The Jackson County prosecutor’s office says 28-year-old Preston Moore has been charged with the murder counts, as well as driving while intoxicated and driving with a revoked license.
Authorities say 29-year-old Laura Humphrey and 31-year-old Ryan Humphrey were in a northbound vehicle on U.S. Highway 71 when a car being driven the wrong way by Moore crashed into them on Nov. 11. The Humphreys were killed. Moore was critically injured.
Prosecutors say an open liquor bottle was found in Moore’s vehicle, and toxicology results showed he was drunk. Moore has a previous DWI conviction.
Prosecutors have requested a bond of $100,000 for Moore.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The company processing Medicaid applications in Kansas faces fines of up to $250,000 a day and the loss of its state contract because it is far out of compliance with the required performance standards.
Rep. Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican FILE PHOTO / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE
The state sent Maximus a non-compliance letter Jan. 30 that gives the Virginia-based company until June 1 to fix problems that include only 40 percent accuracy on financial payments. State Medicaid Director Jon Hamdorf disclosed the action during a meeting of a legislative oversight committee Friday.
If the company fails to shape up, it could face fines retroactive to the beginning of the year, possibly totaling tens of millions of dollars.
The oversight committee’s chairman, Republican state Rep. Dan Hawkins, of Wichita, said returning the processing of Medicaid applications to state workers is a serious possibility.
“If they don’t get this fixed, they’re gone,” Hawkins said.
Maximus spokeswoman Lisa Miles said the company immediately instituted a compliance plan and is committed to being in compliance by June 1.
Miles said in a written statement that Maximus is working with the state on improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy and the time it takes to process applications.
The Medicaid program provides health coverage to more than 370,000 poor, disabled and elderly Kansas residents. Maximus operates an application processing clearinghouse that employs about 350 people, including some state workers.
Kansas has experienced problems processing Medicaid applications since then-Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration opened the clearinghouse in 2015. At one time, a backlog of unprocessed applications grew large enough to draw the attention of federal regulators.
Hamdorf said an examination of the company’s performance on a single day — Feb. 7 — showed enough shortfalls that the company would have to pay $250,000 or more in fines for that day alone. The company is required to handle financial payments with 98 percent accuracy and has fallen behind on handling applications and cases, according to the state.
The Medicaid director also described what he called a sense of despair among Maximus employees at the clearinghouse.
“It’s a completely different work environment on our side of the house and their side of the house and I think that’s because we at the state value the employees that work for us,” he told legislators.
Miles said the company makes every effort to ensure employees have a “professional, safe and enjoyable work environment.”
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal crash.
First responders on the scene of Saturday’s fatal crash-photo courtesy KWCH TV
Just before 11:30 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to an injury accident at 119th Street west and Beaumont in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.
The investigation showed a funeral precession was south bound on 119th Street and north bound vehicles were stopped showing respect.
A 31-year-old male driver in a green minivan traveling northbound, failed to stop for the stopped vehicles, and rear-ended a small red sport utility vehicle occupied by a 59-year-old woman and her mother. The 59-year-old driver unfortunately succumbed to her injuries on the scene, according to Davidson.
The mother and the diver of the minivan were taken to an area hospital for medical treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Davidson did release the name of the victim.
The Wichita Police Department Critical Accident Team responded to assist in the investigation.
NESS CITY – The Kansas Ag Research & Technology Association (KARTA) announced last month that they will be making up to $14,000 available for agricultural research funding in 2018. The announcement was made during the 20th Annual Kansas Agricultural Technologies Conference in Junction City, Kansas, in front of more than 150 producers, vendors, and students who attended the growing event.
Between now and February 20th, KARTA members (and prospective members) are encouraged to submit funding applications for on-farm research. “It is getting harder and harder to maintain a viable farming operation with rising input costs,” says KARTA Board President Brent Rendel. “On farm research is so important for testing new products and new methods – and sharing that information with the other producers at our annual conference is always an attendee favorite. It’s not about your theory being right, it’s about being more in-the-know when the data comes in.”
Research grants are available in several amounts. KARTA members who submit new research project receive a grant in the amount of $500 per person. Members who submit applications for continuing projects from previous years receive $400 per person. Group studies are also encouraged, and grants are available at $300 per group member involved with the research project. New group projects are being facilitated this year, with more information being announced to those who apply to participate.
