CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Sunday night at a residence near Peru, Kansas.
Image courtesy KBI
According to a KBI media release, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance Sunday at approximately 6:30 p.m. Special agents responded to the scene to assist.
Preliminary information indicates that on Sunday, Feb. 17 at approximately 6:15 p.m., the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office received a call that a man had been shot. When they responded to the residence at 863 Road 26 in Sedan, Kan., deputies found a male gunshot victim inside the home. EMS rendered aid to the man and transported him to the Sedan City Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He has been identified as 46-year-old Joe Corman, of Peru, Kan.
Authorities quickly identified and located a shooting suspect. Sheriff’s deputies arrested Travis W. Dickson, 43, at approximately 7:10 p.m. Sunday at his home in Niotaze, Kan., and booked him into the Chautauqua County Jail for driving under the influence. On Monday, a first-degree murder charge was filed against Dickson.
The “Preserving the Family with Estate Planning” workshops by the Cottonwood Extension District #17 to be held this week in Colby and WaKeeney have been cancelled due to low registration numbers.
All registrations will be refunded as soon as possible.
For more information contact Cottonwood Extension District in Hays at 785-628-9430.
The city of Hays has implemented a new website! Please visit haysusa.com to browse and explore all of the new content including an expanded home page with current news and project information.
The new website also has a “Notify Me” feature that will soon replace Nixle notifications.
The Notify Me sign-up page can be found on our home page under “How Do I” and then “Sign Up For”, “Notifications / Notify Me”. From there you can sign up for email or text messages to notify you on topics of your choice.
The current Nixle notifications will no longer be used starting March 1st, so we invite you to sign up for Notify Me soon!
NATOMA — Due to the winter weather forecast, the Peterson Farm Brothers event in Natoma originally scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 20, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, March 6.
Before Laura Kelly took over as governor, the Kansas Department for Children and Families overhauled which private companies would manage its child welfare system, and how the department would oversee their work.
Gov. Laura Kelly, left, and Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard announce they are canceling grants for family preservation services and renegotiating foster care grants. JIM MCLEAN / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE
Kelly put the brakes on that whole plan in December.
Last week she announced she’d be rolling back major parts of the changes. She canceled grants with two companies and said the state would renegotiate grants with three companies.
The main child welfare programs that DCF outsources fall into two categories: services to kids who have been removed from their homes, and programs aimed to help keep kids safely with their families.
The grants for that family preservation have been scrapped entirely. DCF Secretary Laura Howard said she had concerns about how they were awarded. One company received three regions despite not bidding on one of the regions, and receiving far lower scores in the other two regions than any other company reviewed by the agency.
The Kansas City Star reported Wednesday that that company was Eckerd Connects and that it received the grants because it had underbid its competitors.
Howard said DCF will change the family preservation grants — mostly to take advantage of federal funding from the Family First Preservation Services Act — and put out a new call for applicants.
She said many bidders “just didn’t come to the table” because the grant expectations were higher than was feasible with the amount of money DCF was looking to spend.
“We do need to align outcomes and money,” she said.
In the meantime, the two current family preservation contractors, KVC Kansas and St. Francis Community Services, will have their contracts extended by six months to the end of 2019.
Howard said she didn’t see the same mismatch of grants being awarded to low-scoring applicants on the foster care side. So those grants will just be renegotiated, not scrapped and rebid. DCF is still extending the current foster care contracts — also with KVC and St. Francis — but only by three months.
Bringing in oversight
When the new grant system was announced, then-DCF Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel promised it would improve accountability and oversight. She said it would also offer more transparency into who was tasked with taking care of kids, and how.
But many lawmakers and child welfare advocates don’t think she delivered.
Rather than going through a contract bid process with the Department of Administration — which has previously evaluated companies’ bids, scored them, and awarded contracts — DCF’s new grant process allowed them to pick the companies in-house without that oversight.
The idea was to let the department that knew child welfare best pick the best child welfare providers.
