SALINA – Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating a bomb threat.
The threat was called into the City of Salina’s Water Department just before 3p.m. on Monday, according to Salina Police Captain Mike Sweeney
Officers searched the city-county building at on West Ash for explosives and none were found.
Following the search, announcements were made to courtrooms, as well as those in attendance at the weekly city commission meeting, to alert people in the building that a threat had been made.
BARTON COUNTY – A fire destroyed a large 2-story barn on Saturday.
Just before 3 p.m. The Great Bend Fire Department and Barton County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a structure fire in the 300 block of Southeast 10 Road, according to a media release.
The barn with a hayloft was completely engulfed in flames when emergency personnel arrived.
Investigation of the incident indicates the fire was accidental in and was unintentionally caused by one of the residents.
The Ellinwood Fire Department assisted the Great Bend Fire Department at the scene.
CDC image -Build your own Zika Prevention Kit. It should include A bed net Insect repellent Permethrin spray Standing water treatment tabs A thermometer Condoms
By ALEX SMITH
State health officials announced Friday that a southwest Kansas resident contracted the Zika virus after the resident traveled to an unspecified country where the pathogen has spread.
It’s the first confirmed case of Zika virus disease in Kansas.
Though a few cases of the virus in the United States have been spread through sexual contact, the vast majority of cases worldwide have been spread by mosquitos. So far, no transmission of the disease by mosquitos has been identified in the continental U.S.
Cassie Sparks, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Health and the Environment, says the spread of the virus via mosquitos in Kansas is still highly unlikely, but the state is taking precautions.
“We’ve been prepared for Zika virus to have a case here and working with health care providers across the state to respond to both suspected and confirmed cases,” Sparks says.
KDHE provided no further details on the Kansas case, including whether the patient is a male or female and where he or she lives.
Zika has provoked alarm by its rapid spread in South America and in Brazil in particular. Although the virus causes relatively mild symptoms in most healthy people, the virus can cause brain defects in infants, including microcephaly, a neurological condition characterized by babies born with abnormally small heads.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned pregnant women against traveling to countries where Zika has spread.
Sparks advises anyone traveling to those countries to take measures to avoid mosquito bites.
The first Zika case in Missouri was confirmed last Friday in a patient who had traveled to Haiti. Kansas City health officials say the individual is not a local resident.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it’s unable to predict how much the virus might spread in the continental United States. While many areas have the type of mosquitos that can spread the virus, the agency says that “recent outbreaks in the continental United States of chikungunya and dengue, which are spread by the same type of mosquito, have been relatively small and limited to a small area.”
Alex Smith is a reporter for Heartland Health Monitor, a reporting collaboration based at KCUR.
MINNEAPOLIS, Kan. (AP) — A north-central Kansas man will be sentenced April 29 for the deaths of a Topeka father and daughter in a traffic collision.
An Ottawa County jury convicted Jason Jeardoe of Bennington on Friday of two felony counts of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol in the 2014 deaths of Jason and Emma Jo Pisocki.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Jeardoe will be held in jail until his sentencing.
The Kansas Highway Patrol says the collision occurred April 11, 2014, on Kansas 18 about three miles west of Bennington. A parked vehicle was partially in the westbound lane and Jeardoe, who was driving west, moved his pickup truck into the eastbound lane to avoid it, colliding head-on with the Pisockis vehicle. They died at the scene.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A recent report has determined that women in Kansas who work full-time, year-round earn 79 cents for every dollar made by men.
The Topeka Capital Journal reports that the University of Kansas’ Center for Science and Technology & Economic Policy was commissioned by the Women’s Foundation to analyze factors such as economic well-being, health and civic engagement of women across the state.
The report, titled “Status of Women in Kansas,” found that the median earnings of women who work full-time, year-round is about $35,560 annually. Johnson County has the highest median earnings for women, while Gove County has the lowest.
Women account for more than 49 percent of the employed individuals in Kansas.
