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Year: 2019

MARSHALL: Doctor’s Note Jan. 5

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Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.

Friday Senator Pat Roberts announced that he would be retiring at the end of his term in 2020. Senator Roberts has been an idol, mentor, and friend. We appreciate his dedication and endless contributions to Kansas and our country. He’s been a resilient voice advocating on behalf of Kansans for decades, and we will greatly miss his leadership here in Washington. He’s been an exceptional public servant and a tireless leader for Kansas farmers, rural communities, veterans, and our servicemen and women. It was a great privilege to work with him for the past two years to pass the 2018 Farm Bill. 

Laina and I wish both the Senator and Franki all the best and look forward to continuing to work with him and seek his counsel throughout his term and beyond. 

Day 14 of the Partial Government Shutdown:

The current funding levels and resources are inadequate to meet the demands and scope of the problem at our borders. Walls and barriers work, and the Democrats know this, they’ve supported these types of barriers in the past. Just ten months ago, Democrats were willing to give President Trump 5 times the amount he is asking for today for border security. We must negotiate, and I believe the president is doing the right thing by hosting these meetings at the White House with congressional leaders to try and find common ground- This has become a choice between open borders and open government.

The president says he believes the shutdown will be over soon, but that he will not accept anything that doesn’t prioritize border security. I believe there are win-win-wins to be found and the president has said he’s opening to negotiating a deal. 

The next Secretary of Defense

This week I wrote an op-ed in The Hill discussing our national security goals and objectives in the Middle East, and the role the new Secretary of Defense should play.

It is imperative that our nation’s next Secretary of Defense pursues missions with a clear and precise exit strategy.

As leaders, often we have to say, “Weigh the anchor, full speed ahead,” and be willing to tact into the headwinds. While the Middle East has many headwinds awaiting, I for one am glad we have a Commander in Chief whose priority is not just to win wars, but also get our troops home.

Job Report: Exceeding Expectations

The economy continues to exceed expectations. Friday the Department of Labor reported that 312,000 jobs were added in December. These numbers highlight the strength of our economy due to the 115th Congresses pro-growth agenda and the success of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As we begin 2019, it is essential that we continue to uphold and expand this economic growth. With more than 30 million small businesses across the country and nearly 255,000 throughout Kansas, a booming economy certainly helps business increase wages and opportunities.

Blessing the 116th Congress

Thursday morning we swore in the 116th Congress. Before the ceremony members of all faiths gathered to pray for our country, and to pray for our leaders. I was honored to join my colleagues and friends in reading scripture at the bipartisan prayer service.

God is indeed alive and well in this country.

Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.

Saturday last day to help Battle of Badges blood drive meet goal

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Hays Post

The Ellis County American Red Cross Battle of the Badges Blood Drive is in need of donors to meet its goal.

The drive is about 50 pints short of its goal.

Today (Saturday) will be the last day for the drive. The mobile unit will be at Big Creek Crossing in Hays from 11 a.m. 5 p.m.

You can vote for your favorite first responders. The Hays EMS, police department or fire department will earn the honor of the annual blood drive trophy.

Bill Dinkel of the American Red Cross said holidays and the summers are the slowest times of year for blood donation because about a fifth of all blood donors are age 16 to 24 and no drives are going on at college campuses or high schools.

Despite this decline, the need for blood is constant, he said. That is why events like the Ellis County Battle of the Badges are so important.

 

DSNWK receives grant from Hays Lions Club

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Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas announced this week it has received a $500 grant award from the Hays Lions Club for the vision needs of the people they serve who have developmental disabilities.

The grant will go to support DSNWK’s Consumer Medical Fund, which assists individuals with the cost of medical items and care that are not covered by Medicaid, such as eye glasses and other vision needs.

“DSNWK would like to thank the Hays Lions Club for their continuous support of people with developmental disabilities,” the organization said in a news release.

DSNWK is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 18 northwest Kansas counties since 1967.

