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Year: 2019

Sen. Bowers announces 2019 staff members

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Caitlin O’Toole, 36th Dist. Sen. Elaine Powers (R-Concordia), Randi Walters

OFFICE OF SEN. BOWERS

TOPEKA – State Sen. Elaine Bowers this week announced the members of her staff who will assist her in the 2019 Legislative session will be Legislative Office/Committee Assistant Randi Walters, of Topeka; and intern Caitlin O’Toole, of Prairie Village.

This will be Walters’ third year serving as Bowers’ office assistant. Prior to working for Bowers, Randi was employed for 30 years at Southwestern Bell before working at the Capitol where she has assisted several legislators for over 15 years.

Caitlin O’Toole is currently a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas. She was raised in Prairie Village, Kansas and graduated from St. Teresa’s Academy in 2016.

For the 2019 Legislative Session, Bowers will serve as chair of the Ethics, Elections and Local Government Committee, as well as a member of the Legislative Post Audit Committee, Capitol Preservation Committee, Transportation Committee, Utilities Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Interstate Cooperation Committee.

Bowers was first elected to the Senate in 2012, representing District 36. The district includes Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Smith, and Washington counties, as well as parts of Phillips and Marshall counties.

Prior to serving in the Senate, Bowers served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 2007 through 2012, representing House District 107. Today she represents over 71,000 people in north central, west, and eastern Kansas along the border of Nebraska.

The 36th District is the second largest in the state, 13 counties, over 10,500 square miles with Concordia and Cloud County as the largest city and county.

INSIGHT KANSAS: For divided gov’t to work, Kan. lawmakers must listen to voters

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Kansans chose divided government in 2018, electing a Democratic governor and a conservative-tilting Republican legislature. The facts: 57% of Kansas voters did not support Kris Kobach. And many Republicans in the legislature, including some noted conservatives, represent districts where most voters supported Laura Kelly. These Republicans who find themselves caught between their voters and their own politics offer a great test of how representative democracy works in Kansas.

Patrick R. Miller is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.

Let’s look at some numbers. The Kansas House has 125 districts. Of those, Kelly won 65 districts and Kobach won 60. Of 40 Senate districts, Kelly won 21 and Kobach won 19. Independent Greg Orman won no districts.

Democrats have it easy here. Every Democrat in the legislature represents a district that Kelly won. That means they can support her agenda and generally represent the desires that their voters expressed last November.

The math is not as kind to Republicans. Ten Republicans in the Senate and 24 in the House represent districts that Kelly won. This includes notable conservatives like former Kobach campaign manager J.R. Claeys in Salina, Brenda Landwehr in Wichita, and Mary Pilcher-Cook in Shawnee. It also includes much of Republican leadership. All four Senate Republican leaders—Susan Wagle, Jeff Longbine, Jim Denning, and Mike Peterson—represent Kelly districts. House Speaker Ron Ryckman represents a Kelly district. House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins escapes joining the Kelly district club by less than 1%, though only 46% of his voters supported Kobach.

What does this mean? At the core of representative democracy is representation, meaning to act on behalf of others as an elected representative. Let’s imagine that you are Senate President Susan Wagle, and you represent her district where 53% of voters chose Kelly. Who do you represent? Your district broadly? Only voters who supported you? Just your party? Just yourself and your opinions? Or, if you are considering a US Senate run as she is, is your attention on Republican primary voters statewide?

Realistically, different legislators see their roles as representatives differently. To be sure, those politicians were elected in their own right and it would be unrealistic to expect Republicans in Kelly districts to accept her agenda without question. We are a democracy of checks and balances. But it is also unrealistic for them to dismiss her agenda on partisan grounds if her leadership is what voters in their districts chose.

To make divided government work, there must be compromise between the personal agendas of politicians and the desires of the voters they represent. That is equally true for Kelly and Republicans. Kelly made her agenda clear in 2018, and voters put the ball in the Republican court by electing her. So how will Republicans react? Will they double down on Sam Brownback-ish policies in areas like taxes, spending, education, or Medicaid expansion? Will legislative leaders and committee chairs use their power to deny hearings on proposals that they personally dislike but which Kansans broadly support in polls?

