.

But last month, about two years after he purchased it, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/pinnacle-regional-hospital-boonville-missouri-shuts-down-operations#stream/0">Palzer closed down the Boonville hospital</a>. In a statement, Pinnacle CEO Joseph Conigliaro said that Missouri regulators’ <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/boonville-missouri-hospital-ordered-stop-performing-surgery#stream/0">demand that the hospital upgrade its sterile processing procedures</a> would have proved too costly.

By then Pinnacle was already <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/shuttered-boonville-hospital-s-financial-woes-had-been-piling-year#stream/0">in serious financial trouble</a>.
 Vendors were suing for nonpayment and Pinnacle’s lender, Great Western 
Bank, claimed it was owed more than $24 million in unpaid loans, 
interest, late fees and other charges.

In a lawsuit filed last 
month, Great Western said that both the Boonville and Overland Park 
businesses were “collapsing” and asked the court to appoint a receiver 
to oversee them and assess whether a sale would maximize their value.

Seeking
 to restructure their debts, Pinnacle and its parent company, Pinnacle 
Healthcare System Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization 
on Wednesday. The companies said they hope to emerge from the proceeding
 as more stable, viable businesses.

In astatement Thursday 
announcing the filing, Pinnacle CEO Joe Conigliaro said the Overland 
Park hospital would remain open and the Boonville hospital would be 
reopened.

The Chapter 11 filing, Conigliaro said, will allow the 
companies “to restructure our debts and ensure stable, stronger, and 
viable business operations now and when we emerge from Chapter 11”

“The
 reorganization proceedings will enable our companies to continue our 
mission of providing high quality and cost effective medical and 
surgical services in our communities,” Conigliaro said.

