GEARY COUNTY – A Kansas man was injured in an accident just after 10a.m. Tuesday in Geary County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Harley Davidson FLHRI Road King driven by Zachary E. Anderson, 28, Dwight, was northbound on Kansas 57 eight miles north of Junction City.
The motorcycle hit a turkey in the road, entered the east ditch and the driver was ejected.
Anderson was transported to a hospital in Topeka.
He was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
WILSON–Still no determination on the cause of Sunday afternoon’s fire in Wilson which destroyed an abandoned mill, according to a news release late Tuesday morning from Wilson City Clerk Susan R. Kriley.
The complete news release is below.
From the City of Wilson, KS
Wilson Fire Department responded to a fire at the old mill located at 720 26th Street in Wilson, KS on May 7, 2017 at 2:15 p.m.
The cause is undetermined. The incident is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal and the Wilson Police Department.
Responding fire departments were: Wilson, Bunker Hill, Dorrance, Ellsworth, Holyrood, and Russell City with assistance from: Ellsworth County Dispatch, Ellsworth County Emergency Management, Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, and Kansas Wildlife and Parks.
Eugene “Gene” French, passed away May 8 at the VA Hospital in Grand Island, NE at the age of 95. He was born August 18, 1921 in Phillips County, KS, the son of Leo and Gladys (Witham) French.
Survivors include his daughters, Joyce Fix & Margene Taylor of Grand Island, NE; 6 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren & 2 great great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 12 at 11:00 a.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery with military honors by the Ft. Riley Honor Guard.
Visitation will be from 9:00 to 9:00 Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials have been established to the Agra American Legion.
SEDGWICK COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal accident just after 6a.m. Tuesday in Sedgwick County.
An unidentified man in a pickup was southbound in the 600 Block of north Rock Road in Wichita, according to Sgt. Nikki Woodrow during Tuesday’s police briefing.
The vehicle crossed over to the opposite lanes of traffic, left the road and hit a tree.
The driver was the only occupant of the pickup. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Woodrow.
Name of the victim was not released.
Weekly Overview
This was the legislature’s first week back in session after First Adjournment. We voted on numerous Conference Committee Reports, wrapping up most of our non-tax, budget, or education-related work. Senator Richard Hilderbrand, Baxter Springs, was sworn into the Kansas Senate representing southeast Kansas Senate District 13.
Senate Floor Action
KANSAS CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT – SB 201 amends the Kansas Consumer Protection Act adding members of the military to the definition of “protected consumer” found in the Act. Currently, law includes veterans, surviving spouses of veterans, and immediate family members of members of the military, but does not specifically include current members of the military.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORTS
IGNITION INTERLOCK AND EXPUNGEMENTS – HB 2085 requires every person who has an ignition interlock device installed to complete the ignition interlock device program pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the Secretary of Revenue. An approved service provider would have to provide proof of completion to the Division of Vehicles before the person’s driving privileges would be fully reinstated.
PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ACT – House sub. for SB 101 would adjust law concerning protective orders, notification of a sexual assault examination of a minor child, infectious disease testing, and claims for compensation through the Crime Victims Compensation Board.
KPERS AND KANSAS POLICE AND FIREMAN – SB 205 makes numerous changes to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS or Retirement System) pertaining to participating service; Kansas Police and Firemen’s (KP&F) death benefits for certain surviving spouses; the Board of Regents Retirement Plan, as it relates to working after retirement; and the administration of KPERS.
CRIMES, CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, AND CUSTODIAL INTERROGATIONS – SB 112 creates the crime of aggravated domestic battery and will modify the crimes of domestic battery, possession of drug paraphernalia, burglary, cruelty to animals, and dog fighting. Further, it would amend provisions concerning illegal sentences, post-release supervision for persons convicted of sexually violent crimes, and expungement of arrest records. It also would enact the Law Enforcement Protection Act signed into law this week.
CRISIS INTERVENTION ACT – Senate Substitute for HB 2053 creates the Crisis Intervention Act (Act) and will amend law related to mental health to reflect the provisions of the Act.
PUBLIC RECORDS AND MEETINGS – HB 2301 modifies law related to public records and public meetings. One of these modifications includes amending law within the Kansas Code of Criminal Procedure relating to trial jurors. The bill would remove addresses of prospective jurors from the information included in the list of prospective jurors filed as a public record with the clerk of the court. The bill would also alter the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) with respect to closed or executive meetings. The bill would require any motion to recess for a closed or executive session to include a statement describing the subjects to be discussed during the closed or executive session and the justification for closing the meeting. Current law requires a statement of the justification for closing the meeting and the subjects to be discussed during the closed meeting. Unchanged in the bill would be the requirement the motion contain the time and place at which the open meeting will resume.
