KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Fort Hays State men’s track and field team swept the initial MIAA Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week honors, with individuals picking up both the track award and the field honor. Malcom Gardner was named the conference track athlete of the week while teammate Sam Dreiling earned co-field athlete of the week accolades.
Gardner earned the award after placing second in the 200m dash at the season-opening ESU Spring Invitational last Friday (March 16), crossing the line in 20.95. He was the top Division II finisher in the event, defeating all but one of the 51 other competitors in the race. His time was more than four-tenths of a second faster than the NCAA DII provisional mark and would be the fastest time in Division II so far this season had it not been wind-aided.
Less than a week after earning All-American honors during the indoor season, Dreiling opened the outdoor campaign in a strong fashion. The junior won the pole vault competition in Emporia after clearing the 16-4.75 bar on his third and final attempt. He provisionally qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the process and currently sits in fifth on the national performance list.
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.
Friend,
Last week, Governor Jeff Colyer declared a drought for all 105 counties in Kansas. With his declaration the state will deploy their disaster relief efforts for our farmers and ranchers.
Currently, there are 66 counties experiencing severe or extreme drought levels. These dry temperatures devastate our crops, and affect our livestock. And when our lands get this dry, we know far too well the other consequence, wildfires. I want to thank all of those that have worked to provide aid to our communities. During these tough times we must stick together.
STOP School Violence Act
The Preamble of the U.S. Constitution states that we as a nation need to “Provide for the Common Defense.” This past Wednesday, the House of Representatives is holding true to this principle by unanimously passing the STOP School Violence Act.
This bill provides funding for prevention training that will help students and staff recognize and respond quickly to warning signs of a possible attack.
The STOP School Violence Act goes beyond keeping our schools safe, this bill will help our communities work together to identify threats in all public spaces, like airports, stadiums, malls etc. Our children, educators, and officers will now have the resources to report and better understand the warning signs. We as a nation, will be much safer with this law.
It also provides funds for technology and equipment to drastically improve school security and would create an anonymous reporting system via mobile apps, a hot-line, and a website where people can report or provide tips about individuals they believe may commit an act of violence.
We must identify threats and prevent violence with training, coordination, and intervention. I think regardless of party affiliation we all share the same goal of a safer America, and this is a great step towards that.
(Click to enlarge)
Small Businesses Flourish
According to the National Federation of Independent Business, the small business optimism index rose to one of the highest levels we’ve seen in nearly 50 years. Small business owners are more confident than ever in today’s economy, and we want to continue to reduce the regulatory and financial burdens that startups and entrepreneurs in the Big First face as they start and grow a business.
The Small Business Committee held a markup of six bills on Wednesday of this week, which would amend the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act. As a cosponsor of two of these bills, H.R. 4743, the Small Business 7(a) Lending Oversight Reform Act, and H.R. 3170, the Small Business Development Center Cyber Training Act, I was pleased to see that all six of the bills passed unanimously out of Committee. The two bills that I cosponsored aim to help small businesses more easily access capital, and enable entrepreneurs to gain training needed to protect their sensitive information from cyberattacks. More information on all 6 bills can be found here.
Section 199a Tax Glitch Fix
I am pleased to see the National Grain and Feed Association and the National Council for Farmer Cooperatives announce a technical fix to the tax code that inadvertently provided incentives for farmers and ranchers to do business with certain business structures and not others. I’m hopeful the fix will be included in the omnibus appropriations bill the House is set to vote on this week. The fix will ensure that the benefits of the December tax reform package are positive for all business types and that the federal government doesn’t pick winners and losers through the tax code. You can read more about that item here: :https://www.ngfa.org/press-releases/ncfc-ngfa-joint-statement-legislation-resolve-section-199a-tax-cuts-jobs-act/
Mike Pompeo
Kansan in the State Department
Mr. Mike Pompeo, who has very close ties to our state, was just appointed last week as our new Secretary of State. I am proud and excited to see Mr. Pompeo represent our values and interests overseas. His more than qualified track record and experience will make him an excellent Secretary of State, and I will fully support him in his challenging but utmost important task of heading our country’s foreign policy, diplomacy and national security.
