SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a home burglary and asking for help to identify a suspect.
photo courtesy Wichita Police
Just before 9p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a residential burglary in the 500 block of north Stratford in Wichita, according to a media release.
Through the investigation an unknown suspect entered the residence and took items from the home.
On Monday, police released security camera images of the suspect in an attempt to help identify him.
Anyone with information is asked to please call Crime Stoppers at 316 267-2111 or 911
LOGAN – The Hansen Museum Continuing Education Program is proud to have certified Bob Ross instructors, T.R. Mathews and Sandy Seamone of Arriba, Colorado, at the Museum on February 16th and 17th to teach two Joy of Painting classes.
On Saturday, February 16, 2019, the class will paint “Mountain Glory,” and on Sunday, February 17, 2019, “The Old Pump.” Class runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with an hour lunch break each day.
Step-by-step, T.R. and Sandy reveal how fun and simple it is to paint using the Bob Ross method. Their tag-team approach to teaching keeps the classroom atmosphere light and entertaining.
All painting supplies are provided, and no previous experience is necessary. Young and old alike will enjoy the camaraderie of these classes.
Register by February 8th and pay $70.00 per day, after February 8th, pay $75.00 per day. Discounts available for Patron and Sustaining Hansen Museum Members.
This wonderful learning opportunity is brought to you through the Hansen Museum Continuing Education Program. For more information, please call 785-689-4846.
The Dane G. Hansen Museum is open Monday through Friday 9-12 & 1-4; Saturdays 9-12 & 1-5; Sundays & Holidays 1-5. We are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The Museum is handicapped accessible and admission is always free thanks to the generous support of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.
For more information or if you have questions, please contact us at 785-689-4846.
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.
Friends,
Friday a short-term funding agreement was made to reopen the government and pay federal employees. The president announced that he would reopen the government for three weeks, with hopes that by February 15th we will pass a border security agreement that includes funding for the wall. I find myself both relieved but also increasingly frustrated with this Congress and its dysfunction. I feel for those who have been struggling during this time, and I worry that once this temporary deal expires in three weeks, they will be faced with the same uncertainty if Democrats are not willing to negotiate.
I remain firm in my belief that we must secure our southern border and put an end to this decades-old crisis once and for all. It is unfathomable that some of my colleagues continue to ignore the reality of the lives lost due to criminals and drugs flowing into the United States.
There is absolutely a solution out there where both parties would receive clear victories. It is time for everyone in Washington – Republican and Democrats alike –to quit with the partisan games, provide the funds needed to secure our southern border adequately.
Continuing My Work On The House Agriculture Committee
I am proud to say that I will be again serving the Big First and our Ag industry on the House Agriculture committee. In the 115th Congress, the House Ag team was able to achieve many monumental accomplishments like passing a five-year Farm Bill, that will provide certainty to so many people across Kansas. I am eager to be back with this great team and represent our farmers and ranchers as well as agribusinesses and so many other vital parts of our Ag industry. We have a great deal of work to do for farm country, including advocating for new trade deals, protecting and implementing the 2018 Farm Bill and expanding rural broadband access and reducing the regulatory burden on our farmers. I will also be staying on the Science Space and Technology committee.
President Trump will Veto Anti-Life Legislation
I will always serve to protect the most vulnerable and guard the innocent, unborn children. Life begins at conception, and as a physician for 25 years that delivered 10,000 babies, I will always choose life.
I signed a letter to the president, with 168 of my colleagues, requesting that he commit to vetoing any legislation that weakens the protections for the unborn. I am proud that he answered our call to action and subsequently sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) promising to veto any legislation that House Democrats might pass that would violate the sanctity of life and change or weaken the protections for human life.
I commend our president for his steadfast position on this critical issue and his quit action to defend of the most vulnerable.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Last week the nation celebrated the life of a Civil Rights icon, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We took a moment to reflect on the progress we have made as a country and all the work the Reverend did to unify a nation that was broken.
