KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson expects to be back by training camp after tearing his Achilles tendon late last year and missing the end of the regular season and playoffs.
The four-time Pro Bowl linebacker ruptured his right Achilles tendon in a game against Oakland. It was the opposite tendon from the one he tore in 2014, missing almost the entire season.
Johnson said that rehab has been going well and he expects to be “100 percent” when the Chiefs convene at Missouri Western for training camp in late July. But he doesn’t want to put a date on his return, and it is possible he’ll miss the entire offseason program, which officially began on Monday.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid likewise was optimistic Johnson will be ready for next season.
RENO COUNTY— A Kansas chemical plant continued operation north of Sterling on Monday following Thursday’s fire that destroyed a building.
The fire at Jacam Chemicals broke out around 9 a.m. in a building used to produce a clay product for the oil drilling industry.
While the material was not explosive or hazardous, it did burn hot enough to cause the large metal building to collapse. There were no injuries.
Jacam does plan to rebuild that area of the plant and will move the six employees displaced from their jobs by the fire to other duties, according to company spokesperson Laura Snyder.
Cause of the fire is still under investigation.
A copy of this print created by a Fort Hays State University student was removed from the Rarick Hall where the Tiger Tot preschool program is housed. Submitted photo
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
The Fort Hays State University Art Department removed several pieces of art from the walls of Rarick Hall after complaints the art was inappropriate for the children in Tiger Tots program that share that building. The artwork depicted women bare breasted.
Pastor Chad Pritchett of Ellis Baptist Church initially complained about the art after visiting the campus in February. He described the art as “pornographic” and “demonic,” in part because the presence of snakes in the artwork. Pritchett does not have any children enrolled in the Tiger Tots program. One alumnus also contacted the university about the artwork, but no parents of children enrolled with the program made complaints.
“We want to partner with Fort Hays and encourage education,” Pritchett said, “but we want to protect the children and their delicate minds and keep them from exposure to something inappropriate. I think it would be more appropriate if they moved the art to a different hallway.”
The artwork was created in a printmaking class at the university. Student artwork is regularly displayed in the hallways of the art department.
Karrie Simpson Voth, chairwoman of the art department, said depiction of the human form is a regular part of the art department curriculum.
“There is no university policy of what students can and can’t draw,” Simpson Voth said. “We encourage students to express what they feel in that moment. The instructor for the printmaking class chooses what goes up on the wall based on execution of good skill and technique.”
Simpson Voth said no harm was intended to the children.
“Our students are extremely talented. We hope the public can appreciate the artwork we produce. It’s with the best of intention,” she said.
Tiger Tots is licensed for 24 children ages 2 1/2 to 5. Sara J. Stroup, Tiger Tots Nurtury Center director, directed questions to University Relations.
Lisa Karlin, director of University Relations and Marketing, said the university was sensitive the concerns being expressed and officials believed the issue had been resolved with the removal of the artwork.
A copy of this print created by a Fort Hays State University student was removed from the Rarick Hall where the Tiger Tot preschool program is housed. Submitted photoA copy of this print created by a Fort Hays State University student was removed from the Rarick Hall where the Tiger Tot preschool program is housed. Submitted photo
TOPEKA – Governor Sam Brownback and Topeka Mayor Larry Wolgast Friday, April 14, asked Attorney General Derek Schmidt to examine the financial structure of St. Francis Hospital of Topeka. Following a joint meeting late Friday afternoon between Governor Brownback, Attorney General Schmidt, and St. Francis medical personnel, Attorney General Schmidt confirmed he will launch an inquiry aimed at ensuring the charitable assets of St. Francis remain in Kansas.
The hospital’s parent company maintains over $2 billion dollars in assets, yet is seeking to “divest” St. Francis, possibly leading to its closure. The Kansas roots of St. Francis trace back to 1858 and the founding of Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth which remains organized as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Kansas. The actions by Governor Brownback and Attorney General Schmidt seek to protect Kansas-based charitable assets from being improperly transferred from the state leading to the closure of St. Francis.
“St. Francis has benefitted from its status as a Kansas charity for many years, and it is important to make certain that such charitable assets are properly managed and remain in Kansas,” said Governor Brownback. “The charitable assets should stay here for the benefit of Kansans, to serve their stated mission of improving the health of those who are poor and vulnerable. Northeast Kansas needs the medical services St. Francis provides.”
The office of the Attorney General has the authority to safeguard Kansas charities.
“Any decision by its out-of-state owners that would fail to maintain full operations of Saint Francis Hospital would be deeply troubling,” Schmidt said. “The absence of meaningful consultation with local leaders compounds the concern, particularly in light of the considerable benefits the people of Kansas have bestowed on this charitable operation over the years.”
Topeka Mayor Larry Wolgast emphasized the importance of St. Francis to the health and economy of Topeka and surrounding communities.
