FORT SCOTT, Kan. (AP) — Officials say Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott will close by the end of the year.
Entrance to the hospital in Fort Scott -google map
Mercy officials said on Monday that declining patient numbers and reduced reimbursements from government programs, which is the largest source of the hospital’s revenue, led to the decision. The statement said hospital officials tried for months to find a way to keep hospital services in the community of about 7,800 people in southeast Kansas.
Mercy officials said they are working on an agreement with the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, based in Pittsburg, to maintain primary care services in Fort Scott.
The hospital, which opened in 1886, is a 46-bed acute care center. It is expected to close Dec. 31.
Inside a Textron Aviation facility in Wichita, Kansas TEXTRON AVIATION
The Kansas economy has been sluggish the past few years, but the candidates running for governor each have a plan to jumpstart things.
Will any of them actually work?
Experts say every plan faces an uphill battle.
With Kansas lacking the power to add some mountains, or beaches, or Stanford/MIT-level research universities, experts say the state will be stuck where market forces have already landed: a little farming, a little aerospace, a little manufacturing, all driven by forces beyond the control of Kansas politicians.
“I don’t think there are a lot of policy levers, especially at a state level, that can make a whole lot of difference,” said Art Hall, director of the Brandmeyer Center of Applied Economics at the University of Kansas.
But all is not lost. Hall says some policies can make a difference, however small.
Republican Kris Kobach
Kris Kobach during a September visit to Salina Tech.
Kobach’s one big idea to grow the economy is to cut regulations, along with income, property, and sales taxes, much like what was done six years ago. He’s credited similar steps taken by the Trump administration for the growing national economy.
“All of these can be done in a responsible way without breaking our budget,” Kobach said. “And if we want to get our businesses going we’ve got to do it.”
The thinking is that if you can remove barriers, existing businesses will grow and new ones will be attracted to the state.
Dan Rickman, a professor of economics at Oklahoma State University, has done extensive research on the impacts of tax policy on state and local economies, including looking specifically at the tax cuts that came when Sam Brownback was governor.
“Most states that dramatically cut their taxes are underperforming what you would have expected they would have,” Rickman said.
If Kansas were to try the tax-cut approach again, he said, it would get the same result.
The evidence, here in Kansas and around the country, just doesn’t support the use of state tax cuts to spur economic growth.
“If you’re going to get gains from tax cuts you have to very carefully understand and figure out where you can get the cuts without hurting programs that are needed,” Rickman said.
Too often, he said, the budget cuts used to offset decreases in revenue go too far. State budgets generally don’t have a lot of fat to begin with and increasing efficiencies only goes so far.
Conservatives have said the Brownback tax cuts faced two significant problems. One, they weren’t accompanied by a sufficient rollback in the size of state government. So the state’s finances fell into crisis.
Secondly, conservatives argued that low commodity prices for Kansas grain and oil offset the economic spark lit by the Brownback plan.
Democrat Laura Kelly
State Senator Laura Kelly
The long-time state senator from Topeka says the key to economic growth starts with getting businesses and employees to come to, and stay in, Kansas. How? Better schools.
“When I look what are the huge economic drivers of this state, number one is education,” Kelly said, “and we have defunded that over the past eight years.”
Kim Rueben is a senior fellow at the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C.
“I feel like doing things like investing in schools and human capital feels like it has pretty big bang for the buck,” she said.
But the details about that investment matter. Just spending more on education won’t cut it.
“It’s figuring out what kinds of jobs you’re looking to attract,” Rueben said, “and what kind of skills you need your labor force to have.”
For Kelly, that means more focus on career and technical programs. But that idea isn’t unique to her; it’s a sentiment shared by both of her opponents.
Money for those kinds of investments could be tough to come by, too. While the governor can set the tone, the Legislature controls the purse strings. Even if Kelly wanted to increase education spending, she’d likely face a tough battle from Republican lawmakers.
Independent Greg Orman
Photo courtesy Orman -Doll for Kansas
Orman, the leading independent in the race, says Kansas should invest more in transportation infrastructure.
“Kansas is at the geographic center of the United States,” he said. “We should be the intermodal manufacturing and distribution capital of America.”
Experts say that kind of spending could help — maybe.
