Three-day weather outlook
Author: Hays Post
Ellis, Osborne, Smith Center among 11 communities receiving state grants
Kansas Department of Commerce
TOPEKA – Secretary of Commerce David Toland has announced the award of a special series of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to support 11 rural communities across Kansas.
These grants are specifically designed to aid communities in constructing or reconstructing community swimming pools. Improvements to recreational assets will enhance the quality of life in each community, a key strategy in economic development.
“Community quality of life projects like these are a strategic use of the CDBG program,” Toland said. “These projects will help provide fun, relaxing summer destinations for these towns located within their own communities, which in turn makes the communities more attractive to current and prospective residents. The development and prosperity of Kansas communities–particularly those in rural areas–is a priority for this Department and for the Kelly Administration, and we are proud to partner with these forward-thinking local leaders to make real improvements to their towns’ quality of life.”
Each city awarded CDBG funding is also providing matching funds toward the project, as detailed below.
Grants have been awarded to the following communities:
- The City of Baxter Springs (Cherokee County) will receive $960,000 in CDBG funds to rebuild the city swimming pool and provide ADA improvements to the bathhouse. Matching funds will be provided in the amount of $640,000 in city funds.
- The City of Blue Rapids (Marshall County) is awarded $763,411 in CDBG funds. The City will use $508,942 in bonds for their matching funds. The funds will be used to demolish and rebuild a zero-entry swimming pool.
- The City of Caldwell (Sumner County) is being granted $961,000 in CDBG funds to construct a fundamental pool. The City will supply $672,143 in matching funds secured with bonds.
- The City of Caney (Montgomery County) will receive $1,000,000 in funds from the CDBG program. Bonds will be used by the city to provide $1,208,000 in matching funds. The city has chosen to construct their almost 4,000 square foot neighborhood center to include a bathhouse.
- The City of Clyde (Cloud County) is granted $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to assure the bathhouse complies with ADA, as well as, the construction of a zero-entry pool. The City employees will demolish the existing structure with force account labor estimated at $16,620 and $682,980 in bonds will be used to complete the project.
- The City of Conway Springs (Sumner County) will create their 19,250 cubic feet neighborhood center through a CDBG grant for $892,121. Also, matching funds in the amount of $594,748 will be made available. This improvement includes a diving board, lifeguard chairs and ladders.
- The City of Ellis (Ellis County) will receive $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to construct a new basic swimming pool with one diving board and fencing. The City is also contributing $850,500 of their local funds.
- The City of Moundridge (McPherson County) will use $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to establish their 4,000 square feet neighborhood center. The City will provide $1,375,768 in bonds to match the grant funds.
- The City of Osborne (Osborne County) is being awarded $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to construct a pool with benches and shade canopies. The City will provide matching funds in cash for $22,000. The total of $1,108,109 was collected from fundraisers, donations and other grants. In addition, the city employees will supply force account labor estimated at $23,977.
- The City of Smith Center (Smith County) will receive $1,000,000 in CDBG funds and provide $700,206 in matching funds from the city. The monies will be used to demolish and reconstruct a 125,000 gallon zero-entry pool.
- The City of Yates Center (Woodson County) is being awarded $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to complete a new swimming pool and bathhouse. This facility will meet all accessibility requirements and is located at 310 West Chellis. The City will provide matching funds in the amount of $729,155.
About CDBG:
The CDBG program is one of the Department of Commerce’s main tools in assisting communities by distributing federal funds to Kansas cities and counties looking to improve their community.
To receive funds, a project must meet at least one of the following federally mandated criteria:
- The project benefits low- and moderate-income individuals.
- The project removes or prevents slum or blight condition.
- The project eliminates an urgent need created by a disaster when local funds are unavailable.
UPDATE: Russell teen reported missing is located
UPDATE, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday: A teenager reported missing from Russell since June 30 has been found, according to Great Bend Post.
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RUSSELL — According to Kansas Missing & Unsolved, police are seeking information on the whereabouts of a missing 15-year-old from Russell.
Conor Weihe has been missing since June 30. He is described as 5 foot, 6 inches tall, 135 pounds with dirty-blond hair and blue eyes.
He was last known to be wearing a white Champion shirt, black shorts and black shoes, according to KM&U.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Russell County Sheriff’s Office at (785) 483-2151.
Click the image for more fromKansas Missing & Unsolved.