Lately, I have been thinking about what Dr. King would say if he were alive today to see the diverse partisanship in Congress. His message would be clear – we must unify to make change. We must keep working together on civilly finding common ground. We must look even beyond the rules of civility. We must begin accepting when two or more minds work together with different opinions because there is always a common goal to be found.
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A book by the daughter of the BTK serial killer about finding out that her father had killed 10 people in the Wichita area will be released Tuesday.
Image courtesy Thomas Nelson Publisher
Kerri Rawson’s memoir, “A Serial Killer’s Daughter,” details the 40-year-old’s panicked descent into denial and depression after the 2005 arrest of her father, Dennis Rader.
His self-coined moniker was BTK, which stood for “bind, torture, kill.” The book being put out by Thomas Nelson Publishers also includes letters he sent her from jail.
BTK killer Dennis Rader is being held in the El Dorado Correctional facility photo Kansas Dpt. of Corrections
Rawson, who now lives in Michigan, has said that she hopes her story helps others wade through their own emotional turmoil. In the book’s epilogue, Rawson talks about finally finding her own peace. She says she misses her father, “the one I mainly knew.”
Staff from Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science will host six free information sessions across the state for interested students and their families in February, March and April.
The Academy offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to live and learn at Fort Hays State University and get a head start on their college educations.
Students and guests can learn about KAMS and visit with representatives from the Academy at these sessions. Please visit the registration website at https://www.fhsu.edu/kams/Info-session-registration/ to find a session in your area.
The information sessions are listed chronologically.
February 18
Salina, 6 p.m.
Salina Public Library, Prescott Meeting Room
301 W. Elm St.
February 20
Topeka, 6 p.m.
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Marvin Auditorium
1515 SW 10th Ave.
March 6
Wichita, 6 p.m.
Advanced Learning Library, Conference Room C
711 W. Second St. North
March 7
Shawnee, 6 p.m.
Johnson County Library – Monticello Branch, Community Meeting Room
22435 W. 66th St.
April 2 Hays, 6 p.m. FHSU Memorial Union, Pioneer Room 700 Park St.
April 10
Junction City, 6 p.m.
Dorothy Bramlage Library, Meeting Room
230 W. Seventh St.
All information sessions are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Abby Anderson, coordinator for marketing and recruitment, at 785-628-4719 or [email protected]. Visit www.fhsu.edu/kams for more information regarding the program.
About KAMS:
KAMS is an early college program that focuses on advanced mathematics and science coursework. While studying at KAMS, students live on the FHSU campus in a select residence hall with other Academy students from around the world. Over the course of two years, students complete over 60 hours of college credit and complete their high school diploma. These college classes are taken alongside traditional college undergraduates and taught by college professors while simultaneously contributing to their high school graduation requirements.
$11 Million in Community Development Block Grants awarded for community improvement projects
TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Commerce has announced that 23 communities will receive federal grants for a variety of community improvement projects, including sewer and water projects, housing rehabilitation and community facilities improvements. These communities will share a total of $11,019,485 in federal grants.
Through the Community Development Block Grant program, 12 Kansas communities will share a total of $6,806,637 in federal grants for water and sewer projects, two Kansas communities will share $600,000 for housing rehabilitation and nine communities will share $3,612,828 for community facility projects.
“Vital public services including water, sewer and community facilities are essential to all communities in Kansas,” said Secretary David Toland. “The CDBG grants will help provide the funding needed by these 23 communities to ensure improved quality of life for their residents.”
The CDBG program, administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, provides federal funds to local governments for the development of viable communities by addressing their housing, public facilities and economic development needs. To be awarded funds, local government units must meet at least one of three program objectives:
• The grant will benefit low and moderate-income persons • The grant will prevent or eliminate slums and blight • The grant will resolve an urgent need where local resources are not available to do so
The CDBG funds are one of the Department of Commerce’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities.
