SEDGWICK COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating an attempted murder and have made an arrest.
Shely photo Sedgwick Co.
Just after 10a.m. Monday police at the patrol north station in Wichita were contacted by a 30-year-old man who had been shot twice, according to officer Charley Davidson.
EMS transported the man to an area hospital for treatment.
An investigation has revealed that a suspect later identified as 31-year-old Charles Shely of Wichita, the victim and a 48-year-old acquaintance were traveling northbound in a 1993 Ford Explorer on Interstate 135 near 21st Street.
During a disturbance Shely pulled out a handgun and shot the victim, according to Davidson.
The driver pulled to the side of the road and Shely fled on foot from the SUV. The driver then took the victim to the patrol north station. A KHP trooper located Shely in the 2500 Block of North Kansas Avenue and took him into custody. Police also located a handgun in the vehicle.
Shely is being held on $250,000 bond on a requested charge of attempted first-degree murder, according to online jail records.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A teenager who brought a gun to Lawrence High School has been sentenced to nine months of probation.
The boy was sentenced Wednesday after pleading no contest in June in juvenile court to misdemeanor criminal use of a weapon.
Charges stem from an incident on Feb. 6, when the boy was called to an assistant principal’s office when he threw his school-issued laptop at a door.
Prosecutor Bryant Barton has said the assistant principal found a loaded handgun in the boy’s bag.
The district says no students or staff were threatened with the gun.
Another teenager who brought a loaded gun to the school a week after this incident pleaded no contest to the same misdemeanor charge and was sentenced in July to six months of probation.
TOPEKA —The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) is collecting data and analyzing recent injection well activity in Reno County in an effort to uncover the cause of a series of earthquakes in the Hutchinson area. Amid damage reports and a concern for public safety, the KCC is conducting an investigation and will evaluate whether additional action is needed to safeguard Kansans.
Location of Sunday’s 4.1 Reno Co. quake -USGS image
In 2015, the KCC issued an order reducing injection rates in portions of Harper and Sumner counties after the number of earthquakes in that area began to trend upward. In 2016, the Commission issued a second order limiting injection in additional areas of Harper and Sumner as well as parts of Kingman, Sedgwick and Barber counties when earthquake activity there started to rise.
The area currently under study in Reno County focuses primarily on Arbuckle Formation depth wells and involves both Class ll oil and gas industry injection wells regulated by the KCC and Class l wells regulated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
Class ll wells are used to inject fluids associated with oil and natural gas production into deep confined rock formations. There are two types of Class ll injection wells: disposal wells and secondary/enhanced recovery injection wells. Disposal wells are used to inject produced fluids into rock formations that do not produce oil or gas. Typically, the injection formations are isolated from usable quality groundwater and are sealed above and below by cementing steel casing into the unbroken and impermeable well bore and rock formations within the well. Secondary/enhanced recovery injection wells are used to inject produced fluids back into formations/reservoirs that contain oil or gas. These formations are also isolated from usable quality groundwater. The injection of produced fluid back into potentially productive formations often allows for the increased recovery of oil or gas reserves.
Class l wells are used to inject hazardous and non-hazardous industrial and municipal wastewater into deep, confined rock formations. Disposal typically occurs thousands of feet below the lower most underground source of drinking water (USDW). Industries that utilize Class I wells include: refining, metal production, chemical manufacturing, pharmaceutical industry, commercial disposal, food production and municipal wastewater treatment.[1] Nearly all Class I disposal wells in Kansas inject into the Arbuckle Formation.[2]
To fully evaluate all injection activity in Reno County, the KCC staff is working with other state agencies to collect information regarding well construction, depths, injection volumes, pressures, maintenance practices and any new injection well activity in the area. This investigation and evaluation process is ongoing and dependent upon the complexity of the evolving fact finding process. Accordingly, a precise timeline for completing the investigation has not yet been determined.
WASHINGTON – A researcher at the University of Kansas (KU) was indicted Wednesday on federal charges of hiding the fact he was working full time for a Chinese university while doing research at KU funded by the U.S. government.
