TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly appointed Thomas Hongslo and Donald Scheibler to the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training (CPOST).
“Making sure that all of Kansas’ police and law enforcement officers are properly trained is imperative to the safety of every person in our state,” Kelly said. “We are lucky to have Thomas and Donald join our team. I know they will work hard to make sure every Kansas officer receives the training they need to best serve our communities.”
Thomas Hongslo, Lenexa, currently works as the Lenexa chief of police.
Donald Scheibler, Hays, currently works as the Hays chief of police.
The commission ensures that police or law enforcement officers in Kansas have met all requirements of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Act. It may suspend, revoke or deny the certification of officers who fail to meet the requirements, or has met the requirements by falsifying documents or failing to disclose information required for certification. CPOST also provides accredited instruction, which is required for the permanent appointment of full-time police and law officers.
The governor appoints 10 of the commission’s 12 members. The final two seats are filled by the superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol and the director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated robbery and have made an arrest.
McNett photo Barton Co.
Just after 10 p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to 721 Madison in Great Bend in reference to an unknown disturbance. Upon arrival, a 20-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman told police three suspects identified as as Tia McNett, 30, Cody Buckingham, 18, and a juvenile entered into the residence.
One victim told officers that he was struck in the head with an unknown object. The female victim stated she was battered by McNett. The suspects stole property and left the area, according to police.
EMS transported the male victim was transported to the hospital in Great Bend where he was treated and released. The female victim received minor injuries and refused medical attention.
The Police Department issued an Attempt To Locate for the suspects. They have arrested McNett and the juvenile suspect was located and arrested at an address in Great Bend. Officers found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on his person. He was was booked at the Barton County Jail and later transported to Bob Johnson’s Juvenile Detention Facility. McNett is being held in the Barton County Jail. Authorities have not released potential charges against her.
TOPEKA, KAN. – More than 50 people have been indicted on federal charges as a result of a three-year investigation to identify traffickers behind a rising tide of heroin, fentanyl and other drugs on the streets of Manhattan, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Sylvester Calvert photo KDOC
“Fentanyl and heroin are a deadly combination,” said U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister. “Our goal is to save lives by disrupting the pipelines bringing these and other poisons to the city Manhattan.”
OVERDOSE DEATH
Federal indictments filed last week and kept under seal until now allege that 18-year-old Kansas State student Maxwell F. Dandaneu was found dead Sept. 26, 2017, in his off-campus apartment from an overdose caused by fentanyl. An indictment alleges Dandaneu got the drugs from a drug trafficking organization made up of five conspirators who are among 54 defendants whose names appear in one of a 13 grand jury indictments.
Defendants Henry Clark, Sylvester Calvert, Michael Calvert, James Toliver, and Blake Woodard are charged with conspiring to distribute fentanyl and heroin resulting in Dandaneu’s overdose death, as well as other charges. Woodward is charged with directly distributing the fentanyl to Dandaneu that led to the fatal overdose.
DRUGS CHARGED
In addition to heroin and fentanyl, other drugs that traffickers are accused of distributing include ecstasy, marijuana, methamphetamine and hydrocodone.
CRIMES CHARGED
Dennis Butler, RCPD Director during Wednesday’s news conference in Topeka
The indictments include charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in bodily injury or death, distributing controlled substances resulting in bodily harm or death, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, unlawful possession of a firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, maintaining a drug involved premise, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, making a false statement in the purchase of a firearm, using Facebook Messenger in furtherance of drug trafficking and removal of property to avoid seizure.
CHICAGO CONNECTION
Law enforcement officers called the investigation Operation Chicago Connection, based on the fact that in 2016 investigators began to hear talk on the streets of this college town about traffickers who some sources called “the Chicago Boys.” In the following months, investigators worked to get a clearer picture of what was going on. What they learned was that some traffickers were making regular trips to Chicago to bring back heroin, fentanyl and other drugs.
TAKEDOWN
Law enforcement officers were out in force Tuesday, serving arrest warrants and search warrants in Manhattan as part of a federal takedown that was one of the largest in state history. Defendants were scheduled to begin making initial appearances in federal court in Topeka today.
Indictment nine (One defendant, fentanyl, removal of property to prevent seizure)
Chanel Toliver, 32, Manhattan, Kan.
Indictment ten (One defendant, methamphetamine)
Damon Brown, 44, Westmoreland, Kan.
Indictment 11 (One defendant, heroin, felonious use of a communication device)
Jason Simonds, 46, Manhattan, Kan.
Indictment 12 (One defendant, felonious use of a communication device)
Jerah Gasser, 26
Indictment 13 (One defendant, firearms)
James Atkinson, 50, Manhattan, Kan.