HILL, DONNIE MARCEL Approx Picture Date 2014-03-28 – Photo courtesy Kansas Department of Corrections
MANHATTAN- A Kansas man, awaiting a trial for arson, was sentenced in Riley County Court for drug distribution on Monday.
According to the prosecutor, Donnie Hill, 43, Manhattan, was on parole for the distribution of narcotics when he was arrested in June of 2015 for the distribution of marijuana.
Hill’s attorney submitted a motion for downward departure in order to try to reduce the possible sentence time but was denied.
Judge Stutzman stated there was not sufficient reason for the departure, and Hill had a criminal history with 12 felonies, as well as a recent arrest for arson since he had entered a plea in the distribution case.
Hill was was arrested on February 20, 2016 on the offense of arson and theft in connection to a house fire at 615 Yuma street that occurred on February 12.
February house fire in Manhattan
He was found at the scene of the fire with a significant cut to his arm and was transported to Via Christi Hospital.
The Manhattan Fire Department responded to the fire, but the house was a total loss and was listed at $95,000.
Judge Stutzman sentenced Hill for 46 months for distribution of marijuana.
The arson hearing is still pending in Riley County Court.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita lawmaker’s bill would roll back a tax exemption for business owners in order to reduce sales tax on groceries.
Republican Rep. Mark Hutton’s bill is scheduled for a hearing Tuesday before the House Taxation Committee. It would remove the income tax break for owners of limited liability companies and other pass-through businesses.
The Kansas Department of Revenue says that action would raise about $261 million. That would allow the state to lower the sales tax on groceries between 2.6 percent and 2.9 percent.
The Wichita Eagle reports (https://bit.ly/1TIXTOE ) Hutton led a coalition last year that tried to remove the same income tax exemption. That effort stalled when Gov. Sam Brownback threatened to veto any bill that contained that provision. Brownback has made similar comments this session.
Contents of this shed were damaged by fire Photo: Saline County Sheriff’s Dept.
SALINE COUNTY – Two weekend fires are responsible for thousands of dollars in damage was, according to Saline County Sheriff’s Captain Roger Soldan
David Schoenig was burning weeds on his property in the 5000 block of West Slope Road on Friday afternoon and had put out the fire.
The fire rekindled a short time later and made its way into a nearby shed.
The fire damaged several items inside the shed, including a push mower and a snow blower. Total damage caused by the fire was estimated at $1,945.
Just after 9:30 p.m. Sunday evening, Matthew Hubele was burning brush on his property in the 1500 block of East Hedberg Road, when a skid loader he was using, slid off an embankment and into the fire.
The skid loader, which was destroyed, was valued at $45,000.
Hubele was not injured.
WICHITA – A Dodge City man pleaded guilty Monday, March 14, to transporting child pornography across state lines, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said in a news release.
Joel Edward McClure, 36, Dodge City, pleaded guilty to one count of transportation of child pornography.
In his plea, he admitted that in May and August 2015 he used his laptop computer to download and share child pornography with other users via a file sharing network. Investigators followed an electronic trail to McClure’s home in Dodge City, where they served a search warrant. They learned McClure had left Dodge City with his laptop and gone to Denver. Investigators found McClure with the laptop containing the child pornography.
Sentencing is set for June 1. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of 77 months in federal prison. Grissom commended the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for their work on the case.
According to an official statement from the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City, “Joel McClure was placed on leave from formation as a seminarian of the Diocese of Dodge City, effective August 24, 2015. Upon consultation with the Diocesan Review Board, Bishop (John) Brungardt discontinued McClure as a seminarian, as of August 26, 2015.”
McClure had been a seminarian for two years.
“The decision followed the receipt of credible allegations from law enforcement who are investigating McClure’s possible viewing, possessing and sharing images of child pornography on the internet,” the statement continued.
Last week’s inspection results from the Kansas Department of Agriculture:
Casey’s General Store 1600 E. 27th, Hays – March 10
A routine inspection found 5 violations.
