SALINA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court has sent back to a district court the case of a Salina man convicted in the 2013 death of his infant son.
Nicholas Corbin and his girlfriend Desirah N. Overturf were convicted of murdering their son by failing to feed him and adequately care for him. Nicholas Corbin was sentenced to life without parole for 25 years.
His lawyer argued that Corbin has an intellectual disability and should not have been subject to mandated sentencing.
In a ruling Friday, the high court sent the case back to the Saline County District Court for further consideration, based on an amended state statute about how a court determines if a defendant has an intellectual disability.
Robert Leslie Penrod Jr. age 55, of WaKeeney, KS passed away Monday, December 19, 2016 at Hays Medical Center. He was born February 24, 1961 in Herrin, IL to Robert and Nora (Scott) Penrod.
He had worked as a Master Press Man in commercial printing.
He is survived by two sons, Robert L. Penrod III of WaKeeney, KS and Sylas Penrod of Mt. Vernon, IL; three daughters, Christina Barnett of Grinnell, KS, Bonnie Penrod of Mt. Vernon and Myriah Penrod of Palco; two brothers, William Penrod and John Penrod both of Mt. Vernon; three sisters, Robin O’Hallron of Fairbanks, AL, Janet Penrod and Sarah Jo Collins both of Mt. Vernon as well as 8 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Lori Collins.
No services are planned at this time and cremation has taken place. Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
The elections of 2016 produced significant change in state-level politics, and it appears that the voters were sending a message to those of us who serve or wish to serve as representatives of the people.
In the Kansas Senate, Republicans lost a single seat, producing a new Senate which will be comprised of 31 Republicans and nine Democrats. But that slight shift masks a fairly significant move towards the center, as a number of conservative Republicans chose to retire and others were defeated by more moderate Republicans in the primary.
A much larger shift occurred in the House, where again many incumbent hard-right conservatives retired and more were defeated in either the primary or general election. And when the dust had settled after the general election, what was revealed was a new Kansas House which will be fairly equally divided between far right (conservative) Republicans, centrist (moderate) Republicans, and Democrats.
That will change the dynamic of the House a great deal, as no single faction will have the numbers to dominate and control the movement and adoption of legislation. Many would view that as a very healthy development. My view is that the elections were not a “lurch to the left” but rather a return to the center, where Kansas has traditionally governed from.
That dynamic was evident in leadership elections, which took place on December 5. These individuals were elected to Republican House leadership:
Speaker: Ron Ryckman, Jr. (Olathe)
Majority Leader: Don Hineman (Dighton)
Speaker Pro Tempore: Scott Schwab (Olathe)
Assistant Majority Leader: Tom Phillips (Manhattan)
Caucus Whip: Kent Thompson (LaHarpe)
Caucus Chair: Susan Concannon (Beloit)
By their votes, the members of the Republican caucus expressed a strong preference for shared or blended leadership between the two wings of the party. There was talk of pulling off the jerseys, ripping off the labels, and coming together as simply Republicans.
I believe the entire leadership team is committed to that goal, and I am pleased to report that the three at the top are already working toward its advancement. Our picks for committee chairmanships and vice chairmanships reflect that philosophy of blended leadership. Committee memberships will soon be released, and will show balance in full committee memberships, both philosophically and regionally.
Additionally, Speaker-elect Ryckman, Speaker Pro Tem-elect Schwab and I intend to operate a process which lets the system work as originally intended, allowing extensive hearings in committees and full and open debate and consideration of the issues. That can lead to better legislation in the end, and more ownership and buy-in by all members as well as by the public.
All Roads Lead to Dighton
Dr. John Heim, Executive Director of the Kansas Association of School Boards, recently published a blog post entitled “All Roads Lead to Dighton”. I naturally found it a great read since it involves my home town:
But really, it is about much more than Dighton; it is about how we are all interconnected. As an example, Ron Ryckman Jr. was raised in Meade and Scott Schwab grew up in Great Bend. That means that come January, the three top leadership positions in the House will all be filled by individuals who originally called western Kansas home. I have to wonder if that has ever occurred before in the history of the state.