Tao photo University of Kansas
Feng “Franklin” Tao, 47, Lawrence, Kansas, an associate professor at KU’s Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis (CEBC), is charged with one count of wire fraud and three counts of program fraud. He was employed since August 2014 by the CEBC, whose mission is to conduct research on sustainable technology to conserve natural resources and energy.
“Tao is alleged to have defrauded the US government by unlawfully receiving federal grant money at the same time that he was employed and paid by a Chinese research university—a fact that he hid from his university and federal agencies,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers for National Security. “Any potential conflicts of commitment by a researcher must be disclosed as required by law and university policies. The Department will continue to pursue any unlawful failure to do so.”
The indictment alleges that in May 2018 Tao signed a five-year contract with Fuzhou University in China that designated him as a Changjiang Scholar Distinguished Professor. The contract required him to be a full time employee of the Chinese university. While Tao was under contract with Fuzhou University, he was conducting research at KU that was funded through two U.S. Department of Energy contracts and four National Science Foundation contracts.
Kansas Board of Regents’ policy requires staff to file an annual conflict of interest report. In Tao’s reports to KU, he falsely claimed to have no conflicts of interest. The indictment alleges that he fraudulently received more than $37,000 in salary paid for by the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the wire fraud count, and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each of the program fraud counts.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the assigned judge.
The University of Kansas cooperated and assisted in the FBI’s investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi is prosecuting.
Lelia Ann Benton passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019 at Decatur Health Systems in Oberlin at the age of 87. She was a loving wife, mother and friend.
Lelia was born on Oct. 14, 1931 in Jennings, Kan., to Frank and Anna (Fiala) Krizek. She attended school in Jennings and then transferred to Oberlin. She graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1950. Lelia worked at the Oberlin Telephone Office until the phones were upgraded to rotary dial.
On June 4, 1960, she was united in marriage to Jack Benton in Oberlin. One daughter, Brenda, was born to this union.
Lelia worked as a clerk at Addleman Drug Store for many years. She worked for three generations of Addlemans and was a dedicated employee.
She enjoyed quilting with her mother, Anna Barrett. She also liked to embroidery. In later years, she just enjoyed watching the birds at the bird feeder on her back deck and the butterflies that would fly by. She always cherished spending time with family and friends.
Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Jack Benton of Oberlin; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Kirk Ulery of Oberlin; brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Corky Krizek of McCook, Neb., and brother and sister-in-law, Galen and Joyce Krizek of Pueblo, Colo.
Lelia was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Florence Graves; sister, Goldie Moore; sister, Alene Scott and brother, Francis Krizek.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23, 2019 at the Oberlin United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Oberlin Cemetery.
Visitation will be from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 at Pauls Funeral Home, Oberlin. Family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Decatur County EMS, United Methodist Church or Decatur Health Systems. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com
John F. Werth, 70, Hays, died Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019 in an aviation accident near his home in Schoenchen.
He was born May 6, 1949 in Hays, the son of Alvin A. and Peggy (Banham) Werth. In 1967 he graduated from St. Joseph Military Academy. He was united in marriage to Charlene Pfannenstiel on Aug. 9, 1969 in Antonino. They celebrated 50 years of marriage.
He owned and operated Werth Aerial Spraying. John was a member of the Schoenchen Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #4166. He enjoyed flying, fishing, boating, and barbecuing. He loved family picnics and gatherings, his cousins, his dogs, and spending time with his grandchildren, especially teaching them to shoot and fish.
Survivors include his wife, Charlene of Hays; a son, Lance Werth and wife Shonna of Johnson Lake, Neb.; a daughter, Lynne Boettcher and husband Chris of Benton; a brother, Gary N. Werth and wife Judy of Hays; six grandchildren, Andrea Werth, Lance Corporal Christopher Werth, Brittan Boettcher, Aidan Boettcher, Dylan Boettcher, and Addyson Boettcher; numerous cousins in the United States and England; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23, 2019 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Schoenchen, with Fr. Joshua Werth officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Friday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the St. Anthony Cemetery Fund or to family wishes. Condolences and memories of John may be shared with the family at www.Haysmemorial.com.
