POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Wednesday in Pottawatomie County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Yamaha YZF-R6S driven by Raphael R. Byrd, 32, Chatanooga, TN., was eastbound on U.S. 24 at a high rate of speed.
After entering the city limits of St Marys, the motorcycle avoided a stopped 2002 Chrysler Town and County in the eastbound lane by entering the westbound lane.
While passing on the left, the motorcycle struck Robert J. Simonton, 27, St. Marys, in then and collided head-on with another parked vehicle.
Byrd and Simonton were transported to the hospital in Topeka. Byrd was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.
Hays Mayor James Meier at a conference for local leaders at the White House.By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
Hays Mayor James Meier attended a White House conference for Kansas and Nebraska mayors and county officials on Aug. 16.
He heard from Cabinet-level leaders about issues facing local governments.
Although he thought the experience was a good networking opportunity, he said on one point the speakers did not go far enough—that was the opioid crisis.
Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway spoke to the group on the opioid crisis.
Although the Conway acknowledged the growing epidemic of opioid abuse and its effects on local government, Meier, a pharmacist, said Conway fell short of admitting the federal government’s culpability in the rise of the crisis.
“They had a good message. They realize the federal government has to get involved. The state government has to get involved. The local governments have to get involved,” Meier said. “They had a good message, and I think they realize that there is not a magic bullet. There is not one plan that is going to fix everything. But I think it is important to recognize why it is happening, so we can plan appropriately.”
He explained during the 2000s, the medical community encouraged providers to treat pain as a sixth vital sign.
“You were supposed to go into a patient’s room and say, ‘OK, rate your pain on a scale from 1 to 10,” Meier said. “If a patient said 10, even if they outwardly had no signs they were in any pain, you were supposed to treat them as if their pain was a level 10 and treat the pain because nobody should ever be in pain. That was the whole mantra.”
This was a part of health care accreditation process.
If a patient ranked their pain as a 8 or 9, they knew they were going to receive opioids, Meier said.
“We hear about the opioid crisis, but we never hear about why it’s happening,” Meier said. “I think the federal government has a real part to play in why this is happening in the first place. … What I did not hear was that the federal government was part of the problem to begin with, and I think they need to recognize they were a part of the problem.”
Conway gave the example of someone going to the dentist for a chipped tooth and receiving seven days of opioids and all of a sudden they are hooked. Meier said those things do happen.
Because of the crisis, the pendulum has started to swing back the other way. Doctors are afraid to prescribe opioids for anything for fear patients will become addicted, Meier said.
Meier works with cancer patients.
“I am really scared that five or 10 years down the road, people who really need opioids will not be able to access them,” he said.
Meier said he wanted to hear the federal officials say they are trying to work toward a happy medium.
“There are probably some commonsense things that we need to be putting in place to ensure that doesn’t happen, and I think those will be put in place,” he said of people becoming addicted. “We have to have a happy balance between those people who need short-term pain control from the dentist or for a broken arm and those people who have cancer that has metastasized to their bones and they need very high doses of morphine throughout the day just to be able to function.
“I don’t have an answer,” he said, “It just seems we are going from one extreme to another.”
The conference was organized by the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Other speakers at the conference included Ben Carson of Housing and Urban Development, a representative of the Department of Agriculture, assistant director for the Department of Education, representative of the EPA, and a representative from the International Trade Administration.
“I do think that this group that is in the White House right now is interested in ensuring local control,” Meier said. “I do think that is a theme that came through (the conference) that they think local control is best.”
Meier also was able to meet Vice President Pence.
“You got to shake the vice president’s hand. It doesn’t matter who it is, that is kind of neat thing to say you did,” Meier said.
Meier said he also benefited from being able to speak to mayors from other Kansas and Nebraska communities. The Kansas group visited Sens. Moran and Roberts during their time in D.C. He said he thought it was important to attend to give northwest Kansas a voice in Washington. He passed on information on the R9 Ranch water project.
