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Ex-Kansas officer acquitted of threatening chief

(AP) — A federal jury has acquitted a former northeast Kansas police detective of threatening other officers in his department, including the chief.

Federal courthouse in Kansas City
Federal courthouse in Kansas City

The jury on Thursday found John Hudson not guilty on all four counts against him.

Hudson served in the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department for 15 years before retiring two years ago.

Prosecutors said he was upset about Chief Rick Armstrong’s support of a federal sting operation aimed at members of a special unit suspected of stealing items from homes during raids.

Hudson was charged after a former girlfriend told authorities he considered Armstrong and other top officers “rats.” The girlfriend also claimed Hudson made threatening remarks against the officers.

Three members of the special unit were sentenced last year for stealing electronics from homes.

 

Toddler pulled from Kansas pond UPDATE

(AP) — A Wichita toddler who fell into a backyard fish pond earlier this week has died.Emergency

A spokeswoman for Wesley Medical Center said that 17-month-old Ethan Joshua Kimmi died Thursday morning.

The boy was pulled from a koi pond at his grandparents’ home around 7:30 a.m. Monday and taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Police have said Ethan was playing in a screened-in area of the home and apparently got out through a dog door. The death has been ruled an accident.

 

 

(AP) — A 17-month-old boy has been hospitalized after being pulled from a private pond in Wichita.

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department says the child was pulled from a pond early Monday. Police say he was taken to Wesley Medical Center in critical condition.

Wichita police Sgt. Kelly O’Brien says the boy apparently left the family’s house and fell into the man-made pond in the backyard.

 

Stabenow: Cantor Nutrition Bill Jeopardizes Passage of Bipartisan Farm Bill

The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are solely those of Senator Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Ag

 

House Republican leaders are waging a relentless assault targeting the nation’s hungry.Screen Shot 2013-09-19 at 3.22.00 PM

This week, they are bringing a bill to the floor that would cut food assistance by a whopping $40 billion and kick nearly 4 million people off the program in the next year, including children, seniors, veterans and disabled Americans.

We have never before seen this kind of partisanship injected into a farm bill. What the House GOP is voting on will never become law, but it seriously jeopardizes the chances a farm bill will pass.

Conservative ideologues vilify beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as “welfare queens” gaming the system. But the real faces of food assistance are seniors struggling to buy groceries. They’re veterans who bravely served our country. They’re children who are hungry through no fault of their own.

In fact, half of those who get food from SNAP are children; Eighty-five percent are children and their parents, people with disabilities and senior citizens.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) says the Republican plan is about requiring food assistance recipients to work, but most people receiving food assistance who can work already do. More than 80 percent of families on SNAP with an adult who can work did work in the year before or after receiving food assistance. For families with children, the number is almost 90 percent.

The reality is that in the aftermath of the recession, many people trying hard to find a job still can’t. There are still three Americans looking for work for every job opening. For those out of work, food assistance is a short-term lifeline to keep food on the table while they try to find a job. The average recipient receives assistance for only 10 months or less.

In a cruel irony, Cantor’s bill would cut worker training and job placement programs for people who are trying to get back to work and get off SNAP. It would also eliminate or reduce assistance to many working families and would mean 210,000 children would lose school lunches.

And the Cantor bill offers cash-strapped states a truly perverse incentive, allowing them to keep half of the federal money that would have been spent on food whenever they kick someone off the program!

We all want to spend less on food assistance, but the right way to do that is to strengthen our economy, not attack hungry people. Spending for food assistance is already going down as the economy improves. About 14 million fewer people are projected to be on SNAP in the coming years as the economy comes back — a roughly 30 percent reduction! — and $11.5 billion less will be spent because more people are finding jobs.

We can also save money by addressing fraud. Like in every program, there are a small number of individuals who seek to abuse SNAP. The bipartisan Senate farm bill includes strong reforms to crack down on program misuse, and we achieved that with bipartisan support — without kicking families truly in need off the program. For example, we stopped lottery winners from continuing to get benefits, and liquor stores can’t accept food stamps when they don’t sell much food.

But the Republican plan goes far beyond program abuse, taking food away from millions of truly struggling families.

The GOP approach is like saying we’re tired of spending so much fighting wildfires, so we’ll just cut the budget for the fire service. That isn’t going to work. The fire will rage on.