Dan Margolies is a senior reporter and editor at KCUR. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/DanMargolies">@DanMargolies</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581619424617.jpeg" alt=" Pinnacle Regional Hospital, at 128th Street and Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park, was previously known as Blue Valley Hospital. Dan Margolies / KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption> Pinnacle Regional Hospital, at 128th Street and Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park, was previously known as Blue Valley Hospital. Dan Margolies / KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAN MARGOLIES <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/two-patients-died-after-surgery-overland-park-hospital-their-families-want-answers#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>On Feb. 6, 2018, Travis Claussen had his right hip replaced at Blue Valley Hospital in Overland Park.The
 40-year-old resident of Lawson, Missouri, had been experiencing severe 
back pain for years. Before then, he’d been a physical fitness buff who 
was into off-road motorcycle racing.His back pain got so bad 
that, other than helping out his mother with her small T-shirt and sign 
business, he’d been unable to work for the previous five years.Claussen
 was considered a poor candidate for back surgery because, at 
six-feet-one-inches tall and 240 pounds, he was considered obese. But 
one of the doctors at Blue Valley thought he was sufficiently young and 
healthy to undergo hip replacement surgery.Claussen went ahead 
with the procedure, but following his discharge from the hospital he 
developed a surgical site infection. He returned to the hospital 13 days
 after his discharge and was treated with pain medications, intravenous 
antibiotics and a wound dressing to promote healing.He was 
discharged again a week later but readmitted several more times over the
 following weeks when it became clear the infection wasn’t clearing up. 
On April 9, 2018, the surgeon removed Claussen’s hip implants. During 
the procedure, Claussen’s right femur fractured.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581619478474.jpeg" alt=" Travis Claussen was 40 years old when he died. Credit Claussen family" />
 <figcaption> Travis Claussen was 40 years old when he died. Credit Claussen family</figcaption>
 </figure>Medical records show that over the next 24 or so hours, he was given 
large quantities of narcotics, including fentanyl and oxycodone, and 
sedatives, including Valium and Ativan. At 3:50 a.m. on April 11, a 
nurse found him unresponsive. He was transported about 50 minutes later 
just down the road to Saint Luke’s South Hospital but it was too late. 
Claussen was dead.He wasn’t the first patient at privately owned
 Blue Valley Hospital, which was renamed Pinnacle Regional Hospital in 
2018 and on Wednesday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, to die following 
surgery there.Joseph Metz, who had endured back pain for years, 
underwent spinal fusion surgery at Blue Valley on Dec. 22, 2017. He was 
discharged four days later, although his temperature was elevated and an
 autopsy subsequently showed he had pneumonia. The following day he was 
discovered unresponsive in bed at home. He was pronounced dead at 4:43 
that morning. Metz was 36 years old.The two men’s deaths came 
during a time when the hospital was in peril of losing its Medicare 
certification because it didn’t have a sufficient number of inpatients. 
In fact, a hospital staffer told CMS inspectors in 2017 that it was 
performing “a lot of extra surgeries to get the numbers we needed.”&nbsp;Andrea
 Carabetta, the pharmacy director at Blue Valley Hospital for nearly 
three years before she left in the fall of 2018, told KCUR that Claussen
 should have been transferred to another hospital with a higher level of
 care.“I feel like they killed him,” she said.<h2>Families sue</h2>In
 October, Metz’s two minor children and the personal representative of 
his estate sued the hospital and two of its physicians for medical 
malpractice, alleging they were negligent in their treatment of Metz. 
The defendants have denied the allegations, claiming the plaintiffs’ 
injuries “were the direct and unavoidable consequence of Joseph Metz’s 
pre-existing condition.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581619507576.jpeg" alt=" Travis Claussen's parents, Debra and Herm Claussen, say they never got a word of apology from the hospital. Credit Dan Margolies / KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption> Travis Claussen's parents, Debra and Herm Claussen, say they never got a word of apology from the hospital. Credit Dan Margolies / KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>Claussen’s family filed their own lawsuit against the hospital, two 
of its physicians and a nurse practitioner on Thursday. Like the Metz 
family's lawsuit, it alleges the defendants were negligent in their 
treatment of their son and seeks unspecified damages.<h2>A ‘more intimate hospital experience’</h2>The
 hospital, which is located at 128th Street and Metcalf Avenue, is owned
 by businessman Douglas Palzer, who opened it in 2010 as a seven-bed 
facility with two operating rooms. Palzer, who lives part of the time in
 Las Vegas and could not be reached for comment, had previously owned a 
nearby ambulatory surgical center specializing in weight loss surgery.A
 news release announcing the hospital’s opening said that while it was 
designed with weight-loss surgery in mind, “it is expanding its range of
 specialties and procedures.”“We offer a more intimate hospital 
experience than what many people expect,” Palzer was quoted in the 
release as saying. “With only three outpatient and four inpatient beds, 
our patients get a lot of personal attention.”Federal records 
obtained by KCUR, however, show they may not have gotten enough. In June
 2018, regulators issued a statement of deficiencies report about the 
hospital containing an “immediate jeopardy” finding – or a situation 
where patients could be at risk of injury or even death.<h2>‘Screamed of overdose’ </h2>The
 report by inspectors for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
 (CMS) found that both Claussen’s and Metz’s deaths resulted from 
multiple failures by hospital staff to comply with conditions for 
getting Medicare and Medicaid funding.As part of their 
investigation, the inspectors interviewed members of the hospital’s 
staff, including physicians and nurses. The report, as is customary with
 statements of deficiencies, does not identify the staff members by 
name, but some of their statements are damning.One said that 
after Claussen (who is identified in the report as Patient 10) was found
 unresponsive, they reviewed the crash cart and discovered that no 
Narcan, epinephrine or any emergency drugs were used.“We gave 
Patient 10 a lot of narcotics and I believe anyone with experience would
 have recognized a potential for narcotic overdose and would have tried 
at least one dose of Narcan,” the staff member said, referring to a drug
 used to treat narcotic overdoses.Another staff member said that