Kansas voters will decide in 2020 how this political marriage is working. Kelly will not be on the ballot, though voters can reward or punish Republicans for their actions. But accountability does not just magically happen. Voters will only reward Democrats if Democrats recruit serious candidates and contest winnable districts. And the 57% of Kansas voters who voted against returning to Brownback policies in 2018 should not assume that their job as citizens is done just because Kelly won. Complacency like that lets politicians ignore you, not represent you.

Patrick R. Miller is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas. Kate Davis provided data assistance. Data are from the Open Elections Data Project.

Update: Man hospitalized after Kansas hunting accident

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RENO COUNTY — One person was injured in a hunting accident just before 8a.m. Thursday in Reno County.

Three men from California were hunting near High Point and Blanchard Road, according to Reno County Sheriff’s Captain Steve Lutz.  One man’s shotgun fired and struck him in the heel of his foot. 

Emergency Medical Crews transported him to Wesley Medical Center for treatment.

Name of the victim has not been released.

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RENO COUNTY —Deputies and EMS were responding to western Reno County for an accidental shooting while hunting.

The individual reports shooting himself in foot with shotgun, according to a social media report just before 8a.m. from the Reno County Sheriff’s office. 

Authorities have released no additional details.

Kansas governor creates advisory group to improve education

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly has signed an executive order creating an advisory group that aims to improve education in Kansas.

The governor told reporters Thursday that educating children is one of the most important obligations of elected leaders and one of the best economic and civic investments to make in Kansas.

The Governor’s Council on Education will look for ways to enhance early childhood education, create relationships between the education and the business community and develop partnerships to address workforce needs in Kansas.

Kelly says improving education means not only fully funding public schools, but also looking for ways to evaluate and innovate from early childhood all the way through to the workforce.

The group, which builds on the work of a previous education council, will hold its first meeting Wednesday.

Police identify officer killed in accidental shooting

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ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Latest on fatal shooting of an off-duty St. Louis police officer (all times local):

12:30 p.m.

St. Louis police have identified the officer killed in an accidental early morning shooting as 24-year-old Katlyn Alix.

The shooting happened around 1 a.m. Thursday when two on-duty male officers went to one of their homes during their shift. Police Chief John Hayden says Alix was off-duty and stopped by the home. It wasn’t clear why the officers were at the home.

A police incident report says the officers were seated in the apartment living room when one of the male officers “mishandled a firearm and shot (Alix) in the chest.”

The male officers took her to a hospital, where she died.

Police and the St. Louis city circuit attorney’s office are investigating.

Hayden, in a statement, says Alix was an “enthusiastic and energetic young woman with a bright future ahead of her.” Survivors include her husband, parents and a sister.

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7:30 a.m.

Authorities say a St. Louis police officer has accidentally shot and killed another officer.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the shooting happened around 1 a.m. Thursday when two on-duty male officers went to one of their homes during their shift. Police Chief John Hayden said during a news conference that a 24-year-old off-duty officer was shot in the chest when she stopped by the home.

The male officers took her to a hospital, where she died. Mayor Lyda Krewson described the shooting as “terribly sad” in a tweet.

No other details were immediately released, including the names of the officers or why they were at the same home when the shooting happened. Overall crime in the Carondelet neighborhood where the shooting happened has been up in recent months.

Everette J. ‘Dobber’ Partridge

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Everette J. “Dobber” Partridge, 87, passed away January 23, 2019 at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington. He was born June 4, 1931 to Floyd Ray & Hazel Viola (Heitz) Partridge. He married Ierene Lepej June 4, 1950 at Great Bend, Kansas. She died June 21, 2005.

A Great Bend resident for most of his life, Everette was the owner of Estes Trash Service for 21 years and also worked for J.C. McIntire Lumber Yard for 9 years and in the Fuller Brush chemical department for 19 years. He raised greyhounds and loved to hunt, fish, bowl, play softball, bingo, cards and dominos. He was a member of the Eagles and a former member of the Elks Lodge.

