ELLIS — At the regular Ellis City Council meeting Monday, the council unanimously approved an engineering contract with Driggs Design Group, completing another step in the process of applying for a Community Development Block Grant that would cover half of the cost of $824,000 project that would replace four waterlines through the city.
“It’s generally the same as the application we submitted two years ago with the exception that we added another waterline to it to try to capture some more money,” said Buck Driggs of Driggs Design Group.
The contract with the firm is also the same as during the previous submission, covering design and construction. The contract is contingent upon the city receiving the CDBG grant.
Approving the contract is a part of the application process and signifies the city is ready to move forward if the grant is received, Driggs told the council.
“By doing this in a public hearing, that gets two of the boxes checked,” he said.
Driggs expects the grant application to be submitted next week.
In other action:
The council approved a proposal to perform a survey for the swimming pool improvement project.
The council authorized the mayor to sign a letter of support for ACCESS Public Transportation. The letter will be used with grant applications.
The council approved a contract with the Ponderosa Tree Farm and Nursery.
The council approved a continuation of a tax abatement for the Ellis Days Inn. The abatement has been requested as the current owners are looking for a buyer and will only take effect if also approved by the Ellis County Commission and the Ellis Board of Education.
The council accepted resignation letters from Police Chief Taft Yates and Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman. Scheuerman will continue in his position until Nov. 1. Yates will continue in his role until Nov. 29.
Have an extra creepy Halloween costume this year by learning special effects makeup from Taylor McClung at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21 at the Ellis Public Library.
Pick up a registration form at EPL, fill it out and return it by Oct. 1 to reserve your spot and to ensure we have enough supplies. (No late registration) This event is open to ages 7-12, but kids younger than 8 should probably have a helper.
Also attend Makey Makey Monday Model Make ‘N’ Take.
Come to the EPL Maker Space at the Ellis Public Library at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7 for a Model Make N Take hosted by Steve and professional model builder Mark Logan.
You can build either a Tom Daniel’s designed Chopper “Roar and Peace” or the “Leap Hog” 3 Wheeler produced by Atlantis Models.
These are the kits like your Grandpa built. The class is open to girls and boys ages 7-12, but kiddos younger than 8 will probably need a helper.
Registration forms are at EPL and need to be completed by Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, to ensure your spot and kit. No Late Registrations.
Watch for other Makey Makey Monday activities on the EPL Facebook page.
Lila Marie (German) Atwell, the daughter of Delmar and Birdie (Neff) German, was born on August 1, 1931, in Glen Elder, Kansas. She departed this life September 15, 2019, at Salina Regional Health Center at the age of 88.
Lila grew up on the family farm south of Glen Elder, attended rural Grellet Grade School, and graduated from Glen Elder High School. She received a BS in Home Economics from Kansas State University where she met her future husband, and in 1951, a BS – Registered Nurse from Kansas University Medical Center in 1954.
Lila married her husband, Leroy Atwell, on September 7, 1952. To this union were born three children, Linda, Leon and Lance, whom she greatly loved. Lila and her husband moved to Utica, Kansas, in 1954, to join the Atwell farm and ranch operation while Lila worked at the Grisell Memorial Hospital in Ransom, Kansas. In 1961, they moved to the Edgar Williams farm east of Norton. After moving to Norton, Lila worked as a nurse at the Andbe Home. In 1975, she established the Norton County Health Department and later the PRN Home Health Agency administering those agencies for 23 years. Caring for the health of others and her family was a high priority in her life. She always appreciated nature and enjoyed tending to her flower and vegetable gardens and yard.
Lila grew up in the Friends Church in Glen Elder, of which her ancestors helped establish. Later she was a member of the Utica Christian Church and the Norton Christian Church where both she and her husband were youth leaders. Lila was a 4-H youth leader and a Farm Bureau leader. She received the Farm Bureau State Health and Wellness Award, Business and Professional’s Woman of the Year Award and was nominated for the Nursing Heart of Healthcare Award.