“Here’s one way to think about it,” economist Art Hall said. “If you didn’t have any road, building one road would probably have a very large economic impact. But, if you have lots of roads, one more road is probably not going to have much of an economic impact.”
Basically, you don’t want infrastructure that’s crumbling. But spending more on the margins isn’t likely to have a huge impact on economic growth.
“Just building roads doesn’t necessarily solve anything,” Rickman said. “But if you need to keep them maintained and developed in places where they’re heavily used, just the same thing as education, these things can all very much help promote growth.”
Ultimately, all three economists agree that stimulating economic growth on a statewide level won’t come from politics. The answer won’t be found by simply raising or lowering taxes.
“There’s really no silver bullet,” Hall said. “I’ve come to the basic conclusion that economies grow because they’re growing.”
SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal Sunday evening crash and have identified the victims.
Sunday night crash scene -image courtesy KAKE
A pickup driven by Natalia Reyneros, 38, Wichita, was traveling at 63rd Street west and Kansas 15 near Derby when it smashed through the railroad crossing arms and into the path of a train, according to Lt. Tim Myers of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department.
Reyneros and a passenger 39-year-old Brian David Gile of Derby were pronounced dead at the scene.
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DERBY, Kan.— Authorities say two people are dead after a driver smashed through railroad crossing arms and into the path of a train.
The crash happened Sunday night just west Kansas 15 in Derby. Lt. Tim Myers, of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, says the 38-year-old driver and her 39-year-old male passenger died in the crash.
Authorities are expected to released their names Tuesday.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — An annual safety report at the University of Kansas says twice as many rapes were reported on the Lawrence campus in 2017 than the previous year.
Image courtesy KU public safety
The Clery report says nine of the 12 rapes reported were in campus housing and 14 rapes were reported in off-campus locations that are affiliated with the university are included. That is about the same as previous years, with 13 in 2016 and 16 in 2015.
This year’s report was the first since the Kansas Legislature required the university to allow concealed carry of handguns on campus. The Clery report show the university reported no weapon law arrests or violations referred for disciplinary action.
University spokeswoman Erinn Barcomb-Peterson says those numbers reflect violations of state law and not necessarily the university’s weapons policy.
WICHITA – A federal jury trial begins Tuesday for a Kansas doctor charged with unlawfully distributing opioid prescription drugs, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Henson-photo Sedgwick Co.
Dr. Steven R. Henson, 57, Wichita, who operated Kansas Men’s Clinic at 3636 N. Ridge Road in Wichita, is charged in the following counts: Conspiracy to distribute prescription drugs outside the course of medical practice, Unlawfully distributing controlled substances, including oxycodone, methadone or alprazolam, Unlawfully distributing methadone and alprazolam, resulting in the death of a victim on July 24, 2015, identified in court records as N.M., Unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, Falsifying patient records, Obstruction of justice, and Money laundering.
As a physician, Henson was registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration to dispense prescription controlled substances.
The indictment alleges Henson, Wrote prescriptions without a medical need, Wrote prescriptions without a legitimate medical exam, Wrote prescriptions for people other than the ones who came to see him, Wrote prescriptions in return for cash and Post-dated prescriptions.
If convicted, the defendant will face the following penalties. On counts 1-16: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $1 million on each count; Count 17: Not less than 20 years and not more than life and a fine up to $1 million; Count 18: A maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000; Count 19: A maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000; Count 20: A maximum penalty of one year and a fine up to $100,000; Counts 21-25: A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count, and Counts 26-31: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $500,000 on each count.
*UPDATE 3p.m. Jordan and Jayden have been located and are safe, according to Olathe Police.
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JOHNSON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for assistance to locate two juveniles missing in Johnson County.
photo courtesy Olathe Police
Jayden Bruce, 9, and his brother Jordan Gerster, 15, have not been seen since school dismissed on Monday, according to Olathe Police.
Jayden is 4-foot-8 inches tall and was last seen wearing jean shorts and a peach colored long sleeve shirt with three buttons.
Jordan is 5-foot-10 inches tall and was last seen wearing a black tshirt with red lettering and a black Adidas jacket with a blue stripe.
Anyone with knowledge of their location please call us at 913-971-7500 or 911.
