EL DORADO, Kan. (AP) — Authorities have found a marijuana farm worth more than $1.7 million while chasing a suspect.
Photo courtesy Butler Co. Sheriff
The discovery was made Sunday when deputies with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residential burglary near El Dorado.
The sheriff’s office says the deputies pursued the burglary suspect when he ran into a field. As the deputies searched for the suspect, they spotted a couple men who also took off running. One of those men was captured, leading the deputies to a nearby cultivated marijuana field.
On Monday, deputies, Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents and Kansas Highway Patrol troopers entered the property and seized more than 1,700 cultivated marijuana plants. They also found a camp site with tents, a cooking area and water pumps used to irrigate the plants.
As high school fall sports practice enters its third day on Wednesday, the TMP-Marian Monarchs enter the new season with their third head football coach in four years.
Jay Harris takes over the Monarchs program. He’s been head middle school coach as well as high school assistant and inherits a Monarch team that finished 3-6 each of the last two seasons.
The Monarchs, who return seven starters on both offense and defense, have a little over 30 players out for football this season.
Options Domestic & Sexual Violence Services, Inc. a non-profit organization that’s dedicated to working with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and dating violence, will host its 7th Annual Dinner Auction on Saturday, September 14, 2019 to raise funds to support its mission to bring help, hope, and healing to victims, survivors, and their families.
The Dinner Auction will be held at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall in Hays, KS. Festivities include a cocktail hour and open bar, followed by a delicious 3 course dinner, as well as a live and a silent auction. To purchase tickets, please contact Options at 785-625-4202. You can also purchase tickets through our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OptionsHays.
“There has never been a more important time to support victims of domestic & sexual violence,” said Jennifer Hecker, executive director of Options. “One in four women and one in nine men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence, and/or stalking in our country.” The Dinner Auction is a fun event that brings together people in our community who genuinely want to make a difference, raising thousands of dollars for our program that supports 18 counties in northwest Kansas.
Options provides confidential services free of charge to all victims. Options services are informed by victims and survivors and delivered through a trauma-informed approach. We take into account the impact that trauma can have and the barriers victims face when trying to recover from devastating violence.
About Options Domestic & Sexual Violence Services, Inc.
Since 1983, Options has delivered services to aid victims, survivors, and their families to recover from the devastating effects of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. All services are free, confidential and voluntary. Services include 24-Hour Helpline, 24-Hour Crisis Intervention, Personal Advocacy, 24-Hour Medical Advocacy, Court Advocacy, 24-Hour Law Enforcement Advocacy, 24-Hour Safe Shelter and Emergency Accommodations, Supportive Counseling, Support Groups, Child/Youth Services, and Parent/Child Advocacy. Visit our website at www.help4abuse.org for more information.
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for multiple sex allegations while working for a Kansas foster care, adoption organization.
Nathaniel McEachin photo Saline Co.
Following a three-month investigation deputies arrested deputies arrested Nathaniel McEachin, 39, of Salina, was arrested Monday on requested charges that include suspicion Rape, Aggravated criminal sodomy, Aggravated indecent liberties, Sexual exploitation of a child, Electronic solicitation of a child, Kidnapping, Aggravated intimidation of a witness and Unlawful sexual relations, according to Saline County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Michael Ascher.
McEachin was employed at St. Francis Ministries, 5097 W. Cloud in Salina, until early May 2019 when the investigation began.
The alleged incidents involving four girls — ages 14 through 17 — who were in the care of St. Francis Ministries occurred in early May.
McEachin was only employed at St. Francis Ministries for four to five months, according to Ascher.
In a statement on the case, Saint Francis Ministries said, they are aware that law enforcement officials have launched an investigation into allegations of professional misconduct by a former staff member of our Salina West facility. We are cooperating fully with the official investigation, as well as conducting our own internal review.
Saint Francis goes to great lengths to hire highly qualified staff and provide ongoing training and supervision. Every employee undergoes a thorough background check by law enforcement, as well as a background check conducted by our staff. In this case, background checks produced no red flags that would have precluded this staff member’s employment.