Back in Kansas
I had the pleasure this past week to visit some outstanding Kansas innovators, energy producers, state leaders and others working hard every day to help Kansas lead in new ideas, advanced research, the economy, and job growth.
Kansas Ethanol LLC facility
I also met with ethanol producers and agriculture industry leaders at the Kansas Ethanol LLC facility to discuss the preservation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and current Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) structure.
In the discussion, producers made it clear that a cap on RINs would have serious implications on the Big First District. Ethanol not only benefits Kansas farmers but provides a higher-octane, cleaner-burning fuel alternative for drivers across the country. These discussions between ethanol producers and refiners must lead to a win-win solution for both industries.
TOPEKA— On March 8, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment were notified of a case of measles in a daycare in Johnson County.
CDC photo-skin of a patient after 3 days of measles infection
According to a KDHE media release, ten cases have now been identified – eight Johnson County residents, one Linn County resident associated with the daycare and one Miami County resident not associated with the daycare.
To date, KDHE along with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, Linn County Department of Health, and the Miami County Department of Health have been able to identify where and when each case became infected including a new location.
*AMC Dine-In Studio 28; 12075 S. Strang Line Rd, Olathe, KS; March 9th from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Aldi’s; 15290 W. 119th St Olathe, KS 66062; on March 2nd from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Payless Discount Foods; 2101 E. Santa Fe St, Olathe, KS; on March 6th from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
El Potro Mexican Café; 602 N Pearl St, Paola, KS on March 7th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas Emergency Department; 5808 W 110th St, Overland Park, KSon March 8th and March 10th in the morning
Budget Coin Laundry; 798 E Main St, Gardner, KS; on March 9th from 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Olathe YMCA swimming pool and locker room; 21400 W. 153rd St, Olathe, KS; on March 10th from9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Bath and Body Works at Legends Outlets; 1803 Village W Pkwy, Kansas City, KS; on March 10th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Crazy 8 at Legends Outlets; 1843 Village W Pkwy, Kansas City, KS; on March 10th after 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Orange Leaf; 11524 W 135th St Overland Park, KS; on March 10th from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PMMeasles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus. Measles is spread through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing. Measles can be spread to others from four days before to four days after the rash appears. Measles cannot be spread to others by people who do not have the disease.
Symptoms of measles typically begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes. Three to five days after symptoms begin a rash develops and usually starts on the face at the hairline and spreads down to the neck, trunk, arms, and legs.
The best way to prevent measles is to get the MMR vaccine. Currently, KDHE is not recommending any changes to the routine vaccination schedule. If you have had measles or have been vaccinated, your risk of contracting the disease is extremely low.
Because measles is a highly infectious disease, it is very important, if a person has been exposed and is starting to experience symptoms, that they STAY HOME except to see a healthcare provider and limit their contact with people
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on trial challenging a law in Kansas that requires people to show documentation when registering to vote. (all times local):
7:30 p.m.
After seven often contentious days, testimony has ended in a federal bench trial challenging a Kansas voter registration law.
During closing arguments Monday, Dale Ho, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, argued that the thousands of noncitizens who Secretary of State Kris Kobach contends are stealing elections “are not real.” But he said the law has stopped thousands of U.S. citizens from voting. And he says there has been real damage to the electoral process in Kansas. He asked U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson to find that the law should not be imposed on Kansas.
In his closing, Kobach argued the law hasn’t prevented anyone but noncitizens from voting. He says people put on a list of suspended voters have several ways to provide the required documentation and register to vote. He urged Robinson to uphold the will of the Kansas Legislature, which enacted the law in 2013.
Robinson didn’t say when she would issue a ruling but said she is mindful that elections are approaching. Attorneys have until April 16 for any more legal filings in the case.
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1:30 p.m.:
A pollster hired by Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach has testified that he conducted a survey of 500 adults and found just one person who couldn’t produce a document proving U.S. citizenship.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reported Monday his testimony came on the seventh day of a bench trial challenging the Kansas proof-of-citizenship requirement.
Pollster Pat McFerron also acknowledged possible bias in his survey under questioning by an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union.
