KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas lawmaker whose 10-year-old son was killed on the world’s tallest waterslide is thanking supporters and hoping such a tragedy never happens again.
Scott Schwab says in a statement supplied by his lawyer to the Kansas City Star that “words will never convey the appreciation” his family has for the outpouring since Caleb Schwab died Aug. 7 while riding the 168-foot tall “Verruckt” ride at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kansas.
Scott Schwab says the family hopes the investigation provides “answers and assurances that such a tragedy would not strike again.”
As a partner in the law firm hired by the Schwabs, Michael Rader says Schlitterbahn has cooperated with his independent investigation.
Linda Thomas, Warden at Leavenworth Detention Center
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge in Kansas has agreed to appoint a special master to determine whether a private prison violated attorney-client privilege by video recording meetings between inmates and their attorneys.
U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson on Tuesday asked attorneys to provide her with their thoughts on the special master’s scope.
The master would investigate defense attorneys’ claims that Corrections Corporation of America made video and audio recordings of confidential conversations and passed some on to prosecutors.
Robinson said she didn’t expect to appoint the master until next month.
The practice at CCA — a private, for-profit company that manages dozens of U.S. facilities — surfaced in a case over distribution of contraband at the Leavenworth Detention Center in which audio-less video recordings were subpoenaed by a grand jury.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal appeals court has banned the Justice Department from prosecuting medical marijuana cases if no state laws were broken.
A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ordered the federal agency Tuesday to show that 10 pending cases in California and Washington state violated medical marijuana laws in those states before continuing with prosecutions.
Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, but Congress has barred the Justice Department from spending money to prevent states from regulating the use or sale of medical pot.
Federal prosecutors argued unsuccessfully that Congress meant only to bar the department from taking legal action against states and that it could still prosecute individuals who violate federal marijuana laws.
The court ordered trial judges to conduct hearings to determine if prosecutions can continue.
PITTSBURG, Kan. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a suspect in the killing of a man whose body was found in a wooded area of Pittsburg.
Police say the 38-year-old man is jailed in Crawford County on suspicion of second-degree murder in the death of 46-year-old Raymond Cleffman of Pittsburg.
The Pittsburg Morning Sun reports that Cleffman’s body was found Sunday near an automotive salvage business. His death was classified as a homicide after an autopsy.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Crawford County Sheriff’s Department and Pittsburg State University Police Department are assisting with the investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
State officials have cancelled a series of forums that were to be held next week to allow the public to comment on reduced payments to those who serve patients on Kansas Medicaid, or KanCare.
A letter sent Tuesday expressed regret that the meetings in Overland Park, Topeka, Wichita, Pittsburg and Dodge City would not take place.
“Instead we are using this letter to tell KanCare members more about the provider payment rate reductions and we are asking for your feedback if you would like to let us know you(r) thoughts on this matter,” the letter says.
The letter directs those who want to comment on the reductions to email [email protected].
Angel de Rocha, a spokeswoman for state agencies, said soliciting public comment by letter and accepting it by email would give each KanCare member a greater opportunity to weigh in.
“We believe more of our consumers will receive this information that way, directly, than would be able to attend and hear about it in a public meeting, and that the letter method more thoroughly and effectively meets our obligation to keep them informed and up to date about what is going on with KanCare,” de Rocha said via email.
The nonprofit KHI News Service is an editorially independent initiative of the Kansas Health Institute and a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor reporting collaboration.
LARNED, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has launched an audit of a state mental hospital’s finances a day after the announcement that its chief financial officer no longer was affiliated with the site.
The Wichita Eagle reports that the Larned State Hospital’s superintendent and special counsel announced David Fender’s departure Monday in an email to staff. Fender was hired last year.
A spokeswoman for the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, Angela de Rocha, declined to discuss reason’s for Fender’s departure, calling it a private personnel matter.
De Rocha said Tuesday that though the department has “no reason to believe anything is amiss” at Larned, the agency’s internal auditing unit is scrutinizing the hospital’s finances.
ELLIS COUNTY- A man from Ellis died in an accident just before 4:30p.m. on Tuesday in Ellis County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Sterling Cement truck driven by Joseph Michael Barringer, 28, was Southbound on U.S.183 ten miles south of Hays.
