WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Court documents say a Kansas man has been arrested after threatening to “blow up” the White House.
Brandon Koss, of Wichita, was taken into custody Wednesday. He has been charged with making a threat against the president. His public defender didn’t immediately return an email message from The Associated Press.
A Secret Service agent wrote in the affidavit that Koss made the threat last week to a White House operator and used profanities. The affidavit says the agent went to Koss’ home but that Koss refused to open his door for the agent. Instead Koss agreed to talk to the agent on the phone.
The affidavit says Koss admitted calling the White House but denied making a threat. The agent says Koss claimed he was attempting to report terrorism.
Jeff Colyer rose to the top of the Kansas executive branch Wednesday with events staged not just around his swearing in as governor, but in concert with his dash to get elected to the office and a possible inauguration next year.
Jeff Colyer started his day near Hays as the lieutenant governor of Kansas. He was sworn in as governor later in Topeka. JIM MCLEAN / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE
Shortly after 3 p.m. in the Topeka Statehouse, he took the oath of office to become the 47th governor of Kansas and became the one person in the race for chief executive who could begin logging time in the role.
“I challenge all of us to come together,” he said after being sworn in as governor, “to work together to show that Kansas is the true heart of America.”
With that, the Colyer era in Kansas government had begun.
In a speech that echoed the optimism of the late President Ronald Reagan, Colyer promised to set a more cooperative tone in the Capitol.
Jabbing his finger against the podium for emphasis, Colyer said he would work with lawmakers to repair the state’s financial challenges and end a stand-off with the Kansas Supreme Court over public school funding.
“I will not be responsible for shutting down Kansas government or our schools,” he said. “This is not Washington.”
Colyer started the day with a pre-dawn trek to his former family farm, a section of rolling grassland dotted with oil wells about 15 minutes from his childhood home in Hays.
Jeff Colyer is sworn into the governorship by Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss while his wife and two of his daughters look on. CREDIT JIM MCLEAN / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE
Circled by aides, a few longtime friends and a small gaggle of reporters atop a bluff, he talked about working cattle, harvesting wheat and hunting quail on the land with his late father, James Colyer.
“This is what it’s all about,” Colyer said, silhouetted against an early morning sky streaked with red. “This is Kansas.”
Next he dashed from one camera-ready moment to the next, stopping at places that reinforced the image his campaign wants to portray as a serious man of faith in touch with his Kansas roots.
At the Catholic school from where he graduated in 1978 Colyer attended Mass, greeting and hugging old friends and teachers as ordinarily loud schoolchildren walked by quietly.
Thomas More Prep-Marian Alumni Director Wanda Billinger could hardly contain her excitement over Colyer’s visit.
“It makes the faculty and the alumni and the school feel proud that this is how he wants to start his day to become governor is to attend Mass this morning with us,” she said.
As people began to make their way into the chapel, Colyer sat in the front row, next to a handful of friends from his class. Among them was Kevin Gottschalck, who said things Colyer learned while attending the school helped prepare him to take the highest office in Kansas.
“Jeff will have that as a governor, look out for everybody, not just his personal needs and just the small group of elite,” Gottschalck said. “He’ll try and take care of everybody the best he can.”
The Rev. Michael Scully, a former teacher at Thomas More Prep, said he saw leadership potential in Colyer in high school, partly because he starred on the school’s debate team.
“We knew that there was something about him that was promising,” Scully said. “We had no idea that it would go this far.”
Next, Colyer toured the West Side Alternative Mental Health Center for Kids. The facility works with the school district to provide mental health services to students.
“I’m serious about solving problems and empowering people to do so and you guys are doing it,” Colyer said. “I appreciate the opportunity to highlight some local solutions.”
Still in the No. 2 job as lieutenant governor, he boarded a Cessna turbo-prop typically used to whisk the governor around the state and headed back to Topeka. His entourage on the plane included his chief of staff, Clay Barker; the soon-to-be-governor’s spokesman; a free-lance author chronicling the relationship between faith and politics in Colyer’s life; and three Capitol reporters.
Finally, beneath the Capitol dome and standing in front of a large American flag, Colyer was sworn in to applause in a Statehouse packed with Republican and Democratic lawmakers officials from across state government.
“Kansans are often underestimated,” he said, but he looked forward to helping the state’s residents tap into “the Kansas character.”
“We will not compromise long-term outcomes for short-term political gains,” Colyer said. “I will always, always choose the most optimistic path for Kansas.”
