SEDGWICK COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Thursday in Sedgwick County.
A 33-year-old Kansas man died in Thursday’s crash -photo courtesy KWCH
A 28-year-old woman was driving a GMC Denali merging from Interstate135 to eastbound Kellogg, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.
The vehicle stalled out partially in the merging lane. The driver called 911 to report that her vehicle was stalled. A Honda Accord driven by Quinton Bonham, 33, Wichita, rear-ended the SUV.
EMS transported him to a local hospital where he died, according to Wheeler.
The driver and two children in the SUV were not injured according to Wheeler.
TREGO COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 7a.m. Friday in Trego County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Mazda passenger vehicle driven by Julie Covey, 57, Colorado Springs, Co., was eastbound on Interstate 70 at the WaKeeney exit. The driver swerved south to avoid impacting a semi slowing to exit at the same location.
The Mazda struck the guard rail several times, vaulted over the guard rail, slid down the embankment and struck the KDOT fence.
EMS transported Covey to the hospital in WaKeeney. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
SALINA — On Aug. 14, 2018, the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report was released. The report exposed a great scandal within the Church and incited Catholics, lay and clergy alike, to demand greater transparency and accountability from the leaders of the Catholic faith. On Sept. 18, 2018, the Diocese of Salina informed the Attorney General’s office that newly appointed Bishop Gerald Vincke would be retaining the independent outside counsel of Cottonwood Law LLC. of Hillsboro to conduct a thorough review of clergy personnel files and identify any potential cases of clergy misconduct with minors. Bishop Vincke had been serving in his new role as the Bishop of Salina for less than a month when he opened the investigation of the clergy files.
From September 2018 to January 2019, Courtney Boehm from Cottonwood Law conducted an audit of the diocesan clergy files. Boehm was selected for her expertise in criminal law and her independence from the Salina Diocese. At the time of the audit, Boehm was the Marion County Attorney and has since been appointed a district court judge in the 8th Judicial District which consists of Dickinson, Geary, Marion and Morris counties. Boehm reviewed 109 clergy files, ranging from clergy serving in the late 1800s to present day. The files reviewed consisted of any member of the clergy with allegations of misconduct against them. Upon the completion of the review, Cottonwood Law submitted a comprehensive report to Bishop Vincke. The report summarized the contents of each clergy misconduct file and the allegations that were made against each priest. The entirety of this comprehensive report was immediately turned over to the Attorney General’s office, who then forwarded it to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI).
Within the report, the auditor recommended which cases needed to be reviewed by the Lay Review Board. The Lay Review Board, formed in February 2000, is a group that reviews any allegation made against a member of the clergy and includes mental and medical health professionals, social service providers, civil and canon law professionals, law enforcement officials and two priests. In order to be as thorough and transparent as possible, Bishop Vincke asked that files recommended by Boehm be reviewed, including those that were previously reviewed. During the month of February 2019, the Lay Review Board met and discussed the cases recommended by Cottonwood Law. Upon the completion of the Lay Review Board’s review of the Cottonwood Law report, 14 cases of diocesan clergy abuse of a minor were found to be substantiated.
The Diocese of Concordia was founded in 1887. The Diocese of Concordia then became the Diocese of Salina in 1944. During a span of 132 years, with approximately 300 diocesan priests having served in the Diocese of Salina, 14 diocesan priests were identified to have substantiated allegations of abuse of a minor. A substantiated allegation is one that has been corroborated with witness statements, documents, emails, photos, texts, or by another source, such as law enforcement. None of the 14 priests are in active ministry today. Of the 14 priests, 12 are deceased and the remaining two are laicized. At this time, the Diocese of Salina is only releasing the names of clerics with substantiated allegations of abuse of a minor. Any cleric with an allegation of abuse of a minor that is unsubstantiated has been excluded from the list. If new information is provided that leads to the substantiation of a case, the Diocese of Salina will update the list of clergy abuse of minors accordingly.
