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Month: January 2019

Ford recalls over 953K vehicles to replace air bag inflators

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DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 953,000 vehicles worldwide to replace Takata passenger air bag inflators that can explode and hurl shrapnel.

The move includes over 782,000 vehicles in the U.S. and is part of the largest series of recalls in U.S. history.

Included are the 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, the 2010 and 2011 Ford Ranger, the 2010 to 2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, the 2010 and 2011 Mercury Milan, and the 2010 to 2014 Ford Mustang.

Some of the recalls may be limited to specific geographic areas of the U.S.

Takata used the chemical ammonium nitrate to create an explosion to inflate air bags. But it can deteriorate over time due to heat and humidity and explode with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister designed to contain the explosion. At least 23 people have been killed worldwide and hundreds injured by the inflators.

Ford says it doesn’t know of any injuries in vehicles included in this recall. Dealers will replace the inflators.

Ford will notify owners about the recall starting on Feb. 18, and the company has replacement parts available for dealers to order, said spokeswoman Monique Brentley. In previous Takata recalls, parts availability had been an issue.

Owners can go to https://owner.ford.com/service/frequently-asked-questions-regarding-takata-airbag-inflator-recalls.htmland key in their vehicle identification number to see if their cars and SUVs are being recalled. The same information will be available soon at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls .

More than three years after the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took over management of recalls involving Takata inflators, one third of the recalled inflators still have not been replaced, according to an annual report from the government and a court-appointed monitor.

The report says 16.7 million faulty inflators out of 50 million under recall have yet to be replaced. And 10 million more inflators are scheduled to be recalled this month, including the Ford vehicles. Also, Honda recalled 1.4 million vehicles in September, months ahead of schedule.

Safety advocates said the completion rate should be far higher given the danger associated with the inflators.

The recalls forced Takata of Japan to seek bankruptcy protection and sell most of its assets to pay for the fixes.

The inflators grow more dangerous as they get older because ammonium nitrate deteriorates due to high humidity and cycles from hot temperatures to cold. The most dangerous inflators are in areas of the South along the Gulf of Mexico that have high humidity.

5th-ranked Tiger women roll past Bearcats; Hobson becomes programs winningest coach

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BOLIVAR, Mo. – Carlie Heim scored a game-high 16 points and Fort Hays State used a big run midway through the second quarter to take control in a 92-67 win over Southwest Baptist Saturday afternoon at the Meyer Sports Center.

The win is a program best 13th straight to open the season and is the 218th for Tony Hobson making him the winningest coach in FHSU history.

Tony Hobson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

The Tigers (13-0, 4-0 MIAA) led by 10 in the first quarter before Southwest Baptist (4-9, 0-4 MIAA) closed the frame with an 11-1 run to tie the game 19-19.

The Tigers were up two with 4:45 to play in the second when they scored 12 unanswered to take control. It was part of a 29-5 run over the next 10 minutes that saw their lead grow to 28.

The Tigers scored 38 points off 22 SBU turnovers and added 20 second chance points off 16 offensive rebounds.

FHSU had four players reach double-figures. Whitney Randall came off the bench to score 15, Belle Barbiere, who made 4-for-5 shots from the floor and 5-of-6 free throws added 13 and Lanie Page 12.

New Kansas governor keeping predecessor’s budget director

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ incoming Democratic governor is keeping her Republican predecessor’s budget director, saying he’s proven he can work with legislators of all political stripes.

Campbell

Gov.-elect Laura Kelly announced Friday that former state Rep. Larry Campbell will remain a key adviser on fiscal policy. Departing GOP Gov. Jeff Colyer appointed Campbell to the post in February 2018.

Campbell is a 63-year-old former banker who served 13 years in the House as a Republican before becoming budget director. He is a former Olathe mayor and a current member of its City Council.

Kelly called Campbell “a team player who wants to find solutions.” The new governor served 14 years in the Senate and was a key player in budget debates for almost a decade.
The new governor takes office Jan. 14.

Teen hospitalized after report of gunshot in Lawrence

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DOUGLAS COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that sent a man to the hospital.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Saturday police in the area of the 800 block of Vermont Street in Lawrence observed a group of individuals running through a nearby parking lot, according to Sergeant Amy Rhoads.

The officer then heard what appeared to be the sound of a single gunshot coming from inside 200 West 9th Street, The Carnegie Building.