The truck traveled left of center, struck the bridge rail, went over the edge of the bridge and struck the embankment.
Barringer was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Brock’s North Hill Chapel.
He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
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SCHOENCHEN — Around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday Emergency responders including members of the Rush County Sheriff’s office, Ellis County Fire, EMS and Highway Patrol responded to the report of an injury accident near Schoenchen on HWY 183 in which a concrete truck rolled.
The truck struck the east concrete guardrail on a bridge and rolled over the guardrail landing into the dry creek bed below.
Traffic was slowed to a single lane as responders worked the scene.
Additional details of the incident are unavailable, but Hays Post has a reporter on the scene and will update when more information is available.
Dr. Charles Lowell Stinchcomb, 70, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Monday morning, August 15, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer at his home with his family by his side.
Charles was born January 24, 1946 in Marion County, Kansas to Charles F. and Rosalene (Higgins) Stinchcomb. On June 12, 1966, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Barbara Ann Weber, and together they had two children, Angela and Jason.
Charles served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve from 1964 until 1985. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate of the U.S. Army Artillery and Missile School, Ft. Sill. Attended the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth. He was deployed to Vietnam and received the Bronze Star. He was a life member of the V.F.W. Post #6240 and the American Legion William Roe Post.
Charles was the first person in his family to go to college and graduated from Kansas State University in 1975 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. He moved his family to Russell in 1976, and together with his wife Barbara, opened Town and Country Animal Hospital.
For more than 30 years, Charles served as a beloved country veterinarian who cared for both small and large animals. He traveled country roads in inclement weather and was always available after hours to help animals in need, offering compassion and comfort to their owners too. Along the way, he developed strong friendships with those who admired his integrity, hard work and kindness.
Charles was a natural leader with a strong desire to make a difference in Russell and his profession. He served as the co-chairman of the 2001 Prairiesta and helped found the Sunrise Kiwanis Club. He was active in St. John Lutheran Church, a member of the USD 407 Board of Education, and Russell County Citizen of the Year. Charles was appointed in 1998 to the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners by Gov. Bill Graves. He was a pioneer in the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) and elected president in 2005 and 2006. He was honored as Kansas Veterinarian of the Year and received the KVMA’s lifetime achievement award. He was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Charles enjoyed flying and had a private pilot’s license. He liked to fly his airplane simply for the pleasure of soaring through the sky and often would fly across Wilson Lake to enjoy the view. He served as President of the Russell Airport Advisory Board.
Charles took special delight helping children. For 13 years, he helped coach summer recreational baseball. In the 1980’s, he coached his son Jason and other young boys on the Shields baseball team to an undefeated season. He was a Boy Scout Master, Cub Scout Master, and led a trip of young leaders to Philmont Scout Camp. He was very proud that his son would later become an Eagle Scout. Charles also served as the Russell County 4-H Veterinary Science Leader. Throughout his life, he mentored numerous young adults who would later go on to become veterinarians and veterinary assistants in their own right.
Recently, Charles began writing charming children’s books that imparted lessons about living an exemplary life. The books featured his grandchildren as the main characters and were illustrated by young artists. They include a Tale about Santa, the Reindeer and Christmas, The Great Frog Race, the Daring Rescue of the Pirate Princess, and Field Manual for Success. He enjoyed dressing up as Santa Claus at Christmastime and amusing children with his stories.
In his later years, Charles enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow. He proudly watched soccer, baseball and basketball games, and quietly coached kids on things they might do better. He enjoyed teaching his grandchildren about the great outdoors, how to hunt for frogs, the art of fishing, and the magic of the wild world around them. He instilled in them his secret to being successful which was to live your life by the Three D’s – Desire, Dedication and Determination.
He left this world a person who touched many lives and who will be remembered for his generosity, kindness, and leadership. In his final days, he shared that he always strove to live by the words of Sister Mary Rose McGeady, “There is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life.”
Surviving family include his wife of 50 years, Barbara of the home; daughter, Angela Muller (Kai) of Russell, Kansas; son, Lt. Col. Jason Stinchcomb (Tricia) of Carrollton, Virginia; four grandchildren, Diego, Edwin, Jenna and Charles H.; father, Charles F. Stinchcomb of Marion, Kansas; sister Sue Mueller (Richard) of Mentor, Kansas; brothers, Blaine Stinchcomb of Marion, Kansas and Mike Stinchcomb (Emma) of Solomon, Kansas; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother; sister Charlene and brother Robert.