 Claussen’s symptoms “screamed of overdose to me. Patient 10 should have
 gotten Narcan. We do stock Narcan here, so it was available.”The
 CMS report said Claussen’s autopsy report indicated the cause of death 
as coronary artery disease with fentanyl intoxication as a contributing 
factor.The report said that “oxycodone intoxication,” along with
 underlying medical conditions, likewise contributed to Metz’s death. 
Citing the autopsy report, it said the concentration of oxycodone found 
in Metz, who is identified as Patient 3, was “above the expected 
therapeutic range and within the potentially fatal range.”<h2>‘Blame game’</h2>A
 hospital staff member told the CMS inspectors that following Metz’s 
death, hospital staff fought over having the reason for his death 
changed. The staff member said “there is a lot of the blame game going 
on …”At the time, Blue Valley was trying to boost the number of surgeries it performed.CMS
 had concluded the hospital did not “primarily engage” in providing 
services to inpatients – a requirement for participation in Medicare – 
and said it was going to end Blue Valley’s eligibility for Medicare 
reimbursements. Hospitals that don’t average at least two inpatients per
 day and at least two night average length of stay are considered 
same-day surgical centers, which are reimbursed differently.Carabetta,
 the pharmacy director who left in the fall of 2018, told KCUR she 
believed Claussen had been kept at the hospital instead of being 
transferred “to keep the patient census up to meet CMS requirements.”“I took my oath to provide good quality care and I didn’t feel I was living that oath,” she said.A spokeswoman for the hospital did not return phone calls seeking comment.<h2>‘No one expressed any sympathy’</h2>Still
 grieving over their loss, the Claussens are angry and upset over what 
they describe as the hospital’s cavalier response to their son’s death.“The
 doctor never acted like he was sorry this happened. He sure never said 
he was sorry this happened. The hospitalist never said he was sorry. The
 director of nursing never said she was sorry this happened,” says Debra
 Claussen, Travis’ mother.“Even after he died, nobody in 
management expressed any sympathy or regret. And I know that’s because 
they’re expecting a lawsuit and they’ve got to be careful what they 
say.”Money was clearly on the minds of the hospital’s administrators over the last few years.Before
 it lost its Medicare certification, Blue Valley claimed to perform 35% 
of all Missouri Medicaid bariatric surgeries, a procedure performed on 
obese patients. Seeking to restore its Medicare funding, Blue Valley 
filed a <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/overland-park-weight-loss-hospital-sues-after-government-cuts-medicare-funding#stream/0">lawsuit in which it claimed that its</a>
 termination from the program would likely result in the loss of 
Medicaid and commercial coverage as well, which would financially 
cripple it.<h2>‘Extra surgeries’</h2>In
 an April 2018 statement of deficiencies finding Blue Valley did not 
qualify for participation in Medicare, CMS inspectors said a hospital 
staff member – from the context, it appears to be one of the hospital’s 
executives – told them the hospital performed “a lot of extra surgeries 
to get the numbers we needed.”“So, I offered a new benefit to 
all employees and their families,” the staff member told the inspectors,
 according to the report. “I told them for those that medically qualify 
for a gastric sleeve, we would pay what insurance didn’t. Our staff has 
requested it for years because the insurance we have won’t cover the 
costs for the surgery here. Unfortunately, I have a lot of obese 
employees and they wanted this surgery. So it was something that could 
help us both. We have done about 50-60 employee/family surgeries to date
 with about 70 more that want it.”Although <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/overland-park-weight-loss-hospital-loses-bid-regain-its-medicare-funding#stream/0">a federal judge dismissed Blue Valley’s lawsuit</a> on procedural grounds – <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/overland-park-weight-loss-hospital-struggles-regain-its-medicare-certification#stream/0">a decision upheld by a federal appeals court</a>
 – Palzer, the hospital’s owner, managed to get around CMS’ termination 
of its participation in Medicare by buying Cooper County Memorial 
Hospital in Boonville, Missouri, in 2018.After the purchase, he renamed the Boonville and Overland Park facilities Pinnacle Regional Hospital.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581619542408.jpeg" alt=" Pinnacle Regional Hospital in Boonville, Missouri, closed its doors last month, although its CEO says it plans to reopen as part of a bankruptcy reorganization. Credit Sebastian Martinez Valdivia / Side Effects Public Media" />
 <figcaption> Pinnacle Regional Hospital in Boonville, Missouri, closed its doors last month, although its CEO says it plans to reopen as part of a bankruptcy reorganization. Credit Sebastian Martinez Valdivia / Side Effects Public Media</figcaption>
 </figure>But last month, about two years after he purchased it, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/pinnacle-regional-hospital-boonville-missouri-shuts-down-operations#stream/0">Palzer closed down the Boonville hospital</a>. In a statement, Pinnacle CEO Joseph Conigliaro said that Missouri regulators’ <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/boonville-missouri-hospital-ordered-stop-performing-surgery#stream/0">demand that the hospital upgrade its sterile processing procedures</a> would have proved too costly.By then Pinnacle was already <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/shuttered-boonville-hospital-s-financial-woes-had-been-piling-year#stream/0">in serious financial trouble</a>.
 Vendors were suing for nonpayment and Pinnacle’s lender, Great Western 
Bank, claimed it was owed more than $24 million in unpaid loans, 
interest, late fees and other charges.In a lawsuit filed last 
month, Great Western said that both the Boonville and Overland Park 
businesses were “collapsing” and asked the court to appoint a receiver 
to oversee them and assess whether a sale would maximize their value.Seeking
 to restructure their debts, Pinnacle and its parent company, Pinnacle 
Healthcare System Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization 
on Wednesday. The companies said they hope to emerge from the proceeding
 as more stable, viable businesses.In astatement Thursday 
announcing the filing, Pinnacle CEO Joe Conigliaro said the Overland 
Park hospital would remain open and the Boonville hospital would be 
reopened.The Chapter 11 filing, Conigliaro said, will allow the 
companies “to restructure our debts and ensure stable, stronger, and 
viable business operations now and when we emerge from Chapter 11”“The
 reorganization proceedings will enable our companies to continue our 
mission of providing high quality and cost effective medical and 
surgical services in our communities,” Conigliaro said.Dan Margolies is a senior reporter and editor at KCUR. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/DanMargolies">@DanMargolies</a>.