“The safety and well-being of all the youth in our care is paramount, and we take every allegation very seriously,” said The Very Reverend Robert N, Smith, Dean, President and CEO of Saint Francis Ministries. “We continue to work with the youth in this case to ensure any physical, emotional and spiritual needs are being met. We have already taken steps to reinforce our training procedures and protocols with staff to prevent any future allegations of this nature.”
A single-engine agricultural biplane crashed south of Hays Tuesday morning killing the pilot shortly after taking off from his private runway about a mile west of Schoenchen.
The pilot was identified as John Werth, 70, Schoenchen, who died in the crash according to Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Tod Hileman.
“At about 9:15 a.m. he took off from his runway, on his farm,” Hileman said. “Not long after that, the plane crashed into a ditch about a mile north of the end of his runway.”
The crash is near the intersection of Smoky Hill River Rd. and 240th Ave.
Smoky Hill River Rd. will remain closed from 220th Ave. to 240th Ave. through Wednesday as the accident is investigated.
A KHP pilot will lead the crash investigation until the Federal Aviation Administration arrives to determine the cause of the crash, according to Hileman.
Deputies from the Ellis County Sherrif’s office and Ellis County EMS were also assisting at the scene.
The plane was identified as an Ag Cat 1985 bi-wing spray plane and was carrying chemicals for spraying at the time off take off.
The Ellis County Fire Department was on scene and was responsible for chemical cleanup, according to Hileman.
The Hays USD 489 school board approved its 2020 budget Monday night after a brief budget hearing.
The $52 million budget is up from last school year’s budget, which was $43.9 million. The budget includes an increase in state funding and a slight decrease in the mill levy, which Keith Hall, interim director of finance, attributed to an increase in the district’s assessed valuation.
The total mill levy for 2019-20 will be 42.116 mills, which is down from last year’s 42.792 mills. The capital outlay mill levy remains at 8 mills.
Hall said the district hopes to increase salaries this year and increase cash balances in some of its funds. However, the school board has yet to complete negotiations with the district’s teachers union.
“You can see the state came through with the increase funds they have been talking about in the general fund … Surprisingly with the transfers we would like to make for our cash balances in some of our funds as well as possible salary increases, the additional funds, which we are certainly delighted to have and receive, do not go as far as one would think,” Hall said.
State revenue is estimated to increase by about $3.5 million this year. The final number will be based on enrollment, which will be recorded in September. Superintendent Ron Wilson told the commission Monday night the district is estimating enrollment at about 3,000 students based on the number of enrollment forms that have been turned in to date.
Federal revenue was up by more than $3 million, but that included the $1.47 million federal grant the district received to remodel the Oak Park Complex for use by Early Childhood Connections. ECC moved into all but one of the buildings this summer, and classes started in the new facility this week.
The Recreation Commission mill levy, which is run through the school district, was reduced from what was published. Instead of 1.418 mills., the rec mill levy will be .707 mills.
Before approving the budget, the hearing was opened to any comments from the public. No comments were offered.
Storm cleanup help
The Hays High School football team was recognized Monday night for its help in community cleanup after the storm that hit Hays Tuesday night.
They also recognized members of the custodial crew who worked late Tuesday night and over the weekend to clean up after the storms.
Learning Center moved
The Learning Center has temporarily moved its classes to the former Washington school. The area that the center uses in the basement of Rockwell Administration Center was flooded Tuesday night and again over the weekend. Wilson said three inches of water was standing in the basement.
He said the district will be working on a tuck pointing project in attempts to keep the water out of that area. Until the district can ensure the area will stay dry, students will meet at Washington. That school was recently vacated when ECC moved to its new home at the remodeled Oak Park Complex on 13th Street.
The custodial crew who worked late Tuesday night and over the weekend to clean up after the storms was recognized at Monday night’s school board meeting.
