PRATT – In an effort to better serve license buyers, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has upgraded more than 30 types of annual licenses beginning in 2018, making them valid for 365 days at no additional cost. In years past, most Kansas outdoor licenses and permits expired Dec. 31 of each calendar year, regardless of purchase date, leaving many late-season hunters and anglers with a short amount of time to use their licenses before expiration.
Now, Kansas license buyers can enjoy many of their favorite annual licenses for 365 days from the date of purchase, regardless of when they choose to buy. Even better? Many of those 365-day licenses can be automatically renewed each year, ensuring hunters and anglers never forget to buy a license and miss a day in the field or on the water.
Examples of licenses and permits that are valid for 365 days include Resident Annual Combo (Hunt/Fish) licenses, Disabled Veterans licenses, National Guard licenses, Apprentice licenses, Furharvester licenses, select fishing permits and more. To see the complete list, visitksoutdoors.com/365-licenses.
It’s not often you get more for less, but every now and then you do; This is one of those “now and then” times for Kansas outdoor enthusiasts.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man who was convicted of sexually assaulting two runaway girls in 2015 has been sentenced to more than 27 years in prison.
Jordan Lewis, 40, Wichita, was sentenced Dec. 21 in Sedgwick County District Court. He was found guilty on several charges, including aggravated indecent liberties with a child and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Prosecutors say Lewis offered a ride in November 2015 to two teenage girls who’d run away from a group home before he pulled a gun on them. Prosecutors say he drove the girls to a house, where he and another man sexually assaulted them.
Court records show 54-year-old Roderick Martin is also charged in the case. His trial on aggravated human trafficking and rape charges is set for February.
First responders on the scene of Friday’s fatal crash-photo courtesy WIBW TV
SHAWNEE COUNTY — A Kansas man died in an accident just before 1p.m. Friday in Shawnee County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Chevy Silverado driven by Harold E. Poertner, 73, Osage City, was northbound on U.S. 75 just north of 57th.
The pickup left the roadway to the right and entered the ditch. The driver swerved the pickup to the left and attempted to re-enter the roadway.
The driver over-corrected, the pickup entered a counter-clockwise rotation, slid sideways across the northbound lanes, entered the median, and rolled into the west ditch.
Poertner was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on officer shooting, killing man while investigating false report (all times local):
Police body camera images of Thursday night’s fatal incident courtesy Wichita Police
5 p.m.
Police in Wichita, Kansas, say a prankster who lured police to a home in a “swatting” incident is responsible for a fatal officer-involved shooting.
A 28-year-old man was fatally shot by an officer Thursday. Relatives have identified him as Andrew Finch.
Deputy Police Chief Troy Livingston said at a news conference Friday that a prankster called 911 claiming to be an occupant of the home, saying he had shot his father and was holding his mother and a sibling hostage.
When police showed up, Finch went to the front door. Livingston says that when Finch reached toward his waistband, an officer feared he had a gun and shot him.
Livingston says Finch was unarmed and no one in the house was hurt.
The practice of making a false report to get a SWAT team to a location is known as “swatting.” It is most common among online gamers, but relatives say Finch was not a gamer.
___
3:20 p.m.
The FBI is investigating the fatal police-involved shooting of a man in Wichita, Kansas.
A supervisor at the FBI office in Kansas City, Missouri, confirmed Friday that agents have been asked to join the investigation into the death of 28-year-old Andrew Finch. She declined further comment.
Authorities are investigating whether the shooting on Thursday stemmed from someone making up a false report to get a SWAT team to descend upon Finch’s home. The practice known as “swatting” is more common among online gamers.
Police say they were misled by a call indicating a homicide and hostage situation at the home. Finch was shot by an officer when he opened the door of the family home. His mother told the Wichita Eagle that her son was unarmed.
A spokeswoman says a company that runs online gaming tournaments is assisting authorities. UMG Gaming operates online gaming tournaments, including one for the Call of Duty game.
___
Police on the scene of Thursday’s officer-involved shooting-photo courtesy KWCH
1:40 p.m.
A spokeswoman says a company that runs online gaming tournaments is assisting authorities as they investigate the fatal shooting by a police officer of a Kansas man.
UMG Gaming operates online gaming tournaments, including one for the Call of Duty game.
UMG Vice President Shannon Gerritzen said in an email that the company is “doing everything we can to assist the authorities.”
Authorities are investigating whether the shooting of 28-year-old Andrew Finch in Wichita stemmed from someone making up a false report to get a SWAT team to descend upon a home. The practice known as “swatting” is more common among online gamers.
