JUNCTION CITY, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a man has died after he was found in a Kansas apartment where a fire was intentionally set.
KSNT-TV reports that 37-year-old Derrick Anthony Williams was found Monday while crews were putting out the fire in the ground floor apartment in Junction City. The fire department said in a news release that Williams was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
His cause of death wasn’t immediately known, pending an autopsy.
The fire damage was limited to the one apartment, where officials have determined the blaze was intentionally set in the kitchen. Some surrounding apartment units had smoke damage.
Authorities aren’t seeking any suspects, and no suspects are believed to be at large. The estimated amount of damage is $20,000.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, R-Kan., issued the following statement regarding the Senate’s action today on healthcare:
“For years, I have been committed to repealing and replacing Obamacare. As I’ve said, I will vote to proceed to and pass a bill that fully repeals Obamacare, puts a two-year expiration date on the damaging law and will allow for the full legislative process I have repeatedly called for – involving all 100 senators – to craft a replacement. I will work with my colleagues to develop healthcare policy that will provide greater personal choice, protections for pre-existing conditions, increased access and lower overall costs for Kansans.
“I will continue, however, to strongly oppose the BCRA. This bill missed the mark for Kansans, failed to adequately repeal Obamacare and did not address the rising costs of healthcare. Healthcare is too important to Kansans, our families and future generations of Americans to get wrong.”
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Response of the Kansas Democratic Party:
The following statement is attributed to Kansas Democratic Party Chairman John Gibson, regarding Senator Jerry Moran’s vote on the Senate’s Motion to Proceed:
“Earlier this month hundreds of Kansas gathered in townhalls across the state to tell Senator Moran how disastrous it would be for their families if he voted to repeal Obamacare.
“His decision to vote for a mysterious and reckless plan makes it clear — he has placed the partisan fights of Washington D.C. over the needs of Kansas families.”
The head of the union that represents state workers in Kansas has filed a formal grievance about working conditions at the El Dorado Correctional Facility. COURTESY KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Staffing shortages at the El Dorado Correctional Facility are creating unsafe working conditions, according to the head of the union that represents state workers.
Robert Choromanski, executive director of the Kansas Organization of State Employees, has filed a formal grievance with Secretary of Corrections Joe Norwood, alleging that prison officials are “coercing” guards to work a weekly 16-hour shift to ensure adequate staffing.
“They (prison officials) are doing it behind the scenes,” Choromanski said. “The majors, captains, lieutenants and sergeants are all pressuring the line officers to work those extra four hours.”
Guards at the facility, which houses medium- and maximum-security prisoners, were required to go from eight- to 12-hour shifts earlier this month in an effort to beef up security after a June 29 disturbance when inmates briefly controlled portions of the prison.
That was permissible under the union’s bargaining agreement with the Kansas Department of Corrections, but 16-hour shifts are not except in emergency situations, Choromanski said.
Currently, 73 of the prison’s 360 positions for uniformed correctional officers are vacant, said Todd Fertig, a spokesman for the Department of Corrections. In addition, seven of the facility’s 125 non-uniformed security positions are unfilled.
In recent weeks, the department has stepped up its recruiting efforts, mailing flyers to virtually every household in Butler County, where the prison is located.
Poor working conditions, low pay and the need for more protective equipment, such as vests that protect guards from stabbings, top the reasons for high staff turnover and vacancy rates, Choromanski said.
“They are worried about going to work,” he said of his members. “They’re worried about their safety.”
The Wichita Eagle reported Monday that the number of disciplinary cases against inmates has increased sharply in recent months. As of mid-July, there were more than 2,400 cases. In 2016, 2,841 were reported for the entire year. The rise in disciplinary actions coincided with an increase in the inmate population.
To compensate for staff shortages, prison officials emptied one cell house by transferring inmates to other facilities across the state, Fertig said in an email Monday.
“The professionalism of the EDCF staff and their practice of sound correctional procedures ensures that the facility operates in a manner that is safe and secure for both employees and offenders,” he said.
To gather more information, Choromanski has scheduled two days of meetings this week at the prison. However, because the room he was assigned is in the prison’s administrative offices, Choromanski is concerned that some employees may be reluctant to show up.
So he is also hosting an after-hours session at an El Dorado bar frequented by prison workers.
“They can show up there and talk to me one-on-one if they don’t want to do it at the facility,” he said.