Survivors include: daughter, Linda, and husband, Ken Ziegler, of Oakley, Kansas; two sons, Leon, and wife, Treva (LeCount,) of Norton, Kansas, and Lance, and wife, Christine (Nonnweiler,) of Garner, Iowa; five grandchildren, Amber (Russ Wolters,) Brett (Kylie Shoemaker,) Leron, Kallie and Lindsey, and three great grandchildren, Elizabeth, Benjamin and Braxton, along with nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy, parents, Delmar and Birdie German, brother Max German, parents-in-law, Merritt and Thelma Atwell, Tom and Elita Bentley, Darrell and Agnes Holmes.
Visitation will be at the Enfield Funeral Home in Norton, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, September 20, 2019. Memorial services will be at the Norton Christian Church on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at 11:30 am. Private family interment services will be at the Norton Cemetery.
A memorial has been established to the Lila Atwell Memorial Fund in support of the Norton County Health Department.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have a third suspect in custody.
With assistance from the United States Marshals Service, law enforcement located and arrested 22-year-old Lavonte D. Johnson Wednesday in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, according to Topeka police spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.
Johnson photo Topeka Police
Johnson was arrested on a Shawnee County warrant for first-degree murder and criminal use of a weapon. He is awaiting extradition to Shawnee County.
On July 25, police were dispatched to the area of SE Fremont and SE Irvingham in reference to gunshots heard in the area. Officers responded to the area and at SE 37th & SE Pennsylvania in Topeka and located a white passenger car with one male victim later identified as 16-year-old Joaquin Aj McKinney of Topeka suffering from life threatening injuries.
He was quickly transported to an area hospital by ambulance, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Danny Kaye Williams and Zachary Jacob McFall have also been charged in relation to this investigation. Williams and McFall have been charged with one count each of first-degree murder and criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle. Investigators are not seeking any additional suspects at this time.
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SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and continue the search for one suspect.
Zachary Jacob McFall photo Topeka PoliceJohnson photo Topeka Police
Just after 3:30p.m. July 25, police were dispatched to SE 37th and SE Pennsylvania in Topeka located a white passenger car with 16- year-old Joaquin Aj McKinney suffering from life threatening injuries. He was transported to a local hospital where he died.
On July 27, 2019 a suspect in the case, 16-year-old Zachary Jacob McFall turned himself in to law enforcement. He is being held in the Juvenile Department of Corrections for 1st Degree Murder.
On July 28, 2019 officers located and arrested an additional 16-year-old suspect in the case. He was transported to the Juvenile Department of Corrections for 1st Degree Murder.
Police are attempting to locate 22-year-old Lavonte D. Johnson for questioning in the case.
Police said if you know his location, please do not attempt to apprehend him, call 911 to report his location
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A University of Kansas football player is charged with two misdemeanors after his arrest at a Lawrence bar.
Thomas Patrick Barrett photo KU Athletics
Sophomore linebacker Thomas Patrick Barrett was charged Tuesday with two counts of contributing to a child’s misconduct. An attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
Police Sgt. Amy Rhoads says Barrett, from Cleveland, Ohio, was arrested on Aug. 31 at the Jayhawk Cafe. Two 17-year-old girls inside the business were in possession of what was believed to be alcohol.
The girls were released to their guardians.
Barrett turned 21 the same week he was arrested. He’s scheduled for another court appearance Oct. 2.
The Kansas athletic department said it’s monitoring the situation while it goes through the legal process.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City International Airport officials are warning travelers to give themselves more time to get to their destinations.
photo courtesy Kansas City International Airport
The airport authority announced that construction on a new terminal will slow traffic, beginning Wednesday.
Vehicle traffic between terminals B and C will be reduced to one lane, and the road that allows motorists to return to a terminal will be closed.
The change to the loop road system will particularly affect motorists who circle the area while waiting to pick up passengers. People waiting for passengers may park for free in the Cell Phone lot near the FAA tower. Or they can park in the economy parking lot for up to one hour without being charged a fee.
The airport says ongoing construction means travelers should allow more time for up to a year.
Adding up to just over $310,000 in support from donors, 274 scholarships were awarded to business students for the 2019-2020 academic year at Fort Hays State University.
The scholarships were awarded at last week’s annual W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship scholarship awards ceremony.
“The support of these donors assures that Fort Hays State University continues to be a leader in business and entrepreneurship education by attracting and retaining the next generation of innovators and problem solvers,” said Dr. Melissa Hunsicker Walburn, Interim dean of the college and one of several speakers at the event.