Upon conviction, the crimes in the 13 indictments carry the following penalties:
Conspiracy to distribute heroin resulting in bodily injury or death (Clark, S. Calvert, M. Calvert, J. Toliver, B. Woodyard): Not less than 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $5 million.
Conspiracy to distribute heroin resulting in bodily injury or death (K. Obrecht): Not less than five years and not more than 40 years, and a fine up to $5 million.
Distributing heroin resulting in bodily injury or death (B. Woodyard): Not less than 20 years and a fine up to $5 million.
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $1 million.
Conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $5 million.
Unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.
Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine: Not less than 10 years and a fine up to $10 million.
Unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.
Maintaining a drug involved premise: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $500,000.
Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $5 million.
Conspiracy to make a false statement to obtain a firearm: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.
Using Facebook Messenger in furtherance of drug trafficking: Up to four years and a fine up to $250,000.
Removal of property to prevent seizure: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.
The case was jointly led by the Riley County Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Riley County Attorney’s Office, the Junction City Police Department, the Geary County Sheriff’s Department, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Department, the Junction City Police Department.
TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Volleyball Association has released their preseason volleyball rankings. Locally, Smith Center comes in at No. 2 in the 2A poll with Trego ranked 10th. Thunder Ridge is eighth and Otis-Bison ninth in Class 1A.
Class 6A
1. Blue Valley
2. Olathe Northwest
3. Gardner-Edgerton
4. Lawrence-Free State
5. Blue Valley West
6. Mill Valley
7. Blue Valley North
8. Shawnee Mission Northwest
9. Garden City
10. Washburn Rural
Class 5A
1. St. Thomas Aquinas
2. Lansing
3. St. James Academy
4. Topeka-Seaman
5. Bishop Carroll
6. Bonner Springs
7. Andover
8. Spring Hill
9. Goddard
10. Blue Valley Southwest
Class 4A
1. Bishop Miege
2. Andale
3. Topeka-Hayden
4. Louisburg
5. Wichita-Trinity Academy
6. Independence
7. Nickerson
8. Ulysses
9. Abilene
10. Circle
Class 3A
1. Silver Lake
2. Royal Valley
3. Beloit
4. Hesston
5. Belle Plaine
6. Frontenac
7. Holton
8. West Franklin
9. Concordia
10. Nemaha Central
Class 2A
1. Wabaunsee
2. Smith Center
3. Sedgwick
4. Garden Plain
5. St. Mary’s-Colgan
6. Valley Heights
7. Jefferson County North
8. Ellinwood
9. Maranatha Christian
10. Trego Community
Class 1A
1. Centralia
2. Spearville
3. Moundridge
4. Little River
5. Chetopa
6. Central-Burden
7. Rural Vista
8. Thunder Ridge
9. Otis-Bison
10. Beloit-St. John’s/Tipton
MAIZE, Kan. (AP) — Voters in the Maize school district overwhelmingly approved more than $100 million in bonds, which will pay for two new schools and other projects in the rapidly growing district.
Unofficial results from Tuesday’s election show one question passed with 85 percent of the vote and the second passed with 77 percent. About 2,989 votes were cast, which is 11.6% of registered voters.
Besides the new schools, the $108.2 million in bonds will be used for an auditorium, a storm shelter, an indoor pool, safety upgrades, renovations at the high school and other projects.
District officials previously said taxes will not be raised for the bonds.
Superintendent Chad Higgins said in a statement the district has grown 9% in five years, adding 600 students.
WRIGHT COUNTY, Mo.—The body of a missing 3-year Missouri girl was found Wednesday in a pond near where she was reported missing, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Vivian Fitzenrider courtesy photo
Just after 6p.m. Tuesday, authorities reported Vivian Fitzenrider had disappeared near 13th and Oakview Lane in Mountain Grove.
Volunteers showed up to help with the search Tuesday night and worked until just before midnight.
The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation, according to the Patrol. The Mountain Grove Police Department and the Wright County Sheriff’s Department are assisting.
Attention minority and/or women owned businesses, this workshop is for you!!
Minority & Women Owned Business Certification gives diverse businesses the ability to compete for real-time business opportunities from private corporations to government agencies.
Benefits of registering as a certified minority and/or woman owned business include:
* Access to contracting opportunities
* Access to networking events
* Opportunity to bid on contracts with goals
* Opportunity to expand your marketing and business relationships
If you are interested in learning more about the Minority, Woman and/or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certification Program, register to attend the upcoming FREE DBE/MBE/WBE Certification Workshop to hear more about the criteria, application process and potential benefits of certification.