“Grant funding is designed to encourage producers to answer the questions they might have on their own farms,” says KARTA Research Coordinator Tyler Lund. “The first time you take on a research project it can be challenging, but it gets easier the more you practice. We can help new researchers get started tracking their results, and can try to walk them through the process to make it as simple as possible.”
Grant recipients are expected to track their project’s results in a scientific manner that produces comparable data. The funds will be awarded in the spring of 2018, and the recipient will be expected to report their results to the KARTA membership at next year’s conference in January 2019. Anyone interested in learning more about the research funding or reading previous research projects should visit the KARTA website. From there, they can also fill out the convenient online application to request funding for their proposed project.
Deadline to apply is Tue., February 20th.
Find more details or apply on the KARTA website, www.kartaonline.org. Be sure to like the KARTA facebook page and follow on Twitter, @kartaonline.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas Board of Regents member and commissioner for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, has been arrested on suspicion of domestic battery.
Brandau-Murguia -photo Wyandotte Co.
50-year-old Ann Brandau-Murguia was arrested Friday evening and booked into the Wyandotte County Detention Center. She was released on her own recognizance a short time later. Brandau-Murguia is the wife of Kansas U.S District Judge Carlos Murguia.
While the booking report indicates Brandau-Murguia committed bodily harm to a family member, Brandau-Murguia said in a statement posted on her professional Facebook page that the incident involved a longtime friend, not a family member.
Brandau-Murguia said in the statement that she and the friend “were involved in a misunderstanding that resulted in an argument and physical contact.”
Brandau-Murguia did not immediately return messages sent Saturday via email and on social media platforms seeking comment.
The Fort Hays State University Science Café presents: “Same Stress, Different Animal” Tuesday, February 20 at 7 p.m. at Gella’s Diner, 117 East 11th St., Hays.
All animals (including humans) experience stress. Using insights from the animal kingdom, this presentation will explore why stress is important, and what happens with it when it gets out of hand. The presenter is Dr. Medhavi Ambardar, instructor of FHSU Biological Sciences.
This event is free and open to the public. Science Café is sponsored by the FHSU Science and Mathematics Education Institute.
On Monday, Feb. 12, Hays law enforcement received a report of an alleged threat made by a 14-year-old male child against Hays High School. The Hays Police Department immediately investigated the alleged threat in cooperation with Hays High School. As a result of the investigation, the 14-year-old male was taken into Police Protective Custody.
The child was placed in detention through Juvenile Services of Northwest Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority. On Thursday, a District Magistrate Judge ordered continued detention to allow the Ellis County Attorney’s Office to file a Child In Need of Care action. The Child In Need of Care action has been filed, and the child remains in state custody.
The child’s family has fully cooperated in this matter. Hays High School has fully cooperated in this matter. The Hays Police Department responded quickly and appropriately to take custody of the young man to protect him and the community. There is no indication that any other person(s) are involved in the alleged threat. There is no reason to believe that any further danger exists regarding this incident. The investigation into this incident continues by the Hays Police Department.
“This incident serves as a good example of community policing. Information was brought forward to law enforcement, who immediately responded. The cooperation of law enforcement and the school quickly ended the alleged threat,” Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees said in a news release. “It is incumbent upon all citizens to report information they have of possible harm to the community to law enforcement. Law enforcement and citizens working together provide the best opportunity to prevent crime and help keep our community safe.”
Child In Need of Care proceedings in Kansas are confidential. No further information about the child will be forthcoming.
PRATT – Everyone likes a good sale, and hunters are no exception. That’s why the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism is giving turkey hunters the equivalent of an “early bird special” (pun intended) by offering discounted spring turkey permit/game tag combos through March 31.
Hunters who purchase spring turkey combos between March 1 and March 31 can save $7.50 when compared to purchasing the spring turkey permit and turkey game tag separately after March 31.
2018 SPRING TURKEY SEASON DATES
YOUTH/DISABLED SEASON: APRIL 1-17, 2018
ARCHERY SEASON: APRIL 9-17, 2018
REGULAR SEASON: APRIL 18 – MAY 31, 2018
Any resident or nonresident hunter may purchase a turkey permit (good for one bearded turkey) valid in units 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. Hunters with a spring turkey permit are eligible to purchase one spring turkey game tag (good for one additional bearded turkey) valid only in units 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6.
In addition to a turkey permit and game tag, spring turkey hunters must also possess a valid Kansas hunting license, unless exempt by law.
