WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a woman who was stopped in Wichita going more than 100 mph with a 2-year-old in her car has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Raymundo-Hathaway photo Sedgwick Co.
Police said in a tweet that the traffic stop happened Wednesday on the heavily traveled Kellogg Drive in the western part of the city.
The 28-year-old identified Victoria Raymundo-Hathaway, remained jailed Thursday morning in the Sedgwick County Jail.
Police say she also is suspected of speeding, reckless driving and child endangerment.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A 25-year-old Kansas man pleaded guilty to kidnapping and killing a woman who he left to die in woods in suburban Kansas City.
Korrey Raine White Rinke-photo Lyon Co.
Korrey Raine White Rinke, of Ottawa, had been charged with capital murder and rape in the 2016 death of 46-year-old Julianna Pappas of Overland Park.
Under a plea deal announced Tuesday, Rinke pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping. He faces life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years when he is sentenced Sept. 12.
In 2018 prosecutors planned to seek the death penalty against Rinke.
Court documents say Rinke told prosecutors he raped and beat Pappas after she refused to have sex with him. Her body was found about a week after she disappeared in August 2016.
TOPEKA – In a move to help Kansans find work and stay employed, Governor Laura Kelly today announced a new Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) initiative that will expand access to child care assistance for Kansas families.
“Having access to quality child care is essential for parents to maintain employment,” Kelly said. “Those with lower incomes often struggle to afford quality child care. By expanding access to the program, more Kansas families can sustain employment or participate in meaningful training programs.”
DCF is making several policy changes to the program that will go into effect July 1. They include:
· Reducing the minimum work hours per week to be eligible from 28 to 20, which will expand child-care access to more working parents.
· Expanding the program to participants of the GOALS employment and training program allowing families to access child-care assistance for job search activities. GOALS is specifically for parents who participate in the state’s food assistance program.
· Using Child Care Development Funds (CCDF) to pay child-care costs for foster children. This new program will provide foster parents the added convenience of using an EBT card to pay for child care.
“We know that child-care costs can be an obstacle to employment for many of our low-income families,” DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “In Topeka for example, affordable child care is 21 percent of a family’s income for those at the top of the eligibility threshold (185% of federal poverty level). Our expectation is that families will actually be able to increase their earnings while having peace of mind knowing their children are being cared for in healthy environments.”
DCF estimates more than 3,000 Kansas children will benefit from these policy changes. The agency estimates spending more than $9 million in FY 2020 and nearly $14 million in FY 2021 based on current caseload data.
“Helping our fellow Kansans find work, stay employed and receive a quality education are universal values,” Kelly said. “This is a first step in repairing the safety net that was pulled from vulnerable Kansans during the previous eight years.”
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a drive-by shooting that sent a man to the hospital.
Police on the scene of Wednesday’s drive-by shooting investigation- image courtesy KWCH
Just after 9p.m. Wednesday, police responded to report of a shooting near Ross Parkway and Whitney Lane in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. At the scene, police found a 53-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his upper body. EMS transported the man to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators determined the victim was driving and shot by a suspect who was traveling in the opposite direction in a blue 4-door sedan, according to Davidson. Gunshots also struck an unoccupied residence in the 4200 Block of East Whitney.
Police have not reported an arrest and did not release the victim’s name.
Fort Hays State University’s Management Development Center will offer five workshops in July, focusing on Facebook marketing, Microsoft Excel, and tips on how to deal with difficult employees.
Introduction to Facebook Marketing – July 9 Participants will learn how to increase engagement and drive website traffic using the world’s most popular social platform by creating and curating content, using ads effectively and more. This half-day workshop, facilitated by Dr. Mary Martin, professor of applied business studies, will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon in FHSU’s Memorial Union Stouffer Lounge.
Intermediate Facebook Marketing – July 9 In this workshop, participants will build upon what participants learned in the Introduction to Facebook Marketing workshop. Participants will learn about Facebook apps and how to use them to run contests and promotions, add email subscribers, integrate user’s Instagram feed, offer customer support and more. This workshop, facilitated by Martin, will be from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Stouffer Lounge.