The group also discussed a bill in Congress that would allow telecom companies to put infrastructure in local right of way without consulting the local municipality or paying a franchise fee. This has become an issue in the Kansas City area where companies are trying to upgrade to 5G.
Meier said the bill would be very applicable to Hays as well.
“Any city wants to be able to control its right of way and be sure things are being placed in an appropriate place and there is a fair playing field as far as paying franchise fees and things like that,” he said.
The senators also talked about commodity prices and trade, but had no details about how and when the president’s $12-billion aid package to farmers was going to be distributed.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Kansas City Royals traded slugging first baseman Lucas Duda to the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations after their game against Detroit on Wednesday.
Duda signed a $3.5 million, one-year deal to take over for departed first baseman Eric Hosmer this season. But despite showing flashes of his prodigious power, Duda’s hit just .242 with 13 homers and 48 RBIs while appeared in 87 games, making his trade somewhat imminent.
He heads from a last-place team in Kansas City to a first-place team in Atlanta.
The Royals traded Duda in part to give up-and-coming youngsters Hunter Dozier and Ryan O’Hearn more playing time at first base. They
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Adalberto Mondesi hit a two-run homer and finished with four RBIs, Danny Duffy allowed two hits over six innings and the Kansas City Royals routed the Detroit Tigers 9-2 on Wednesday to sweep their two-game series.
Duffy (8-11) gave up both hits and his only run in the first inning, when Mikie Mahtook drove in Jose Iglesias with a two-out single. The left-hander labored through the frame but breezed the rest of the way, striking out six while working around a trio of walks.
Alex Gordon hit a two-run homer and Brett Phillips had a pair of RBIs as the Royals pounded Tigers starter Michael Fulmer (3-10) in his second outing off the disabled list.
Fulmer, who tossed 4 2/3 shutout innings against the White Sox last week, allowed seven runs on eight hits before he was chased with two outs in the fourth. Fulmer is winless in his last seven starts, losing five of them, since beating the Twins on June 14.
Mahtook also homered off Wily Peralta in the ninth for Detroit.
Mondesi began Kansas City’s onslaught with his homer in the second, his second in as many days. Gordon went deep in the third, and the Royals added on with two triple and two doubles in the fourth.
Seven of the eight hits Fulmer allowed went for extra bases.
The Royals kept tacking on runs against the Detroit bullpen, sending the Tigers to their fifth consecutive loss. They’ve now lost 26 of their last 32 on the road.
Much like Fulmer, Duffy had been struggling much of the past month, going winless in three starts around a stint on the DL. But he was in complete control after the first inning, the only runners he allowed coming on a pair of walks and an error by third baseman Hunter Dozier.
Duffy’s performance was rather unexpected, too. He’d lost three straight to the Tigers, including two rough outings earlier this season, and was 3-8 with a 6.01 ERA in day games.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Tigers: Iglesias left in the fourth inning with a lower abdomen strain. He singled in the first inning and flied out to center field in the third. Jim Adducci replaced him in the lineup.
Royals: RHP Ian Kennedy (left oblique strain) was scheduled to make his first rehab start at Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday night. … OF Bubba Starling, a former first-round pick, will begin his rehab stint after a dislocated finger at rookie-level Idaho Falls.
UP NEXT
The Tigers head to New York on Thursday night with LHP Francisco Liriano (3-9, 4.82 ERA) facing Yankees LHP J.A. Happ (15-6, 3.80) in the opener of a four-game set. The Royals get the day off before facing Baltimore on Friday night in a matchup of the two worst teams in the majors.
Today A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 91. Southeast wind 7 to 15 mph.
There are chances for t-storms from late Friday through much of next week. Temperatures will be a little cooler by Sunday. pic.twitter.com/i9zlasmlxa
Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South southeast wind 8 to 11 mph.
Friday Sunny, with a high near 99. Southwest wind 11 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 7 to 13 mph.
Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Southeast wind 6 to 9 mph.