It’s a shame Cantor and his allies would do this now, threatening all the bipartisan progress we’ve made on a farm bill. America’s farmers, ranchers, rural communities and the 16 million Americans whose jobs depend on agriculture do not deserve this.

We have a long history in America of making sure that hunger is kept in check. Former President Reagan understood this: He said, “As long as there is one person in this country who is hungry, that’s one person too many, and something must be done about it.”

It’s time to stop the political games. It’s time to work together to pass a farm bill, grow the economy and reduce the need for food assistance the right way: by making sure every American has the opportunity to have a good-paying job so they can feed their families.
Sen. Stabenow is Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

Kansas Man Ordered to Repay $47,685

A Sharon Springs attorney and former insurance agent has been ordered to repay $47,685 and will serve 18 gavel.jpgmonths probation after pleading guilty to forgery, failing to forward an insurance premium, theft by deception and false impersonation, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said.

Richard Dean Dinkel of Sharon Springs pleaded guilty to the charges on July 25 and was sentenced in Wallace County District Court September 6. The sentence includes an underlying term of 14 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections, but Dinkel was subsequently granted probation for a term of 18 months. He is also required to perform 200 hours of community service.

Dinkel was a licensed attorney at the time of the crimes, and was licensed as a title insurance agent prior to the crimes. He is no longer licensed to sell title insurance and his license to practice law is currently suspended as a result of his criminal conviction.

Special Assistant Attorney General Brenda Clary with the Kansas Insurance Department prosecuted the case.

Drive Thru Burglary under investigation

In the early hours of Wednesday, someone entered through the drive-thru window at the Taco Johns on South Sante Fe in Salina and and left with over $ 1,000 Screen Shot 2013-09-19 at 2.36.32 PMdollars from the safe.

Lt. Scott Siemsen with Salina Police said the suspect appears to be male and authorities are going over security tape. No arrests have been made.

 

Police: Infant dead, two arrested

Junction City police have reported the death of an 8-month old infant and the arrest of two people in the case.Screen Shot 2013-09-19 at 1.31.47 PM

The JCPD confirmed the 8-month old boy was brought into the emergency room at Geary Community Hospital on Sept. 15, and later transported to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. with major injuries.

On Wednesday ( Sept. 18 ) police learned the boy had died.

The police chief Tim Brown said, “An investigation began at that particular time and over the course of the last several days two people were taken into custody, Christopher Dale Lyman, age 29 of Junction City and Tammerisk Irene Lyman, age 26, also of Junction City, were arrested. ” Both were arrested on suspicion of Child Abuse and Aggravated Battery.

Police said Christopher Dale Lyman was confined in the Geary County Jail in lieu of a one million dollars bond, while while Tammerisk Irene Lyman was free on a $10,000 bond.  Both have had first appearances in Geary County District court. A status check hearing has been scheduled in District Court on September 24th for Christopher Dale Lyman, and on September 26th  for Tammerisk Irene Lyman.

An autopsy has been performed in the case.

Restaurant Inspections 9/1/13 – 9/18/13

CASEY’S GENERAL STORE 1600 E 27TH HAYS, KS 67601food
Inspection Date: 8/29/2013

Fail Notes
4-702.11
P – Sanitizing Before Use, After Cleaning – UTENSILS and FOODCONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT shall be SANITIZED before use after cleaning.[An employee was observed washing and rinsing dishes in the 2nd vat sink. There was no sanitizing solution detected by the manager when she tested . (COS) Manager demonstrated to employee how to properly set up the 3rd compartment to be used for the sanitizer and a test then was made and got a 200 parts per million result with Quat 10. Rewashed and sanitized properly. ]

Fail Notes
3-501.18(A)(1)
P – RTE PHF/TCS, Disposition (discard if held more than 7 days) Refrigerated, READY-TO-EAT, POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD (TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD) prepared or opened and held in a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT for more than 24 hours shall be discarded if it is held at a temperature of 5°C (41°F) or less for more than 7 days, with the day of preparation counted as Day 1.[A container with canadian bacon was dated 8/17/13 with a use by date of 8/24. The product was held 6 days longer than the 7 day use by date. COS- Manager VD approximately 3# of canadian bacon. ]

