The Kansas Highway Patrol said 34-year old Donte Keeshan Newsome, Topeka, was taken to Stormont Vail Hospital for a suspected minor injury following a one-vehicle accident in Wabaunsee County four miles east of K-177 Highway.
Newsome was westbound on Interstate 70 when his Chevrolet Silverado 1500 blew a tire. The truck traveled through the center median with the vehicle landing in the south ditch. The accident was reported about 10:10 p.m. on Monday.
Newsome was wearing a seat belt, the KHP reported.
This census/congressional reapportionment issue breaks a lot of ways for Kansas, and the U.S. Supreme Court decision last week that tossed, at least for now, a question about legal residency in the U.S. splashes into Kansas in several ways.
The high court decision was basically that there is no persuasive constitutional reason for the upcoming 2020 U.S. Census to require folks in the U.S. to reveal whether they are lawfully in the United States. Practically, most are, but millions aren’t.
The likely result? If the decision holds, millions of immigrants who aren’t formally U.S. citizens will fill out the census form, and we’ll know how many people we have in the nation and in each state and where they are and just what federal and state government needs to do to keep them safe, healthy, educated…basically living a decent life in the United States. If residents who aren’t formally citizens don’t fill out the form, fearing deportation, well, that has other effects that might or might not favor Kansas.
The census total will determine just how the nation’s 435 seats in Congress are apportioned, which states gain seats, which states lose seats. It could mean, once the long division is completed, that Kansas could lose one of its four U.S. representatives. It could mean that some states (think California and probably Texas) will see more House seats, reducing Kansas’ bargaining position on issues in Congress that are important to Kansans. Like, agriculture funding, and probably even whether Amtrak riders in Kansas wind up on buses, not railroad cars.
Gov, Laura Kelly, like many Democrats, wants every person who is actually in the U.S. to be counted on that upcoming census, because the numbers will likely mean more federal assistance for the state. Who doesn’t want more of our federal income tax to be returned to Kansas under a wide range of programs? Some politicians believe Kansas could lose a House seat if not all residents are counted.
You found it! Click on the Golden Egg for a chance to win FREE Wild West Festival VIP tickets!
Republicans tend to lean toward making the census a count of legal citizens. That, they say, means that the federal government at least takes care of citizens, who are likely voters, and those non-citizens who don’t participate in the census don’t wind up with political power, and if they can register to vote under state laws, vote for candidates who will take care of them—like most of us do. Some politicians believe that Kansas could lose a House seat if non-citizens in California and certain other states are counted.
So, is it making sure that the federal government knows how to spread its (that’s our tax-dollar-funded) resources to states and their residents, or is it letting the federal government know where the citizens–not just residents–are, and using that information for assembling and funding federal programs?
Seeing the political problem here? Do you want something on the upcoming census that may hold down the participation of longtime residents who aren’t citizens, or do you want to scare some residents who aren’t citizens off participation, which may insulate conservative, likely Republican, members of Congress?
Of course, the issue probably comes down to just where that census information, and the names and addresses of residents who aren’t citizens, wind up. It’s not supposed to be widely dispersed within the federal government—say, to immigration law enforcers—but with the current president and his insistence on America for Americans, or whatever the current catchphrase is, who knows?
Would you risk filling out the form if it puts you and your family in jeopardy of deportation? Or would you trust the federal government to use the census information just for population-sensitive issues, like apportionment of Congress (and downstream, reapportionment of state legislatures)?
What’s the outcome? We can see Republicans wanting the citizenship issue, Democrats not wanting it. And both can make arguments. Probably depends on what arguments you care to hear…
Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com
Christopher Lyon, the Trego County Attorney and Hays municipal prosecutor, has announced his candidacy for the Ellis County Attorney’s Office.
Lyon served as Assistant Ellis County Attorney from 2014 to 2018 and Trego County Attorney from 2017 to present. He is also the WaKeeney municipal prosecutor.
Lyon has been the Hays municipal prosecutor since 2016, a position appointed by the Hays city attorney. He is the past president of the Ellis County Bar Association and currently also works as the staff attorney for the Kansas Sentencing Commission.
He served as an adviser to the Ellis County Drug Enforcement Unit from 2014 to 2018 and is certified by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance for Adult Drug Court Planning. He has been a special prosecutor in Rush, Sheridan and Ness counties.
