Police in Andover reported that a truck with a trailer was running into cars in a parking lot, according to Captain Joe Schroeder. The trailer was the property of the man’s employer and the driver was not authorized to have it, according to Schroeder.
Police began a pursuit after the driver ran a red light and then continued into Wichita, where he is accused of running another red light and rear-ending a car. The driver then ran another red light, hitting more cars.
The chase ended when the driver crashed into railing. Police arrested the 32-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, fleeing and eluding, hit-and-run and running several lights.
The suspect was expected to make an initial court appearance Friday afternoon. However, the Butler County Attorney’s office won’t file charges in the case until next week, according to Schroeder. Police will release the man’s name after he has been charged. There were no injuries reported.
Fredrick O. Mitchell Sr., 82, of Great Bend, Kansas, and former Russell, Kansas resident, died on Thursday, September, 19, 2019, at the Ellinwood Hospital in Ellinwood, Kansas.
Services are pending for 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, September 26, 2019, at the First Church of the Nazarene in Great Bend, Kansas. Family will greet guests from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. before the service Thursday morning. A luncheon will follow at the church immediately following the church service. A graveside service will be at 2 P.M. Thursday afternoon at the Russell City Cemetery in Russell, Kansas.
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements. A complete obituary is pending.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Chiefs will be missing three starters from their prolific offense, including running back Damien Williams, when the Baltimore Ravens visit Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.
Williams was ruled out Friday after bruising his knee in last week’s win in Oakland, joining left tackle Eric Fisher and wide receiver Tyreek Hill on the bench for a matchup of 2-0 teams.
Fisher had surgery this week on a groin injury he sustained in practice late last week. Hill is still recovering from injuries to his sternum and collarbone that he sustained in Week 1.
Running back LeSean McCoy is questionable after missing practice Wednesday with an ankle injury. He practiced on a limited basis Thursday and was a full participant for Friday’s light workout.
Chartwells, the dining service at McMindes Hall at Fort Hays State University, had 12 health violations during an inspection Aug. 28 and four repeat violations on Sept. 9.
Director of dining: ‘We do take food safety very seriously’
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
Students spoke out at a FHSU Student Government Association meeting Thursday night about getting sick after eating food from the McMindes cafeteria.
The senior director of Chartwells dining on campus, Amila Ramanayake, gave a short statement at the meeting and then answered questions from student senators and students in the audience. Chartwells runs the dining services at McMindes Hall and at the FHSU Student Union.
The McMindes Hall cafeteria had 12 priority health violations during an inspection on Aug. 28. Four repeat violations were found on Sept. 9.
Jake Boucher, a second-year transfer student, has a residence dining plan. He said he became sick multiple times this semester after eating eggs in the McMindes cafeteria. He told the Senate he also found moldy cheese and bread being offered by Chartwells.
“The panini press is gross,” he said. “I have had to microwave my burgers because they were raw. I pay $4,000 for my meal plan. I don’t feel safe eating in the cafeteria some times.”
Nathan Feldkamp, a junior who lives in the residence hall, also has a dining plan. He expressed concern at the meeting about food being mislabeled. He told Hays Post after the meeting he is allergic to tree nuts, and accidentally ate a cookie with nuts in it at the cafeteria because it had been mislabeled.
Brad DeMers, student body president, said SGA received 11 responses from students in its investigation of the health violations. Among these were students being served raw or undercooked chicken. He also said students complained about food workers not wearing gloves or sneezing or otherwise contaminating their gloves and not changing them.
Ramanayake told the Student Senate he did not wish to make excuses for what happened, but he and the Chartwells staff are working to correct the violations and problems through staff training.
He said he is in daily contact with Chartwells upper management since the violations. A culinary supervisor is set to visit the campus on Monday for an audit.
All Chartwells supervisors are required to have ServSafe training on food safety, and a supervisor is always on duty at each of the Chartwells locations during food service. New employees all go through training on food safety, and online refresher courses are mandated for continuing employees, Ramanayake said.
“We do take food safety very seriously,” he said. “It is a very important part of what we do, especially the quality assurance piece.”
Chartwells has a third-party auditor, EcoSure, that evaluates the food service at its locations. Chartwells as a corporation also does independent audits of its locations, he said. Chartwells has also requested training with an inspector with the Kansas Department of Agriculture, the agency that oversees food inspections in the state.
SGA through the Kansas Open Records Act requested the Chartwells state health inspection records for the Union and McMindes since the Chartwells contract began on campus in 2010.
