TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas trial-court judge opposed by an influential anti-abortion group is among three finalists to fill a vacancy on the state’s highest court.
A state nominating commission on Friday named Shawnee County District Judge Evelyn Wilson as a potential appointee for Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to consider. Kelly’s appointee will go on the court without any review by the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Kansans for Life announced its opposition this week to her candidacy, citing her husband’s political contributions to Kelly and other abortion-rights supporters. She has declined to comment, but he said she steers clear of politics.
Commission members said they were unaware of the group’s opposition.
The commission also selected Deputy Kansas Attorney General Dennis Depew and Assistant Kansas Solicitor General Steven Obermeier as finalists for Kelly to consider.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A lawyer who stole more than $900,000 from an elderly client with dementia was sentenced to probation.
Larry Toomey of Wichita was given two years of probation, with an underlying sentence of 26 months, on Friday. He pleaded guilty in April to felony theft.
Toomey’s attorney, Steven Mank, told the court Toomey was entitled to the money because of a gift memo drafted by the 104-year-old client.
Prosecutors say Toomey spent nearly $962,000 from the woman’s bank accounts, including for a gambling addiction.
Under his sentence, Toomey was ordered to be evaluated for a gambling addiction and follow the recommended treatment.
Prosecutors alleged Toomey stole from the women for seven years, while she was living in a Wichita nursing home.
Join the Professor of Herbology, Pomona Sprout, and learn the magic behind herbs in the wizarding world of Harry Potter from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 29 in Schmidt Gallery at the Hays Public Library.
There will be magical demonstrations, and treats will be provided. All ages are welcome.
Elizabeth J. “Betty” Buchholz, age 86, of WaKeeney, Kansas passed away Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney. She was born March 22, 1933 in Gorham, Kansas to Vincent and Delphine (Kuhn) Copp. She shared a happy life with her husband, Duane W. Buchholz.
Betty was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening and canning, sewing and hand quilting quilts, crocheting and was an accomplished seamstress. She was an incredibly giving, talented and creative person.
Betty is survived by her husband, Duane Buchholz of WaKeeney; a son, Eugene F. Buchholz and wife Michelle of Oakley, California; a daughter, Gail A. Jensen and husband Richard of WaKeeney; three brothers, Michael Copp of Olathe, Kansas, Dwayne Copp of Roseville, California and Lawrence Copp of El Segundo, California; three sisters, Patricia Roe of WaKeeney, Rosemary Mai of Salina and Mary Jane Wahlmeier of Norton; two grandchildren, Tara Harold and husband Thomas of Moorpark, California, Kimberly Pinto and husband David of Oakley, California as well as two great grandchildren, Caylee and Dominic Harold and many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Vincent Copp Jr.
Memorial services will be 10:30 AM with memorial visitation from 9:30 until service time on Friday, October 25, 2019 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601. Inurnment will follow the Memorial Service at approximately 11:45 AM at the WaKeeney City Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital/WaKeeney Family Care Center or the Bethlehem Lutheran Church of WaKeeney
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — District Attorney Charles Branson says his office will no longer file criminal cases for simple marijuana possession.
Branson said Thursday that Douglas County citizens should not be criminally charged when citizens in Lawrence and surrounding communities face little or no penalty in such cases. And he said he hopes the decision will allow county courts and law enforcement to focus on more serious issues.
Lawrence city officials this year reduced fines to $1 for first and second convictions for marijuana possession, for people 18 and with 32 grams or less of marijuana. The city did not change municipal court fines for drug paraphernalia possession, and additional court and diversion costs could still apply.
Possession is still illegal in most Kansas communities, and under state and federal law.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes escaped significant ligament damage when he dislocated his right kneecap and there is optimism the reigning NFL MVP could be back on the field in about a month.
Mahomes had an MRI exam Friday that showed the ligaments were intact, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team was still sorting through the results and putting together a timetable for his return.
The Chiefs play Green Bay a week from Sunday, then face the Vikings and Titans before a Monday night matchup against Tennessee on Nov. 18. The Chiefs (5-2) have their bye the following week, so it is possible they hold Mahomes out until their game against Oakland on Dec. 1.
“The kid had the MRI and we don’t have all the information. That’s what I can give you,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Friday. “Once we get the information, we can give you everything that kind of happened and what’s going on down the road. The whole deal.”
Mahomes was hurt during the Chiefs’ 30-6 win in Denver on Thursday night while sneaking for first down on fourth-and-short deep in Broncos territory. Everyone jumped up from the pile but Mahomes, who quickly reached for his right knee as trainers rushed onto the field.
