SUBMITTED

DENVER – Hoban Law Group, the nation’s largest, full-service cannabis and hemp law firm, has received approvals and is now airing the first national TV spot for the cannabis industry. The advertisement marks the first time that a national TV spot has used the word ‘cannabis.’ Bob Hoban, leading legal expert in the cannabis industry and founder of Hoban Law Group, appears in the advertisement discussing the firm’s specialties and national reach.

“As the first ‘cannabusiness’ law firm, we’ve seen firsthand how the industry has significantly evolved in the last nine years,” said Bob Hoban. “We’re excited to once again make waves in the legal side of the cannabis industry, starting a new trend of legal advertising.”

The Hoban Law Group specializes in hemp, medical marijuana, and adult-use cannabis issues and worked with Denver-based producer DCP Media to create a spot that met the requirements of a variety of networks.

It wasn’t easy. Bob Hoban, the firm’s founder and namesake, told Leafly the networks wanted to make sure “we didn’t hit people over the head with the word ‘marijuana.’ So in the ad we talk about industrial hemp, and the medical and adult use marketplaces. They asked us not to flash a lot of marijuana plants, which was fine, that’s not our M.O. anyway.”

The 30-second advertisement is unique in that Hoban Law Group’s services do not include any tangible product, only legal and business consulting. This helped in receiving approvals from each network to air during primetime slots. The commercial first aired on August 21 and will continue through mid-September, airing eight times per day on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Viceland, The Weather Channel, Headline News, and Fox Business.

About Bob Hoban, Esq.
Bob Hoban is Managing Partner at Hoban Law Group, America’s premier cannabusiness law firm. Hoban is the former president of the Cannabis Business Alliance and a member of the National Hemp Association, the National Cannabis Industry Association and the Colorado Cannabis Chamber of Commerce.

About Hoban Law Group
Hoban Law Group is the nation’s only full-service cannabis business (“cannabusiness”) law firm, servicing all legal medical and adult use cannabis. Formed in 2009, Hoban Law Group is Colorado’s largest and most experienced cannabis business law firm, providing expert commercial legal advice to its clients in the regulated marijuana dispensary system and the industrial hemp industry. Hoban Law Group has attorneys in every state and territory where legalization has occurred.

For more information, visit Hoban Law Group’s website at www.hoban.law.

SBA

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration announced this week that $18 million in funding has been awarded to 44 State international trade agencies through SBA’s competitive State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), to support export growth among U.S. small businesses.

STEP is designed to increase both the number of small businesses that begin to export and the value of exports for small businesses currently exporting. Expanding the base of small business exporters and making the process as easy as possible is a key component of the Administration’s small business strategy.

“The awards will provide a solid foundation for small businesses planning to enter and set them up for success,” said SBA Administrator Linda McMahon.

Last year (FY 2016), the Kansas Department of Commerce was awarded $383,000 in STEP grant funding to support small businesses for their participation in export training, market entry programs, tradeshows, and trade missions. Kansas provided access to multiple export seminars and courses, offered by many partners like the Kansas Small Business Development Center and the US Commercial Service. In addition, Kansas provided exhibition opportunities under the U.S. Pavilion at the Paris Air Show, as well as participation in trade missions to Mexico, Brazil, China, and countries in Central Asia.

The 2017 STEP awards will allow states to assist small businesses with the information and tools they need to succeed in export related activities that are in line with the objectives of the program. These objectives include participation in foreign trade missions, foreign market sales trips, services provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, as well as design of international marketing campaigns, export trade show exhibits, training workshops and more.

STEP awards are managed and provided at the local level by state government organizations. The program is managed at the national level by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of International Trade.

In SBA Region 7 States of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska the following new awards were made:
Iowa – Iowa Economic Development Authority – $265,000
Kansas – Kansas Department of Commerce – $380,000
Missouri – Missouri Division of Business & Community Services – $400,000
Nebraska – Nebraska Department of Economic Development – $263,720
See the full list of STEP awardees for FY 2017.

About the Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 and since January 13, 2012 has served as a Cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. To learn more about SBA, visit https://www.sba.gov.

SBA

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration has noted two important changes to its Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) Program that will increase contract opportunities for small contractors, supporting them to grow their business operations. The changes will become effective on September 20, 2017.