Celebration of Dr. Charles L. Stinchcomb’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, August 18, 2016 at St. John Lutheran Church of Russell. Military Rites will be conducted by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 Honor Guard. A private family burial of ashes will take place at Claney Cemetery in Marion, Kansas. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The family request Memorial donations to be made to Dr. Charles and Barbara Stinchcomb Fund at the Russell County Area Community Foundation.
Condolences and contributions may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
William Myron Veh, son of William R. and Mary E. (Atkinson) Veh, was born July 31, 1930, in rural Norton County, Kansas, near Densmore. Myron passed away on August 14, 2016, at the Smith County Memorial Hospital Long Term Care in Smith Center, Kansas, at the age of 86.
Myron lived with his family on the farm, but attended Norton High School, graduating with the class of 1948. He served two years in the U.S. Army and returned working as a butcher and grocery man. On July 11, 1953, Myron and Darlene Gladys Boxberger were united in marriage in Norton. They made their home briefly in Wakeeney and then Logan, before moving to Norton in 1964, where Myron worked at the Kent Hotel. He later worked at Eckhart and then Enfield Funeral Home. Myron was also the first EMT in Norton County. During this time he also operated Myron’s Studio taking numerous senior portraits and wedding pictures. In 1984, Myron and Darlene moved to Oberlin where he became an Assistant Funeral Director and operated the Enfield Memorial Chapel. Myron retired in 1993, at which time they returned to Norton. Darlene passed away in 2004. Myron’s final three years were spent in Smith Center, first with his daughter until more care was needed.
Myron was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church since 1964, and was a Paul Harris Fellow and member of the Rotary for over 50 years. Myron was also a lifetime member of the American Legion Post #63 in Norton. He was an avid card player in the morning and afternoon pitch groups and played duplicate bridge, most joyously with his wife. Myron also enjoyed hunting, fishing, dirt track racing, and preparing meals for civic clubs and the church. One of his greatest joys was watching his grandchildren in their school activities.
Survivors include: three children and their spouses, Arloa and Joe Barnes, Smith Center, Kansas; Tona and Ron Leiker, Shawnee, Kansas; Darron and Dawn Veh, Hutchinson, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Lindsey Barnes, New Orleans, Louisiana; Hauna and husband, Stephen Slaughter, Kansas City, Missouri; Joshua Barnes, New Orleans, Louisiana; Kyle and wife Andrea Leiker, Kansas City, Missouri; Connor Barnes, Tampa, Florida; Taylor Veh, Chesterfield, Missouri; and Gannon Veh, Akron, Ohio; four great-grandchildren, Mathew and Katherine Leiker, Sophie and Charlotte Slaughter, all of Kansas City, Missouri; one brother, John Veh, Hill City, Kansas; a brother-in-law, Jack Bard, Logan, Kansas; several nieces, other relatives and many friends.
Myron was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Darlene; sister, Loretta Bard.
FUNERAL SERVICE – Wednesday, August 17, 2016 –10:30 A.M.
PLACE – Immanuel Lutheran Church – Norton, KS
INTERMENT – Norton Cemetery – Norton, KS
MEMORIAL – Myron Veh Memorial Fund
VISITATION – Tuesday, August 16, 2016 –5:00 PM until 7:00 PM
LEAVENWORTH COUNTY – Three people were injured in an accident just after 3 p.m. on Tuesday in Leavenworth County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1991 Ford F150 driven by Christopher Clyde Carpenter, 17, Leavenworth, was westbound on Kansas 192 six miles northwest of Leavenworth.
The driver failed to yield at U.S. 73.
A southbound 2007 Honda sedan driven by Judy Ann Kazmaier, 70, Marthasville, MO., collided with the pickup.
Kazmaier and a passenger Janet Kay Droste, 75, Leoti, were transported to Cushing Hospital in Leavenworth.
Carpenter was transported to St. John’s.