Physicians used what is called a reduction maneuver to guide the patella back into place, and Mahomes was helped to his feet and shooed away a waiting cart. As players from both teams gathered to pat him on the back, Mahomes limped off the field and to the locker room with little assistance.
Mahomes was only in the X-ray room for a couple minutes before he was ruled out.
The Chiefs led 13-6 when Mahomes left and journeyman quarterback Matt Moore, who was signed just before the season when backup Chad Henne broke his ankle, finished the game. Moore wound up going 10 of 19 for 117 yards, a good chunk of it coming on a 57-yard scoring strike to Tyreek Hill.
“It’s hard to do, really the whole thing he’s done, coming in late to us,” Reid said. “Then it’s hard to be a relief pitcher. He’s done it before. There’s a certain way to prep for that and he understands that. It paid off for him. The best part is we didn’t have to change up a lot of things. The hard thing is if the guy comes in, the backup, and you have to change the whole offense.”
Reid indicated that Moore would be the starter going forward, and that rookie Kyle Shurmur — the son of longtime NFL coach Pat Shurmur — could be elevated from the practice squad as the backup.
“I shorted some throws and missed some stuff, some stuff I think the quarterback should hit,” Moore said, “but I kind of got into a little rhythm there as the game went on and Coach Reid had a nice flow going on with play calls and made me feel comfortable as we went on down.”
Henne is making progress and could be ready to come off injured reserve in Week 8.
Moore and the Chiefs have the benefit of a few extra days by virtue of playing Thursday night, though Reid said he was following through on his plan to give the team a few days off. The team will reconvene after the weekend before a Sunday night showdown against the Packers.
By that point, the Chiefs could have wide receiver Sammy Watkins back from a hamstring injury, and left tackle Eric Fisher (groin) and left guard Andrew Wylie (ankle) could be close to returning.
“Again, I don’t think we’ll have to change the whole offense,” Reid said, “but definitely that is part of being a coach and knowing your players. You want to put them in the best position for what they do best, then work on those things to get them better on the things they don’t do best.
“We’ll look at what (Moore) does best and talk and put together a good game plan.”
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate voted Thursday to sustain President Donald Trump’s veto of Democratic-sponsored legislation reversing his raid of military base project money to pay for the U.S.-Mexico border wall.
The 53-36 vote was well short of the two-thirds required to overturn the veto. The vote mirrored ones last month and in March in which a number of Republicans broke with Trump in defending lawmakers’ power of the purse. The military projects in question included base schools and target ranges.
In February, Trump declared the security situation along the border a national emergency. That decision enabled him to take up to $3.6 billion from such projects to finance wall construction beyond the miles that lawmakers have been willing to fund.
Democrats reacted with outrage and some GOP senators opposed Trump as well. Top Republicans such as Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky had urged Trump not to do it. But once Trump acted, McConnell and others fell into line even as 10 Republicans broke with Trump on Thursday’s vote.
“The president’s emergency declaration is an unconstitutional power grab. Congress has not fully funded his requests for border wall funding,” said Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M. “But this president will not accept Congress’s judgment. Or our constitutional authority. His emergency declaration is an exercise of power that is just not his under the Constitution.”
Trump has obtained just over $3 billion for border barrier construction by working through regular congressional channels, subject to limitations imposed by lawmakers. He has used various transfer and emergency authorities to shift almost $7 billion more from the emergency declaration, a forfeiture fund containing money seized by law enforcement, and funding for military counterdrug activities.
Last week, a federal judge in Texas ruled that Trump had exceeded his authority in reallocating the money for military construction to the border wall. The Supreme Court in July issued a stay on a ruling by a California court that blocked Trump from carrying out the maneuver.
The Pentagon recently identified $3.6 billion worth of military construction projects it’s willing to kill in order to build 175 miles of border wall. The projects included a $63 million middle school in McConnell’s state of Kentucky, though most of the projects are outside the continental U.S.
A sheriff’s sale of Hays downtown properties ended Friday morning with smiles and hugs as several business owners gained ownership of the buildings in which their businesses are located.
Bank of Hays, Sunflower Bank and Golden Belt Bank were granted foreclosures on multiple properties owned by Chuck Comeau and his holding companies last year.
Heather and Shaun Musil won the bid at $211,001 for 1100 Main, which houses their business, The Paisley Pear.
