TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Shawnee County authorities have arrested 18 people and served 23 warrants during a domestic violence crackdown.
The sweep occurred Wednesday, as part of the 17th annual National Family Violence and Apprehension Detail. Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill says more than 300 law enforcement agencies from 29 states participated.
Of the 18 arrests in Shawnee County, 14 were for domestic violence suspects, clearing 18 warrants. Four other arrests were for other crimes, clearing five warrants.
HOYT, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas high school student was allowed to remain in school after he was accused of sexually assaulting a female classmate, even though he was facing charges for other sex crimes, according to a federal lawsuit.
Royal Valley High google image
The suit alleges that the Royal Valley School District was aware that the male student was a “known danger” and already had been charged with sex crimes in two other cases when the girl reported that she had been raped at school in November 2017. Both students attended Royal Valley High School in Hoyt, about 17 miles north of Topeka.
The suit, which was filed Tuesday in federal court by the girl’s father, says his daughter was “forced to continue walking the same hallways and be in the same classrooms as the perpetrator who raped her.” That led her to transfer to another school “because of the trauma of being raped and because Defendants permitted her assailant to remain in school” and to participate in extracurricular activities, the suit said.
The male student, identified in the suit as W.H., initially was charged with rape and aggravated sexual battery in the school case, but pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of sexual assault, the suit says. No details were released about his sentence.
Superintendent, Aaric Davis, who also is named as a defendant in the suit, said he was “not aware of the lawsuit being filed” and couldn’t discuss pending litigation.
Christopher Dove, the plaintiff’s attorney, said the school district failed to protect the student and wouldn’t provide information to her parents after she was assaulted.
“It becomes a legal matter because the school didn’t want to take care of her on the front end and even after it happened didn’t want to take steps to make her feel that it was a school she wanted to return to,” Dove said.
The suit said that for “a long period of time” before the girl was assaulted, the district knew that her attacker was “sexually assaulting and harassing multiple female students in the School District.”
The male student also was charged in March 2016 with multiple counts of sexually soliciting minors, sexual exploitation of minors and making a criminal threat of sexual assault against a minor, according to the suit. The charges stemmed from incidents that occurred during November and December 2015.
In August of 2017, according to the suit, he was charged with aggravated indecent liberties with a child.
His criminal records are filed under seal in juvenile court. The suit provided no details on how the cases were resolved.
The lawsuit claims the district violated its own policy against sexual harassment and bullying and failed to protect students when it chose not to act against W.H. before or after the November 2017 assault.
MANHATTAN — The Kansas Department of Agriculture has announced that vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) was confirmed in horses in Sherman County on October 23, 2019. Kansas becomes the eighth state in the U.S. to have confirmed cases of VSV this year.
The infected horses all reside on the same premises, which is a private residence, and no animal movement has occurred on or off that premises for more than three weeks. KDA has quarantined the livestock on the affected premises, and there is no known exposure to other animals.
“Protecting the health and safety of horses and other livestock in Kansas is our highest priority,” said Dr. Justin Smith, Animal Health Commissioner. “We encourage all livestock owners to be aware and follow best practices to limit exposure to insects. We also advise owners to take extra precautions with animals that may be comingling with other animals.”
VSV is a viral disease which primarily affects horses, but can also affect cattle, sheep, goats, swine, llamas and alpacas. The disease is characterized by fever and the formation of blister-like lesions in the mouth and on the dental pad, tongue, lips, nostrils, ears, hooves and teats. Infected animals may refuse to eat and drink, which can lead to weight loss. Vesicular stomatitis can be painful for infected animals and costly to their owners. Humans can also become infected with the disease when handling affected animals, and can develop flu-like symptoms.
The primary way the virus is transmitted is from biting insects like black flies, sand flies and midges. Owners should institute aggressive measures to reduce flies and other insects where animals are housed. VSV can also be spread by nose-to-nose contact between animals. The virus itself usually runs its course in five to seven days, and it can take up to an additional seven days for the infected animal to recover from the symptoms. Premises with animals diagnosed with VSV are quarantined until at least 14 days after the last affected animal is diagnosed. There are no USDA-approved vaccines for VSV.
VSV is considered a reportable disease in Kansas. Any person who suspects their animals may have VSV should contact their local veterinarian or state animal health official.
When VSV was confirmed in neighboring states this summer, KDA implemented increased importation requirements from the affected regions to help prevent the spread of VSV into Kansas. Because of the confirmed case in Kansas, other states are likely to increase restrictions on livestock imports. Animal health officials strongly encourage all livestock owners and veterinarians to call the animal health authority in the destination state for the most current import requirements prior to travel.
For more information about VSV, including documents outlining symptoms, fly control practices, and current situation reports, visit the KDA website at www.agriculture.ks.gov/VSV. If you have specific questions or are seeing suspicious lesions on your animals, contact the KDA Division of Animal Health at 785-564-6601.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A survey of the state of Kansas’ 8,000 executive branch employees shows that the biggest concern for most of them is low pay and poor benefits.
