JACKSON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged violent attack on a family member.
Christopher Wlson photo Jackson Co.
On Wednesday evening, police were called to a residence on Gregory Lane in Raytown, according to court records reported in a media release from police.
Callers had informed police dispatch that 29-year-old Christopher J. Wilson had stabbed his father with a sword.
The first officer on scene encountered a man leaving the residence. He had a knife in his hand. The officer also observed a sword on the front porch.
A woman inside yelled, “He stabbed him.” Police took Wilson into custody, and an older man was found in the kitchen on the floor in a pool of blood. Responding officers provided immediate care to the victim and applied tourniquets to try to stop the bleeding.
The victim told police that his son pushed him to the floor and stabbed him. The victim’s wife also described the attack.
Responding officers provided immediate care to the victim and applied tourniquets to try to stop the bleeding.
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced Thursday that Wilson faces Assault 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges, according to the release. He remains jailed on a $50,000 bond.
Anna Martha (Scholz) Klema, 102, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, February 06, 2019, at the Homestead Assisted Living Center in Russell, Kansas.
Anna was born on April 19, 1916, in Huron, Kansas, the daughter of George F. and Anna Dorathea (Buttron) Scholz. She grew up in Huron, Kansas, and graduated from Huron High School in 1933. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Kansas State University in 1940. After college she worked as a extension agent for 2 years. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Dell Klema on February 14, 1943. From this union they were blessed with 4 children Georganna, Dell, Jr., Karleen and Kaye. She joined the United States Navy WAVES for a year as a supervisor of enlisted women.
On June 13, 1965, Anna and Dell received word that Dell’s brother and wife were killed in a tragic plane crash leaving behind 5 sons Frank, Martin, Steven, Michael and Brian. Anna and Dell without hesitation decided to raise the boys as their own and welcomed them into the family. Anna’s primary job was wife, mother and homemaker for her rapidly growing family. She was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church of Russell and was a member of the Lutheran Church Women. She was also a member of the American Legion Post #99, Russell Rotary, Elks, Tops, 4-H, Kansas State Campus Ministry, Deines Cultural Center, Russell Historical Society, Russell Hospital Auxiliary, church quilting group, Girl and Boy Scouts. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving family include daughter Georganna McCrary (Dick), son D. J. Klema, Jr., daughter Karleen J. Wolf (Richard), and daughter Kaye Schlessman (Bill) all of Russell, and sons Martin (Becky) Klema of Ellisville, Missouri, Michael Klema (Kathy) of Lenexa, Kansas and Brian Klema (Mit) of Overland Park, Kansas; grandchildren Kim Birky, Marc McCrary and Christopher Wolf, Valerie, Courtney, Kelsey and Ian Klema; great grandchildren Jacob McCrary, Ryan and Cole Birky, Azrael, Jordan and Danica Wolf.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dell, sister Pauline Confer, and brothers Gilbert and Karl Scholz; nephews Frank and Steven Klema and a grandson James Wolf.
A celebration of Anna’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, February 09, 2019, at St. John Lutheran Church in Russell, Kansas with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating. Visitation will be from Noon to 8 P.M. on Friday, February 08, 2019, at the mortuary with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Friday evening. Memorials may be given to the St. John Lutheran Church or Kansas 4-H Foundation and sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
KPERS Funding
The budget that was submitted by Governor Laura Kelly is contingent on the reamortization of the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System’s (KPERS) unfunded liability. This proposal has not been well received by the legislature since the cost of reamortization over thirty years would be an additional cost to the Kansas taxpayers of approximately $7.4 billion.
There was some movement this week regarding KPERS when the Kansas Senate passed Senate Bill 9, which will transfer $115 million from the state general fund to the Kansas Employees Retirement Fund to alleviate some of the reduced contributions from past years.
During the 2015 legislative session, a total of $97.4 million in KPERS contributions were not made into the retirement system. When that decision was made, it originally required the state to repay this contribution in fiscal year 2018, plus interest. However, at the time we were experiencing financial difficulties and that contribution was never made and added to the KPERS unfunded liability.