“We’re thrilled,” said Heather Musil. “We are thrilled that the owners all get to keep their buildings and the businesses will continue as normal.”
Shaun added,” We can concentrate on what we do best.”
Sarah Cearley won the bids for two storefronts in which her businesses, Simply Charmed and Bella Luna, are located. She was the high bidder at $75,001 for 1011 Main and $70,001 for 106 W. 11th.
“I am just excited and fortunate that we were able to purchase with no competition,” she said. “We look forward to continuing to be a part of downtown for many more years to come.”
1011 and 1013 Main St.
Norman Keller and his wife purchased 1013 Main for a bid of $140,001. The building is home to Regeena’s Flowers & Events. Keller said they were ecstatic and relieved.
The historic George Philip Hardware building, 719 Main, was purchased by Wes Rathbun for $207,001.
Sara Bloom, Downtown Hays Development Corp. director, said, “This is a great day for downtown. The building sales bring opportunities, but it also ensured that our business owners who are so successful already will get to stay in their building and continue their success and help grow and bring our downtown into the future.”
Other properties that sold included:
803 Fort St. — $37,100 to Leroy Riedl
811 Fort St. — $14,000 to Dan and Bob Meckenstock
1008 Main St.— $100,000 to Bank of Hays
1102 Main St. $120,00 to Bank of Hays
1108 Main St. — $5,001 to Leroy Riedl
121 E. 11th St. — $91,000 to Robert E. Schmidt Foundation
1012 Main St. — $70,000 to Bank of Hays
The 2018 taxes on the properties were paid, but the new owners will need to pay the 2019 taxes.
Seven Comeau properties already sold at sheriff’s sale in August.
Sarah Meitner, volunteer for the Hays ARC Park project
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Plan designs for the new Hays Accessible Recreation Complex have been updated and a proposed groundbreaking pushed back since the fundraising campaign officially kicked off a little more than a year ago.
Volunteer Sarah Meitner, the mother of a special needs son, briefed Hays city commissioners on the project Thursday night, along with Kathy McAdoo, Arc of Central Plains exec. director and Brent Kaiser, Arc activities director and director of the local Special Olympics program.
The biggest change to the ARC Park to be located in Seven Hills Park, 33rd and Hillcrest, is the addition of a $180,000 parking lot and drop-off area, pushing the total project cost up to approximately $2 million.
The layout locations of a baseball field, playground equipment and splash pad have not changed.
“I know we’ll end up with school buses of kids here, along with baseball teams,” Meitner predicted.The parking lot is 43 stalls – plenty of handicapped parking – plus a drop-off area that will have benches around it. We think that will alleviate the flow of traffic and the street parking.” An entrance and exit will be installed both on 33rd and Hillcrest.
Meitner, Kaiser and McAdoo have gone to door-to-door meeting nearby residents. They each said they have heard nothing negative about increased traffic from neighbors.
“I’ve talked to several of those people and even received a donation from one,” McAdoo told commissioners.
Commissioner Eber Phelps said he knows a family with a special needs child who travels in a motorhome because of the accessibility issues. “You could have people come off Interstate 70 that know about this. I hope that happens.”
Families seek out such facilities when a child just can’t handle a busy restaurant, according to Meitner. “They pack picnics even for small road trips because they know they’re going to have to find a park to play at.”
The Hays ARC Park can be recognized as a sensory-friendly and accessible playground on Google maps, which the group found out from an interested parent. “That’s what they search for.”
Groundbreaking is now projected for April 2020 for the Hays ARC Park as fundraising continues for the project in Seven Hills Park.
Now also planned for the park is a we-go-round, a wheelchair accessible, multi-generational merry-go-round.
The zipline will be extended to 60 feet. “It’ll be a fun showpiece that those kids without disabilities will say this park is pretty cool.”
A low hammock can be stood on for balance or used lying down by someone who is soothed by the back and forth motion.
A new sensory feature – similar to an oversized “Simon” game – will add another component to play particularly for children with vision or hearing impairments.
More shade structures and benches will added and other enhancements will have an artistic component.
She noted the accessible playground will also be important to parents who are in wheelchairs or have mobility problems. “They can be right there with their kids.”
The baseball field will have a scoreboard and bleachers.
“As we’ve done our research into the lack of baseball fields in our region, we know that we’ll have (Special Olympics) teams wanting to come and play at it.” Meitner suggested teams from Colby and Great Bend could meet in Hays to play each other.