U.S. District judge Julie Robinson allowed McFerron to testify, even though he was not identified as an expert witness before the deadline that had been set by the judge.
McFerron is president of Cole Hargrave Snodgrass, a firm which primary caters to Republican candidates. He was paid $9,000 for his survey.
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — The number of lawsuits accusing a former physician assistant at a Veteran’s Administration hospital in Kansas of sexual abuse is approaching 100.
Wisner-photo KDOC
Kansas City attorneys Dan Curry and Sarah Brown filed three more lawsuits last week on behalf of former patients of Mark Wisner. He was sentenced last year to more than 15 years in prison for sex crimes involving patients at the Eisenhower Veterans Administration Medical Center in Leavenworth.
Curry said he expects to file a few more lawsuits in the near future, bringing the total number to around 100. Some seek $2 million or more in damages.
Prosecutors said Wisner performed improper and medically unnecessary genital examinations on patients from 2012 to 2014. He resigned and had his license to practice revoked in 2015.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Multiple chances were missed to save a 3-year-old Wichita boy before he was found encased in concrete, a former Kansas welfare official said.
Evan Brewer- courtesy photo
Dianne Keech, the Department of Children and Families deputy director from 2013 to 2015, said the “point of no return” was when the agency failed to call 911 last April after receiving a report that Evan Brewer had hit his head while taking a bath and “had no pulse” before being revived.
The person making the report said Evan and his mother, Miranda Miller, were domestic violence victims and that someone would “take life from them” before “bringing them back.” His mother’s live-in boyfriend, Stephen Bodine, allegedly bragged about choking Evan and his mother and strangling the boy until he became unconscious, according to records that Keech reviewed after they were released earlier this month.
Keech said that instead of calling 911 and flagging the report to administrators as a “critical incident,” it was placed on hold for six days. The case was closed April 28, records show. Evan’s body was found in September, and Miller and Bodine are charged with murder.
“If they don’t do the right thing there,” Keech said, “it seals his doom. They never recovered from that point on.”
Evan is the paternal grandson of former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer, a Democratic candidate for governor this year. Evan had been the subject of a custody battle for months between his mother and father, Carlo Brewer, who had contacted state officials and local police over the welfare of his son. Too often, DCF took the word of the 3-year-old’s mother that he was OK, said Keech, who served on the state Child Death Review Board during part of her DCF tenure and now works as a child-protection consultant.
Keech counted six separate reports of abuse that the agency received from July 21, 2016, to May 14, 2017, before Evan’s death. Her analysis shows the agency failed to adequately address all safety and risk concerns with five of the six reports. She also found that DCF failed to collect all relevant information in at least four of the six reports.
“This is not Monday-morning quarterbacking,” Keech said. “This is how cases should be handled in the moment. I am reviewing this case based on investigative procedures that used to be standard for the agency.”
Shayla Johnston, a Brewer family spokeswoman and attorney, agrees with Keech that DCF failed. With anyone who looks at Evan’s case, Johnston said, “you can agree that bureaucracy killed Evan.”
DCF spokeswoman Theresa Freed said the agency could not comment on the case.
“Given the Brewer family’s stated desire to pursue litigation against the Kansas Department for Children and Families, we are not in a position to address each point alleged,” she said in an email.
DOUGLAS COUNTY ¬— A Kansas police officer was injured in an firearms training accident Monday in Douglas County.
Just before 3p.m., the Lawrence police officer suffered a gunshot wound to the leg during firearms training at the Fraternal Order of
Police Lodge #2, 768 E 661 Diagonal Road, according to a media release.
The officer was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Preliminary information indicates the injury occurred when equipment became entangled inside the trigger guard causing the firearm to discharge. The officer has been with the department for 2 years. Authorities did not release the officer’s name.
The Janousek Funeral Home of La Crosse, Kansas, has announced funeral services for Bernadine P. Gray, 89, La Crosse, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2018, at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse.
Burial will be at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2018, at First Baptist Cemetery, Lorraine, Kansas.
Kansas oil producers set another unwelcome record last year. According to the Kansas Geological Survey, total oil production in the state reached 35.82 million barrels. That includes an additional of 2.85 million barrels in December. The total is over two million barrels less than last year and marks the lowest annual production since 2005.