Families want answers after patient deaths at Kan. hospital

United Way of Ellis County finished its 2019 campaign in January 94 percent to goal.

Erica Berges, executive director, said the organization raised about $356,000 toward its goal and the Robert E. and Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation made a donation of $22,223 toward the goal at the end of the campaign. The total raised toward the United Way's $400,000 goal was $377,776.

The United Way was projecting to come in well short of goal, but Berges said several businesses gave more than they did last year and the organization was able to pull in some other last-minute donations from individuals.

The United Way's Care Council has met, and Berges said the organization plans to use some reserve funds so funding will not have to be cut the United Way's partner agencies.

"That is what we are here for is to keep those agencies funded," Berges said. "We wanted to make sure we could keep those at the same level."

The agencies will be learning by the end of the month how much they will be receiving. A press release will be issued to public after that on the 2020 allocations, Berges said.

"What the agencies do is very important," Berges said. "They hit all aspects of the population — from newborns to the elderly — and there is nobody left out. And really in all incomes levels too. There are ones that are in that lower income that need that extra help. Then there are services that anyone can use too like counseling and obviously the children's mentoring program."

As the United Way moves into 2020, Berges said the organization will be focusing on its marketing plan. The United Way is in talks with the Schmidt Foundation on a grant to assist in marketing. The amount of that grant has yet to be released.

"This year we are really going to be working hard on our marketing — on getting our story out there, making sure people know exactly what we do. I think that is sometimes the misconception," Berges said. "If we don't get our word out and people don't know what we do, then why would they give to us and not just to the agency directly?"

The United Way also will be looking at adding a special fundraising event in 2020.

After declining participation, the United Way discontinued its Night at the Mall fundraiser. The agency also did not conduct its annual online fundraising auction in 2019.

Berges said the United Way will be looking at new events and considering if it wishes to reinstate the online auction.

After six months with only one person in the United Way office upon the resignation of former director Sherry Dryden, the United Way hired a new administrative assistant in January, Bill Oyet.

The 22-year-old Oyet interned with the United Way last year and is a graduate of FHSU with a degree in business management. Olivia Albrecht, an FHSU&nbsp; student in marketing, will also be joining the team as an intern.

Berges said she hoped both Oyet and Albrecht plus further marketing resources from the national United Way will help the United Way of Ellis County appeal to more young donors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581539836071.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostUnited Way of Ellis County finished its 2019 campaign in January 94 percent to goal.Erica Berges, executive director, said the organization raised about $356,000 toward its goal and the Robert E. and Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation made a donation of $22,223 toward the goal at the end of the campaign. The total raised toward the United Way's $400,000 goal was $377,776.The United Way was projecting to come in well short of goal, but Berges said several businesses gave more than they did last year and the organization was able to pull in some other last-minute donations from individuals.The United Way's Care Council has met, and Berges said the organization plans to use some reserve funds so funding will not have to be cut the United Way's partner agencies."That is what we are here for is to keep those agencies funded," Berges said. "We wanted to make sure we could keep those at the same level."The agencies will be learning by the end of the month how much they will be receiving. A press release will be issued to public after that on the 2020 allocations, Berges said."What the agencies do is very important," Berges said. "They hit all aspects of the population — from newborns to the elderly — and there is nobody left out. And really in all incomes levels too. There are ones that are in that lower income that need that extra help. Then there are services that anyone can use too like counseling and obviously the children's mentoring program."As the United Way moves into 2020, Berges said the organization will be focusing on its marketing plan. The United Way is in talks with the Schmidt Foundation on a grant to assist in marketing. The amount of that grant has yet to be released."This year we are really going to be working hard on our marketing — on getting our story out there, making sure people know exactly what we do. I think that is sometimes the misconception," Berges said. "If we don't get our word out and people don't know what we do, then why would they give to us and not just to the agency directly?"The United Way also will be looking at adding a special fundraising event in 2020.After declining participation, the United Way discontinued its Night at the Mall fundraiser. The agency also did not conduct its annual online fundraising auction in 2019.Berges said the United Way will be looking at new events and considering if it wishes to reinstate the online auction.After six months with only one person in the United Way office upon the resignation of former director Sherry Dryden, the United Way hired a new administrative assistant in January, Bill Oyet.The 22-year-old Oyet interned with the United Way last year and is a graduate of FHSU with a degree in business management. Olivia Albrecht, an FHSU&nbsp; student in marketing, will also be joining the team as an intern.Berges said she hoped both Oyet and Albrecht plus further marketing resources from the national United Way will help the United Way of Ellis County appeal to more young donors.