Police have said they were called to Finch’s home Thursday by a false report of a homicide and hostage situation and an officer shot him.
_____
1:15 p.m.
The mother of a Kansas man killed by police responding to a false report of a homicide and hostage situation says her son was “murdered.”
Lisa Finch told The Wichita Eagle that her son, Andrew Finch, was unarmed when he opened the door to the family’s home Thursday night after hearing something. She said he screamed and was shot. She said the family then was forced outside barefoot in freezing cold and that her granddaughter was forced to step over her dying uncle.
Police are investigating whether the call that led police to the home was a so-called “swatting” prank in which someone makes up a false report to get a SWAT team to descend upon a home. It’s more common among online gamers, although Lisa Finch says he didn’t play video games.
12:30 p.m.
A relative has identified a man shot and killed by a police officer investigating a false report of a homicide and hostage situation in Kansas.
Madeline Finch says the man killed Thursday in a Wichita home was her nephew, Andrew Finch. She said the family was “saddened” but declined to comment further. Police are investigating whether the call that led police to the home was a so-called “swatting” prank in which someone makes up a false report to get a SWAT team to descend upon a home.
Deputy Police Chief Troy Livingston says a 28-year-old man was shot as he came to the front door. Livingston didn’t say what caused the officer to shoot the man or whether he was armed. No one else was wounded in the home.
____
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer involved shooting.
Just before 6:30 p.m. Thursday, police responded to a call of a shooting involving hostages in the 1000 block of McCormick in Wichita, according to Deputy Chief Troy Livingston.
The original call indicated an argument with a mother and that the dad was accidentally shot in the head and dead, according to Livingston. The shooter was then holding other family members hostage. Based on that information, police arrived to work a hostage situation.
When police arrived, a man came to the front door of the residence and an officer fired. The 28-year-old man was transported to a local hospital. He was pronounced dead just after 7p.m., according to Livingston.
Police are interviewing family members and worked to process the scene through the night. Despite what police were originally told, there were no other injuries and nobody dead inside the residence, according to Livingston.
The officer involved in the shooting is a 7-year veteran of Wichita police, according to Livingston.
Police are expected to released additional details later Friday.
TOPEKA —Kansans looking forward to a weekend of New Year’s Eve celebrations will have to contend with bitterly cold temperatures and windchills.
Saturday night into Sunday morning temperatures will plummet with potential wind chill values from 15 to 25 degrees below zero. In light of such a forecast, the Kansas Division of Emergency Management is reminding Kansans to take stock of their home and car emergency kits and use caution when traveling or working outside.
“The main concern over the next few days is the bitterly cold temperatures,” said Jonathan York, Response and Recovery Branch director. “These temperatures and wind chills can be deadly if you’re inadequately prepared.”
Emergency kits should include a minimum three-day supply of water (one gallon per day per person), nonperishable high-energy foods, extra blankets, flashlights and extra batteries, a safe alternate heat source, extra medications and other essentials.
If you have to work outside, observe the following safety precautions:
Use many thin, warm layers rather than a few thick layers. It will insulate better and allow you to strip off layers if the temperature climbs.
Do not work alone, if possible. Working with a partner allows you to keep an eye on each other
Work in short periods to avoid over-exertion
Outdoor pets are especially vulnerable to bitter cold and extreme wind chills. Bring outdoor pets inside if possible or ensure that they have a draft-free enclosure with straw-type bedding that is large enough for your pets to lie down, but small enough to hold in body heat if they must remain outside. Always make sure that your pets have access to food and non-frozen water.
For additional pet safety information, go to avma.org and for general winter preparedness information, go to www.ksready.gov.
If you must travel, make sure you and your vehicle are prepared. Check the fluid levels, ensuring that the radiator is winterized, the gas tank is over half-full, and there is plenty of windshield washing fluid. Check tire treads for adequate traction, and replace windshield wiper blades if they are worn.
Keep an emergency kit in the trunk that includes at least:
An ice scraper and shovel
Jumper cables
Flashlights
Sand or kitty litter for traction
Extra blankets or clothing
Non-perishable food
A first aid kit
Matches and candles or flares
Tow rope or chain
On the road buckle up and properly secure children in safety seats
Road conditions are available through the Kansas Department of Transportation. Check conditions before travel by going to www.kandrive.org or on a mobile device, go to https://511mm.ksdot.org. You may also call 5-1-1 from any phone.
For a complete list of items for a home or car emergency kit and for other helpful preparedness information, go to www.ksready.gov.
