KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas man has been ordered to spend nearly three decades in prison after admitting he killed a woman in a Missouri apartment where officers found three children cowering under a blanket.
Thirty-two-year-old Derrick Williams of Kansas City, Kansas, was sentenced Monday in Kansas City, Missouri, after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and three counts of armed criminal action.
Williams was sentenced to 28 years on the murder count and 15 years on each of the other charges, with the terms to run simultaneously.
Williams admitted he killed 32-year-old Denise Gayle in July of last year. Court records say officers responding to a report of gunfire and screams found a naked Williams outside the apartment. Gayle’s body was found in a bathroom.
WASHINGTON- Kansas Senator Jerry Moran confirmed on social media Monday evening he would not support the Senate health care bill.
Moran and Mike Lee of Utah say they will oppose the Republican health care bill, dealing a blow to GOP leaders’ hopes of repealing and replacing President Barack Obama’s legislation.
Dr. Ann Kristin Neuhaus -image courtesy Fox 4 Kansas City
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ medical board has for the third time revoked the license of a doctor whose second opinions allowed the late Dr. George Tiller to perform late-term abortions more than a decade ago.
The Board of Healing Arts acted against Dr. Ann Kristin Neuhaus again over what it concluded were inadequate records for 11 patients aged 10 to 18 who sought abortions in 2003. Kansas law required a second doctor to say continuing a pregnancy would permanently harm a patient’s physical or mental health.
The board’s order earlier this month said poor record-keeping could jeopardize patients’ future care.
The board revoked the Nortonville doctor’s license in 2012 and again in 2015. Each time, a Shawnee County judge overturned its action and ordered the board to reconsider.
The national weekly drilling rig count was essentially unchanged, but the counts in Kansas are up 15%. Baker Hughes reported 952 active drilling rigs as of Friday, up two oil rigs, but down two gas rigs. Canada’s totals were up 16 to 191 active rigs. Independent Oil & Gas Service reports 14 active rigs in eastern Kansas, up one, and 24 west of Wichita, up four for the week. Statewide, there were two fewer inactive rigs (156), compared to 173 inactive rigs a year ago. They’re moving in completion tools at two sites in Barton County and one in Ellis County.
Independent Oil & Gas Service reported 25 well completions last week; none of them were dry holes. There were 17 completions east of Wichita and eight in western Kansas.
There were 28 new permits filed for drilling at new locations across Kansas last week, 18 east of Wichita and ten in western Kansas, including one new permit in Russell County.
The final monthly totals for June from Independent Oil and Gas Service are not far off what we reported after the last weekly report in June. 100 completions for the month statewide, 661 so far this year. There were four new completions in Barton County last month, four in Ellis County, four in Russell County and three in Stafford County.
There were 116 new drilling permits filed last month, 718 so far this year. There were four new permits filed in Barton County last month, three in Ellis County, one in Russell County and one in Stafford County.
The new “Red Book” from Independent Oil & Gas Service is now available. This is the 23rd edition of the most widely used petroleum directory in the state, including listings for over 4,300 individuals and business in the oil and gas industry in Kansas. Find out more at their Web site at www.iogsi.com. Among the information in the 2017 Red Book is the new list of “most active” operators. They are Merit Energy, Palomino Petroleum, American Warrior, R J Energy, Murfin Drilling, Berexco, Colt Energy, Cobalt Energy, American Oil and Mai Oil Operations.
Federal regulators have conditionally approved exploratory drilling in Alaska’s Beaufort Sea by a subsidiary of an Italian multinational oil and gas company. The conditions include obtaining permits to drill from Alaska and other federal agencies. Eni US Operating Co. plans to drill four exploration wells from Spy Island, an artificial gravel island in state waters, starting in December. Eni’s plan calls for extended-reach wells that could stretch more than 6 miles into federal waters.
