SALINA — Salina Comic Con: Episode III will return to Tony’s Pizza Events Center on May 4 and 5.
Vendors will be on hand for attendees who want to buy, sell, and trade comic books, toys and pop
culture memorabilia. Also returning is the popular costume contest, known as “cosplay.” Additional
character & prop appearances may be announced closer to the event.
The show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 5.
Saturday tickets are just $10 in advance, and Sunday tickets are just $8 in advance. Prices increase
$2 the day of show. Tickets for Salina Comic Con are on sale now through the Tony’s Pizza Events
Center Box Office, online at tonyspizzaeventscenter.com, or by calling 888-826-SHOW (7469).
TOPEKA — The Kansas House of Representatives discussed the removal of an amendment to House Bill 2079 on Wednesday, which currently states that spouses are exempt from being charged with sexual battery in the state of Kansas.
The amendment is sponsored by Rep. Brett Parker (D-29th), who expressed a need for explanation on the difference between sexual battery and rape as well as highlighting the difficulties within the legal community when it comes to defining consent. It comes at a time when there are more and more victims of sexual assault that are deciding to take justice into their own hands and tell their stories via movements like #MeToo and Time’s Up.
Sexual battery, which is defined in the bill as “the touching of a victim who is 16 or more years of age and who does not consent thereto,” is not the same as rape or sexual assault, nor is it the same as aggravated battery, the latter of which is defined in the bill as sexual battery in which the victim is overcome by force or fear, or is physically powerless.
In fact, the relationship between victim and abuser is irrelevant in just about every offense except for sex crimes. It is important to note that the spousal exemption for the statute of rape was removed from legislation in 1975, but remains in place for sexual battery. This “outdated and unnecessary language,” as Parker described it, needs to be removed because he believes that “marriage should not absolve offenders of guilt nor deprive victims of justice.” The bill is widely supported by members of the House, however there were a few requests for clarification in regards to more ambiguous situations and a concern that a spouse may invent an accusation to seek revenge when they are angry at their significant other. Research shows, however, that false accusations of assault are extremely rare. According to the National Sexual Violence Research Center, between two and 10 percent of sexual crimes are falsely reported.
Michelle McCormick, program director for the YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment in Topeka, which provides services and support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, stated in her written testimony that one in three women have experienced sexual violence by a partner. She wrote that she was “stunned” to learn that the current law doesn’t protect married individuals from sexually abusive spouses and believes that keeping the law the way it is only reinforces “a deeply flawed and antiquated cultural norm indicating that consent is implied by the act of marriage, and that spouses do not retain agency over their own bodies.”
Rep. Kellie Warren (R-28th), was the first to question the legal definition of consent, and was curious as to how other states have handled this situation. Although marital rape is illegal in all 50 states, the laws become hazier when it comes to sexual battery. Sara Rust-Martin, legal and policy director of the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence in Topeka, mentioned affirmative consent, which is defined as explicit, informed and voluntary agreement in regards to a sexual act. This is the most widely accepted and most valid form of consent, however it is not a term widely known by the general population.
Rep. Dennis “Boog” Highberger (D-46th) asked about situations involving sexual battery between unmarried people who have been living together for an extended period of time. Parker and Rust-Martin agreed that this situation is no different than that for married couples. The main objective of this amendment, according to Parker, was to clarify that being married does not mean that a person can take advantage of their spouse and get away with it simply under the pretense that they’re husband and wife.
The amendment will be discussed further in the coming week as representatives confer over remaining technicalities including the definition of consent.
Marissa Ventrelli is a University of Kansas senior from Chicago majoring in journalism.
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 Don Hineman of the 118th District, Russ Jennings of the 122nd District, and Leonard Mastroni of the 117th District, and Senator Randall Hardy of the 24th District. Tune in Friday 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.
TOPEKA — The Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) has requested roughly $2.1 million in administrative and investments costs for the next two fiscal years.
KPERS handles the retirement benefits of 312,000 members including public employees, police, firefighters and judges.
“Of course, serving all those members is what KPERS is all about,” Alan Conroy, executive director of KPERS, said Monday. “That’s the only reason we exist.”