Fail Notes
7-102.11
Pf – Common Name (Working Containers) Working containers used for storing POISONOUS OR TOXIC MATERIALS such as cleaners and SANITIZERS taken from bulk supplies shall be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material.[An unlabeled bottle of clear substance which the manager identified as bathroom cleaner was being stored in the storage area. (COS) Manager labeled the bottle. ]
7-201.11(A) P – Chemical Storage (spacing/partitioning) POISONOUS OR TOXIC MATERIALS shall be stored so they cannot contaminate FOOD, EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, LINENS, and SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES by separating the POISONOUS OR TOXIC MATERIALS by spacing or partitioning.[A bottle of Glass and Multi-surface cleaner (original label) was stored next to a bulk box of 100 Grand candy bars in the storage room. COS-Manager removed chemical. ]
7-201.11(B) P – Chemical Storage (Not Above Food, etc.) POISONOUS OR TOXIC MATERIALS shall be stored so they cannot contaminate FOOD, EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, LINENS, and SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES by locating the POISONOUS OR TOXIC MATERIALS in an area that is not above FOOD, EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, LINENS, and SINGLE-SERVICE or SINGLE-USE ARTICLES. [There were containers of ice machine cleaner stored on top of the ice machine in the ice machine/storage room. COS-manager moved chemicals from the top of the ice machine. ]

Fail Notes
3-501.15(A)
Pf – TCS Cooling (Methods) – Cooling shall be accomplished in accordance with the required time and temperature criteria by using one or more of the following methods based on the type of FOOD being cooled: placing the FOOD in shallow pans; separating the FOOD into smaller or thinner portions; using rapid cooling EQUIPMENT; stirring the FOOD in a container placed in an ice water bath; using containers that facilitate heat transfer; adding ice as an ingredient; or, other effective methods.[Inspectors observed commercially prepared sausage gravy that originates from a canned process being stored in a plastic container in the south 2 door make table at 60 F. Make table holding other foods at 40 F. According to manager the food worker that prepares and heats this product starts these breakfast preparation between 2 and 3 AM to be used for 4AM consumer purchase. The food worker shift ends at 8 AM. It is unknown if this container if from the earliest preparation or whether the potential is that a subsequent heating of additional products took place before 8AM. At 11:20 inspectors retest container of gravy and observe it at 54 F. COS- Manager attempted to cool to 41F by placing in freezer and stirring frequently, A retest by inspectors at 12:05 PM proved the gravy had successfully dropped to a temperature of 39F. Education was provided to help achieve this cooling correction and for future cooling methods for staff education. ]

Fail Notes
3-302.12
Food storage containers (Common Name) Except for containers holding FOOD that can be readily and unmistakably recognized such as dry pasta, working containers holding FOOD or FOOD ingredients that are removed from their original packages for use in the FOOD ESTABLISHMENT, such as cooking oils, flour, herbs, potato flakes, salt, spices, and sugar shall be identified with the common name of the FOOD.[Unlabled containers identified by the manager as chocolate frosting, 2 containers of vanilla frosting, sprinkles, coconut, cinnamon & sugar, powdered sugar, peanuts, and 2 containers of colored sugar were found. COS-Manager labeled items. ]

Fail Notes
3-305.11(A)(1)
Food storage – Except as specified in ¶¶ (B) and (C) of 3-305.11, FOOD shall be protected from contamination by storing the FOOD: in a clean, dry location; where it is not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and at least 15 cm (6 inches) above the floor.[Observed multiple cases of soda pop stored directly on the floor in the 9 door reach in/WIC. COS- Manager removed from floor. ]

Fail Notes
3-304.12(E)
In-use utensil storage (non-PHF/TCS-clean, protected location) During pauses in FOOD preparation or dispensing, FOOD preparation and dispensing UTENSILS used with FOOD that is not POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS (TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD) shall be stored in a clean, protected location.[In the ice machine room/ storage room an ice scoop was stored in a trash can. Another scoop was stored on top of the ice machine. An ice tote bucket was being stored on a soiled area of the handsink. COS- manager removed utensils and bucket from unclean surfaces. ]

NOTICE OF NON COMPLIANCE WITH KANSAS LAW
The Kansas Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, effective July 1, 2012 includes K.S.A. 65-619 et seq. and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto and grants the Kansas Department of Agriculture the authority to regulate food establishments and food processing plants. The Kansas Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires that all violations shall be corrected no later than 10 days after this inspection unless otherwise directed on this form. Failure to comply with the food safety law and its regulations may result in embargo of non-compliant products; immediate closure of your establishment; civil penalties of up to $1,000.00 per violation; denial of license renewal, modification, suspension and/or revocation of any license or authority issued pursuant to the food safety law; and/or any other penalty authorized by law. Pursuant to K.S.A. 65-619 et seq, licensees issued authority under the Kansas Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act may apply to the secretary for an extension of the time prescribed above.

