Click below to listen to Tiger Talk with the “Voice of the Tigers” Gerard Wellbrock and Fort Hays State women’s basketball coach Tony Hobson and men’s coach Mark Johnson.
Tiger Talk airs on Monday evening at 6 p.m. on Tiger Radio Mix-103.
Month: January 2018
Royals send DH Moss, Buchter to A’s for Hahn, Fillmyer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Royals acquired right-handers Jesse Hahn and Heath Fillmyer from the Oakland A’s on Monday for left-hander Ryan Buchter, designated hitter Brandon Moss and cash considerations.
Moss was owed $8.25 million for the upcoming season, and the Royals sent $3.25 million to Oakland as part of the deal. That equates to a savings of about $5 million that the Royals, who have been trying to trim payroll, could use to sign free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer to a long-term deal.
Moss hit .207 with 22 homers and 50 RBIs for the Royals last season.
Hahn went 3-6 with a 5.30 ERA in 13 starts for Oakland last season, and is expected to compete for a spot in Kansas City’s rotation. Fillmyer went 11-5 with a 3.49 ERA at Double-A Midland.
From the Dome to Home: Jan. 29
January 29, 2018
Appropriations Committee
Last Tuesday, the House Appropriations Committee heard from Alan Conroy, Executive Director the of Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. He provided an update on: 2016 valuation; pension obligation bonds; funding projections; and reamortization.
On Wednesday, the committee received an economic forecast from Michael Austin, Department of Revenue. He noted that Kansans are optimistic, shown through increased growth in the retail and leisure industries. The housing market is also showing positive results in residential building permits, and home prices. Lastly, Kansas’ consumption is growing at a robust pace.
On Thursday, the Committee received an update from Secretary Tim Keck, Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services, on the recertification effort at Osawatomie State Hospital. With the recertification of Osawatomie, the state may be able to recoup some funding from the federal government.
The Committee also received an update from Secretary Richard Carlson, Kansas Department of Transportation. His testimony included information about State Highway transfers, bonding, revenues, and details on the delayed modernization and expansion projects.
Lansing Correctional Facility
On Wednesday, the State Finance Council, which I am a member, approved a new plan for CoreCivic, to build a new prison at the Lansing Corrections Facility. This facility will be financed under a lease-purchase agreement, in which the state will lease and then own the facility after the 20-year lease. Through the projected reduction in staff of around 46 percent, the state will save enough money to pay the annual lease payments. The facility will be managed by CoreCivic, however, staff would be hired and managed by the United States Department of Corrections. During the 2017 session and interim, we had numerous meetings and deliberations regarding the construction of a new prison at Lansing.
Governor Brownback Confirmed By US Senate
This past July, President Donald Trump nominated Governor Sam Brownback to the Ambassador At Large for International Freedom position. After many months, the United States Senate confirmed Governor Brownback on Wednesday, January 24, 2018.
The following day, Governor Brownback issued a press release that he will be resigning as the Governor of Kansas effective January 31, 2018, at 3:00 PM. Brownback wrote in his resignation that “Wherever my new duties take me, my Kansas values and experience will always travel with me.”
Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer will then take the oath of office with a ceremony in the Kansas State Capitol. Colyer is currently in the 2018 gubernatorial race. Colyer’s plans are to visit his hometown of Hays, Kansas and then return to Topeka for the official proceedings. When the appointment for Brownback was announced, Colyer indicated a different style of governing by saying, “I’ll be working closely with the Legislature and a lot of folks. You’ll see a lot of energy and a little different approach.”
Contact Information
As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, visit www.troywaymaster.com or email me at [email protected]. Also, if you happen to visit the statehouse, please let my office know.
It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.
Kansas officer fired for violating policy in deadly shooting
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas police officer has been fired six months after fatally shooting a man, and prosecutors continue to review the case.
Leavenworth Police Chief Patrick Kitchens said in an email Monday that Officer Matthew Harrington was terminated Friday for violating the department’s use of deadly force policy. The release said Harrington responded in July to a domestic argument over possession of a sport utility vehicle that initially was reported as a stolen automobile.
The release says a man involved Antonio Garcia left before officer Harrington arrived, then returned and had an “encounter” with Harrington in the driveway.
Garcia was shot while in the SUV. No other details were provided about what led up to the shooting.