VEHICLE TITLE AND REGISTRATION FEES AND SEAT BELT SAFETY FUND –SB 89 makes modifications to law relating to the collection of certain vehicle title and registration fees and the remittance of such fees. The bill also would increase fines for certain seat belt violations and direct related moneys to the Seat Belt Safety Fund created by the bill.
National Police Week
This week, both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed SB 112, The Law Enforcement Protection Act, a bill strengthening protections for police officers and creating tougher sentences for individuals convicted of hate crimes toward police officers. This is a great piece of legislation that shows, concretely, our appreciation and respect for our law enforcement officials. This bill passed both chambers with large bipartisan support, and many of our Senators attended the bill’s signing ceremony in Governor Brownback’s office on Friday.
From the State Library – research help for everyone
Needing to do some research, but don’t know where to start? Wanting information on a topic from reliable, quality sources? The Explora database may be exactly what you’re looking for. Explora has a simple search bar, but searches multiple resources at once, giving you full text results. The articles can be saved, printed, or emailed. Explora has photos and videos along with hundreds of Topic Overviews – much like an encyclopedia. Plus, there are different age-appropriate versions of Explora, making it a great resource for all.
Explora General Research: https://kslib.info/explora
Explora for Kids: https://kslib.info/explorakids
Explora for Middle School Students: https://kslib.info/explorams
Explora for High School Students: https://kslib.info/explorahs
Thank You for Engaging
Thank you for all of your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. As always, I’ll keep you updated on the activities of the Senate while we continue through the last few weeks of the 2017 Legislative Session. I always encourage you to stay informed of the issues under consideration by the Kansas Legislature. Committee schedules, bills, and other information can be easily accessed through the legislature’s website at www.kslegislature.org. You are also able to ‘listen in live’ at this website. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. An email is the best at this point in the session.
Thank you for the honor of serving you!
Senator Elaine Bowers
Kansas State Capitol Building
Room 223-E
300 SW 10th St.
Topeka, KS 66612
[email protected]
(785) 296-7389
By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
A Hays man was sentenced to more than 12 years in jail Monday after pleading guilty to three counts of lewd fondling of a child earlier this year.
Edward Muarry Bussen, 61, pled guilty in March to lewd fondling or touching of a child under the age of 11 and two counts each of aggravated indecent liberties with a child — lewd, fondling or touching, under the age of 14.
Bussen was sentenced Monday in Ellis County District Court to 147 months in prison. He will also be required to register as a sex offender and be subject to post release supervision for life.
According to court documents, in December 2016 Bussen allegedly committed the acts on two children under the age of 14.
Here is what we know as of now:
The K-12 Education Budget Committee held three meetings last week. On Tuesday, the Committee heard from Revisor Jason Long on HB 2410. Long provided a copy of the bill updated with the Committee’s amendments. In addition, he described technical corrections that will need to be made to the bill. The Committee learned that the Legislative Post Audit Committee has approved two K-12 related audits on: Evaluating the Use of Assessed Valuation Per Pupil (AVPP) as the Basis for State Equalization Aid (requested by Rep. Campbell) and Reviewing the Accuracy of Free-Lunch Student Counts (requested by Rep. Landwehr).
On Wednesday, the Committee heard from Revisor of Statutes Gordon Self and Tax Committee Chairman Steven Johnson on the possibility of putting financing within HB 2410.Self discussed the two-subject prohibition and the importance of having a connection between the subject of the bill (education) and financing. Rep. Johnson provided documents regarding the fiscal notes on various tax law changes and components of tax law for Tax Year 2012, current law, Sub. for HB 2178, CCR for HB 2067, and CCR for SB 30.
On Thursday, the Committee heard from Jeff King, Legislative Counsel. King gave the Committee an overview of his analysis on HB 2410. King also focused on the Court’s objective for more resources to be targeted to the lowest performing quartile of students. He indicated that the amended bill has less targeted resources to at-risk students than the introduced bill. The Committee will continue to discuss the bill on Monday.
The Tax Committee, which I serve on, received a briefing on the Consensus Revenue Estimates from Chris Courtwright, KLRD, on Monday. He discussed the various components of the tax receipt estimates and predicted growth, along with more general information about the Kansas Economy. A long memo with much more detailed information will be provided by KLRD soon. Courtwright also provided a document comparing components for tax year 2012, current law, Sub. for HB 2178, and HB 2420.
