The Ellis County Public Works Department has announced a guard rail repair project in the 1600 block of Toulon Avenue will begin on Monday, May 22.
The 1600 block of Toulon Avenue will be closed beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday and will reopen at 4 p.m. daily until the repairs are complete. The project is expected to be completed by May 26. Motorists traveling in the affected closure area should use alternate routes of travel until the repairs are complete.
Gov. Sam Brownback’s approval rating among Kansans continues to flounder and ranks lower than that of President Donald Trump, according to the spring Kansas Speaks survey released Tuesday.
According to a Kansas public opinion survey released Tuesday, dissatisfaction with Gov. Sam Brownback declined slightly from last year, to 56 percent “very dissatisfied” from 62 percent a year ago. FILE PHOTO / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE
The survey, published twice a year by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University, found that Brownback has an approval rating of 21 percent, while 56 percent said they are “very dissatisfied” with him. The very dissatisfied number is down from the 62 percent the governor received a year ago.
The president, however, did a bit better among Kansans — at least when they were surveyed from Feb. 23 to April 11.
Forty-five percent of Kansans said they were “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with Trump, the survey revealed. The president gets a 44 percent disapproval rating from Kansans.
“The other thing we were curious of is who would do better, President Trump or the governor, and it looks like the president did quite a bit better,” said Gary Brinker, director of the Docking Institute.
The survey also asked Kansans what they think about Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian government. Seventeen percent said they are “very comfortable” with the relationship, while 39 percent said they’re “very uncomfortable.”
Brinker said it was the first time the survey included a question along those lines.
“To think that you’d ask a survey question about a president like that, it’s unusual,” he said.
The survey also provides some insight on public sentiment as Kansas legislators try to come up with a budget, tax plan and school funding formula. Lawmakers have a projected $900 million budget gap to close over the next two years.
Overwhelmingly, Kansans want to repeal the 2012 income tax cuts that exempted many small-business owners: 56 percent of those surveyed “strongly support” reversing the cuts while 13 percent “strongly oppose.”
When asked whether taxes “should increase, remain the same or decrease” on large corporations, top income earners, small businesses or the middle class, about 60 percent of surveyed Kansans agreed corporations and the wealthy should pay more.
The survey also suggested that Kansans are OK with higher taxes on alcohol and cigarettes, something that has been proposed in the state Senate to raise revenue.
If programs have to be cut to balance the budget, about 30 percent prefer cuts to social services or higher education, 25 percent to roads and highways, and 13 percent to public education.
Overall, only 10 percent said the state’s economy was excellent or very good, while 26 percent rate the Kansas economy as poor or very poor.
Sam Zeffcovers education for KCUR.org and the Kansas News Service and is co-host of the political podcastStatehouse Blend Kansas. Follow him on Twitter@SamZeff.
HARPER COUNTY – A Kansas man died in an accident just before 7p.m. Saturday in Harper County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported Robert B. Sharp, 76, Anthony, was in a field at southwest 40th Road and Southwest 10th Avenue just south of Anthony.
As he extended the boom on an Apache chemical sprayer it touched the electrical line.
Sharp was electrocuted.
He was transported to Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Anthony.
PRATT – Grab your fishing poles and load up the family, and leave your cash at home. Come the first weekend in June the only thing you’ll need for a great time is your lure and line. No fishing licenses are required because June 3 and 4 is Free Fishing Weekend in Kansas.
Now that you know when you’ll be fishing, and likely who you’ll be fishing with, you’ll need to figure out where you’ll be fishing. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has got you covered there, too. Simply visit ksoutdoors.com/fishing and click “Where To Fish” for a list of fishing locations near you, as well as view the 2017 Fishing Forecast and weekly fishing reports.
After you’ve found the ideal spot, view the 2017 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary for any last details prior to hitting the water. The summary – which contains vital information specific to all public waters and even includes color illustrations to help identify fish – can be viewed online at ksoutdoors.com/fishing, or picked up wherever licenses are sold.
While license requirements are waived for the weekend, anglers must still abide by all other regulations such as length and creel limits, equipment requirements, and more.
With the right location, a variety of baits to choose from, and some cooperative weather, Kansas fishing can be a blast. Give it a try; we bet you’ll be hooked.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators have drifted through another week.
They didn’t have debates in either chamber on a plan for boosting spending on public schools or proposal to increase taxes to pay for it and also fix the state budget.
They held no late-night or evening House and Senate sessions and haven’t worked any weekends since returning this month from their annual spring break.
When they reconvene Monday, they’ll be only days away from the 100th day of their annual session and what is supposed to be their last.
They’re still struggling with a chicken-and-egg question.
Do they pass tax legislation first to set the upper limits of what they can spend? Or, do they pass a school funding plan first to set a revenue-raising target?
SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged kidnapping.
Just before 7p.m. Saturday, police responded to the 21st and SE Rice Road to speak to the victim of a kidnapping, according to a media release.
Police are looking for 42-year-old Jesse Jerome Jackson. He is described as 6 foot 1-inches tall and weighs 196 pounds. He was wearing a black hoodie and black pants and last seen leaving the scene in the victim’s
Stock photo of KIA Forte
Kia Forte with Kansas tag 617EIF. He is considered armed and dangerous, according to police.