Harrington doesn’t have a listed phone number. The department doesn’t have union representation, and it wasn’t immediately known if Harrington had an attorney.
Leavenworth County prosecutor Todd Thompson said in a news release that his staff hopes to complete its review soon, noting that they’re awaiting requested information. The release noted that the criminal investigation is separate from the police inquiry.
“The standard for terminating an employee based on upon professional standards is also a much lower burden than the burden used to charge and/or convict someone of a crime,” the release said. “We have an ethical duty to do our best to fully vet a matter before we file charges on anyone.”
Gina Mays, who raised Garcia starting when he was a teen, told The Kansas City Star that Garcia “did not deserve to die” and that the family wanted to see body camera footage.
“We’re all hoping to see this,” Mays said. “I want answers like everyone else. There is a man dead here because of neglect.”
Kitchens said police aren’t releasing body camera footage because the investigation is ongoing and it’s classified as evidence.
Residents invited to Downtown Dialogue
DHDC is very excited to see what 2018 has in store for Downtown and we hope you are too! This year we want to continue to focus on opening up dialogue between Downtown Hays Development Corporation, business owners, and the community.
In 2018, every third Thursday of the month Sara Bloom, executive director of DHDC, will be at Breathe Coffee House, 703 B Main Street.
We’re inviting board members, business owners, community members… anyone who wants to bring ideas, suggestions, challenges, struggles, questions and more to DHDC.
We hope you’ll join us and let us buy you a cup of coffee! Let’s work together to better Downtown and our community.
Body in Kansas ditch investigated as suspicious death
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Sedgwick County authorities say the death of a man whose body was found in a ditch is being investigated as suspicious.
Spokesman Lt. Tim Myers said a passer-by saw the body in the ditch near Haysville Monday afternoon.
Myers says the man’s age has not been determined. He released no information on how the man died or whether the body showed signs of trauma.
Rita Mae (Peterson) Roblyer
Rita Mae (Peterson) Roblyer, 74, of Great Bend, passed away January 29, 2018, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kan. She was born October 22, 1943, at Great Bend, to Clarence Theodore and Jenny Elsie (Marsh) Peterson.
Rita, a lifetime resident of Great Bend, worked for Doonan Truck, Fuller Brush, and American State Bank, and retired from KDOT in 2008, after 25 years of service. She was a member of Central Baptist Church, and a former member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She enjoyed her time at the Great Bend Senior Center, bowling, traveling, and loved and adored her Chihuahuas.
Survivors include one son, Rob Roblyer and wife Toyia, of Great Bend; one twin sister, Nita Mohr and husband Richard of Great Bend; one brother, Clarence “Pete” Peterson and wife Patricia of Salina, Kan.; and one grandson, Keegan Roblyer.
Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 1, 2018, at Central Baptist Church in Great Bend, with Rev. David Walters and Pastor John Grummon. Interment will follow at the Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 31, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been established with Central Baptist Church or Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
News From the Oil Patch, Jan. 29
By JOHN P. TRETBAR
An aggressive energy acquisition and development firm has bought 40 leases in Ellis and Rooks counties that have already produced six and a half million barrels and are currently yielding more than 5,000 barrels per day. In a news release, the company said Haas Petroleum will operate the assets on behalf of wholly-owned subsidiary Mid-Con Drilling. This marks Viking’s third announced energy acquisition since Christmas, including acreage in Allen and Woodson Counties in Kansas, and in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
The Kansas Geological Survey reports the state produced nearly 30 million barrels of crude oil through October of last year after adding nearly three million in October. Ellis County led the way with an additional 219,000 barrels produced in October, for a running total of 2.2 million barrels. Haskell County was next, producing 224,000 barrels for a total through October of 2.03 million. Barton County was next, adding 145,000 barrels for a total of 1.42 million barrels through October. Russell County produced 136 thousand barrels and Stafford County produced 89,000 for that month. The number of active oil wells in Kansas was 51,774, down more than 800 from the year before and the lowest total since 2012.