Survivors include, a son, Larry Partridge of Great Bend; three daughters, Sandra Kagle of Galva, Sharon White of Great Bend and Susan Smith and husband Gene of Wichita Falls; one sister, Evelyn Cosby of LaCrosse; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Hazel Partridge; his wife, Ierene Partridge; a brother, Russell Partridge; and two sisters, Viola Eychener and Darlene Geer.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, January 27, 2019, with family present at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 28, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home, with Rev. Dick Ogle presiding. Inurnment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery following the service. Memorials are suggested to the Everette Partridge Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Willard John McDonald Jr.

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Willard John McDonald Jr. was born November 20th, 1943 in Benkelman, Nebraska to Willard J. McDonald Sr. and Elma E. (Harder) McDonald. He was the eldest of six children.

He attended Dundy County Schools until he ventured to Coatesville, PA where he attended Scott Senior High. After he returned to Nebraska, he made his living driving truck and running service stations. He also attended Colby Community College where he earned an Associate’s Degree in printing.

In 1978, he met the love of his life, Rebecca Flax, and they were married June 6th, 1980. They first had a girl, Sara, followed by a boy, Willard III, and they quickly became his reason for living.

Willard enjoyed supporting his children in their various activities growing up, and continued to support them well into adulthood. He also enjoyed fishing, camping, old cars, coffee, playing with his little Sophie dog, his cats Oscar and Cricket, spoiling his granddogs and grandcat, Maggie, Lolli, Finnigan, and Alex, and mostly, spending time with the family he loved unconditionally. Bill never knew a stranger, and a good day could be as simple as a cup of coffee with good company.

In later years, he delivered the Salina Journal in the early mornings and made numerous friends on that route. After retiring from that, he worked part-time delivering pizza for Pizza Hut. He enjoyed that job mainly because he got to meet and talk to so many different people. His smile and caring heart will be remembered by many.

Willard passed away on January 20th, 2019, at Hays Medical Center, with loved ones at his side. He left this world with faith in God and a strong belief in where he was going. He arrived at the gates greeted by loved ones that had already passed, the Lord, and pain free.

He was preceded in death by: His parents, Willard Sr. & Elma McDonald; son, Eric McDonald; sister, Gwenn Schleeman; brother, Ken McDonald; and a nephew, Brent Schleeman.

He is survived by his wife, Rebecca (Flax) McDonald, of the home; daughter, Sara McDonald, of Oakley; son, Willard McDonald III, of Hill City; brother, Dick (Julie) McDonald, of Oxford, NE; sister, Mary Schneider, of Brule, NE; brother, Gary (Lisa) McDonald, of Hastings, NE; Daughter-in-law Sonya, her husband Rob, and their daughter Rachel Rooney, of St. Louis; Nephews: Ron McDonald, Rod(Valli) McDonald, and Richard(Emily) McDonald; Niece, Kristy Schleeman, of Kennisaw, NE; several grand nieces and nephews, and the many friends he met along his journey.

Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 30, 2019, at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney.

Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5 to 7. Cremation was chosen, so there will be no viewing.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Trego Community High School (for the Forensics Program). Contributions may be sent to the funeral home at 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Police investigate Kansas teen’s death as homicide

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OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Overland Park police say a 17-year-old male was fatally shot in his home and the case is being investigated as a homicide.

Police spokesman John Lacy says officers were called to the teenager’s apartment Wednesday evening.

The preliminary investigation indicates to victim had two visitors and a fight broke out before he was shot.

Neighbors told police they heard a disturbance in the victim’s apartment and saw two men running down the stairs.

The victim’s name and any information about possible suspects have not been released.

2 more lawsuits filed against Newman University in Wichita

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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The number of lawsuits alleging that a private Catholic college in Wichita unfairly fired employees has grown to four with the filing of two new ones.

Newman University -google map

Former Newman University counseling program director John Walker claims in one of the new suits that his 2018 firing was retaliation for reporting information about an October 2017 overdose death at an off-campus party. The gathering led to the temporary suspension of three baseball players.

The other suit was filed by former School of Social Work director Sue Ellen Gardner, who says she was terminated without good cause.

Newman spokesman Clark Schafer called Walker’s allegations “without merit” and said the school couldn’t comment on Gardner’s lawsuit because it hadn’t been formally served.