“I share Governor Brownback and the Attorney General’s deep concern that the charitable assets of St. Francis Hospital, a hospital that met the health care needs of our community for so long, will be improperly removed from the people it serves,” Wolgast said. “I welcome the action the Attorney General is taking. St. Francis has been a vital part of this city and northeast Kansas for 159 years and has benefited by the non-profit status the citizens of Kansas granted.”
GEARY COUNTY-Law enforcement authorities in Geary County are investigating a suspect for alleged road rage incident.
On Saturday afternoon, deputies were dispatched to the area of US 77 Highway near Fort Riley for a white Dodge Ram 2500 truck where a gun had been waved out a window towards another vehicle, according to a media release.
Dispatch also advised the reporting party believed the subject had gained entry to Fort Riley by use of the Estes Gate.
Deputies talked with two Junction City residents who said the pickup had cut them off and then slowed down to 30 miles-per-hour in a construction zone.
The drivers also said the passenger in the vehicle pulled out a gun and waved it out the window with their finger on the trigger.
Deputies checked the area but were unable to locate the vehicle.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Saturday dispatch advised authorities that Fort Riley had the vehicle stopped at Estes Gate.
Deputies arrested Isaac Torgerson, Fort Riley, on suspicion of Aggravated Assault.
Juanita A. Schaffer, 85, La Crosse, Kansas, died Friday, April 14, 2017, at Cherry Village, Great Bend, Kansas.
Mrs. Schaffer was born February 5, 1932, in Pfeifer, Kansas, the daughter of Stephen S. and Pauline (Dater) Urban. A lifelong resident of Rush County, Kansas, she was a homemaker and farm wife.
She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and St. Ann’s Altar Society, both of Liebenthal, Kansas. She served as a past president and treasurer of the altar society.
On May 11, 1949, she married Michael C. Schaffer at Holy Cross Church, Pfeifer, Kansas. He preceded her in death March 22, 2013.
Survivors include: two sons, Leland Schaffer (Jan), Liebenthal, Kansas, and Harvey Schaffer (Laurie), Great Bend, Kansas; one daughter, Donna Herrman, (James), Olathe, Kansas; 13 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; and one great great grandson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Roy Michael Schaffer; six brothers, Joseph Urban, George Urban, Anton Urban, Benedict Urban, Daniel Urban, and Sylvester Urban; and six sisters, Regina Weiser, Anna Haberman, Monica Urban, Barbara Sanders, Philomena Cassan, and Eva Marie Urban.
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 18, 2017, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas. A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M.
Church visitation will be Wednesday, April 19, 2017, from 10:00 A.M. to 10:50 A.M. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Liebenthal, Kansas.
Funeral service will be Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Liebenthal, Kansas, with Father Eric Awuahjyamfi officiating. Interment will be in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Liebenthal, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to St. Ann’s Altar Society, Liebenthal, Kansas.
Regardless of faith, ethnicity or class, each of us is taught at a young age that it is our duty to help those in need. Americans take that moral responsibility to heart. As individuals, we help our neighbors. Through churches and local organizations, we feed our communities. And as a country, America leads the world in providing food for millions of people in need of assistance.
When governments cannot feed their own people, chaos and violence are sure to follow. Food assistance provided by the United States – almost 10 percent of hard red winter wheat exports in 2016 were through food aid programs – leads to greater stability in regions of the world important to America’s strategic interests. The President’s proposed budget cuts to food aid programs would only undermine those interests.
While our country’s collective moral convictions make fighting hunger the right thing to do, the benefits we receive as a nation from reducing global food insecurity also make it the smart thing to do.
President Ronald Reagan recognized the power of food in shaping foreign policy. In 1983, at a signing of a World Food Day proclamation, Reagan chided the Soviet Union for failing to provide humanitarian relief to those in need, and offered a direct challenge to the Kremlin to explain why the Soviet Union only provided weapons but not food assistance to the underdeveloped world.
While the threats of today are different than those faced during the Cold War, American food aid continues to serve our national interests by promoting political, economic and social stability on a global scale, in addition to elevating our country’s moral standing and leadership.
For decades, we have witnessed food-related hardships act as a catalyst for protests and armed conflicts that harm America’s strategic interests abroad. From 2007 to 2011, spikes in global food prices led to increased food insecurity and unrest in the world. In the Middle East and North Africa, food-related protests were one of the major drivers of the mass uprising of the Arab Spring. The widespread turmoil in these oil-producing regions caused major volatility in energy prices. And even as food prices have leveled out since 2011, we continue to deal with the reverberations of the Arab Spring.
In Syria, the Islamic State uses the promise of food and basic necessities to recruit soldiers. Food shortages have led refugees to leave camps and return to an active war zone in search of food for themselves and their families.