The SBA will increase the guarantee percentage in the Preferred Surety Bond Program from no more than 70 percent to no more than 90 percent. The SBA’s guarantee will be 90 percent if the original contract amount is $100,000 or less, or if the bond is issued to a small business that is owned and controlled by socially or economically disadvantaged individuals, veterans, service disabled veterans, or certified HUBZone and 8(a) businesses. All other guarantees will be 80 percent.

The eligible contract amount for the Quick Bond Application (Quick Bond) will increase to $400,000 from $250,000. The Quick Bond is a streamlined application process, with reduced paperwork requirements, that is used in the Prior Approval Program for smaller contract amounts. SBA’s review and approval requires minimal time, allowing small businesses to bid on and compete for contracting opportunities without delay.

Through its SBG Program, consisting of the Prior Approval and the Preferred Surety Bond Programs, the SBA guarantees bid, payment and performance bonds for contracts that do not exceed $6.5 million, and up to $10 million with a federal contracting officer’s certification. The SBA’s guarantee encourages the surety company to issue a bond that it would not otherwise provide for a small business.

For more information on the SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program, please visit www.sba.gov/surety-bonds.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 and since January 13, 2012 has served as a Cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. Go to www.sba.gov.

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN

Kansas is setting aspirations for much higher math and reading competency among the class of 2030 — today’s kindergartners — in a long-term accountability plan for its public schools.

Kansas officials submitted the accountability blueprint Tuesday to the U.S. Department of Education. It does not include language promoting controversial school choice concepts that Gov. Sam Brownback’s office advocated for, according to staff at the state education department.

Members of the Kansas State Board of Education expressed support for the plan Tuesday but questioned agency officials about the targets, which call for three out of four students to be proficient in math and reading by the year 2030.

“Is it realistic?” chairman Jim Porter, a Fredonia Republican, wondered.

“Seventy-five percent is going to be tough, but it’s what we need,” replied Beth Fultz, an official with the state education department.

Read the long-term plan submitted by the Kansas State Department of Education.

Education officials picked that number based on the state board’s goal of preparing children for college and careers. The board’s vision leans on Georgetown University research suggesting upwards of 70 percent of the workforce will need postsecondary credentials in the near future.

Just one in three Kansas students currently scores at a proficient level on state math tests, and about 40 percent do so on reading and language arts tests.

“Proficient” in this context means a score of 3 or 4 — the top two scores on the state’s tests. Children take the assessments in third through eighth grades and once in high school. A score of 3 or 4 is designed to indicate mastery of skills and knowledge at each grade level that prepare the child for college.

Proficiency rates are even lower among students with disabilities and groups that are historically socioeconomically disadvantaged. Just 13 percent of black students score at a proficient level on Kansas math tests, for example.

Schools are expected under the plan to hit the target of 75 percent for their overall student bodies, but also specifically for students in minority groups and for children with disabilities, from low-income families or learning English as a second language.

The Kansas accountability plan also aims for a 95 percent high school graduation rate in 2030, compared to the current 86 percent.

‘The power of school choice’

Brownback signed off on the plan Monday. His office did not answer questions submitted Tuesday about whether he had pushed the education department to insert provisions into its plan about charter schools, vouchers or other school choice programs — a divisive topic among education advocates — and whether he had worked with a third-party organization on the matter.

Spokeswoman Rachel Whitten provided this comment instead: “Governor Brownback supports the State Board of Education’s efforts to improve educational outcomes for all Kansas students, and remains a strong supporter of innovation at the local level.”

During a presentation to the state board, education department staff said Brownback’s office had worked with an organization to review the plan and provide feedback to state education officials.

A copy of the organization’s input, obtained through an open records request, urges Kansas education officials to “consider harnessing the power of school choice” by, for example, increasing the prevalence of charter schools, of which there are currently only 10 in Kansas.

Read the ExcelinEd recommendations on the Kansas plan.

“School choice gives families the freedom to leave persistently low-performing schools,” wrote ExcelinEd, a foundation created by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. “Research shows that school choice, in combination with strong accountability, can have a positive effect on low-performing schools.”

The academic benefits of charter schools versus traditional public schools are a subject of debate among education researchers.