His chance to draw the spotlight and build a short record in office comes with the resignation of Sam Brownback. The embattled governor resigned a year before his second term officially ended to become U.S. ambassador of religious freedom.
Now Colyer looks to cut a public profile separate from Brownback, who’s popularity dwindled steadily in recent years after sweeping tax cuts failed to produce a miracle for the Kansas economy. He’s said he wants to strike a more cooperative tone, but his political views track closely with Brownback’s.
Even as Colyer worked through the biggest day to date of his political life, Democrats revealed at least one way they’ll try to stunt his ambitions. With the launch of BrownbackClone.com, the Kansas Democratic Party sought to tie him to the least popular policies of the man he’s replacing.
“Brownback and Colyer worked side by side over the last seven years to dismantle Kansas’ economy, schools, and roads,” the party said in a mid-morning news release. “Now as governor, Jeff Colyer will be nothing more than a Brownback clone.”
Colyer’s call for cooperation resonated with House Majority Leader Don Hineman, a Dighton Republican.
“It was a good speech, a forward-looking, optimistic speech,” Hineman said. “I’m looking forward to this new beginning with a new governor.”
Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley said the fact that Colyer had already requested a meeting with Democratic leaders was a “good sign.”
“I think that’s a good start,” the Democrat said.
But, Hensley said, he isn’t convinced that Colyer’s policies will be substantially different from Brownback’s.
“I would expect more of the same,” he said, “but I could be surprised.”
Washburn University political scientist Bob Beatty was struck by how the optimistic tone of Colyer’s speech contrasted with the doomsday rhetoric of President Donald Trump and, to a lesser extent, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach.
“This was not a Trumpian speech,” Beatty said. “This was not a speech of ‘oh, my gosh, there’s all these forces against us we have to defeat.’ This was a Reaganesque optimistic speech.”
The transition from Brownback to Colyer took longer than many people expected. Trump nominated Brownback for the position in June 2017, but Senate Democrats pushed back and delayed his confirmation over objections statements Brownback had made about LGBT issues.
Sam Brownback, now former governor of Kansas and an ambassador in the Trump administration, at the swearing in of his successor, Gov. Jeff Colyer. CREDIT JIM MCLEAN / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE
The drawn-out process led to confusion and frustration back in Kansas, where state lawmakers began to prepare for the 2018 legislative session. It was often unclear whether Brownback, or then-lieutenant governor Colyer, was really in charge. The situation became even muddier after Colyer began making more public appearances and announcing the appointments of cabinet positions.
Some clarity came when Brownback gave the State of the State address and laid out his budget proposal. In the end, it didn’t really matter, because the U.S. Senate finally confirmed him to the ambassadorship less than two weeks later.
While Colyer will be taking over the governor’s office for the remainder of Brownback’s term, he’s also running in to keep the job for four more years. He’s already raised more than $600,000, near the top of the Republican field.
Unlike Brownback, Colyer’s led a relatively quiet political life. He served in the Kansas House and Senate before becoming lieutenant governor. His biggest impact on Kansas politics is undoubtedly the privatization of Medicaid known as KanCare. The program, launched in 2013, has reduced the cost of providing healthcare to low income, elderly, and disabled people, but increased red tape causing billing disputes that have frustrated patients and providers.
Many legislators have attacked KanCare, and figuring out how to keep the program moving forward will be among Colyer’s many challenges as he moves into the governor’s office.
First among those could be offering alternatives to the state budget Brownback proposed shortly before resigning. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers voiced concerns about how to pay for several items in the budget, including a large increase in school funding.
“I’m going to be working with legislators and there’s going to be a process over the next few weeks,” Colyer said. “I think that we can come to a solution.”
The last time an event like this happened in Kansas was in 2009, when then Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson took over for Kathleen Sebelius after she was confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Obama White House. Parkinson’s event was simple in comparison to Colyer’s day-long festivities, but unlike Colyer, he had made it clear he would not be running for election at the end of his term.
Jim McLean is managing director of the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter @jmcleanks. Brian Grimmett, based at KMUW in Wichita, is a reporter focusing on the environment and energy for the Kansas News Service. Follow him on Twitter @briangrimmett.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities and officials with USD 345 are investigating student allegations and have updated the timeline of events.
Recently, information came forward on allegations of harassment and the sharing of inappropriate photos that involve students at Seaman High School, according to Shawnee County Sheriff Herman Jones.
In September of 2017, the sheriff’s office received information from USD 345 School Police involving allegations of inappropriate photo sharing covering a time span of 2015-2017. This information was promptly followed up on by the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.