Please RSVP to Ernee Sly at ernee@growhays or 785.628.3102.
The Center for Health Improvement at HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, is offering an after school activity for children ages 6-11 during the fall semester.
Kids in Motion is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:35 – 5:45 p.m. The program will run from September 3 through December 19. The classes are held at The Center for Health Improvement’s Gymnasium at 2500 Canterbury Drive in Hays.
The program provides age appropriate indoor and outdoor activities designed to keep children active in a fun environment, and develop and improve motor skills. The children will enjoy time with friends while learning about health and fitness.
The afternoon will be complete with a healthy snack. Transportation from school to The Center is optional through USD 489 through the Kids in Motion enrollment.
The fee is $210 for members and $225 for nonmembers for the entire semester. A monthly payment plan is available. Drop-ins are welcome with a $10 fee per class. To register go to https://haysmed.clubautomation.com or call 623-5900. Registration is limited to 25 children.
For more questions or more information call 785-623-6309 or email [email protected].
Richard John Proksch, 84, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, at Hutchinson Regional Hospital. Richard was born Feb. 21, 1935, in Hoisington, the son of William and Ida (Goscha) Proksch.
He was united in marriage to Pat Schremmer on April 24, 1957, in Hoisington.
Richard was born and raised in Hoisington. Richard and his family moved to Colorado and spent 45 years there. In 2000 they moved back to Hoisington. He was a manager of sanitation for Dawn Food Products. He enjoyed bowling, hunting and horseshoes.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Pat Proksch; two sons, Brad Proksch and wife Lisa of Hudson, Colo., and Brent Proksch and wife Anne of Montgomery Texas; a granddaughter, Shannon Proksch of Vermillion S.D.; two grandsons, Brian Proksch of Montgomery, Texas, and Austin Proksch of Hudson, Colo.; a brother Bill Proksch and wife Rita of Thornton, Colo.; and a sister, Sue Hickel of Larned.
He was preceded in death by a son Brian and a sister Virginia Kaiser.
Friends may call 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. with Knights of Columbus Rosary will begin 7 p.m., all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke. Burial will follow in St. John Church Cemetery, Hoisington, with military honors.
Memorials may be made to St. John Cemetery Fund or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.
MANHATTAN — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of alleged fraud.
Just before 4:30p.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report for theft in the 3100 block of Anderson Avenue in Manhattan.
Robbins Motor Company and Kansas State Bank reported a known male suspect fraudulently used bank information from victim’s check to take took money from the victims, according to the Riley County Police Activity report. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $80,000.00.
Jamie Keller, Palco 4-H, donated his prize-winning hog to a fundraiser for the Rooks County Health Center expansion project.
PLAINVILLE – Jamie Keller, a member of the Palco 4-H club, knows a thing or two about raising award winning hogs. He also knows how to support a worthwhile cause.
Jamie, age 13 and the son of Jeff and Lacey Keller of Palco, wanted to help support the Rooks County Health Center (RCH) in some way, and with the guidance of his parents, hit on the idea of offering one of his show pigs as a donation for the upcoming fundraising event being held by the Rooks County Healthcare Foundation (RCHF).
Fairways For The Future, a charity golf tournament being held on September 14 to help fund the new hospital expansion project, includes a whole hog roast supper after the tournament.
Jamie is donating a market weight hog that earned him a blue ribbon at the Rooks County Free Fair.
Jamie won a total of three blue ribbons in the market weight category and a Grand Champion award in the breeding gilt category. Not just an award winning hog raiser, Jamie also earned Grand Champion ribbons in the visual arts and rocketry categories.
The 248-pound blue ribbon winner will be the “guest of honor” at the general admission event held after the golf tournament. The event includes an evening of music and dancing provided by local band Gypsy Road.
Fairways For The Future is a 3 Person Scramble charity golf tournament that will be held at the Rooks County Golf Course five miles north of Plainville.
Golfers in the 18-hole tournament receive the whole hog roast dinner, live music, silent auction for their registration fee. Cash prizes will be awarded, plus golfers can enter for a chance to snag $50,000 in the Hole in One Contest, sponsored by Solutions North Bank of Stockton.
For those who don’t play golf but want to join the after-tournament party, tickets are available for $25 per person for the supper and music. Tickets for the after-tournament party can be purchased at Carmichael True Value and Ruder Oil in Plainville and Solutions North Bank in Stockton or by calling 785-688-4428.
The golf tournament begins play at 9:00 a.m. Admission for the hog roast supper and music begins at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 14.
Golfers can register before Aug. 31 for early registration discount. On line registration is available at www.fairways4thefuture.com or by calling Eric Sumearll at 785-688-4428.
