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Police respond to strange call with guy, doll in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY — Law enforcement authorities responded to a strange call in Kansas City Tuesday.

Traffic camera images courtesy KC Police

Just before 11:30a.m, police received multiple calls about a man carrying a topless, unconscious woman on the west side of downtown, according to a social media report.

Callers said it looked like the man wanted to throw the woman over a bridge, dropped her on the sidewalk, dragged her head over a curb, had her slung over his shoulder and appeared to be trying to dress her, according to police. One caller said he was yelling ‘savior’ while holding the woman just east of the 12th Street Bridge.

Multiple officers quickly responded to the scene. They found a man and what they found was totally unexpected, according to the release. The woman was actually a life-size female doll.

The man told police he found it in a dumpster of a restaurant at 16th and Broadway. He had carried the doll to the woods. According to police, they advised him not to carry the doll around in public anymore.

Former Kansas banker guilty in $15M construction loan fraud scheme

WASHINGTON – A former Kansas bank executive was found guilty by a federal jury Monday for his participation in a bank fraud scheme to obtain a $15 million construction loan for certain bank customers based upon false and fraudulent representations, according to the United States Department of Justice.  The loan was shared among 26 Kansas banks.

Troy A. Gregory, 52, of Lawrence, Kansas, was found guilty of four counts of bank fraud and two counts of false statements, as charged in a November 2017 indictment.  The jury failed to reach a verdict as to one count of conspiracy.  Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 28, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Carlos Murguia of the District of Kansas, who presided over the trial.

According to the evidence submitted at trial, Gregory was a bank executive and loan officer who had made millions of dollars in loans to a group of borrowers who were struggling to make payments on the loans. 

Beginning in approximately late 2007, Gregory began the process of making a $15.2 million construction loan to build an apartment complex to that same group of borrowers.  Gregory’s bank shared this loan with 25 other Kansas banks. Gregory made and caused others to make false statements to the banks about the strength of the borrowers, the debt status of the apartment property and the existence of approximately $1.7 million in certificates of deposit for collateral on the loan, all to get the loan approved. Instead of using the loan funds promised for building the apartments, Gregory immediately diverted over $1 million of the loan to pay for part of the certificates of deposit pledged as collateral, pay off debt on the apartment property, and make payments on unrelated loans, the evidence showed.  Other Kansas banks that shared in this loan would not have participated in the loan without the false representations and promises.  The banks ultimately wrote off millions of dollars on the $15.2 million construction loan, the evidence showed.

The FDIC-OIG, IRS-CI, FBI and FHFA-OIG are investigating this matter.  Trial Attorney Andrew R. Tyler and Senior Litigation Counsel David A. Bybee of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

Kansas is first state to propose including children in HCBS brain injury waiver

KDADS

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) is pleased to announce the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently approved its Brain Injury Waiver to include both acquired and traumatic brain injuries for individuals ages 16 years and older.

“Secretary Howard and her team at KDADS have accomplished what is a true collaboration between her agency and interested stakeholders and community partners,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I believe expanding inclusion for this wavier will positively impact many Kansans and I’m grateful for the time and effort so many people put into making it happen.”

In accordance with a legislative proviso, the expanded waiver makes eligible for services under the traumatic brain injury home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver under the Kansas medical assistance program (KanCare):

1. Individuals with a documented brain injury acquired from a cause not already covered under the traumatic brain injury waiver, including, but not limited to, stroke, brain trauma, infection of the brain, brain tumor, anorexia or other cause; and

2. Individuals of any age who would otherwise qualify for services under the traumatic brain injury waiver but for the individual’s age.

“Working with the legislature and collaborating with partners is part of my team’s commitment to continue the long-standing leadership in home and community-based services people expect from KDADS,” Secretary Howard said. “We will continue to look at and talk about innovative ways to approach waiver renewals from a people-first perspective.”

KDADS plans to submit an amendment to CMS later this year to include children younger than age 16 years. Kansas is the first state to propose including children in its brain injury waiver.

Suit: Catholic school in KC fired unwed teacher for being pregnant

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A former teacher at a Catholic school in Kansas City alleges in a lawsuit that she was fired because she was pregnant and unmarried.