The funding request breaks down as $224,699 requested for 2019 to cover maintenance costs for the KPERS Integrated Technology System and $1.9 million requested for 2020 to primarily cover consultation services, legal fees, computer programming, salary adjustments and fringe benefits, according to an agency budget summary.
As noted in the agency’s budget summary, Gov. Laura Kelly agrees with the revised estimate. Kelly also recommends the elimination of a payment of up to $56 million from the State General fund to the KPERS Trust Fund scheduled for the end of 2019 and instead the reamortization of the KPERS State/School employees’ group.
“The agency certainly supports the governor’s recommendation in both [fiscal years] 19 and 20,” Conroy said.
Conroy also spoke to the diversification of KPERS investment portfolio, noting that there was public equity, U.S. equity, stocks, international equity, bonds, real estate, alternative investments, timber and more all maintaining a balance. The investments retain an above average 25-year return of 8.1 percent.
“We take that fiduciary responsibility very seriously in trying to have that high level of service,” Conroy said.
As of 2018, KPERS received $1.3 billion in contributions from state employees and employers, and paid out $1.7 billion in annual benefit payments.
Also, up for consideration within the House Committees is House Bill 2119 which would “expand the delegated authority of the [KPERS] Board [of Trustees] to enter into contracts for additional services when it is in the best interests of the Trust Fund,” according to the budget summary.
HB 2119 is up for consideration in the House Financial Institutions and Pensions Committee.
Grant Heiman is a University of Kansas junior from Wichita majoring in journalism.
LONDON (AP) — Instagram has agreed to ban graphic images of self-harm after objections were raised in Britain following the suicide of a teen whose father said the photo-sharing platform had contributed to her decision to take her own life.
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri said Thursday evening the platform is making a series of changes to its content rules.
He said: “We are not where we need to be on self-harm and suicide, and we need to do more to protect the most vulnerable in our community.”
The company is also removing non-graphic images of self-harm from searches.
The call for changes was backed by the British government after the family of 14-year-old Molly Russell found material related to depression and suicide on her Instagram account after her death in 2017.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A conservation organization has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Interior over oil and gas leases offered in southeast Utah, claiming the parcels are packed with ancient cultural relics.
Advocates for the West filed the suit Wednesday in federal court in Utah on behalf of Friends of Cedar Mesa, the Deseret News reported.
The lawsuit targets the first of three oil and gas lease sales held in March 2018. The Bureau of Land Management has not yet issued the leases.
The parcels are between Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado and the former boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. The organization claims the area contains dozens of ancient community centers and Chacoan Great Houses.
The Cedar Mesa group has worked with federal land managers, but officials have refused to remove the sensitive parcels from potential leasing, said Josh Ewing, executive director of the organization.
“For an on-the-ground organization focused on stewardship and working constructively with government agencies, going to court is an absolute last resort for us,” Ewing said. “However, if we don’t stand up for these lands and cultural sites, no one will.”
The federal government has acknowledged the existence of 1,700 archaeological sites on the parcels, Ewing said. More than 900 sites in the area are eligible for listing on the national register, according to the lawsuit.
“In many of these lease parcels, less than 10 percent of the lands have been surveyed,” said Don Simonis, a former archaeologist for the Bureau of Land Management. “So the recorded sites the BLM knows about are just the tip of the iceberg.”
Hays USD 489 Superintendent candidate Ron Wilson said he centers all his work on what is best for kids.
Wilson is the fourth of four candidates to be interviewed by the Hays school board for the position of superintendent. He was interviewed by the school board Thursday night.
Mike Gower, Logan and Phillipsburg superintendent, interviewed Wednesday. Keith Hall, USD 489 interim director of finance, and Jamie Wetig, Ashland superintendent, interviewed last week.
Wilson, 53, has been the superintendent in Herington for the last two years. He was the Abilene Middle School principal for 18 years and also served as a K-8 principal at North Ottawa County. He won the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals Principal of the Year Award in 2006 and the Kansas Association of Middle School Administrators Principal of the Year Award in 2015.
He received his undergraduate degree at Bethany College and master’s degree and superintendent certification from Kansas State University. He said he made the move to becoming a superintendent later in life, because he wanted to wait until his youngest child graduated high school before moving the family. A job in Hays would move Wilson closer to his aging mother-in-law in Colorado. The Wilsons also have a son who is a senior at Fort Hays State University.