Introduction to Excel – July 16 Participants will learn the basics of Excel, such as setting up a spreadsheet, creating charts and graphs and other customizable features. Other basic features of the class include a tour through tabs and instruction on ribbons, menus and more. Participants will learn about merging, freezing and adding rows and columns, formulas, functions and keyboard shortcuts.
This workshop, facilitated by Dr. Cole Engel, assistant professor of economics, finance and accounting, will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon in FHSU’s McCartney Hall, room 114.
Intermediate Excel – July 18 Intermediate Excel will take an in-depth look at sorting and filtering data. Participants will learn how to format their Excel programs to include the Descriptive Statistics Analysis ToolPak and how to read the output. What-If Statements, logical statements and data validation will be reviewed, along with PivotTables and PivotCharts.
This workshop, facilitated by Engel, will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon in FHSU’s McCartney Hall, room 114.
Dealing with Difficult Employees – July 31 Participants in this workshop will learn the secrets to motivating difficult employees and correcting negative behaviors in the workplace. Common disruptive employee behaviors will be examined and the identification of potential risks to organizations will be identified if behaviors are not corrected. Strategies for constructively managing the performance of difficult employees will also be discussed.
This workshop, facilitated by Dr. Robert Lloyd, assistant professor of management, will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon in FHSU’s Hansen Hall, first floor meeting room.
The workshops will cost $119 each. A 15-percent discount applies for all Hays Area Chamber of Commerce members for a single session. Contact the MDC to receive the discount. A completion certificate and 3.0 continuing education units will be awarded to each workshop participant.
Registration is available online through the Registration link in the sidebar on the page at www.fhsu.edu/mdc. Registration closes one week before each workshop.
To learn more about this workshop or additional upcoming trainings, contact Hannah Hilker, MDC training development specialist, by phone at 785-628-4121 or by email to [email protected].
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic-controlled House voted Thursday to send President Donald Trump a bipartisan, Senate-drafted, $4.6 billion measure to care for migrant refugees detained at the southern border, capping a Washington skirmish in which die-hard liberals came out on the losing end in a battle with the White House, the GOP-held Senate and Democratic moderates.
The emergency legislation, required to ease overcrowded, often harsh conditions at U.S. holding facilities for migrants seeking asylum, mostly from Central American nations like Honduras and El Salvador, passed by a bipartisan 305-102 vote. Trump has indicated he’ll sign it into law.
First District congressman Roger Marshall said “Today, we forced the obstructionist Democrats to actually govern and do what’s right instead of bickering over petty politics,” Congressman Marshall said. “After demanding nearly 100 times from the House floor for the Speaker to take up the bipartisan Senate bill to provide critical resources to secure the border and address the humanitarian crisis, she relented and it passed. Today, the dam broke and we got it done. I’m on my way to the border now with a small group of other physicians in the House. Glad to bring news of this progress along with us.”
Dozens of liberal Democrats opposed the bill, reluctantly brought to a vote by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., after her plan to further strengthen rules for treatment of migrant refugees ran into intractable opposition from Republicans and Vice President Mike Pence. Many moderate Democrats split with Pelosi as well, undercutting her efforts, which faded shortly after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he would swiftly reject them.
The legislation contains more than $1 billion to shelter and feed migrants detained by the border patrol and almost $3 billion to care for unaccompanied migrant children who are turned over the Department of Health and Human Services. It rejects an administration request for additional Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention beds, however, and contains provisions designed to prevent federal immigration agents from going after immigrants living in the country illegally who seek to care for unaccompanied children.
The funding is urgently needed to prevent the humanitarian emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border from worsening. The government has warned that money would run out in a matter of days.
The Senate bill passed Wednesday by a 84-8 vote, with Democrats there pleased with the deal they cut with Republicans controlling the chamber. The measure was initially only reluctantly accepted by the White House — which complained about elimination of the request for detention bed for immigrants facing removal from the U.S. — but GOP support grew after the measure presented an opportunity to outmaneuver Pelosi.