Here are the top ten oil-producing counties in Kansas in Oct. 2017 with running totals for the year in parentheses:
Ellis County 219,000 bbl (2.21 million bbl)
Haskell County 224,000 bbl (2.04 million bbl)
Barton County 145,000 bbl (1.415 million bbl)
Finney County 146,000 bbl (1.36 million bbl)
Russell County 136,000 bbl (1.34 million bbl)
Rooks County 130,000 bbl (1.33 million bbl)
Ness County 127,000 bbl (1.25 million bbl)
Harper County 76,000 bbl (857,000 bbl)
Stafford County 89,000 bbl (871,000 bbl)
Barber County 77,000 bbl (794,000 bbl)
Owners and operators in the Oklahoma oil patch will no longer be protected from lawsuits involving the deaths and injuries of their employees after a ruling by the Oklahoma Supreme Court last week. The high court held that there was no valid reason for special treatment of the oil and gas industry within workers compensation law. They ruled that the special protections amount to an “impermissible and unconstitutional special law.”
Baker Hughes reported an increase in the number of drilling rigs actively exploring for oil and gas across the country, but the numbers in Kansas are going the other way. There were 947 active rigs coast to coast, an increase of 12 oil rigs. Canada reported an increase of 13 to 338 active rigs. The rig counts in Kansas dropped last week. Independent Oil & Gas reported 21 active drilling rigs west of Wichita, down four, and seven in eastern Kansas, which is unchanged. The total of 28 active rigs statewide is down eight from six months ago, but up one from a year ago. Operators are drilling on leases in Barton and Stafford counties, and moving in completion tools at sites in Barton, Ellis and Russell counties. The report shows a big increase in active rigs in the Permian Basin. Texas added 13 rigs last week, and New Mexico increased by three.
Operators filed 32 permits to drill at new locations last week. Seventeen of those were in eastern Kansas, and 15 are west of Wichita, including one in Ellis County. Independent Oil & Gas Service reported 39 newly completed wells across the state, two in Barton County and one in Ellis County.
Some drillers in North Dakota are cutting oil output to limit the amount of natural gas they have to burn off. In November, the state’s production of natural gas was very near the capacity of state’s gas-gathering and processing capability. The head of the North Dakota Petroleum Council says the pipelines they have now are adequate to move that gas to market. But Ron Ness says the state’s producers lack the gathering and processing facilities needed in between the pipeline and the well head.
Natural gas processing is getting a big push in North Dakota, where oil producers are testing the limits of current facilities and must burn off more than the state allows. The Governor put out a call for more gathering and processing facilities, and in two days, no fewer than four projects surfaced. All four projects are expected to come on line within the next two years.
Marathon oil will have to figure out another way, after North Dakota regulators on Wednesday denied a request for several exemptions from the state’s flaring limits. Governor Doug Burgum leads the state’s Industrial Commission, which denied the request, saying it would violate the state 85%-capture policy.
TransCanada Corp’s Keystone crude pipeline was still operating at 20 percent reduced pressure last week, more than two months after a leak forced the line to be shut. The reduced flows have contributed to inventory declines at the Cushing, Oklahoma storage hub and pressured Canadian crude differentials, traders said.
Barbara E. Sprinkle
COLBY—Barbara E. Sprinkle, 76, of Colby died Friday, Jan. 26, 2018 in Bentonville, Arkansas.
She was born June 6, 1941 in Colby, Kansas. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Sprinkle, on Oct. 22, 2007 and her son Dan T. Sprinkle on March 31, 2008.
Survivors include her son Chad C. Sprinkle of Cassville, Missouri; brothers William “Bill” Adams and Richard “Dick” Adams and Charles Adams; and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31 at Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel, Colby.
There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1 at Beulah Cemetery in Colby with the Rev. James Mardock officiating.
Memorials can be made in Barbara’s name and be designated at a later date in care of the funeral home.
Condolences can be made at kersenbrockfuneralchapel.com.
Royals sign SS Escobar to $2.5M, 1-year contract
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Royals have signed Alcides Escobar to a $2.5 million contract for next season, keeping their longtime shortstop on the roster after reaching free agency this offseason.
The sides agreed to the framework of a deal last week, but it wasn’t announced until Monday.
Escobar, who has spent the past seven seasons with Kansas City, also can earn up to $1.5 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances. He is expected to start the season at shortstop but will be pushed by touted prospect Raul Mondesi Jr. throughout the spring.
Escobar hit .250 with six homers, 54 RBIs and a career-high 102 strikeouts last season. He won a gold glove and was voted an All-Star in 2015, when he helped the Royals win the World Series.