— Submitted

New Kansas Lawmakers Vote For And Against Government Funding Deal

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By JIM MCLEAN & MADELINE FOX 

Kansas Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids hoped to spend her first day in Congress helping to end a partial shutdown of the federal government.

U.S. Reps. Sharice Davids and Steve Watkins officially joined Congress this week and cast votes reflecting their differences, and the split between Republicans and Democrats.
KANSAS NEWS SERVICE

Instead, she got a first-hand look at the gridlock that has characterized the nation’s politics and frustrated voters in recent years.

Shortly after being sworn in as one of the first two Native American women to ever serve in Congress, Davids voted for a compromise funding package to end the budget stalemate.

“This package has previously received bipartisan support and I’m hopeful it is the path forward to ending this shutdown,” Davids said on Twitter.

President Donald Trump initially supported a similar package when it passed the Senate two weeks ago. But he changed his mind when conservative pundits criticized him for backing away from his demands for $5 billion for a southern border wall.

All three House Republicans from Kansas — Roger Marshall, Ron Estes and Steve Watkins — voted against the funding package. They also opposed Nancy Pelosi’s election as speaker.

“As I crisscrossed Kansas’ Second Congressional District over the past year, there was a reoccurring theme among both Republicans and Democrats: they did not want to see Nancy Pelosi serving as Speaker of the House again,” Watkins said in a statement.

A political newcomer from Topeka, Watkins emerged from a crowded primary to narrowly defeat Democrat Paul Davis in the 2nd District, which covers roughly the eastern third of the state.

In an interview with Topeka television station KSNT, Watkins said he wants a quick resolution to the budget fight but is committed to making “the government more efficient.”

He has also asked to have his congressional salary withheld until federal workers are back on the payroll. 

The shutdown — now approaching its third week — affects thousands of federal workers across Kansas, from Coast Guard payroll clerks in Topeka to more than 400 employees at the Environmental Protection Agency’s regional office in Lenexa.

“We’re all kind of in a standstill,” said Sara Watterson, president of the American Federation of Government Employees chapter that represents some of the furloughed EPA workers.

Furloughs at the Bureau of Indian Affairs have leaders of some Kansas tribes concerned about programs that provide important services.

Joseph Rupnick, chairman of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, fears the shutdown will halt the delivery of food to about 100 low-income families on the reservation.

“The neediest population is the one that’s affected the most,” Rupnick said.

Furloughs have also forced the closure of one of Kansas’ most famous landmarks: The Brown v. Board of Education historic site in Topeka.

Rob Varnum of Oklahoma City hoped to tour the site established to commemorate the desegregation of the nation’s schools with his wife earlier this week while passing through on his way home from Kansas City.

“Here we are, but the sign says we can’t visit today because of the government shutdown,” Varnum said while peering in through a locked door. “That’s unfortunate.”

Reporter Brian Grimmett contributed to this story.

Jim McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter @jmcleanks. 

Madeline Fox is a reporter for the Kansas News Service. You can reach her on Twitter @maddycfox.

Sunny, warmer Saturday

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Today
Sunny, with a high near 58. Light and variable wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight
Increasing clouds, with a low around 32. East northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Light and variable wind becoming south 9 to 14 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Southwest wind 9 to 14 mph becoming west northwest after midnight.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 54. West northwest wind 9 to 14 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 28.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 50.
Tuesday Night
Clear, with a low around 24.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 46.

Ellis’ Riverside Cafe offers home cookin’, all-day breakfast

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By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

ELLIS — A new restaurant has opened in downtown Ellis, the Riverside Espresso & Cafe, 814 Washington.

Owner Jade Baalman said she tries to focus on dinner-style home cooking in addition to all-day breakfast.

The cafe also offer wraps, burgers, sandwiches, homemade bierocks and salads. Baalman offers regular comfort food specials on Thursdays and Fridays, such as meatloaf, casseroles, Salisbury steak and cordon bleu. Every other Saturday night, the cafe is open from 5 to 8 p.m. for a prime rib special.