Several lawmakers have said they would support a substantial pay raise for corrections workers in next year’s budget.
In the fiscal year that ended June 30, the state spent $5.1 million on overtime pay for prison workers, according to the Eagle, above the $3.2 million that had been budgeted.
Jim McLean is managing director of the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of kcur.org, Kansas Public Radio and KMUW covering health, education and politics. You can reach him on Twitter @jmcleanks.
On Wednesday, July 26th, at 6:30 p.m., in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall, 1507 Main, Mayor Shaun Musil and the Hays City Commission will recognize a lifeguard of the Hays Aquatic Park for having saved a child’s life during a recent incident that occurred.
ELLIS — In October 2014, Gilbert Kinderknecht, owner of Arthur’s Pizza and Mexican Foods was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and then, nine days later, he was told he had cancer. For three years, Gilbert and his wife, Cheryl, have been working six days a week and battling these diseases.
After much consideration, due to health reasons, Gilbert and Cheryl have concluded it is necessary to reduce the days of operation at Arthur’s Pizza and Mexican Foods in Ellis. Beginning Aug. 1, Arthur’s will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They will be open Sunday, Monday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“This is only the second major change in hours in our 20 years of ownership,” Cheryl said. “The necessity to reduce work hours for Gilbert is our No. 1 priority. This battle is taking a toll on us mentally and especially physically. Currently, Gilbert’s cancer is in remission and the Parkinson’s is being controlled with medication.”
“We enjoy being an active part of the Ellis community. We like working with the schools, the library, the rec, DARE program and other organizations,” Gilbert said. “That is why we decided to simply reduce our days of operation.”
Arthur’s hired several people in an attempt to reduce Gilbert’s hours in the morning but the product quality suffered greatly.
“By reducing our work days to five, the quality of our made from scratch dough will remain high since Gilbert will be able to continue making it each morning,” said Cheryl said. “And the extra day of rest will help Gilbert’s health tremendously.”
Arthur’s support and participation in Ellis events will remain strong. Contact Arthur’s if you wish to do a fundraising event, want to schedule a demonstration day or a tour. If you simply need a location for a gathering on Tuesdays or Wednesdays that can be arranged through Arthur’s Event Catering at 785-656-0541.
Mary Poppins – The Broadway Musical
July 27th – 29th, 2017 @ 7pm
Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center
600 Park Street
Hays, KS 67601
Everyone’s favorite practically perfect nanny takes the stage in this Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical adventure!
Adults – $15 + Fees
Children (12 & Under) – $10 + Fees
Please note that if you want to choose specific seats, you must purchase them from a computer internet browser. If you are using a mobile device to purchase tickets, the seats will be assigned by “best available” in each section.
“MARY POPPINS is presented by the Hays Community Theatre through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, www.MTIShows.com.
VICTORIA–35th annual Herzogfest is Aug. 4 and 5 in Victoria.
Friday, August 4, 2017
Please note that the schedule and sponsors are subject to change
5:00 pm – Grounds & Vendors Open
5:00 pm – Fun Cycles & Banana Bikes
5:00 pm – FREE Swimming / Games
6:00 pm – Welcome Ceremony
7:00 pm – Blake Ruder
9:00 pm – Home Brew
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Please note that the schedule and sponsors are subject to change
8:00 am – 5K Run/Walk
(sponsored by Nex-Tech)
8:00 am – 10:00 am – Breakfast (VHS Volleyball Team)
8:00 am – 1:00 pm – Market Vendors: 6th & Main to 7th & Main
8:00 am – 2:30 pm Herzogfest 8th Annual Rod, Custom, and Cycle Show
(sponsored by Weber Body Shop)
9:00 am – 3 on 3 Basketball, Soccer, & Tennis (Registration 8:30) Location: West of Victoria Elementary School (Sponsored by D & L Body Shop)
10:00 am – Food Vendors Open
10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Free Cancer Screening Location: Tent on West side of Market Vendors (Sponsored by Ronald J. Wasinger Melanoma Research Fund, Midwest Cancer Alliance & University of KS Cancer Center)
10:00 am – Knockerball
11:00 am – Horseshoes
10:30 am – Inflatables
(sponsored by Grand Rental Station)
11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Free Swimming (sponsored by Hays Medical Center)
12:30 pm – Free Bingo at Victoria VFW Hall, transportation will be provided
Total of $500 will be given out
(sponsored by Predator Pipe Testing)
1:00 pm – Eagle Med Helicopter
2:30 pm – Awards for Rod, Custom, & Cycle Show
4:00 pm – Polka Mass
5:00 pm – Fun Cycles & Banana Bikes
5:00 pm – Wes Windholz Band
7:00 pm – Pinochle at St. Fidelis Thrift Shop (former K of C Hall)
7:00 pm – Kill Creek Rising
9:30 pm – Lucas Maddy & The Kansas Cartel
All entertainment is FREE! Food available for purchase. Tournaments and some special events have entry fees.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) is strengthening its efforts to combat welfare benefits fraud by offering an online submission form to report suspected incidents of fraud. The online form was made available to the public this week.