United Way raises 94% of goal; cuts to partner agencies avoided

“When we were students, the faculty at Fort Hays State University were truly interested in our success, both in the classroom and following graduation,” said Simone Werth, who graduated from FHSU in 1993 with a degree in office administration. Her husband, Mark, graduated in 1985 with a degree in accounting.&nbsp;

This past weekend, the couple attended the FHSU Foundation’s annual 20+ year donor event.&nbsp;

“Walking into the luncheon celebration and seeing a packed house of individuals who have supported Fort Hays State University consistently over the last several decades – it creates a sense of pride in all of the local donors who recognize the value of supporting FHSU,” said Simone.&nbsp;

“We are a family of Fort Hays State University alumni,” said Mark. “We believe it is important to support Fort Hays State to allow students to focus on their educational goals and not have to worry so much about how to pay for college. FHSU provided a solid educational foundation for all of our family to build upon, and we hope our contributions can help provide that for future generations of Tigers!”&nbsp;

The Werths have stayed in contact with many of their former instructors and professors. Simone sees some of them regularly as she works on FHSU’s campus. For the last 23 years, she has served as the student employment coordinator in the Financial Assistance Office.&nbsp;

Mark is a CPA at Brungardt Hower Ward Elliott &amp; Pfeifer LLC in Hays, where he has worked for the last 35 years. Thanks to Brungardt Hower, the Werths are often able to double the impact of their gifts to Fort Hays State University as the company offers a match to its staff members’ donations to FHSU.&nbsp;

“FHSU’s 20+ year donor event continues to be a wonderful opportunity for Fort Hays State to show its appreciation to one of our most committed and generous groups of Tiger Supporters,” said Schuyler Coates, director of annual giving for the FHSU Foundation.&nbsp;

Donors who were able to attend the event on Saturday enjoyed good food and great company at FHSU’s Robbins Center before heading over to the Tiger Basketball games against Central Oklahoma.&nbsp;

“Financial support means the world to Fort Hays State University,” said Coates. “Unwavering support for over two decades is nothing short of extraordinary.”&nbsp;

To learn more about the FHSU Foundation – the fundraising arm of the university – visit&nbsp;<a href="https://foundation.fhsu.edu/">https://foundation.fhsu.edu</a>, call 785-628-5620 or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:foundation@fhsu.edu">foundation@fhsu.edu</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581702061187.jpeg" alt="Mark Simone Werth" />
 <figcaption>Mark Simone Werth</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University Relations“When we were students, the faculty at Fort Hays State University were truly interested in our success, both in the classroom and following graduation,” said Simone Werth, who graduated from FHSU in 1993 with a degree in office administration. Her husband, Mark, graduated in 1985 with a degree in accounting.&nbsp;This past weekend, the couple attended the FHSU Foundation’s annual 20+ year donor event.&nbsp;“Walking into the luncheon celebration and seeing a packed house of individuals who have supported Fort Hays State University consistently over the last several decades – it creates a sense of pride in all of the local donors who recognize the value of supporting FHSU,” said Simone.&nbsp;“We are a family of Fort Hays State University alumni,” said Mark. “We believe it is important to support Fort Hays State to allow students to focus on their educational goals and not have to worry so much about how to pay for college. FHSU provided a solid educational foundation for all of our family to build upon, and we hope our contributions can help provide that for future generations of Tigers!”&nbsp;The Werths have stayed in contact with many of their former instructors and professors. Simone sees some of them regularly as she works on FHSU’s campus. For the last 23 years, she has served as the student employment coordinator in the Financial Assistance Office.&nbsp;Mark is a CPA at Brungardt Hower Ward Elliott &amp; Pfeifer LLC in Hays, where he has worked for the last 35 years. Thanks to Brungardt Hower, the Werths are often able to double the impact of their gifts to Fort Hays State University as the company offers a match to its staff members’ donations to FHSU.&nbsp;“FHSU’s 20+ year donor event continues to be a wonderful opportunity for Fort Hays State to show its appreciation to one of our most committed and generous groups of Tiger Supporters,” said Schuyler Coates, director of annual giving for the FHSU Foundation.&nbsp;Donors who were able to attend the event on Saturday enjoyed good food and great company at FHSU’s Robbins Center before heading over to the Tiger Basketball games against Central Oklahoma.&nbsp;“Financial support means the world to Fort Hays State University,” said Coates. “Unwavering support for over two decades is nothing short of extraordinary.”&nbsp;To learn more about the FHSU Foundation – the fundraising arm of the university – visit&nbsp;<a href="https://foundation.fhsu.edu/">https://foundation.fhsu.edu</a>, call 785-628-5620 or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:foundation@fhsu.edu">foundation@fhsu.edu</a>.&nbsp;

FHSU Foundation celebrates long-term supporters of the university

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

Kansas State University's Animal Sciences and Industry Department will host Cattlemen's Day 2020 on Friday, March 6 at Weber Hall in Manhattan. Lorna Marshall, Select Sires vice president of beef programs, will kick off the event by highlighting genetic and reproductive trends in the global beef industry.