A jury trial is scheduled to begin Monday in Michelle Bolen’s lawsuit against the principal of St. Therese Catholic elementary school and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Bolen had worked for the school for nearly 15 years when she lost her job in July 2015. Diocese spokesman Jack Smith says her contract wasn’t renewed for reasons that have nothing to do with her pregnancy.

The suit says Bolen was harassed and that a letter sent to staff announcing that she was expecting described her pregnancy as “less than ideal.” Bolen now works at another school.

Kan. woman charged with murder in 2-year-old son’s death

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 23-year-old Wichita woman has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 2-year-old son.

Compass photo Sedgwick Co.

Kimberly Compass was charged Tuesday in the death of Zayden JayNesahkluah, whose body was found May 31 at a Wichita motel. Authorities have not said how Zayden died.

A criminal complaint filed Tuesday in Sedgwick County says Compass killed her son while committing another felony, aggravated child endangerment.

Compass, who was arrested last Thursday, remains jailed on $500,000 bond for the murder charge and $1 million bond for a probation violation. Her next court date is Sept. 5.

Zayden is at least the ninth child age 5 or younger to die in the Wichita area under suspicious circumstances since 2017. Several of them died after state welfare officials had contact with their families.

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Police release surveillance images of Kan. Islamic Center burglary suspect

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and working to identify a suspect.

Just before 4a.m. August 13,  an unknown suspect burglarized the Islamic Center, 1917 Naismith Drive. in Lawrence, according to officer Patrick Compton.

Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect described as a black male, heavyset in his 20s with a light mustache. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a red NBA hoodie, hat and blue jeans.

Surveillance images courtesy Lawrence Police

Surveillance footage shows the suspect entering the worship center and removing two donation boxes containing approximately $1,000 – $2,000 in cash.

The morning of the incident, the suspect was believed to be driving a maroon or red four-door sedan.

Presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke makes surprise stop in Kansas

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke made an unexpected stop in Kansas Tuesday morning. Wichita District one councilman Brandon Johnson invited The former Texas congressman to R Coffee House 1144 Bitting Street.

O’Rourke is also scheduled to tour the Veterans Community Project and join a roundtable discussion with VCP staff in Kansas City Tuesday, according to an email from his campaign.

The nonprofit founded and run by combat veterans has worked to end homelessness among veterans in Kansas City.

O’Rourke suspended his White House bid for nearly two weeks to stay in his hometown of El Paso, where a mass shooting killed 22 people on Aug. 3.

Man implicated in missing brothers case charged in Kansas

FORT SCOTT, Kan. (AP) — A man charged with tampering with a vehicle owned by two missing Wisconsin brothers is facing new charges in Kansas.Garland Nelson is charged in Bourbon County, Kansas, with endangering the food supply. Prosecutors say Nelson didn’t have proper health papers when he took 35 calves from his family’s farm in Missouri to a farm in Fort Scott, Kansas, in May.

Garland Nelson photo Caldwell Co.

In Missouri , prosecutors allege Nelson abandoned a rental truck used by Justin and Nick Diemel, of Shawano County, Wisconsin, after the brothers visited the Nelson farm in Braymer, Missouri. The brothers were reported missing July 21 and are presumed dead.

A Kansas farmer, David Foster, said the 35 calves brought to his pasture were sick . He says he and Nelson bought 131 calves together but the other 96 died.

Hays First Care Clinic, Sheridan County to share in $1M grant to Kansas health centers

OFFICE OF SEN. MORAN 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Related Agencies – today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is awarding $1,259,650 in Quality Improvement Awards to 18 health centers in Kansas. Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Kansas health centers will use these awards to improve the quality, efficiency and value of the health care they provide.

“Health centers across Kansas provide an invaluable service to their communities, and the healthcare professionals they employ are committed to improving outcomes for Kansans,” said Sen. Moran. “This HHS grant funding will make certain these centers have the resources to continue providing high-quality care. I’m pleased to support the work of these health centers and will continue to work with HHS and health center leadership to advance the wellness of Kansans.”