Several more individuals were seen running away from the area.

Officers arrived on scene and secured the building. Officers did not locate any injured individuals in the area. A short time later, officers responded to a local hospital and where a 19-year-old man from Topeka was being examined for what appears to be a non-life threatening injury resulting from a single gunshot wound.

Investigators believe the man was wounded in the the incident near Vermont Street.

What to watch for at this Sunday’s Golden Globes

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Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga attend ‘A Star Is Born’ photocall during the 75th Venice Film Festival at Sala Casino on Aug. 31 in Venice, Italy. Shutterstock.com
By JAKE COYLE
AP Film Writer

NEW YORK — Dramatic period pieces will vie for the top comedy-musical awards and song-stuffed movies are poised to dominate the dramatic categories. Welcome to the 71st annual Golden Globes.

Category confusion often reigns at the Globes. Remember when laughers like “The Martian” and “Get Out” competed as comedies? But the Globes, reliably the frothiest, quirkiest and most entertaining stop in the awards-season march to the Academy Awards, might feel especially upside down this year.

The night, to be broadcast live Sunday on NBC, may ultimately belong to Bradley Cooper’s “A Star Is Born” revival. It’s the favorite for best picture (drama), best actress (Lady Gaga), best song (“Shallow”) and best actor (Bradley Cooper). The film’s stiffest competition may come from another music movie: the Freddie Mercury biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” whose star, Rami Malek, some believe could pull off the acting upset over Cooper.
Despite their copious tuneage, the campaigns of both “A Star Is Born” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” elected for the more serious dramatic category. For “A Star Is Born,” it’s a kind of power move to firmly establish itself as the Oscar front runner many believe it is.

Oscar voting, as it turns out this year, commences Monday, the morning after the Golden Globes. If “A Star Is Born” runs away with the Globes, it will enter the nominations period of the Academy Awards as the favorite by a wide margin.

With “A Star Is Born” (along with “Black Panther,” ”If Beale Street Could Talk” and “BlacKkKlansman”) up for best picture as a drama, that’s left a few humor-tinged movies many would peg as dramas — “The Favourite,” ”Green Book” and “Vice” — to give the comedy/musical side of the Globes a bit more heft than usual.

Of those, “Vice” comes in with the most nominations of any film (six), but the chances of “The Favourite” are probably the best on Sunday. “The Favourite,” Yorgos Lanthimos’ triangular power struggle in Queen Anne’s court, is the most decorated film of the bunch in an awards season that, despite any other fluctuations, has been rigid in its acclaim for the powerhouse trio of Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone.

Emily Blunt, nominated twice this year by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (best actress for “Mary Poppins Returns” and best supporting actress for “A Quiet Place”) could give Colman — named the lead of “The Favourite” — a run for her money. But Colman’s tragicomic performance as Queen Anne has made her the definite front-runner and potentially Lady Gaga’s stiffest competition come the Oscars when the two best-actress contenders will presumably go head to head.

The awards season of “Green Book” has been marred by backlash, so Peter Farrelly’s 1960s road trip tale probably has the most to gain from a strong showing at the Globes. The film’s best actor (comedy) contender, Viggo Mortensen, may not be able to challenge Christian Bale’s Dick Cheney, but the HFPA — which overlooked Mahershala Ali for “Moonlight” — may right that wrong with an award for his supporting performance in “Green Book.”

But if the lines of comedy, musical and drama are particularly blurred at this year’s Globes, they are even more so between film and television.

There are as many movie stars nominated in the TV categories as there are in the film ones. Among them: Julia Roberts (“Homecoming”), Jim Carrey (“Kidding”), Amy Adams (up for both “Vice” and “Sharp Objects”) Michael Douglas (“The Kominsky Method”), Benedict Cumberbatch (“Patrick Melrose”), Penelope Cruz (“The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”), Patricia Arquette (“Escape at Dannemora”), Hugh Grant (“A Very English Scandal”) and Laura Dern (“The Tale”).

Their shows and others (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” ”Barry,” ”Bodyguard,” ”Killing Eve”) will be in the mix, and the victors may well muddy another awards show boundary: that between host and winner. Sandra Oh, the star of “Killing Eve,” is favored to win best actress in a drama series, potentially giving her a welcome respite from hosting duties alongside Andy Samberg.