“Through this shared commitment and partnership with friends and supporters external to the university, we achieve excellence in business education.”
“We extend our gratitude to the former students, organizations, businesses, and other friends of the Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship who have made possible these scholarships,” she said.
“My first association with the business college scholarship ceremony was in 1984 as a student who received an award.” said Linda Kepka, senior administrative assistant for FHSU’s Department of Economics, Finance, and Accounting.
“The Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship is awarding five times as many scholarships now as we did 30 years ago.”
Also praising the scholarship program was W.R. Robbins, for whom the business college is named.
“Each year the Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship list of donors for student scholarships continues to increase along with the dollar amount given,” he said.
“I feel this indicates that the quality of education our students are receiving is superior and they and their family have the desire to pay it forward to the next generation. I am so honored to be a part of this scholarship program.”
Learn how you can support students within FHSU’s Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship by visiting https://foundation.fhsu.edu or by contacting the FHSU Foundation at 785-628-5620 or [email protected].
Donald Clayton McClelland, beloved son of Orland and Eunice (Jarvis) McClelland, was born February 22, 1940 in Norton, Kansas, and peacefully passed away at his home in Norton with his loved ones by his side on September 17, 2019, at the age of 79.
Don grew up in Norton and graduated from Norton Community High School with the Class of 1958. On September 23, 1962, Don married the love of his life, Phyllis Marlene Vanover, in Clayton, Kansas, and to this union their beautiful daughter, Robin, was born. They lived for a short time in Norton, Stockton, and Beloit, Kansas, Omaha, Nebraska and eight years in Des Moines, Iowa before moving back to Norton in 1978, where Don and his wife successfully established and managed Don’s Auto Supply.
Don was very active in the Norton community. He was a charter member of Norton Jaycees, a past member of the Norton Chamber of Commerce and served on the Board of Directors, he was also a past Board of Directors member of UNWFCU for 20 years, past Norton Public Library Board Member, past Board of Directors member for the Norton Theatre where he also served as a projectionist for 26 years, Member of the Kansas Army National Guard for eight years with one year of active duty, and a Member of the Norton American Legion Post #63 for 34 years. Don enjoyed fishing, riding his motorcycles, traveling, and most importantly, spending time with his family.
Survivors include: his loving daughter, Robin, and husband, Russ Rutland, Charlotte, NC; his dearest significant other, Rita Ham of Hastings, NE, along with her daughter and granddaughter, Amber Ham and Alexis Ham, who affectionately referred to Don as Papa, Tumwater, WA; one sister, Darlene Paynter, Scottsdale, AZ; several other relatives and friends.
Don is rejoicing in heaven with his parents; wife, Phyllis; one sister, Mary Lea Daniels; parents-in-law, Cloyd and Isabelle Vanover; and brother-in-law, Les Vanover.
FUNERAL SERVICE – Friday, September 19, 2019 – 10:30 A.M.
PLACE – Norton Christian Church – Norton, Kansas
VISITATION – Thursday, September 18, 2019 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Enfield Funeral Home in Norton.
INTERMENT – Norton Cemetery – Norton, Kansas
Memorials can be made to the Don McClelland Memorial Fund and will later be given to the Norton Theatre in Don’s name. There is also an account set up at United Northwest Federal Credit Union in Norton, should anyone want to stop by and deposit a donation directly.
CONDOLENCES – www.enfieldfh.com
ARRANGEMENTS BY – Enfield Funeral Home of Norton.
A Johnson County resident has filed a class action lawsuit claiming the country’s leading electronic cigarette maker, Juul Labs, fraudulently concealed the addictive nature of its vaping products and misrepresented their safety.
Isaac Gant says he began vaping as a senior in high school four years ago and now is addicted to nicotine, suffers from respiratory problems, bouts of anxiety, coughing fits and the need to take frequent breaks at work to satisfy his nicotine cravings.
“Juul marketed its products to teenagers and did not tell them that it contains nicotine,” said Jerry Schlichter, a St. Louis lawyer who represents Gant. “Now we have many young people who have become addicted to this product when they never were informed about its content at all.”