So far, slightly more than $480,000 has been raised for the park with donations coming from about 500 individuals and businesses. Donors have included all Hays civic organizations and most of the schools.
“We’ve even gotten Girl Scout cookie money from three different troops,” Meitner said with a smile.
As fundraising enters a second year, donations are anticipated again from organizations in their 2020 budgets.
Several fundraising events are scheduled through the end of the year including a freewill offering barbecue Sunday sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church and Downing-Nelson Oil at Hays VFW Post #9076, 22nd and Vine, from 11 a.m to 2 p.m.
At least $80,000 has been secured in quantified in-kind donations.
“We’re nearing the $600,000 mark, which isn’t quite enough, but remarkable for a year’s time.”
Now that there is money in the bank, the project is pursuing grant funding from outside the community, including national foundations.
Meitner is hoping for a donation surge around the upcoming Christmas holiday through a mailer with the goal for a spring 2020 groundbreaking.
“At this time we’re trying to get the baseball field and playground up concurrently this spring. The phase three splash pad may have to be postponed back to 2021 which is disappointing but we have to remind ourselves how far we’ve come.”
Originally, construction was anticipated to begin this month. Meitner said a flyer was recently mailed to all Ellis County residents explaining the delay.
Commissioner Sandy Jacobs is executive director of the Heartland Community Foundation, which awards grant monies to non-profit groups within Ellis, Trego and Rooks counties.
“It is wonderful how you are able to maintain your level of enthusiasm,” Jacobs praised the group. “I know it’s really, really difficult when things don’t come through the way you expect them to come. You have to keep that energy up. It’s probably driven by your passion.”
“I can’t say enough about all the work that you’ve done so far,” Phelps added. “I don’t think we can even imagine the impact the park is going to have.”
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of cases involving forged checks and believe they have determined a common denominator.
On Thursday, B&K Prescription Shop, 601 East Iron in Salina, reported to police two fraudulent checks for a total amount of $5,600 were written on its Bennington State Bank account to two individuals, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.
Additionally, the Joyce Volk Insurance Agency, 1716 Highland in Salina, reported that $35,000 worth of checks had gone through its Bank of Tescott account.
According to Forrester, the amount could go as high as $93,000, but he did not say why that might happen.
Forrester said Volk had talked with some of the people who had received the checks and she was told that the people were told they would be paid for advertising the business on their vehicles. They were to keep a certain amount from the checks they received and wire the rest to a bank account, he said.
As for the common denominator among the business check forgery cases the Salina Police Department is working, Forrester said, “We have confirmed that the common denominator is Rocking M Media.”
Rocking M Media owns radio stations throughout the state.
Salina Police are encouraging businesses that do business with Rocking M to watch their bank accounts closely, Forrester added.
SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a criminal homicide that left a man dead.
Police on the scene of the Friday morning shooting photo courtesy KWCH
Just after 4a.m. Friday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 4000 Block of East Bailey in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.
At the scene, officers located shell casings. At about the same time, a 40-year-old man arrived at an area hospital with a gunshot wound. Soon after arrival, he was pronounced dead, according to Davidson.
Investigators have learned that the victim and a 42-year-old man went to a home in the 4000 Block of East Bailey. While there, they were involved in a physical disturbance, according to Davidson. During the altercation, a shot was fired that killed the victim.
This was not a random incident, according to Davidson. Police have not reported an arrest and have not identified the victim.
Jerry M. Standlee, 72, passed away in Hutchinson, KS on Oct. 16, 2019. Born in Russell, KS on May 25, 1947 he was the son of Kenneth C. and Helen (Berryhill) Standlee. He graduated from Ellinwood High School in 1965 later enlisting in the Army where he served in Vietnam and then Korea earning four bronze stars as part of the US Army 1st Cavalry Division.
Formerly of Plainville, KS; Mr. Standlee was an Ellinwood resident since 1964. He married Mary Komarek on Dec. 31st, 1982 in Ellinwood, KS. Memberships include 43 years at the American Legion Post #320 and lifetime member of the VFW.
Survivors include wife, Mary Standlee; daughters, Colleen Schmidt (Eric), Joni Anderson (Brian), and Tonya Craft (Eric); son, CMSgt Nathan Kerr (Doris); 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Curtis Standlee.
Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, Oct. 19th, at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood with Pastor Rick Standlee officiating. Interment will follow at Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery, Ellinwood. Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 18 at Minnis Chapel from 6-8 PM with family present. Memorials are suggested to Wounded Warrior Project or Golden Belt Humane Society in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526.