Oh and Samberg will have the challenge of marshalling a broadcast that last year fell 11 percent in viewership for NBC. That ceremony, when women attendees wore black, was atypically solemn for the Globes, and rife with protest, coming as the first major awards show of the post-Harvey Weinstein #MeToo era.

But for a Globes full of head-scratchers, Samberg and Oh — each hailing from different realms of comedy and drama — are a fittingly, charmingly incongruous pair.

Ellis expands application deadline for New Retail Business Sales Tax Rebate

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ELLIS – A revision to the city’s New Retail Business Sales Tax Rebate Program was unanimously approved Dec. 17 by the Ellis City Council. The application deadline has been expanded to 60 days.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

 

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

Minutes

December 17, 2018

 

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger.  Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Dustin Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.  Council member Dena Patee was absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

Verda Flinn, Steve Ferland, Gary Luea, Glen Keller, Nickole Byers, and Martin LaBarge (arrived at 7:40 p.m.)

CONSENT AGENDA

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on December 3, 2018, Bills Ordinance #2059, and the October Manual Journal Entries.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Nickole Byers spoke on downtown snow removal.

PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)

None

SPECIAL ORDER

Fire: Report

Fire Chief Dustin Vine presented his monthly report and spoke on several recent training events.  Chief Vine thanked the Public Works Department for completing the annual flushing of the fire hydrants.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Campground: Special Project

Verda Flinn, Campground Committee representative, presented the sole bid from Driggs Design Group for engineering services for the Campground Expansion Project.  Two other engineering firms declined to submit a bid due to time constraints.  Mr. Driggs submitted two options with his bid – Option #1 with the City acting as the lead contractor on the project, and Option #2 where a complete design and bid package would be provided with an outside contractor selected to complete the project.  The Campground Committee recommended Option #1 at a cost of $6,500.  The Committee believes the engineering services included in Option #1 will meet the requirements to apply for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism grant; however, Mr. Driggs’ bid states that Option #2 would be required to apply for State grants.  Council member Bob Redger moved to accept Option #1 from Driggs Design Group in the amount of $6,500 with funds to come from the Campground Fund.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion.  Upon a call for discussion, Council members again questioned why the bid specifically stated that Option #2 would be required to apply for the State grant.  Upon a call for the vote, the motion failed 1-4, with Council member Bob Redger voting in favor, and Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton, and Jolene Niernberger voting opposed.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner then moved to accept Option #1 from Driggs Design Group in the amount of $6,500 if that will allow the City to apply for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism Grant.  If not, then to accept Option #2 in the amount of $11,000 with funds to come from the Campground Fund.  Council member Susan Eaton seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

General Government: Policy

City Clerk Amy Burton and City Attorney Olavee Raub presented the revised draft of the proposed New Retail Business Sales Tax Rebate Program.  Ms. Burton noted two discrepancies between the current Utility Incentive Program and the proposed Sales Tax Rebate program – the definition of a qualifying new business and the deadline for application into the programs.  It was the consensus of Council to modify both programs to reflect a sixty-day application deadline and to use the definition of a new business as outlined in the Sales Tax Rebate program.  After further discussion, Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the New Retail Business Sales Tax Rebate Program as revised by expanding the application deadline to sixty days.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

NEW BUSINESS

General Government: City Code

City Attorney Olavee Raub presented the proposed ordinance increasing the petty cash fund.  The amount in Section 1 (b) should be revised to $2,500.  Council member Bret Andries moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1435 increasing the Petty Cash Fund to $2,500.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

General Government: Policy

City Attorney Olavee Raub discussed the information provided on small cell antennas.  The Federal Communications Commission has recently adopted rules limiting the ability of state and local governments to regulate the deployment of small cells.  The City has an opportunity to adopt an ordinance providing a fee structure and establishing provisions for aesthetic standards.   After further discussion, Council member Bret Andries moved to direct Ms. Raub to develop small cell aesthetic standards for the City with a corresponding fee structure.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

General Government: Financial

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the list of utility bad debts to be written off in 2018.  Writing off the bad debts is an annual accounting procedure and in no way affects the City’s ability to collect these debts.  The amount to be written off represents less than ½% of the City’s 2018 total receivables.  Most of the debts listed have already been submitted to the State Setoff program and a private collection agency.  Prior to the Council meeting, Council member Holly Aschenbrenner reviewed the individual names of the accounts to be written off, per auditor recommendation.  Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the write-off of the utility bad debts in the amount of $5,286.09 as presented.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

City Clerk: Financial

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner made a motion to authorize the City Clerk’s office to pay any outstanding vendor invoices due and payable at year-end.  Council member Susan Eaton seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.  The vendor invoices paid will be reviewed at the January 7th Council meeting.