Lorna Gayle Gotchall TovreaLorna Tovrea January 11th, 1938 – December 19th, 2017
Lorna Gayle Gotchall Tovrea was born in Lebanon, Nebraska on January 11th, 1938, the third child of Alferd Vernon & Edna Frankie (Mays) Gotchall, the granddaughter of Albertus and Anna (Kincaid) Gotchall and Thomas & Minnie (Landis) Mays. She moved with her family to Goodland, Kansas in 1941, where she attended public school, graduating in 1955. While in high school, she enjoyed roller skating, drama, Kayettes, Methodist Youth Fellowship and all school social activities. She was valedictorian of her class.
She was united in marriage to Leonard Barton Tovrea of Brewster, Kansas, on August 14th, 1955 in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Goodland. They move to Manhattan, Kansas, where they both attended Kansas State College. Lorna majored in English and Secondary Education but dropped out of school after the birth of their first son Gaylen Leon.
A year later they moved to San Antonio, Texas for Leonard to take pre-flight training for the United States Air Force; three months later they were transferred to Webb Air Force Base (AFB) in Big Spring, Texas for pilot training, after which Leonard was selected to remain as an instructor pilot. Their second son Gregory Todd was born at Webb AFB hospital. In Big Spring, Lorna began her interest in the Protestant Women of the chapel (serving as the President); began teaching Sunday School; sang with her husband in the chapel choir and was active in the Officers Wives Club. She also starred in a community theater production of The Gazebo.
From Texas Lorna moved with her family to Bentwaters England where the family lived for almost two years. There she was active in the chapel – teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir and attending Protestant Women of the Chapel activities. She loved to go “antiquing,” to attend auctions and travel. During their tour in Europe, she and Leonard traveled to Germany (where she learned to ski), Holland, Belgium, Denmark, France and Scotland. Lorna fell in love with London and the wonderful English train system.
After the death of her husband in May 1966, Lorna returned to Goodland with her sons to await the birth of her third son. Gavin Barton was born in Colby Kansas.
The family moved to Colorado Springs in 1968, where Lorna attended and graduated from Blair Business College with a degree in Advanced Accounting. She married Air Force Sgt. Gerald Causley of Ontario, Canada in 1969; the marriage was later annulled.
Lorna preferred staying at home to be with her children instead of working outside the home, though through the years in Colorado she did work at various times for Gabel Advertising, CT Management Company, and as Protestant Christian Education Coordinator at the Peterson AFB chapel. She was instrumental in forming and directing the Single People Living it Through (SPILIT) program at the chapel, as well as singing in the choir and attending Protestant Women of the Chapel.
Other hobbies she enjoyed in Colorado included dancing; singing with the ENTertainers (the Ent AFB and Peterson AFB Officers’ Wives Club singing group); and singing with the community show choir, the SongSpinners. She was in drama productions with the Fort Carson Players including a starring role in Carousel, parts in Camelot and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
Lorna married Jerry Snyder in Colorado Springs in 1973; the marriage ended in divorce in 1977.
She raised her sons while in Colorado, and she gloried in their achievements, attended their many plays, school activities and football games. She cared for her mother during a period of failing health and was foster mother to great-nephew Travis Gotchall for a year and a half.
She returned to live in Goodland in 1989. Activities in Goodland included District President of the United Methodist Women, Certified UMC Lay Speaker, Church Librarian, serving on the Board of Trustees of the church, teaching Sunday School, Athena Club, and NW Kansas Singles dances. Her life-long love of music and theater led to her becoming a member of the Carnegie Arts Council participating in the productions of Lovers and A Thurber Carnival. Other hobbies included traveling, counted cross stitching, and jigsaw puzzles.
In Goodland, her love of writing bore fruit with the establishment of her newspaper column, “I Don’t Know About You, but…” which began in July 1995 and continued weekly for 10 years.
In 1996, Lorna was called to full-time Christian service and began a five-year Course of Study for ministry within the United Methodist Church. She completed her studies on August 1st, 2002. Her first and only appointment was to Conway Springs United Methodist Church where she was assigned from July 1997 to July 2010. While in Conway Springs she attended the Chamber of Commerce and served as President of the Inter-Church Council.
In 2010 Lorna retired from the ministry and moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida where her son Gavin, and family had settled. While there, she joined a local women’s social group, was active in the Shalimar United Methodist Church and where she occasionally assisted the pastoral staff. Lorna completed her life and faith journey at UAB hospital in Birmingham, Alabama on December 19th, 2017.
