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May 24, 2013
WEATHER
Click
here to
see a map of Sunday’s tornado damage in
SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS
KVOE NEWS SOUNDOFF
PHOTO SHOWCASES
Click here to see “Lyon
County Tornadic Activity.”
Click here to see “In Memoriam:
Law Enforcement Memorial 2013.”
Click here to see “Weekend of April 20-21, 2013.”
AMMONIA LEAK SENDS PEOPLE AT TYSON TO HOSPITAL
Details
are pending after an ammonia leak Thursday sent several people to Newman
Regional Health for observation and possible treatment. KVOE News file photo.
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 23, 2013
Updated May 23, 2013
All seven people sent to Newman Regional
Health after a "low-level" ammonia leak Thursday have been released
from Newman Regional Health.
Emergency workers were dispatched to the
plant at Sixth and Prairie shortly after 8:30 a.m. Emporia Fire Battalion Chief
Rich Gould says Tyson officials on site indicated up to 10 parts per
million of ammonia were registered on company equipment, well below what's
considered lethal at 300 parts per million.
The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration says 50 parts per million is acceptable over the course of an
eight-hour shift.
In a set of emails, Tyson spokesman Gary
Mickelson said the leak temporarily disrupted production in part of the
processing plant before it was found and stopped. Operations were put on hold
briefly but have since resumed.
About six weeks ago, Tyson Foods agreed
to pay a nearly $4 million civil penalty to settle alleged violations of the
Clean Air Act largely because of ammonia issues. In April 2009, there was an
accidental release resulting in injuries for one person. Seven months later, an
inspection revealed the safety relief valves weren't tested or replaced as
needed. Tyson issued a news release admitting some improvement projects fell
behind schedule and the company cooperated immediately to make improvements.
CONGRESS IN DEADLOCK OVER BUDGET AND TAX PLAN
By Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 23, 2013
Lawmakers in Topeka are not budging on their
positions for the budget and tax plan which, coupled with a House
decision, will likely push them past the 90-day deadline.
Senator Jeff Longbine said both sides are
very far from reaching an agreement on the sales 
tax plan.
“The Senate strongly believes that we need
the sales tax to protect our ending balance, and to ensure that we have enough
money to fund higher education in the state budget. There is gradual reduction
of additional income tax in that plan,” Longbine said.
“The House is firm on letting the sales tax
sunset. Their budget calls for more cuts, particularly to higher education, and
it also takes away some of the ending balance that we saved up over the last
three years,” Longbine added.
He claims the House has not taken an actual
vote on their opinion on the tax. He said the Senate is going to attempt
to pass a version this afternoon, and then send it to the House to determine
what the next step will be.
That does not appear likely, as the House is
adjourned until tomorrow morning, making that decision around 2:15 this
afternoon. Representative Don Hill said it is difficult for him to see a
logical outcome coming from this veto session.
“If the negotiations continue to falter, at that
point there could be some opportunity for some of these alternatives that
appeared before and have been left on the side,” Hill said.
Hill said the current tax reduction would
require huge budget cuts, impacting higher education very significantly.
He does not agree with other cuts to public safety and the corrections
department. Therefore, he cannot support a budget resembling that, or any
of the proposed tax bills.
Fellow representative Peggy Mast said the
session has been discouraging, reiterating how she bragged they would finish in
80 days. She said the House and Senate Conference committees have not come
to a resolution, which could be accepted by both sides.
She said the House is waiting for the Senate
to pass its version of the bill, which would retain the current 6.3 percent
rate.
“When that comes over, it will come over in the form
of a House Committee report. We will run that on the Senate floor, and if that
passes, then the taxes are as good as done, and they go to the Governor,”
“If it fails, it goes back into conference.
I guess that is going to be a clear signal to the Senate that there are not
enough House members that are willing to retain the sales tax, and are wanting
to go to a lower number,” Mast said.
Longbine said the Senate was expected to
meet Thursday night to determine a course of action.
RESIDENTS ATTEND ANNUAL KVOE LISTENER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
KVOE
general manager Ron Thomas (left) serves hamburgers and talks to residents
during the annual KVOE Listener Appreciation hamburger feed at Bluestem Farm
& Ranch Supply Thursday. Photo by Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News.