Chemical Storage Area – There were no Chlorine test strips available to test the concentration of the spray bottles that were mixed with water and chlorine.
Men and women restrooms did not have hot water. Water ran for over 2 minutes and the water temperature was 58 F.
Chemical Storage Area – Two Spray bottles that contained bleach water tested for over 200 Parts Per Million. Twice the allowed limit.
Pizza Prep Area- Container of unmarked white powder was found. Employee confirmed that it was flour.
Pizza Prep Area – Can of compressed chemical (WD-40) was being stored above ready to eat flour tortilla shells and flour.
Golden Corral 383 Mopar, Hays – March 10
A follow-up inspection found five violations.
Produce Walk In Cooler – Chicken, Rice and Enchilada Soup that had been heated, served and cooled was dated for eight days.
Meat Walk-In Cooler – Along the base of the walls in the walk in cooler there are substantial amount of white fuzzy particles growing.
Meat Walk-In Cooler – Cut Sirloin – 46.8 F Ground Beef – 50.5 F Prime Rib – 47 F Chicken Thighs – 46 F Chicken Legs – 45 F.
Salad Walk-In Cooler – Floor is in need of repair. It has buckled and is uneven. Meat Cooler- Floor is in need of repair. It has buckled and is uneven.
Back Storage Area – Two cans of tomato sauce had class two dents on the seals possibly allowing botulism to grow.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard 3505 Vine, Hays – March 9
A routine inspection found two violations.
Squirt bottle of water, as said by the male cook, with no common name on the bottle.
Custard scoops and paddles not stored in running water. Scoops were in a metal container.
McDonalds 1201 Vine, Hays – March 9
A routine inspection found eight violations.
East door of the overhead reach-in-freezer has a large crack in the seal.
Ice cream cleaner as stated on the bottle stored next to liquid food flavoring.
Wet wiping towel stored on a food counter surface at the drive thru window.
Under counter reach-in-cooler at make table with soil and debris build up on the top of the door seal.
Spray bottle of sanitizer as said by the person in charge, with no common name on the container.
No hand washing signs posted in the men’s or women’s toilet room.
Dried food debris on the can opener blade. It was not know if the opener was used today or not.
Stainless Steel cleaner, as stated on the bottle, stored above hand towel at the hand sink.
Wendys 1800 Vine, Hays – March 9
A routine inspection found five violations.
Master-Bilt reach-in-cooler door does not close all the way. Silver King reach-in-cooler hinge is loose and the door is dropped leaving a gap at the top of the door.
Hood above the fryers with a build up of grease.
Raw Bacon at 57 F in the back room, for an unknown amount of time, at room temp.
Insect light on the wall above the Frosty mix machine.
Sanitizer bucket, as said by the person in charge, with no common name on the bucket.
Gutch’s Bar & Grill 111 W. Seventh, Hays – March 7
A follow-up inspection found one violation.
Carbonating device, with no vent, from the dual check valve prevention.
KFC 2804 Vine, Hays – March 7
A routine inspection found five violations.
Faucet in the ladies toilet room leaking. Hand sink near three vat sink very slow draining.
Liquid Degreaser as stated on the bottle, stored above paper hand towels in the back room.
Mold build up on ice dispensing tube on Pepsi soda dispenser in lobby.
A/C vent in the prep area with a build up of dust on the vent.
Filter powder, as stated on the box, stored directly next to, and touching, bagged flour in raw chicken prep area.
Washington Elementary School 100 E. 13th, Ellis – March 7
A routine inspection found two violations.
Class two dented can, in store room.
First aid supply, Aloe Vera Solarcaine spray as stated on the bottle, stored next to food grade vinyl gloves in a cabinet.