Governor Laura Kelly attended a Kansas Dept. of Administration employee appreciation event in September -photo courtesy office of Kansas governor
While 65% of respondents from 14 Cabinet agencies are satisfied with their jobs, three in five cite low pay and benefits as their most significant workplace concern.
The Kansas Department of Administration released findings Wednesday of the anonymous, voluntary survey. It was conducted in June at the urging of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.
The department said 54% of employees from the Cabinet agencies responded.
“We know the past several years have been difficult for our public employees,” Kelly said. “Their well-being and satisfaction dramatically affect the efficiency and effectiveness of the services Kansans receive. Better working conditions for public employees lead to a better government for the citizens of Kansas.”
Of the survey respondents, 60% said they weren’t reasonably compensated, while 24% cited training, technology and equipment inadequacies as their top concern.
The Department of Administration said eight in 10 employees were convinced their work advanced their employer’s mission and agreed their supervisors valued input from staff.
Agency managers and supervisors dealt ineffectively with poor job performance, according to 40% of respondents. Also, 13% said they didn’t feel physically or emotionally safe at work.
Lawmakers this year approved a bill signed by Kelly to provide state employees with a 2.5% pay raise. Health insurance plan premiums for state workers were lowered in 2019 by 6%. That followed increases of more than 30% from 2016 to 2018.
DeAngela Burns-Wallace, secretary of the Department of Administration, recently told legislators that low salaries of information technology employees complicated hiring efforts.
“You can see on-the-ground results when the employees of the state are adequately compensated and treated as professionals,” she said.
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on theft and traffic violations after a brief chase and crash.
Mickey photo Saline County
Just before 12:30a.m. Thursday, police were called to the parking lot behind Big Nose Kate’s in the 100 block of North Seventh Street in Salina, for the report of a person who appeared to be intoxicated driving a white pickup in circles in the parking lot, according to captain Paul Forrester.
Upon arrival, the officer recognized that the 2006 white Chevrolet Colorado traveled in circles was one that had been reported stolen from Lindsborg on Wednesday.
As the officer approached the pickup, it left the parking lot and headed south on Seventh Street with the officer in pursuit, according to Forrester.
The pickup ran the stop sign at the intersection of Seventh Street and Iron Avenue, and continued south until turning east onto West Walnut Street where it struck the curb and a tree as it drove up onto the sidewalk, flattening the passenger-side tires.
The pickup then made a u-turn in a parking lot, and as it was heading out of the parking lot to West Walnut Street, it struck and became stuck on a light pole.
Officers found numerous open containers of alcohol inside the pickup, according to Forrester.
They arrested the driver identified as Matthew Mickey, 40, Lindsborg, on requested charges that include, Felony flee and elude, possession of stolen property, Reckless driving, Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Operating a motor vehicle without a license, Transporting an open container, Failure to stop at a stop sign and other traffic violation, according to Forrester.
The pickup, valued at $4,000, was towed back to Lindsborg.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s short-staffed corrections department has announced a new $10,000 hiring bonus to try to lure new workers into jobs in the state’s three largest male prisons.
The Department of Correctional Services announced the bonuses Thursday for new corporals at the Nebraska State Penitentiary, the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution and the Lincoln Correctional Center/Diagnostic and Evaluation Center.
New employees previously received a $3,000 bonus.
The Nebraska State Penitentiary is also switching to 12-hour work shifts until the workforce stabilizes. Corrections Director Scott Frakes says he has declared a staffing emergency, a procedural move required under state labor contracts to put the changes into effect immediately.
The department is also offering $10,000 referral bonuses.
Staffers currently employed at the Nebraska State Penitentiary will receive an automatic $500 bonus at the year’s end.
KANSAS CITY (AP) — Court documents say a man who is charged with a felony was driving drunk with a 2-, 4- and 10-year-old in his vehicle as he sped down a Missouri highway at 110 mph.
Pike photo Buchanan County Jail
Thirty-three-year-old Justin Pike, of St. Joseph, was charged this week with child endangerment. He was stopped for speeding Sunday on Interstate 29 in Buchanan County. Court documents allege that Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers smelled alcohol on his breath and administered a sobriety test, which he failed.
He has been released on bond. No attorney is listed for him in online court records.
Tiger fans can get a first look at the 2019-20 Fort Hays State Men’s Basketball squad on Thursday night when they travel to Lawrence for an exhibition game with the University of Kansas. Tipoff is set for 7 pm at Allen Fieldhouse. The game will be available to purchase for viewing on ESPN+ (WatchESPN) or Big 12 Now. It can be heard on KJLS (103.3-FM) and the Tiger Sports Network. LISTEN LIVE
The Tigers finished at 18-11 overall in 2018-19, while placing fourth in the MIAA regular season standings with a conference mark of 12-7. FHSU ended its season in the MIAA Tournament Quarterfinals in a loss to Lincoln University. The Tigers reached at least 18 wins in a season for the fourth straight year and produced Mark Johnson’s 17th winning season guiding the Tigers out of 18 seasons overall. Johnson will enter the 2019-20 campaign with an overall record of 359-172 (.676) at FHSU.