Attempts were made to validate the information, but the allegations were unable to be substantiated. In mid-January of 2018, the Sheriff’s Office received new information of inappropriate photo sharing. The investigation was re-opened. Deputies are currently investigating these allegations and continue to work with USD 345 personnel.
The Sheriff’s office encouraged parents to educate their children on the consequences of sharing inappropriate photos. They also encourage students to utilize the School Resource Officers to answer questions as well as to report inappropriate activity, either on or off campus.
Today A chance of snow before 1pm, then a chance of flurries between 1pm and 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. North northeast wind 9 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 14. Wind chill values as low as 3. Northeast wind 7 to 9 mph becoming south after midnight.
Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Wind chill values as low as 3 early. South wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.
Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. South wind 7 to 10 mph.
Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 54.
Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.
Sunday A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29.
Victor Hugo Fimbres Pesqueir and Diana Aracely Manjarrez Beltran
DICKINSON COUNTY—Deputies of the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic stop Monday on I-70 east of Abilene. During the traffic stop, deputies gained consent to search a 2011 Nissan passenger car with Mexico tags. according to a media release.
During the search of the car, deputies located a kilogram (2.5 pounds) of pure Fentanyl . The two people in the car were then taken into custody.
27-year-old Victor Hugo Fimbres Pesqueir and 32-year-old Diana Aracely Manjarrez Beltran both of Mexico was arrested for possession with intent to distribute an opiate (fentanyl), possession of drug paraphernalia and no drug tax stamp.
The estimated street value of the seized Fentanyl is $1.3 million dollars.
According to the release the case is ongoing and further arrest are possible.
Opportunities Await: Medical Doctor or Mid-Level Practitioner
The City of Logan, Kansas, is looking for a medical doctor or mid-level practitioner to run its rural medical clinic.
If the hustle and bustle of city life is not for you, come join a close-knit community in northwest Kansas with all the amenities including schools Pre-K through 12, a brand-new daycare facility located behind the school, restaurants and more.
The city owns a fully furnished medical clinic and will provide a medical assistant, billing services and support. All we need is an ambitious practitioner looking to serve patients in a friendly small-town environment. We have a 36-bed nursing facility adjacent to the medial clinic, with patients who need served, and we are situated in the corner of four rural counties with four rural hospitals within a 30- to 45-minute drive from our town.
This is an opportunity to practice medicine on your own terms and create a lifestyle that will be the envy of your friends in the big city.
If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, contact Max Lowry, Mayor, at [email protected]
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A 27-year-old man was sentenced to nearly 13 years in prison for the child abuse-related death of an infant girl in Shawnee.
Aaron Peck pleaded no contest in November to intentional second-degree murder in the 2015 death of 7-month-old Analeece McHenry-Widmer.
The Kansas City Star reports Peck was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years and 11 months in prison.
Peck shared an apartment with the baby’s mother.
Paramedics called to the apartment said the baby was having convulsions. Doctors determined she suffered severe head trauma.
Peck initially told police that a 2-year-old child in the home injured the girl but doctors said a young child could not have inflicted the injuries she suffered.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The parents of a toddler fatally injured at a traveling carnival in Kansas have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the carnival’s Missouri-based operator.
Shaun Bartonek and Rheannon Babcock sued Evans United Shows last year in Clinton County Circuit Court in Missouri. Their 15-month-old daughter, Pressley Bartonek, touched an electrically charged fence last May in Wichita and died five days later.
An autopsy report says that a test by an electrical company showed 290 volts coming from the fence. The lawsuit seeks damages of more than $25,000.
Attorney Russ Hazlewood is representing Evans United Shows in Plattsburg, Missouri. He says the lawsuit remains in the early stages and that the business has asked to have the case transferred to Kansas where some key witnesses are.
TOPEKA— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges.
On Tuesday, the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant in the 900 Block of SE Highland Avenue, according to Lt. Colleen Stuart.
Officers located and confiscated Methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and two handguns.
Police also arrested 35-year-old Jessica L Albright. She was transported to the Department of Corrections on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal use of a firearm.
RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two additional cases of alleged rape in Manhattan and the Riley County.
On Tuesday, officers filed a report for rape, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated battery of a 31-year-old woman in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department Activity report. The victim reported she knew the suspect.
On Monday, a 21-year-old woman reported rape by a known male suspect, according to the RCPD.