Khondoker Usama-photo Wichita State University SGA
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita police are investigating a report that two college students were attacked by a man shouting racial epithets and the name of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Wichita State University student body vice president Khondoker Usama, who is Muslim, said he and a Hispanic friend witnessed a white man calling a black customer a racial epithet at a convenience store before the man turned on him and his friend Saturday.
Usama said he was pushed, and that his friend was punched and kicked. Usama said the man then rode away on his motorcycle, after circling them and shouting Trump’s name. A police report says the friend suffered a bruised lip.
Police Lt. Jeff Gilmore told The Wichita Eagle that officers are seeking surveillance video from the store.
By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN FHSU University Relations and Marketing
UPDATE: Jon Inman placed fifth Saturday to claim All-America honors at the NCAA Division II Championships Sat. March 12, in Sioux Falls, S.D. Inman’s fifth place finish is the highest finish of his career after qualifying the previous two years. ——————————————————————————————-
The coming week is going to be a busy one for Jonathan Inman, and it’s not because he is taking off for vacation land during spring break like a lot of college students.
Inman, a Fort Hays State University junior, will begin his quest for All-America honors today. The sixth-ranked 184-pound wrestler in NCAA Division II, Inman is 35-2 this season and is competing at the national tournament in Sioux Falls, S.D., Friday and Saturday.
While that might seem like the most exciting event of this school year for Inman — and at least this week — it isn’t.
A week after hopefully garnering that elusive All-America honor and getting to climb the steps of the awards stand, Inman will take an even bigger step. He and his fiancée, FHSU junior Breanna Tendick from Bonner Springs, will be married March 18 in Kansas City, Kan.
Then the newlyweds will return to Fort Hays State to finish out the school year and live happily ever after in Hays, for another year at least, while Jonathan completes his degree in criminal justice and Breanna finishes hers in social work.
Funny how first impressions can change over time. Inman wasn’t sure as a teenager he would like living on the plains of western Kansas for four years. After all, he grew up in the Ozark Mountains in Branson, Mo.
“Branson was a small town with a big-town feel,” Inman said. “The lake was right there to fish in, and it had all the nice places to eat. It was a super place to live, a great place to grow up.”
Inman was a four-time state qualifier in wrestling in high school but flew under the radar because of a couple of other standouts in his weight class, and there were no big-name programs that came calling.
An FHSU graduate, Dustin Martin, happened to be coaching youth wrestling nearby and liked what he saw in Inman and told Tiger Coach Chas Thompson about him. It didn’t take Thompson long to contact Inman.
“Besides being a quality wrestler, he was a 4.0 student with a 29 ACT,” Thompson said. “I thought he would be a perfect fit for our program.”
Inman wasn’t as convinced at first. He had wrestled in Hays in some freestyle tournaments and wasn’t so impressed with the location. But he thought he’d at least give FHSU a look following a recruiting trip to Colorado Mesa University.
Mesa is situated in another picturesque mountainous setting, on the western slope of the Rockies in Grand Junction. Inman said he loved the campus — the price tag to attend there, not so much.
Hays didn’t seem so bad after all, especially once he set foot on campus.
“It was 30,000 (dollars) at Mesa, and when I visited Hays, I enjoyed the campus, and it was a great value for a great education,” Inman said.
Inman signed with FHSU before his senior year in high school. Good thing for the Tigers. He went on to win the 182-pound state championship his senior year, and other college coaches started to take notice.
“Even that summer before he came to Fort Hays State, I had some coaches come up to me at some tournaments and ask where (Inman) had been hiding, if he had signed with a school yet,” Thompson said.
Oh, yeah, Thompson thought. He’s a Tiger.
So Jerry and Lynn Inman packed up their only child and sent him seven and a half hours to the northwest, and their son couldn’t be happier about his decision.
“I had thought I didn’t want to go to the middle of nowhere; that’s the stereotype about Hays,” Inman said. “But Hays, and Fort Hays State, is about so much more than location. It’s about the people.”
Inman continued to excel on the mat, and he met his wife-to-be his freshman year. The rest, like they say, is history.