So will western Kansas get preferential treatment in the future? No. Both Ryckman and Schwab represent Olathe today, and that is and rightfully must be where their first allegiance lies. But I can tell you that through their western Kansas upbringing they have an understanding of rural Kansas and an empathy for it.
Ron Ryckman said it best at the meeting which John Heim references: “The better Meade is, the better Johnson County is.” And the converse is also true. Although I have spent my entire life in Dighton except for my college years, I have ties to Johnson County. Both of my sisters live there, as do a nephew and two nieces. My wife Betsy grew up in Leawood and she too has many relatives back in the Kansas City area.
As a leadership team we understand the interconnectedness of all Kansans, and as we work toward good policy we will keep that fact foremost in our thoughts.
Highlights of Opening Week Legislative Schedule
Monday, January 9: First day of the 2017 session, swearing in of all members
Tuesday, January 10: State of the State Address by Governor Sam Brownback
Wednesday, January 11: Release of Governor Brownback’s budget recommendations (although it has not yet been announced, this is the date on which most observers expect the release)
Thursday, January 12: Deliver brief remarks to Kansas Association of School Boards at 11:30
Friday, January 13: My first 2017 appearance on WIBW Radio at 6:00 a.m. Due to the retirement of Rep. Tom Moxley my partner this year will be Rep. Larry Hibbard (Toronto)
Stephen Lee Lopez, age 57, of Hays, KS passed away Saturday, December 11, 2016 at Hays Medical Center. He was born January 6, 1959 in Trinidad, Colorado to Harold and Frances (Valdez) Lopez. He had worked as a truck driver.
He is survived by his partner, Maggie; a son Steven Lopez (Jessica) of Colorado; daughters, Toni Mendez and Stephanie Bernal both of Colorado; brothers, Harold Lopez of Colorado, Donald Lopez (Debra) of Hays, Jeff Lopez of Colorado; sisters, Shirley Torres, Cookie Cordova and Beverly Trujillo all of Colorado as well as 5 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
Joseph Obholz, age 67, of Hays, Kansas passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2016 in Hays. He was born January 8, 1949 in Hays, Kansas to Hilary and Teresa (Arnhold) Obholz. He graduated from Hays High in 1968 and married Barbara (Wooldridge) November 23, 1968 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Joseph retired from the City of Hays as the Utilities Director after 30 years of service. Shortly after his marriage to Barbara he joined the US Army serving from 1969 – 1971. During his military service, he served in Vietnam as a Platoon SGT. He was a member of St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church of Hays, the Hays American Legion serving as Commander for 3 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, listening to Motown music and dancing to polka music. He enjoyed his family time and he loved and hated his KC Royals.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara of Hays; a son, Joseph Obholz Jr. of Overland Park; four daughters, Tammy Slater (Clint) of Overland Park, Amy Becker (Brett) of Hays, Melisa Garrison of Hays, Susie Obholz and fiancé, Trevor Engel of Hays; a brother, John Obholz (Jody) of Hays; two sisters, Lenny Borgmann (Lonnie) of Arizona and Kristy Hinzman (David) of Hays and his grandchildren, Haley, Payton, Caleb, Dawson, Brennon, Braedon, Motsi, Karsyn, Maci, Jackson, Makayla and Miah.
He was preceded in death by his father, Hilary and a son-in-law, Michael Garrison.
Funeral services will be 10 AM Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church in Hays. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery with military honors courtesy of the Hays VFW Honor Guard Post 9076 and the American Legion Riders post 173.
Visitation will be Monday 4 PM – 8 PM and Tuesday 9 AM – 9:30 AM all at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
There will be a combined parish vigil service and rosary at 7 PM on Monday at the funeral chapel.
Memorials are suggested to be used according to the wishes of the family.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police are investigating after two people were found shot to death in an SUV on Interstate 70 in Kansas City, Kansas.
The Kansas City Star reports that Kansas City, Kansas, police responded to a car wreck along the highway early Saturday and found a man and a woman dead in the SUV from apparent gunshot wounds.