School was canceled Thursday due to cold weather, so Wilson did not have the opportunity to see the schools operating with students. He said he still thought the schools where similar to the Herington district even though the Herington district is much smaller.
“It is a 2A district. This is a 5A district, but I would say it is still people working in schools and working toward student success. Although there are more students and staff, they still have the same mission, the same goal. There are so many great support people all over this district, it is really amazing to see what is going on.”
Wilson has not been through a bond issue as a superintendent, but the Herington district recently moved forward with a lease purchase agreement using capital improvement funds to remove asbestos from the high school and upgrade floors, lighting and labs.
The Hays school district has had two failed bond attempts in the last three years. It has discussed attempting a third that would include improvements to the Hays High School HVAC system, expansion of the Hays Middle School cafeteria and expansion of Roosevelt Elementary School to accommodate five sections of each grade.
“I think I see my role as more a consensus builder,” Wilson said of a possible bond issue, “to try to bring everyone together into a consensus of what is the best possible plan that will meet the needs of the school and people but, at the same time, what the community desires. I think in my skill set that is my strength in being able to work with people and get them to understand there are not ulterior motives. It is just trying to figure out how we can best serve kids.”
Wilson acknowledged it’s tough convincing people to vote for a bond issue that includes a tax increase.
“Once people understand that we are trying to do the best we can with what we have and they trust we are telling them the right thing, I think that is how you get over the hump,” he said.
Wilson said he would also support a long-range facility plan as has been advocated by some school board members.
The school board has been split on how to move forward on facilities. They had a notable split vote on the purchase of the Oak Park Medical Complex, which is being renovated for use by Early Childhood Connections.
“I think we need to create a situation where people are focused on kids and doing what is best for kids,” he said. “I think if we have that as our ultimate goal, it is really easy to unite people as they can see that is what we are aiming for is to do what’s best for kids.”
Wilson also talked about relationships with teachers.
“I would be disappointed if I did not have a great relationship with teachers,” Wilson said. “I am very supportive of teachers, and I feel strongly that when it comes to teacher pay, that has got to be a priority of the district.”
He said raises are not always possible, but teachers make the biggest impact with students.
Herington participates in interest-based bargaining. Hays used to participate in interest-based bargaining, but has moved away from that style of negotiations in recent years. Wilson said he really liked IBB negotiations. In IBB, both parties focus on what is best for the good of both sides. Kathy Rome, KNEA UniServ director, said she and Hays KNEA also supported IBB. Board member Paul Adams asked the board at its last meeting to consider using IBB again. The full board has yet to discuss the move.
Under Wilson’s leadership in Herington, the district implemented Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. The district dedicated time to allow students who need more help to receive it. Those children who are at grade level in reading and math can use that time for enrichment activities. The schools also use some of that time for character-building activities.
Wilson said he would bring being a champion for kids to the Hays school district.
“Our ultimate goal is to give every kid opportunities … to do things more than they even thought possible. That is one of things I will bring right away. We will talk about what we are doing, what we can do better, what do you need to do better.
“I will bring a vision of everyone to bring their best every day,” he said. “I think that is so important. That is not just staff. That is making sure students bring their best and even parents in some regards. That is what our expectations are.”
He also said he believes in building a positive culture.
“Everyone has to be on the same page in terms of our goal and that is to give kids the best. … Negativity just sucks the life out of school district. There are going to be some tough days, and you are going to need someone to be positive to get you through those tough days. If you have more negativity right around the corner, it is going to take you down.”
He said many of thing he spoke about he already sees in the Hays school district. He would just hope to reinforce that vision.
The city of Hays will host an open house to provide information to the public on Vine Street corridor improvements, including proposed roundabout solutions. Refreshments will be served.
City of Hays staff and transportation engineers will be on hand to provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the North Vine Street Corridor Project. Detailed models of proposed changes will be on display to show the capabilities of roundabouts and how they improve safety for vehicles and pedestrians.
The event will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at The Venue at Thirsty’s.