All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A retired Wichita police officer accused of embezzlement has agreed to change his plea in a federal prosecution stemming from a $56,400 contract to train law enforcement agencies on responses to armed engagement.
A court notice posted Tuesday shows Kevin P. Vaughn of Wichita is scheduled for a change of plea hearing on Aug. 23.
Vaughn retired in March 2015 after 28 years with the Wichita Police Department. He is charged embezzling Department of Homeland Security funds, mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.
Vaughn is accused of falsifying reports to make it look like his company, Red Mist Tactical, had completed 15 eight-hour classes the company agreed to provide last year.
The indictment alleges he fabricated student sign-up sheets for the classes and forged signatures of officers.
Soave and Martin. Courtesy photoBy RANDY GONZALES FHSU University Relations
The faculty and staff at Fort Hays State University are the unsung heroes, the featured speaker said at Tuesday’s Professional Development Day. They also were challenged to make a difference with FHSU’s students.
Antonio Soave, Kansas Secretary of Commerce, praised FHSU in his remarks given in the Memorial Union’s Fort Hays Ballroom. Kansas’ core values are Fort Hays State’s core values, he said.
“That is the beautiful opportunity you have each and every day,” Soave said. “You’re not just shaping minds. In that respect, you are truly unsung heroes. We are truly thankful.”
FHSU President Mirta M. Martin said she was appreciative of the efforts made by faculty and staff throughout the year.
“Thank you for all the hard work you’ve done throughout the summer and throughout the academic year,” Martin said. “Thank you for the work you’re going to do forward. There are not enough hours in the day to do the things we need to do but somehow each of you — together — we seem to manage to get it done. I would be remiss if I didn’t say ‘thank you’ a million times.”
Soave is appreciative of the work FHSU does, and its values. He said there are those who think people cannot agree on core values.
“I would challenge that,” Soave said. “What about integrity, compassion, kindness, justice, humility? That’s what places like Hays stand for.”
Those values can transfer to FHSU’s students, Soave said.
“All of those things you get to impart on the students,” Soave said. “What a wonderful blessing to be in that situation, to have that sort of connection with these students. That is why you are truly the unsung heroes.”
But there is a responsibility, too. Even in a heightened political season, each and every person can still make a difference, Soave said.
“We are shaping the minds of tomorrow,” Soave said. “We don’t like what we see, let’s change it. We don’t like what’s going on, then grab ahold of it. Let’s make a difference.
“We know that you can, because you’re doing it one student at a time,” he added. “In turn, what ends up happening? We change the world of tomorrow.”
Soave said it is important to make a difference. Now is the time, he urged.
“If you ask me what’s at stake, the answer is everything,” Soave said. “What’s at stake at Fort Hays State? The answer is everything.
“If we don’t change it, who will change it? If we don’t make the move in that direction, who will make the move in that direction? If we don’t stand up for what is right, for what is just, for what is kind, for what is noble, who is going to do it?”
Soave told his personal story, of being the son of an immigrant, of understanding the importance of education and values. He came from a poor family, and his father had little education. But Soave’s father always understood the importance of education.
When he was 13 years old, Soave spent his summer working with his father and uncle breaking apart concrete sidewalks and driveways using hand tools. His father said his would come away understanding the value of hard work and the dignity of hard work. Soave also understood from his father the value of getting a good education.
“If you don’t think you make a difference, I am living proof,” Soave said. “The son of an immigrant without an education. A family that often struggled to make ends meet. But you know what we had? Dignity.”
Soave said the students at Fort Hays State will have their memories of their time here. But it’s important they also leave with something else instilled in them, he said.
“If you touched their heart, if you truly inspired them to be better people, to go out and make a significant difference in the world, that is what they will come away with,” Soave said. “And that is a beautiful thing.
“For that, I would truly like to thank you for what you do,” he added. “For the state of Kansas, you are truly unsung heroes.”
Cutline: Kansas Commerce Secretary Antonio Soave, left, is with FHSU President Mirta M. Martin at Tuesday’s Professional Development Day on the Fort Hays State campus.
SCHOENCHEN — Around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday Emergency responders including members of the Rush County Sheriff’s office, Ellis County Fire, EMS and Highway Patrol responded to the report of an injury accident near Schoenchen on HWY 183 in which a concrete truck rolled.