Fort Hays State will have several new faces on the court this season. The Tigers return six players from last year, but only four saw time on the floor in 2018-19. Aaron Nicholson, Devin Davis, Jared Vitztum, and Nyjee Wright are among those four, while Calvin Harrington and Gilbert Peters redshirted. Johnson has brought in eight new players this season, looking to mesh with the returning group. Five of the eight are transfers, while the other three are true freshmen.
Nicholson is the top returning scorer for the Tigers, averaging 9.0 points per game last year. Davis was the top scorer off the bench at 8.6 points per game. Both reached double figures in scoring in 12 contests last season. Vitztum, the top returning rebounder, averaged 7.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Fort Hays State and Kansas last met in exhibition on November 7, 2017. Kansas won 86-57, but not before a challenge from FHSU in the first half. The Tigers held a lead just past 16 minutes into the game, 29-28, before KU took a 38-33 lead into halftime. In fact, the Tigers took the lead five times in the opening half, each by one point. The Jayhawks went on to double up the Tigers in the second half, 48-24.
Following the exhibition game with Kansas on Thursday, FHSU will open its regular season November 8-9 in Russellville, Arkansas where it will face Arkansas Tech and Southwestern Oklahoma State.
SAN DIEGO — A person familiar with the decision says the rebuilding San Diego Padres have hired Jayce Tingler from the Texas Rangers as their new manager.
Tingler has most recently been the major league player development field coordinator for the Rangers. His only previous managerial experience has been at the lowest rungs.
He replaces Andy Green, who was blamed for the Padres’ second-half collapse when he fired with eight games left in the season.
Tingler faces tremendous expectations from ownership and a long-suffering fan base. The Padres were last in the NL West at 70-92 even after signing Manny Machado to a $300 million contract and promoting top rookies Fernando Tatis Jr. and Chris Paddack.
The former Missouri Tiger was member of the Hays Larks NBC runner-up team in 2000 and ranks in top 10 in Larks history in runs scored and stolen bases.
Norman Earl Claus, 86, of Colby, died Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver, CO. He was born February 13, 1933, in Madison County, NE, to Herman and Esther (Schade) Claus. On February 15, 1964, Norman married Vivian Maxwell. Norman worked for the Union Pacific for 39 years most often as a station agent and telegrapher in Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. After retirement he delivered flowers for Dillon’s, did volunteer work for Citizens Medical Center and delivered Meals on Wheels. Norman was a member of the Kansas Model Railroaders and enjoyed working with model railroads. Norman loved to talk about his granddaughter and enjoyed collecting John Deere things. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, in Colby.
Norman was preceded in death by his parents; wife Vivian and brother Robert Claus.
He is survived by his son Tony (Lindsay) Claus, Liberal, KS and granddaughter Vivian Claus; brothers Arland (Sandy) Claus, Kenneth (Donna) Claus and Paul (Kathy) Claus and sister Bonnie (Dennis) McMann.
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Friday, October 25, 2019, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby, with a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 26, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Colby. Burial will take place in Beulah Cemetery, Colby. Memorials are suggested to the Trinity Lutheran Church, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
ELROY, AZ —A group of inmates being relocated to provide relief for the Kansas prison system arrived safely in Arizona, the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) announced in a media release Wednesday.
Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona (Photo courtesy CoreCivic)
The group of 120 medium- and maximum-custody inmates were transported to the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Ariz., by secure air transport, paid for by CoreCivic under the terms of a contract with the State.
Specific details about the transportation of inmates to Arizona will not be disclosed due to security and safety concerns.
“The KDOC has sought to relocate offenders who will be successful and most likely to benefit from the programmatic opportunities available through Saguaro Correctional Center”, said KDOC Deputy Secretary of Facilities Management Joel Hrabe.
KDOC used a screening process that identified offenders who have at least 24 months until release, low frequency of visitation, a need for education/vocational programming, and are medically able.
The KDOC has also posted information for family members athttps://www.doc.ks.gov/facilities/out-of-state-inmates which includes specifics on visitation, mail and other essential information. A staff member in KDOC Central Office has also been designated as a resource for families who have questions about their family member or processes.
The KDOC Office of Victim Services (OVS) has also notified registered victims of those transferred.
“The plan we announced on August 9, 2019 was to move inmates sooner, and in larger numbers,” said KDOC Secretary Jeff Zmuda. “We have been exploring all available options to avoid sending anyone out of state, but ultimately concluded this is the appropriate course. It is my hope that this will be a short-term solution and that we will not have to move additional inmates.”
On October 17, 2019, the KDOC had an inmate population of 9,027 male offenders, which the Kansas Sentencing Commission projects will increase to 10,399 by the end of state fiscal year 2029.