A mixture of egg and sausage for breakfast burritos on the grill at the Riverside Cafe.

Baalman, who opened Riverside in September, bills her cafe as family friendly. She will even make your kids pancakes in fun shapes on request.

The cafe has an espresso bar and also offers smoothies.

If you are in a hurry in the morning, you can grab already-prepared 12-ounce breakfast burritos or sausage and cream cheese bagels. Baalman offers homemade cinnamon rolls, scones and breakfast cookies and hopes to eventually offer made-from-scratch pie.

Baalman managed Oscar’s Cafe in Hoxie before opening the cafe in Ellis. She also has a background in catering and gourmet food.

Baalman, 34, became interested in cooking when she became a mother. She has four children, a 14-year-old son, 10-year-old daughter, 8-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son.

“I love food,” she said.

The Riverside Cafe offers espresso and smoothies.

At home, she focuses on paleo and whole 30, which is a diet free of dairy that focuses on whole foods rather than processed foods. Initially, she introduced some of these concepts at the cafe, but found many of her diners preferred more traditional American foods.

Baalman chose to open the restaurant in Ellis to be closer to her family. She believed the community needed another dining option.

Baalman is renting the space on Washington, which is the former home of the All in a Day’s Grind. The space is available for rent for parties.

She says she hopes the restaurant can be a community gathering place.

“That is one of the things that I had hoped for this place — that it is small enough and in a small town that people would feel they could come in here and drink their coffee with their groups. We definitely have the mom-and-pop, small-town feel that you could just come in and sit down and enjoy,” Baalman said.

The Riverside Cafe is at 814 Washington in Ellis offers a mixture of homemade comfort food and all-day breakfast.

The restaurant is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

You can follow the cafe on Facebook.

KDHE looks back at accomplishments in 2018

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KDHE

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is looking forward to 2019 and looking back at some of its accomplishments in 2018.

“We made great strides in a number of areas,” said Secretary Jeff Andersen. “KDHE’s Divisions of Public Health, Environment and Health Care Finance all had great achievements of which the citizens of Kansas can be proud. We look forward to continuing that work in the coming year.”

Some of the achievements at KDHE included:

Public Health

  • Launching the Maternal Mortality Review which includes a review committee focused on implementing comprehensive review of maternal and pregnancy-associated mortality.
  • Helping to organize and lead the Governor’s Substance Use Disorder Task Force chaired by KDHE Chief Medical Officer Dr. Greg Lakin, presenting a series of proposals to the Governor to combat the opioid epidemic in 2019 and beyond.
  • Introducing the “Count the Kicks” stillbirth prevention initiative with over 326 expectant Kansas mothers having downloaded and used the free CTK app.
  • The KDHE Office of Vital Statistics making birth certificates available online with the PayIt app and opening its new office in Topeka with increased space for customers and a new registration system on the way in early 2019.

Environment

  • Coordinating its Dry Cleaner Remediation Program, connecting 209 homes to city water in the Haysville area and coordinating with the City of Haysville to complete the design and installation of 8.7 miles of new city water main.
  • Initiating its Private Well Water campaign, including an instructional video for homeowners to properly take a water sample for nitrates and total coliform, a web page, a public service announcement, flyer and social media infographs.
  • Assisting in the aftermath of natural disasters including the tornadoes in Eureka and flooding in many counties across the state.
  • Monitoring our rivers, streams, lakes and ponds for harmful algal blooms.

Health Care Finance

  • Approval of the state’s 1115 waiver extension application granting the state of Kansas the authority to operate KanCare, the state’s managed care program.
  • Awarding a new MCO contract to Aetna and holding statewide KanCare education meetings to explain the changes that will occur in 2019.
  • Effective Jan. 1, 2019, handling training and quality at the KanCare Clearinghouse for Medicaid eligibility. Effective, July 1, 2019, the state will take over responsibilities for the processing of elderly and disabled applications.

“These are only a few of our accomplishments during 2018,” said Secretary Andersen. “In 2019 we look forward to building on these and all of the areas KDHE addresses to follow our mission to protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.”