CASEY’S GENERAL STORE 1600 E 27TH HAYS, KS 67601
Inspection date: 9/10/13

Fail Notes
3-501.18(A)(2)
P – RTE PHF/TCS, Disposition (discard if in a container w/out a date) Refrigerated, READY-TO-EAT, POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD (TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD) prepared or opened and held in a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT for more than 24 hours shall be discarded if it is not clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the FOOD shall be consumed on the PREMISES, sold, or discarded when held at a temperature of 5°C (41°F) or less for a maximum of 7 days, with the day of preparation counted as Day 1.[two partial containers of commercial processed [Rich’s brand] shredded barbecue beef in make table with no date marking. Manager could not advise when they were opened. COS Discarded]

FIELD WARNING LETTER
The Kansas Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, effective July 1, 2012, K.S.A. 65-619 et seq. and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, grants the Kansas Department of Agriculture authority to regulate food establishments and food processing plants. The Kansas Food Code is adopted and amended by K.A.R. 4-28-8 through 15. During the inspection today of the Food Establishment listed above, violations of the Kansas Food Code were observed. The violations are documented in the attached Kansas Food Establishment Inspection Report.Although we will not take further action at this time based on this inspection report, repeated violations observed during future inspections may result in:
• Embargo of non-compliant products;
• immediate closure of your establishment;
• civil penalties of up to $1,000.00 per violation;
• denial of license renewal;
• modification, suspension and/or revocation of any license or authority issued
pursuant to the Kansas Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act;
• and/or any other penalty authorized by law.
Future inspections will be initiated during the next routine inspection cycle, unless we receive a complaint about the food establishment.

CHARWELLS – MCMINDES HALL FHSU MCMINDES HALL HAYS, KS
Inspection Date: 9/11/2013

Fail Notes
3-302.11(A)(2)
P – Cross Contamination by type (separate equipment) – FOOD shall be protected from cross contamination by separating types of raw animal FOODS from each other such as beef, FISH, lamb,
pork, and POULTRY during storage, preparation, holding, and display by: using separate EQUIPMENT for each type; arranging each type of FOOD in EQUIPMENT so that cross contamination of
one type with another is prevented; or, preparing each type of FOOD at different times or in separate areas
[3-302.11(A)(2)(b)
observed one box of raw chicken on slotted metal shelf above box of raw pork in the walk in cooler. COS Mgr rearranged locations ]

Fail Notes
4-601.11(A)
Pf – Food Contact Clean to Sight and Touch – EQUIPMENT FOODCONTACT SURFACES and UTENSILS shall be clean to sight and touch.[Observed two gallon can openers with dried on food residue. COS cleaned immediately. Observed two plastic food containers stored as clean on rack shelf next to produce walk in cooler with soft remaining food label stickers on the outside of containers. COS removed and rewashed. Observed bulk milk dispenser tubes on the east side containing chocolate milk (cut properly at an angle) however were released up into the chilled dispensing head and allowing soiled/mold growth to come in contact with the edges of the tube end. COS by manager pulling out tubes to extend out and food workers totally cleaned the exposed areas of the opening dispensing head.]

Fail Notes
4-602.11(E)(4)
Non-PHF/TCS Food Contact Surface Cleaning Frequency (ice bins, soda nozzles) Surfaces of UTENSILS and EQUIPMENT contacting FOOD that is not POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS (TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD) shall be cleaned, in EQUIPMENT such as ice bins and BEVERAGE dispensing nozzles and enclosed components of EQUIPMENT such as ice makers, cooking oil storage tanks and distribution lines, BEVERAGE and syrup dispensing lines or tubes, coffee bean grinders, and water vending EQUIPMENT: at a frequency specified by the manufacturer; or, absent manufacturer specifications, at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold.[observed growth of mold on the out side bottom edge of the bulk ice maker.]