Senate Bill 9 passed out of the Senate with a vote of 40-0. This bill has now been sent to the House and the House Appropriations committee will have a hearing and work this bill.
Kansas Sports Betting
Last Wednesday, the House Federal and State Affairs Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2032, which would require that any sports gambling authorized by the Kansas Lottery be conducted exclusively at racetrack facilities. Essentially, this would legalize sports betting through the Kansas Lottery which would be able to conduct and operate sports betting. The lottery would also be allowed to enter into contracts with lottery vendors and the racetrack facilities. The language of the bill states that 0.25% of the total amount wagered is paid to the appropriate sport governing body, for example the NFL, MLB, or NBA. The amount of 6.75% of the wagered amount is deposited into either the Sports Wagering Receipts Fund or the Lottery Operating Fund.
Safe and Secure Schools Update
Last session, House Republicans, in an initiative to keep the children of Kansas safe and secure at school, drafted the Safe and Secure Schools Act. This act requires the State Board of Education to work with other agencies to develop statewide standards for safety and to craft security plans for each school district in the state. The contents were signed into law in May, 2018. Since that time, the Kansas State Department of Education and the State Board of Education have worked on creating, refining, and adopting standards. A total of $5 million was allocated in fiscal year 2019 to help schools make their buildings more secure. The districts requested a total of $13 million in improvements, unfortunately, the Governor recommended defunding this program entirely in her proposed budget for fiscal year 2020.
The federal government has also been looking into the School Safety issue, having recently published the final report of the Federal Commission on School Safety. The Commission focused on three broad categories: preventing school violence; mitigating the effects of violence on students and faculty; and responding to and recovering from attacks.
Contact Information
As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, visit www.troywaymaster.com or email me at [email protected]. Also, if you happen to visit the statehouse, please let my office know.
It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.
Troy Waymaster (R-Bunker Hill) is the 109th Dist. state representative and chairman of the House Appropriations committee. The 109th District includes Osborne, Russell, and Smith counties and portions of Barton, Jewell, Lincoln and Rush counties.
Barbara Ann Doonan, 72, went to be with her savior on Feb. 7, 2019, passing away at Diversicare of Larned, Larned. She was born Nov. 22, 1946, in Great Bend to Louie & Claudia (Slaton) Doonan.
Barbara was raised for a short time in a small town west of Great Bend called Timken. The family moved to Great Bend in 1959. Barbara graduated with the Great Bend High School Class of 1964. She attended Fort Hays State University and Salt Lake City Business College.
For several years, Barbara was a fill-in secretary for Kelly Girls, however, she could step into any office and fill a position they had. After her divorce when the children were young, Barbara got a job doing waitress jobs, working day and night to support herself and her two kids. Barbara suffered from different illnesses and was force to retire early in life.
Survivors include, one son James Michael Sanders of Fort Worth, Texas; one daughter, Jannea Wright and husband Chris of Arlington, Texas; one brother, David Doonan and wife Becky of Great Bend; one granddaughter, Katie Wright; and two nieces, Amanda Doonan and Angela Doonan. She was preceded in death by her parents.
There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place. A Graveside inurnment will take place at a later date at the Great Bend Cemetery.
SALINA — Salina Comic Con: Episode III will return to Tony’s Pizza Events Center on May 4 and 5.
Vendors will be on hand for attendees who want to buy, sell, and trade comic books, toys and pop
culture memorabilia. Also returning is the popular costume contest, known as “cosplay.” Additional
character & prop appearances may be announced closer to the event.
The show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 5.
Saturday tickets are just $10 in advance, and Sunday tickets are just $8 in advance. Prices increase
$2 the day of show. Tickets for Salina Comic Con are on sale now through the Tony’s Pizza Events
Center Box Office, online at tonyspizzaeventscenter.com, or by calling 888-826-SHOW (7469).
TOPEKA — The Kansas House of Representatives discussed the removal of an amendment to House Bill 2079 on Wednesday, which currently states that spouses are exempt from being charged with sexual battery in the state of Kansas.