In July, Riley County authorities said the number of rapes reported in Manhattan and surrounding areas had doubled during the first quarter of the year compared with the same time in 2017.
Sixteen rapes were reported in the first quarter of 2017, up from eight in the same period in 2016.
It is with great sadness that the family of Leonel Hector Herrera, MD, LTC, announces his passing after a brief fight with cancer. He died peacefully while surrounded by his family in his home in Volin, SD on Friday, January 26th 2018, at the age of 67.
Leonel was an accomplished healer, educator, coach, loving husband, and fan of his children and grandchildren. His Catholic faith provided a foundation for how he lived, raised his children, and loved his wife.
He was born on November 13, 1950 in San Antonio, TX to David and Carmen Herrera. He graduated from St. Louis University with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy; University of Nebraska College of Medicine with a Doctorate of Medicine; University of Nebraska College of Medicine / Creighton University Neurology Residency Program.
In 1970, he married Yolanda and enlisted in the US Air Force. He quickly excelled and was offered the opportunity of going to school to further his education. After graduating from St Louis University in 1976, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and assigned to the 55th Medical Group at Offutt AFB as a Physical Therapist where he attained the rank of Captain in 1980. He held this position until 1985 when he graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. He completed his internship in Internal Medicine at Creighton University Hospital. He finished his Neurology training in the Creighton University-University of Nebraska Joint Residency program. In 1990, he opened up his own private practice, Midwest Neurology and Rehabilitation Associates P.C. in Sioux City, IA. In 1999, Capt. Herrera was recommissioned as a Major in the US Army Reserves. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 2004 and held that rank until his retirement in 2010 where he commanded the 388th Medical Battalion, Army Reserve Unit in Hays, Kansas. Starting in 2000, he began working at Great West Casualty Company in South Sioux City, NE where he held his position as Vice President and Medical Director until his final days. He also remained active in private practice on a part-time basis at Tri-State Specialists in Sioux City, IA.
In the 80s and 90s, he was an enthusiastic soccer player, who enjoyed the pleasure of playing on a team aptly named the Holy Name “Wheezers” where he and Yolanda formed many long lasting friendships.
He was preceded in death by his parents David and Carmen Herrera and his brother David Herrera.
Leonel is survived by his wife, Yolanda Herrera; four sons, Leonel Herrera (Stephanie) of Bahrain, LD Herrera (Colleen) of Vermillion, Daniel Herrera (Andrea) of Vermillion, David Herrera of Colorado Springs, CO; three daughters, Katie Herrera of Vermillion, Kathy Herrera of Vermillion, Kelsie Herrera of Yankton, SD. Leonel will also be fondly remembered by his eight grandchildren, Carolanne, Quinton, Josie, Dominic, Brooklyn, Kiara, Natalie, and Micah.
Viewing will be from 5 – 7 pm and will be followed by a Rosary and Prayer Service on Wednesday, January 31st at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Vermillion.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 10:30am, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, with Fr. John Fischer officiating. Interment will follow at St. Agnes Calvary Cemetery. A reception will follow at the parish hall. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Leonel’s life.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on Kansas swearing in a new governor (all times local):
3:15 p.m.
Republican Jeff Colyer has been sworn in as the new Kansas governor.
Colyer took the oath of office Wednesday in a Statehouse ceremony after former GOP Gov. Sam Brownback resigned.
Brownback stepped down to become U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. Colyer was Brownback’s lieutenant governor for seven years.
The 57-year-old Colyer was the state’s longest-serving lieutenant governor.
He is facing a skeptical, Republican-controlled Legislature that is deeply divided over a court mandate to increase spending on public schools.
The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in October that funding for public schools remains constitutionally inadequate. Brownback proposed phasing in a $513 million increase over five years and relying on growth in state revenues to pay for it.
___
11:40 a.m.
Kansas Democrats aren’t waiting until incoming Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer takes office to launch a website criticizing him.
The state Democratic Party unveiled its website Wednesday ahead of Colyer’s swearing-in. The site ties Colyer to the policies of departing GOP Gov. Sam Brownback and is www.BrownbackClone.com .
Colyer has served as Brownback’s lieutenant governor for seven years. Brownback is stepping down as governor to become U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.
Brownback’s popularity waned after his 2014 re-election because of the persistent state budget problems that followed aggressive income tax cuts that Brownback championed in 2012 and 2013. Legislators rolled back most of the tax cuts last year.
Colyer was Brownback’s running mate in 2010 and 2014. He is running for a full, four-year term as governor this year.