Police: 4 Kan. suspects took cash, battered woman at Dollar General
SEDGEWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and asking the public for help to identify suspects.
Just after 9:30p.m. Sunday, police responded to an armed robbery at a Dollar General in the 900 Block of South Woodlawn in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.
A 35-year-old store employee told police four unknown black, male suspects entered the store armed with handguns and demanded money. A 33-year-old female employee gave the suspects cash. In addition, the suspects battered a 25-year old woman in the store and took her purse.
The suspects fled the store on foot. The suspects are described as in their 20s and wore a grey, red and or black hooded sweatshirts, jeans or dark slacks and white masks, according to Davidson.
Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call Wichita Police.
Sheriff identifies Kansas man who died after crash into forklift
SHAWNEE COUNTY — A Kansas man died in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Sunday in Shawnee County.
A vehicle driven by Daniel V. Martinez, 23, Overland Park, was eastbound at 102 West Railroad Avenue (U.S. Highway 24), according to Corporal Jace Beightel with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Department.
The vehicle traveled left of center and struck an industrial forklift parked off the north side of the road.
Martinez was the only occupant of the vehicle. He was transported to a Topeka hospital where he died.
The sheriff’s department did release the name of the victim late Sunday. The accident remains under investigation.
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SHAWNEE COUNTY — A Kansas man died in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Sunday in Shawnee County.
A vehicle was eastbound at 102 West Railroad Avenue (U.S. Highway 24), according to Corporal Jace Beightel with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Department.
The vehicle traveled left of center and struck an industrial forklift parked off the north side of the road.
The driver was the only occupant of the vehicle. He was transported to a Topeka hospital where he died.
The sheriff’s department did release the name of the victim late Sunday. The accident remains under investigation.
BOWERS: Senate Scene Week 3
SENATE HAPPENINGS
This week, the Senate standing committees continued to hold hearings and bring forward legislation. The Senate will be returning to General Orders where we will see the first committee bills to have a vote from the entire Senate. There was no floor action on bills this week on the Senate floor.
SNAPSHOT OF THE KANSAS LEGISLATURE 2018
The Kansas Senate consists of forty Senators – thirty-one Republicans and nine Democrats with fifteen women and twenty-five men. Fourteen Senators live in cities of 100,000+ population, ten with 20,000 to 100,000, six with 5,000-20,000 and five with 2,000-5000 and five with 0-2000. The Kansas House of Representatives consists of one-hundred twenty-five members with eighty-five Republicans and 40 Democrats with thirty-four women and ninety-one men. Fifty-three Representatives live in cities of 20,000 – 0 population with two living in unincorporated communities.
JEFF COLYER TO BECOME GOVERNOR WEDNESDAY
Governor Sam Brownback will resign this week after being confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to International Religious Freedom this past Wednesday. Brownback’s last day in office will be January 31st and Lt. Governor Colyer will be sworn in as governor at 3 pm the same day. Governor Sam Brownback was formally nominated by President Trump in July.
KANCARE
Last week, legislators heard from hospital representatives, district attorneys, county sheriffs, and leaders from community health centers about the growing mental health crisis in Kansas. A brief background was explained on how both the state and federal governments have cut funding to mental health over the past 60 years. This has resulted in Kansas emergency rooms and local jails being filled with people needing treatment. A few goals were outlined to address this growing issue. One goal was to change Medicaid policy to allow recipients of KanCare who are incarcerated to have their Medicaid eligibility suspended rather than terminated. This would provide a safety net for treatment to people who are continuously arrested and would also help alleviate some costs that the hospitals are absorbing. SB195 addresses this goal and was heard in the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee and is expected to be passed out next week. There were no opponents to changing the policy. Another recommendation was to look at the needs of the state on a regional basis and to begin the creation of regional acute behavior health facilities. Acute care facilities would provide care for patients needing care for less than two weeks. Lastly, it was acknowledged that the state needs a long-term care facility. It was expressed that Osawatomie Hospital is not meeting the long-term and acute care needs of behavior health for patients needing more than two-weeks of care. Advocates hope with more funding and attention to mental health, Kansans can get the care they need to live stable and productive lives.