Just as the Salina Diocese conducted an internal audit, so did the Order of Franciscan Minors Capuchin Province of St. Conrad, headquartered in Denver. The Capuchins are a religious order who have had a strong presence within the Salina Diocese, particularly in the Hays and Victoria area. Father Christopher Popravak, Provincial of the Denver Province of Capuchins, shared the results of the Capuchin internal audit with the Salina Diocese. Of the approximate 300 Capuchins who have served in the Salina Diocese, 13 priests/brothers were found to have credible allegations of abuse of a minor. The names of these priests/brothers have been included within this edition of The Register, along with additional information provided to the Diocese of Salina by the Capuchins for release.
“This is a difficult time for the Church,” said Bishop Vincke in a letter entitled Why I Said Yes, released to the public in September 2018, “This purification of the Church by God is painful, but much needed. We need the eyes of faith as we suffer through this. ‘Faith is not a light which scatters all our darkness, but a lamp which guides our steps in the night and suffices for the journey (Lumen Fidei #57).’ Jesus is with us as light in the midst of darkness.”
Government surplus commodities will be distributed in Hays at Unite Common Grounds Coffee House and Free Store (inside the Gamers Guild), 200 E. Eighth St. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3:30 to 5 p.m. today and Friday, April 5 while supplies last.
Doors will not open until 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. respectively.
To be eligible for commodities, your household’s total monthly income must be below:
$1,287 for a house of one
$1,736 for a household of two
$2,184 for a household of three
$2,633 for a household of four
$3,081 for a household of five
$3,530 for a household of six
$3,980 for a household of seven
$4,430 for a household of eight
Contact Brandon Nimz, Unite Ministry leader, with any questions at 785-259-2539. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Commodities this distribution will be green beans, pinot beans, long grain rice, beef stew, sliced potatoes, split peas, vegetable soup, fresh oranges, frozen whole chickens and navy beans.
On Saturday, April 6, TMP-M and HHS Student Councils are teaming up to host a TMP-M vs. HHS faculty/staff basketball game to raise funds for the ARC Park.
The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Hays High School gym. Entry fee is $5 for adults and $3 for students. In addition to the faculty/staff basketball game, there will be a Hays Police Department vs. Hays Fire Department 3-point shooting contest and a dunk contest between basketball players from each school.
Between both schools, a fundraising goal of $4,000 has been set. If this goal is met, the principals from both schools will get a pie in the face.
TMP-M and HHS Student Councils would like to invite everyone out for an evening of fun and entertainment to help raise money for an important local cause.
Father Marvin William Reif, 55, passed away in Protection. He was born August 19, 1963, in Hoisington, to Albert and Dorothy (Frenzl) Reif.
Father Marvin Reif took his seminary studies at Conception Seminary, Conception, Mo., Holy Trinity College, Dallas, Texas, and Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio. He was ordained to the priesthood June 3, 1989, by the Most Rev. Stanley G. Schlarman, bishop of Dodge City, at Holy Family Church, Odin.
He served as an associate pastor at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Dodge City, and St. Rose of Lima, Great Bend.
His pastorates included: Immaculate Conception, Claflin, with Holy Family, Odin, and St. Catherine, Dubuque, and St. Joseph, Beaver, from 1993 to 1995; Sacred Heart, Ness City, and St. Alphonsus, Ransom, (1995-1999); St. Joseph, Ashland, and Holy Spirit, Coldwater, (1999-2000); St. Rose, Great Bend, (2000-2001); and St. Nicholas, Kinsley, with St. Joseph, Offerle, (2001-2002).
Father Reif served the diocese in the positions of Director of the Office of Liturgy and Worship, Director of Vocations, and was a member of the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors.
He was a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus, enjoyed music, singing, nature and was very proud of his extensive collection of religious books.
Survivors include three brothers, Gary Reif and wife Karen of Great Bend, Duane Reif and wife Debbie of Hoisington, Eldon Reif and wife Karla of Holyrood; two sisters Karen Winkelman and husband Tim of Great Bend and Nancy Jensen and husband Mark of Ellsworth; and numerous nieces and nephews. Father Marvin was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Leonard Reif.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 1, 2019, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend, with Father Ted Stoecklein presiding. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. at Holy Family Cemetery, Odin. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, with the family receiving friends from 2 to 3 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church. A Vigil with Knights of Columbus Rosary will follow at 3 p.m.