JOHNSON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for assistance to locate two juveniles missing in Johnson County.
photo courtesy Olathe Police
Jayden Bruce, 9, and his brother Jordan Gerster, 15, have not been seen since school dismissed on Monday, according to a media release from Olathe Police.
According to police, Jayden is 4-foot-8 inches tall and was last seen wearing jean shorts and a peach colored long sleeve shirt with three buttons.
Jordan is 5-foot-10 inches tall and was last seen wearing a black tshirt with red lettering and a black Adidas jacket with a blue stripe.
Anyone with knowledge of their location please call us at 913-971-7500 or 911
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Two children died in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Monday in Franklin County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Ford Focus driven by Clytie D. Bowden, 31, Wellsville, was southbound on Tennessee Road four miles west of Kansas 33.
The driver failed to yield right of way at Kansas 68 and entered the intersection. A westbound 2003 Subaru Baja driven by Crag R. Evans, 40, Ottawa, struck the Ford on the passenger side.
Briana Sobba,11, and Becham Klemen, 3, both of Wellsville were pronounced dead at the scene.
Lillian Klemen, 6, and Elle Bowden, 12, both of Wellsville, were transported to the hospital in Ottawa and then transferred to Children’s Mercy in Kansas City.
Bowden was transported to Research Medical Center. Evans was transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Only Lillian Klemen was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Democrat Sharice Davids in her race against Republican Rep. Kevin Yoder in an eastern Kansas congressional district.
Today, I’m proud to endorse even more Democratic candidates who aren’t just running against something, but for something—to expand opportunity for all of us and to restore dignity, honor, and compassion to public service. They deserve your vote: pic.twitter.com/NO5jnhX3XD
Obama included Davids on a tweeted list Monday of more than 250 candidates he endorsed across the nation. Davids was the only Kansas candidate listed.
The ex-president, a Democrat, tweeted that he was endorsing candidates running “to expand opportunity for all of us and to restore dignity, honor, and compassion to public service.”
Davids is a Native American and LGBT lawyer who was a White House fellow during Obama’s administration.
President Donald Trump tweeted his full endorsement of Yoder in July. Yoder is seeking a fifth term in the Kansas-City area 3rd District.
Democrat Hillary Clinton narrowly carried the district in the 2016 presidential race.
WICHITA, KAN. – A convicted Kansas felon will remain in jail pending trial on a federal firearm charge, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Mashaney -photo Sedgwick Co.
Justin Mashaney, 29, Wichita, Kan., appeared in federal court Monday for a hearing on whether he would be released pending trial. U.S. Magistrate Judge Gwynne E. Birzer granted the government’s motion to keep him in jail. Mashaney is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction.
According to an affidavit filed in the case, law enforcement officers were investigating the murder of Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Kunze by Cody Greeson when they encountered Mashaney.
Deputy Robert KunzeGreeson-photo Sedgwick County.
They were investigating information they received that Mashaney and Greeson had been committing crimes together. Greeson and Deputy Kunze died Sept. 16 in an exchange of fire.
If convicted, Mashaney faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett is prosecuting.
BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities have broken up a major drug ring after months of investigation, according to Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir.
Photos courtesy Barton County Sheriff
Early Monday, the Barton County Sheriff’s office and several other agencies executed a total of nine search warrants in Barton County in what Bellendir called “Operation Snowplow.”
The investigation began as a cocaine distribution case. Detectives had used undercover techniques to purchase illicit drugs. The case mushroomed drastically into a major distribution case involving all types of drugs, according to Bellendir.
Of particular concern was the fact the detectives came into possession of imitation hydrocodone tablets. The tablets had been manufactured to look like 5 mg hydrocodone prescription drugs. Upon analysis it was discovered the tablets contained fentanyl, an extremely powerful painkiller, more powerful than morphine.
Fentanyl is far more likely to cause an overdose leading to death. Further lab analysis showed these tablets to be some of the strongest ever analyzed in the State of Kansas. Also, during the course of the investigation detectives obtained quantities of black tar heroin. Heroin has not been common in western Kansas for nearly 2 decades. Heroin is particularly dangerous due to it’s addictive qualities and tendency to cause overdoses. Investigation indicates a very strong likelihood most of these drugs originated in Mexico and were smuggled into the United States. Evidence of money order and wire transfers of money to Mexico were also discovered by law enforcement.