General Government: Financial

Each year, Council considers transferring excess budget funds from each of the General Fund departments into the Special Machinery fund.  City Clerk Amy Burton discussed the benefits and drawbacks of authorizing such transfer.  By transferring the money to the Special Machinery Fund, those funds can be held for future equipment purchases, thus possibly reducing a future transfer or mill levy increase to help fund those needs.  On the other hand, the transfer moves “unrestricted” monies in the General Fund to a “restricted” status within the Special Machinery Fund.  Ms. Burton presented estimated transfer amounts with illustrative percentages for consideration.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to transfer $7,500 from the General Government department, 50% of excess budget funds from the Police Department, and 75% of excess budget funds from the Fire, Park, and Swimming Pool departments.  Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

General Government: Permits/Licenses

Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the Application for License to Sell Cereal Malt Beverages for Arthur’s Pizza and Mexican Foods.  Council member Susan Eaton seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Campground: Repair/Maintenance

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented three bids for materials to tile the bathhouses at the Lakeside Campground.  The Department will install the non-skid tile in the men’s and women’s shower areas.  Council member Bret Andries moved to approve the low bid from Trio Home Center for 264 sq. ft. of mosaic floor tile at a cost of $1,158.96 with funds to come from the Campground Fund.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Mr. Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period October 10th to November 10th.  The percentage of water accounted for has been below normal for most of 2018.  Per KRWA, the average unaccounted-for loss should be around 15%.  The City’s unaccounted-for loss has averaged closer to 20% all year.  This equates to approximately $2,000 per month in potential lost revenue.

Mr. Scheuerman reported that all of the City’s fire hydrants have been flushed this year.

Sewer: Repair/Maintenance

Mr. Scheuerman discussed the need to replace the submersible pump at the Cedar Lane lift station with a top mount pump the City already has in stock.  The lift station would need to be modified from single phase to 3-phase electricity, and the top mount pump would need some modifications as well.  Mr. Scheuerman estimates the entire project to cost around $12,000.  The project is budgeted for 2019; therefore, Council will further consider the modifications in January.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates provided his Department report.  The DARE graduation for St. Mary’s will be December 20th.

Personnel: Entry

Benjamin Kolas has been offered the vacant position in the Police Department, pending successful pre-employment tests.  Officer Kolas is planned to start employment January 7, 2019.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the Health Insurance Savings Report for November and the October financial statements.  The Campground Committee meeting minutes were reviewed as well as the 2019 League of Kansas Municipalities training schedule.

The newly elected Council members will be sworn in at the January 14th Council meeting.

The Kansas Department of Commerce will issue a notice by December 21st with the details and application deadlines for the special round of CDBG swimming pool grant funding.

Attorney

City Attorney Olavee Raub reported that a potential buyer for the Ellis Days Inn has contacted her to see if the City would be interested in extending the tax exemption status for the hotel.  Ms. Raub will need to research if the State would even allow an extension of tax exemption incentives.  After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to not extend the exemption status for the potential buyer.

Water Exploration: Special Project

Ms. Raub reported that the real estate contracts for the Water Exploration Project have been signed; however, the title insurance has not been received yet. Once the title insurance is completed the City will be able to close on the sale.

Mayor Update and Announcements

None

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess into executive session at the request of City Attorney Olavee Raub.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 7 minutes to discuss contract negotiations pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(2) with City Attorney Olavee Raub present. The open meeting will resume at 9:42 p.m.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.  No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.  The meeting adjourned at 9:43 p.m.

Suspects wanted for Tulsa murder arrested in Kansas

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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities in Kansas arrested two suspects wanted in connection with a fatal shooting in Oklahoma.

Terrell -photo Sedgwick County
Williams -photo Sedgwick Co.

Just after 10:30p.m. December 29, police responded to a shooting at 4811 South Jackson Avenue in Tulsa, according to a media release from police.

Upon arrival, officers found the victim, Louis Poole, dead from gunshot wounds.

On January 3, 2019 an arrest warrant for 1st Degree Murder was issued for 42-year-old Kenneth Williams AHA “Jazzie” and 33-year-old La’shae Terrell.