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 23, 2013
More than 350 residents showed up for free
food, and an opportunity to win a new grill, at the annual KVOE Listener
Appreciation hamburger feed at Bluestem Farm & Ranch Supply Thursday.
KVOE general manager Ron Thomas said the
station would not be where it is without the community's support.
“We have the greatest listeners in the
world, and they support basically all of the causes we are promoting throughout
the year. We feel it is fitting during Barbeque Month to throw a big barbeque
feed, and give away some hamburgers courtesy of Bruff’s, and some soda courtesy
of Pepsi,” Thomas said.
Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch was at
the luncheon, promoting the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Kansas Special
Olympics. Koelsch said the event starts next Wednesday, when officers will
ride from
Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply had several
grills on sale, including the popular Traeger models. Manager Bruce
Burenheide enjoyed seeing all the customers at the event. He said it
is a good time to prepare for barbeque season, as well as lawn mowers.
Bluestem offered an opportunity to win
one of two Weber grills.
KVOE Links
FIRE’S CAUSE LIKELY ELECTRICAL IN NATURE
By Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 23, 2013
An electrical issue triggered a
small house fire in central
Emporia Fire Battalion Chief Rich Gould says
the fire developed in the laundry room at 909 Arundel. Crews had light smoke
inside the house when they arrived shortly after 10:30 a.m. Gould says the fire
was centered in or near the washing machine.
No injuries have been reported. Homeowner
information has not been released.
Information
from KVOE News reporter Ryan Schmidt was used in this report.
CHAMBER, LOCAL BUSINESSES HOPING TO ‘FILL THE TRUCK’ FOR
A
nurse walks past Moore, Okla., Medical Center after an EF-5 tornado ripped
through the town Monday. Reuters photo.
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 23, 2013
Communities across the country are reaching
out to Moore, Okla., after the Oklahoma City suburb was split apart for the
third time in 14 years by a massive EF-5 tornado Monday.
Emporia is no exception, with a host of businesses
starting individual efforts -- and now several businesses coming together for a
special Fill The Truck event Tuesday at the Farmers Market parking lot, Seventh
and Merchant. Chamber of Commerce PR Coordinator Jessica Crumb says the Chamber
has been in constant contact this week with the Oklahoma City Red Cross and
Moore Community Center. She says clothing and shoes will not be accepted, but a
host of other items will be:
Baby
formula
Baby wipes
Bottled water
Boots
Diapers
Flashlights
Hand sanitizer
Money
Ponchos
Tarps
Work gloves
Crumb says the push to start a large-scale
relief effort locally started when Simmons Pet Food said it wanted to donate
dog and cat food to Moore.
“They wanted to donate to Moore. Throughout
the day, all these ideas kept spawning through the office. By Wednesday, we had
a full-blown event,” Crumb said.
Simmons Pet Food People Services Director
Jim Maher says you couldn't see the damage Monday and not be moved to help.
“All you had to do was see the pictures or
the videos of what took place and the devastation there,” Maher said during
KVOE’s 7:05 a.m. newscast Thursday. Maher moved from Joplin, where an EF-5
ripped through that city two years ago almost to the day of the Moore twister.
“We know the need is great. Money’s important,
but when you have a little child and you can get diapers or you have an animal
and you can get pet food, obviously you have to get that,” he added.
Volunteers are also needed to pack the
truck.
If you can't show up at Fill The Truck on
Tuesday, you can bring your donations to the Chamber office, 719 Commercial.
Pizza Ranch will also collect donations and bring them to Fill The Truck on
Tuesday.
KVOE will broadcast live throughout the packing
event. Redline Trucking is donating the use of as many trucks and trailers as
needed, while Thomas Transfer is donating boxes and Navrats is donating packing
tape to get everything sent to Oklahoma. Nearly 25 people were killed and
almost 250 were injured in the EF-5 tornado which hit the Oklahoma City suburb
Monday afternoon.
DISTRICT HIRES NEW PRINCIPAL, OTHER PERSONNEL
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 23, 2013
After several executive sessions, USD 252
board members approved Aaric Davis to replace Curtis Simons as principal at
District superintendent Mike Argabright says
Davis had several positive qualities, making him the best choice for the
district.
The district interviewed five candidates,
with two coming before board members. Argabright says Davis will have two
mentors to introduce him to the school areas and attendance centers.