Fail Notes
3-501.16(A)(2)
P – PHF/TCS Cold Holding – POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD (TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD) shall be maintained at 5°C (41°F) or less.[cooked pasta salad held at the Pizza salad (north section of dining room) observed at 50 to 57 degree range. condenser unit is located under the cold hold pans and noticed elevated heat conditions from the heat of the motor, with three token 2 inch diameter holes drilled into out facing of the unit for venting appears to not provide sufficient heat release as the two doors are solid with no venting that could help facilitate heat release. COS discussed with manager and the food service director about exploring better ventilation of this units condition and in the mean time, facility will employee the use of Time as a Control since the pasta was put out at 10:30 am product was allowed to remain with stipulation that discard happens no later than 4 hours from start of placement on the line and they will create a written plan to that effect if not employing any other method to keep proper cold holding.Staff given food code directions and director demonstrated his knowledge from Serv Safe education taken. ]

Fail Notes
3-501.18(A)(1)
P – RTE PHF/TCS, Disposition (discard if held more than 7 days) Refrigerated, READY-TO-EAT, POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD (TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD) prepared or opened and held in a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT for more than 24 hours shall be discarded if it is held at a temperature of 5°C (41°F) or less for more than 7 days, with the day of preparation counted as Day 1.[The following items were located in the walk in cooler: one container fried chicken dated 9/4/13, one container cooked bow-tie pasta dated 9/4/13,four containers of cooked fish taco mix dated 9/3/13 , 20 pounds of cooked chicken tenders between two containers date 9/4/13, one container of cooked fish fillets date 9/3/13 All items exceeded the 7 day holding time. COS discarded]

Fail Notes
3-501.15(B)
TCS Cooling (Placement) When placed in cooling or cold holding EQUIPMENT, FOOD containers in which FOOD is being cooled shall be: arranged in the EQUIPMENT to provide maximum heat transfer through the container walls; and, loosely covered, or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination, during the cooling period to facilitate heat transfer from the surface of the FOOD.[3-501.15 (B)(2) 1/2 to 3/8 inch thick cooked sliced hams , cut into quarters observed in metal pan with plastic food film fully covering container with no venting of heat. Temperature probed at 122 at placement according to manager at 9:45am into cooler. ( checked later at 1:45 pm and was at 45 ) while within the 6hr limit to get to 41 degree, education was offered to impress other thicker dense foods may not cool as well when wrapped closed. ]

Fail Notes
3-302.12
Food storage containers (Common Name) Except for containers holding FOOD that can be readily and unmistakably recognized such as dry pasta, working containers holding FOOD or FOOD ingredients that are removed from their original packages for use in the FOOD ESTABLISHMENT, such as cooking oils, flour, herbs, potato flakes, salt, spices, and sugar shall be identified with the common name of the FOOD.[cornmeal, oats, bread crumbs in three bins that have no label of food contents on the container.one shaker bottle, identified as Lowry seasoning salt in grill area with no label of food contents. COS manager marked with labels]

Fail Notes
3-304.12(A)
In-use utensil storage (Handles above top of container) Except as specified under 3-304.12(B), during pauses in FOOD preparation or dispensing, FOOD preparation and dispensing UTENSILS shall be stored in the FOOD with their handles above the top of the FOOD and the container.[one tong laying in the container of cold hold cauliflower at the stir fry grill area of the serv line. COS cooked removed and replace tong. ]42. Utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried and handled. þ ¨
Fail Notes
5-402.11
P – Except for floor drains that originate in refrigerated spaces that are constructed as an integral part of the building, a direct connection may not exist between the SEWAGE system and a drain originating from EQUIPMENT in which FOOD is placed.[Observed three sinks on the east wall of the kitchen area with direct plumbing to the sewer line. Manager advised that the two units to the north are not used anymore and are to be removed to make room for more storage. He also stated that the north end one was used for filling some water jugs, but no food washing is done in those two. Food worker stated she does use the one on the south side for short periods of soaking some vegetables. The south one is the one that needs the immediate attention for indirect plumbing. Food director advocated this can be done within a couple of days.]