Surizaday Crissel Martinez Guzman, age 30, passed away on Friday, August 16, 2019 in Lyons, Kan. She was born June 6, 1989 in Teziutlan, Puebla, Mexico, to Gregorio Ludibiel Martinez Gonzalez and Maria Luisa Guzman Avila.
Surizaday was a wonderful aunt and enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her nieces and nephews. She was a selfless soul, always putting others needs ahead of her own. She is survived by her loving family, who misses her dearly, yet find comfort knowing she is no longer suffering.
Private family services will be at a later date.
Cremation under the direction of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
Ellis swimming pool tour May 6 (Photo courtesy Travis Kohlrus)
By JAMES BELL Hays Post
After the sudden closure of the Ellis City Pool, the Ellis City Council was hopeful construction on the new pool would begin quickly enough so the pool could open at the start of the swim season next summer, but Lamp Rynearson aquatics group leader, Andy Smith, informed the council Monday that would be unlikely.
“We’re just not in a position to go through all of the steps, in the order that they need to be gone through to get us there,” Smith said.
“It’s unfortunate really that the pool can’t make it one more year,” he said, “but I understand conditions, what they are, is the situation we find ourselves in.”
In response to the council’s questions about the possibility of opening at some point during the summer, he said there were variables that make it hard to determine.
“It might be possible,” Smith said, “but I would rather under-promise and over-preform.”
A large unknown for the project is the weather during the winter months.
“If we have a winter like we had last year, there is no chance of it,” Smith said.
The biggest concern with construction during the winter is the concrete flatwork that needs to be completed, he said, before low temperatures set in.
“The chances of having the right weather for the February, March, April and have this pool go in is dicey at best,” Smith said.”Once the ground freezes, you are done.”
With the current timeline, moving quickly enough to beat winter will not be possible, he said.
“We are not going to be ready for a contractor to start until the dead of winter,” Smith said.
While the project is unlikely to be completed as fast as the council hoped, Smith told the council the project is in a good position.
“We are ready to get the surveying and the soil borings going for the engineering,” he said.
The engineer can only use drawings up to a point until data from the site is collected.
“That’s the bottleneck at this point,” Smith said.
After getting authorization, Smith said he would begin the surveys and finalize the pool design.
Smith expects final plans to be completed in about 90 days, with two opportunities for the council to review the design during the process.
Once the design is finalized and approved, he said construction bids could be sought in January
Once a bid is accepted and construction begins, he said the pool should be completed in eight to nine months.
City Clerk Amy Burton also gave a report on the Splash Bash and other fundraising that has occurred since the pool was closed.
While she did not have a complete total from the Splash Bash, she told the council she had more than $10,000 that had been recorded on Monday, bringing the total raised for the project to more than $17,000/ That included a $5,000 donation from Equity Bank. More has been committed, but not collected.
“I definitely think we have support out there,” Burton said. “We’ve got people excited about the project and anxious to see where our next fundraiser goes.”
SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement and school district authorities are investigating an alleged school threat.
On Tuesday night, USD 262 officials became aware of a social media post that appeared to show a photo of a group chat message, according to a memo to parents.
The message pictured contained a reference to a possible threat but did not actually contain threat, according to the memo.
Valley Center Law enforcement worked overnight to investigate the referenced, non-specific threat.
Additional law enforcement was in place at the school Wednesday. Additional precautions were also taken as part of the school district’s crisis plan.
Authorities have not reported an arrest or additional details.
Rosalyn Giesick, 79, of WaKeeney, Kan., passed away Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 in WaKeeney. She was born Oct. 9, 1939 in Liebenthal, Kan., to Cornel and Ursula (Legleiter) Dechant.
She was a homemaker, and she enjoyed playing cards and board games as well as family get togethers.