NESS CITY – Join K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Ag Research and Technology Association (KARTA) on Friday, February 23rd at 10:00 a.m. for an engaging workshop on crop imaging and crop scouting.
Participants will learn the following:
Problems that can be managed through crop scouting
Pros and cons of crop scouting using UAV’s or drones
Pros and cons of crop scouting using satellite imagery
What to look for in crop imagery to identify problems in your field
Devices and tools on the market for collecting on-farm crop imagery
Representatives from TerrAvion and CropQuest will be present to guide the discussion and provide their insight into the various forms of crop scouting available.
The workshop will take place at the CropQuest headquarters in Dodge City, Kansas. Don’t wait to sign up, registration is due by February 20th. As with all KARTA workshops, participation is FREE for current KARTA members. Non-members are welcome to attend for a $25 fee. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. For more information or to register, click here. The meal and venue for this workshop are generously being sponsored by TerrAvion and CropQuest.
Listen to Mike Cooper interviewing Kim Koerner, Infection Prevention Officer; and Melanie Urban, Patient Quality Service Director at Haysmed by clicking the link above and then clicking the play button
Stock market declines are the last thing most investors want to experience, but they are an inevitable part of investing. Perhaps a little historical background can help you put stock market declines in perspective.
A look back at stock market history since 1900 shows that declines have varied widely in intensity, length and frequency. In the midst of a decline, it’s been nearly impossible to tell the difference between a slight dip and a more prolonged correction.
About 3 times a year, the Dow Jones has dropped 5% or more, with the average length of the drop being 47 days, and the last occurrence in August of 2015.
About once a year, the Dow Jones has dropped 10% or more, with the average length of the drop being 115 days, and the last occurrence in August of 2015.
About once every two years, the Dow Jones has dropped 15% or more, with the average length of the drop being 215 days, and the last occurrence in October of 2011.
And, about ever three and a half years, the Dow Jones drops 20% or more with the average length of the drop being 341 days, and the last occurrence in March of 2009.
Living with a market decline isn’t easy, but if you understand these 3 key lessons, you’ll be a more intelligent investor:
No one can predict consistently when market declines will happen. It’s easy to look back today and say with hindsight that the stock market was overvalued at a particular time and due for a decline. But no one has been able to accurately predict market declines on a consistent basis. If they do claim that they have consistently and accurately predicted market slides, either run for the country, or look at their overall record, as you’ll find as many misses as hits, but obviously the only ones that are published are the hits. Jeanne Dixon, the fortune teller from the 60’s, claimed fame by predicting John F. Kennedy’s death, but missed on many other predictions that were not made public.
No one can predict how long a decline will last. Since 1982, with few exceptions, market declines have been relatively brief. Earlier market declines had lasted longer.
After the 1929 crash, it took investors 16 years to restore their investments if they invested at the market high. In 2000, it took about 5 years. But after the 1987 crash, it took about 23 months to get back. In 1990, it took about 8 months. (In all cases dividends were assumed to be reinvested).
No one can consistently predict the right time to get in or out of the market. Successful market timing during a decline is extremely difficult because it requires a pair of near-perfect actions: getting out and then getting back in at the right time. A common mistake investors make is to lose patience and sell at or near the bottom of a downturn. But even if you have decent timing and get out early in a decline, you still have to figure out when to get back in.
A bear market is not usually characterized by a straight-line decline in stock prices. Instead, the market’s downward trend is likely to be jagged-showing bursts of stock price increases, known as “sucker’s rallies,” and then declines.
Of course, only time will tell if we are in for a correction, or not. For those interested in “fake news,” President Trump is not causing the downturn in the market any more than his claim for being responsible for its 27% upturn since his inauguration. The fact that the Dow dropped the day of his State of the Union address has to be prefaced by the fact that the Dow closes at 4:00 est and the State of the Union address didn’t even start till sometime after 7:00 est.
The media will report a 660 point one day drop and sensationalize this occurrence, but a 660 point drop on a 25,000 Dow is not the same as a 660 point drop on a 5000 Dow, but it sure raises eyebrows, which is what it’s meant to do.
If you continue to have concerns, don’t hesitate to call your financial advisor before making any changes to your financial plan.
Tim Schumacher represents Strategic Financial Partners in Hays.
Listen to Mike Cooper interviewing Kim Koerner, Infection Prevention Officer; and Melanie Urban, Patient Quality Service Director at Haysmed by clicking the link above and then clicking the play button