Saturday NightShowers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
SundayA 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has updated and expanded a high-risk warning for West Nile virus infections in Kansas.
Only northeast is at moderate risk for WNV infections, according to a media release.
West Nile virus can be spread to people through mosquito bites, but it is not spread from person to person. About one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About one out of 150 infected people develop swelling of the brain or brain tissue, that in some cases, can result in death. There are no vaccines or medications to treat WNV. People who have had WNV before are considered immune.
“Know your risk and take action to prevent mosquito bites to protect yourself and your family against West Nile virus”, said Dr. Greg Lakin, State Health Officer.”
KDHE recommends the following prevention measures:
When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient on skin and clothing, including DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Follow the directions on the package.
Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times, or consider staying indoors during these hours.
The elderly or those with a weakened immune system should consider limiting their exposure outside during dusk and dawn, when the Culex species mosquitos are most active.
Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.
Horses can also be infected with WNV. Talk with your veterinarian about vaccinating your horse to protect them against WNV.
Most WNV infections occur in the late summer and early fall. Although there have been no cases of WNV reported to KDHE in 2018 there have been more than 600 cases of the most severe form of WNV and 30 deaths in Kansas from 1999-2017.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides this webpage with additional information about West Nile virus and preventing mosquito bites: https://www.cdc.gov/features/StopMosquitoes/. For questions about West Nile virus or other Arboviral diseases contact the KDHE Epidemiology hotline at 877-427-7317.
SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a violent crime.
Manjarrez-photo Sedgwick County
Just after 8:30 p.m. on Friday August 3, a 47-year-old man and a 57-year-old female met with 30-year-old Alejandro Manjarrez, who is an acquaintance, at his home in the 100 block of north Meridian to sell a wench, according to officer Charley Davidson.
At the residence a verbal argument ensued between the two victims and Manjarrez. The argument escalated to a physical disturbance and a shot being fired in the home, which did not strike anyone.
Manjarrez allegedly then forcibly removed the two victims from the home, had them get into their 2000 White Ford F150 and drove them to a remote location in Sedgwick County. In the county the victims were let out of the vehicle and they were able to contact a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Officer patrolling in the area. Manjarrez fled from the scene.
Through the investigation investigators were able to develop Manjarrez as a suspect and were working to contact him in reference to the case.
At approximately 1 a.m. Tuesday, Officers responded to an aggravated assault case at a residence in the 3100 block of north Amidion involving Manjarrez. Upon Officers arriving Manjarrez was not there. At approximately 11 a.m. Officers were able to contact him at the residence on Amidion, according to Davidson.
Police arrested Manjarrez was arrested and booked into jail on requested charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, and possession of firearm by a felon.
Authorities also recovered the 2000 Ford F150 at the Amidion residence.
The investigation is ongoing and it will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office, according to Davidson.
TOPEKA, KAN. – A homeless man was indicted Wednesday on a federal charge of robbing a credit union in Topeka, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Frazier -photo Shawnee Co.
Robert Charles Frazier, 63, is charged with one count of robbery. The indictment alleges that on Aug. 20, 2018, he robbed the Azura Credit Union at 1129 South Kansas Avenue.
An off-duty Topeka police officer working security at the credit union arrested Frazier.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Topeka Police Department and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.
JACKSON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen for alleged criminal threat to students.
Crowder-photo Shawnee Co.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s office was informed Wednesday morning of a series of alleged criminal threats directed towards several area teenagers.
Officials with USD 337 took a pro-active approach by placing Royal Valley High SchoolSchool and Grade School on modified lockdown this morning and additional deputies were on scene for precautionary purposes.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that the suspect identified as 19-year-old Braden Charles Crowder was at a manufacturing plant in northwest Topeka, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.
Kansas State Troopers and Jackson County Detectives took Crowder into custody shortly before 1:30 pm on a Jackson County District Court warrant for criminal threat and telephone harassment.
