WASHINGTON, D.C. — Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner and attorneys representing his office will appear before the U.S. Court of Federal Appeals in Washington, D.C., Thursday, February 7 to continue his fight to recover the proceeds of lost, abandoned, unclaimed, and/or stolen United States Savings Bonds for Kansas citizens.
“The men and women of the Greatest Generation purchased these bonds during a time when people put trust in their government’s pursuit of the greater good. Their sacrifices helped finance the war against Hitler, build the interstate highway system, and put a man on the moon,” said LaTurner. “Now it is time for that same government to honor its commitments and repay its debt to those who built it.”
The Court of Federal Claims, in a strongly worded opinion, ruled on August 8, 2017 that Kansas was entitled to the information from the United States Treasury on the bonds sold in Kansas. This information would give the State Treasurer’s Office the tools they need for researching the rightful owners of these bonds and connecting them with their unclaimed money. The United States Treasury has appealed that ruling. The ruling was a first of its kind with respect to U.S. savings bonds and a positive first step in the fight to return the bonds proceeds to Kansas and other states as well.
It is estimated that there are $26-billion in matured but unclaimed bonds nation-wide with more than $200-million belonging to Kansans. In many cases, bonds remain unclaimed because the rightful owners or heirs are unaware they exist. J. Brett Milbourn, lead attorney on the Kansas State Treasurer’s appeal of this case believes the best vehicle for returning this money exists at the state, rather than the federal level.
“State Treasurers around the country already have a number of resources at their disposal to reunite citizens with their missing or unclaimed property,” said Milbourn. “Although the U.S. Department of the Treasury has a responsibility to notify and pay these mature bonds, the government has no plan – nor any real incentive — for keeping the promises it made when these patriots loaned it the money.”
In addition to Kansas, South Dakota, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Indiana, Arkansas and Florida have cases pending in the Court of Federal Claims seeking the same relief. A total of 20 states have followed Kansas’ lead and passed laws to allow the Unclaimed Property Administrator of the state to seek recovery of lost, stolen, or abandoned bonds.
On September 7, 2018, 20 senators, including Senators Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary Steven Mnuchin urging him to work with Kansas and other states to resolve their claims and help the states reunite original bond owners with their proceeds of unclaimed U.S. Savings Bonds.
MEADE COUNTY – A California man pleaded guilty Monday to driving more than 29 pounds of methamphetamine to Kansas, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Delgado-Lopez- photo Meade Co. Sheriff
Christian Delgado-Lopez, 30, Dana Point, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The Kansas Highway Patrol stopped Delgado-Lopez for a traffic violation in Meade County. Troopers found 14 packages of methamphetamine weighing 13.6 kilos (29.9 pounds) in his vehicle.
Sentencing is set for April 12. He faces a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. McAllister commended the Kansas Highway Patrol and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh for their work on the case.
COWLEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a hit and run injury accident and asking the public for help to locate a vehicle.
Just after 1a.m. Wednesday, police responded to an accident, which occurred in the 1800 block of South Summit Street in Arkansas City, according to a media release.
Police found a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser with substantial damage.
Police suspect, based on evidence gathered at the scene, that the PT Cruiser was struck by a northbound 2012 or 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 pickup truck on the South Summit Street bridge.
The truck apparently was northbound on U.S. 77 when it struck the rear of the PT Cruiser, driving it into the east guardrail. The Silverado then crossed the median, struck the west guardrail and returned across the median to the southbound lanes, again striking the PT Cruiser.
T
he driver of the Silverado fled the scene northbound into Arkansas City, but left behind vehicle parts that helped to identify the make and model of the truck.
The victim of the hit-and-run was transported to South Central Kansas Medical Center with head and facial injuries. The PT Cruiser has substantial front-end, front fender and rear-end damage.
The suspect’s Silverado should have substantial damage to its front end, right front fender and left front fender. The vehicle could be missing one or both headlight assemblies, as well.
Anyone who has any information about this crime, or who spots this Chevrolet Silverado 2500 pickup truck or the suspect, is asked to call the Arkansas City Police Department at (620) 441-4444.