Memorial funds have been established with Texas EquuSearch-Kansas Chapter or Seminary Burse Endowment Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS, 67544.
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas woman was sentenced to more than seven years in prison after a child in her home day care was injured so badly he was left blind and with brain damage.
Paige Hatfield-photo Johnson Co.photo courtesy GoFundMe
Paige Hatfield, 27, Olathe, was sentenced Thursday for aggravated battery and operating an unlicensed day care.
Hatfield was found guilty in January of injuring 4-month-old Kingston Gilbert in January 2017.
Doctors at Children’s Mercy Hospital diagnosed the infant with abusive head trauma. Court records said a doctor told police the type of injuries are caused only by “violent non-accidental physical trauma.”
Hatfield testified at her trial that she did not hurt the child.
BUNKER HILL – Smoky Hills Public Television’s local program, The Kansas Legislature, will be hosted by Michael Walker, director of the Fort Hays State University Docking Institute.
Our guests will be State Representatives Ken Rahjes of the 110th District (R-Agra) and Tory Marie Arnberger (R-Great Bend) of the 112th District.
Tune in Friday, March 29 at 7 p.m., and call in with your legislative questions.
The show airs during the legislative session, which gives the legislators and viewers the opportunity to discuss up-to-date issues. During the program, viewers can call 800.337.4788 with their legislative questions.
The Kansas Legislature will air on Fridays at 7 p.m. To find a list of legislators that might be on the show each week, go to www.shptv.org where you will find the 2019 season schedule.
Last week, a coalition of Democrats and centrist Republicans steamrolled House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, the Kansas Legislature’s chief obstructionist to extending health care coverage to 130,000 low-income Kansans.
H. Edward Flentje is professor emeritus at Wichita State University.
For the first 43 days of the current legislative session Hawkins, along with House Speaker Ryckman, Senate President Wagle, and Senate Majority Leader Denning, had blocked debate and hearings on Governor Laura Kelly’s proposal to extend Medicaid coverage to uninsured Kansans. However, through crafty floor maneuvers, a bipartisan majority adopted the governor’s proposal and moved consideration of the issue over to the Kansas Senate.
The time has arrived for Republicans to stop obstructing majority will and negotiate a path forward on extending health care to uninsured Kansans. Their partisan blocking tactics have become a losing proposition, in terms of both public policy and politics.
Reputable surveys of Kansans consistently show strong support for extending health care access. They do so in part because more than nine in every ten Kansans already have access to health care, mostly
through their employers. Seniors, disabled, and the poorest Kansans have access through Medicare and Medicaid. Active military and veterans have access through Tricare. Others qualify for Obamacare.
Most Kansans with health care do support extending access to those without, particularly when federal grants—financed by tax dollars sent to the U.S. Treasury by Kansans—will cover 90 percent of the cost. The Kansas Hospital Association reports that Kansas has forfeited over $3.2 billion by not extending Medicaid when it became available five years ago. This loss of federal dollars has forced a number of rural communities to increase local sales and property taxes to maintain their local hospitals. Others have closed or face the threat of closure.
To do the right thing will require political courage. Resistant Republicans need to break loose from the shackles placed on them by organizations such as the Kansas State Chamber of Commerce and Americans for Prosperity. These organizations despise safety nets for vulnerable Kansans, and any legislator voting to extend access to health care will become a target for retaliation through disingenuous postcard attacks in upcoming elections.
Reluctant Republican legislators should remember, however, that Kelly convincingly won the governorship last fall by campaigning on two issues, education and health care. She won in many legislative districts now held by Republicans. Further, both Sam Brownback and Khris Kobach vigorously opposed expanding access to health care. And where are they now? Brownback left his governorship early with record-high disapproval. Kobach lost to Kelly with less than 43 percent of the vote.