In other business, the board:
Heard a report on board president appointments
Heard a presentation on a new district investment strategy from representatives of Commerce Bank. The district is now invested in ladder CDs. The district hopes to net as much as $79,713 per year through the new strategy.
Heard a report on professional development from Marie Henderson and Kyle Carlin
Heard a report form Chris Hipp on the special education cooperative
GOODLAND – K-State Research & Extension and K-State’s Department of Agricultural Economics are hosting the 2018 Farm Bill Regional Meeting at Goodland’s Elks Lodge at 1523 Arcade Avenue on August 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon Mountain Daylight Time.
The 2018 Farm Bill was passed in December of 2018. Though it has much in common with the previous Farm Bill, there are some significant differences.
To hear exactly what you need to know about the new Farm Bill, come learn in-depth information about the new provisions of the programs, discuss economic considerations when making the ARC/PLC decision, demonstrate some tools to help you make that decision, and hear about changes to crop insurance.
Speakers will include K-State Research and Extension Agricultural Economics specialists Dr. Mykel Taylor, Dr. Monte Vandeveer, Robin Reid, M.S., and Dr. Dan O’Brien.
This meeting is open to the public and there is no cost for admission. Online registration is required by going to northwest.ksu.edu or https://bit.ly/2MTDsTi.
For more information about the school, please call Jeanne Falk Jones at 785-890-488.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is conducting a death investigation after a suspect identified as Caleb M. O’Donnell, 32, Coffeyville, drowned in the Verdigris River during a police pursuit on Friday afternoon.
According to a KBI media release, just after 1:30p.m. Friday, the Coffeyville Police Dept. requested KBI assistance to investigate a drowning that occurred following a police pursuit.
Preliminary information suggests that on Aug. 16 at approximately 12:20 p.m., the South Coffeyville, Okla. Police Department received a call from a citizen who spotted an ATV that had been reported stolen from the Montgomery County Fair on Thursday night.
The ATV was first observed in Kansas, headed South on U.S. Highway 169 toward the Oklahoma border. An officer from the South Coffeyville Police Department began pursuing the ATV at a distance, and authorities from Kansas were notified. The officer saw the ATV turn north near 500 E. 1400 Rd., and travel through a field toward the Verdigris River. Once the officer caught up, he discovered that the driver of the ATV later identified as O’Donnell had crashed into a tree. The officer then spotted the man struggling in the nearby Verdigris River.
The Coffeyville Police Department, the Coffeyville Fire Department, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.
Authorities threw ropes to him to try to help him. An officer from the Coffeyville Police Department, and a member of the Coffeyville Fire Department entered the water and tried to rescue the O’Donnell but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
O’Donnell had two previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.
Friends,
I want to thank Tyson for its commitment to rebuild its beef plant in Holcomb, following last weekend’s devastating fire. This is good news not only for the plant’s 3,500-plus employees, but for Kansas farmers and ranchers. Tyson is a major employer in southwest Kansas, responsible for millions of dollars in payroll and economic impact annually.
I was in Finney County Tuesday to personally thank the fire crews in both Garden City and Holcomb, as well as all first responders who assisted with the fire. I am thankful no one was hurt, and will continue to keep first responders and Tyson employees on the forefront of my mind as rebuilding moves forward.
American Wind Week
I received a tour of NextEra wind turbine in Cimarron as part of American Wind Week, a celebration of American wind energy and the benefits it delivers to communities. Kansas is home to nearly 3,000 wind turbines that produce enough electricity to power about 1.7 million homes.
Last year, Kansas generated 36% of its electricity from wind power, ranking first in the nation for wind energy as a share of total electricity generation. Wind power creates economic opportunities for rural communities across America, paying more than $1 billion in state and local taxes and land lease payments every year, which supports our schools and local infrastructure.
$587 Million to Aid Communities Impacted by Natural Disasters
Nearly 70 counties across Kansas are now covered by the Presidential disaster declaration issued in response to the terrible flooding and damage caused by storms this spring.