PAWNEE COUNTY – The Special Agent Supervisor Nicholas Yeager with the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) has submitted Probable Cause Affidavits to the Pawnee County Attorney’s Office for review regarding the disturbance on November 6, 2018 at the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility (LCMHF), according to a media release.
Damage done during the disturbance at the Larned Correctional Facility in 2018-photos courtesy Cheryl Cadue Kansas Department of Corrections
“Based on a review of the affidavits, I believe there is sufficient evidence to charge the twenty individuals identified by Department of Corrections staff as being primarily responsible for the riots and damage at LCMHF,” stated Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.
“There is no evidence to support any breach of the individual housing units in the Central Unit. Accordingly, my office is legally treating this as four self-contained riots occurring contemporaneously within the Central Unit.”
The following individuals have been charged and warrants issued: Curtis Core, 26; Manuel Acevedo, 27; Richard Peterson, 40; Joey Terrazas-Garcia, 23; Jacob Bagby, 20; Lance Sutton, 22; Alexis Banuelos, 21; Caesar Hermosillo, 25; Nathaniel Dipman, 20; Anthony Reed, 22; Kab Issa, 20; Jesse Bellamy, 25; Leo, Wells, 22; Joshua Tucker, 22, Joshuah Blake, 21; Nicholas Aldridge, 19; Darrell Pettus, 23; Marcel Wamser, 22; and Aaron McDonald. Each identified inmate was charged with (1) Incitement to Riot; (2) Criminal Damage to Property in excess of $1,000, but less than $24,999; and (3) Rioting.
First Appearances have not yet been scheduled.
The crime of Incitement to Riot is a Severity Level 8 person felony and carries a sentence between 7 and 23 months depending on a defendant’s criminal history.
It should be noted that despite still having “mental health” in the facilities name, on May 23, 2017, KDOC announced a change in the mission of LCMHF to young adult male offenders who have identified needs for educational and/or substance abuse services.
The local Historical Society in Hays is in the early stages of planning for a new downtown museum building and is asking the public for input.
Visit www.echshays.org to take a short survey that will gauge community support for the project.
Located at 100 W. Seventh, the Ellis County Historical Society, founded in 1972, collects, preserves and exhibits items and documents that illustrate the history of Ellis County.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect wanted in connection with a felony arrest warrant who barricaded himself inside a home.
Slocum -photo Shawnee County
On Tuesday evening, police responded to the 700 block of SW College in Topeka, reference an attempt to locate an man with a felony arrest warrant, according to Lt. Andrew Beightel.
The man identified as 32-year-old Bobby D. Slocum did not comply with officer’s orders or requests to come out of the residence. It was discovered that others were also in the house, including children.
Topeka Police Departments Crisis Negotiators and Response team responded to the scene.
After several hours, officers were able to talk Slocum out of the house, where he was taken into custody without incident. The other household members were also unharmed and are now safe.
Slocum is being held on requested charges that include Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault, Aggravated intimidation of a witness, Aggravated endangerment of a child, interference with a Law Enforcement Officer and the felony arrest warrant.
RAWLINS COUNTY – Autopsies were completed in the Feb. 1 shooting deaths of Gary E. Withers, and Danny E. Withers, from Rawlins County.
The preliminary autopsy results for Gary E. Withers, 74, revealed he died from a gunshot wound, and the manner of death was homicide.
The preliminary autopsy findings in the death of 41-year-old Daniel “Danny” E. Withers, revealed he died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Evidence suggests that Danny Withers shot his father, Gary Withers, and then shot himself. The investigation is ongoing. Nothing further will be released at this time.
ROOKS COUNTY — The Rooks County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating a fugitive.
John Karl Swaney, 51, has felony arrest warrants for his arrest in Rooks and Phillips counties. Both warrants are for distribution of marijuana.
“Swaney was to be sentenced to prison today,” the department reported. “Swaney failed to appear in court today in Rooks County District Court and last week in Phillips County District Court. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Swaney, please contact the Rooks County Sheriff’s Office at (785) 425-6312.”
