HUTCHINSON – A Kansas woman with a substantial criminal past was granted community corrections Friday by Judge Tim Chambers after the state agreed to go along with the defense recommendation.
Sheila Davison, 53, Hutchinson, was convicted of distribution of methamphetamine and driving on a suspended license.
The judge gave her a total sentence of over 10-years, three months in prison, but then granted corrections for three years.
Davison was stopped by a Reno County Sheriff Deputy in the 1400 block of North Main back in March of 2014.
A search was done on her purse and they found three zip-lock bags that contained a crystal substance which field tested positive for methamphetamine.
The total weight allegedly came to 22.2 grams. They also allegedly found in a zipper bag over 900-dollars in cash and suspected owe sheets.
In addition to a flee and elude conviction in Reno County, she also has a previous drug conviction in Reno County as well as convictions in McPherson and Harvey Counties.
WASHINGTON – Today the House Small Business Committee announced that Congressman Tim Huelskamp (KS-01) has been named the new chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access.
In a media release, Huelskamp said of his new Chairmanship, “From family farms, to small manufacturers and our community banks, small businesses are the lifeblood of the Kansas economy. It will be an honor to serve as Chairman of this Subcommittee and shine a light on issues that are so important to our way of life. As Chairman, I will invite small business owners, employees, farmers, bankers, and others to give their insight how the federal government can work better for them, or simply just get out of their way.”
This new role will provide Huelskamp opportunities to highlight topics important to Kansas small businesses, the backbone of the state’s economy. Huelskamp’s priorities include evaluating the current tax code that is hurting small businesses, halting harmful regulations on farmers and many other small businesses, such as the radical Waters of the U.S. rule, and reducing the burden of Dodd-Frank’s overregulation of the community banks upon which our small businesses rely.
“Congressman Huelskamp is a strong advocate for small businesses, fighting against government overregulation and interference. He knows small business is where the jobs are and he’s proven to be a champion for the little guys,” said Randy O’Boyle, president of Ultra Electronics ICE, Inc in Manhattan.
“As the owner of an independent pharmacy in rural Kansas, I know first-hand how government regulations are strangling small business,” said Patrick Hilger, pharmacist and owner, Gregwire Health Mart in Russell. “ I cannot afford to hire a team of lobbyists like the large corporations do, so we rely on our elected representative to stand up for the small guy out here. Congressman Huelskamp is an advocate for small businesses and our rural communities. His leadership as Chairman of this important Subcommittee will give people like me a stronger voice and oversight on critical issues facing our industry.”
“Congressman Huelskamp’s promotion to Chairmanship of this important Subcommittee is a huge win for small manufacturers across the state,” said Tony Schleich, president of American Packaging in Hutchinson. “His tenacious and unrelenting efforts protecting Kansas small businesses allow our voices to be heard clearly in D.C.”
Todd Godrey, president of Godfrey’s Indoor Shooting and Archery Range in Junction, commented on the implications of the subcommittee being led by a strong defender of the Second Amendment. “We feel that protecting your 2nd Amendment is our top priority, and that having Congressman Huelskamp leading the Small Business subcommittee, will give us a National voice in ensuring that the constitutional rights of all small Kansas businesses are heard. His leadership on this Subcommittee is essential in pushing back against the Obama Administration that is doing everything in their power to infringe on the rights of citizens to bear arms.”
“Congressman Huelskamp listens to his constituents first and foremost,” said Chairman Chabot, the Chairman of the full Small Business Committee. “That’s what small businesses need from their representatives in Washington, and that is what will make him a great leader for the Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access Subcommittee.”
This marks another recent victory for conservatives under new House Speaker Ryan. In December, Congressman Huelskamp was also elected by his colleagues to the powerful House Steering Committee which makes selections for all other House Committees.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Department of Administration has apologized after several state employees were mistakenly notified that they had been fired.
Department spokesman John Milburn said Thursday a computer glitch caused the problem. The email was intended for people who retired or were fired last year, saying the state would no longer furnish them with W-2 forms.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the email was instead went to 3,800 state employees. Milburn says he wasn’t sure how many people on the list should have received the email.
The administration department sent an email Thursday apologizing for the mistake.
WICHITA –Three people were injured in an accident just before 8:30 a.m. on Friday in Sedgwick County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Subaru passenger vehicle driven by James Hunter Thompson, 36, Wichita, was on the ramp from 13th Street to southbound Interstate 235.
The vehicle went through the gore area and hit a 1997 Honda passenger vehicle driven by Byron N. Loibl, 46, Wichita.