“We could have done so much better,” Pelosi said in a floor speech. Earlier, Pelosi pushed a plan to ping-pong the Senate-passed bill right back across the Capitol with provisions requiring more stringent care requirements for detained migrant families and other steps. But confronted with splintering unity in the Democratic rank and file and intractable opposition from McConnell, Pelosi changed course.
Vice President Mike Pence and Pelosi had an hour-long conversation on the legislation Thursday as the White House and Republicans kept pounding the message that the only way forward on the long-sought legislation is to pass the Senate bill.
The leaders of the House Progressive Caucus, which includes almost half of House Democrats, immediately issued a statement calling the Senate bill — which had the backing of Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. — “entirely insufficient to protect vulnerable children in our care.”
“Standing up for human rights requires more than providing money,” said Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.
Thursday’s outcome was a victory for McConnell, who vowed that the GOP-held Senate would kill any “partisan” House changes that the Democratic-controlled House passed, and he appeared to hold a strong hand. All sides agreed that Congress wouldn’t leave for its Independence Day recess until the measure was passed in some form.
“The United States Senate is not going to pass a border funding bill that cuts the money for ICE and the Department of Defense. It’s not going to happen. We already have our compromise,” McConnell said. He called the Senate bill, “the only game in town.”
McConnell said the White House might support making some changes administratively — which have less than the force of law — to address some Democratic concerns.
In fact, Pence agreed that lawmakers would be notified within 24 hours when a child died in custody, said people familiar with his call with Pelosi. The vice president also agreed to the 90-day time limit for migrant children to be housed in influx facilities.
Meanwhile, pressure built on lawmakers whose constituents are upset by accounts of brutal conditions for detained children. And, with lawmakers eager to break for a 10-day July 4 recess, internal pressure built on Democrats to wrap it all up quickly.
“The Administration sent its request for emergency funding eight weeks ago, but there was no action,” said Sarah Sanders, outgoing White House press secretary. “We have already negotiated a broadly supported bipartisan funding bill. It is time for House Democrats to pass the Senate bill and stop delaying funding to deal with this very real humanitarian crisis.”
Lawmakers’ sense of urgency to provide humanitarian aid was amplified by recent reports of conditions in a windowless Border Patrol station in Clint, Texas, where more than 300 infants and children were being housed. Many were kept there for weeks and were caring for each other in conditions that included inadequate food, water and sanitation.
The Border Patrol reported apprehending nearly 133,000 people last month — including many Central American families — as monthly totals have begun topping 100,000 for the first time since 2007.
At her weekly news conference, Pelosi choked back tears when asked about an Associated Press photo of a migrant father and daughter killed crossing the Rio Grande River as she pushed for stronger protections in a border crisis funding bill.
Pelosi told reporters Thursday she’s a “lioness” when it comes to children. She called it a “shame that this should be the face of America around the world.”
The Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs assists veterans and authorized family members, free of charge, in matters pertaining to their VA claims and benefits.
All itinerants are on a first come, first served basis. No appointment needed. Please bring military discharge papers with you.
* Please note NEW SCHEDULE for Phillipsburg and Smith Center starting in July we will alternate each month:
EVEN MONTHS – Phillipsburg
ODD MONTHS – Smith Center
For more information contact:
Douglas Storie, VSR
Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs
Veteran Service Representative
205 E. 7th Suite 107
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: 785-259-0364
FAX: 785-650-0392
E-mail: [email protected]
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities continue the search for a driver who fled a traffic stop and dragged a Kansas deputy with an SUV.
She is believed to be in Central Kansas, according to a media release from Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir.
Heinzman image from the Sunday traffic stop photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff
On Sunday afternoon, a Sedgwick County Deputy was making a traffic stop on 45-year-old Melissa Jean Heinzman for a felony warrant. During the initial interaction with her, she took off dragging and running over the deputy, according to a social media report.
Authorities continue the search for Heinzman who is described a 5-foot-3, 120 pounds with blonde hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black tank top and blue pants.
Authorities found her 1999 Ford Explorer Monday.
Heinzman has felony warrants and is the suspect in an aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer case.
The deputy was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Authorities ask that anyone who sees her or knows where she is should call 911.