Prosecutors have dropped charges filed against a drone operator accused of stalking private security workers at the Dakota Access oil pipeline. Myron Dewey was scheduled for trial Wednesday on a misdemeanor stalking charge. Morton County sheriff’s officials said Dewey tried to capture the faces and license plates of two people working for Leighton Security last October in an attempt to post their identities online. Dewey says he was trying to capture the pipeline company working illegally. The Bismarck Tribune reports prosecutors dropped the charge Monday after a judge ruled the state did not provide enough evidence that the drone was seized legally.
Several small operators in West Texas told the Houston Chronicle they face increasing pressure from rising oil field service costs, in part because the downturn wiped out some of the service companies and allowed rivals to raise prices. With oil prices falling again, some are rethinking their expansion plans for the year, which were set at a time when oil prices were higher. It’s full speed ahead for some larger producers, who were able to lock in higher prices for future output earlier this year. One energy analyst says the industry is on track to approve twice as many major projects than last year. Wood Mackenzie said lower costs for big producers are enabling them to expand existing oil fields. The firm says oil companies could start up 11 projects over the next six months, after launching 15 in the first half of the year, with some 8 billion barrels of oil equivalent in reserves.
Some oil firms could face increased credit rating downgrades if crude prices stayed below $50 a barrel on average until the end of next year, and the companies don’t compensate by cutting costs. S&P Global currently has downgrade warnings on ExxonMobil, Chevron and Total. Oil majors’ debt levels totaled $300 billion in 2014, up from just under $200 billion in 2009 according to S&P.
Saudi Arabia will cut crude oil shipments to its own customers in August by more than 600,000 barrels per day to balance a rise in the kingdom’s domestic consumption during the summer. Reuters reports that in order to meet its OPEC quota and meet its domestic demand during summer, Saudi Arabia has made big cuts in international allocations for the month of August.
Devon Energy is touting a huge new strike in Oklahoma’s STACK play. The Daily Oklahoman reports the company is using a new design for well completion. One well in Kingfisher County reached an initial 24-hour production peak of 6,000 barrels per day. That’s huge even by Oklahoma standards, with recent production reports coming in several thousand barrels per day less. The well is expected to recover more than 2 million barrels of oil equivalent over its life.
POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on murder and burglary charges.
Just before 9:30 a.m. Saturday the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office received a transferred “911” call from the Riley County Police Department in reference to a burglary in progress, according to a media release.
The caller was in 8400 block of Junietta Road Manhattan, Pottawatomie County, Kansas and reported that a black male suspect in his late 20′ to early 30’s had entered their residence. While inside the residence, encountered the caller and threaten to harm the caller.
The victim reported that the suspect had left the residence driving a green four door Ford car with the trunk tied down with a rope.
While the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office was meeting with the victim, at 9:50 a.m., an additional “911” call came in from the 4100 block of Taneil Road Manhattan, Pottawatomie County, Kansas.
The caller stated that they witnessed a male driving a green Ford Crown Victoria with a tied down trunk that had pulled up in front of their neighbor’s residence. The male driver entered the neighbor’s residence through a broken part of the garage door. Deputies from the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office and Officer’s from the Riley County Police Department responded to Taneil Road, found the male suspect identified as Devon Davis, 28, Manhattan, inside the residence, and took him into custody without incident.
He is being held for attempted 2nd murder, aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, criminal threat, criminal damage to property and criminal trespass. Bond was set at $250,000. Davis has previous drug convictions in Riley County, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Royals have reinstated reliever Neftali Feliz from the paternity list and optioned right-hander Miguel Almonte to Triple-A Omaha during a series of roster moves before Monday night’s game against the Tigers.
Feliz has a 2.57 ERA in seven appearances. Almonte did not pitch during his most recent stint.
Kansas City also recalled outfielder Billy Burns from the Storm Chasers and optioned Jorge Soler to the same club. The move gives the Royals a speedy pinch runner while providing Soler, who was acquired in an offseason trade for All-Star closer Wade Davis, with regular at-bats in the minors.
Meanwhile, Cheslor Cuthbert was sent to Omaha to begin a rehab assignment. The versatile infielder has been on the disabled list since June 26 with a sprained left wrist.
LINDSBORG -Bethany College issued a statement Monday that the board of directors of the Higher Learning Commission removed the school’s probation and reaffirmed the college’s accreditation.