A former Newman education professor and human resources director also have sued.

Charles Corwin Sherman

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LARNED – Charles Corwin Sherman, 87, passed away January 22, 2019 at the University of Kansas Health System, Great Bend Campus.

He was born December 31, 1931 in Kinsley, Kansas, the son of Will Corwin and Alice Marie Smith Sherman. A longtime resident of Larned, he was a Professional Scouter with the Boy Scouts of America and was the museum administrator for the Central States Scout Museum in Larned. He also served in the United States Army.

Charles was a member of the First Christian Church, State Theater of Larned, Masons, American Legion of Garfield, Fort Larned Historical Society, and Larned Rotary Club.

Survivors include many friends in Pawnee County.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned, with Pastor Damon Bradley presiding. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday at the mortuary.

Memorials may be sent to the Charles Sherman Memorial Fund, in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Box 477 Larned, KS 67550.  Condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.

Mildred A. Brauer

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Mildred A. Brauer, 101, La Crosse, Kansas, died Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at Rush County Memorial Hospital Intermediate Swing Bed, La Crosse, Kansas.

Mrs. Brauer was born December 15, 1917, in Rozel, Kansas, the daughter of Henry W. and Katherine B. (Both) Ideker. She was a resident of La Crosse, Kansas, since 1977, moving there from Albert, Kansas. A 1936 graduate of Rozel High School, Rozel, Kansas, she was a homemaker.

She was a member of First Lutheran Church, La Crosse, Kansas.

On January 4, 1942, she married Warren “Jack” Price at Tacoma, Washington. He preceded her in death November 12, 1943, while serving with the United States Army in the North Africa area during World War II.

On January 25, 1948, she married Paul J. Brauer at the First Christian Church, Larned, Kansas. He preceded her in death February 28, 2007.

Survivors include: one son, Dennis R. Brauer, Dodge City, Kansas; two daughters, Norma J. Edwards, La Crosse, Kansas, and Sharon F. McKown, Hutchinson, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Clarence Grover, Nebraska, Kimberly Corsair, La Crosse, Kansas, Jordon Schneider, Hays, Kansas, Chelsey McCarroll, Bentley, Kansas, Brenda Grant, Winfield, Kansas, Krissondra Rydzel, Kansas City, Missouri, and Alicia Boor, Hoisington, Kansas; ten great grandchildren, Jacob Grover, Kelsey Grover, Cody Grover, Jorja Grover, Wyatt Corsair, Chance Corsair, Kylie McCarroll, Trinity McCarroll, Connor Boor, and Declan Rydzel; and one brother Lester H. Ideker, La Crosse, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; one daughter in law, Rosa Brauer; one brother Vernon F. Ideker; one infant brother, Velmer H. Ideker; and two sisters, Evelyn F. Blattner, and Rosella A. Smith.

Visitation will be Friday, January 25, 2019, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas.

Church visitation will be Saturday, January 26, 2019, from 9:30 A.M. to 10:20 A.M. at the First Lutheran Church, La Crosse, Kansas.

Funeral service will be Saturday, January 26, 2019, at 10:30 A.M. at the First Lutheran Church, La Crosse, Kansas, with Pastor Phyllis Burdge officiating.

Interment will be Saturday, January 26, 2019, at 3:00 P.M. in Christ the King Lutheran Cemetery, Dodge City, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials to the First Lutheran Church, La Crosse, Kansas, or Rush County Memorial Hospital Intermediate Swing Bed, La Crosse, Kansas.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

Kansas man accused of DUI after 2-vehicle crash

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GEARY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on DUI allegations following an accident just before 5:30p.m. Wednesday in Geary County.

Bowie photo Geary Co.

A 2008 Ford pickup driven by Bruce Bowie, 59, Ellsworth, was southbound on the Kansas 18 Bypass and failed to stop at the stop sign, according to the Geary County Sheriff’s Department. The Ford collided with a 2011 Nissan driven by Frank Smith, Junction City.

Deputies arrested Bowie on suspicion of Driving Under the Influence, Transporting an Open Container and Failure to stop at a stop sign.  Smith was not injured, according to the sheriff’s department.

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