The DCF Anti-fraud Unit works to aggressively investigate, detect, prevent and prosecute welfare recipient fraud in all public assistance programs administered by DCF, including cash assistance, food assistance, child care assistance and utility assistance.
The fraud referral submission form is housed on the DCF website, and it’s expected that this new online tool will contribute to the increased detection and prevention of benefits theft. The detection, deterrence and prevention of welfare fraud saves taxpayer dollars that would otherwise be wrongfully received by individuals who are not entitled to receive assistance.
“Offering the public multiple, convenient ways to report fraud will encourage Kansans to share that information for investigation,” Secretary Gilmore said. “These are scarce public resources, and our job is to ensure the integrity of the program, so these safety net services are available for those who truly qualify to receive them.”
In State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2014, the Anti-fraud Unit obtained more than 316 fraud judgments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program. These DCF fraud findings resulted in more than $1.3 million dollars being returned to the State. Additionally, in the same fiscal year, more than 79 fraud judgments were confirmed in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program as well, totaling more than $200,000 in fraud findings.
In Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2014, Kansas ranked second in the nation in the number of SNAP judgments obtained. Then again in FFY 2015, Kansas ranked third nationwide in the number of SNAP judgments. FFY 2016 and FFY 2017 rankings are not currently available.
DCF’s Anti-fraud Unit consists of four human service consultants, 11 regional attorneys and 16 special investigators.
“I am proud of the work the Anti-fraud Unit has done and am appreciative that we are continuing to strengthen their efforts,” Secretary Gilmore said. “The work they do is so important because taxpayers deserve to know their hard-earned money is benefiting families in need, not criminals.”
Those who suspect benefits fraud are encouraged to fill out the “Fraud Report Form” online at www.dcf.ks.gov. You can also call 800-432-3913.
Hays city commissioners will be presented Thursday with addendums to the 2016-2018 Memorandums of Agreement with the three city employee unions which would provide a four percent pay increase in 2018 for members:
FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) Lodge 48 Inc.–44 employees; Police officers and Emergency Dispatch officers
SEIU (Service Employees International Union) Local 513, AFL-CIO 2119–53 employees from Parks, Public Works and Water Resources
IAFF (International Association of Firefighters) Local 2119–18 employees; Firefighters
City Manager Toby Dougherty explains who each union represents and their relationship with the city.
“Several decades ago the city of Hays chose to go under the series of statues called the Kansas Public Employee/Employer Relations Act (PEERA) which governs the relationship between the city and the unions,” Dougherty said. “That act outlines what can and cannot be in employee contracts, the meet and confer process, and processes to deal with any disputes or discrepancies that arise from interpreting the contract.”
The city has a three year contract with each of the three employee unions and is in year two of the 2016-2018 contract.
Salaried personnel are not union members. Some clerical personnel and some personnel who deal with confidential information do not belong to the unions.
“It’s a pretty narrow scope of who’s eligible for unions,” Dougherty explained.
The city of Hays currently has 181 full-time employees. Of those, 115 are union members.
During negotiations, the city is represented by Human Resources Director Erin Giebler, lead negotiator Todd Powell of the city attorney’s office and Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood. Individual department heads are also part of the city’s meet and confer team.
“In any given year in the contracts, the wage and benefits section can be opened and all three unions exercised that opening this year. We participated in meet and confer sessions with each union and we came to an agreement essentially to amend that section of the contract,” said Dougherty. “The amendment will contractually provide a four percent wage increase to covered employees.”
City commissioners will consider the union amendment during their July 27 meeting.
The 2018 draft budget includes a four percent pay hike for all city employees.