Police say their SUV struck a bridge before stopping in the middle of the highway and that the driver of a passenger car traveling behind the SUV struck the SUV. That driver was taken to a hospital with injuries that weren’t life threatening.
Police say they believe the victims in the SUV were shot by occupants of a third vehicle that left the scene.
SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Shawnee County are investigating an armed robbery and have made an arrest.
On Friday morning officers responded to a gas station at 2045 North Kansas Avenue, according to a media release.
Two white, male suspects in a brown, single cab pickup with an orange tarp had escaped after one suspect in a camouflage hoodie entered the business with a black handgun.
They suspects were last seen traveling southbound with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Just after 9 a.m., officers located a stolen vehicle in the 600 Block SE Gilmore. Topeka Police and the Kansas Highway Patrol chased the vehicle. The pursuit ended along railroad tracks near NE Grantville Road.
With the help of the KHP helicopter, the driver, identified as Troy M Baker, 24, was located after fleeing the vehicle.
He is was transported to the Department of Corrections for charges related to the pursuit, possession of a stolen vehicle and the Armed Robbery to the gas station.
Dr. Joseph Perniciaro, associate professor of music and theatre, has been invited to teach in Vipiteno, Italy, at the annual international Orfeo Music Festival in July 2017.
Orfeo is a classical music festival widely known for its artistic excellence and for putting mentoring at the heart of its learning environment.
Perniciaro will join international colleagues with the Orfeo Voice Institute, which gives singers the opportunity to perform as soloists with chamber groups, engage in opera scenes and concerts, study with vocal masters from the best European opera theatres, and take language lessons and yoga.
The Clark County Lake in southwest Kansas was sampled during the NLA 2012.
EPA
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released the results of a national assessment showing that nutrient pollution is widespread in the nation’s lakes, with 4 in 10 lakes suffering from too much nitrogen and phosphorus.
Excess nutrients can cause algae blooms, lower oxygen levels, degraded habitat for fish and other life, and lower water quality for recreation. The National Lakes Assessment also found an algal toxin – microcystin – in 39 percent of lakes but below levels of concern. Low concentrations of the herbicide atrazine were found in 30 percent of lakes.
“America’s lakes and reservoirs provide many environmental and public health benefits; we use lakes for drinking water, energy, food and recreation, and our fish, birds, and wildlife depend on lakes for habitat,” said Joel Beauvais, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water at EPA. “The National Lakes Assessment provides us with valuable information to help protect and restore our lakes across the country.”
The assessment is part of a series of National Aquatic Resource Surveys designed to provide information about the condition of water resources in the U.S. The surveys are conducted in partnership with states and tribes to provide national-scale assessments of the nation’s waters.
An earlier National Lakes Assessment was conducted in 2007, but this latest study is expanded to include smaller lakes and increase the number of lakes assessed. Lake managers can use the new interactive dashboard to evaluate site-specific information and to explore population-level results. Conducted on a five-year basis, future lake surveys will help water resource managers assess broad-scale differences in the data and perform trends analysis.
Nutrient pollution is one of America’s most widespread and costly environmental and public health challenges. EPA is working on many fronts to reduce the severity, extent, and impacts of nutrient pollution in our nation’s lakes and other waters. These efforts involve overseeing regulatory programs, conducting outreach and engaging partners, providing technical and programmatic support to states, financing nutrient reduction activities, and conducting research and development. In September, EPA called upon states and stakeholders to intensify their efforts to reduce nutrient pollution in collaboration with EPA.
Robert Leslie Penrod Jr. age 55, of WaKeeney, KS passed away Monday, December 19, 2016 at Hays Medical Center. He was born February 24, 1961 in Herrin, IL to Robert and Nora (Scott) Penrod.
Stephen Lee Lopez, age 57, of Hays, KS passed away Saturday, December 11, 2016 at Hays Medical Center. He was born January 6, 1959 in Trinidad, Colorado to Harold and Frances (Valdez) Lopez. He had worked as a truck driver.
Listen as the ‘Voice of the Chiefs’ Mitch Holthus recaps last week’s comeback win over AFC West rival San Diego and previews Sunday’s game at Houston.