Wednesday, February 6, 2019 is National Signing Day. Fort Hays State head football coach Chris Brown held a press conference on Wednesday. Here’s the video:
Brenden Akin, 6-5, 285, DL, Mesa, Ariz. (Skyline HS)
Skyline HS: Recorded 42 tackles, eight sacks, and two pass breakups as a senior…Earned Scholar Athlete award.
Mason Baalmann, 6-2, 190, WR, Wichita, Kan. (Bishop Carroll HS)
Bishop Carroll HS: All-state honorable mention selection…All-City first team selection…Named to Kansas Top 100 list as a senior.
Ty Cooper, 6-0, 175, DB, Wamego, Kan. (Wamego HS)
Wamego HS: Two-time all-state honorable mention selection at defensive back…Named to Sports in Kansas Top 100 list two years in a row.
Alex Cordova, 5-11, 240, OL, Mount Hope, Kan. (Garden Plain HS)
Garden Plain HS: All-state honorable mention selection…Unanimous all-league first team selection…Named to Kansas Top 100 list as a senior.
Kendrick Davis, 6-3, 335, OL, West Bend, Wisc. (Iowa Western CC)
Iowa Western CC: Second-team all-region selection on the offensive line as a sophomore.
Nic Devore, 6-1, 270, OL, Wichita, Kan. (Maize HS)
Benjamin Donald, 6-1, 190, P/K, Ferney Creek, Australia (St. Joseph’s College (Australia))
St. Joseph’s College: All-region first team selection as a punter…Team’s Special Teams Player of the Year…All-conference selection at punter.
Bret Gilbert, 6-4, 225, DL, Amarillo, Texas (Amarillo HS)
Amarillo HS: All-District 2-5A Division I First Team selection on the defensive line as a senior…Academic all-district accolades…Served as team captain…As a senior, recorded 71 tackles, five sacks, and eight tackles for loss.
Ted Hessing, 6-6, 340, OL, Stuart, Fla. (Arizona Western CC)
Arizona Western: Starter on the offensive line two years at Arizona Western, helping the team to a 9-1 record in 2017 and a 6-5 mark in 2018…Helped the team to a national runner-up finish in 2017 as the team went undefeated in the regular season before falling to East Mississippi Community College in the title game.
South Fork HS: All-state third team selection as a senior…Three-time all-area selection…Participated in Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star Game…All-area selection in lacrosse.
Darnell Holloway, 6-3, 195, QB/WR, Russell, Kan. (Osborne HS) Osborne HS: 8-Man Division II Offensive Player of the Year…All-state first team selection in 8-Man Division II as a senior by both the Wichita Eagle and Topeka Capital Journal…Helped team to 8-Man Division I state championship as a sophomore in 2016 and 8-Man Division II state runner-up finish as a senior in 2018…All-state honorable mention selection as a junior in 8-Man Division I…Participated in 8-Man All-Star Game…All-Area Top 11 selection…Played quarterback in high school but will likely transition to wide receiver in college.
Dawson Hornbeck, 6-0, 250, OL, Crescent, Okla. (Crescent HS)
Crescent HS: Three-time all-district selection as an offensive lineman…Member of the Daily Oklahoman Preseason All-State Team…Four-year starter…Team captain…On the defensive side of the ball as a senior, recorded 72 tackles, five sacks, and 12 tackles for loss…Helped team to a Class A state runner-up finish in 2017.
Jonathan Hunnacutt, 5-11, 190, K, Phillipsburg, Kan. (Phillipsburg HS) Phillipsburg HS: All-time high school kick scoring record holder in the state of Kansas with 263 points (197 PATs, 22 field goals)…All-state first team selection in Kansas Class 2A as a specialist during his senior year of 2018…Topeka Capital Journal Top 33 All-Class selection…All-Area Top 11 by Hays Daily News…Three-time all-state selection…Three-time all-league selection…Member of Kansas Class 2A state championships in 2015 as a freshman and 2018 as a senior.
Hunter Igo, 6-1, 170, DB, Derby, Kan. (Derby HS)
Derby HS: Named to Topeka Capital Journal Top 11 Team for the entire state of Kansas…All-state first team selection at defensive back as a senior…All-Metro selection at defensive back…Accounted for nearly 2,000 total yards and 30 TDs as a quarterback during senior year…Helped Derby to state championships as a sophomore in 2016 and senior in 2018.