The collision caused the Honda to roll.
Loibl, a 6-year-old and a 7-year-old in the Honda were transported to Wesley Medical Center.
Thompson was not injured.
All were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
SALINA- Law enforcement authorities in Dickinson and Saline County are investigating suspects in an alleged drug distribution group.
On Tuesday, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, along with assistance from the I-135/I-70 Drug Task Force, Saline County Sheriff’s Office, Salina Police Department, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security culminated a multi-month investigation into a large scale drug distribution group in Central Kansas, according to a media release.
The agencies executed four search warrants at the following locations including 759 Seneca Avenue, 1018 Otto Avenue, and 3343 Ringneck Crossing in Salina and 552 1400 Avenue in Abilene.
Garcia-photo Saline County
Three people were arrested at the locations for various narcotics related charges.
According to Saline County arrest records, 23-year-old Adrian Garcia, of 552 1400 Avenue in Abilene, and 25-year-old Francisco Carrillo-Elias of 3343 Ringneck Crossing, were arrested on January 5th on drug possession and distribution charges.
Law Enforcement also seized approximately 18 pounds of methamphetamine and numerous firearms.
Additional charges are being considered, according to the KBI.
OTTAWA COUNTY – A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 3 p.m. on Thursday in Ottawa County.
Saline County Sheriff’s Captain Roger Soldan said a 2003 Ford Explorer driven by Rebekah Lehman, 62, rural Solomon, was northbound in the 6300 block of Simpson Road when she lost control the vehicle.
The SUV traveled into the west ditch and rolled.
Lehman was transported to Salina Regional Health Center where she died.
She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to Soldan.
The Kansas Highway Patrol is short in manpower statewide. In addressing this shortage, the agency is exploring ways of attracting more applicants for its trooper and other vacant positions. As an agency with a background of history and tradition, the agency has a tattoo policy, and as we move into 21st century policing, the Patrol is interested in what the public has to say or their thoughts on tattoos in law enforcement.
Currently the Patrol’s tattoo policy automatically disqualifies law enforcement officer candidates from the application process for having:
Any offensive tattoo, scarification or brand, regardless of location on the body.
Any tattoo, scarification or brand that would be visible when wearing an agency provided uniform or required work attire. Any such marking(s) appearing on the head, face, neck, hands, or arms (below the bottom of the bicep). (As a general rule, any marking(s) visible when wearing a short-sleeved v-neck shirt.)
There is a brief survey on Google Forms that the Patrol is asking community members and those in the public to fill out. The survey is short, but will provide the Patrol with valuable information. The survey will be open from Friday, January 8, 2016 through Friday, January 29, 2016. We value your input and look forward to hearing the responses. The Kansas Highway Patrol takes great pride in the quality of the candidates which we attract for the agency and our continued commitment is to providing SERVICE-COURTESY-PROTECTION to the citizens of the State of Kansas.
Photo by Andy Marso A mentoring program for Kansans who receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families payments was unveiled Wednesday during a meeting of the governor’s Social Services Policy Council in Topeka. Council members include, from left, Phyllis Gilmore, secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families; Gov. Sam Brownback; and Johnnie Goddard, interim secretary of the Kansas Department of Corrections. –
In an announcement that was heavy on optimism but light on details, the Kansas Department for Children and Families this week introduced a mentoring program for families receiving cash assistance.
The Hope, Opportunity and Prosperity for Everyone (HOPE) program involves mentoring 1,100 people receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) payments, also known as cash assistance. It will expand in July to youths about to age out of the foster care system, DCF Secretary Phyllis Gilmore said.
Jim Echols, provider services coordinator for DCF, said the program will be based on an effort in the Kansas Department of Corrections to reduce recidivism through mentoring. The program will focus on education, responsibility and family, he said.
“Most in the public would like to see more personal responsibility on the part of those we serve,” he said.
Many people benefit from informal mentoring relationships with their parents, teachers, coaches or religious leaders, Echols said, but some people don’t have those positive connections.
Mentors will complete a training program and commit to meeting with the person they are paired with for one hour per month for one year, Echols said. Participation is voluntary for TANF recipients.
Gov. Sam Brownback said he thought mentors would help people living in poverty in ways that government programs can’t. He also said it was a rewarding opportunity for volunteers. “Until there’s a person-on-person connection, you really miss a part of what life is about and how we improve as people,” he said.
“The person who volunteers to mentor to get someone out of poverty, you will get more out of this than anyone else.”