DeMers said SGA had seen a pattern in which the service would have a significant number of violations then be forced to come back into compliance, have no violations, then the number of violations would spike again. He asked what Chartwells planned to do to be more consistent and prevent violations in the future.
Ramanayake emphasized again training and education were going to be key in solving the food safety concerns.
One student senator asked if employees can be dismissed for repeated health violations. Ramanayake said employees can be dismissed on a fourth safety violation.
Several of the most recent violations during the Chartwells inspections were related to food not being stored and served at the correct temperature. Bacteria and other microorganisms can grow rapidly in food that is not kept cold. Hot food is required to be heated and maintained at temperatures that will kill the bacteria.
Ramanayake said he and other Chartwells staff are being more vigilant about checking food temperature and are teaching associates about the importance of food temperatures.
DeMers asked Ramanayake if employee turnover was a part of the problem in meeting food safety standards.
Ramanayake acknowledged Chartwells has an issue with turnover. He said he did not think it was an issue of pay but the seasonal nature of the employment. He said he is working with Chartwells corporate offices on hiring and retention.
He said associates also may feel the pressure to get food out to the line as fast as possible because lines are backing up in the cafeteria, but Ramanayake said he and the other managers are emphasizing to workers they need to make sure food is cooked correctly and at the correct temperatures before it is served.
DeMers concluded with, “There are a lot of freshmen and sophomores that don’t have a choice when it comes to dining on campus, so I am glad that you came today because this is a big step forward. We really need to address this. I think just continuing the communication and to stop that pattern, I think will benefit all of our freshmen and sophomores and everyone else who lives on campus who eats.”
Ramanayake encouraged students to report their concerns. The McMindes cafeteria has a HappyOrNot terminal where they can report with a happy face or unhappy face about how they felt about their service for the day. Chartwells also has a text service, Text2Chat, that goes immediately to Ramanayake and the supervisor for the specific area for that number — cafeteria, retail, catering.
The numbers are as follows
Residential Dining: 1-785-261-0240
Retail Dining: 1-785-261-9990
Catering: 1-785-261-9991
Feedback is shared monthly with the university.
He also extended an invitation to students and student senators to tour the Chartwells kitchens. He said students can contact him at 785-628-4731. He said he needs at least an hour notice and would prefer to have guests in the kitchens when they are not serving, which would be 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Guests will have to wear food safe attire, including hair nets, aprons and shoe covers.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), has issued public health advisories for Kansas lakes.
Warnings:
Elk Horn Lake, Jackson County (upgraded from watch 9/19)
Gathering Pond near Milford (Hatchery Supply Pond), Geary County (unchanged)
Hiawatha City Lake, Brown County (unchanged)
Jerry Ivey Pond, Saline County (unchanged)
Lake Jeanette, Leavenworth County (unchanged)
Lakewood Park Lake, Saline County (unchanged)
Marion County Lake, Marion County (unchanged)
Meadowbrook Park Lake, Johnson County (upgraded from watch 9/19)
Melvern Outlet Pond, Osage County (unchanged)
Melvern Swim Pond, Osage County (unchanged)
Westlake in Gage Park, Shawnee County (unchanged)
Yates Center Kids’ Fishing Pond, Woodson County (unchanged)
When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:
Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.
Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.
Water contact should be avoided.
Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.
Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.
Watches:
Atchison County Park Lake, Atchison County (new 9/19)
Big Eleven Lake, Wyandotte County (unchanged)
Camp Hawk Lake, Harvey County (unchanged)
Carousel Lake (Gage Park), Shawnee County (unchanged)
Hodgeman County State Fishing Lake, Hodgeman County (downgraded from warning 9/19)
Lake Afton, Sedgwick County (downgraded from warning 9/19)
Lake Shawnee, Shawnee County (unchanged)
Lebo Kids’ Pond, Coffey County (downgraded from warning 9/19)
Neosho State Fishing Lake, Neosho (unchanged)
Rock Garden Pond (Gage Park), Shawnee County (unchanged)
South Lake, Johnson County (unchanged)
A watch means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.
During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:
Signage will be posted at all public access locations
Water may be unsafe for humans/animals
Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.
Swimming, wading, skiing, and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms
Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.
Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.
KDHE samples publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.
Kansans should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may float around the lake, requiring visitors to exercise their best judgment. If there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge whose past political tweets sank his nomination for a higher court and prompted Republican legislators to call for a review of his conduct announced Friday that he will step down early next year.