He was in possession of a knife during the incident. If you see him, please call 911.
PRATT – Nothing says “summer” quite like sailing, and nobody knows sailing quite like the Ninnescah Sailing Association (NSA) at Cheney State Park. That’s why members of NSA are gearing up for another year of “Learning To Sail” courses this summer to introduce to others the joys of sailing. Open to members and non-members, the program is led by experienced, certified U.S. sailing instructors, who will share their knowledge of basic boat-handling skills, sailing terminology, watercraft safety, knot tying and more. And of course, plenty of time will be spent on the water.
Participants age 18 or older can choose between courses beginning June 20, July 18, or take a Basic Keelboat course August 12. Youth can choose between camps taking place June 26-30 or July 24-28.
Adult courses are $250 per non-member, and $195 for NSA members. Youth courses are $150 for non-members, and $125 for NSA members. The Basic Keelboat class is $125 for non-members and $75 for NSA members.
Life jackets, course materials, use of sailboats, and safety equipment are all included in the course fee. Graduates of the class interested in joining NSA will have their initiation fee waived and pay half-price on their first year of membership.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court upheld the capital murder conviction of a Topeka man who killed an 8-year-old girl and stuffed her body in a clothes dryer.
The court on Friday rejected an appeal from Billy Davis Jr., who was sentenced in 2015 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the March 2012 beating, rape and death of Ah’liyah Irvin.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Davis’ attorney argued he was high on drugs and alcohol and didn’t intend to kill the girl, which is necessary for a capital murder conviction.
The court unanimously rejected the argument, saying Davis’ conduct before and after the crimes and the girl’s severe injuries all suggested premeditation.
The court reversed the rape conviction because rape is an element of the capital murder conviction.
SEDGWICK COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating an incident involving an altercation with a police officer.
Just after 11 a.m. Saturday, a suspect identified as Colt Francis Wright ran from a Maize police officer during a traffic stop in the area of 53rd Street North and Maize Road after a brief scuffle with the officer, according to a social media report.
Several agencies assisted with the search for the suspect including the Wichita Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Highway Patrol. At this time, the suspect has not been located, but has been identified.
Wright was wearing a blue shirt and khaki shorts. He is wanted on misdemeanor warrants.
The Maize Police Department does not believe there is any threat to the community, but is asking residents to be vigilant and call 9-1-1 if they see Wright.
BARTON COUNTY – A Kansas man is facing a variety of possible charges after a wild accident on Tuesday in Great Bend.
A vehicle driven by James Drury, Larned was northbound in the 800 Block of Main Street in Great Bend and hit a man on a bicycle, according to Great Bend Police Lieutenant Scott Bieberle.
After hitting the telephone pole, tree, and truck, Drury put his vehicle in drive and started doing donuts in the middle of the road. The vehicle then traveled into a yard south of a liquor store.
The vehicle nearly hit another pedestrian before citizens in the area were able to get him to park the vehicle, according to Bieberle.
The bike rider had minor injuries including cuts on his left knee, scrapes on his stomach, a bump on his forehead, and scratched knuckles, according to Bieberle.
Police booked Drury into the Barton County jail for aggravated assault, accident involving injury and leaving the scene, driving while suspended, illegal tags, no insurance, and reckless driving. The charges came along with a $20,000 bond and are pending through the Barton County District Court.
SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged robbery and have captured 2 suspects.
On Saturday, police responded to the 3700 block of SW Topeka Boulevard in Topeka to speak with the victim of a robbery, according to a media release.
They discovered that sometime on Friday this female victim was taken to a hotel room and robbed. She was released sometime on Saturday morning.
Just after 3p.m. Saturday, the Topeka Police Department issued an alert for 2 suspects.
A 4:17 p.m. police arrested 32-year-old Tamarya Brooks
and 31-year-old Ryan E. Bettcher both reported as homeless. They were apprehended near 11th and California Street in Topeka, according to a media release.
Bettcher-photo courtesy Topeka Police
Police say they used a gun and large knives were in the crime.
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SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged robbery and looking for help to find two suspects.
On Saturday, police responded to the 3700 block of SW Topeka Boulevard in Topeka to speak with the victim of a robbery, according to a media release.
They discovered that sometime on Friday this female victim was taken to a hotel room and robbed. She was released sometime on Saturday morning.
The Topeka Police Department is currently looking for:
32-year-old Tamarya Brooks “Tam” is 5 foot 4inches tall and weighs approximately 155 pounds. She was last seen wearing a camouflage hoodie and pink shirt.
They are also looking for 31-year-old Ryan E. Bettcher. “Cuz” or “Saint” described as 6 foot 2 inches tall and weighs 240 pounds. He was last seen wearing a neon green hoodie, blue shirt and jeans.
These two should be considered armed and dangerous. A gun and large knives were
used in the commission of this crime. Both are said to be homeless at the time, and were seen leaving the area on foot. If seen please call 911 and do not approach. If you have information regarding the investigation please call 785-368-9551 Topeka Police ([email protected]) or call Crime Stoppers at #785-234-0007.