“…This outcome is the successful culmination of two years of diligent, smart work to correct areas of the college that were cited as out of compliance by the HLC in 2015,” President William Jones said. “It was a very challenging time and God was merciful. The great work done by our faculty, staff, administration, and board of directors turned the college around. Thanks to our campus team and the strong support of our alumni and friends, Bethany College will become a celebrated institution in the Midwest and in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.”
According to a media release., the HLC board of directors made its decision at its June 29 meeting. The official letter from the HLC stated that the college was removed from the sanction of probation and placed the college on the “Standard Pathway.”
“Bethany College demonstrated what can be done when a campus and community come together,” Board Chair Corey Peterson said. “Thousands of hours of work were put in by faculty and staff to accomplish this, all while never losing focus on providing an excellent experience for students. The dedication and resolve shown by faculty and staff and the commitment of the Smoky Valley, alumni and friends is another example of what makes Bethany College a special place. With the leadership and campus team in place, you can be assured we will not let off the gas. I am confident the future is bright at ‘Dear Ol’ Bethany’.”
The HLC board of directors confirmed the recommendations of the comprehensive evaluation visit team that visited campus in February and of the Institutional Actions Council (IAC), both of which called for the removal of probation and reaffirmation of accreditation. The college was placed on probation in June 2015 for not meeting compliance criterion relating to finances and operational processes. The college remained fully accredited while on probation.
“KICA (Kansas Independent College Association) congratulates Bethany College on the announcement that the Higher Learning Commission has removed the institution from probation status,” Matt Lindsey, president of KICA, said. “This took extreme dedication and diligent attention to detail by the entire Bethany College community and the city of Lindsborg, demonstrating once again the strength and purpose and leadership that one can find at small independent colleges in Kansas.”
To comply with the HLC findings in 2015, the college prepared a comprehensive self-evaluation showing evidence of accreditation compliance and how it planned to resolve the HLC’s concerns. This report and hundreds of pieces of evidence were the basis for the evaluation visit team’s study of the college in February. The evaluation visit team’s report recommended removal of probation, which was confirmed in April by the IAC. The IAC reviewed the report and heard testimony from the evaluation visit team leader and from members of the college, including President Jones, Board Chair Peterson, Provost Bob Carlson, and Vice President of Finance Jean Hall.
“The entire faculty and staff worked on the self-evaluation in one way or another,” Provost Carlson said. “Certainly the team leaders that prepared the information for each of the criterion must be commended and Professor John Mullen who led the entire team and oversaw the writing of the report was instrumental in this positive outcome.”
In the evaluation visit team’s report, it commended the college, saying, “Bethany College has demonstrated that it is truly a learning organization by responding to the issues that placed it on probation. Business functions have been greatly improved, and a commitment to operating within its means now prevails.”
Bethany’s recent audit report confirmed what the evaluation visit team reported. The audit report, presented to the college board of directors in February, showed a positive balance for the first time in eight years with a total change of net operating assets from nearly $5.5 million loss in fiscal year 2015 to a positive of more than $77,000 in fiscal year 2016.
The college recently celebrated the success of a two-year fundraising campaign that raised more than $4 million in unrestricted support. In addition, alumni participation in giving increased by four percentage points.
The evaluation visit team also recognized the strong college and community relationship in its report to the HLC. “The Lindsborg community has rekindled its affection for Bethany College, and the partnerships that have existed and those that are now being formed together demonstrate the institution’s commitment to the common good as well as its commitment to serving its external constituencies.” The report also stated, “A sense of renewal and hope with the new president and the collective charge forward is palpable across the campus and Lindsborg community.”
A five-year strategic plan developed through faculty, staff, student, board, and community input was recently unanimously approved by the Bethany board of directors. This plan illustrates how the college and community are working well together and making plans for a shared future. The plan sets out a vision for the college that looks specifically at strategies to address advancing the academic program, strengthening and establishing distinctive offerings, bolstering the college’s market position, creating robust resource development, and ensuring prudent financial management.
