MONTGOMERY CITY, Mo. (AP) — A 40-year-old Mexican national accused of killing a Missouri man and four Kansas residents earlier this year will get a new judge in his Missouri trial.
Pablo Serrano-Vitorino has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the March 8 shooting death of Randy Nordman in New Florence. Missouri prosecutors have announced plans to seek the death penalty in the case.
Serrano-Vitorino also is charged in Kansas with killing a Kansas City, Kansas, neighbor and three other men at the neighbor’s home on March 7.
KOMU reports that at a hearing Wednesday, a Montgomery County judge granted Serrano-Vitorino’s request for a new judge.
Serrano-Vitorino also asked for a change of venue, but that request will be taken up by the new judge, who has not been assigned yet.
Thousands lined up in the rain on Saturday- photo Convoy of Hope
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Thousands of people lined up to receive free school supplies, shoes and other items at a charity event in Wichita.
More than 5,000 people showed up Saturday for the Convoy of Hope, which handed out about 3,000 backpacks filled with school supplies and 2,500 pairs of children’s shoes. More than 680 people also got haircuts.
The event was held at Bethel Life Center. Last year’s event drew nearly 9,000 people.
Jason Bachman, outreach director for the national Convoy of Hope Charity told The Wichita Eagle that surveys conducted by the national charity show that 40 percent of the 82,000 people served annually by the national Convoy of Hope effort are children.
Organizers say companies like Cargill and the Wal-Mart Foundation have contributed to the effort.
RENO COUNTY— One of the four young men convicted of being involved in the robbery of a Kwik Shop in Hutchinson was sentenced Friday and was given two years, 10-months in prison.
Kurt Koenig, 20, had entered a plea to conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery after waiving his preliminary hearing.
Police say he drove the vehicle for the other three and never actually entered the store.
The state asked for mid-range sentence, but Judge Tim Chambers gave him the maximum sentence.
As per agreement, none of the defendants can asked for any type of non-prison sanction.
Koenig told the judge there is nothing he could say to justify his actions and he let his family down was sorry for the victim, not only for the physical injuries but for the mental ones as well.
Ney
Dakota Ney, 18, also entered a plea to conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, but his sentence has been continued two weeks.
The other two suspects also waived their rights to a preliminary hearing and then entered pleas involving the Kwik Shop robbery as well as the burglary of a smoke shop.
Karl Koenig and Drake Lindsay both 19 entered pleas to aggravated robbery and conspiracy to commit burglary with all the other charges dropped. The sentencing hearings for these two are expected next week.
On January 27, the four were involved in the robbery of the Kwik Shop at 43rd & Plum in Hutchinson.
It was Ney that forced the clerk to open the drawer and give money while the other two stole cigarettes and other items. He is also the one who knocked the victim to the floor, using a taser device on her and kicking her. She still suffers from those injuries and appeared in court with a walker.
Fort Hays State University alum Blake Bittel was appointed Wednesday as a 23rd District Judge by Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback.
Bittel, who was born in WaKeeney and grew up in Ellis, is currently engaged in private law practice in Hays with Kennedy Berkley Yarnevich & Williamson. He graduated from FHSU in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in political science, then attended Oklahoma City University School of Law, where he graduated in 1997.
After winning Tuesday’s Republican primary and being unopposed in the November general election, Bittel was now able to be appointed. He will be sworn in Aug. 29 at the Ellis County Courthouse. Bittel fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Edward Bouker to become a Kansas Senior Judge. The 23rd District is comprised of Ellis, Gove, Rooks and Trego counties.
“I’ve been doing this for 20 years, I guess I’m ready to move on, try a new challenge,” Bittel said, “take my experience and put it to work in a different way.”
Bittel said attending FHSU proved beneficial for him in his career.
“My experience at Fort Hays State built a really good foundation for graduate school,” Bittel said. “I was pretty active in the political science department.”
Bittel remembers participating in Model United Nations while at FHSU.
“You didn’t just sit in the classroom,” he said. “You were able to do things and interact with professors. You could sit down in your advisor’s office and visit with him about your goals.”
TOPEKA, Kan. – (August 4, 2016) The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) samples publicly accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.
Lakes under a Warning are not closed. Marinas, lakeside businesses and park camping facilities are open for business. If swim beaches are closed, it will be specifically noted. Drinking water and showers at parks are safe and not affected by algae blooms. Boating and fishing are safe on lakes under a Warning, but contact with the water should be avoided. It is safe to eat fish caught during a harmful blue-green algae outbreak, as long as the fish is rinsed with clean water; only the fillet portion is consumed and all other parts are discarded. Hands should also be washed with clean water after handling fish taken from an affected lake. Zoned lakes may have portions fully open for all recreation even if other portions are under a Warning.