The amendment is sponsored by Rep. Brett Parker (D-29th), who expressed a need for explanation on the difference between sexual battery and rape as well as highlighting the difficulties within the legal community when it comes to defining consent. It comes at a time when there are more and more victims of sexual assault that are deciding to take justice into their own hands and tell their stories via movements like #MeToo and Time’s Up.
Sexual battery, which is defined in the bill as “the touching of a victim who is 16 or more years of age and who does not consent thereto,” is not the same as rape or sexual assault, nor is it the same as aggravated battery, the latter of which is defined in the bill as sexual battery in which the victim is overcome by force or fear, or is physically powerless.
In fact, the relationship between victim and abuser is irrelevant in just about every offense except for sex crimes. It is important to note that the spousal exemption for the statute of rape was removed from legislation in 1975, but remains in place for sexual battery. This “outdated and unnecessary language,” as Parker described it, needs to be removed because he believes that “marriage should not absolve offenders of guilt nor deprive victims of justice.” The bill is widely supported by members of the House, however there were a few requests for clarification in regards to more ambiguous situations and a concern that a spouse may invent an accusation to seek revenge when they are angry at their significant other. Research shows, however, that false accusations of assault are extremely rare. According to the National Sexual Violence Research Center, between two and 10 percent of sexual crimes are falsely reported.
Michelle McCormick, program director for the YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment in Topeka, which provides services and support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, stated in her written testimony that one in three women have experienced sexual violence by a partner. She wrote that she was “stunned” to learn that the current law doesn’t protect married individuals from sexually abusive spouses and believes that keeping the law the way it is only reinforces “a deeply flawed and antiquated cultural norm indicating that consent is implied by the act of marriage, and that spouses do not retain agency over their own bodies.”
Rep. Kellie Warren (R-28th), was the first to question the legal definition of consent, and was curious as to how other states have handled this situation. Although marital rape is illegal in all 50 states, the laws become hazier when it comes to sexual battery. Sara Rust-Martin, legal and policy director of the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence in Topeka, mentioned affirmative consent, which is defined as explicit, informed and voluntary agreement in regards to a sexual act. This is the most widely accepted and most valid form of consent, however it is not a term widely known by the general population.
Rep. Dennis “Boog” Highberger (D-46th) asked about situations involving sexual battery between unmarried people who have been living together for an extended period of time. Parker and Rust-Martin agreed that this situation is no different than that for married couples. The main objective of this amendment, according to Parker, was to clarify that being married does not mean that a person can take advantage of their spouse and get away with it simply under the pretense that they’re husband and wife.
The amendment will be discussed further in the coming week as representatives confer over remaining technicalities including the definition of consent.
Marissa Ventrelli is a University of Kansas senior from Chicago majoring in journalism.
BUNKER HILL – Smoky Hills Public Television’s local program, The Kansas Legislature, will be hosted by Michael Walker, director of the Fort Hays State University Docking Institute.
Our guests will be State Representatives Don Hineman of the 118th District, Russ Jennings of the 122nd District, and Leonard Mastroni of the 117th District, and Senator Randall Hardy of the 24th District. Tune in Friday at 7 p.m., and call in with your legislative questions.
The show airs during the legislative session, which gives the legislators and viewers the opportunity to discuss up-to-date issues. During the program, viewers can call 800.337.4788 with their legislative questions.
The Kansas Legislature will air on Fridays at 7 p.m. To find a list of legislators that might be on the show each week, go to www.shptv.org where you will find the 2019 season schedule.
TOPEKA — The Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) has requested roughly $2.1 million in administrative and investments costs for the next two fiscal years.
KPERS handles the retirement benefits of 312,000 members including public employees, police, firefighters and judges.
“Of course, serving all those members is what KPERS is all about,” Alan Conroy, executive director of KPERS, said Monday. “That’s the only reason we exist.”
The funding request breaks down as $224,699 requested for 2019 to cover maintenance costs for the KPERS Integrated Technology System and $1.9 million requested for 2020 to primarily cover consultation services, legal fees, computer programming, salary adjustments and fringe benefits, according to an agency budget summary.