HARVEY COUNTY – Three people were injured in a Thursday morning house fire in Newton.
Thursday morning fire in Newton photo courtesy KWCH
Just before 10:30 a.m., fire crews from Newton and Halstead responded to the fire at 501 Southeast 3rd Street, according to Erin McDaniel for Newton Police.
Three residents were in the home at the time of the fire and crews had to rescue one. All three were transported to a hospital for treatment of non-critical injuries, according to McDaniel.
The residence is considered a total loss. Cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Joshua Aaron Hicks, age 37, of Hays, Kansas passed away June 22, 2019 in Hays. He was born May 10, 1982 in Goodland, Kansas to Doug Hicks and Debbie (Weigel).
Josh married Heather Elaine (Pracht) on August 18, 2012 and together have two children, Connor and Kaitlyn. He was an amazing father who enjoyed spending time with his children. He loved nothing more than getting together with friends and family. He was an avid Chiefs fan.
Josh is survived by his wife, Heather and children Conner and Kaitlyn all of Hays; his parents, Doug and Vickie Hicks of Hays and Debbie and Fritz Cage of Portland, Oregon; his siblings, Melissa (Steve) Hampton, Matthew Erb, Heather K. Hicks, Erik Hicks, and Dustin (Barb) Hicks. Grandparents, Sharon Hicks, and Beverly and Howard LaFlair as well as numerous nieces, nephews and one great-nephew.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Marvin Hicks, Fred and Norma Erb, and Francis J. Weigel; an uncle, Craig Weigel and a cousin, Blake Ericsson.
A private celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions are suggested to The Hicks Family Fund on Facebook.
Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]
TOPEKA — Some Kansas newspapers recently printed an article focused on the number of abandoned oil and gas wells in the state. The article cites the Kansas Corporation Commission’s annual report to the Legislature as the data source used. The KCC, the agency responsible for regulating oil and gas activities in the state, wants the public to know the numbers used in the article were misinterpreted. The report shows 5,530 wells requiring action, not 22,000 as stated in the article.
The Kansas Abandoned Oil and Gas Well Count contained in the 2019 Abandoned Oil and Gas Well Report to the Legislature does include a reference to 21,922 well “records”. However, as noted in the report, that is not the same as saying there are 22,000 abandoned wells in Kansas.
When a well is entered into the KCC’s database as requiring action it becomes part of the permanent record and is never deleted. Instead, well records are assigned specific codes as they are addressed and removed from “requiring action” status.
For example, of the 21,922 well records in the report, 5,530 wells were designated as requiring action. The remaining 16,392 well records were classified based on their status. To provide a few examples: 10,257 were plugged using the Abandoned Well and Site Remediation plugging fund, 1,262 were assigned to new operators, 1,161 were plugged by operators and 1,033 were duplicates in the database.
The KCC recognizes the importance of plugging abandoned wells and is committed to responsible environmental regulation with effective enforcement. Changes in the Conservation division staffing model and efforts to increase the number of plugging contractors to complete projects faster are also putting the agency in a better position to address abandoned wells.
To summarize the information above, the actual number of abandoned well records requiring action in the Abandoned Well Database for the 2019 Legislative Report was 5,530, not 22,000. Steps are in place to improve the processes for plugging abandoned wells and real progress continues to be made. These steps, along with other ongoing compliance efforts by KCC Staff, are designed to protect the citizens of Kansas and the environment in which they live.
GARDNER, Kan. (AP) — A cat named Meow has been reunited with her suburban Kansas owners after she went missing nearly three years ago.
Meow photo courtesy Taylor Jezik
Meow escaped after Taylor Jezik moved to a new apartment complex in Gardner, Kansas. Jezik searched for Meow in her old neighborhood, posted pictures on Facebook, called animal shelters and looked along roadsides for dead cats. She says her young son, Charlie, was devastated.
Then Tuesday, she received a text message, saying her cat had been found. Gardner police said the cat was spotted outside after a rainstorm and taken to an animal hospital, where employees scanned Meow’s microchip.
Jezik recalled that she “instantly started crying” when an animal control officer sent her a picture of Meow. She says she’s “still in shock.”