Kansans should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may float around the lake, requiring visitors to exercise their best judgment. If there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.
Public Health Warning: High levels of toxic blue-green algae have been detected. A Public Health Warning indicates that activities like boating and fishing may be safe; however, direct contact with water (i.e., wading, skiing and swimming) is strongly discouraged for people, pets and livestock.
Kansas public waters currently under a Warning status:
ATCHISON COUNTY PARK LAKE, Atchison County LAKE AFTON, Sedgwick County MILFORD RESERVIOR (Zone C), Clay, Dickinson, and Geary Counties OVERBROOK CITY LAKE, Osage County
When a Warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:
Lake water is not good to drink for pets or livestock
Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans
Water contact should be avoided
Fish can be eaten as long as they are rinsed with clean water, consume only the fillet portion, and discard all other parts
Do not allow pets to eat dried algae
If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible
Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation
KDHE will update these statements as conditions warrant.
Starting Monday, weather permitting, the Kansas Department of Transportation expects to begin work on a bridge replacement project along K-9 in Phillips County.
Crews will be replacing the bridge over the North Fork Solomon River Drainage located approximately 2 miles east of Glade. Traffic will be detoured using U.S. 36, U.S. 183 and U.S. 281 for the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed by mid-October.
KDOT awarded the construction contract, totaling $240,000 to Reece Construction of Scandia. The project is funded by T-WORKS, the transportation program passed by the Kansas legislature in May 2010.
Photo by iStock The government will punish more than half of the nation’s hospitals for having more patients than expected return within a month. While that is about the same number penalized last year, the average penalty will increase by a fifth, according to a Kaiser Health News analysis
By Jordan Rau
The federal government’s penalties on hospitals will reach a new high as Medicare withholds more than half a billion dollars in payments over the next year, records released this week show.
The government will punish more than half of the nation’s hospitals — a total of 2,597 — for having more patients than expected return within a month. While that is about the same number penalized last year, the average penalty will increase by a fifth, according to a Kaiser Health News analysis.
The new penalties, which take effect in October, are based on the rehospitalization rate for patients with six common conditions. Since the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program began in October 2012, national readmission rates have dropped as many hospitals pay more attention to how patients fare after their release.
The penalties are the subject of a prolonged debate about whether the government should consider the special challenges faced by hospitals that treat large numbers of low-income people. Those patients can have more trouble recuperating, sometimes because they can’t afford their medications or lack social support to follow physician instructions, such as reducing the amount of salt that heart failure patients consume. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says those hospitals should not be held to a different standard.
Medicare said the penalties are expected to total $528 million, about $108 million more than last year, because of changes in how readmissions are measured.
Medicare examined these conditions: heart attacks, heart failure, pneumonia, chronic lung disease, hip and knee replacements and — for the first time this year — coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
The fines are based on Medicare patients who left the hospital from July 2012 through June 2015. For each hospital, the government calculated the number of readmissions it expected, given national rates and the health of each hospital’s patients. Hospitals with more unplanned readmissions than expected will receive a reduction in each Medicare case reimbursement for the upcoming fiscal year that runs from Oct. 1 through September 2017.
The payment cuts apply to all Medicare patients, not just those with one of the six conditions Medicare measured. The maximum reduction for any hospital is 3 percent, and it does not affect special Medicare payments for hospitals that treat large numbers of low-income patients or train residents. Forty-nine hospitals received the maximum fine. The average penalty was 0.73 percent of each Medicare payment, up from 0.61 percent last year and higher than in any other year, according to the KHN analysis.
Under the Affordable Care Act, which created the penalties, a variety of hospitals are excluded, including those serving veterans, children and psychiatric patients. Maryland hospitals are exempted as well because Congress has given that state extra leeway in how it distributes Medicare money. Critical access hospitals, which Medicare also pays differently because they are the only hospitals in their areas, also are exempt.
As a result, more than 1,400 hospitals were automatically exempt from the penalties. Other hospitals did not have enough cases for Medicare to evaluate accurately and were not penalized. Of the hospitals that Medicare did evaluate, four out of five were penalized.
The KHN analysis found that 1,621 hospitals have been penalized in each of the five years of the program.
Thomas More Prep-Marian is working on completing a few campus renovations before the new school year.
Among the renovations is an expansion of the public restrooms in Al Billinger Fieldhouse, as well as a resurfacing of an existing parking lot just east of the fieldhouse.
“The lot to the east of the field house is primarily underclassmen student parking, and will get an asphalt paving, and will be reconfigured to accommodate better traffic flow and larger parking stalls,” said Jeff Brull, TMP-Marian Advancement Director.