As noted in the agency’s budget summary, Gov. Laura Kelly agrees with the revised estimate. Kelly also recommends the elimination of a payment of up to $56 million from the State General fund to the KPERS Trust Fund scheduled for the end of 2019 and instead the reamortization of the KPERS State/School employees’ group.
“The agency certainly supports the governor’s recommendation in both [fiscal years] 19 and 20,” Conroy said.
Conroy also spoke to the diversification of KPERS investment portfolio, noting that there was public equity, U.S. equity, stocks, international equity, bonds, real estate, alternative investments, timber and more all maintaining a balance. The investments retain an above average 25-year return of 8.1 percent.
“We take that fiduciary responsibility very seriously in trying to have that high level of service,” Conroy said.
As of 2018, KPERS received $1.3 billion in contributions from state employees and employers, and paid out $1.7 billion in annual benefit payments.
Also, up for consideration within the House Committees is House Bill 2119 which would “expand the delegated authority of the [KPERS] Board [of Trustees] to enter into contracts for additional services when it is in the best interests of the Trust Fund,” according to the budget summary.
HB 2119 is up for consideration in the House Financial Institutions and Pensions Committee.
Grant Heiman is a University of Kansas junior from Wichita majoring in journalism.
LONDON (AP) — Instagram has agreed to ban graphic images of self-harm after objections were raised in Britain following the suicide of a teen whose father said the photo-sharing platform had contributed to her decision to take her own life.
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri said Thursday evening the platform is making a series of changes to its content rules.
He said: “We are not where we need to be on self-harm and suicide, and we need to do more to protect the most vulnerable in our community.”
The company is also removing non-graphic images of self-harm from searches.
The call for changes was backed by the British government after the family of 14-year-old Molly Russell found material related to depression and suicide on her Instagram account after her death in 2017.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A conservation organization has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Interior over oil and gas leases offered in southeast Utah, claiming the parcels are packed with ancient cultural relics.
Advocates for the West filed the suit Wednesday in federal court in Utah on behalf of Friends of Cedar Mesa, the Deseret News reported.
The lawsuit targets the first of three oil and gas lease sales held in March 2018. The Bureau of Land Management has not yet issued the leases.
The parcels are between Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado and the former boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. The organization claims the area contains dozens of ancient community centers and Chacoan Great Houses.
The Cedar Mesa group has worked with federal land managers, but officials have refused to remove the sensitive parcels from potential leasing, said Josh Ewing, executive director of the organization.
“For an on-the-ground organization focused on stewardship and working constructively with government agencies, going to court is an absolute last resort for us,” Ewing said. “However, if we don’t stand up for these lands and cultural sites, no one will.”
The federal government has acknowledged the existence of 1,700 archaeological sites on the parcels, Ewing said. More than 900 sites in the area are eligible for listing on the national register, according to the lawsuit.
“In many of these lease parcels, less than 10 percent of the lands have been surveyed,” said Don Simonis, a former archaeologist for the Bureau of Land Management. “So the recorded sites the BLM knows about are just the tip of the iceberg.”
Hays USD 489 Superintendent candidate Ron Wilson said he centers all his work on what is best for kids.
Wilson is the fourth of four candidates to be interviewed by the Hays school board for the position of superintendent. He was interviewed by the school board Thursday night.
Mike Gower, Logan and Phillipsburg superintendent, interviewed Wednesday. Keith Hall, USD 489 interim director of finance, and Jamie Wetig, Ashland superintendent, interviewed last week.
Wilson, 53, has been the superintendent in Herington for the last two years. He was the Abilene Middle School principal for 18 years and also served as a K-8 principal at North Ottawa County. He won the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals Principal of the Year Award in 2006 and the Kansas Association of Middle School Administrators Principal of the Year Award in 2015.
He received his undergraduate degree at Bethany College and master’s degree and superintendent certification from Kansas State University. He said he made the move to becoming a superintendent later in life, because he wanted to wait until his youngest child graduated high school before moving the family. A job in Hays would move Wilson closer to his aging mother-in-law in Colorado. The Wilsons also have a son who is a senior at Fort Hays State University.