Though school choice provisions didn’t make the cut for Kansas’ blueprint, education department staff told the state board they were still in conversations with Brownback’s office on those concepts.

“Because we want to work with the governor’s office, we’ll keep working and see if there’s any way we can assist them,” Tate Toedman said.

Kansas’ submission of an accountability plan to the U.S. Department of Education is required to show how the state will comply with the Every Student Succeeds Act, also known as ESSA.

ESSA is the 2015 federal statutory overhaul that replaced No Child Left Behind, a 2001 law that set a target of closing achievement gaps and reaching 100 percent math and reading proficiency by 2014.

The federal government has sway over certain accountability matters because schools receive federal funds.

Measuring progress, not just targets

State board vice chairwoman Kathy Busch, a Wichita Republican, suggested Kansas make clear that its schools will be measured in part based on the progress of their students, not just on whether they hit the 75 percent proficiency target.

Setting an across-the-board 75 percent target “just screams of No Child Left Behind to me,” she said.

“Having lived with the 100 percent rule, which was …” she said, but paused and cut off her sentence. “That’s all I’ll say.”

No Child Left Behind became highly unpopular over the years. Many educators thought it was unfairly onerous, particularly to schools serving higher numbers of high-poverty and minority children, because the goal was unrealistic.

Deputy education commissioner Brad Neuenswander said state education officials would consider the growth that each school shows, rather than basing measures entirely on whether they hit or miss their targets.

Education officials also said the new accountability system would be “more helpful” and less punitive than No Child Left Behind by providing technical assistance to help struggling schools improve.

They predicted federal education officials would provide feedback on Kansas’ plan by December.

The Kansas Association of School Boards, an advocacy group that represents most of the state’s 286 boards of education, submitted feedback to state education officials praising the ESSA plan — with a caveat.

The association called the 2030 targets “a moral imperative” meant to help ensure financial security for Kansans through rigorous education.

“However, if Kansas is serious about reaching these unprecedented goals, it will require commitments far beyond the scope of this plan,” the group wrote. “The State Board will need to continue and significantly strengthen its advocacy with state and federal lawmakers for the additional finances required to accomplish such ambitious outcomes.”

Dozens of school districts are locked in an ongoing, seven-year long legal battlewith the state over school funding levels. The districts accuse the state of underfunding education to the point that it violates Kansas’ obligations under the state constitution.

Celia Llopis-Jepsen is a reporter for the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio and KMUW covering health, education and politics. You can reach her on Twitter @Celia_LJ.

KCAIC

TOPEKA — Arts in Medicine, a partnership between the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission and Emporia State University, is accepting applications from associations, agencies, and organizations that provide medical services to Kansans. If accepted, the applicant agency will have the opportunity to work with faculty and graduate students in the art therapy program at Emporia State University to build a program that meets the needs of specified populations.

Applicants may be interested in offering patients, clients, or staff art therapy services such as:
Group art therapy programming designed to meet the psycho-social needs of patients, care givers, or medical personnel
Individual art therapy for patients receiving treatment (i.e. cancer treatments or transfusions)
Art-based workshops for medical personnel or clinicians in training (stress relief, group bonding, etc.)
Arts-based programs at special events (grief camps, open houses, etc.)

Applicants must be Kansas-based institutions, organizations, or associations that provide medical services to Kansas citizens. Applications are welcome from agencies that serve all age and developmental levels. Art experience and art skills are not necessary.
Applications are due by October 2, 2017. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by a panel including members of KCAIC, ESU, and art therapy professionals.

To submit an application visit https://kansascaic.submittable.com.

The Benefits of Medical Art Therapy
Provided by Dr. Gaelynn P. Wolf Bordonro ATR-BC, Director of the Emporia State University Art Therapy Program

Art therapy can be used in a variety of medical settings, including support centers, clinics, and hospitals (Czamanski-Cohen, 2012). Patients express themselves while exploring issues regarding their hospitalization and illness, including impact on daily living, relationships, treatment concerns, belief systems, support systems, etc. (Medical Art Therapy, 2014; Minar, 1999; Nainis et al., 2006; Schriener and Wolf Bordonaro, 2012; Wolf Bordonaro, 2003).