The lawsuit seeks class action status on behalf of all Kansas residents who bought or used products made by Juul and seeks unspecified damages for violations of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act, negligence, fraud and other counts.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Kansas City, Kansas, accuses Juul of adopting the marketing strategies of tobacco companies by glamorizing vaping while downplaying its addictiveness and adverse health effects. It alleges that Juul specially formulated the liquids in its delivery systems to deliver more nicotine in higher concentrations in a way that would make it quicker and easier to consume.
In a statement, Juul said the lawsuit “largely copies and pastes unfounded allegations previously raised in other lawsuits which we have been actively contesting for over a year. This case is without merit and we will defend our mission throughout this process.”
The company said that it was “committed to eliminating combustible cigarettes” and that its product “has always been intended to be a viable alternative for the one billion current adult smokers in the world.”
“We have never marketed to youth and do not want any non-nicotine users to try our products,” Juul said. “We have launched an aggressive action plan to combat underage use as it is antithetical to our mission.”
Gant’s lawsuit, however, says that Juul intentionally targets minors and that individuals who use its products are more than four times as likely to start smoking cigarettes as those who don’t.
The Food and Drug Administration this month issued a warning letter to Juul, accusing it of illegally marketing its vaping device as safer than traditional cigarettes. The agency threatened the company with civil penalties and seizure of its products if it didn’t stop.
More than 400 people nationwide have developed lung illnesses after using vaping products and at least seven people, including one in Kansas, have died. California health officials announced this week that a 40-year-old man had died over the weekend from complications related to using e-cigarettes.
The specific cause or causes of the illnesses and deaths are unknown, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people concerned about the health risks of vaping refrain from using vaping products and particularly vaping ingredients bought on the street. It also urges people to stop modifying the devices.
With a greater than 70% market share, Juul dominates the e-cigarette market. Last year, just three years after introducing its vaping products, it boasted more than $1 billion in revenue. In December, tobacco giant Altria acquired a 35 percent stake in Juul in a deal valued at $12.8 billion.
Gant’s class action lawsuit is at least the second to be filed by a Kansas City area resident against the company. Last month, the mother of a Clay County teenager sued Juul in federal court in Kansas City, alleging it deliberately targets teenagers while knowing of “significant health risks posed by nicotine use.”
Gant’s lawsuit accuses Juul of taking a page from the tobacco industry’s playbook, going so far as to create advertisements bearing an uncanny resemblance in theme, appearance and language to those once used to market cigarettes. The lawsuit juxtaposes pictures of old cigarette ads with pictures of Juul ads to illustrate their similarity.
The suit says that Juul, like the tobacco industry, tracks teenage smoking patterns and attitudes because it views teenagers as future customers.
“Having learned from its predecessors,” the suit states, “Juul Labs has been doing exactly the same thing, reaching millions of teenagers and children – on purpose and for the same reason as ‘Big Tobacco’ did – in the process.”
Schlichter’s law firm has filed several other lawsuits on behalf of young people who have developed health conditions allegedly related to vaping.
“This is a serious problem,” he said.
E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, e-hookahs, vape pens and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), are battery-powered devices that convert liquid nicotine into a vapor inhaled by the smoker. Because they don’t contain all of the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes, they’ve been marketed as a safer alternative to cigarettes and as a smoking cessation device.
“Their easy availability, alluring advertisements, various e-liquid flavors, and the belief that they’re safer than cigarettes have helped make them appealing to this age group,” the institute says on its website.
Photo courtesy KHPLINCOLN COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 6 a.m. Wednesday in Lincoln County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Volvo semi driven by Lovepreet Singh, 23, Bakersfield, Calif., was westbound on interstate 70 near the Beverly exit.
The semi drifted into median and the driver over-corrected, flipping the semi onto its side and blocking all of westbound I-70.
EMS transported Singh to the hospital in Salina in serious condition, according to the KHP. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
The westbound lanes reopened to traffic just before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.
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LINCOLN COUNTY — Authorities are on the scene of an accident early Wednesday in Lincoln County.
Wednesday accident scene on I-70 in Lincoln County. photo KHP
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported the crash on Interstate 70 near the Beverly exit in Lincoln County has forced westbound traffic to exit at the Brookville-Tescott exit and travel north to Tescott and west to Lincoln and south on Kansas 14 as officials work to clear the accident scene.
East bound lanes are still open. The KHP reminded drivers to slow down as they approach the scene.
By JAMES BELL