School was canceled Thursday due to cold weather, so Wilson did not have the opportunity to see the schools operating with students. He said he still thought the schools where similar to the Herington district even though the Herington district is much smaller.
“It is a 2A district. This is a 5A district, but I would say it is still people working in schools and working toward student success. Although there are more students and staff, they still have the same mission, the same goal. There are so many great support people all over this district, it is really amazing to see what is going on.”
Wilson has not been through a bond issue as a superintendent, but the Herington district recently moved forward with a lease purchase agreement using capital improvement funds to remove asbestos from the high school and upgrade floors, lighting and labs.
The Hays school district has had two failed bond attempts in the last three years. It has discussed attempting a third that would include improvements to the Hays High School HVAC system, expansion of the Hays Middle School cafeteria and expansion of Roosevelt Elementary School to accommodate five sections of each grade.
“I think I see my role as more a consensus builder,” Wilson said of a possible bond issue, “to try to bring everyone together into a consensus of what is the best possible plan that will meet the needs of the school and people but, at the same time, what the community desires. I think in my skill set that is my strength in being able to work with people and get them to understand there are not ulterior motives. It is just trying to figure out how we can best serve kids.”
Wilson acknowledged it’s tough convincing people to vote for a bond issue that includes a tax increase.
“Once people understand that we are trying to do the best we can with what we have and they trust we are telling them the right thing, I think that is how you get over the hump,” he said.
Wilson said he would also support a long-range facility plan as has been advocated by some school board members.
The school board has been split on how to move forward on facilities. They had a notable split vote on the purchase of the Oak Park Medical Complex, which is being renovated for use by Early Childhood Connections.
“I think we need to create a situation where people are focused on kids and doing what is best for kids,” he said. “I think if we have that as our ultimate goal, it is really easy to unite people as they can see that is what we are aiming for is to do what’s best for kids.”
Wilson also talked about relationships with teachers.
“I would be disappointed if I did not have a great relationship with teachers,” Wilson said. “I am very supportive of teachers, and I feel strongly that when it comes to teacher pay, that has got to be a priority of the district.”
He said raises are not always possible, but teachers make the biggest impact with students.
Herington participates in interest-based bargaining. Hays used to participate in interest-based bargaining, but has moved away from that style of negotiations in recent years. Wilson said he really liked IBB negotiations. In IBB, both parties focus on what is best for the good of both sides. Kathy Rome, KNEA UniServ director, said she and Hays KNEA also supported IBB. Board member Paul Adams asked the board at its last meeting to consider using IBB again. The full board has yet to discuss the move.
Under Wilson’s leadership in Herington, the district implemented Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. The district dedicated time to allow students who need more help to receive it. Those children who are at grade level in reading and math can use that time for enrichment activities. The schools also use some of that time for character-building activities.
Wilson said he would bring being a champion for kids to the Hays school district.
“Our ultimate goal is to give every kid opportunities … to do things more than they even thought possible. That is one of things I will bring right away. We will talk about what we are doing, what we can do better, what do you need to do better.
“I will bring a vision of everyone to bring their best every day,” he said. “I think that is so important. That is not just staff. That is making sure students bring their best and even parents in some regards. That is what our expectations are.”
He also said he believes in building a positive culture.
“Everyone has to be on the same page in terms of our goal and that is to give kids the best. … Negativity just sucks the life out of school district. There are going to be some tough days, and you are going to need someone to be positive to get you through those tough days. If you have more negativity right around the corner, it is going to take you down.”
He said many of thing he spoke about he already sees in the Hays school district. He would just hope to reinforce that vision.
The city of Hays will host an open house to provide information to the public on Vine Street corridor improvements, including proposed roundabout solutions. Refreshments will be served.
City of Hays staff and transportation engineers will be on hand to provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the North Vine Street Corridor Project. Detailed models of proposed changes will be on display to show the capabilities of roundabouts and how they improve safety for vehicles and pedestrians.
The event will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at The Venue at Thirsty’s.