Davis' first day is July 1. Simons is leaving the district to become the
assistant principal and athletic director at Emporia High.
In other hirings, the board approved Ryan
Thomas as the new
RESIDENTS RECEIVE UPDATE ON LATEST WASHINGTON HAPPENINGS
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 23, 2013
A representative from U.S. Representative
Tim Huelskamp's office met with residents in the Courthouse Jury Assembly Room
at the Lyon County Courthouse Thursday.
Staff member Nathan Cox said he visited with
three residents who had questions about the IRS, Benghazi and press targeting
cases going on in Congress.
This was one of nearly 25 mobile office
stops announced by Huelskamp this month. These office hours allowed
residents to voice their thoughts on various issues and also find out ways to
navigate federal problems or avoid red tape if they have concerns.
FIRE, POLICE DETERMINE CAUSE OF GAS LEAK
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 22, 2013
A store employee struck a natural gas pipe,
causing a gas leak and evacuating the Emporia West Plaza shopping center
Wednesday.
Fire battalion chief Steve Kuhlman said fire
and police personnel evacuated the Aldi's grocery store, after noticing a smell
of natural gas. They tracked the smell to the back of the store and shut
off the valve.
Firefighters then opened the overhead door,
allowing the gas to escape and dissipate into the atmosphere.
No one was injured or taken to Newman
Regional Health for accidentally inhaling natural gas. The gas was contained to
the grocery store.
Information
from KVOE News reporter Kyle Thompson was used in this report.
HOUSE ADJOURNS WITHOUT SALES TAX AGREEMENT
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 23, 2013
Overtime is great for basketball or hockey
fans, especially with the playoffs currently in full swing.
It's not good for lawmakers still wrestling
with sales tax rates and the next year's budget. But overtime is coming after
the House adjourned Thursday without an agreement on whether to either keep the
sales tax at the current 6.3 percent rate or drop it -- perhaps to original
rate of 5.7 percent or a smaller amount.
Lawmakers will need extra time to forge a
compromise after some late movement on both sides. Senate negotiators had proposed
dropping the sales tax to 6.25 percent for most goods while lowering it further
-- to 5.75 percent -- for groceries. House leaders had suggested moving the
sales tax to 6 percent.
This is nothing new for lawmakers, who have
gone extra 32 of the last 40 years. The longest session was 107 days a decade
ago. Last year's session went 99 days.
Emporia Rep. Don Hill will join our 7:05
a.m. newscast Friday with his thoughts on how the session has developed and
what's to come in the special session.
COUNTY PASSES FAIRGROUNDS STUDY
The
Fairgrounds grandstand is among several large-scale improvements Lyon County
officials have wanted on the property for years. KVOE News file photo.
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 23, 2013
By October, Lyon County leaders should have
a new study on how to possibly market upgrades to the Fairgrounds -- along with
the feasibility of said upgrades.
Fairgrounds Manager Sam Seeley tells KVOE
News this study should be of interest to large-scale benefactors.
“When benefactors invest in something, they
want to see if it’s going to fly,” he said. “This will show us how to map
future improvements to the Fairgrounds.”
Plans for renovating the Fairgrounds have
been in place or under discussion for the better portion of a decade after
significant talk of possibly moving the facility just west of Emporia. Two
funds have already been established, the Fairgrounds Improvement Fund set up by
the Fair Board and the Fairgrounds Development Fund recently set up by the
county. Both funds are handled by the Emporia Community Foundation.
Cost is $13,500, and the study will be done
by Emporia State professors Kevin Colson and Tonya Steineger on an
independent basis for surveys, focus groups, comparisons to similar counties
and research into prior studies and census data. Study results should be
released by Halloween.
HUELSKAMP STAFFER FIELDS VARYING CONCERNS AT EMPORIA STOP
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 23, 2013
A representative from U.S. Representative
Tim Huelskamp's office met with residents in the Courthouse Jury Assembly Room
at the Lyon County Courthouse on Thursday.
Staff member Nathan Cox says he visited with
three residents who had questions about the IRS, Benghazi and press targeting
cases going on in Congress.
This was one of nearly 25 mobile office
stops announced by Huelskamp this month. These office hours allow
residents to voice their thoughts on various issues and also find out ways to
navigate federal problems or avoid red tape if they have concerns.