NOTICE OF NON COMPLIANCE WITH KANSAS LAW
The Kansas Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, effective July 1, 2012 includes K.S.A. 65-619 et seq. and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto and grants the Kansas Department of Agriculture the authority to regulate food establishments and food processing plants. The Kansas Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires that all violations shall be corrected no later than 10 days after this inspection unless otherwise directed on this form. Failure to comply with the food safety law and its regulations may result in embargo of non-compliant products; immediate closure of your establishment; civil penalties of up to $1,000.00 per violation; denial of license renewal, modification, suspension and/or revocation of any license or authority issued pursuant to the food safety law; and/or any other penalty authorized by law.
Pursuant to K.S.A. 65-619 et seq, licensees issued authority under the Kansas Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act may apply to the secretary for an extension of the time prescribed above.

WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 100 E 13TH ELLIS, KS
Inspection Date: 9/12/2013

Fail Notes
3-302.11(A)(1)(b)
P – FOOD shall be protected from cross contamination by separating raw animal FOODS during storage, preparation, holding, and display from Cooked READY-TO-EAT FOOD.[case of 15 doz raw shell eggs stored directly above container of cookies COS ]

ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY 2000 MACARTHUR HAYS, KS
Inspection Date: 8/30/2013

No violations
No failure notes

KATHRYN O’LOUGHLIN MCCARTHY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1401 HAYS, KS
Inspection Date: 8/30/2013

No violations
No failure notes

THIRSTY’S BREW PUB & GRILL 2704 VINE STE HAYS, KS
Inspection Date: 9/4/2013

No violations
No failure notes

CANCUN MEXICAN GRILL 105 W 2ND ST ELLIS, KS
Inspection Date: 9/12/2013

No violations
No failure notes

ELLIS HIGH SCHOOL 1706 MONROE ELLIS, KS
Inspection Date: 9/12/2013

No violations
No failure notes

8TH STREET LIQUOR 235 W. 8th HAYS, KS
Inspection Date: 9/13/2013

No violations
No failure notes

Terry’s Backyard BBQ 110 W. 11th Hays, KS
Inspection Date: 9/16/2013

No violations
No failure notes

Safety Grants for KS Indian Tribes

Potawatomi, Prairie Band-SPECThe U.S. Department of Justice has awarded public safety grants totaling almost $1 million to two Kansas Indian tribes, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has been granted $777,096. Another Kansas tribe, the Sac And Fox Nation of Missouri, has been granted $222,799.

“We’re increasing our efforts to support tribal communities and to build and sustain tribal justice systems,” Grissom said.

The grant to the Prairie Band Potawatomi from the Justice Department’s Office On Violence Against Women is targeted to help decrease the incidence of violent crime against Indian women and to ensure that perpetrators of violent crimes committed against Indian women are held accountable.

“Violence against native women continues at alarming rates and children in Indian country encounter violence far too often,” Grissom said.sacandfoxnation1

The grant to the Sac And Fox Nation comes from the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program overseen by the Office of Justice Programs. Tribes were encouraged to apply for funds to enhance tribal justice systems and support alcohol and substance abuse programs.

Grissom is attending a meeting of Attorney General Eric Holder’s Native American Issues Subcommittee in Celilo Village, Ore., where the grants were announced. The Justice Department awarded 192 grants to 110 American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, tribal consortia and tribal designated non-profits. The grants will provide more than $90 million to enhance law enforcement practices and sustain crime prevention efforts.

 

 

 

The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded public safety grants totaling almost $1 million to two Kansas Indian tribes, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has been granted $777,096. Another Kansas tribe, the Sac And Fox Nation of Missouri, has been granted $222,799.
“We’re increasing our efforts to support tribal communities and to build and sustain tribal justice systems,” Grissom said.
Grissom is attending a meeting of Attorney General Eric Holder’s Native American Issues Subcommittee in Celilo Village, Ore., where the grants were announced. The Justice Department awarded 192 grants to 110 American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, tribal consortia and tribal designated non-profits. The grants will provide more than $90 million to enhance law enforcement practices and sustain crime prevention efforts.
The grant to the Prairie Band Potawatomi from the Justice Department’s Office On Violence Against Women is targeted to help decrease the incidence of violent crime against Indian women and to ensure that perpetrators of violent crimes committed against Indian women are held accountable.
“Violence against native women continues at alarming rates and children in Indian country encounter violence far too often,” Grissom said.
The grant to the Sac And Fox Nation comes from the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program overseen by the Office of Justice Programs. Tribes were encouraged to apply for funds to enhance tribal justice systems and support alcohol and substance abuse programs.
##

Town Hall Meeting Saturday

colyer jeff ks lt gov
KS Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer (R)

111th District Rep. Sue Boldra (R-Hays) and Kansas Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer (R) will host a townhall meeting Saturday morning.  The focus is answering constituent questions.