Kansas first lady Mary Brownback did a ceremonial signing Wednesday to become the first mentor to commit to the program. She also announced she would be an “ambassador of goodwill” for DCF to encourage people to become mentors.
“It’s a little like parenting or being a friend, telling them, ‘I think you should do this.’ And I think we’re all capable of that,” she said.
The program was announced during a meeting of the governor’s Social Services Policy Council in Topeka. Theresa Freed, spokeswoman for DCF, said the department will host a daylong training session for prospective mentors on Jan. 20. DCF will attempt to partner cash assistance recipients who are interested in participating with mentors from similar backgrounds, she said.
“We want the participants to accept the advice and be willing to make a difference in the lives of their families,” she said. People interested in being mentors need to fill out a one-page application and have to pass a background check.
Freed said more specific information about the training that mentors will undergo is being finalized. In a statement released after the mentoring program was announced, Shannon Cotsoradis, president of Kansas Action for Children, called the proposal “smoke and mirrors.”
She said Kansas policymakers already had removed many families from cash assistance due to time limits, and the state wasn’t investing in existing anti-poverty programs. “In light of the fact that thousands of families have lost access to cash assistance, it’s ironic we’re talking about them needing mentors,” she said.
“What they need is access to cash assistance. They need to be able to pay for housing and diapers and child care.”
Andy Marso is a reporter for KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team. You can reach him on Twitter @andymarso.
Spring River about to cross U.S. 166 East of Baxter Springs- photo Cherokee Co. Emergency Mgmt
BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Sam Brownback is seeking federal help for an area that flooded last month in southeast Kansas.
Brownback’s office said in a news release Thursday that the governor signed a disaster declaration request that was submitted to the Small Business Administration. The request seeks helps for residents affected by last month’s flooding in Cherokee County. The flooding forced hundreds from their homes and closed several roads.
The Small Business Administration provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Lawrence High School graduate has created a nonprofit to funnel donations to Kansas schools while the state Legislature overhauls the school funding system.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports that 2010 graduate Thomas Wheatley has named the charity OurKansas.
image courtesy OurKansas- click to Expand
Donors can pick from four plans, ranging from $4.49 to $12.69 per month. Fifty percent of donations go toward a local school program or activity of the donor’s choice, 30 percent go toward low-income districts and 20 percent go toward community outreach.
In March, the Kansas Legislature repealed the school funding formula that had been in place since 1992. The Legislature replaced the old funding system with block grants while lawmakers work on a new formula. A special legislative committee tabled a draft report with school funding recommendations Tuesday.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Missouri woman has been sentenced to 30 years in prison in a Kansas City, Kansas, killing.
The Wyandotte County district attorney’s office says 32-year-old Natasha Tone Pa Hote, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, was sentenced Thursday for second-degree murder.
She pleaded guilty last month to killing 60-year-old Richard Vertz Jr. in June 2013 at his home. An autopsy revealed that Vertz had been stabbed to death.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A longtime Kansas City, Kansas, lawyer has been found guilty to misappropriating funds from a disabled man’s trust fund.
A Wyandotte County judge this week found Don Charles Bell guilty of felony mistreatment of a dependent adult and misdemeanor passing a worthless check.
The Kansas City Star reports Ball’s license has been suspended by the Kansas Supreme Court.
Prosecutors say Ball managed the affairs of a man who has a disabling brain injury. The man had a trust and a probate judge ordered Ball to not spend trust proceeds without court approval.
When the court ordered Ball to pay out money in the trust, he wrote a $32,000 check that the bank rejected for insufficient funds.
RENO COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Reno County are investigating a series of automobile burglaries.
On Monday, several burglaries were reported to have occurred in the city of Nickerson, according to a social media report from Reno County Sheriff’s Captain Steve Lutz
During the investigation of these burglaries by the Patrol Division of the Reno County Sheriff’s Office a possible suspect vehicle was found in the driveway of a residence in Nickerson.
After talking to the residents the vehicle was seized as evidence, because there were items visible in the vehicle that appeared to be from the recent burglaries and the vehicle was identified as one of interest in other recent crimes in Reno County.
Ultimately 8 burglary reports were taken over $7200 worth of property was reported as stolen and some of that property has been recovered.
Kyle Nisbeth, 19, and Quentin Zumalt, 19, both Reno County residents were arrested and remain in the Reno County Correctional Facility.
Nisbeth’s bond is set at $57,500 and Zumalt’s is set at $44,000.
HUTCHINSON – A Kansas woman with a substantial criminal past was granted community corrections Friday by Judge Tim Chambers after the state agreed to go along with the defense recommendation.