Substantial quantities of illicit drugs were seized during the operation. Deputies are in the initial stages of weighing and processing the evidence. The following are estimated total amounts.
200 doses of LSD, 10 kilos of high-grade marijuana, 1.5 kilos marijuana wax, 2 ounces of black tar heroin, 160 fluid ounces of liquid codeine, 1 kilo of methamphetamine, 2 kilos suspected china white heroin, 8 oz. cocaine,6 oz. suspected Fentanyl
Estimated street value of the drugs is believed to be in excess of $500,000.00
Along with the drugs sheriff’s deputies seized three firearms. One rifle and two shotguns. One of these shotguns had been sawed off to approximately 12 inches. Multiple rounds of 00 buckshot were found with the gun.
The Sheriff’s Office also seized more than $25,000 cash and three vehicles. It is anticipated that asset forfeiture proceedings will be filed on the cash and vehicles. The Sheriff’s Office is also considering the seizure of real estate related to the case.
Authorities also arrested Iban Martinez – Enrique Age 21 of Great Bend for distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of cocaine, distribution of marijuana, distribution of heroin, possession of paraphernalia, criminal use of a weapon, and no drug tax stamp bond is set at $100,000.00
Miguel Gonzalez age 22 of Great Bend for possession of cocaine, possession of paraphernalia, and criminal use of a firearm bond $10,000.00
Candice Johnson age 42 of Great Bend for distribution of Methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia Bond is set at $100,000.00
Kennedy Beakey age 19 of Great Bend for distribution of a Hallucinogenic and possession of paraphernalia. Bond is set at $50,000.00
Pedro Garcia age 20 of Great Bend for possession of a stimulant, and possession of paraphernalia bond was set at $10,000.00 He has bonded out of jail.
Vincente Espino age 51 of Great Bend for distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of cocaine, distribution of heroin, distribution of fentanyl, distribution of LSD and distribution of marijuana. Bond set at $100000.00
Amador -photo Barton Co.
Deputies were unable to locate one suspect and seek the public’s assistance in finding Murel Dean Amador. Amador is a Hispanic male, 63 years of age, 5-foot-11, 230 pounds, brown eyes, black hair, which is balding and graying. Amador is wanted for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Warrants from the Barton County District Court have been issued. If you have information as to Amador’s location, please call 911.
Monday’s investigation netted the widest variety and largest quantity of drugs seized by the Sheriff’s Office in approximately the last 30 years, according to Bellendir.
Officers from Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office, Rush County Sheriff’s Office and the Rice County Sheriff’s Office assisted with Monday’s drug bust. Command officers from the Great Bend Fire Department were present in the event of accidental overdose or injuries during the operation.
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — Court records say a Kansas woman plotted to kill her ex-husband when she was in jail on suspicion of trying to poison their three children.
Roever -Photo Johnson County
Therese Roever, of Olathe, was charged in February in the attempted capital murder of her children and last month in the attempted capital murder of her ex-husband.
Court records released last week say Roever’s former husband was contacted by a relative of another Johnson County jail inmate who told him his ex-wife was trying to find someone who would kill him. He then contacted police.
The documents say Roever told another inmate she would rather die in prison or have the children go to foster care, than have her ex-husband get custody.
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on burglary charges.
Williams -photo Saline Co.
Just before 5a.m. Sunday, police responded to a call at a home in the 600 Block of West Iron in Salina, according to Police Detective Sergeant David Villanueva.
The 45-year-old homeowner told police he noticed someone inside his residence as he arrived home. He heard a door open and close and noticed a woman coming from the residence. The man told the woman to stop, but she continued, so he chased her, tackled her, and held her on the ground until police arrived, according to Villanueva.
The 32-year-old suspect identified as Allison Williams was in possession of two purses from an earlier burglary in the 100 block of South 12th Street and a flashlight and cellphone from the West Iron residence. She also had several knives and a dachshund with her, according to Villanueva.
Police arrested Williams and she is being held on requested charges of burglary, criminal damage to property, and two counts of theft. The dog was transported to the Salina Animal Shelter.