Corbin Ingrim, 5-11, 210, LB, Augusta, Kan. (Circle HS)
Circle HS: Two-time all-league selection…Served as team captain for two years…Two-time team MVP…Named to Kansas Top 100 list as a senior…Compiled 202 tackles, seven sacks, six forced fumbles, and one interception in his prep career.
Ryan Jarmer, 6-1, 225, LB, Garden City, Kan. (Garden City HS)
Garden City HS: Two-time all-state honorable mention selection…Two-time all-conference selection…Earned team’s Golden Helmet Award and Chad Dew Spirit Award.
Blake Martin, 6-6, 230, DL, Hesston, Kan. (Hesston HS)
Hesston HS: All-district first team selection at tight end and second team selection at defensive end…All-league selection at both defensive lineman and tight end.
Myles Menges, 6-4, 210, QB/ATH, Bushton, Kan. (Central Plains HS) Central Plains HS: All-state first team selection as a senior in Kansas Eight Man Division I…All-state honorable mention selection as a junior in 2017…Helped team to state championship in Eight Man Division I as a senior in 2018…All-league selection as a senior at both quarterback and defensive back…Named to the Top 100 seniors in Kansas list…Threw for over 1,200 yards and rushed for over 300 yards during senior year.
Tyquilo Moore, 6-4, 290, DL, Columbia, S.C. (Butler (Kan.) CC)
Butler (Kan.) CC: All-KJCCC Second Team selection at defensive tackle as a sophomore in 2018…Recorded 19 tackles, one sack, and three tackles for loss as a sophomore…Recorded 10 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss as a freshman.
White Knoll HS: All-state, all-region, and all-area selection…Team’s Defensive MVP…Selected for North/South All-Star Game.
Jack Myers, 6-0, 220, LS, Joplin, Mo. (Joplin HS)
Joplin HS: Rated a 4.5 star long snapper by Kohl’s Kicking Camps…Served as team’s long snapper for three years…Helped team to a district title as a senior and a conference championship as a junior…State medalist in powerlifting.
Matthew Redick, 6-4, 305, OL, Wichita, Kan. (Bishop Carroll HS)
Bishop Carroll HS: Helped team to a Kansas Class 5A state quarterfinal appearance as a senior…Helped team to a Class 5A state championship as a junior.
Shaun Ross, 6-0, 170, DB, Raytown, Mo. (Van Horn HS)
Van Horn HS: All-state selection…All-district first team selection…Also served as team’s quarterback, recording over 1,000 passing yards and 1,400 rushing yards.
Jacob Schroeder, 6-4, 290, OL, Victoria, Kan. (Victoria HS)
Xavier Slaven, 5-11, 205, DL, Colby, Kan. (Colby HS) Colby HS: All-state honorable mention selection at defensive end as a senior…All-state honorable mention selection at offensive lineman as a junior…Two-time all-league first team selection…Named 2018 Colby High School Lifter of the Year and Thrower of the Year in Track and Field…State placer in the shot put as a junior.
Landon Teel, 6-2, 265, DL, McKinney, Texas (McKinney North HS)
McKinney North HS: Two-time All-District 14 5A First Team selection at defensive tackle…Team’s defensive MVP as a senior.
Senituli Teuhema, 6-2, 265, Arlington, Texas (Lamar HS)
Lamar HS: Two-time all-district selection as an offensive lineman.
Voshon Waiters, 6-2, 220, Miami, Fla. (ASA College Miami)
ASA Miami: As a freshman in 2016, threw for 1,380 yards and 18 touchdowns, while rushing for 118 yards…As a sophomore in 2017, threw for 472 yards and five touchdowns in just four games at quarterback.
Coral Gables HS: All-county selection…Participated in Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game.
Haden White, 6-2, 215, QB/TE, Mustang, Okla. (Mustang HS)
Mustang HS: All-state honorable mention selection at quarterback…Threw for over 1,000 yards with 11 touchdowns during senior year.