"We're excited to host the 107th KSU Cattlemen's Day," says Ken Odde, K-State professor and Cattlemen's Day co-chairman. "Our annual program strives to address key issues and to provide current information that keeps our industry efficient and relevant. This year's main program speakers, Lorna Marshall and Dr. Derrell Peel, will challenge attendees to think outside the box as they address global protein supplies, trade, reproductive and genetic technologies and their effects on the U.S. beef industry."

The day starts at 8 a.m. with refreshments, educational exhibits and a commercial trade show. Odde adds, "This year more we have more than 75 participants signed up for our allied industry trade show. Hosted on the Weber Arena floor, the trade show provides a forum for the attendees to observe what's new in the beef industry and network with key industry leaders."

The program begins at 10 a.m. Following Marshall's presentation, Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University extension livestock marketing specialist, will discuss opportunities for the beef industry in global meat markets.

Lunch featuring smoked brisket and Cajun-spiced catfish will be sponsored by U.S. Premium Beef and commercial exhibitors. The afternoon sessions will feature K-State faculty and industry presentations in Weber Hall, the Purebred Beef Unit and the Beef Stocker Unit discussing an array of topics.

• Factors Influencing Sale Price of Calves — Ken Odde, KSU ASI professor, Karol Fike, KSU ASI teaching assoc. professor, and Esther McCabe, KSU ASI PhD student, will discuss recently investigated regional effects on the value of calf health programs, age and source verification, trucking distance, and "natural" beef programs.

• Update on Insemination Timing with Sexed Semen, Split-Time AI and Embryonic Loss — Sandy Johnson, KSU ASI extension beef specialist, and David Grieger, KSU ASI professor, will give an overview of timed AI protocols for conventional and sexed semen; including an update on split-time AI protocols with costs and benefits for cows and heifers.

• Current Changes in the Mexican Meat Industry and the Impact of Mexico's New Beef Quality Grading System — Francisco Najar-Villarreal, KSU ASI meat science PhD candidate, will discuss the implementation of a new Mexican beef quality grading program, passed in 2017, and how this system may potentially change some of the market channels used during the last decade in Mexico. The potential impact of these changes on the United States will also be discussed.

• Calving School: Tools, Time Frames, Intervention Tips — A.J. Tarpoff, KSU ASI extension beef veterinarian, will outline overall calving management, including stages of the normal calving process and tips to handle difficult calving situations.

• Where Ruminant Digestion Begins — K-State Veterinary Health Center staff will utilize cannulated cows to discuss educational components regarding transfaunation fluid, calf scours and Hardware disease.

• Forage Sampling and Analysis 101 — Justin Waggoner, KSU ASI extension beef specialist, will provide a hands-on session covering how to sample different types of forage and understand the basic components of a forage analysis.

• Beef Stocker Unit Tour — Explore the Beef Stocker Unit, a facility devoted to management research with receiving, backgrounding and grazing cattle.

The cost to attend Cattlemen's Day 2020 is $25 if paid by February 28 at noon or $35 at the door. There is no charge for students, if they pre-register. For more information and online registration, visit KSUBeef.org or contact Lois Schreiner at 785-532-1267 or <a href="mailto:lschrein@ksu.edu">lschrein@ksu.edu</a>.