Benefits of art therapy include:

• Improved blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration (Malchiodi, 2007).

• Stress reduction (Bell & Robbins, 2007; Leckey, 2011; Schrade, Tronsky, & Kaiser, 2011; Ulrich, 1992).

• Decreased anxiety (Walsh, Martin, & Schmidt, 2004; Walsh & Weiss, 2003).

• Opportunities for emotional release (Council, 1993)

• Reduced resistance related to medical procedures (Favara-Scacco, Di Cataldo, Smirne, & Schiliro, 2001)

• Increased positive behavior with others, including medical staff, visitors, or family members (Favara-Scacco, Di Cataldo, Smirne, & Schiliro, 2001)

• Decreased negative symptoms, such as tiredness and anxiety (Nainis, Paice, Ratner, Wirth, & Shott, 2006)

• Increased healthy coping skills (Nainis, Paice, Ratner, Wirth, & Shott, 2006)

• Decreased distress symptoms (Monti et al., 2006)

• Reduced anxiety and stress for family caregivers (Walsh, Radcliffe, Castillo, Kubar, & Broschard, 2007)

• Increased positive emotions such as, joy, humor, spontaneity, and flow (Reynolds & Prior, 2003; Walsh & Weiss, 2003; Walsh, Martin, & Schmidt, 2004).

• Increased mindfulness and awareness (Collie, Bottorff, & Long, 2006; Nainis, 2005; Reynolds & Prior, 2003; Reynolds, 2004a)

• Reduced rates of depression in cancer patients on chemotherapy (Bar-Sela, Atid, Danos, Gabay, & Epelbaum, 2007)

• Reduced depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms (Thyme et al., 2009)

• Improved self-confidence and readjustment after cancer diagnosis and treatment (Luzzatto & Gabriel, 2000)

• Improved medical decision making processes (Czamanski-Cohen, 2012)

• Increased relaxation, communication, and expression (Forzoni, Perez, Martignetti, & Crispino, 2010)

• Restoration of self-identity and personal worth (Collie, Bottorff, & Long, 2006; Luzzatto & Gabriel, 2000)

• Engagement in generative, empathetic and altruistic acts (Appleton, 2001; Reynolds & Prior, 2003)

• Opportunities to leave concrete “legacies” (Piccirillo, 1999; Rutenberg, 2008)

• Reinforced sense of ability (Nainis, 2008)

• Discovery of inner strengths which compensate for losses caused by illness (McGraw, 1999; Minar, 1999)

• Increased positive communication (Walsh & Weiss, 2003)

• Parents of children who receive art therapy are more relaxed and better able to cope with medical events (Favara-Scacco, Di Cataldo, Smirne, & Schiliro, 2001)

For more on the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, go to KansasCommerce.gov/caic.

SUBMITTED

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A terrific selection of rare and vintage bottles from across the United States – to include Western and Eastern sodas, bitters, inkwells, whiskeys and more – will be sold in Auction #64, an internet and catalog auction that goes online October 13th and ends on Sunday, October 22nd, by American Bottle Auctions (www.americanbottle.com) of Sacramento.

“This auction will feature the largest and finest selection of Western sodas we’ve ever offered, with many rare one-of-a-kinds,” said Jeff Wichmann, owner of American Bottle Auctions. The centerpiece of the category is the collection of the late Ken Salazar. “Ken was a picky collector who had some fine bottles stashed away that we’re proud to present at auction,” Wichmann said.

Also featured will be additional super sodas from the John O’Neill collection, a broad selection of Eastern sodas, rare bitters bottles from both sides of the country, a large inkwell collection and more. “Typically our sales are top-heavy with Western bottles and this sale has plenty of those, but we also have some of the finest known examples in many other categories,” Wichmann said.

The Wynkoop Sarsaparilla bottle in the sale isn’t particularly rare (it’s one of about 20 known), but it’s a highly desired medicine and sarsaparilla category bottle. Its early production, dating to the 1850s, combined with a beautiful blue color and crudity, make it one of the most popular bottles for collectors in that category. This example has a pre-sale estimate of $5,000-$10,000.