Monarchs split MCL matchup in Ellis

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The TMP-Marian Monarchs boys and girls basketball team split a doubleheader in Ellis Friday night.

Girls: TMP 63, Ellis 38

The TMP girls used runs of 8-0 and 14-4 to build a double digit lead in the first half on their way to the fourth win in their last five games, 63-38 Friday in Ellis.

After the two teams traded leads in the first quarter Ellis took a 9-7 lead with 3:40 left in the first quarter but the Monarchs took the lead for good using an 8-0 run to lead 15-9 at the end of the first quarter.

Kyleigh Allen scored the first four points of the second quarter and sparked a 14-4 run that gave the Monarchs a 29-15 lead as the Monarchs cruised the win.

Adell Riedel led the Monarchs with 13 points and Sasha Wasinger chipped in 12.

The Monarchs at 4-3 and 3-0 in the MCL.

Rose McFarland postgame interview

Game highlights

Boys: Ellis 53, TMP 49

The Ellis Railroaders rallied from down 15 in the first-half to upend the TMP boys 53-49 Friday in Ellis.

TMP had first quarter runs of 10-2 and 12-4 to build a 22-10 first quarter lead.

Early in the second quarter the Monarchs opened their largest lead of the game at 15 following a pair of Ryan Karlin free throws at 27-12.

Despite the large deficit the Railroaders never faded and outscored the Monarchs 41-22 over the final two and a half quarters as they rallied for the win, their first MCL win of the season.

The Monarchs shot 10-14 in the first quarter but made just 9-of-35 field goals in the final three quarters.

Jackson Schulte led three Monarchs in double figures with 13. Zachary Eck finished with a career-high 26 for the Railroaders.

Bill Meagher postgame interview

Game highlights

The TMP boys fall to 4-3 on the season and 2-1 in the MCL.

The Monarchs travel to Salina Sacred Heart on Saturday.

High school basketball scoreboard

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Girls

Western Athletic Conference
Hays 42 Liberal 61
Garden City 47 Great Bend 29
Cimarron 40 Dodge City 54

Mid-Continent League
TMP 63 Ellis 38
Phillipsburg 45 Plainville 43
Norton 67 Stockton 36
Smith Center 26 Oakley 31

Central Prairie League
Otis-Bison 50 Victoria 25
Ellinwood 58 Fairfield 57
Macksville 25 Central Plains 98
Ness City 20 St. John 42

Northern Plains League
Hill City 12 St. Johns/Tipton 47
Lincoln 21 Osborne 34

Northwest Kansas League
Greeley Co. 22 Hoxie 59

Western Kansas Liberty League
Palco 26 Weskan 54
Golden Plains 47 Logan 25

Great Western Activities Conference
Scott City 41 Colby 26
Goodland 47 Hugoton 52
Ulysses 48 Holcomb 36

Central Kansas League
Hoisington 31 Hesston 51
Larned 36 Lakin 37
Pratt 23 Haven 57

Boys
Western Athletic Conference
Hays 68 Liberal 56
Cimarron 44 Dodge City 85

Mid-Continent League
TMP 49 Ellis 53
Phillipsburg 73 Plainville 62
Norton 58 Stockton 55
Smith Center 46 Oakley 65

Central Prairie League
Otis-Bison 48 Victoria 51
Ellinwood 68 Fairfield 21
Macksville 27 Central Plains 59
Ness City 56 St. John 64

Northern Plains League
Hill City 39 St. Johns/Tipton 49
Lincoln 36 Osborne 62

Northwest Kansas League
Greeley Co. 42 Hoxie 67

Western Kansas Liberty League
Palco 35 Weskan 59
Golden Plains 48 Logan 47

Great Western Activities Conference
Scott City 49 Colby 43
Goodland 35 Hugoton 72

Central Kansas League
Hoisington 22 Hesston 21
Pratt 42 Haven 52

Hays at Liberal

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The Hays High Indians opened the 2019 portion of their schedule in Liberal on Friday prior to returning to school.