Inman has hopes of making some history of his own this weekend. With his parents and fiancée cheering him on, he would like nothing better than to win an All-American trophy to bring home. He came within one victory of achieving that last year at nationals.
The top eight finishers in each weight class achieve All-America status.
“Make it to the second day,” Inman said. “That’s the goal.”
If not, there’s still next year.
In fact, Inman has become so attached to Hays — and Fort Hays State — that he said he and fiancée are considering sticking around after graduating next spring. Both Jonathan and Breanna are checking out graduate programs at FHSU.
“I have a really good friend base here, and that’s what makes someplace your home,” Inman said. “My friends are what’s keeping me here. I love Hays.”
This may be the week of tax fights, when both the folks who carefully hang up their cashmere sport coats and those who toss their wool or maybe even polyester-blend jackets square off.
On the polyester side, we have those who just can’t believe that some 330,000 Kansans aren’t paying any state income tax on the profits from their Limited Liability Corporations and such. On the cashmere side, we have Kansans who have a zero-dollar tax bill and wonder why the jean jacket crowd won’t consume more groceries and send their clothes to the dry cleaners to increase the state’s take from sales taxes—paying the consumption taxes that Gov. Sam Brownback wants to use to balance the budget.
But the real issue comes down to just which legislators want to return to the Statehouse and the free drinks and meals that lawmakers enjoy after this fall’s elections.
Let’s see how this tracks.
In the Senate, there’s a bill that would make those LLC owners, who now take “non-wage” income from their businesses tax-free, pay taxes on 70% of that income, the other 30% non-taxable. Oh, and that Senate bill would, if passed, take effect back on Jan. 1.
In the House, there’s a bill that puts the non-wage income back on the books for tax calculation and would use that new tax money to reduce the sales tax on groceries, so the help can afford to eat and feed their children.
That’s a pretty high-level view of the proposals. It’s worthwhile to remember that Brownback is on the side of the cashmere crowd and that his veto of a tax bill requires not just 63 but 84 House votes to override that veto and put the bill into law. In the Senate, it takes not just the majority 21 votes but 27 to override him.
You can count on Democrats in each chamber to either vote for taxes or take the stance that this is a fight among Republicans and they don’t want to miss lunch to participate in it.
There is, of course, this looming budget deficit, with the probability that severe cuts or financial hijinks are going to be needed to balance the budget, which means that services and programs are going to be chopped. But that’s not likely to make much difference to the cashmere class. For the denim crowd, it might mean dipping into your kid’s college fund to pay the water bill.
So it comes down—as in every election year—to where the votes are.
There are moderate Republicans who want the tax-exempt class to start writing tax checks like everyone else and there are conservative Republicans who see the revenue shortfall as a chance to shrink government and push the financing of social programs and education down to the local property taxpayers. Oh, it’s the second group which historically has been the most reliable primary election voting bloc and in most legislative districts in Kansas if you win the GOP primary you’d have to serve kale at your next fund-raiser to lose the general election.
But those Republicans who want to end the tax break? Their numbers appear to be growing, but we won’t know for sure where the party splits at the primary election. Oh, and don’t forget that the no-tax crowd is probably going to be hip deep in campaign contributions from conservative groups who can flood voters with cute pictures of conservatives with puppies and grandchildren.
The alternative to taxing that now-exempt income? So far, it’s been borrowing, either from the highway fund or making cuts to specific state agencies. But a new ploy being considered is borrowing against future tobacco industry payments of about $60 million a year for enough money to balance the budget, at least for the remaining two years of Brownback’s final term in office. Sounds a little like a payday loan, but with Audis and Mercedes parked in front of the gas station-turned lending institution.
Looks like a real fight ahead…
Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com.
SALINA – Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating a bomb threat.
WICHITA – A Dodge City man pleaded guilty Monday, March 14, to transporting child pornography across state lines, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said in a news release.