UPDATE: NWS warns of flash flooding in Rush, Ellis counties
UPDATE
5:28 p.m. Tuesday: The National Weather Service in Dodge City has issued a flash flood warning for northeastern Rush County and south-central Ellis County.
At 5:05 p.m., radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Up to 2 inches of rain have already fallen. Flash flooding is expected to begin shortly.
Some locations that will experience flooding include Schoenchen, Liebenthal, Pfeifer and Loretta.
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The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement warning of a potentially damaging thunderstorm in the area.
UPDATE
At 432 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Schoenchen, moving north at 10 mph.
The NWS said winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include… Schoenchen, Liebenthal, Loretta, Pfeifer, Munjor, Antonino and Toulon.
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At 4:01 p.m., radar indicated a strong thunderstorm near McCracken in Rush County, moving north at 10 mph.
The NWS said torrential rain and winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with the storm.
Locations impacted include McCracken, Liebenthal, Nekoma and Hargrave.
New record set for money returned to Kansas taxpayers
KS STATE TREASURER
TOPEKA – Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner set a new Kansas record for the amount of money returned to taxpayers from the Unclaimed Property division of the State Treasury. At the close of business June 30th, the end of FY2019, the State Treasurer’s Office returned $27.1 million in unclaimed property to Kansans, up from last year’s $26.5-million record also set by LaTurner.
“After setting a record high amount of returns last year, we wanted to make sure we set our sights on an even higher goal this year,” said LaTurner. “I am so delighted we were able to not only reach our goal, but exceed it. Thousands of Kansans have money back in their wallets because of the hard work of our staff and the help of the many media outlets that allowed us to help Kansans far and wide get connected with their unclaimed property.”
Throughout the year, LaTurner and his team set up events statewide to help residents across Kansas search for their unclaimed property. In addition to those outreach efforts, the Treasurer’s Office held two live television events in FY2019 hosted by WIBW of Topeka and KWCH of Wichita to raise awareness of the millions in unclaimed property waiting to be claimed. LaTurner has also made it a focus since becoming Treasurer in 2017 to improve the claims process with new technology, including adding direct deposit as an option for Kansans to receive their money faster.
“Giving Kansans back their unclaimed cash is such a rewarding part of what we do at the Treasurer’s Office. It is a major endeavor to give back $27.1 million, and we still have over $350 million waiting to be claimed. We encourage all Kansans to check back regularly for themselves, their family members, and friends,” said LaTurner.
Governor appoints executive director to Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission
OFFICE OF GOV.
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced the appointment of Audé Amelia Negrete of Overland Park as executive director of the Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission.
The Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission serves as a liaison for the Kansas Hispanic and Latino community and the Office of the Governor, with the goal of serving needs of Hispanic and Latino residents in areas of culture, education, employment, health, housing, welfare, and recreation.
“Audé’s own life experience and desire to address challenges faced by Hispanic and Latino residents of our state made her an ideal choice to lead this commission,” Governor Kelly said. “She’ll be a valuable contributor, just as she’s been over the years in her successful efforts surrounding social justice and civic engagement.”
Born in Mexico City, Negrete was 14 when her family left Mexico for to the United States and Kansas. During her career, she’s been involved in numerous initiatives designed to provide educational, social and economic services for Hispanic and Latino families in Kansas.
The seven-member Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission includes four members representing each of the state’s congressional districts, and three at-large members.
Negrete will fill the executive director position previously held by Richard Martinez.
Police: Registered Kan. sex offender jailed for weekend stabbing
SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend stabbing and have a suspect in custody.
Just after 2:00 p.m. Saturday, police responded to a call for service due to a stabbing at 17th and Topeka Boulevard in Topeka, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith. While on scene, officers located a victim, and determined the incident to be an Aggravated Battery.
EMS transported the man to a local hospital with injuries found to be non-life threatening. Detectives conducted follow up investigations and identified Lavaughn Lewis, , 44, as a suspect.
Just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday, officers located Lewis in the 1300 Block SW Western in Topeka where he was taken into custody without incident. He is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for on requested charges of Aggravated Battery.
He has previous convictions for burglary and indecent liberties with a child and is a registered sex offender, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Family of Kansas murder victims settles lawsuit with killer
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A lawsuit brought by the family of a Kansas murder victim against his killer has been settled.
Douglas County court records show the case against Danny W. Queen was dismissed after an undisclosed settlement was reached.