She is survived by her sons their and wives, Gaylen “GT” and Jeanie of Longmont, Colorado; Gregory Todd and Jennifer of Japan and Findlay, Ohio; Gavin Barton and Laurel of Shalimar, Florida; also seven grandchildren, Lauren (and husband Robby Busick), John (and wife Jessica), Christopher, Bryant, Honour, Alexa, and Faith; and five great-grandchildren, Evan, Drew, Ella, Von, and Rex.
Memorial services will be held on January 4, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Koons-Russell Funeral Home with Pastor Zach Anderson officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Goodland Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 PM on January 4, 2018 at the funeral home prior to services.
Memorial contributions are designated to the United Methodist Commission on Relief and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211, N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.
Online condolences may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com. Memorial service arrangements are entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.
BARTON COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating two bomb threats in Great Bend.
Just after 9a.m. Friday, a bomb threat was received for the Barton County Courthouse and the county-owned Court Services Building at 1806 12th Street in Great Bend. The 12th Street building hosts several departments including juvenile services, parole office, community corrections, and the K-State Extension Office.
Barton County Operations Director Phil Hathcock says he was notified by 911 Communications and law enforcement searched the building for just over an hour before an “all clear” status was given at approximately 10:15 a.m.
The buildings were evacuated and Deputies from the Barton County Sheriff’s Office and Officers from the Great Bend Police Department searched the buildings for any suspicious items. None were found.
The Barton County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the case and looking into the person or persons behind making the threat.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on proposed changes in the Kansas Legislature’s policy on sexual harassment (all times local):
11:05 a.m.
Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle says training for lawmakers, employees and interns is the first step for the Legislature in addressing sexual harassment.
Annual training for legislators, employees, interns and lobbyists was among the recommendations released Friday by the Women’s Foundation. The Kansas City, Missouri-based foundation promotes gender equity and reviewed the Legislature’s policy against sexual harassment.
The current policy hasn’t changed since 1994 and does not require regular training.
Wagle said such training is a good place to start because education about sexual harassment is important.
Wagle’s and fellow legislative leaders were scheduled to review the proposals Friday afternoon.
The Women’s Foundation says the existing policy has “significant gaps.” The foundation also is calling on the Legislature to have an independent, outside attorney review sexual harassment complaints.
___
9:25 a.m.
A Missouri-based foundation is proposing that the Kansas Legislature have an independent, outside attorney review sexual harassment complaints and bar secret settlements.
The Women’s Foundation also said Friday that the Legislature needs to create what the group calls a “non-fraternization” policy covering interns, legislative staff, lawmakers and lobbyists and ban gifts to interns.
The foundation released its proposals ahead of a Statehouse news conference Friday with Senate President Susan Wagle. The foundation promotes gender equity.
The Legislature’s sexual harassment policy has not been updated since 1994. It says that legislative employees’ complaints about harassment can be brought to supervisors or Legislative Administrative Services.
The foundation also proposes that elected officials, legislative staff, interns and lobbyists receive annual training.
The recommendations also call for more female legislative leaders.
9:25 a.m.
A Missouri-based foundation is proposing that the Kansas Legislature have an independent, outside attorney review sexual harassment complaints and bar secret settlements.
The Women’s Foundation also said Friday that the Legislature needs to create what the group calls a “non-fraternization” policy covering interns, legislative staff, lawmakers and lobbyists and ban gifts to interns.
The foundation released its proposals ahead of a Statehouse news conference Friday with Senate President Susan Wagle. The foundation promotes gender equity.
Wagle-courtesy photo
The Legislature’s sexual harassment policy has not been updated since 1994. It says that legislative employees’ complaints about harassment can be brought to supervisors or Legislative Administrative Services.
The foundation also proposes that elected officials, legislative staff, interns and lobbyists receive annual training.
The recommendations also call for more female legislative leaders.
———-
WF
TOPEKA – Today the Women’s Foundation announced recommendations for preventing and combating sexual harassment in the Kansas Legislature. The recommendations were developed with input from legal experts, advocates and community stakeholders following reports of widespread sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior by Kansas state legislators.
“Every instance of sexual harassment, especially when it is perpetrated by elected officials entrusted with political leadership, is a setback for gender equity and opportunity,” said Women’s Foundation President and CEO, Wendy Doyle. “Our review found that the Kansas Legislature lacks the policies, procedures and coordinated approach necessary to prevent sexual harassment from happening, and to respond effectively when it does. We look forward to helping the Kansas Legislature adopt these recommendations and working with leaders across state government to combat sexual harassment and promote equity and opportunity for all women.”