On Tuesday, the Committee worked HB 2380, which would allow additional sales tax authority for Marion County for property tax relief, economic development, and infrastructure projects. The Committee recommended the bill favorably. The Committee also discussed the bill index (listing of all the bills in Committee) and provided feedback to the Chairman on those bill and various tax proposals. On Thursday, the Committee heard from JG Scott, KLRD, where the State General Fund profile was discussed.
Also, last week, the House Appropriations Committee began its discussion of the Omnibus Budget bill. This week, the Committee met on Tuesday to hear the Claims bill (Claims against the state), SB 109. The Committee was also provided follow-up information on items identified during the Omnibus discussion.
On Thursday, the Committee worked HB 2418, regarding creation of an on-site state employee health clinic, and HB 2419, regarding parameters for a Budget Stabilization Fund. The Committee passed out both favorably (with amendments on HB 2418).
On Friday, the Committee heard from Secretary Tim Keck, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. Keck provided additional details on the Osawatomie State Hospital and the security costs related to the Conceal Carry Plan of Action. The Committee learned that obtaining recertification brings the loss of federal funds from $1 million/month to $$600,000 loss/month. The Committee requested that Keck provide an action plan for Conceal Carry that plans for implementation on July 1, not the 10-month timeframe provided by the agency last week.
We will see what develops this week with these and any other issues which cannot wait until next year.
Congratulations to the area high school students who are ready to start the next page in their lives. I look forward to watching them spread their wings and take on the world.
Some ways to contact me: email is: [email protected]. My cell number is (785) 302-8416. You can also follow along with what is going on through social media: kenforkansas on Facebook, @kenrahjes on twitter or my website: kenforkansas.com.
It is an honor to serve as your representative.
Ken Rahjes, (R-Agra), is the 110th District State Representative.
Judith Ann Herbster of Falls City, Nebraska, passed away May 2, 2017 in Falls City. She was born April 2, 1955 in WaKeeney, Kansas to Robert E. Wagg and Doris A. (Armbruster Wagg) Peterson. Judy spent her childhood in Ogallah, Kansas.
Judy loved children, and was a daycare provider upon her 1973 graduation from Trego Community High School in Wakeeney, Kansas until she became a Conklin Company distributor in 1979. Little did she know, her decision to join Conklin would change her life forever.
Meeting her husband, Charles W. Herbster, through the company she already loved, on June 26, 1982, they were married at Christview Christian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
To say Judy was passionate about Conklin was an understatement. She was a champion of the business and paved the way for women in the company. Judy was the first woman President’s Club member in 1980; the first female Director in 1982; the first Conklin Director to develop 5 directors in one year; and the first lady to receive the “Director of the Year” Award in 1985. A role model for many, Judy became the first and only woman president of the Conklin company in its 48-year history. Seeing the potential in the corporation, Charles W. Herbster and Judy purchased the company in 1992. Soon after, she was appointed as President and Chief Operating Officer and served as such until her passing.
In addition to her involvement with Conklin, she worked hand in hand with Charles at their companies: Herbster Angus Farms, Inc. and Carico Farms, Inc., Falls City, Nebraska. All three operations are rooted deeply in agriculture, and Judy was dedicated and instrumental to their unparalleled success.
Judy said recently, “Live everyday with no regrets.” She put her heart into everything including cooking meals for the farm family, inspiring corporate excellence and caring for those in need. Judy was a dear friend and uplifting mentor who demanded perfection, pushed for greatness and jubilantly celebrated success. Judy’s legacy of hard-work, desire to serve and devotion to excellence will remain in the lives of every person she met. From her humble youth in WaKeeney to becoming the President and Chief Operating Officer of nearly a 100 million dollar company, she lived the American Dream!
Judy was a member of Bible Baptist Church at Lincoln, Nebraska and the American Angus Association.
Judy is survived by her husband, Charles W. Herbster of Falls City, parents, Robert E. Wagg of Falls City and Doris A. Peterson of Platte City, MO, a brother, Duane Wagg of Platte City, sisters, Sandy Schaben and her husband Jim of Columbus, NE, Anna Cooper and her husband Mark of Platte City, MO, Sherri Willgohs and her husband Dan of Liberty, MO, and 7 nieces and nephews and 10 great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister in infancy, Jeanne.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at 1:30 PM at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, N 64068, 1600 MO-291, Liberty, MO 64068.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 6-9:00 PM at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home, 2303 Harlan St., Falls City, NE 68355.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Judith A. Herbster Foundation which gives aid to hard-working students with financial need. Donations can be sent to: Herbster Angus Farms, PO Box 549, Falls City, Nebraska 68355.
Howard D. Dewald, 84, of Russell, Kansas, died on Monday, May 08, 2017, at the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell.
Services are pending at this time. Please check back later for funeral service date and time. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
Dolores “Dee” L. Howe, 83, of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, May 06, 2017, at the Main Street Manor of Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.