The 38-year-old Eudora man is serving nearly 19 years for the murder of 32-year-old Bo Hopson in 2017. A jury convicted him of second-degree murder as well as attempted second-degree murder and attempted voluntary manslaughter for trying to shoot two other bar patrons.
Queen was kicked out of the bar after making offensive comments to women. When Hopson offered to find Queen a ride home, Queen pulled a gun and shot Hopson, who was the bar’s security guard.
The victim’s father, Scott Hopson, sued after Queen’s arrest.
AG tosses part of closure complaint against Kansas Senate
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A government transparency group says the Kansas attorney general’s office has dismissed part of a formal complaint, while continuing to investigate whether the public was denied the right under the Open Meetings Act to observe Senate business after the visitor gallery was closed during a protest.
The Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government sought intervention by Attorney General Derek Schmidt after the May 29 Senate session was interrupted by supporters of Medicaid expansion.
Reporters were removed from the chamber during the protest. Senators, legislative staff, employees of the governor and others were allowed to remain.
Sunshine Coalition President Ron Keefover says the attorney general’s office notified the organization that allegations the Senate violated its own rules and operated contrary to the First Amendment went beyond its authority.
KHP: SUV-semi fatality accident reported in Trego County
TREGO COUNTY — The Kansas Highway Patrol has reported that a 60-year-old Ness County man was killed in an accident just before 1:30 p.m. Monday in Trego County.
The KHP said a 2007 Pontiac SUV driven by James R. Rohr, 60, Ransom, was traveling northbound on U.S. 283 near the intersection of County Road S when the vehicle drifted across the centerline. The SUV struck a semi driven by Chance W. McMullen, 27, Norton.
Rohr’s vehicle came to rest in the northbound lane, and the semi came to rest in the west ditch.
The KHP said both drivers were properly restrained.
Orman L. Brent
Orman L. Brent, age 89, of Ulysses, Kansas, died Sunday, June 30, 2019, at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, Kansas. He was born January 31, 1930, in Alton, Kansas, the son of Ola LeRoy and Helen Elizabeth (Weethee) Brent.
Orman moved to Denver at the age of 18 and worked in the Denver Stockyards; at 23 he moved to Stockton, California, and worked for a rubber company. Four years later he moved to Ulysses and worked for Columbian Chemicals at Hickok Carbon Black Plant. He retired in 1995. Orman met Betty Lou Oliver in 1958, which lived across the alley from him. They dated and married on April 3, 1959; just celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. Orman also worked part time as a mechanic and later repaired TV’s and electronics. In 1974, Orman opened Brent’s TV and Electronics. His hobbies and enjoyment were his family, playing the harmonica while Betty accompanied him on the organ or accordion, helping the boys in the family with carpentry or mechanic work. Orman was a very hard worker, sometimes working 40 hours a week at both his full time and part time jobs.
Orman is survived by his wife, Betty of their home; sons, Kevin Lynn Brent and Kenneth Dean Brent both of Ulysses; daughter, Tamara Sue Bartron and husband Terry of Winfield, West Virginia; brother, John Francis Brent of Dodge City, Kansas; sister, Roma Doraine York of Fort Smith, Arkansas; seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; and expecting a great-grandchild and great-great grandchild.
Orman is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William Leroy and David Owen; and sister, Irene Lucille Branham.
Funeral service will be Friday, July 5, 2019, at 10:30 AM at Country View Baptist Church in Ulysses with Pastor James Berry officiating. Interment will follow at Ulysses Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, July 4, 2019, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses. Memorial contributions may be given to American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880.
News From the Oil Patch, July 1
By JOHN P. TRETBAR
Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson closed out the month of June at $48.75 [[“forty-eight seventy-five”]] per barrel. That’s five dollars more than at the beginning of the month, thirteen dollars more than at the beginning of the year, but nearly sixteen dollars less than last year at this time. The average price for June was $45.14 [[“forty-five fourteen”]] per barrel, compared to $57.50 [[“fifty-seven fifty”]] in June of last year.
Baker Hughes reported 967 active drilling rigs across the U.S. Friday, an increase of four oil rigs. There are 124 active drilling rigs in Canada, up five. Oklahoma reports an increase of two rigs and Texas was up one. Independent Oil & Gas Service reports six active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, up two for the week, and 22 west of Wichita, which is unchanged.