Instead, foster care watchers were flummoxed when grants were awarded to Eckerd Connects. It had many problems familiar to Kansas, including kids sleeping in offices and bouncing from home to home, in its Florida foster care operations. Child welfare advocates were even more perplexed when the Star revealed Eckerd got the grants despite low scores.
“There needs to be a full accounting,” said Benet Magnuson, head of the nonprofit advocacy organization Kansas Appleseed. “I’m encouraged to see the governor seems determined to shine a light on what happened, and why.”
Kelly and Howard are bringing the Department of Administration back into the mix. That department, not DCF, will put out the call for new family preservation providers. And representatives from that department will join DCF staff during renegotiations of the foster care grants.
Why does it matter?
The state is obligated to provide care and services to foster kids in its custody, even when it has outsourced those responsibilities to private companies. Those services aren’t supposed to disappear or get delayed because of who’s handling them.
The grant system proposed by the previous DCF administration was meant to give DCF more control over the companies it was paying to meet care for children. It was also intended to bring more companies to the table with the hope that more players would mean more resources, more ideas, and better outcomes.
The new system would also mean multiple changes at once — to which companies handled foster care and family preservation, as well as which providers would be responsible for various regions of Kansas. Transitions are chaotic, raising fears about what that upheaval would mean for children already in crisis.
Child welfare advocates are quick to add that that doesn’t mean changes should never be made. In a privatized system, DCF’s ability to reduce the role of or outright drop a private company is one of its tools to make sure that a company delivers on its obligations to kids.
And some were hoping for change, even if it did mean disruption.
Some foster parents are frustrated that they can’t get the services they need from current contractors. Though some were encouraged that Kelly’s administration was taking a hard look at who had been awarded grants, putting the grants on pause left them in limbo about whether changes would be made.
Many advocates, lawmakers and other child welfare observers questioned the necessity of so much transition at once — and whether the changes would actually make foster kids’ experiences in the system any better.
Joni Hiatt, director of Kansas programs for the foster care advocacy group FosterAdopt Connect, says she wasn’t surprised by reports that Eckerd had been chosen over groups that were deemed more qualified by the teams who reviewed family preservation proposals.
“To find out that this was how these contracts were chosen,” she said, “that’s so disappointing in so many ways.”
Putting the grants on hold left foster and birth parents in regions where new companies had been awarded grants in a holding pattern. They had to wait to see if they would have the same company handling their kids’ cases, or if it would change.
With the Kelly administration’s decision to extend out the current contracts for a little while longer, and renegotiate foster care and rebid family preservation, many are hopeful for better outcomes. But that process will take time.
“Children, their birth families, foster and adoptive parents,” Hiatt said, “they’re going to have to wait that much longer to access quality services and promised accountability.”
DOUGLAS COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a scam.
According to a social media report from police in Lawrence, individuals have received packages via UPS that request that they serve as a “secret shopper”.
The package includes two letters and a check for $2,900.
The victims are instructed to cash the check, keep $500 as commission, purchase $2,400 in Walmart gift cards, and then send the gift cards to a Mr. Knower.
“This is a scam. The check will bounce and you will owe your bank $2,900.”
Police reminded, “if it is too good to be true, then it probably is.”
Hays city commissioners Thursday approved an ordinance to annex 23.31 acres of property located on the west side of the Highway 183 Bypass at 33rd Street. It was formerly a mobile home court.
The owners, Robert and Sondra Swift, Hays, requested annexation of the land which is approximately 500 feet from the city limits but is not contiguous.
A portion of the property being annexed is known as Creeksite Acres. Several years ago, the buildings and some infrastructure were removed from the property. The remainder of the property includes Big Creek on the west side. The entire property is located within the 100-year floodplain and any development would be required to follow city of Hays floodplain development ordinances.
Hays Public Works Director Jesse Rohr told the commission the developer plans to extend a city water main from Columbine west to the property at no cost to the city. A sewer line is located along the east side of the bypass.
Plans call for an RV park to be opened at the site according to Jacob Wood, assistant city manager.
Public Works Dir. Jesse Rohr with Shirley McDonald, administrative asst.
At the beginning of Thursday’s meeting, three employees were introduced to the commission by their department heads as new hires or newly promoted.