In response to the ongoing need for recovery assistance, the Economic Development Agency under the Department of Commerce announced the availability of disaster grants to impacted communities.
Through their Economic Adjustment Assistance Program, supplemental funding of $587 million will be available to support disaster recovery and resiliency efforts. This assistance comes in addition to resources available through the U.S. Small Business Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
While there are no application deadlines for this assistance, proposals should be based on long-term, regionally-oriented, and collaborative development strategies that foster economic growth and resilience. Disaster recovery projects must be consistent with the U.S. Department of Commerce Disaster Recovery Investment Priorities.
Hours of Service Update for Livestock Haulers
Livestock haulers across the country have the difficult task of ensuring motorist safety while also tending to the health and welfare of the animals being transported. However, “Hours of Service” regulations for these drivers lack the flexibility needed to address the unique challenges posed by transporting these commodities.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published their proposal for updating existing “Hours of Service” rules. FMCSA’s proposal will change the short-haul exception available to certain commercial drivers, modifying the maximum on-duty periods and extending the distance limit within which the driver may operate. These changes will provide greater flexibility for livestock haulers as they work to safely, efficiently, and humanely transport these goods to market.
The public comment period will be open for 45 days, and the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking as well as information on how to submit comments can be found Here.
Kansas Hospital Association Health Care Roundtable
I took part in a Kansas Hospital Association Roundtable, hosted by Pawnee Valley Community Hospital in Larned, to discuss solutions to issues affecting communities and hospitals across my district. This was a valuable opportunity to gather with Kansas health care leaders to discuss issues impacting patients and providers in Kansas, including the 340B program, surprise billing, alternative rural health models, mental health care, and the opioid epidemic.
Also taking part in the conversation were representatives for the University of Kansas Health Systems, Clara Barton Hospital, Rice County District Hospital, Ellsworth County Medical Center, Kearney County Hospital, Lindsborg Community Hospital, University of Kansas Health Systems Great Bend Campus, and University of Kansas Health Systems Pawnee Valley Campus.
Thank you Kansas Hospital Association and Pawnee Valley Community Hospital for hosting this group in pursuit of our shared goal of improving health care in Kansas.
Great Bend Company Receives Industry Award from EPA
R&S Digital Services, a full-service Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping company in Great Bend, was recently selected to receive an Industry Award from the Environmental Protection Agency for its work in emergency planning in the wake of several natural disasters in Kansas.
In 2007, in the hours immediately following a devastating F-5 tornado which destroyed most of Greensburg, R&S suspended work on all other projects to produce maps for search and rescue efforts and to ascertain the damage. R&S Digital Services prepared a base map for the city and all sections affected by the path of the tornado, and expeditiously completed maps which were of critical importance to responders. Bruce Schneider, President of R&S, waived all fees associated with the work, and stated “We were moved by the tragedy in Greensburg. I was never more proud of my staff.” Additionally, in 2016 and 2018, R&S provided GIS assistance in response to tornado strikes in Eureka.
Thank you to Bruce Schneider and the team at R&S Digital Services for your remarkable service to Kansas communities, and congratulations on this honor!
Visiting Miller Dairy
I had the opportunity to visit Miller Dairy outside Hutchinson, Kan. The Millers milk about 300 Holstein cows and are members of the Midwest Dairy organization, which works on behalf of dairy farmers to promote milk and dairy products.
Drinking milk is part of a nutritionally balanced diet and I have long advocated for whole milk to return to school meals. Milk delivers calcium to the body, which is essential for nutrient absorption and strong bones.
I had the opportunity to feed a day-old calf and learn how to milk a cow, using modern equipment. I will continue to support the milk checkoff program and advocate for the consumption of milk both domestically and abroad.
Eisenhower Sculpture Displayed in Italy
This month, the city of Pietrasanta, Italy, unveiled several sculptures commemorating former U.S. President and Kansas native, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Inspired by the famous photograph of General Eisenhower with the 101st Airborne paratroopers on the eve of D-Day, the statues will be displayed for three weeks before being moved to a memorial site for installation later this year.