Ellis County continues to lead the way with an additional 213,000 barrels in December for a yearly total of 2.64 million barrels. Next comes Haskell County with 2.45 million barrels for the year. Barton County was next, with an annual total of 1.699 million barrels. Finney County had total production last year of 1.63 million barrels. Russell County’s total for the year was 1.599 million barrels. Stafford County brought its total for last year to 1.049 million barrels of crude.
Here are the annual totals for the top ten producing counties in Kansas:
Ellis County: 2.643 million barrels
Haskell County 2.453 million barrels
Barton County: 1.699 million barrels
Finney County: 1.636 million barrels
Russell County: 1.599 million barrels
Rooks County: 1.592 million barrels
Ness County: 1.484 million barrels
Stafford County: 1.049 million barrels
Harper County: 996,000 barrels
Barber County: 948,000 barrels
(Source: Kansas Geological Survey)
Operators filed 50 permits for drilling at new locations across the state last week, 27 east of Wichita and 23 in western Kansas, including one permit each in Ellis and Stafford counties. So far this year we’ve seen 333 new permits filed. Operators filed 145 new drilling permits across Kansas in February.
Independent Oil & Gas Service notes 29 new well completions over the last week in Kansas, 339 so far this year. There were 18 completed wells reported in eastern Kansas, and 11 west of Wichita, including one dry hole in Barton County. Independent reported 136 new well completions across the state last month.
Baker Hughes reported 990 active drilling rigs across the US last week, up four oil rigs and one gas rig. In Canada there was another seasonal drop, down 54 to 219 active drilling rigs. Independent Oil & Gas Service reports 15 active rigs in eastern Kansas, up six, and 26 west of Wichita, which is down one for the week. Operators report drilling ahead on two leases in Stafford County. They’re moving in completion tools at two sites in Barton County, four in Ellis County, two in Russell County and one in Stafford County
The Kansas Geological Society recognized and named five new oil fields in Kansas during a meeting last month. That’s five so far this year, including the Beran South Field in Barton County.
Injured oil-field workers in Oklahoma can now sue well operators for injuries suffered on a drilling rig. That’s according to a ruling from the Oklahoma Supreme Court. A law under court challenge said operators could be sued only in worker’s compensation court, and not in civil court. Justices called that unconstitutional, a “special law,” that gives preferential treatment to oil rig operators.
The boom in Texas shale production, along with displaced homeowners after Hurricane Harvey, have prompted a nearly ten percent growth in hotel revenue in Texas. The consulting firm Source Strategies tells the San Antonio Express News that the lodging industry reaped $10.9 billion in revenue last year, up from $10 billion the year before. About one fourth of that was generated by residents affected by the Harvey storm system. But the consultant asserts that the booming oil and gas sector would have propelled hotel receipts upward without the storm.
A lingering problem for heavy crude producers in Canada may be coming to an end. Analysis by Bloomberg shows the discount of Canadian crude to the near-month contract for WTI is about $25/bbl. But contracts for later delivery are trading at less than $20 below the US benchmark. Canadian prices have plummeted because of pipeline slowdowns and the lack of other transportation options.
Reuters is reporting at least 11 major oil companies have agreed to buy back billions of dollars worth of stock. The list includes Chevron, Devon Energy, Hess Corp and Noble Energy. Companies have reportedly committed to buy back about $3.6 billion in stock shares since February.
Lawmakers in North Dakota this week unanimously agreed to tighten requirements for royalties as well as oil and gas spills. The Department of Mineral Resources said the 43 changes would require what it called “sundry” notices for spills not responded to with adequate resources, as well as site assessments before and after reclamation if necessary, and changes in royalty information statement requirements.
Russia plans to sharply increase fuel exports and carve out a larger share of the European market. Reuters reports the initiative follows a rigorous $55 billion refit of the country’s refineries. Russia embarked on a modernization of its biggest refineries in 2011 following a fuel shortage crisis. That modernization is ongoing. It has already led to a surge in output of light oil products, including diesel fuel exports that have hurt European refineries’ margins.