They are Shirley McDonald, promoted to full-time from part-time administrative assistant for the Public Works Dept., Jacob Schnabel, a new Maintenance Worker I in the Water Resources Dept., and Officer Dakota Gully, who was promoted from part-time to full-time with the Police Dept.
McDonald has worked for public works for four years. “It was an easy transition,” Rohr said.
Dir. of Water Resources Jeff Crispin with Jacob Schnabel, Maintenance Worker I.
Schnabel has a bachelors degree in music from Fort State University. “He’ll also in the future be joining the Marines,” said Jeff Crispin, water resources director. “I think that’s awesome.”
Gully is from Golden, Colorado. “Like so many of the young people in our community, Fort Hays State brought him to Hays,” said Don Scheibler, police chief. “He played football for FHSU and wrestled. He has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and secondary education. I think he was on the fast track to becoming a teacher when we grabbed him up and got him interested in law enforcement.”
Police Chief Don Scheibler with Ofc. Dakota Gulley
Both Gully and Schnabel happened to be celebrating their birthdays Thursday, which was also Valentine’s Day.
LaVern Heller passed away on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society-Decatur County in Oberlin, Kansas at the age of 91. He was born on September 25, 1927 near Leonardville, Kansas to Otto and Ethel (Johnson) Heller. On December 25, 1949 LaVern was united in marriage to Wanda Lee Mickey at her parent’s home in Wakefield, Kansas. They were blessed with two children: Kathleen Anne and Robert LaVern.
LaVern grew up around Leonardville where he attended Lee School District 79 until 1937. He then attended the Leonardville Grade School for a year and later Riley Grade School. He graduated from Riley High School in 1946 and then enlisted in the United States Army where he served as a Rifleman and a Bugler in the B Troup, 8th Calvary. He was stationed at Camp Funston in Fort Riley, Kansas, Fort Knox in Kentucky, Camp Stoneman in California, and Camp Omeiga in Japan. LaVern’s honorable service was recognized with the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal Japan.
LaVern worked as a manager of the Bala Elevator and bookkeeper for the Riley Feed Store for 7 years until he moved to Palco where he worked as a heavy equipment operator for Slick’s Ditching Service for 34 years. LaVern was an active member, treasurer, and “coffee man” for the United Methodist Church for many years. During his spare time he enjoyed square dancing at the Palco Community Hall, keeping his yard looking nice, and fishing. When the weather got cold his favorite thing to do was travel with his wife to various locations in Arizona. LaVern was devoted to a life of serving God and his beloved family.
LaVern is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Shaffer and husband Brent of McCook, NE; son, Robert Heller of Palco, KS; grandchildren, Alicia Leith, Kirstyn Shaffer, and Andrew Heller; and great-grandchild, Zapleigh Zander.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Ethel Heller, wife, Wanda Heller, and sisters, Arlene Gravenstein and Darlene Maginness.
It is said, “Life has meaning only to the degree it is lived in the service of others.” LaVern lovingly gave of himself to family, friends, neighbors, and community because he valued them above all else. His legacy of honor, integrity, and faith will continue to inspire those who knew him best, until we all meet together again in our everlasting home.
Memorial Services will be determined at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Good Samaritan Society-Decatur County or the Palco United Methodist Church and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd Street, Plainville, KS 67663.
The Hays Police Department will conduct training on Feb. 19 and 20 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 4800 Vine.
“Police officers will be training with police vehicles and equipment. This training is being done with great care and safety,” the HPD said in a news release. “You may see law enforcement officers working in area. There is no need to be alarmed. The officers are merely conducting a realistic training exercise and there is no danger to the community.”
If you have any questions or concerns, contact the on-site supervisor (Lieutenant Tim Greenwood or Detective Sergeant Aaron Larson), or Chief Don Scheibler at 785-625-1030.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a do-not-drink order for the Lane Co. Rural Water District 1 located in Lane County.
The order took effect Monday and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a line break resulting in the potential of bacteriological contamination. A secondary water source that is high in nitrates was put into service until the primary well can be returned to use.