KANCARE 2.0
Governor Brownback’s administration announced last week that they would halt their plan to move forward with KanCare 2.0. The announcement comes after Senate President Susan Wagle, Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee Chairwoman Vicki Schmidt, and Senate Ways and Means Chairwoman Carolyn McGinn expressed concerns with the implementation of KanCare 2.0 in early January. Governor Brownback and Lt Governor Colyer explained this week that they want to address the concerns raised by legislators in regards to increased costs and the state’s ability to absorb those costs in future budgets. The administration plans to work with the Kansas legislature to determine the best path forward with the program.
INTRODUCING REAL ID
Our Elections, Ethics and Local Government heard an update from representatives of the Department of Revenue, Driver’s License department concerning Real ID. Real ID is a federal law, passed by Congress in 2005 to ensure state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards meet minimum security standards. To get a Real ID before law goes into effect on October 1, 2020, you’ll need to bring certain documentation into the local driver’s license office. Anyone boarding an airplane or entering a federal facility, such as a military base, using a state issued ID or driver’s license on October 1, 2020, will be required to have a credential that is Real ID compliant. To apply for this ID, you will need a valid passport or birth certificate, Proof of social security such as a social security card, current W-2 or 1099, or current pay stub with full SSN, Proof of residency, which can be a utility bill, your vehicle registration, or your current driver’s license. All documents should be un-laminated originals. If your name is not the same on all of your documents because of adoption, marriage, divorce, or any court ordered name change, you must provide proof of the name change such as your marriage license, adoption certificate, or divorce decree. The fees remain the same for Real ID: $26 if you’re renewing and $8 to replace. If your credential expires after the 2020 deadline and you want a Real ID, you can bring your documents in to the office, receive the Real ID, and only pay the $8 replacement charge. Finally, it is worth noting that you have the option to choose between a Real ID or a non-Real ID card. For more details and a checklist that will help make sure you bring everything you need when you go to the driver’s license station, visit ksrevenue.org/realid and you can find your local driver’s license office at https://www.ksrevenue.org/dovstations.html.
‘IF I WERE MAYOR” WINNER ANNOUNCED
On January 24, the League of Kansas Municipalities held their annual Local Government Day event. At this event, six 7th graders received recognition for their participation in the League’s annual “If I Were Mayor” memo contest. The League presented awards to five regional winners from across the state along with the overall winner. The League oversees a statewide competition for all seventh-grade students in public or private school systems. The League, which represents Kansas’ cities, asked students what they would do if given the opportunity to serve as mayor of their town. This year, the students were asked to write a memo concerning a topic and think about policy considerations, resources needed, and barriers to success. This year, over 375 students from across Kansas participated with two students from District #36 recognized – Samantha Clark, Palco Junior/Senior High School and Ariona Miller, Marysville Junior/Senior High School.
FOLLOW THE KANSAS LEGISLATURE
Both the House and Senate have taken historic steps towards the promotion of open government. For the first time, you can view video streaming of both chambers via the Kansas Legislature YouTube page. In addition, many committees are now audio streamed. Finally, the Kansas Legislature website remains a great resource.
Website: http://www.kslegislature.org
YouTube Streaming: http://bit.ly/2CZj9O0
Committee Hearings: http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/
TOLL-FREE LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE
Kansas residents can access information on legislation, legislative procedure, state government, public policy issues and more by calling 1-800-432-3924. Calls are answered by experienced reference/research librarians at the State Library of Kansas and kept confidential. Lines are open weekdays 8AM-5PM. Callers can also leave brief messages to be delivered to legislators as well as request copies of bills, journals, and other legislative documents. In addition to calling the hotline, residents can also text questions to 785 256-0733, email or instant message at kslib.info/ask. The State Library is located on the 3rd floor, north wing of the Capitol.
VISITORS FROM SENATE DISTRICT #36
The first three weeks of the legislative session was a busy one with people visiting from home for meetings and to celebrate Kansas Day on Friday – 157 years of statehood. The Municipal Judges, Electric Cooperatives members and Title Company representatives from District #36 had their annual meetings and receptions this month. Members of the Joint Law Enforcement community, County Clerks & County Appraisers, and officials from city and county government were in Topeka for Local Government Day. Doctors across the state attended the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians annual legislative day with Dr. Jen Brull from Rooks County serving as Doctor of the Day at the Capitol on Thursday.
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 www.kslegislature.org