Triple-A is predicting higher gasoline prices for some of us going into the Independence Day holiday. A fire in Philadelphia forced the permanent shutdown of the oldest and largest refinery on the east coast. The federal government announced large reductions in domestic crude oil and gasoline inventories. This could all push pump prices higher. The national average price for a gallon of regular on Monday (7/1) was up a penny to just over $2.71 a gallon, which is about 11 cents lower than last month at this time. The average in Kansas was a little over $2.46 a gallon. Locally, you should be able to save about two dollars on your 15-gallon fill up compared to a month ago.
Regulators report just 115 new intent-to-drill notices across Kansas for the month of June, bringing the statewide total to just 530 for the first half of 2019. That’s 355 fewer intents than the total through June of 2018, a year in which total Kansas crude production reached its lowest level in more than a decade. There was one new intent filed last month Barton County. That’s 18 so far this year. Ellis County reports six new intents in June and 20 through the month of June. Russell County had one last month and seven year-to-date. There were no new intents filed last month in Stafford County, which has 11 for the first six months of the year.
The Kansas Geological Survey reports the state’s crude oil production in March was 2.8 million barrels. First quarter production was just over 8.1 million barrels statewide. Barton County production stands just short of 400-thousand barrels for the first three months of the year. Ellis County produced 625-thousand barrels. The total in Russell County was 369-thousand barrels and Stafford County produced just over 253-thousand.
Regulators approved 24 permits for drilling at new locations statewide last week, seven east of Wichita and 17 in Western Kansas, for a total of 455 permits so far this year. There’s one new permit in Ellis County and one in Russell County.
Independent Oil & Gas Service reports continuing weather-related problems delaying some production activity in Western Kansas. There were four leases in Ellis County where the site is too wet to begin completion work. There was one well completed in Ellis County last week and three in Barton County. Across the state there were 46 newly-completed wells, 750 so far this year. There were 33 completions in Western Kansas and 13 east of Wichita.
The government said U.S. crude oil inventories dropped nearly 13 million barrels last week to 469.6 million barrels. That’s about five percent more than the five-year average for this time of year.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported domestic production was down slightly to 12.07 million barrels per day for the week ending June 21. That’s a drop of 92-thousand barrels from the week before, but over a million barrels per day more than a year ago at this time.
Imports were down more than 800-thousand barrels to 6.7 million barrels per day. The four week average for imports is down more than 10% from the same period a year ago.
A new report shows that we’re consuming a lot more oil than we’re producing. According to the authoritative Statistical Review of World Energy from BP, worldwide crude oil consumption set a record last year at 99.8 million barrels per day. Worldwide production only reached 94.7 million barrels per day. The United States remains the world’s top oil consumer, at 20.5 million barrels per day last year. China was second and India was third.
Sky high economic expectations in the Permian Basin in southeastern New Mexico are prompting United Airlines to offer daily flights direct from Hobbs, New Mexico to Denver. United is ready to start the new service October 28. Flights from Hobbs to Houston began eight years ago.
Larned man sentenced for attacks on NW Kan. internet service provider
WICHITA – A Larned man was sentenced today to 27 months in federal prison for causing a series of denial of service attacks on a Kansas internet service provider, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
In April, a jury convicted Michael D. Golightley, 35, Larned, Kan., on seven counts of damaging a protected computer and one count of threatening to damage a protected computer.
During trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Golightley contacted an entity called DDosCity to arrange for a series of attacks on Nex-Tech’s computers.
Nex-Tech is an internet service provider with offices in Hays, Lenora, Beloit, Concordia, Courtland, Dodge City, Downs, Great Bend, Hill City, Hoxie, McPherson, Norton, Osborne, Phillipsburg, Plainville, Quinter, Russell, Salina, Smith Center, Stockton and WaKeeney.
Prosecutors presented evidence that on March 30 and 31, 2017, Nex-Tech was hit by three denial of service attacks that overloaded the company’s servers.
Before the attacks, Golightley sent Nex-Tech two threats. He was angry about the company removing an ad he placed on Nex-Tech Classifieds for a PlayStation 3 game that been “jail broken,” or modified to bypass a system security check. Golightley placed the ad a second time and sent Nex-Tech a warning that he would “violate this site by bringing it offline” if the ad were removed again. He added: “If u make me upset, I will retaliate — your choice.”
McAllister commended the FBI, Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan McCarty for their work on the case.
— Corrected 8 a.m. Tuesday after U.S. Attorney’s Office clarification