Thirty-six states have either expanded health care through Medicaid or are in the process of doing so. Voters in three red states, including neighboring Nebraskans, enacted referenda on expansion last November. A Florida initiative for expansion is now underway.
Health care also became a significant national issue in mid-term elections last fall, and congressional Republicans are now reassessing their negative posture on the issue after losing 40 seats, including one in Kansas, and control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
According to the Kansas Health Institute, 243,305 Kansans remain uninsured for health care. Extending access through Medicaid would cut that number by more than half. An additional 90,000 adults and 40,000 children would be covered, according to the Institute. If the governor’s proposal is adopted, 96 of every 100 Kansans would have access to health care.
Expanding health access through Medicaid is coming. If not this year, next year. Legislators should stop playing political games on health care and do the work they were elected to do, that is, legislating.
H. Edward Flentje is professor emeritus at Wichita State University and served with former Kansas Governors Bennett and Hayden.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House has rejected a move to repeal part of a state law allowing concealed carry of firearms on college campuses.
Lawrence Democratic Rep. Barbara Ballard on Thursday offered an amendment to an unrelated gun bill that would have added college campuses to a list of places exempt from the state’s concealed carry law. The law requires that most government-owned buildings allow people to carry concealed firearms unless there is adequate security to prevent anyone from bringing in a weapon.
Lawrence is home to the University of Kansas, and Ballard told lawmakers that some parents have decided to send their children to out-of-state or private institutions that do not permit concealed carry of firearms.
GREAT BEND, Kan. – The Hays High girls’ swim team turned in some solid performances Thursday at the Great Bend Triangular. Competing against Great Bend and Campus in their second meet of the season
Freshman Hannah Durham competes in the 100 yd backstroke (Photo courtesy of Jeff Flavin)
, the 200 Medley finished 5th overall with a time of 2:31.50. In the 50 yard Freestyle junior Megan Flavin came in 3rd overall with a time of 28.43, just a .1 away from state consideration. Megan Flavin turned in another dominant performance in the 100 yard Butterfly with a time of 1:16.82, coming in 2nd by just a .2 second off the leader from Great Bend.
Freshman Sophia Durham and sophomore Siera Smith both had solid performances in the 100 yards freestyle and also helped the 200 yard freestyle relay team by shaving off 15 seconds from their previous mark this season to 2:05.97, just 6 seconds off state consideration.
To end the day sophomore Katie Christen held on for seventh in the 100 yard backstroke with a time of 1:32.09. Senior Myranda Berner led the way in the 100 yard breaststroke with a solid time of 1:39.70.
The Hays High School Chamber Singers are performing “the little match girl passion” by David Lang at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Joseph’s Church in downtown Hays.
The work won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Music, and Hays High is the first high school to perform the piece.
It runs just over 30 minutes and tells Hans Christian Anderson’s story of a young girl who has no place to go on a cold New Year’s Eve. She has a bundle of matches to try and sell, but can’t find any buyers. In a desperate attempt to keep warm, she strikes a match and as it shines, she has a spectacular vision. After it burns out, she lights a second match and then a third. The final vision is of her late grandmother who takes the little girl to heaven with her.
The musical form is based on the Passions of J.S. Bach. Lang utilizes the compelling musical tactics Bach employs to move listeners to the mission of the Passion of Christ, but instead the “passion” of this young, poor girl. Unlike Bach’s work, this is for a cappella choir and simple percussion.
Chamber Singers have been working on this non-stop since January, and it has been a wonderful experience to watch the students use their skills to tackle a work of this difficulty, depth, and complexity, Alex Underwood, HHS vocal music teacher, said. Not only are they flexing their musical chops, but they are also able to communicate this beautifully tragic story and bring the brilliance of David Lang to life, he said.
“If you have a spare hour on Saturday afternoon, it would be an honor to have you at our performance. Not only would you get to hear and support these fantastic young people, but you’d also get to experience a top-notch example of live modern classical music,” he said.
The Hays Fire Department will be inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants on Fri., March 29, 2019 in the area of Canterbury Dr. to Commerce Parkway between 22nd St. and 13th St. This is part of a coordinated effort by the city of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.