BANK FUND SET UP TO HELP CISNEROS FAMILY
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 23, 2013
Relief efforts are underway for a Neosho
Rapids family who lost their home to fire this week.
The family of Angel and Ruth Cisneros had
their home destroyed Tuesday after an apparent electrical problem in the attic.
An account has been set up at Hartford State Bank to help the family with
financial donations.
Family friend Jo Ann Rhodes says the
Cisneros family has been swamped with clothing donations. She is requesting
money and gas card donations to help the family as it awaits an insurance
check.
To donate, mail or take checks to Hartford
State Bank, 208 Commercial in Hartford, ZIP 66854.
CRASHES SEND TRUCK DRIVERS TO AREA HOSPITALS
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 23, 2013
A pair of accidents in the KVOE listening
area hurt two Kansas residents Wednesday.
The first happened shortly before noon in
southern Coffey County. The Highway Patrol says 34-year-old Troy Pennington was
driving a semi eastbound on Kansas Highway 58 when he looked away from the
highway only to veer off the road to the right. Pennington overcorrected and
entered a ditch about a mile west of U.S. Highway 75 before the truck
overturned.
Pennington was taken to Coffey County
Hospital in Burlington, which does not release patient conditions to the media.
Meanwhile, a truck accident in south
Greenwood County sent the driver to Greenwood County Hospital. The Highway
Patrol says 51-year-old Kurt Roe was eastbound on U.S. Highway 400 when his
truck left the highway, went down an embankment and hit a tree.
Roe's condition has not been released, and
as a matter of policy the hospital does not release conditions to the media.
BOARD HONORS OKLAHOMA TORNADO VICTIMS
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 22, 2013
The USD 253 school board unanimously
approved a bid to repair Riverside Elementary School's foundation at their
meeting Wednesday.
But before that, board members observed a
moment of silence before the meeting, for the 24 children, teachers and parents
who died after an EF-5 tornado destroyed Moore, OK Monday.
Board vice-president Mike Crouch was
emotional during the observance.
“Any of us that are in education, around
children and staff all day long, and when something horribly tragic like this
happens to an elementary school, it makes you stop and think about how precious
life is,” Crouch said.
“I just felt that it was important for us,
as an educational group that was here tonight, to just take a moment and recognize
those that are struggling in Oklahoma,” Crouch added.
Crouch said the district is exploring
options it can help with relief, although nothing is certain yet.
The board accepted the low bid from Kansas
City-based K.C. Pro LLC for $43,924, with the funding coming out of the capital
outlay fund. The project is expected to start May 27, finishing no later
than July 19.
MENTAL HEALTH CENTER DIRECTOR REQUESTING ADDITIONAL COUNTY
DOLLARS
Persinger: State cuts put basic
services at risk
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 22, 2013
It's not a pretty financial picture for the
Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas as painted by Director Bill
Persinger for Lyon County commissioners Wednesday.
Persinger tells KVOE News budget cuts at the
state level the last few years have forced drastic cuts, and now there is
concern the Mental Health Center may not be able to fund core services.
“We have trimmed or cut or changed or
re-shaped everything at the Mental Health Center that is not an immediate,
pressing matter,” Persinger said. “Where we’re at now is having trouble even
maintaining that.”
Persinger says the Mental Health Center has
spent about $150,000 more than anticipated for the first third of the year
through increased demand for services, and at the current rate the agency
would burn through its reserves in two years or less. Persinger is asking Lyon
County and neighboring counties to increase funding by 50 percent to offset
losses from the state and changes to Medicaid reimbursement, which haven't been
fully sorted out yet.
In separate news, commissioners heard
Fairgrounds Manager Sam Seeley formally request a marketing and feasibility
study for the Fairgrounds. Seeley is proposing the county contract with Emporia
State professors Kevin Colson and Tonya Steineger for surveys, focus groups,
research into prior studies and census data and comparisons to similar
counties.
Cost is estimated at $13,500, with initial
results to be presented by late October. Seeley says the study is needed
because potential benefactors want to see what they could receive for their
donations.
COMMISSIONERS CONSIDER CHANGES TO WATER CONSERVATION PLAN
Commissioner
Danny Giefer explains his position on the water conservation plan during the
city commission’s study session at the water conservation plant Wednesday.
Photo by Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News.