Until the line break is repaired the following steps should be observed:
DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS. Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die.
Water, juice and formula for children under six months of age should not be prepared with tap water. Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used for infants until further notice.
DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not reduce the nitrate level. Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated, because nitrates remain behind when the water evaporates.
Water should not be ingested or used for brushing teeth. Use bottled water.
Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from an automatic icemaker.
Do not use water to cook or prepare food.
Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested.
The water may be used to flush toilets.
Limited bottled water is being supplied by the system at the Healy Elementary School for those in need.
Regardless of whether the public water supplier or KDHE announced a do-not-drink order, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.
Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the Do Not Drink Order on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at [email protected] or call 785-564-6767.
Kansas Representative of the 113th District Greg Lewis announced his resignation from the Legislature effective Friday. Lewis is a farmer and cattle rancher from St. John.
In a media release, Lewis wrote: To the people of the 113th District, I share with you below what I just shared on the House floor in Topeka:
What I’m about to share I do so only that it may in some way be an encouragement to you. Proverbs 19:21 says “Many are the plans of a man’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” That certainly speaks of where my heart was Christmas Morning 2018 . . .
The afternoon of Christmas Eve, Susan, myself and our golden retriever, Zoee departed for Kansas City to spend Christmas with our son.
Zoee & I went for our morning walk on Christmas. After returning upstairs I began having problems with my vision, became lightheaded and unstable on my feet.
I told Susan what was going on and that I was headed downstairs while I could still get there on my own. Susan came down and I told her I didn’t know what was happening but I thought we should go to a medical facility. Susan called our son. We went by and picked him up and he told us which hospital to go to due to a short wait time. It was a God thing that we ended up at that medical facility which turned out to be a trauma center for strokes, which also means they have a good neurological team. They thought I was having a stroke but after an MRI, it showed I had a mass on the right side of my brain.
Christmas Day as I sat in the middle of Kansas City at a major medical facility, and thanks to telemedicine that the legislature had just worked on, I found myself speaking to a doctor in Denver, CO. From time to time we do get some things right in the Legislature.
This mass turned out to be a glioblastoma, high grade level IV, which is a cancerous brain tumor that grows exponentially . . . But that is OK. I know this tumor cannot defeat my God or His plan of salvation for me and you.
At this point, I have had 3 craniotomies and am currently taking chemotherapy and radiation.
Philippians 4:7 talks about a peace that transcends all understanding. I can testify to this truth. God has granted me a great peace with all that has occurred and at times even a JOY which I know comes from my relationship with Him.
My parting advice to you is to enjoy each day, enjoy your family, your friends, your fellow legislators. . . but do not take yourself too seriously.
Serve your District with a servant’s heart.
This is the House of Representatives.
This is not the house of self Interest.
This is not the house of special interest.
This is the People’s House; long may it serve the People and this Great State of Kansas.
It has been an honor to have known and worked with many of you. Though being a legislator was never on my bucket list, reflecting back, this has been a great honor and experience, one which I am grateful for. Susan and I wish to thank all of you for the many phone calls, cards, emails, texts, visits, even help moving offices. But we especially want to thank you for your prayers.
It has become clearly apparent to me that I cannot represent & serve my District and the people of my District at the level they so deserve. Therefore, I am tendering my resignation as State Representative of the 113th Kansas House District effective Friday, February 22nd.
And now to the people of the 113th District- it has been an unexpected journey but a true pleasure to serve you and our rural interests. I hope to pass the torch on to another like-minded servant willing to stand up for our rural way of life and carry on the legacy we have built for our community and our children.
Thank you for the honor to serve you. Susan and I will be forever grateful.
Do you have formal wear or prom dresses in your closet that you have been meaning to clean out for awhile? Here is the perfect opportunity to do something useful with your gently used hand-me-downs! Helping Hands with Hays USD 489 is gearing up for their “Project Prom to Remember” 2019.
They are taking donations of prom wear for both men and women to add to the student “store” Sat., February 23rd at the former Rue 21 location inside of Big Creek Crossing, Hays, from 10 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
All items are given free to those who shop with us.