Closer to home, food prices contributed to rioting in Haiti in 2007 and 2008. As food prices increased and economic conditions deteriorated, US Coast Guard interceptions of people from Haiti attempting to immigrate to our country also increased.
The National Intelligence Council warns that a continuation of the fundamental contributors to food insecurity – such as expanding populations, the slowing of agricultural yields and gaps in infrastructure and distribution systems – without greater assistance by the United States will result in increased food insecurity and instability in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Congress has a critical role to play here in delivering that assistance.
Through my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I am committed to protecting the gains we’ve made in international food aid programs. While chairing the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, I fought for a $134 million increase in Food for Peace Title II funding, which is a USAID initiative that provides in-kind donations of American agriculture commodities to countries with critical food needs. Our subcommittee also increased funding for McGovern-Dole, a program that promotes education for children, especially for young girls, by providing meals at schools located in areas most critically in need.
This administration’s budget proposal, which eliminates funding for the McGovern-Dole Food for Education and makes cuts to USAID, will harm our long-term national security interests and reduce our leadership in the world.
We are outraged at the crimes of ISIS, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram and other terrorist groups. We rightfully label the actions of these groups and corrupt global leaders, which have led a number of countries to the brink of famine, as evil. But unless we back up that outrage by continuing to support global food aid programs, it rings hollow.
When signing the proclamation in 1983, Reagan cited 450 million people in developing countries who were undernourished. Our global population has risen by 3 billion people since that time, and today, there are nearly 800 million people in the world who do not have enough food to lead healthy, active lives. While significant strides have been made in the fight against food insecurity, for both strategic and moral reasons, our commitment to ending hunger cannot end now.
I urge my colleagues to consider the implications of global hunger and join me in supporting policies that help solve this problem. America’s unmatched generosity helps to feed the hungry across the globe while benefiting our citizens here at home.
Jerry Moran is a United States Senator for Kansas and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He serves as co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus and formerly chaired the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, which allocates funding for certain USAID and USDA global food programs.
SEDGWICK COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Sedgwick County are investigating the murder of a man on Sunday.
Just before 1:30 a.m. officers responded to what initially was a report of a drive by shooting in the 600 Block of North Edwards in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Lt. Jeff Gilmore during Monday’s online police briefing.
When paramedics arrived, they found the victim identified as Stanislaus V. Saiz 57, slumped over the wheel of a car. They believed it was an automobile accident but ultimately found Saiz suffered from multiple gunshot wounds.
Police determined Saiz was sitting in his vehicle at a residence in the 600 Block of North Edwards when someone walked up and shot multiple times into the vehicle.
In an effort to get away, Saiz drove north and crashing into a building at 2622 West Central.
Saiz had numerous convictions for burglary, aggravated robbery, identity theft and forgery in Sedgwick County, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
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Police on the scene on Sunday’s early morning fatal shooting-photo courtesy KWCH
WICHITA — Police say one person has been killed in a shooting in west Wichita.
Police say the shooting happened early Sunday in the western part of the city.
Officer Paul Cruz says one person was killed, but offered no other details. Additional information is expected to be released later Monday.
Eber Phelps, D-Hays, is the 111th Dist. state representative.
TOPEKA–Rep. Eber Phelps (D-Hays, 111th Dist.) has provided details of the proposed school finance plan under House Bill 2410.
“These are details on the school finance plan that was passed by the Finance Committee at the end of the regular session. It has not been debated by the full House or Senate,” Phelps said in a news release.
A ruling March 2 by the Kansas Supreme Court determined the state’s spending on public education was unconstitutionally low. Lawmakers have until June 30 to pass a new constitutional funding formula.
The Kansas Legislature is adjourned until Mon., May 1, 2017 for its wrap-up session. On the to-do list, a budget plan that will be largely influenced by a school funding decision.
Below is the proposed school finance plan.
PROPOSED SCHOOL FINANCE PLAN – House Bill 2410–UPDATE MAJOR POLICY PROVISIONS—Computer Printout SF17-168
• Base aid for student excellence (BASE) will increase to $4,006 in 2017-18, $4,206 in 2018-19, $4,406 in 2019-20, $4,606 in 2020-21, and $4,806 in 2021-22.
• Base aid for student excellence (BASE) will increase based upon the Midwest consumer price index beginning with the 2022-23 school year.
• Special mill levies currently in place will continue except declining enrollment will be reduced 50 percent in the 2017-18 school year and eliminated in the 2018-19 school year.
• Enrollment will be based upon prior year or second preceding year, whichever is higher. All weighted enrollment will be based upon the prior school year enrollment.
• Military second count with net increase in enrollment between September 20 and
February 20.
• At-risk funding will be based upon free lunch count and funded the same as law prior to the 2014-15 school year.