Dee was born on June 09, 1933, in Ashland, Kansas, the daughter of Howard L. and Doris (Fox) Burton. She lived for a short while in Ashland, Kansas, before moving to Wichita where she attended and graduated from the East High class of 1951. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Richard K. “Keith” Howe on February 14, 1955, at the Palm Beach Air Force Base in West Palm Beach, Florida. From this union Dee and Keith were blessed with two daughters, Cindy and Melanie. The family lived in a variety of locations due to Keith’s employment until making Wichita their home in the 1960s. Dee enjoyed her career as a legal secretary for many years, then as a full time homemaker, wife and mother to her family. Her and Keith moved to Russell in 1991, to be closer to their daughters. She enjoyed watching old classic black and white movies, reading and collecting books, word puzzles, New Mexico, and art by Georgia O’Keefe and Robert Carver. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving family include her husband Keith of the home, and daughters Cindy Smith & husband Harry of Hot Springs Village, AR and Melanie Hamel and husband Mark of Russell; 5 grandchildren, Chris Winkler and wife Aubrae and family of Inola, OK, Ashley Simmons and husband Troy and family of Goddard, KS, Karie Florian of Salina, KS, Drew Hamel and wife Erika and family of Russell, KS and Taylor Hamel and fiance Nick Williams of Garden City, KS and 8 great grandchildren, Andrew Florian and Alexa Florian of Hays, KS, Olivia, Sophia and Boston Winkler of Inola, OK, Hunter and Brooke Simmons of Goddard, KS and Grace Hamel of Russell, KS.
She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father Wright Myers and sister Joan Myers.
A memorial service to celebrate Dee’s life will be held at 1 P.M. on Friday, May 19, 2017, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Henry Hartman officiating. The family has selected cremation, so there will be no public viewing. Family will be greeting guests from 11 P.M. to 1 P.M. the day of the service at the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
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MCPHERSON COUNTY – Family and friends of a Kansas boy who died in a tragic farm accident have established a fund-raising site to help pay for funeral expenses.
Nine-year-old Cayden Avery was riding on a tractor with his father Friday as they did some mowing near Inman, according to Captain Doug Anderson with the McPherson County Sheriff’s Department.
Cayden fell and was hit by the mower.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Anderson.
Cayden attended school in Buhler.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Two more people have filed to run in the Nov. 7 general election in Ellis County.
Ryan Lichter, Victoria, is seeking a seat on the Victoria City Council. Lance Bickle, Hays, a current Hays USD 489 school board member, is running for another term.
Hays city commission incumbents Shaun Musil and Sandy Jacobs filed for re-election in late April.
All candidate filings must now be made in Kansas county clerks’ offices.
“The deadline is Thu., June 1 at noon and all local filings have to be taken in the Ellis County Clerk’s Office at 718 Main,” advised Ellis County Clerk and Election Officer Donna Maskus.
“In the past they were able to go to their city offices but that law was changed last year and all filing fees went to $20,” she added. Candidates may also file at no cost with a petition signed by qualified voters.
Open seats in Ellis County are as follows.
CITY
ELLIS–Mayor, Treasurer, 3 council seats
HAYS–3 city commission seats (top 2 vote-getters elected to four-year terms; third highest vote-getter receives two-year term)
SCHOENCHEN–Mayor, 5 council seats
VICTORIA--Mayor, 3 council seats
SCHOOL DISTRICTS
ELLIS USD 388–3 seats
VICTORIA USD 432–3 seats
HAYS USD 489–3 seats
A Tue., Aug. 1 primary election would be triggered if there is one candidate more than double the number of open seats in any race. Voter books for the primary election will close Tue., July 11.
The final day to register to vote is Tue., Oct 17 for the Tue., Nov. 7 election.
This year for the first time in Ellis County, residents will also have the opportunity to vote for Ellis County Extension Council members.
“It’s the newly formed Cottonwood Extension District #17,” Maskus said, “a joint district with Ellis and Barton counties.”
There will be two extension council positions voted on in the November general election.
Extension council candidates will still file in the Ellis County Clerk’s office although they have an extended deadline of noon Fri., Sept. 1. “Since they’re only on the November ballot, the filing deadline is different,” Maskus explained.
The filing deadline is also Sept. 1 for residents in four Improvement Districts, again because they are only on the November ballot.
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
BIG CREEK
PRAIRIE ACRES
MUNJOR
SUBURBAN ESTATES
The names of candidates filing for office are available on the Ellis County website, www.ellisco.net, along with other information about the upcoming elections. If you have any questions, call the county clerk office at (785) 628-9410.