The following northwest Kansas communities have been awarded CDBG grants:
he City of Bird City will receive $200,50 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project throughout the city. The city will contribute $200,507 city funds towards this project.
The City of Brewster will receive $409,980 in CDBG funds to make water distribution improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $409,980 in matching funds it secured through the Kansas Department of Health & Environment.
The City of Downs will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water treatment plant improvement for the city. The city will provide $1,580,532 matching funds it secured from the Kansas Department of Health & Environment. The city is also contributing $900 of their local funds.
The City of Oberlin will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make improvements to its water distribution system. The city will provide all matching funds themselves in the amount of $475,045.
The City of Phillipsburg will receive $462,837 in CDBG funds to make improvements to its water distribution system throughout the city. The city will provide $460,738 in matching funds they have secured through the Kansas Department of Health & Environment. The city is also contributing $2,100 of their local funds.
The City of Russell is being awarded $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water distribution improvements throughout the city. The city will provide all matching funds themselves in the amount of $893,300.
LINDSBORG — Nearly 240 Bethany College students have earned semester honors for their academic performance during the fall 2018 semester and have been named to the Dean’s List.
To qualify for the academic honor, students must be enrolled full-time and earn a semester grade point average of 3.5.
The following area students received the honor:
Hoxie
Lisa M. Stone, Pre-Profession Art Thera
Luray
Rudolph J. Haberer, General Studies
Norton
Hailey R. Branek, Psychology
Phillipsburg
Hannah J. Imm, English Teaching 6-12
Stockton
Reed A. Stephens, Social Science Teaching
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two more armed robberies and one attempted armed robbery that occurred Sunday in Wichita.
Just after 4:42 a.m., police responded to an armed robbery at the Quik Trip, in the1000 block of East Douglas, according to officer Paul Cruz.
A 21-year-old store employee reports an unknown suspect entering the business, armed with a handgun and demanding money. The suspect identified as a black male wearing a hoodie took cash then fled the store.
Just after 6:15 a.m., police responded to an attempted armed robbery at the Petrol America, in the 2700 block of North Amidon. A 57-year-old store employee told police an unknown black male suspect wearing a hoodie entered the business armed with a handgun and demanding money. The suspect fled the store and no loss or injuries were reported.
At 6:48 a.m., police responded to an armed robbery at the Casey’s General Store, in the 1100 block of West Central. A 40-year-old store employee told police an unknown black male suspect wearing a hoodie entered the business armed with a handgun and demanded money.
WPD investigators are currently investigating all three robberies to determine if they are connected.
A hot job market and the increasing cost of tuition have slowed the growth in the number of Kansans earning a college education nearly to a halt. Educators are worried that will worsen shortages of high-skilled workers and impede prosperity long term.
“It is concerning,” said Donna Ginther, an economist at the University of Kansas. “Having these types of degrees and certificates are very important for the future of economic growth in the state and the country.”
Kansas’ public colleges and universities granted 40,856 undergraduate degrees and certificates last year, according to the latest progress report from the Kansas Board of Regents. That’s virtually the same as five years ago and well short of the state’s goals.
The number of undergraduate degrees and certificates earned in Kansas is well below the goal set by the Kansas Board of Regents.
CREDIT STEPHAN BISAHA | SOURCE KANSAS BOARD OF REGENTS
Kansas is nine years into the 10-year “Foresight 2020” plan designed to increase the number of Kansans getting post-secondary education and to better align state college and university programs with economic needs.
The Regents have found some success, particularly in technical education.
An initiative started in 2012 greatly increased the number of Kansans earning college credit before they graduated from high school. More than 10,000 students participated last year. And many of those students have continued technical education programs after high school, contributing to the growth of technical colleges by more than a third from 2012 to 2017.
Yet most of the state’s other colleges and universities have gone the other direction.