Authorities located and arrested them at an apartment complex in the 5000 Block of North Maize Road in Wichita late Thursday, according to the Sedgwick County arrest report.

They remained in the Sedgwick County jail Saturday, according to jail records.

Mark A. Robins

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Mark A. Robins, 70, of Oakley, passed in his home January 2, 2019. Mark was born to Bert and Elizabeth (Schreiber) Robins on June 7, 1948 in Dodge City, Kansas. The family settled in Holcomb, Kansas where Mark graduated from high school.

Mark was always active in sports in some way. He participated in sports in high school and college level. He played football at Ottawa University and was a four year letterman. His love was always for baseball and he was an avid Kansas City Royals and Chiefs fan.

While at Ottawa University Mark met and married his wife Cicily ‘Cis’ Park and they were married 47 wonderful years. To this union three children were born Tanya, Lance, and Erin.

Mark coached high school athletes for 31 years he was known by his athletes to be dedicated to their improvement on a daily basis. One athlete stated, “Mark played a huge part in making me the person that I am today.” Mark helped to train many successful athletes in football, basketball, and track. In 1998, he coached the Oakley boys track team to a second place finish at the Kansas High School State Track Meet.

Mark’s children and grandchildren were his life! He enjoyed spending time with them and watching them participate in their sports and activities. Mark always enjoyed spending time with family around the holidays but he especially loved the Fourth of July!

Mark was active in the United Methodist Church in Oakley Kansas. He was a youth leader with his wife Cis and served on various committees for the church.

After retiring from teaching and coaching in 2002 you could always find Mark active in the community. His love was to be outside and he assisted his wife with their greenhouse and lawn care business.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents Bert and Elizabeth Robins. Surviving are his wife Cis Robins; son Lance and wife Linda Robins; daughters Tanya Robins and Erin and husband Chris Notestein; eight grandchildren James, Jayden, Marcus, Tharron, Jenasea, Olivia, Elyn and Annissa; his brother Robin and wife Gail Robins; sisters, Annette and husband Bob Blecha and Janelle and husband Gene Gaede; brother in law Benjamin Park and family; sister in law Emy Jacobsen; seven nieces and nephews and many cousins.

Mark will be dearly missed by all of his family.

The family will receive friends at the Oakley United Methodist Church basement on Sunday, January 6, 2019, from 3-5:00 p.m. A graveside service will take place at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 7, 2019, at the Cimarron Township Cemetery, Cimarron, KS. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

4-year-old hit by police vehicle on school sidewalk dies

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BOONE COUNTY — A child died in an accident just before 4p.m. Friday in Boone County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported marked 2015 Chevy Tahoe patrol vehicle driven by Columbia police officer Andria E. Heese, 27, was eastbound in a roundabout at the west entrance to the parking lot of Battle High School 7575 East St. Charles Road.

The vehicle exited the road with the intention of parking on the sidewalk so the driver could observe students loading onto school buses.

The vehicle struck Gabriella Curry, 4, Columbia, who was walking on the sidewalk.

Officer Heese, another CPD officer at the school and other school personnel began providing immediate medical care to the child, according to a media release from the city of Columbia. The officer requested further medical aid via radio. Columbia Fire and University Ambulance EMS arrived and provided advanced life support. The child was transported to the University Hospital Level One Trauma with CPD escort.

Despite life saving attempts by emergency personnel both on the scene and at the hospital, the child died due to injuries sustained during the incident.

Officer Heese has been with the Columbia Police Department for five years and is assigned to the Community Outreach Unit, according to the release. Officer Heese is on Administrative Leave as per department protocol. MSHP continues to investigate the incident.

Kan. CDBG has funding for community swimming pools

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KDC

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce announces its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program now enables communities to apply for funding that can be used to construct a swimming pool.

There are many benefits for a community to consider constructing an outdoor city swimming pool – both for lifestyle and health benefits. Swimming pools offer a means of social interaction, relaxation and stress relief. They give an opportunity for residents to participate in aerobic, yet low-impact exercise. Finally, ADA-approved pool helps people in the community who have special needs.

To be eligible, the proposed facility must include a single pool of water with no elaborate extras, such as lazy rivers, slides or splash parks. The pool can include a maximum of two diving boards. Facilities may be designed to allow for extra features in the future but cannot be part of the application.