Boldra 1
111th District Rep. Sue Boldra, (R-Hays)

The meeting will be from 9 to 10:30a.m., September 21, in the Rose Garden Restaurant at the Hadley Center.

 

 

Two injured in late night rollover accident

Two men were injured in a rollover accident late Wednesday in Rooks County.  According to the Kansas Highway Patrol twenty-two year old Robert M. Smith of Salina was driving a KHP1996 Mitsubishi north on US/183 two miles south of Stockton just before midnight.

The car went left of center and the driver lost control. The vehicle entered the west ditch, hit an embankment, rolling several times, coming to rest facing south in the west ditch.

Smith and a passenger in the car Jason L. Lammers, age 38 of Clayton, were transported to the hospital in Plainville. Both men were wearing seat belts.

Public Hearing Could Reduce Hays Parking

The Hays Planning Commission met Monday evening.  Among topics was approval to set a public hearing to hays ks logochange parking regulations within city limits. Currently, regulations stipulate that any business must have parking spaces proportionate to potential facility occupancy based on square footage.

Planning Inspection Enforcement Division Superintendent Jesse Rohr presented information showing that having excess parking spaces is a national issue. According to the presentation, there are 6-7 parking stalls for every automobile in the United States.

Some of the concerns with excess parking in Hays include an increased cost to property owners.  The costs stem from excessive storm water runoff (higher cost is due to the stormwater utility fee), maintenance/upkeep, restrictions that prohibit property owners from maximizing use of their land, and physical appearance of property with excess and unused parking stalls.

Rohr gave the example of the Hadley Center on 8th Street.  Rohr presented data showing that the Hadley Center uses roughly 110 parking spaces Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm.  Currently, the center has access to approximately 350 parking stalls in multiple lots around the property.  Rohr said that per current regulations, the city would require over 400 spaces. He used this as an example of how current regulations could potentially drive new businesses away.

“In talking with the owner: in the event that they were to solicit other tenants, and the tenant strictly looked at our parking regulations, they might look out here and say ‘you don’t have enough parking’.  It could be enough of a driving factor to keep them from occupying the building.”

The planning commission voted unanimously to hold a public hearing at the October 21st meeting.  At the hearing, the commission will discuss and vote on making a change to parking regulations that would allow calculation of required parking stalls to be based on actual occupancy rather than expected or potential occupancy.

The public hearing will be over the following change to parking regulations in relation to parking stall requirements

“Where approved by the Planning Inspection Enforcement Superintendent, the actual number of parking spaces provided may be based on the actual number of occupants for whom each occupied space, floor or building is designed, rather than the number of spaces determined by calculation. ”

Click below for the offical Notice of Public Hearing

10-21-2013 Public Hearing

Kansas Chief Justice: Furloughs looming next year

(AP) — Kansas Supreme Court Justice Lawton Nuss says the next fiscal year’s budget for the judicial branch could force courts across the state to be closed for seven

Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss
Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss

weeks.

Nuss said Thursday that the budget approved by lawmakers this year for Fiscal Year 2015 is more than $8 million short of what the judiciary needs to avoid forcing its employees to take unpaid leave. Fiscal 2015 begins in July 2014.

The Supreme Court has appointed a 10-member advisory council to examine the consequences of not supplementing the courts’ budget and to make recommendations for reducing spending. The council’s first meeting is Oct. 7 in Topeka.

The Legislature appropriated almost $135 million for the courts for the current fiscal year, but about $127 million for fiscal 2015.

 

Regents OK higher education budget request

Regents Chairman Fred Logan
Regents Chairman Fred Logan

(AP) — Members of the Kansas Board of Regents have approved a budget request that seeks to restore millions of dollars in higher education spending that were cut this spring by legislators.

Regents Chairman Fred Logan says Thursday that although the budget has been approved for the next fiscal year, the board had a responsibility to advocate for increased investment in the state system.

The biggest amount would be $34.3 million cut from the six state universities’ budgets over the next two years. The cuts were made in across-the-board spending, as well as salary reductions on the campuses.

The request was adopted by a voice vote by the regents, sending it to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback for consideration.

Legislators are touring the campuses in October to assess the schools’ needs.

 

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