Labette County District Judge Jeffry Jack said he will retire Jan. 2 from the bench in southeast Kansas and take a job as an area director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County. He said the new job will be based in Lawrence.
Jack’s announcement did not mention his failed nomination earlier this year for the Kansas Court of Appeals, a major embarrassment for Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly during her first months in office. Asked whether it was a factor in his decision to retire, Jack said in an email to The Associated Press, “Actually, no.”
“As for the controversy over my nomination, I always recognized that as a political power play that had absolutely nothing to do with my qualifications as a judge, and I have put it behind me,” Jack wrote.
Kelly, who took office in January, nominated Jack in March to fill a vacancy on the Court of Appeals, which is the state’s second-highest court. But his nomination was doomed in the Republican-dominated state Senate within days when tweets he posted in 2017 surfaced. The Senate eventually voted 38-0 against his confirmation, forcing Kelly to nominate another candidate.
Kelly nominated Jeffrey Jack March 15-photo office of Kansas Governor
Jack’s tweets expressed support for gun control and abortion rights and criticized President Donald Trump and other Republicans, including legislators. Some included foul language or acronyms and one derided Trump as “Fruit Loops.” Jack said they represented personal opinions that did not affect his work as a judge.
But some Republican legislators argued that Jack’s tweets showed he could not be impartial. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Rick Wilborn asked the state Commission on Judicial Conduct in May to review Jack’s behavior to see whether he violated judicial ethics. The commission has yet to set any formal hearing in the matter.
“Today’s announcement is a win for justice and judicial integrity,” Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican, said in a statement Friday. “The people of Labette County no longer have to appear before a politically biased judge.”
Jack has served as a district judge since 2005, when he was appointed to the bench by then-Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. Kelly will appoint his replacement after a local judicial nominating commission selects finalists from among the attorneys who apply.
Jack previously represented a Parsons-area district in the Kansas House as a Republican. He has served on his local Big Brothers Big Sisters board since 2005.
“It is at the trial court where Kansans go to resolve disputes and seek justice, and I am honored to have been able to make a contribution,” Jack said in a statement announcing his plans to retire.
Kelly was the first governor to have a Court of Appeals nominee rejected. Afterward, she nominated Sarah Warner, a Kansas City-area attorney, and the Senate confirmed her.
MULVANE, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a man has died after becoming trapped in a grain truck in southern Kansas.
Google image
Crews rushed to the scene around 12:15 p.m. Friday. A Sedgwick County dispatch supervisor confirmed just before 1 p.m. that the man had died. No other details were immediately released, including the name of the man.
The grain bins is near Mulvane, which is about 15 miles south of Wichita.
Linda Kathleen Chaffin, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on Sept. 20, 2019 at Rose Medical Center in Denver at the age of 70.
Linda was born on July 23, 1949 in Oberlin, Kan., to Walter and Mabel (Bickett) Kennedy. She and her older sister, Twila, were raised in rural Decatur County. Linda graduated from Decatur County High School in 1967. Although encouraged to explore a different career path, Linda adamantly knew her professional calling was for the nursing field, and as a result she graduated as a registered nurse from Stormont Vail Nursing School in 1970.
Linda and Paul Duane Chaffin were united in marriage on Aug. 8, 1971 in Oberlin, Kan. They have been married 48 years and are parents to Melanie and Marc.
As a long-time resident of Goodland, Kan., Linda was known as a genuine friend and admired for her strong faith in God. She had a love of gardening, reading, baking, crocheting, and music of all kinds. Linda was happiest planning or hosting dinners for family, friends, and church fellowship. She enjoyed a book club with her library friends and was an avid supporter of her children’s and grandchildren’s many activities. Linda was a member of Calvary Gospel Church and served on the Goodland Churches Thrift Shop Board.
Fulfilling her life’s calling as a nurse, Linda retired from Goodland Regional Medical Center in 2015 after 45 years of nursing, yet she kept her license current and continued her mission of care-giving in daily life. She performed many roles, including floor, surgical and clinical nursing with dignity and compassion. Linda had great pride in her profession and continued to stay connected with many friends and colleagues through the years. She modeled the nursing oath of service through her actions.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, Dwayne Scott.