For a community to be eligible, it must have population of 500 to 25,000. The maximum grant amount is $1,000,000. The application has a deadline of May 15, 2019. The City must still meet the LMI requirements, and a 60/40 match is required (60% CDBG funds and 40% local funds).

For more details and to download the grant application, visit KansasCommerce.gov/cdbg. Questions should be directed to Linda Hunsicker, CDBG Specialist, at (785) 215-4484 or [email protected].

MARSHALL: Doctor’s Note Jan. 5

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Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.

Friday Senator Pat Roberts announced that he would be retiring at the end of his term in 2020. Senator Roberts has been an idol, mentor, and friend. We appreciate his dedication and endless contributions to Kansas and our country. He’s been a resilient voice advocating on behalf of Kansans for decades, and we will greatly miss his leadership here in Washington. He’s been an exceptional public servant and a tireless leader for Kansas farmers, rural communities, veterans, and our servicemen and women. It was a great privilege to work with him for the past two years to pass the 2018 Farm Bill. 

Laina and I wish both the Senator and Franki all the best and look forward to continuing to work with him and seek his counsel throughout his term and beyond. 

Day 14 of the Partial Government Shutdown:

The current funding levels and resources are inadequate to meet the demands and scope of the problem at our borders. Walls and barriers work, and the Democrats know this, they’ve supported these types of barriers in the past. Just ten months ago, Democrats were willing to give President Trump 5 times the amount he is asking for today for border security. We must negotiate, and I believe the president is doing the right thing by hosting these meetings at the White House with congressional leaders to try and find common ground- This has become a choice between open borders and open government.

The president says he believes the shutdown will be over soon, but that he will not accept anything that doesn’t prioritize border security. I believe there are win-win-wins to be found and the president has said he’s opening to negotiating a deal. 

The next Secretary of Defense

This week I wrote an op-ed in The Hill discussing our national security goals and objectives in the Middle East, and the role the new Secretary of Defense should play.

It is imperative that our nation’s next Secretary of Defense pursues missions with a clear and precise exit strategy.

As leaders, often we have to say, “Weigh the anchor, full speed ahead,” and be willing to tact into the headwinds. While the Middle East has many headwinds awaiting, I for one am glad we have a Commander in Chief whose priority is not just to win wars, but also get our troops home.

Job Report: Exceeding Expectations

The economy continues to exceed expectations. Friday the Department of Labor reported that 312,000 jobs were added in December. These numbers highlight the strength of our economy due to the 115th Congresses pro-growth agenda and the success of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As we begin 2019, it is essential that we continue to uphold and expand this economic growth. With more than 30 million small businesses across the country and nearly 255,000 throughout Kansas, a booming economy certainly helps business increase wages and opportunities.

Blessing the 116th Congress

Thursday morning we swore in the 116th Congress. Before the ceremony members of all faiths gathered to pray for our country, and to pray for our leaders. I was honored to join my colleagues and friends in reading scripture at the bipartisan prayer service.

God is indeed alive and well in this country.

Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.

Saturday last day to help Battle of Badges blood drive meet goal

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Hays Post

The Ellis County American Red Cross Battle of the Badges Blood Drive is in need of donors to meet its goal.

The drive is about 50 pints short of its goal.

Today (Saturday) will be the last day for the drive. The mobile unit will be at Big Creek Crossing in Hays from 11 a.m. 5 p.m.

You can vote for your favorite first responders. The Hays EMS, police department or fire department will earn the honor of the annual blood drive trophy.

Bill Dinkel of the American Red Cross said holidays and the summers are the slowest times of year for blood donation because about a fifth of all blood donors are age 16 to 24 and no drives are going on at college campuses or high schools.

Despite this decline, the need for blood is constant, he said. That is why events like the Ellis County Battle of the Badges are so important.

 

DSNWK receives grant from Hays Lions Club

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Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas announced this week it has received a $500 grant award from the Hays Lions Club for the vision needs of the people they serve who have developmental disabilities.

The grant will go to support DSNWK’s Consumer Medical Fund, which assists individuals with the cost of medical items and care that are not covered by Medicaid, such as eye glasses and other vision needs.

“DSNWK would like to thank the Hays Lions Club for their continuous support of people with developmental disabilities,” the organization said in a news release.

DSNWK is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 18 northwest Kansas counties since 1967.

— Submitted

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