WAKEENEY – K-State Research & Extension’s Golden Prairie District is hosting a Weed Control Update at the Trego County Commercial Building on the Trego County Fairgrounds, 13th & Russell Ave., in WaKeeney on February 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The update will focus on new 2019 herbicide releases, weed control practices, and weed control research in dryland cropping systems. Presenters include Dallas Peterson and Vipan Kumar. CCA credits and CEU credits for Commercial Applicators are available.
This Update is open to the public and there is no cost for admission. Online registration is requested by going to goldenprairie.ksu.edu.
For more information about the Update, please call Clint Bain at 785-743-6361.
Lucille E. Dean, 95, died Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at the Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Kansas. She was born July 28, 1923 in Dodge City, Kansas the daughter of Joe & Estella (Cummins) Knobbe.
Lucille moved with her family from Dodge City to Marienthal, Kansas when she was a young child. She attended grade school at Marienthal and high school at Leoti. She worked as the bookkeeper for the Leoti Livestock Sales Co. for many years and was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Leoti.
On January 17, 1969, she married Jack Dean in Reno, Nevada. He died on August 24, 1976. Lucille is also preceded in death by her parents; 2 brothers Vern Knobbe and Jess Knobbe; a sister JoAnn Barrows; and a step-daughter Mary Henningson.
Survivors include a brother Larry (Connie) Knobbe of Marienthal, Kansas; a sister Yvonne Schwindt of Ulysses, Kansas; a step-son Richard Dean of Osage Beach, Missouri; 2 step-daughters Patricia Hisel of Nekoosa, Wisconsin and Barbara Rich of Rolla, Kansas; and several nieces and nephews.
A vigil service and rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 10, 2019 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Leoti. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 11, 2019 also at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Leoti with Fr. Timothy Hickey as Celebrant. Burial will follow at the Leoti Cemetery. Friends may call from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Leoti. The family suggests memorials given to St. Anthony Catholic Church or to the Leoti EMT’s both in care of Garnand Funeral Home of Lakin, Kansas.
Kansas Democratic Governor Laura Kelly named former Republican Rep. Melissa Rooker on Thursday to help lead one of her signature initiatives.
Former state Rep. Melissa Rooker FILE PHOTO / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE
Kelly chose Rooker to head the Kansas Children’s Cabinet, a 15-member group created in the late 1990s to guide state investments in early childhood programs.
Rooker, a moderate Republican, represented a Johnson County district in the Kansas House for six years before narrowly losing last year to Democrat Rui Xu. While in the Legislature, Rooker played a leadership role on education issues.
“I worked closely with Rep. Rooker for many years and know her to be a steadfast advocate for Kansas children and families,” Kelly said in a statement.
Kelly has said that expanding and improving programs that help prepare children to succeed is one of her top priorities as governor.
As the paid executive director of the Children’s Cabinet, Rooker will play a key role in helping the governor implement her vision.
“I have always focused my policy work on children’s issues,” she said. “So, for me … this could not be a more perfect fit.”
The cabinet advises the governor and Legislature on how to spend approximately $50 million in annual dedicated funding for early childhood programs. It also works with researchers at the University of Kansas to evaluate the effectiveness of the programs it funds.
Kelly also appointed Kim Moore to chair the Cabinet and the Children’s Trust Fund. Moore retired last year after 30 years as president of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund.
“I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact that high-quality early intervention and support can have on children and families across the state of Kansas,” Moore said. “I look forward to (making) sure all children in Kansas are safe, healthy and have the opportunity to succeed.”
In a related development, Senate President Susan Wagle on Wednesday reinstated Sen. Dinah Sykes to the cabinet after removing her in December for switching parties.
Sykes, a former moderate Republican who became a Democrat just before the start of the 2019 legislative session, had challenged her removal from the cabinet. She argued that Wagle didn’t have the authority to replace her before the end of her term.
Research done by legislative staff proved her correct.
Skyes said she’s excited to again be working with Rooker.
“Her passion is Kansas kids and I think she’ll do an incredible job,” Sykes said.
Rooker succeeds Janice Suzanne Smith, who resigned in December.
SALINA — Salina Comic Con: Episode III will return to Tony’s Pizza Events Center on May 4 and 5. 