NEW YORK (AP) — Claire’s, the mall chain that has pierced the ears of millions of teens, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The company has a dozen locations across Kansas including the Central Mall in Salina. Their store in Hays closed in 2016.
The accessories chain said Monday that its stores will remain open as it restructures its debt.
It’s just the latest retailer to seek bankruptcy protection, close stores or go out of business entirely as more people skip the mall and shop online. Toys R Us, for example, announced last week that it would close or sell all its stores after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last year.
Claire’s said it is “confident” it will emerge from bankruptcy protection in September, having reduced its debt by nearly $2 billion. It believes it can compete with the shift to online shopping, arguing that its “iconic ear piercing services are unmatched and cannot be replicated online.”
Besides the Claire’s chain, the company also operates Icing stores. Both sell earrings, lip gloss, iPhone cases and other accessories. Last year, it had more than 4,000 stores around the world.
Claire’s, based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, said it has pierced more than 100 million ears since it began offering the service 40 years ago. The company was founded in the 1960s.
A former teacher and coach at Victoria Junior/Senior High School was sentenced Monday in Ellis County District Court to three years of probation for sexual battery of a 14-year-old student.
Jordan Ottley, 26, entered no-contest Alford pleas to charges of aggravated endangerment of a child, two counts of battery and one count of sexual battery.
“In an Alford plea, a person pleads to a crime the state cannot prove in order to avoid possible conviction for a more serious crime that the state might be able to prove,” said Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees said.
The incident allegedly occurred in January 2017, and Ottley was charged in October 2017.
The plea will mean Ottley will have to register as a sex offender for 15 years and likely no longer will be able to work as a teacher, because the offense on non-expungeable. Ottley no longer works for the Victoria school district.
Drees said the victim and her mother were aware of the plea agreement but did not wish to appear in court for the sentencing. The victim never reported the incident, Drees said, but it was the family seeking help for Ottley that led to treatment for bipolar disorder and, in doing so, it was brought to the authorities’ attention. Ottley has remained in counseling while the case was pending.
“Frankly, the student has received a great deal of verbal abuse at school because a popular teacher was charged in this matter,” Drees said.
Ottley said he wished to apologize to all parties involved. He said this incident did not reflect how he usually carries himself personally or professionally.
Prior to sentencing, Ottley’s attorney Sal Intagliata pointed out Ottley’s wife, other family members, friends and Ottley’s therapist were present in court to support Ottley.
Letters from supporters described Ottley as “highly respectful and a human being someone would want to emulate” and someone his “class and friends look up to” and an “all-around good guy.”
Intagliata said Ottley did not know he had bipolar disorder and had been given medication for anxiety. This led to him having a manic episode, during which the crime occurred. Intagliata called Ottley’s behavior as uncharacteristic.
Ottley’s wife, who he has a child with, said in a letter to the court, “This is not what Jordan wanted for our future, he deserves a chance to beat it,” referring to his bipolar disorder.
Ottley’s priest wrote Ottley was a hard worker and would be an asset to society. He said in his letter he was surprised by Ottley’s actions, which he said was inconsistent with his usual behavior.
If Ottley fails to meet his probation requirements, he will face up to two years in prison. If he successfully serves his first two years of probation, he will be eligible to serve his final year of probation unsupervised.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Legislation designed to make Kansas schools safer from gun violence has passed a House committee.
Rep. Brenda Landwehr
The bill endorsed by the Appropriations Committee on Monday would require schools and state agencies to establish guidelines for fortifying schools against armed threats. It also would provide $5 million for safety measures like metal detectors and hardened glass.
The House will consider the bill next.
Kansas education lobbyists called the bill inadequate during a Friday hearing.
Kansas National Education Association lobbyist Mark Desetti said that $5 million is not enough to secure the state’s nearly 1,600 schools.
The committee amended the bill Monday so that school districts must match any funding provided to them from the $5 million.
Republican Rep. Brenda Landwehr of Wichita proposed the amendment and said it would essentially double funding.
DOUGLAS COUNTY ¬— A Kansas police officer was injured in an firearms training accident Monday in Douglas County.