She is survived by a son, Danny Bittel of LaCrosse, Kan.; a daughter, Kim Oldham of Bennington, Kan.,; a brother, Virgil Dechant; a sister, Peggy Norris; 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Debbie Schroller; a son, Rick Bittel; brothers, Emerald, LaVerne, Donnie and Harry Dechant and sisters, Bernice Schaffer, Annie Meder, Delores Dechant, Carol Werth and Jeanette Misegadis.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays with burial following in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be 9 to 10 a.m. with a Rosary service at 9:50 a.m. all at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
Memorial contributions are suggested to be used according to the wishes of the family or for masses.
SALINA —Plans are now underway for a $3.4 million expansion of the Salina Health Education Center, 138 N. Santa Fe Ave., which serves as the home for the Salina campuses of both the KU School of Medicine and KU School of Nursing.
Salina Health Education Center on North Santa Fe Ave., which serves as the home for the Salina campuses of both the KU School of Medicine and KU School of Nursing.
According to a media release, when plans were originally developed to establish a new Salina medical campus for KU in 2016, the project was intended to house only the medical school. In 2017, the KU School of Nursing announced plans to also establish a program in Salina and both schools were able to share space in the Salina Health Education Center when the building opened in June 2018.
Enrolment for the nursing program was planned to increase over time. The first two classes of nurses in the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years were capped at 12 students. This fall, the entering class expanded to 18 students. The entering class will again expand to 24 students for the 2020-2021 school year. Then, there will be 48 total third- and fourth-year nursing students on campus each year thereafter.
The KU-Salina nursing program offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to admitted students who have completed their first two undergraduate years of education at a regionally accredited college or university.
“The additional space is designed to be shared by both schools and will continue to allow us to develop interprofessional education between medical and nursing students,” said Lisa Larson, Ph.D., R.N., dean of the KU School of Nursing-Salina campus. “The expansion is greatly needed to accommodate the expansion of nursing class sizes, which begin this fall.”
The expansion of the Salina Health Education Center will utilize 15,871 square feet of vacant office space already connected on the south side of the facility with frontage on Phillips Plaza in downtown Salina. The space was formerly used by the Salina Area United Way, State of Kansas Department of Corrections,
Copeland Insurance and a number of other businesses over the years.
The new space will offer a seamless interior connection to the rest of the Salina Health Education Center and provide dedicated offices for faculty and additional space for classrooms, testing and study areas, as well as clinical skills labs and conference rooms.
Don Marrs, DMA Architects, Salina, is currently completing the design-development phase of the project. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2020.
The Salina Regional Health Foundation and KU Endowment are partnering to raise funds for the project.
“Donors may support the expansion project by giving through KU Endowment or our Foundation,” said Tom Martin, Salina Regional Health Foundation executive director.
“This project supports the common good of the KU medical and nursing schools and their common missions to train doctors and nurses who will serve the future medical needs of rural Kansans,” said Joel Phelps, Salina Regional Health Center president and chief operating officer.
The University of Kansas School of Medicine-Salina opened with its first class of eight students in 2011, establishing itself as the smallest four-year medical school in the United States. Five classes of doctors have graduated to date. For those graduates who have already completed their primary care residency training, more than half are practicing today in Kansas across several rural communities.
The University of Kansas School of Nursing-Salina graduated its first class of students this past spring. The graduates spent the summer completing boards and are now starting to attain employment.
The Salina Health Education Center is owned by the Salina Regional Health Foundation and was made possible through the $9.2 million Blueprint for Rural Health Campaign. The schools use the facility rent free.
“The growth and success of these programs certainly wouldn’t have happened without the dedication and support of Salina Regional Health Center, the Salina Regional Health Foundation, Dane G. Hansen Foundation, and so many others throughout the community and region,” said Bob Moser, M.D., dean
of the KU School of Medicine-Salina campus. “What has already been achieved with the establishment of these schools and student success has gone beyond what anyone could have hoped for.”
“This new expansion would not be possible without the vision and support from the Salina community,” said Robert D. Simari, M.D., executive vice chancellor for the University of Kansas Medical Center and executive dean of the KU School of Medicine. “Working together, we aim to provide health care professionals for rural Kansas and beyond.”