• High-density at-risk will be funded the same as law prior to 2014-15 school year.
• Provides a floor of ten percent for computing free lunch for any school district offering K-12.
• All-day kindergarten will be funded and counted in the enrollment.
• Career & Technical Education (vocational education) funding will be based upon .5 weighting (same as old law). The State Department of Education will study CTE cost by program and report to the Legislature by January 1, 2018.
• Virtual students will be funded as in current law.
• Non-resident virtual students will be excluded in the computation of assessed valuation per pupil for capital outlay and bond and interest state aid.
• Special education funding remains the same as current law.
• Transportation is amended slightly and on a statewide basis there will be a small increase in the state appropriation. No school district will receive less transportation state aid than received in 2016-17.
• New facilities will be funded for all elections held prior to July 1, 2015 with a .25 weighting.
• Bilingual education is computed using the higher of .361 of the contact hours or .185 of the bilingual headcount enrollment for students who qualify for bilingual services. The weighting under current law is .395 based on contact hours.
• 20-mill levy will remain the same as current law.
• Low and high enrollment will be reinstated as in law prior to 2014-15.
• Expands early childhood funding by increasing state aid for four-year-old at-risk programs, $2,000,000 each year in 2017-18 through 2021-22.
• The local option budget will be renamed the local foundation budget (LFB).
• School districts may adopt up to 30 percent of their local foundation budget on board action. If a district chooses to increase the LFB up to 33 percent, this would require board action and right of protest petition. Those school districts that are already at 33 percent will retain that authority.
• Partially funds the mentoring program and professional development as provided by law.
• Adds utilities as an option for capital outlay fund if the school district republishes their capital outlay resolution.
• Students from schools in the bottom 25 percent of student achievement and direct certified are eligible for tax credit for low income student scholarships effective July 1, 2017.
Green is a teacher and coach at Northgate Middle School in the North Kansas City School District.
Court documents allege that the victim, now 27, was a Smithville High School student when he was sexually assaulted by Green starting in 2005. At the time, Green was a Blue Springs South High School teacher and swim coach.
The North Kansas City School District says Green is on administrative leave.
Online court records don’t show whether Green has an attorney.
The Hays Area Planning Commission will conduct a hearing Mon., April 17, for a recommendation to the Hays City Commission for proposed modifications to the Unified Development Code (UDC), particularly reducing certain building setback requirements for commercial and industrial zoned properties within the city and the three-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction area.
The public hearing begins at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.
ELLIS–Ellis city council members will consider renewing the city’s property insurance policy during tonight’s council meeting.
Other agenda items include an update on the street improvement project by Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group and a report of suggestions for lightening the workload of City Attorney Olavee Raub.
The complete April 17 agenda follows.
AGENDA
April 17, 2017
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELLIS
City Hall – Council Meeting Room
BILLS ORDINANCE REVIEW WORK SESSION BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL AND MEETING CALL TO ORDER AT 7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)
1) CONSENT AGENDA
a) Minutes from Regular Meeting on April 3, 2017
b) Bills Ordinance #2019
(Council will review for approval under one motion under the consent agenda. By majority vote of the governing body, any item may be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
(Each speaker will be limited to five minutes. If several people from the group wish to speak on same subject, the group must appoint a spokesperson. ALL comments from public on agenda items must be during Public Comment. Once council begins their business meeting, no more comments from public will be allowed.)
2) PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
a) Citizen Petition for City Assistance – Gary Luea
3) SPECIAL ORDER
a) Monthly Fire Report – Chief Dustin Vine
b) Review City Property Insurance Renewal and Consider Approval of Invoice – Darrell Romme, Romme Agency
c) Update from Ellis Community Foundation on Fundraising Event – Pauleen Edmonds
4) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a) Consider Approval of Amended Personnel Policy Provision
b) Update on Street Improvement Project – Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group
5) NEW BUSINESS
a) Consider Ratification of Change Order #1 for Street Improvement Project
b) Consider Approval of Contractor’s Pay Estimate #1, Invoice to Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission, Request #1 for Payment of CDBG Funds, and Authorize the Mayor to Sign Documents for the Street Improvement Project
c) Consider Approval of Resolution Adopting Fee Schedule
d) Consider Agreement from Natare Corporation Regarding Swimming Pool Liner
e) Consider Bids for Calcium Hypochlorite for Sewer Plant and Swimming Pool
6) REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
a) Administrative
1) Public Works
(1) Department Update
2) Police
(1) Department Update
3) City Clerk
(1) Health Insurance Savings Report for March
(2) Department Update
4) Attorney
(1) Update on Status of Pending Code Violation Cases
(2) Discuss Suggestions from City Attorney’s Office
5) Mayor Update and Announcements
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
7) ADJOURNMENT