She is survived by her loving husband, Paul, her daughter, Melanie (Travis) Daise, her son Marc (Cynthia) Chaffin, and her adoring grandchildren, Jackson Daise, Allison Daise, Olivia Chaffin, and Bridget Chaffin, all of Goodland, Kan., and a sister Twila Scott of Gardner, Kan. She is also survived by her dear friend Rowena Fabella of Chicago, and numerous extended family, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Donations may be made to:
Goodland Public Library
and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735
Goodland Regional Medical Center
and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735
Calvary Gospel Church
and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735
Harvest Evangelical Free Church
and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary, have released images of the damage and asked the public for help to locate possible suspects.
Late Monday or early Tuesday Sept. 17, unknown persons entered the Tony’s Pizza Event Center located at 800 The Midway, Salina, and removed a Sunflower Bank ATM, according to police.
They later destroyed the ATM and removed the contents.
The suspects apparently threw a brick through a southern window of the main lobby to gain access. Area surveillance systems are being checked for the suspect(s). With the value of the destroyed ATM machine, the costs of the damage to the facility, and theft of the ATM money, the total loss overall is $31,460.00. Salina Police detectives are seeking information on the identity of the suspect(s).
The brick used to break the window.
If you have any information concerning this event, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit www.pd.salina.org and follow the Crimestoppers link to submit a web tip. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 and you are not required to give your name.
KANSAS CITY (AP) — Kansas City police are urging people not to leave grenades “just lying around” after the discovery of one led officers to temporarily block off surrounding streets.
It was a modified hand grenade. Bomb and Arson Unit members are continuing to investigate whether it is live at a secure, off-site location. It should go without saying, but please don’t leave grenades – even inactive ones – just lying around.
Police that that the modified grenade was found Wednesday morning. It then was removed to a secure, off-site location so bomb and arson squad members could investigate further.
Police say, “It should go without saying, but please don’t leave grenades — even inactive ones — just lying around.”
Barbara A. Barnett, age 69, passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2019, at the Garden City Retirement Village in Garden City, Kansas. She was born on March 26, 1950, in Garden City, Kansas, the daughter of Galen Otis and Gwendolyn (Shull) Whitson. Barb was a resident of Healy, Kansas since 1984 moving from Scott City, Kansas and was the local Avon lady for 29 years.
She was a member of the Healy United Methodist Church and the Healy United Methodist Women in Healy, Kansas.
She was a graduate from Scott Community High School in 1969. On March 15, 1984, she married Billie Barnett Sr. in Dighton, Kansas. He survives.
Survivors include her Husband- Billie Barnett Sr. of Healy, Kansas. Step Son- Billie and Robin Barnett Jr. of Healy, Kansas. Step daughter- Elizabeth McDonald of St. Joseph, Missouri. Three sisters- Shirley and Richard (Dick) Steffens of Leawood, Kansas, Janet and Mark Soeken of McPherson, Kansas and Anita Whitson and Dale Koster of Garden City, Kansas. One brother Robert (Bob) Whitson of Clay Center, Nebraska. Five grandchildren, Two nieces, Two nephews, eight great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 24, 2019, at the Healy United Methodist Church in Healy, Kansas with Pastor Bud Tuxhorn presiding.
Memorials can be made out to the Healy United Methodist Church or Healy United Methodist Women in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.
Fredrick O’Brian Rupp, 62, of Bushton and Hays, Kansas, died on Thursday, July 25, 2019, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.
Fred was born on November 15, 1956, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the son of Linus and Bernice (Weigel) Rupp. He grew up and attended school in Cheyenne and also lived in Denver, Colorado, Bushton, Kansas and Hays, Kansas. He worked for Sun Oil in the oil field for many years. He was a member of the Catholic Church. He enjoyed working with leather crafts, painting and watching Denver Broncos Football. Most of all he enjoyed riding his motorcycle and spending time with his family and friends.
Surviving family included his sister Janice Yanda (Daryel) of Gorham, Kansas and brothers Curt Rupp of Bushton, Kansas and John Rupp (Kim) of Mooresville, Indiana, Step Mother Mary Ann Rupp of Lyons, Kansas. Step Sisters Tina Sims, Katrina Sims and Step Brothers Tim Sims, Billy Wade Sims and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew Dale Yanda.
Fred’s wishes were to be cremated and have a Celebration of Life to be held on a later date that was warm so all his buddies could ride their bikes! The Celebration of Life will be held Saturday September 28th at Lincoln Park in Russel, KS at the corner West 3rd Street and North Lincoln Street from 2pm and 5pm. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