Girls

#5-6A Liberal 61 – Hays 42

Hays held Liberal scoreless for the first 4:30 minutes of the game but could only build a 4-0 advantage.  The Redskins first scored at the 3:25 mark of the first quarter and sparked a 9-0 run.  The Indians cut the deficit down to two at 9-7 early in the second quarter and had the ball twice with a chance to tie or take the lead.  Liberal held off Hays on those two possessions and another Indian threat at 12-10.  The Redskins closed the second quarter on a 12-3 run to build their largest lead of the half at 24-13.

Highlights

 

Liberal powered out to a 16 point lead early in the third quarter before the Indians’ best run of the night at 11-4 closed the game down to nine 36-27.  Hays trailed one more time by nine at 38-29 but would pull no closer the rest of the night losing 61-42.

Liberal made 17 of 19 free throw attempts and 8 of 21 three pointers while moving to 7-0 on the year and opening Western Athletic Conference play at 1-0.  Hays falls to 3-3 and 0-1 in league play.

Coach Alex Hutchins

 

Hays was led in scoring by Brooke Denning with 11.  Savannah Schneider made all eight of her free throw attempts and scored 10 in the game.

 

Boys

Hays 68 – Liberal 56

Liberal made four of their first six shots in the game as Hays missed each of their first six shots and the Redskins jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first four minutes.  Hays finally broke the ice and made four consecutive shots to close the game down to 13-8 after one quarter.

Liberal led by nine with four minutes to go in the second quarter when the Indians started to play their best basketball of the game.  Over the next 5:40 that led into the third quarter Hays went on a 24-3 run to grab a 36-24 advantage.  The Indians pushed their advantage to 15 midway through the third and led 47-35 to the fourth quarter.

Highlights

 

Liberal continued to shoot well behind the arc and pulled within eight at 55-47.  The Redskins had the ball and launched a right wing three that was tipped by Dalyn Schwarz, rebounded by Cade Swayne who passed out to Tradgon McCrae, who found Schwarz for a layup and foul for a three point play.  The play sparked a game decisive 12-0 run as Hays won 68-56.

Coach Rick Keltner

 

Hays was led by Tradgon McCrae who scored 20 and hit the 20 point mark for a third straight game.  Cade Swayne had career highs with 13 points and 12 rebounds.  Dalyn Schwarz also added a career high 13 in the victory.

The defending WAC champs Hays High is now 4-2 on the year and 1-0 in the conference.  Liberal falls to 5-2 and 0-1.

Hays is on the road to Great Bend next Tuesday.

Kan. sex offender, massage therapist sentenced for secretly recording woman

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OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A 32-year-old former massage therapist who is on the Kansas Sex Offender registry has been sentenced to 16 months in jail for secretly recording a woman while she undressed.

Gorski -photo KBI

Daniel Justin Gorski was sentenced Friday in Johnson County for the incident at a chiropractic clinic in Gardner. He pleaded guilty in November to breach of privacy.

Gorski was at one time charged with recording several women. All but one charge was dropped as part of a plea agreement.

Police began investigating Gorski in 2016 after his girlfriend reported finding a flash drive containing images of women undressing or nude.

Gorski had previously pleaded guilty in Jefferson County, Kansas, to possession of child pornography.

Kan. man on parole for aggravated robbery back in jail

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SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a felony suspect on multiple charges.

Jackson- photo Shawnee Co.

Just after 6p.m. Thursday, officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of 1600 SW Harrison in Topeka for traffic infractions, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.

Police arrested the driver Devontair Jackson, 26, for an outstanding Parole Violation. He was also found to be a felon in possession of a firearm.

Jackson has previous convictions for aggravated battery and aggravated robbery.

Police transported Jackson to the Shawnee County Department of Correction where he is being held on requested charges of Felon in Possession of Marijuana, with the Intent, Aggravated Battery, Criminal Discharge of a Firearm and Aggravated Assault, according to Monasmith.

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