Hayden Wiltfong, 6-6, 230, TE, Edmond, Kan. (Norton Community HS) Norton Community HS: All-state honorable mention selection as a senior by the Topeka Capital Journal and Wichita Eagle…Named to Hays Daily News All-Area First Team…All-state selection by the Kansas Football Coaches Association…All-league first team selection at both tight end and defensive end.
Brett Winsor, 6-3, 170, WR, Pratt, Kan. (Pratt HS)
Pratt HS: All-state honorable mention selection as both a wide receiver and defensive back…All-league first team selection…Had over 600 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a receiver, while recording 65 tackles and eight interceptions as a senior.
Logan Schulte, 6-4, 270, DL, Hays, Kan. (Hays HS) Hays HS: All-state honorable mention selection by the Topeka Capital Journal and Wichita Eagle…All-league first team selection as a senior and second team selection as a junior…All-Area Second Team selection by the Hays Daily News…Recorded 71 tackles and 18 tackles for loss as a senior.
Trenton Harbur, 6-2, 225, RB, Gothenburg, Neb. (Gothenburg HS)
Gothenburg HS: Participated in the River Battle Bowl that features top high school prospects from Nebraska and Iowa…Recorded over 1,100 rushing yards his senior year…
SALINA — The Board of Trustees at St. John’s Military School in Salina announced Wednesday that the school will not reopen after the current year.
According to a media release, St. John’s will continue to operate through May 11.
The following is the text of an email that was sent from Col. William J. Clark, St. John’s Military School President:
With heavy hearts, the Board of Trustees announces that the 131st Corps of Cadets, will be the last at St. John’s Military School; the school will not reopen after the current year.
St. John’s will continue to operate through May 11 culminating with a celebration of its rich history during Commencement Weekend. Until that time, the education and leadership opportunities offered to cadets will remain robust and daily routines will be maintained.
Considerable research, thought, contemplation, discussion, and prayer has factored into this arduous decision. For over 131 years, St. John’s has been a school dedicated to helping young men grow spiritually, morally, intellectually, and physically in a safe environment.
For several years, school leaders have sought to sustain St. John’s through a variety of strategies. However, the landscape of education has changed dramatically resulting in lower enrollment and unsustainable higher costs of operations. This, combined with St. John’s having unfairly become a target for legal cases and negatively biased and misleading portrayals by some media outlets, has created an insurmountable situation that school leaders have been unable to overcome.
The Board of Trustees has chosen to make this difficult decision and announcement now in order to allow current families and staff as much time as possible to make alternative plans for the next school year. Programs are in place to offer as much assistance as possible to families placing sons in other schools, as well as assisting staff and faculty in seeking future employment.
The school will continue to update the St. John’s Family and public as more information becomes available.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — University of Kansas officials say crimes reported on the Lawrence campus in 2018 dropped to the lowest level in 10 years.
The Office of Public Safety said in a news release Wednesday that 619 crimes were reported last year, down 8 percent from 670 in 2017.
The report found theft continues to be the most common crime, with 150 reported in 2018. That was followed by drug crimes, with 113 reports, and property damage, with 91 reports.
Assault reports rose significantly from 2017, with a total of 34, up from 14 in 2017.
Nine sex offenses were reported in 2018, up from five from the previous year. Reported rapes dropped from four to two.
Sexual assaults that are reported to university administration or other law enforcement departments aren’t included in the report.
Stuttgart resident Leonard C. Pfortmiller passed away Feb. 5, 2019 at his home in Stuttgart at the age of 94. He was born Jan. 6, 1925 in Natoma, KS, the son of Edward H. & Irene (Hackerott) Pfortmiller. He was a carpenter and construction manager.
Survivors include his sons: Richard Hite of Alma, NE, Timothy Pfortmiller of Lowell, AR, Phillip & Matthew Pfortmiller of Stuttgart ; his daughter, Yolanda Moll of Gentry Arkansas; 41 grandchildren & a host of great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 8 at 10:00 a.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Randy Moll officiating.
Graveside services will be held at 11:30 a.m. in the Peace Lutheran Cemetery, Natoma with Military Honors by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard.
Visitation will be from 9:00 to 9:00 Thursday with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rogers, AR.
Online condolences: www.olliffboeve.com.
Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
OFFICE OF KS TREASURER