The Wonser’s Indian Root Bitters is the aqua variant – the earliest made of the more prevalent amber examples. It’s somewhat rare, one of maybe ten known, and this one’s got color going for it: a fiery blue aqua with good crudity. Also, it’s in perfect condition. American Bottle has sold several amber versions of this bottle, but never an aqua. It should hammer for $8,000-$15,000.

The R&H Columbia soda bottle was made especially for the Gold Rush town of Columbia, in California, from 1852-1856. The fine example in this auction is one of only a half-dozen known and carries an estimate of $7,000-$15,000. Columbia, previously known as Hildreth’s Diggings, was called “the gem of the Southern mines,” having produced a good bit of gold during the rush.

The National Bitters bottle shaped like an ear of corn is one of the most popular of the figural bitters known. Produced in the 1870s, these bottles were either colored amber (the most common variant, selling in the $500 range) or aqua (much more rare and desirable. The bottle in this sale isn’t only aqua, it’s in perfect condition. It’s also expected to change hands for $7,000-$10,000.

Western whiskey flasks made between 1870 and 1900 are considered desirable and are a part of any serious collector’s arsenal. The Jessie Moore whiskey flask being auctioned boasts loads of embossing and should knock down for $5,000-$10,000. The bottle is one of perhaps 25 known, but one rarely comes up for bid because collectors like to keep their examples close to home.

The Brown’s Celebrated Indian Queen is another figural bitters that’s quite prevalent but very popular, too. Modeled after an Indian maiden, the bottle is usually amber, so when a green one turns up collectors pay attention. The bottle in this sale is particularly nice in color – deeper than the usual lime green. A flake on the mouth isn’t expected to deter bidders (est. $5,000-$10,000).

B&G (San Francisco) soda bottles were made from 1852-1856, almost always in cobalt blue or some variant of dark blue. So when this example, in deep teal aqua, presented itself, it was quite remarkable. The bottle, with the eight-sided mug base, is in excellent condition and is a must-have for serious collectors of early Western sodas. It has a pre-sale estimate of $6,000-$10,000.

The 1860s Alex Von Humboldt’s Stomach Bitters bottle is another rare and desirable Western bitters bottle. There are many different variants of this bottle but this is one of the finest ones American Bottle Auctions has ever come across. It has loads of whittle and a gorgeous amber color, making this example hard to beat. It’s expected to find a new owner for $5,000-$10,000.

Interested bidders may register for Auction #64 now, on the American Bottle Auctions website, at www.americanbottle.com. Inquiries may be made via e-mail, to [email protected].  Additional pictures or videos are available on request.

SUBMITTED

EUDORA – Drawing on foreign policy experience in the Reagan White House, and his background growing jobs as Kansas Secretary of Commerce, Antonio Soave announced his campaign for the U.S. Congress Thursday. Soave is seeking the seat currently held by Republican Lynn Jenkins, who is not seeking reelection.

“After prayerful consideration with my family, and so much encouragement from the business community in the second district, I believe now is the time to put my experience to work for Kansas,” said Soave. “I know what it takes to grow jobs, both as a business owner, and from my experience as Secretary of Commerce, recruiting businesses to our state.”

Soave served as Kansas Secretary of Commerce from 2015 to 2017. He is also the founder and CEO of an international business transactions firm that assists companies with exporting their products and creating corporate alliances. Soave has worked extensively throughout North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East.

Serving as an intern in the Office of Public Liaison, Department of Foreign Policy and Defense in the Reagan White House, Soave began a career in international relations. He currently serves on an advisory board for a foreign policy institute funded by Congress.

“We live in a world where tyrants have nuclear weapons capable of striking our homeland,” said Soave. “I have been working in foreign policy for three decades. I know what it takes to keep America safe.”

Soave currently serves as the executive director of the One Heart Project Kansas City Mentoring Initiative. The One Heart Project is a nonprofit organization that mentors at-risk youth in inner cities.

A Parade Magazine High School All-American, Soave married Ft. Scott native Ann Benage Soave in 2008 at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Ft. Scott. Together, they have four children.

OFFICE OF SEN. MORAN

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies – today applauded the Department of Veterans Affairs’ decision to open a Veterans Crisis Line Call Center at the Topeka VA Medical Center campus.