Crowder was transported to the Jackson County Jail where a bond of $25,000.00 has been set, according to More.
JEWELL COUNTY – The Jewell County Sheriff’s Office requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) provide an update on the condition of the two Jewell County sheriff’s deputies who were shot Tuesday morning at the Sheriff’s Office in Mankato, Kan.
Streets blocked off the law enforcement center in Mankato Tuesday morning after the shooting- photo courtesy KWCH
The Jewell County deputy who was treated at the local hospital was released late Tuesday afternoon and is now recovering at home. The Jewell County deputy being treated at a Salina, Kan. hospital continues to recover at the hospital and is currently in stable condition.
The names of the deputies will not be released in order to respect their privacy while they recover from their injuries.
RENO COUNTY — There were no injuries after a small plane made a crash landing just before 1:30p.m. Wednesday in Reno County.
photo courtesy Reno Co. Sheriff
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1984 Air-Tractor fixed wing aircraft piloted by Peter Schellenberger, 24, Carlisle, Arkansas, was performing crop dusting near Centennial Road just north of Trails West Road approximately 12 miles West of Hutchinson.
The aircraft had a sudden power loss and crash landed in the ditch on east side of Centennial Road.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A teachers union has endorsed Democratic Sen. Laura Kelly in her bid for Kansas governor, casting her as an ally to education and warning her opponents will hurt schools.
Senator Laura Kelly
The National Education Association’s Kansas chapter released a list Tuesday of recommended candidates for statewide, congressional and legislative races. The chapter said it evaluated the candidates through interviews and by reviewing their voting record.
Kelly has supported efforts to comply with state Supreme Court orders and provide adequate public school funding. Lawmakers lowered school funding in response to the 2008 economic recession and struggled to balance the budget after former Gov. Sam Brownback’s tax policy.
“I’m not new to the struggle educators and students have endured in recent years,” Kelly said. “I have fought against policies that put the interests of a select few ahead of the promise of opportunity for every Kansas student. Throughout my career, I have stood with our teachers and the professionals who are closest to our students in the classroom.”
Her Republican opponent, Secretary of State Kris Kobach, opposed a plan lawmakers passed this year to phase in a $522 million increase over the next five years. Kobach has supported a constitutional amendment that would get rid of the high court’s authority to decide whether funding is adequate. He also wants a mandate requiring that 75 percent of all education funding be spent in the classroom.
The Kansas National Education Association “is not looking out for the interests of teachers,” said Kobach spokeswoman Danedri Hebert. “Secretary Kobach’s proposal to spend 75 cents of every education dollar in the classroom would result in more money being spent on teacher salaries and less money being spent on redundant administrators.”
Critics of Kobach’s proposal have said he’s blurring the line between state funding and bonds that local taxpayers approve for construction projects. The proposal would also lead to cuts in areas like transportation, counseling and food to meet the 75 percent goal, according to critics.
Multiple KNEA members are Republican, said union spokesman Marcus Baltzell. But he said many Republican candidates declined to answer questions, contributing to the disparity between parties for recommended candidates.
“It’s not about partisanship one way or the other,” Baltzell said. “It’s about who stood up for Kansas children.”
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say in court filings that the U.S. Coast Guard found probable cause that the captain of a tourist boat that sank in Missouri, killing 17 people, committed misconduct, negligence or was inattentive to his duties.
Photo courtesy NTSB
The U.S. attorney’s office also said in motions filed Wednesday that the captain of a second duck boat that made it safely to shore when a storm came up on Table Rock Lake near Branson July 19 acted in a “grossly negligent manner” that day. The filing doesn’t elaborate on the allegations.
In the motion, federal prosecutors are asking the federal court based in Kansas City to delay the discovery process in any lawsuits filed against the operators of the Ride the Ducks tours until the criminal investigation is completed.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Yamaha YZF-R6S driven by Raphael R. Byrd, 32, Chatanooga, TN., was eastbound on U.S. 24 at a high rate of speed.