Kansas Health Center Quality Improvement FY2019 Grant Recipients:

·         Atchison Community Health Clinic, Atchison

·         Cowley County Community Health Center, Winfield

·         Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Pittsburg

·         First Care Clinic, Hays

·         Flint Hills Community Health Center, Emporia

·         GraceMed Health Clinic, Wichita

·         Health Ministries Clinic, Newton

·         Health Partnership Clinic, Olathe

·         HealthCore Clinic, Wichita

·         Heart of Kansas Family Health Care, Great Bend

·         Heartland Medical Clinic, Lawrence

·         Kansas State Department of Health & Environment, Topeka

·         Konza Prairie Community Health & Dental Center, Junction City

·         Prairie Star Health Center, Hutchinson

·         Salina Health Education Foundation, Salina

·         County of Sheridan, Kan., Sheridan

·         Hunter Health Clinic, Wichita

·         United Methodist Western Kansas

Click here for more information on these grants.

By providing patients access to high quality, value-based care, health centers are uniquely positioned to meet the nation’s most pressing health care needs, as well as emerging health priorities. HRSA-funded health centers are the first line of care in combatting the nation’s opioid crisis. In 2018, health centers screened nearly 1.1 million people for substance use disorder and ultimately provided medication-assisted treatment to nearly 95,000 patients nationwide.

HRSA-funded health centers are also playing an important role in the White House Initiative Ending the HIV Epidemic by serving as a key point of entry for the detection, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of HIV. In 2018 alone, health centers provided over 2.4 million HIV tests to more than two million patients. Nationwide, health centers provide care to 1 in 6 patients diagnosed with HIV.

HRSA’s Quality Improvement Awards recognize the work that health centers do to address health priorities by designating health centers that ranked in the top 1-2 percent in one or more key areas – behavioral health, diabetes prevention and management and heart health – as National Quality Leaders. The top 30 percent of health centers that achieve the best overall clinical performance receive designation as Health Center Quality Leaders.

These awards also recognize health center achievements in other areas, including improving cost-efficient care delivery while also increasing quality of care, reducing health disparities, increasing both the number of patients served and patients’ ability to access comprehensive services, advancing the use of health information technology, and delivering patient-centered care.

For more than 50 years, health centers have delivered affordable, accessible, quality and cost-effective primary health care services to patients. Today, nearly 1,400 health centers operate approximately 12,000 service delivery sites that provide care to more than 28 million patients nationwide.

Police: Kan. man dies 15-days after being struck by car

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities continue their investigating an accident that killed a 46-year-old Kansas man.

First responders on the accident scene August 2. photo courtesy KWCH

Just after 5:30a.m. August 2, officers responded to an injury accident at Central and Market in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.. Upon arrival, officers located a man later identified as 46-year-old Kestrno Rodriguez of Wichita in the street with injuries.

He was transported to an area hospital for treatment of critical injuries. On August 17, he died of his injuries, according to Davidson.

The investigation revealed a 44-year-old driving a 2007 Hyundai Accent eastbound on Central and struck Rodriguez who was walking in the street.

The WPD Critical Accident Team responded to assist with the investigation. Speed, alcohol and drugs pertaining to the driver are not believed to be a factor.

Sewer cleaning, inspections start Wed.

CITY OF HAYS

The city of Hays Water Resources Department has contracted with Pro-Pipe to conduct sewer line cleaning and inspections at the locations shown on the map below.

Cleaning will begin Wednesday, August 21, 2019. Pro-Pipe should be completed with the entire project on Friday, November 1, 2019.

Door hanger notices will be placed on homes and businesses affected prior to cleaning.Work will begin at the North end of the project area and proceed South until completed. During this process, residents may experience a rumbling sound, in addition to the possibility of water entering your sink, bathtub and/or toilet. Sewer lines can develop air pressure or a partial vacuum from the cleaning process.

If you will not be home or on vacation during the time of sewer line cleaning, please protect your home by keeping your toilet lids down.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Pro-Pipe’s project manager at 909-568-7070 or the Water Resources Dept. at 785-628-7380.

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