“The strategic plan will serve as the guiding document for all of the college’s annual division planning,” President Jones said. “It will be important for all of us on campus to use this as a guide in our individual planning while being open to new possibilities and able to address new challenges.”
President Jones concluded his remarks on the joyful news by stating, “I expect even more students from our local area and beyond will now want the kind of transformational learning and living experience that we offer. It’s a great day to be a Swede!”
TOPEKA–Gov. Sam Brownback, along with the Kansas Geological Survey, will present new data regarding the life of the Ogallala Aquifer during two meetings in western Kansas Tuesday, July 18.
The Governor’s Water Tour will highlight new data regarding the life of the Ogallala Aquifer, first-hand accounts of progress made toward water conservation and management activities, irrigation and soil moisture technology directing water use decisions, and the impact of water conservation in farm-level and regional economics.
Also participating in the tour will be the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Water Office, and various local leaders.
WHEN/WHERE:
Tuesday, July 18
11:00 a.m., Hoxie Feedyard, Inc.
3522 N Road 70 West
Hoxie, Kansas
2:15 p.m., American Implement
2611 West Jones Avenue
Garden City, Kansas
Native Kansan Karen Madorin is a local writer and retired teacher who loves sharing stories about places, people, critters, plants, food, and history of the High Plains.
Articles and activities celebrating the 150 anniversary of Hancock’s War and the development of both Ft. Hays and Hays City have dominated the media.
Those living in temperature controlled homes and driving vehicles down paved roads and highways easily forget what this region was like 1800 months ago. If you want to peek at prairie life then, read letters Dr. Theophilus H. Turner sent from Fort Wallace in 1867. To do so, link to Kenneth Almy’s journal article, Autumn 1987 Kansas History https://kshs.org/publicat/history/1987autumn_almy.pdf.
Dr. Turner was an easterner who served as a medical doctor during the Civil War. After mustering out in 1865, Theophilus re-enlisted in the army and found himself stationed on the frontier at Ft. Wallace, which is near Kansas/Colorado border. Little except the cemetery of that fort still exists, but pictures and drawings reveal a hospital, officers’ quarters, stables, supply, and administrative buildings. It was likely the most developed community on the plains between Fort Hays and Denver.
Dr. Turner, or Thof as family and friends knew him, relished life on the prairie. He enjoyed hunting and wrote that he’d hunted buffalo, ducks, and geese soon after his arrival. His early education prepared him to observe life beyond civilization. He remarks on the differences between white and native hunting practices. He remarks on the white’s wastefulness. In a letter to his brother, he explains three Indians spent the night with him and other officers in their quarters. He notes his guests were mystified by photographs, especially of people staying in the barracks with them. He commented, “a photography establishment among them would be a paying institution.”
Not only did he enjoy hunting and studying native culture, local geology intrigued him. Despite bad weather and Indian danger, Thof and Scout William Comstock rode over the country, noting landscape features and discovering marine fossils. One of these finds near nearby McCallaster Butte in what is now Logan County later fueled heated public disagreements between famed paleontologists. E.D. Cope and O.C. Marsh.
Dr. Cope determined that Thof’s dragon, the 40-foot sea creature Turner and Comstock recovered, was an Elasmosaurus platyurus. When he assembled bones Turner found north of Ft. Wallace and sent to him, he mistakenly determined this was a long-tailed, short-necked creature. Marsh, his competitive colleague, corrected him, which led to the virulent disputes that constituted the infamous Bone Wars.
Unfortunately, Theophilus’s life ended soon after he retrieved and shared his ancient sea creature. He died at Ft. Wallace of acute gastritis in 1869. Before his death, he and Dr. Cope corresponded frequently. Fortunately, someone discovered those long missing letters as well as the ones Turner wrote to his family in time to enhance the Academy of Natural Sciences 1986 Discovering Dinosaurs Exhibit.
Currently, a group of local historians is filming a documentary about Dr. Turner and his life at Fort Wallace. Interested readers can keep up with their progress on the Facebook page, Thof’s Dragon. It weaves history and science from the past into the present, forming part of the tapestry we call Kansas.