There are likely not enough students currently enrolled for the main objective in Foresight 2020 — more than 53,000 degrees and certificates earned by the end of this decade — to be achieved.
Much of the declining enrollment at Kansas colleges and universities is among white students. Their enrollment numbers have dropped 12 percent since 2010, according to data in the Foresight 2020 progress report. Enrollment by Hispanic students has grown the most, by more than 42 percent.
The progress report blames several factors outside of the Regents’ control, including the Kansas economy. The low unemployment rate means Kansans are able to find jobs without a college degree.
In the early days of the recovery from the 2008 recession, college enrollment increased in Kansas as elsewhere. Unemployed Americans decided to go back to college instead of hunting for non-existent jobs.
The reverse was true as the economy continued to improve. In 2013, enrollment in Kansas colleges plunged as the Kansas unemployment rate hit 5.3 percent.
But while more Kansans are now employed, many remain shut out of high-skill, high-paying occupations that offer a pathway to the middle class.
“A high school education is not going to cut for economic prosperity,” Ginther said.
Ginther and others also worry that high-skill industries such as aerospace manufacturing that Kansas is trying to foster will experience increasing workforce shortages without more Kansans completing a college education.
Rising tuition has also driven students away from Kansas schools.
Higher tuition could be an outsized barrier for poorer students. The number of Pell Grant recipients at Kansas universities, students receiving grant money for college from the federal government, has been declining since 2015.
Studies have shown a link between increasing tuition and decreasing enrollment, though there are disputes over the size of the effect. What’s indisputable is the massive leap in cost colleges have seen over the years. At Kansas State University, the sticker price for a semester has increased 57 percent over the last ten years.
“When I started at K-State in the late ‘60s I paid out-of-state tuition and was able to work my way through the university with summer jobs and employment through the school year,” said Pat Bosco, the vice president for student life at Kansas State University. “That’s no longer the case now.”
TOPEKA –Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced Monday she will name Jeff Wagaman as acting Securities Commissioner while he awaits Senate confirmation.
Wagaman joins the Securities Commission after serving the past eight years as Executive Director of the Crime Victims Compensation Board – a division of the Attorney General’s Office. Wagaman will also bring regulatory experience to the position having served as Executive Director of the Kansas Corporation Commission.
“A number of the past Securities Commissioners have failed the test of public trust. The Legislature’s decision to move the Securities Commission under the Insurance Department was a direct result of past transgressions,” Insurance Commissioner Schmidt said. “Jeff Wagaman has a professional track record of effectively leading people and turning around struggling organizations. I am thrilled Jeff has agreed to serve in this role and I look forward to working with the Kansas Senate on his confirmation.”
“Throughout my career in public service I have been entrusted to lead a number of critically important agencies and organizations,” Wagaman said. “I am honored to be able to continue my public service in this new role.”
In 2017 the Kansas Legislature moved the Securities Commission under the purview of the Insurance Department. The Securities Commissioner is appointed by the Insurance Commissioner and confirmed by the Kansas Senate.
SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a traffic stop.
Anderson photo Shawnee Co.
On Friday, a police officer observed Dominique Anderson 27 of Topeka leaving the Law Enforcement Center, according to Lt. Aaron Jones.
The officer recognized Anderson and knew he was wanted for a felony criminal damage domestic case which occurred January 20.
Anderson left the property in a vehicle which was stopped at 4th and SW Jackson in Topeka. Police took him into custody without incident.
A search of the vehicle revealed a small amount of marijuana, other suspected narcotics, drug paraphernalia and a stolen Taurus 9mm handgun. Anderson has at least one prior felony conviction leading to a charge of Criminal Use of a Firearm, according to Jones.
He was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections under suspicion of felony Criminal Damage (Domestic), Criminal use of a Firearm, and narcotic related charges.
This is the 6th case in 2019 with a charge involving a felon in possession of a firearm reported by the Topeka Police Department.