During World War II, Pietrasanta was strategically situated on the Gothic line—a German defensive fortification—in northern Italy. It was here where U.S. troops fought during the final Allied offensive of the Italian Campaign in spring 1945.
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.
Seated: Georganna McCrary, Becky Anschutz Standing: Sheryl Krug, Teressa Roe, Nikki Kuntzsch, Debora Kreutzer, Rob Williams
RUSSELL – Four Old Broads may wrap up the Russell Community Theater 2019 Season, but it also kicks off a countdown to celebration. RCT’s first production, God’s Favorite, was presented in 1986. With three productions in the planning stages for 2020, RCT will be celebrating its 100th production next fall.
RCT volunteer, Crystal Craig, is seated in the director’s chair for this fall’s production.
The cast of seven includes Teressa Roe, Sheryl Krug and Debora Kreutzer, all veteran RCT actors/volunteers. Becky Anschutz and Nikki Kuntzsch are returning to the RCT stage, while Georganna McCrary and Rob Williams are making their RCT debut.
In Four Old Broads, retired burlesque queen Beatrice (Teressa Roe) needs a vacation from Magnolia Place Assisted Living. A Sassy Seniors Cruise sounds perfect if she can convince her best friend, Eaddy Mae (Becky Anschutz), to join her. Other residents are facing their own issues – including Imogene (Sheryl Krug) and her memory loss, Maude (Georganna McCrary) and her soap opera obsession, and Sam (Rob Williams) and his never ending search for love. And things just haven’t been the same since Nurse Pat (Debora Kreutzer) began working there. Hopefully, Ruby Sue (Nikki Kuntzsch) can get her nose out of her book long enough to lend a hand. Adventures unfold as the gals try to outsmart the evil Nurse Pat and solve a multitude of mysteries. Hilarity ensues as they try to throw Nurse Pat off their trail and make it to the cruise ship after all.
Performances run Tuesday through Saturday, October 8-12 at the RCT Playhouse (5th and Kansas, Russell). Show time is 8:00 p.m. Admission is $12 or by season ticket.
Four Old Broads is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. Russell Community Theater is a non-profit theater company in Russell, Kansas.
ANDOVER, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas police dog named Thor has died just a few weeks before he was to retire.
The Andover Police Department said that officers will wear black armbands through Saturday in honor of the Belgian Malinois. He had a brief illness and died over the weekend, just short of his 10th birthday. Thor was trained to detect drugs, as well as in tracking and trailing. He often went to schools and community events to perform demonstrations.
Chief Mike Keller described Thor in the post as a “phenomenal dog.” A memorial event also is planned for next month at a park.
MANHATTAN — The Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Conservation announces the expansion of the Kansas Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Initiative. This initiative will provide a onetime incentive payment for Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts for the following practices:
Grassed waterways
Shallow water areas for wildlife
Filter strips
Riparian buffers
Wetland restorations
Improvements to farmable wetland and farmable wetland buffers
The 2018 Kansas Legislative Session allocated $281,312 to the Division of Conservation to help promote the reduction of nutrients and sediment through the CRP program. The initiative is open to targeted watersheds specified for sediment and nutrient impairment. Incentive payments will range from $162.50-$225 per acre, depending on level of the impairment as identified by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
The following counties have watersheds that fall within these targeted areas:
· Atchison
· Brown
· Chase
· Clay
· Cloud
· Coffey
· Dickinson
· Douglas
· Ellis
· Geary
· Harvey
· Jackson
· Jefferson
· Lyon
· Marion
· Marshall
· McPherson
· Morris
· Nemaha
· Osage
· Pottawatomie
· Reno
· Republic
· Rice
· Riley
· Saline
· Shawnee
· Wabaunsee
· Washington
Please contact your local Conservation District for more information on the Kansas Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Initiative and eligibility. You can find a directory of local Conservation Districts at agriculture.ks.gov/ConservationDistricts.