Lyon received his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Dallas. He then served in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed at Fort Riley, and served two tours of duty in Iraq, the first in Baghdad (2008-09) with the First Infantry Division, and the second in Mosul (2010-11), with the First Cavalry Division.
He received numerous medals and accolades, including two Army Commendation Medals and five Army Achievement Medals. Using the G.I. Bill, Lyon left the Army in 2011 to study law at Washburn University in Topeka.
Lyon and his wife, Emily, are members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays, and have four children: Peter, Helen, Esther and Thomas. He is also a member of the Kiwanis Club, the VFW and the Knights of Columbus.
Current Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees, a Democrat, was first elected to the position in 1997.
Marjorie Bales, 85 years old, of Osborne, KS passed away on Sunday, June 30, 2019 at the Osborne County Memorial Hospital. Marjorie was born on July 4, 1933 in rural Alton, KS to Charles & Alice (Miller) Cox of rural Alton. She was one of six children.
Marjorie graduated from high school. She married Earl Bales & to this union 4 children were born. Marjorie & Earl lived on a farm near Alton until they moved to Osborne, KS in their later years. She was a homemaker & quite a seamstress among many of her other talents. Marjorie was a faithful member of the Mt. Ayr Church of Alton, KS.
Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents, 2 siblings & 1 grand-daughter, Candace Gregory of Alton, KS.
Marjorie is survived by her husband, Earl of the home; son: Larry of Osborne, KS; daughters: Donna Gregory of Alton, KS; Belinda Warner of Liebenthal, KS; Vicki Drake of Greenville, SC; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sisters: Jo Ann Putnum of Downs, KS; Mary McKay of San Antonio, TX; brother: Dee Arden Cox of Alton, KS.
A Hays man was sentenced to nearly three years in prison Monday in Ellis County District Court after being found guilty in May of three sex-related crimes.
Hunter Gonzales was sentenced to 32 months in prison aggravated battery after he pleaded no contest and was found guilty of aggravated battery, reckless aggravated battery and one misdemeanor count of sexual battery.
Gonzales was originally charged with rape and aggravated criminal sodomy after a woman he had a relationship with said he forced himself on her in November 2017.
At Monday’s sentencing, the victim addressed the court and, in front of about two dozen people, urged Chief Judge Glenn Braun to take the sentencing seriously.
She said Gonzales “put me through a living hell” and tearfully added that he “took a part of my life I will never get back.”
Gonzales also addressed the court and apologized and thanked his family and friends. He said he believed at the time, and still today, that the encounter was consensual.
Braun said these types of cases are extremely difficult and that he never takes them lightly.
He said to Gonzales that, while he and his family has been victimized by the situation, it was not as bad as what the victim has went through.
Braun added, “imagine the trauma she has incurred.”
He also said because the victim was made aware and was understanding of the plea agreement, he would accept the plea agreement.
But, he added, “this affects her more than any person in this room.”
Under the agreement, Gonzales will spend 32 month in prison with the Department of Corrections.
After finishing he prison sentence, he will be on probation for five years. If he violates his probation, he could face an additional 32 months in prison for the reckless aggravated battery charge.
Gonzales must also pay restitution for counseling the victim has received and pay other fines and fees associated with the investigation.
He will also have to register as a sex offender for 15 years.
BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) — A biodiesel plant is ceasing production in the southeast Nebraska city of Beatrice.
Flint Hills Resources announced Monday that the Duonix Beatrice plant is being idled indefinitely.
The Beatrice Daily Sun reports that plant processes corn oil and greases into biodiesel. The prices of soybeans used by most other biodiesel producers are so low the Duonix plant was put at competitive disadvantage. Flint Hills does not expect those conditions to change.
Duonix Beatrice began operation in 2016 and is a joint venture of Flint Hills Resources and Benefuel Inc. The plant was built in 2008 but wasn’t finished and never operated until purchased and refitted for biodiesel production.
Officials say severance packages will be offered to the fewer than 40 plant employees.
TOPEKA– The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Office of the State Fire Marshal and Safe Kids Kansas would like to remind Kansans of the importance of fireworks safety this Independence Day. Fireworks are dangerous to both adults and children if not handled properly.