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581343467166.jpeg" alt="Photo by Jonas Nordberg on Unsplash" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Jonas Nordberg on Unsplash</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension DistrictKansas State University's Animal Sciences and Industry Department will host Cattlemen's Day 2020 on Friday, March 6 at Weber Hall in Manhattan. Lorna Marshall, Select Sires vice president of beef programs, will kick off the event by highlighting genetic and reproductive trends in the global beef industry."We're excited to host the 107th KSU Cattlemen's Day," says Ken Odde, K-State professor and Cattlemen's Day co-chairman. "Our annual program strives to address key issues and to provide current information that keeps our industry efficient and relevant. This year's main program speakers, Lorna Marshall and Dr. Derrell Peel, will challenge attendees to think outside the box as they address global protein supplies, trade, reproductive and genetic technologies and their effects on the U.S. beef industry."The day starts at 8 a.m. with refreshments, educational exhibits and a commercial trade show. Odde adds, "This year more we have more than 75 participants signed up for our allied industry trade show. Hosted on the Weber Arena floor, the trade show provides a forum for the attendees to observe what's new in the beef industry and network with key industry leaders."The program begins at 10 a.m. Following Marshall's presentation, Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University extension livestock marketing specialist, will discuss opportunities for the beef industry in global meat markets.Lunch featuring smoked brisket and Cajun-spiced catfish will be sponsored by U.S. Premium Beef and commercial exhibitors. The afternoon sessions will feature K-State faculty and industry presentations in Weber Hall, the Purebred Beef Unit and the Beef Stocker Unit discussing an array of topics.• Factors Influencing Sale Price of Calves — Ken Odde, KSU ASI professor, Karol Fike, KSU ASI teaching assoc. professor, and Esther McCabe, KSU ASI PhD student, will discuss recently investigated regional effects on the value of calf health programs, age and source verification, trucking distance, and "natural" beef programs.• Update on Insemination Timing with Sexed Semen, Split-Time AI and Embryonic Loss — Sandy Johnson, KSU ASI extension beef specialist, and David Grieger, KSU ASI professor, will give an overview of timed AI protocols for conventional and sexed semen; including an update on split-time AI protocols with costs and benefits for cows and heifers.• Current Changes in the Mexican Meat Industry and the Impact of Mexico's New Beef Quality Grading System — Francisco Najar-Villarreal, KSU ASI meat science PhD candidate, will discuss the implementation of a new Mexican beef quality grading program, passed in 2017, and how this system may potentially change some of the market channels used during the last decade in Mexico. The potential impact of these changes on the United States will also be discussed.• Calving School: Tools, Time Frames, Intervention Tips — A.J. Tarpoff, KSU ASI extension beef veterinarian, will outline overall calving management, including stages of the normal calving process and tips to handle difficult calving situations.• Where Ruminant Digestion Begins — K-State Veterinary Health Center staff will utilize cannulated cows to discuss educational components regarding transfaunation fluid, calf scours and Hardware disease.• Forage Sampling and Analysis 101 — Justin Waggoner, KSU ASI extension beef specialist, will provide a hands-on session covering how to sample different types of forage and understand the basic components of a forage analysis.• Beef Stocker Unit Tour — Explore the Beef Stocker Unit, a facility devoted to management research with receiving, backgrounding and grazing cattle.The cost to attend Cattlemen's Day 2020 is $25 if paid by February 28 at noon or $35 at the door. There is no charge for students, if they pre-register. For more information and online registration, visit KSUBeef.org or contact Lois Schreiner at 785-532-1267 or <a href="mailto:lschrein@ksu.edu">lschrein@ksu.edu</a>.Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910&nbsp;

K-State's 107th annual Cattlemen's Day set for March 6

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

“That shows a lot of pride.”&nbsp;This statement applies when we see a community that is clean and neat, with active businesses and busy downtown buildings.&nbsp;Today, we will visit a group of community volunteers who are utilizing their pride – and the Kansas PRIDE program - to benefit their rural town.&nbsp;

Kay Haffner is the co-chair of the Grainfield Community Development Committee, active members of the Kansas PRIDE program.&nbsp;In 2020, Kansas PRIDE is celebrating the 50th&nbsp;anniversary of its founding, so we will be highlighting Kansas PRIDE communities during the year ahead.

Kansas PRIDE is a partnership of K-State Research and Extension, the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Masons, and Kansas PRIDE, Inc.&nbsp;Through the program, local volunteers identify their community’s priorities and then work with the resources of these partners to create their ideal community future.

The Grainfield Community Development Committee or GCDC formed and joined the PRIDE program in 2009.&nbsp;Kay Haffner and her husband own a trucking company here.&nbsp;&nbsp;She volunteers with the GCDC.

“We were a town that was dying,” Kay said.&nbsp;“Nothing was being done.”&nbsp;GCDC members decided to refurbish the community’s old, faded Christmas decorations.&nbsp;They got tinsel and lights and redid the decorations.&nbsp;It went so well that they decided to take on more projects.

GCDC&nbsp;charters&nbsp;the local Boy Scout troop and completed the Neighborhood Revitalization Program and Housing Assessment Tool for their city.&nbsp;They got a grant from Kansas PRIDE to build an enclosed&nbsp;sand volleyball court while working with local youth organizations.&nbsp;For the local high school, GCDC bought a flag which had been flown over the U.S. Capitol.

Child care was identified as a community need.&nbsp;Not only were families taking their kids to child care providers in other towns, those kids would end up going to school in those towns rather than Grainfield.&nbsp;GCDC worked to help the local school create an&nbsp;extended preschool, and after school program.&nbsp;GCDC provides snacks and supplies.