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 22, 2013
City commissioners discussed amending the
city's water conservation plan at their study session Wednesday.
Commissioner Danny Giefer had an issue with
one step in each of the plan’s two phases, affecting water usage by commercial
car and truck washes, such as his business, Mr. G's. He said limiting
water use to those businesses would not have a large impact on the water
supply.
“If you shut the carwashes completely down,
it would affect one-half of one percent, and one-quarter of one-percent of the
water usage of Emporia,” Giefer said.
“Whether it is a carwash or sandal shop, I
think we [the city] should be helping business versus hindering business. The
last resort would be to shut down any business,” Giefer added.
Commissioner Steve Harmon suggested
eliminating those two stipulations from the plan, while Mayor Rob Gilligan
suggested installing water conservation signs inside each individual wash
bay. Giefer liked that idea, but felt car wash operators in the area
have a better idea of how they can individually practice water
conservation.
In other business, VSR Design's Vance Rzepka
made a presentation on improvements to the Soden's Grove baseball
field. The Emporia Recreation Commission will start accepting bids for the
Santa Fe Park project this summer.
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO NEOSHO RAPIDS FIRE
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 22, 2013
Investigators have narrowed down the likely
cause and origination point for a destructive house fire in Neosho Rapids on
Tuesday.
Emporia firefighter Ryan Schmidt says the
blaze at 801 Walnut likely started in the attic and apparently was electrical
in nature, although neither has been confirmed yet.
Fire crews from several jurisdictions --
District 5 including Hartford and Neosho Rapids, Emporia, Reading and Olpe --
joined Lyon County deputies in battling the blaze for better than four hours
before it was extinguished. The fire left the outer walls standing but consumed
the roof and most of the internal structure.
Nobody was home when the fire started. Angel
and Ruth Cisneros own the home.
KVOE
News reporter Ryan Schmidt contributed to this report.
ADDITIONAL CHARITIES OFFER WAYS TO HELP OKLAHOMA TORNADO
VICTIMS
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 22, 2013
More charitable organizations are suggesting
locations for area residents to donate money for the tornado victims in Moore,
Okla.
Heart to Heart International's website, www.hearttoheart.org, is one option for
that respective charity. Residents can also call 913-764-5200 for information.
Also, Convoy of Hope is accepting donations
through its website, www.convoyofhope.org.
Other ways to help:
Red
Cross
*Drop money or checks off
at the Emporia office, 904 East Sixth.
*Call the Topeka office at 785-234-0586.
*www.redcross.org/donation.
Salvation
Army
*Drop money or checks at
the Emporia office, 327 Constitution.
*Call 800-725-2769.
*www.salvationarmyusa.org
*Mail Salvation Army Disaster Relief,
Local businesses are contributing as well.
Tyson Foods is donating enough food and water to feed 6,000 meals a day.
Tyson officials say other local businesses
donated ice, water, charcoal and other necessities to the relief effort. Workers
put those and other supplies in a 52-foot semi-truck dubbed "Meals that
Matter," and drove down to Moore.
They arrived there Wednesday, and will stay
about two to four weeks, or until they are not needed anymore.
"Team members" from Arkansas, Missouri,
Oklahoma and Texas are stationed at the Southgate Baptist Church in Moore.
Rockin Z Ice is donating a ton of ice for
residents there.
Twenty-four people died in the EF-5 tornado.
Over 240 were injured. Find more of KVOE’s coverage of the Emporia, Lyon County
and Oklahoma tornadoes below.
KVOE
News reporter Ryan Schmidt contributed to this report.
POLICE ARREST YOUTH ACCUSED OF ISSUING THREAT
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 22, 2013
A juvenile is awaiting charges stemming from
an alleged threat against Emporia High School.
Emporia Police Department Lt. Jim Tilton
says officers responded to a report of a threatening message May 17. After
working with the Emporia High School administration, police were able to take
the person into custody May 21.
The Lyon County Attorney's Office will
review the case and decide if it will file charges against the juvenile.
RAMEY, LEE COMING TO EMPORIA ON JUNE 6
By
Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 22, 2013
Country singer-songwriter Tony Ramey is a
favorite with some of the best-known acts in the business, including George
Strait, John Michael Montgomery, Willie Nelson and others. Now he's coming to
Emporia on June 6 -- andhe's bringing the talented Johnny Lee along for an
acoustic set.