After reports of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior by Kansas state legislators, Senator Susan Wagle asked the Women’s Foundation to conduct a review of the legislature’s current policies regarding sexual harassment. The recommendations will be formally submitted to the Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council during a public hearing today.
The recommendations are grouped four categories: ethics and workplace culture, accountability and monitoring, education and awareness, and victim resources. They include: requiring elected officials, legislative staff, interns and lobbyists to actively participate in an annual training on civil discourse, cultural competence, and sexual harassment; providing for independent, outside legal counsel to conduct sexual harassment investigations; allowing victims to report their allegations anonymously; establishing a non-fraternization policy for elected officials, legislative staff, interns and lobbyists; and banning arbitration and limiting mediation, which can serve to silence victims and shield sexual predators from accountability.
“Sexual harassment cannot be tolerated – not in our workplaces, not in our communities, and certainly not here in the Capitol,” said State Sen. Susan Wagle. “I thank the Women’s Foundation for their dedication to addressing this issue and their work to develop these thoughtful recommendations. These recommendations give us a roadmap that will guide us in the weeks, months and years ahead as we work to eliminate sexual harassment, improve the culture of the capitol, and ensure the safety of everyone who works here.”
The full list of the recommendations is available here.
The Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women of all ages, using research, philanthropy and policy solutions to make meaningful change. More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org.
Russell I. Unruh, age 82, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at Bethel Home in Montezuma, Kansas. He was born on October 02, 1935 in Newton, Kansas, the son of Abraham and Sarah Holdeman Unruh. Russell was a resident of Wallace County, Kansas from 1957 until 2004 when he moved to Colorado for 10 years before returning to western Kansas and moving to Montezuma. He was a farmer.
He was a member of the Scott Mennonite Church in Pence, Kansas.
On January 17, 1954 he married Dorothy Unruh in Halstead, Kansas. She survives.
Survivors include his Four Sons – Ivan Unruh of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Rodney Unruh of Peoria, Arizona, Steve Unruh of Sharon Springs, Kansas, Kendall Unruh of Olathe, Colorado, One Daughter – Kandee Koehn of Marienthal, Kansas, One Brother – Chester Unruh of Moundridge, Kansas, One Sister In Law – Erma Unruh of Sharon Springs, Kansas, Sixteen Grandchildren and Nineteen Great Grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his Parents, 7 Brothers, 3 Sisters, One Infant Daughter and One Infant Great Grandson.
Funeral Services will be held a the Scott Mennonite Church in Pence, Kansas at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, December 31, 2017 with Richard Koehn, Gilbert Nickel & Charles Schmidt presiding.
Memorials may be given to the Bethel Home in Montezuma, Kansas % Price & Sons Funeral Home.
Interment will be in the Scott Mennonite Church Cemetery in Pence, Kansas.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday and 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Saturday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City.
Palco – Patricia Ann Grecian, 70, passed away Dec. 24, 2017 in Wichita. She was born January 1, 1947 to Quentin and Vivian (Baxter) Base. She married Stanley Grecian, June 4, 1967.
Survivors: husband, Stan; daughters, Stacey Risner (Jay) of Manhattan, Amy Reid (Eric) of Manhattan and Kelly Helms of Colorado Springs, Colorado; five grandchildren; and brother Gary Base of Sedgwick.
Preceded in death by parents; and son-in-law, Joel.
A service of remembrance will be conducted at a dater date as no immediate funeral service is planned at this time.
With the forecasted weather conditions, the Ellis County burn ban has been lifted effective today, Fri., Dec. 29.
Temperatures have returned to normal or below, humidity levels are higher, and wind speeds are projected to stay within safe ranges in the near future.
Ellis County Fire Dept. and Emergency Management hopes everyone has a safe and happy new year! Stay warm!
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City man has been charged with fatally shooting his estranged wife and running her over with a car.
Thirty-five-year-old Howard Tyrone Neely, of Kansas City, was charged Thursday with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the Dec. 16 killing of Joegina Davis. Bond is set at $250,000. No attorney is listed for him in online court records.
Court records say a witness told police he was driving on a south Kansas City road when he saw Davis in the street. The witness said Davis told him that Neely shot and ran her over. She died at a hospital. Relatives told police Neely had abused Davis in the past.
Prosecutors say a shell casing recovered from a September shooting in Kansas City, Kansas, linked Neely to both crimes.
KDWPT