Housing is a big issue.&nbsp;“We bought some empty lots and worked with the Northwest Kansas Housing Authority to build a triplex on them,” Kay said.&nbsp;A local builder was hired to do the work.&nbsp;It went so well that he bought some rundown apartments and fixed them up, and now those six apartments are full.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581527996500.png" alt="Grainfield Community Building" />
 <figcaption>Grainfield Community Building</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development“That shows a lot of pride.”&nbsp;This statement applies when we see a community that is clean and neat, with active businesses and busy downtown buildings.&nbsp;Today, we will visit a group of community volunteers who are utilizing their pride – and the Kansas PRIDE program - to benefit their rural town.&nbsp;Kay Haffner is the co-chair of the Grainfield Community Development Committee, active members of the Kansas PRIDE program.&nbsp;In 2020, Kansas PRIDE is celebrating the 50th&nbsp;anniversary of its founding, so we will be highlighting Kansas PRIDE communities during the year ahead.Kansas PRIDE is a partnership of K-State Research and Extension, the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Masons, and Kansas PRIDE, Inc.&nbsp;Through the program, local volunteers identify their community’s priorities and then work with the resources of these partners to create their ideal community future.The Grainfield Community Development Committee or GCDC formed and joined the PRIDE program in 2009.&nbsp;Kay Haffner and her husband own a trucking company here.&nbsp;&nbsp;She volunteers with the GCDC.“We were a town that was dying,” Kay said.&nbsp;“Nothing was being done.”&nbsp;GCDC members decided to refurbish the community’s old, faded Christmas decorations.&nbsp;They got tinsel and lights and redid the decorations.&nbsp;It went so well that they decided to take on more projects.GCDC&nbsp;charters&nbsp;the local Boy Scout troop and completed the Neighborhood Revitalization Program and Housing Assessment Tool for their city.&nbsp;They got a grant from Kansas PRIDE to build an enclosed&nbsp;sand volleyball court while working with local youth organizations.&nbsp;For the local high school, GCDC bought a flag which had been flown over the U.S. Capitol.Child care was identified as a community need.&nbsp;Not only were families taking their kids to child care providers in other towns, those kids would end up going to school in those towns rather than Grainfield.&nbsp;GCDC worked to help the local school create an&nbsp;extended preschool, and after school program.&nbsp;GCDC provides snacks and supplies.Housing is a big issue.&nbsp;“We bought some empty lots and worked with the Northwest Kansas Housing Authority to build a triplex on them,” Kay said.&nbsp;A local builder was hired to do the work.&nbsp;It went so well that he bought some rundown apartments and fixed them up, and now those six apartments are full.In November, GCDC sponsors the Hops at the House Brewfest at the local opera house.&nbsp;This annual event is a German food party, with beer-tasting, a polka band, and homemade German food.On Memorial Day weekend, GCDC hosts Cruise, Shoes &amp; BBQ's, a festival which began with a car show, horseshoe pitching contest, and barbecue competition.&nbsp;“This has gone far beyond what we dreamed it would be,” Kay said.&nbsp;It now includes a poker run, face-painting, kids’ activities, volleyball tournament, and much, much more.&nbsp;Local non-profit organizations sell concessions as a fundraiser and benefit significantly.People were wanting office space.&nbsp;Then the Bluestem Medical Clinic in Quinter called to see if there was a place where they could open a satellite clinic in Grainfield.&nbsp;GCDC got 12 grants, including from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and the Volunteers Impact PRIDE program supported by the Kansas Masons, to buy an unoccupied&nbsp;building downtown.&nbsp;After two years of renovation, Second Street Place is now open, hosting the satellite clinic and two local businesses.GCDC was needing more space to hold its meetings.&nbsp;Thanks to another Hansen Foundation grant (and several others, GCDC built the new Grainfield Community Building on another empty lot downtown.&nbsp;That building is shared with the Castle Rock Wellness Center. Eighty-five percent of the supplies and contractors came from Gove County.Are you tired yet?&nbsp;These are remarkable achievements for a group of volunteers in a rural community such as Grainfield, population 277 people.&nbsp;Now, that’s rural.For more information about Kansas PRIDE, see&nbsp;<a href="https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kansasprideprogram.k-state.edu&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7Ca273dec41c7948eb380008d7aa89fd6b%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637165381967002570&amp;sdata=fBJqohEBgpkbgTxHeAsl%2BzYcfZy2ymgudg%2BIFcbpfuY%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.kansasprideprogram.k-state.edu</a>.We commend Kay Haffner and the volunteers of the Grainfield Community Development Committee for making a difference with these community improvements.&nbsp;“I’m so proud of our group, they’re just amazing,” Kay said.&nbsp;“They’re always willing to step up when there’s something to be done.”&nbsp;That shows a lot of pride.