Ramey is also touring to support his new
album, "Throwback." It has the endorsement of music legend Willie
Nelson.
“He was kind to listen to the record,” Ramey
said on KVOE’s Newsmaker segment Wednesday. “Willie is one of my heroes. The
first record that made a big impression on me was ‘Red-Headed Stranger.’ He was
just a huge influence on my writing and my consciousness as a country artist.”
Ramey and Lee are currently teaming up to
write new material in advance of the show here June 6.
“I hadn’t written in a long time and didn’t
have much to say. Tony wrote my new single, ‘Bullets First,’ that’s set to come
out. We’ve been hanging out and writing, and it’s fun again,” Lee said.
Tickets are $20 and available by calling the
BUDGET TALKS RESUME AFTER IMPASSE
By The Associated Press
Posted May 21, 2013
TOPEKA -- Kansas legislators were preparing
to resume their negotiations on budget and tax issues as freshman Republicans
in both chambers gathered for a joint meeting.
First-term GOP lawmakers were caucusing Tuesday ahead of meetings of separate
teams of senators and House members appointed to reconcile their chambers'
differences on budget and tax issues.
Republican leaders in both chambers have been stalemated.
The biggest budget disagreement is over higher education spending. Both
chambers want to cut, but the House wants to go deeper than the Senate.
Republican Gov. Sam Brownback wants no cuts.
On taxes, the biggest conflict is over Brownback's plan to stabilize the budget
by canceling a scheduled decrease in the sales tax. The Senate has approved the
measure, and the House wants the tax to decrease.
SMALL BLAZE OUT BEFORE FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVE
By Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 21, 2013
Emporia firefighters were called out to
handle a small fire in northeast Emporia on Tuesday, but the fire was already
handled when they got on scene.
Firefighters were called out to 736 E.
12th shortly before 6:40 a.m. after the fire developed. Fire Capt. Eron
Steinlage says the fire began when a cigarette was left on carpet overnight and
began smoldering.
Steinlage says there was minimal damage and
no injuries. The resident's name has not been released.
LOGAN AVENUE KIDS ENJOY SPECIAL WALK
By Chuck Samples/KVOE News
Posted May 21, 2013
Logan Avenue School students had a good time
Monday at the Walk to be Fit event.
Fourth-grader Denison Brown says he enjoys
the walking club established at the school where kids can get out and walk or
run during recess. He also enjoyed some of the other activities at Walk to be
Fit.
“We had this goal party, so if you made goal
you got to a whole lot of fun activities,” he said.
Principal Jessica Griffin says the event was
a great kickoff to summer.
“We really wanted to highlight ways the kids
could be active this summer. They could be out, be safe and be fit, not sitting
in the air conditioning,” she said.
The school restructured its
recess period recently to enact a running and walking club, where
students use a special area of the playground to walk or run every day. Several
students involved walked or ran over 50 miles during the school year.
The David Traylor Zoo, Emporia Recreation
Commission, K-State Research and Extension, Hill's Pet Nutrition and
Dynamic Discs all had activities on hand for the students.
Information from KVOE News reporter Kyle Thompson was used
in this report.
DEPARTMENT FOR AGING SECRETARY TOUTS SENIOR PROGRAMS
Department
for Aging and Disability Services director Shaun Sullivan (right) discusses
updates to senior services at a presentation at Presbyterian Manor Tuesday.
Photo by Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News.
By
Ryan Schmidt/KVOE News
Posted May 21, 2013
About 50 senior citizens heard about updates
to important senior services from Department for Aging and Disability Services
secretary Shaun Sullivan at Presbyterian Manor Tuesday.
Sullivan highlighted community-based
programs the department offers. He said it is important for seniors to
take advantage of those programs.
“I want to encourage everyone, no matter
here in Emporia or where around the state, to do their best to stay active,
volunteer and contribute to their own communities. There is a lot that seniors
can give to society and other Kansans,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan said the department is expanding
current services, such as PACE, the state's Medicare program offering services
to Kansans age 55 and older who would otherwise have to go to a nursing home
facility.
This program is currently offered in Topeka
and Wichita, but he said the department may expand it to four new cities,
including Emporia.
This was part of Presbyterian Manor's
"Just Ask" series, a quarterly session allowing senior citizens to
hear about state programs and services.
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