Out of 207 reported fireworks-related injuries in Kansas in 2018, males between the ages of 9 and 34 were the most commonly injured demographic, according to the 2018 Kansas Fireworks Injury Survey. Males represented 64 percent of the total number of injuries. Nearly half of the injuries involved children under the age of 18. Hands, eyes, face and head injuries were among those reported.
“Hand injuries are the most common injury seen in Kansas, at 34 percent,” Cherie Sage, Director of Safe Kids Kansas, said. “It’s really important for little hands to not light fireworks. This includes sparklers, which burn at a temperature hot enough to melt glass. We encourage parents to let their little ones use glow sticks instead of sparklers.”
The data was collected through voluntary reporting from Kansas hospitals and administered by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
“We want all Kansans to have a fun, safe Fourth of July,” Doug Jorgensen, Fire Marshal for the State of Kansas, said. “We know the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to visit public fireworks displays conducted by trained professionals who know how to properly handle fireworks. If you are going to purchase and partake in consumer fireworks, a few simple precautions can prevent you or your loved ones from becoming one of these statistics.”
Jorgensen added that always using a long-handled lighter to ignite fireworks, lighting from a solid, flat and stable platform and making sure fireworks debris has cooled off completely before disposing, are tips that can significantly lower the risk of injuries and fires.
“It’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure a safe and healthy holiday,” Lee Norman, Secretary of KDHE, said. “Having a water supply handy, being prepared with first aid kits and following the laws and safety protocols are just a few ways Kansans of every age can come together for a great, safe Fourth of July.”
Other tips include:
Have an adult supervise all fireworks activities
Always ignite fireworks outdoors
Light only one firework at a time
Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks
Store fireworks in a cool, dry place
Bottle rockets and M80s are illegal in Kansas and extremely dangerous. The use or sale of these banned fireworks is considered a crime under Kansas law. It is also illegal in Kansas to shoot fireworks on or under any vehicle, on any public roadway, within 50 feet of a fireworks stand or where fireworks are stored, and at gas stations or any place liquid gas – including propane – is stored.
Always refer to the local ordinances as to whether fireworks are allowed in your area as well as what types. Some cities or counties have restricted dates/times or types of fireworks that may be sold or discharged.
For more information on fireworks safety, visit FireMarshal.ks.gov/fireworkssafety or SafeKidsKansas.org.
DODGE CITY (AP) — Competing rallies are planned this weekend in southwest Kansas that will pit conservative Christians against LGBT and abortion rights supporters.
The Wichita Eagle reports that a group called Kansas Revival will hold a church rally Saturday aimed at opposing abortion and “protecting faith, family and freedom,” followed by an afternoon march through the city streets. The church event will feature Republican U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, of Great Bend, State Treasurer Jake LaTurner and Kansans for Life President Mary Wilkinson.
About the same time, members of a group called the Kansas Unity Coalition will gather at a city park for a counter-demonstration in support of “equality, justice and equal rights.” Its speakers will include Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Democrat from Shawnee who is one of the state’s two openly gay legislators.
SCOTT COUNTY — A Garden City man was injured Tuesday afternoon after his semi overturned on U.S. 83.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported the semi driven by Antonio Rodriguez-Ramirez, 57, was northbound on U.S. 83 when it left the roadway to the right, re-entered the roadway and then went off the other side of the highway. The driver overcorrected and the semi rolled onto its driver’s side.
Rodriguez-Ramirez was transported to Wesley Medical Center with a suspected serious injury, the KHP said. He was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.
SHERMAN COUNTY — A Goodland man was injured Tuesday evening in when his motorcycle crashed.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported Matthew L. Pelkey, 34, was traveling north at 8:45 p.m. on Cherry Street in Goodland when his 1994 Suzuki struck a curb and rolled onto its side.
Pelkey was transported to Goodland Regional Medical Center for treatment of a suspected minor injury.
The KHP reported he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
Jeter / Harper Co. Sheriff’s OfficeANTHONY – An Anthony man was sentenced today to more than 29 years in prison for child sex crimes, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said.
Kevin Ray Jeter, 44, was sentenced to 353 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections. Originally charged with multiple counts, in May 2018 Jeter pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. Chief Judge William R. Mott accepted the plea and pronounced sentencing in Harper County District Court.
The crimes occurred between December 2014 and October 2016. The case was investigated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Anthony Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Melissa Johnson of Schmidt’s office.