“I am pleased the VA chose Topeka as the location for its new Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) call center and that the VA is following through on its commitment to meet the needs of veterans in crisis,” said Sen. Moran. “Secretary Shulkin has made suicide prevention a top priority, and expanding the VCL to additional locations and increasing crisis responders is critical to providing veterans with the support they need, when they need it. I will continue working with the VA to make certain no veteran feels abandoned by the country they served when they make the brave decision to seek mental health services.”

About the VA Crisis Line (provided by the VA):

· This call center will be the third Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), in addition to the existing call centers in Canandaigua, N.Y. and Atlanta, Ga.
· The new call center, to be located on the campus of VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System, will provide support for expansion of the ‘automatic transfer’ function, Press 7, into Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and Vet centers, improving access to the VCL in the coming months.
· Since the launch of the VCL in 2007, they have answered nearly three million calls and initiated the dispatch of emergency services to callers in imminent crisis nearly 84,000 times. Since launching a chat option in 2009 and text services in 2011, the VCL has engaged on nearly 359,000 chats and more than 78,000 text requests.
· Veterans in crisis may contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1. They can also text or chat with our trained professionals online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net.

KCC

TOPEKA – Today the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) took a significant step toward ensuring the future safety and reliability of the state’s natural gas pipeline system.

An order was issued that sets the stage for gas utilities to accelerate the replacement of obsolete and aging infrastructure.

In concluding an intensive general investigation, the Commission determined it is in the public interest for gas companies to accelerate the replacement of unprotected bare steel mains, unprotected bare steel service/yard lines and cast iron mains, all of which are prone to corrosion. To assist utilities in their acceleration efforts, the Commission will institute an Accelerated Replacement Program (ARP), initially as a four year pilot program. Commissioners attached a number of conditions to the program to ensure utility accountability and reasonable costs to consumers.

To participate in the ARP, utilities must submit a detailed ten-year replacement plan to be approved by the Commission. The annual surcharge to residential customers has been capped at $.40 per month to maintain rate stability. Utilities will also be required to file an annual progress report.

On the recommendation of Commission staff, the Commission opened the general investigation on March 12, 2015 to study the current state of the natural gas pipeline system and determine if existing utility replacement activity was sufficient or an accelerated program was needed. The three gas companies under the KCC’s jurisdiction; Kansas Gas Service, Atmos Energy, and Black Hills Energy participated in the investigation as well as the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB).

Today’s order is available at: https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/20170912103542.pdf?Id=94709420-f731-4f6b-91ef-a236a53199b8

WICHITA – A federal grand jury Tuesday returned an indictment charging a Wichita man with brandishing firearms during robberies at two local hotels, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said in a news release.

Darrell E. Black, 24, Wichita, Kan., is charged with two counts of commercial robbery, two counts of brandishing a firearm during a robbery and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction.

The indictment alleges that on May 27, 2017, Black robbed the Extended Stay America at 9450 E. Corporate Hills, and on May 29, 2017, he robbed the Days Inn and Suites at 7321 E. Kellogg, both in Wichita.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
Robbery: Up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
Brandishing a firearm: Not less than seven years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
Felon in possession of a firearm: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wichita Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

 

KDWPT

COUNCIL GROVE – The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) will hold the 2017 Kansas State JAKES Camp Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at White Memorial Camp, 6 miles north of Council Grove, off Highway K-177. The camp is open to youth 17 and younger who want to learn more about hunting and outdoor skills.

On Saturday, participants can select up to six activities from a list that includes fishing, arts and crafts, JAKES Take Aim BB gun shooting, trap shooting, still target shooting, archery, canoeing, and turkey calling with NWTF Grand National and World Turkey Calling Champion, Billy Yargus.

On Saturday evening, JAKES members can participate in the annual NWTF Kansas State JAKES (ages 12 and under) and Xtreme JAKES (ages 13 to 17) turkey calling contests. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division. The evening will close with Yargus entertaining everyone with stories of becoming a world-class turkey caller.

On Sunday, Pastor Gary Cargill will start the day with a sunrise service. After the service, participants will enjoy presentations by Master Falconer Doug Burt and a naturalist from the Milford Nature Center.