Brull also said the bathroom expansion was the last of three significant improvements made to the fieldhouse, the first two being a new roof and a reconditioned gym floor.
“The existing restrooms (in the field house) were small and in need of repair, so it was necessary to not only renovate, but also expand to accommodate the number of people that come to events,” Brull said.
Al Billinger Fieldhouse has a capacity of 1,100 people.
The fieldhouse is not the only building on campus receiving improvements. IT staff in the main school building are also putting the finishing touches on a complete wireless network overhaul to satisfy the requirement for higher internet speeds.
Starting this school year, all TMP-Marian students will be receiving a Chromebook computer for daily educational use, through a private gift by Lillian Schumacher, a 1951 graduate of the Girls Catholic High.
“This truly wasn’t a case of ‘Here’s Chromebooks, go change how you teach,’ ” Brull said. “The teachers have been training on these for quite some time.”
Brull also said he’s happy with the progress they have made this year with the improvements on campus.
“The site planning committee and capital means committee are always looking for ways to be more efficient, and to be good stewards of the resources we have,” he said.
Gov. Brownback proclaimed August as Farmers’ Market Month in Kansas.
KDA
TOPEKA–In recognition of the important role farmers’ markets play in Kansas communities, Governor Sam Brownback proclaimed August as Farmers’ Market Month in Kansas.
In both urban centers and rural communities, farmers’ markets give consumers access to fresh, locally grown produce and serve as an important link between food producers and consumers of Kansas products. Farmers’ markets also keep money in Kansas communities, which helps make small businesses stronger and positively contributes to local economies.
The number of farmers’ markets in Kansas has grown from 26 in 1987 to more than 70 registered farmers’ markets in 2016. They are a vibrant part of many Kansas communities, and contribute to the health, well-being and quality of life for many Kansans.
“We are excited about the growth and expansion of farmers’ markets across the state,” said Julie Roller, agriculture marketing specialist at the Kansas Department of Agriculture. “Farmers’ markets serve as a great way for producers to connect with consumers and sell their products locally.”
Farmers’ markets in Kansas can register with the Kansas Department of Agriculture as part of the state’s agricultural trademark program, From the Land of Kansas. This central registration became possible in 2013 following the passage of Senate Bill 120, legislation designed to protect farmers’ markets and their managers from potential legal liability, thus opening doors for additional markets throughout the state. As a result of this state support, registered markets now have access to free marketing, outreach and advocacy efforts.
KDA supports farmers’ markets through a variety of services and programs, including the Kansas Farmers’ Market Toolkit, the Savor the Season campaign and by hosting state and regional farmers’ market workshops. KDA also provides information about food safety regulations and best practices to farmers’ markets across the state. KDA and From the Land of Kansas strive to serve Kansas farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and consumers by expanding agricultural markets and providing support and assistance to help Kansas businesses grow.
To locate a farmers’ market in your area, or to receive more information on how to register a farmers’ market please visit FromtheLandofKansas.com or contact Roller at [email protected].
TOPEKA – A large crowd attended the 17th Annual Harley Party on Saturday evening in downtown Topeka.
Highlight of the evening was daredevil Doug Danger’s successful motorcycle jump over 15 Topeka Police vehicle in front of the Kansas Statehouse, according to Downtown Topeka.
In August of 2015, Doug broke Evel Knievel’s record by jumping 22 cars at Sturgis on Knievel’s 1972 Harley XR750.
Saturday’s event was a fundraiser for Boys and Girl’s club of Topeka.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Danny Duffy outpitched Aaron Sanchez, stopping a 10-game winning streak for the Toronto ace and leading the Kansas City Royals over the Blue Jays 4-2 Saturday night.
Sanchez (11-2) hadn’t lost since April 22 against Oakland. He allowed four runs and nine hits in six innings.
Duffy (8-1), who struck out a team-record 16 and permitted just one hit over eight innings at Tampa Bay in his previous start, won his seventh straight decision. He held the Blue Jays to two runs and five hits over 6 2-3 innings.
Kelvin Herrera picked up his fourth save in six chances, working a perfect ninth.
Eric Hosmer hit a two-out, two-run single in a three-run fifth that made it 3-2.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court says a Wichita man may be allowed to appeal his prison sentences for murder and kidnapping even though the appeal deadline has long since passed.
The court said Friday that Shelbert Smith may be entitled to file an appeal now because his defense attorney failed to file the appeal when Smith asked him to years ago.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports (https://j.mp/2aBYobc ) Smith was 16 when he was sentenced to life for first-degree murder and other charges. He’s spent 23 years in prison.
In 2013, Smith filed his own motion to appeal his sentence. A Sedgwick County district court denied the motion saying the deadline had passed.
But the high court says the late appeal may be allowed and sent the case back to the district court.