The cost of the event is $20 for JAKES members, $30 for non-JAKES members (which includes a JAKES membership), and $20 for adults. Options for Saturday night include commuting, tent camping (bring your own tent), RV camping (a few RV hook-ups are available) or for an additional fee, staying in a resident cabin (bunk beds and shared bath). Boys and girls will have separate cabins. The cost includes lunch and supper on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. Meals will be prepared by the White Memorial Camp kitchen staff. All youth 17 and younger will receive a commemorative t-shirt and win a prize in a drawing at the end of the event on Sunday. One lucky youth will win a shotgun.

The NWTF Kansas State JAKES Camp was awarded the “Best State JAKES Event” in 2012, the “Best Special JAKES Event” in 2013 at the NWTF National Convention in Nashville, Tenn. and “Honorable Mention” in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

For more information and to register, contact Gib Rhodes at 620-437-2012.

DCF

TOPEKA – Approximately 3 percent of all children in Kansas under 18 are living in households where a grandparent provides that child’s primary care. In honor of grandparents who take on this tremendous responsibility, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) is celebrating them on Grandparents Day, Sept. 10.

A Topeka woman stepped forward to serve as a relative placement when her grandchildren were recently removed from their home. The grandmother says she wanted to keep the siblings together and out of a non-relative foster home. (To protect the privacy of the children, the family is not being identified.)

The Topeka woman attended a proclamation signing ceremony in August, where Governor Sam Brownback designated Sept. 10 as National Grandparents Day.

Approximately 33 percent of children currently in foster care in Kansas are being cared for by relatives, in many instances grandparents. When a child must be removed from his/her home for safety reasons, DCF and its foster care contractors make it a priority to identify relatives or known adults to the children as placement options. Children placed with grandparents or other relatives experience fewer placement moves, are more likely to be placed with siblings, and have fewer behavior problems.

“Whenever a child must be taken from their home, grandparents often provide a safe and loving alternative to reduce the trauma of being removed from their home,” DCF Secretary Phyllis Gilmore said. “As a grandparent myself, I treasure the time I can spend with my grandchildren. I am tremendously grateful to grandparents across the State of Kansas who have volunteered to provide full-time comfort and care for their grandchildren.”

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disabilities (KDADS) provides support to grandparents serving as parents through its Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP). The program was created by several agencies concerned with the welfare of older adults, children and youth.

RAPP offers support groups and referrals to community resources such as legal services, financial assistance, medical assistance, day care, emergency food, housing assistance and recreational activities for children.

For more information about RAPP, contact Sharon Dabzadeh at KDADS, by calling 785-296-4986 or 800-432-3535.

KDWPT

PRATT – If you have questions about Kansas wildlife, hunting, fishing, camping, state parks, or in-state travel destinations, you’ll find answers at the Kansas State Fair, Sept. 8-17, in Hutchinson. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) staff will be on hand at various locations throughout the fair to talk or just hear your story.

The permanent KDWPT display – which includes aquariums full of Kansas fish and terrariums holding various live native snakes and lizards – is at the north end of the Eisenhower building. Information and Law Enforcement staff will be available to answer any question you may have about the Kansas outdoors. You can also pick up regulation pamphlets, hunting and fishing atlases, state park guides and other information materials. And if you’ve ever wondered just how big an American bison bull is, you can stand next to a full-body mount of one the Great Plains’ iconic residents.

If you really like fish, don’t miss the KDWPT mobile aquarium, which will be set up just south of the grandstands at the southeast fairgrounds entrance. Fisheries Division staff will be waiting to answer questions and provide angling tips to anyone interested in Kansas fish and fishing. The 40-foot-long, 3,200-gallon aquarium provides up-close views of many popular Kansas sport fish.

If you’ve ever thought about staying in a state park cabin, you can see the real deal at the fair. A cabin, like those available for rent in our state parks, is located on the north side of Lake Talbot. Drop by, tour the cabin, and visit with state park staff about what’s available at our 26 Kansas state parks.

And finally, step into the Pride of Kansas building and visit the KDWPT Travel and Tourism booth. Department staff will answer questions about popular Kansas destinations, day-trips, scenic byways, unique restaurants and more. You’ll find literature to help you discover places and things to do in Kansas you never imagined existed. It’s true, “there’s no place like Kansas,” or the Kansas State Fair. See you there.